Patent ID: 7624816
Filing Date: 2009-12-01
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring operation of a downhole tool assembly using an above-ground monitoring system, the downhole tool assembly having a beacon assembly comprising at least one configurable function, the method comprising: transmitting an output signal from the beacon assembly, wherein the output signal transmits information related to the at least one configurable function, and wherein at least one of the configurable function comprises a signal strength of the output signal; detecting the output signal at the above-ground monitoring system; processing the output signal to determine a value for the configurable function; using the determined value, transmitting a modulated instruction signal to the beacon assembly to alter the configurable function of the beacon assembly to obtain a desired value for the configurable function; and monitoring operation of the downhole tool assembly with the above-ground monitoring system according to the desired value of the configurable function; positioning the beacon assembly at a known orientation and at a known distance from the above-ground monitoring system; measuring the signal strength of the output signal to determine an estimated distance between the downhole tool assembly and the above-ground monitoring system; transmitting the modulated instruction signal to the beacon assembly, wherein the modulated instruction signal comprises instructions to the beacon assembly to adjust the signal strength of the output signal to the desired value; and adjusting the signal strength of the output signal in response to the modulated instruction signal so that the estimated distance measured by the above-ground monitoring system and the known distance between the above-ground monitoring system and the downhole tool assembly are substantially equal.