Moveable antenna within a wellbore

A wellbore communication system includes a section of downhole tubing positionable within a wellbore and a track mechanically coupleable to the section of downhole tubing. The wellbore communication system also includes a downhole communication device and an actuator mechanically coupleable to the downhole communication device and the track. In operation, the actuator is able to move the downhole communication device along the track.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an antenna system that can be moved within a wellbore and, more particularly (although not necessarily exclusively), to enhancing data or power transmission performance within the wellbore using the moveable antenna system.

BACKGROUND

A well (e.g., oil or gas well) may include a wellbore drilled through a subterranean formation. Transmitting and receiving antennas may be positioned within the wellbore to enable data communication and power transmission between (i) downhole tools within the wellbore and (ii) equipment at a surface of the wellbore. Antennas coupled to tools within the wellbore can link with antennas on completion tubing within the wellbore.

The signal strength between the antennas may be limited if the antennas are not positioned in close proximity to one another within the wellbore. Because the antennas may be located several thousand feet or meters below a surface of the wellbore, positioning the antennas at precise wellbore depths may be difficult. Techniques to increase precision when landing antennas relative to other antennas within the wellbore may result in increased signal strength and enhanced power transfer between the antennas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate to an antenna that is movably positionable within a wellbore with respect to another antenna. In an example, the antenna may be an antenna including a linear actuator that is positioned on a linear track that is mechanically coupled to a section of tubing downhole within the wellbore. The linear actuator may enable the movement of the antenna along the linear track of the section of tubing. In some examples, the antenna is in wired or wireless communication with a computing system located at a surface of the wellbore. The other antenna may be an antenna that is located on casing installed within the wellbore. In some examples, the other antenna is communicatively coupled to a downhole tool or a downhole sensor positioned within the wellbore. In some examples, the casing-mounted antenna may be communicatively connected to the surface, and the tubing-mounted antenna may be communicatively coupled to the downhole tools.

A tubing-mounted antenna may be landed within the wellbore when tubing, such as production tubing, on which the tubing-mounted antenna is installed reaches a final position within the wellbore. By making the tubing-mounted antenna axially mobile with respect to the tubing (e.g., capable of being driven uphole or downhole within the wellbore), a relative positioning of the tubing-mounted antenna and the casing-mounted antenna may be fine-tuned. Fine tuning the relative positioning of the tubing-mounted antenna and the casing-mounted antenna may ensure that the tubing-mounted antenna and the casing-mounted antenna are aligned properly for maximum signal strength and power transfer efficiency.

Other inductive coupling tools may also be relatively positioned within a wellbore by fine tuning a depth of an inductive coupling tool within the wellbore. For example, an inductive coupling tool positioned on a section of tubing may be axially mobile with respect to the tubing such that the inductive coupling tool positioned on the tubing may gain communication with lateral wellbores or with gauges positioned outside of a screen. Thus, a landing window of the inductive coupling tool may be greatly expanded.

In an example, the tubing-mounted antenna or inductive coupling tool may be mechanically coupled to a linear actuator on an external surface of a section of tubing. The linear actuator may be an electrical linear actuator powered by a tubing encased conductor (TEC) or instrument wire (I-wire) from the surface or by a battery located within the wellbore. In some examples, a casing-mounted antenna may also be movable along the casing using a linear actuator if the casing-mounted antenna is not cemented in place or otherwise restrained.

By enabling axial mobility of the tubing-mounted antenna, inductive coupling tool, the casing-mounted antenna, or a combination thereof, reliability and signal fidelity of communications between downhole tools may be enhanced. Accordingly, the antennas or inductive coupling tools may be spaced out further and may be more compact as a landing window within the wellbore for the antennas and inductive coupling tools is able to be larger than for stationary antennas or inductive coupling tools.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view of a wellbore system100according to one example of the present disclosure. A wellbore102can extend through various earth strata. The wellbore102can extend through a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation124. The wellbore102can have a substantially vertical section104and a substantially horizontal section106. The substantially vertical section104and the substantially horizontal section106can include a casing string108cemented at an upper segment of the substantially vertical section104and through a portion of the substantially horizontal section106. A tubing string110can extend from the surface within wellbore102. The tubing string110can provide a flow path between a portion of the wellbore102and the surface. In an example, the tubing string110is a string of production tubing.

