Obtaining data from a well

Abstract

The invention relates to gathering data about a hydrocarbon well by dropping a ball or dart ( 1 ) through the well ( 21 ) that emits an acoustic signature and/or senses information about the wellbore, such as deformation or bending. The dart signature and/or sensed data is communicated to the surface via a DAS cable ( 25 ) running down the tubing ( 20 ). The dart ( 1 ) may be made in two detachable modules, the first module ( 4 ) containing an acoustic emitter and the second module ( 6 ) having a certain drift diameter and being one of a set of interchangeable modules of different drift diameter that may be selected and assembled to the first module ( 4 ). The second module or both modules may be dissolvable. The dart ( 51 ) may store data as it descends through the tubing ( 60 ) and then dock with a docking station ( 65 ) that is connected with a TEC line ( 66 ) running up the outside of the tubing ( 60 ) and download the data via the TEC line ( 66 ) up to the surface.

1 . A process for obtaining data from a wellbore, where the process comprises:
 a) dropping or pumping a ball or dart into the well, wherein the dart is equipped with one or more sensors to detect restrictions in the tubing, casing or liner in the well,   b) or to detect geometry of the tubing, casing or liner in the well, or to detect leaks in the tubing, casing or liner;   b) storing detected data in the dart;   c) processing data in the ball or dart; and   d) communicating the data from the dart to the surface via a DAS cable or TEC line or by transmitting signals through well fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the said one or more sensors include an acoustic caliper, impulse radar sensor, ultra sound sensor or multi finger caliper (“MFC”) for gathering data about wellbore geometry, e.g. detecting restrictions in the well or tubing. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the said one or more sensors include a flex sensor, e.g. an optical fibre within the dart oriented along the length of the dart or arranged in a coil, able to detect bending of the dart and thus of the well or tubing. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the said one or more sensors include a gyro that can gather information about shape of the wellbore. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the said one or more sensors include an acoustic sensor in the dart/ball to detect leaks in tubing casing or liner, or behind tubing, casing or liner. 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the said one or more sensors include a casing collar locator (“CCL”) for identifying measured depth location in the well by detecting features, e.g. collars, on tubing, casing or liner. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the said one or more sensors include a temperature sensor and/or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the dart or ball docks in a docking station in the well, where data stored in the dart or ball is transferred to the docking station and transmitted up a pre-installed TEC line to the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the dart or ball transmits data to a pre-installed DAS line. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the dart or ball is not retrieved, is dissolvable, or degrades. 
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the dart or ball comprises a first module comprising a data sensor and/or transmitter and a second module having a drift diameter greater than that of the first module, the first and second modules being detachable, and wherein a plurality of second modules having different drift diameters are provided. 
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of balls or darts are provided, each comprising a data sensor and/or transmitter and each having a different drift diameter and/or length. 
     
     
         13 . A ball or dart for dropping or pumping through well tubing, the ball or dart comprising:
 (a) one or more sensors for detecting a condition of the well as the ball or dart passes along the tubing;   (b) a data storage facility for storing sensed data;   (c) a data processing facility for processing data before or after storage;   (d) a communication facility for transferring data to the surface via well fluids or through casing or liner, a DAS line or a TEC line.   
     
     
         14 . The ball or dart according to  claim 13 , wherein the said one or more sensors are selected from an acoustic caliper, a multi finger caliper (“MFC”), an impulse radar sensor, an ultra-sound sensor, an acoustic sensor, an optical fibre within the dart, an optical fibre oriented along the length of the dart, an optical fibre arranged in a coil, a flex sensor able to detect bending of the dart, a gyro, a casing collar locator (“CCL”), a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow meter, a magnetometer, and a camera. 
     
     
         15 . The ball or dart according to  claim 13 , wherein the dart or ball is dissolvable. 
     
     
         16 . The ball or dart according to  claim 13 , wherein the dart or ball comprises a first module comprising a data sensor and/or transmitter and a second module having a drift diameter greater than that of the first module, the first and second modules being detachable, and wherein a plurality of second modules having different drift diameters are provided. 
     
     
         17 . A set comprising a plurality of balls or darts each according to  claim 13 , each ball or dart comprising a data sensor and/or transmitter and each having a different drift diameter. 
     
     
         18 . A ball or dart according to  claim 13 , said ball or dart comprising one or more wiper darts with integrated sensors to detect flexing of the dart fins said fins composed of rubber, nitrile, polymer, or gel.