A tubing-mounted antenna112can be included on a section114of the tubing string110. The tubing-mounted antenna112can include a data transmission antenna that is able to transmit data to and receive data from a casing-mounted antenna116. In an example, the tubing-mounted antenna112is a radio frequency (RF) antenna. The tubing-mounted antenna112may also be any other type of antenna. In another example, the tubing-mounted antenna112can include an inductive coupler that is able to inductively couple with another inductive coupler within the wellbore102. For example, the tubing-mounted antenna112can inductively couple with another inductive coupler located at an entry to a lateral wellbore or with a gauge or other downhole instrument located outside of a downhole screen surrounding the tubing string110or cemented in the wellbore102with the casing string108. In this manner, the tubing-mounted antenna112provides a mechanism for communication with or powering the lateral wellbore, downhole instruments and tools, or a combination thereof.

The tubing-mounted antenna112can be positioned in the wellbore102such that the tubing-mounted antenna112lands within a landing window from the casing-mounted antenna116(e.g., an RF antenna, an inductive coupler, or an acoustic transceiver) along the wellbore102. The landing window may be half of a length of a track118mounted to the section114of the tubing string110. In an example, the tubing-mounted antenna112may include a linear actuator (not shown) that is able to move the tubing-mounted antenna112linearly along the track118mounted to the section114of the tubing string110. In some examples, the linear actuator may move the tubing-mounted antenna112along the tubing string110to position the tubing-mounted antenna112at an optimal communication position with the casing-mounted antenna116. For example, the linear actuator may move the tubing-mounted antenna112in a direction119to align the tubing-mounted antenna112with the casing-mounted antenna116. If the track118mounted to the section114of the tubing string110is 40 feet (i.e., about 13 meters) in length, then the landing window, which is a maximum distance of the tubing-mounted antenna112from the casing-mounted antenna116upon landing of the tubing string110, is 20 feet (i.e., about 7 meters) to ensure that the tubing-mounted antenna112is able to align with the casing-mounted antenna116.

In an example, the casing-mounted antenna116may be communicatively coupled to a downhole instrument117, and the casing-mounted antenna116can transmit data from the downhole instrument117to the tubing-mounted antenna112. The downhole instrument117may include pressure sensors, thermometers, or any other downhole condition monitoring tools. In an additional example, the casing-mounted antenna116may not be cemented in place along the casing108. In such an example, the casing-mounted antenna116may include a linear actuator and a set of tracks to move the casing-mounted antenna116linearly along the casing. In such an example, the tubing-mounted antenna112may also include a linear actuator, as described above, or only the casing-mounted antenna116may include a linear actuator.

The tubing-mounted antenna112may be in communication with a computing device120, which may be positioned at a surface of the wellbore102, downhole within the wellbore102, or the computing device120may be a distributed computing system including multiple, spatially separated computing components. Other equipment of the wellbore system100described may also be in communication with the computing device120. In some examples, the computing device120that receives data from the tubing-mounted antenna112may be permanently installed surface equipment of the wellbore system100. In additional examples, the computing device120may be positioned within a vehicle at the surface of the wellbore102as part of a mobile computing station. In other embodiments, the computing device120may be hand-held or remotely located from the well system200.

The computing device120may be positioned belowground, aboveground, onsite, in a vehicle, offsite, etc. The computing device120may include a processor interfaced with other hardware via a bus. A memory, which may include any suitable tangible (and non-transitory) computer-readable medium, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, or the like, can embody program components that configure operation of the computing device120. In some aspects, the computing device120may include input/output interface components (e.g., a display, printer, keyboard, touch-sensitive surface, and mouse) and additional storage.

WhileFIG. 1depicts the wellbore system100where the computing device120receives data from the tubing-mounted antenna112through a wired data connection122, other communication schemes between the computing device120and the tubing-mounted antenna112may be used. For example, data signals transmitted to the computing device120may be acoustic signals, electromagnetic signals, mud-pulse telemetry signals, wired signals, or any other types of signals capable of providing the data received at the tubing-mounted antenna112to the computing device120.

Further, whileFIG. 1depicts the wellbore102with the substantially vertical section104and the substantially horizontal section106, the techniques described herein may also be used in wellbore systems that are substantially vertical for an entirety of the wellbore102. Further, any other orientations of the wellbore102are also contemplated. For example, the substantially horizontal section106of the wellbore102may represent any wellbore102with a trajectory other than vertical (e.g., horizontal, inclined, etc.).

In an example, an additional tubing-mounted antenna112amay be installed on a track118amounted to a section114aof the tubing string110. The tubing-mounted antenna112amay include a linear actuator (not shown) that is able to move the tubing-mounted antenna112alinearly along the track118a. In some examples, the linear actuator may move the tubing-mounted antenna112aalong the tubing string110to position the tubing-mounted antenna112aat an optimal communication position with the tubing-mounted antenna112. That is, the tubing-mounted antenna112amay move in a direction126and the tubing-mounted antenna112may move in the direction119such that the tubing-mounted antenna112aand the tubing-mounted antenna112are able to efficiently and accurately transfer data, power, or both between one another.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wellbore system100including the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116according to one example of the present disclosure. As described above with respect toFIG. 1, the tubing-mounted antenna112may be mounted to the section114of the tubing string110along with a linear actuator202. The linear actuator202may interact with the track118mounted on the section114of the tubing string110to move the tubing-mounted antenna112in a linear direction204or an opposite linear direction206. While the track118is depicted as covering only a portion of the section114of the tubing string110, the track118may also cover an entire length of the section114of the tubing string110. For example, the track may be up to 30 or 40 feet (i.e., about 10 or 13 meters) in length along the section114of the tubing string110. Further, in some examples, the length of the track118may be three feet (i.e., about 1 meter) or shorter.

In the illustrated example, the tubing-mounted antenna112may be moved in the linear direction204such that the tubing-mounted antenna112is more closely aligned with the casing-mounted antenna116, which is mounted on the casing string108. By aligning the tubing-mounted antenna112with the casing-mounted antenna112, accuracy and efficiency of data transfer between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116is enhanced. In another example, the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116may be inductive couplers, and the inductive coupling between the two components may be established by moving the tubing-mounted antenna112into a position that aligns with the casing-mounted antenna116. In an additional example, the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116may be acoustic transceivers. In such an example, data transmission between the two components is performed using acoustic signals, and the tubing-mounted antenna112may be aligned with the casing-mounted antenna116for acoustic transmission of data, power, or both. The different types of tubing-mounted antennas112and casing-mounted antennas116(e.g., RF antennas, inductive couplers, and acoustic transceivers) may collectively be referred to as downhole communication devices.

Further, while the linear actuator202may be powered by a tubing encased conductor (TEC) or instrument wire (I-wire) that also provides control signals from the computing device120, the linear actuator202may also receive power from a battery203positioned downhole with the linear actuator202. For example, if the computing device120provides control signals to the linear actuator202wirelessly, the linear actuator202may receive power from the battery203in place of wired power. In other examples, as inFIG. 3, the battery203may not be present, and the linear actuator202may rely on power only from the TEC or I-wire. In an example, the linear actuator202may also be controlled or moved directly through a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system may be controlled by an in-well controller or through a supply from a hydraulic system located outside of the wellbore102.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wellbore system100upon repositioning the tubing-mounted antenna112relative to the casing-mounted antenna116according to one example of the present disclosure. For example, the tubing-mounted antenna112may be moved in the linear direction204along the track118mounted on the section114of the tubing string110by the linear actuator202. In the example illustrated byFIGS. 2 and 3, the tubing-mounted antenna112may be moved from a position that is misaligned with the casing-mounted antenna116(e.g., as inFIG. 2) to a position that is aligned with the casing-mounted antenna116(e.g., as inFIG. 3). By moving into alignment with the casing-mounted antenna116, data transmission and power between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116is enhanced in relation to when the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116are misaligned.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a process400for installing the tubing-mounted antenna112within the wellbore102according to one example of the present disclosure. In an example, the process400may occur after the tubing string110is landed at a final position within the wellbore102. For illustrative purposes, the process400is described with reference to certain examples depicted in the figures. Other implementations, however, are possible.

At block402, the process400involves landing the tubing-mounted antenna112within a landing window of the casing-mounted antenna116. As discussed above with respect toFIG. 1, the landing window may be one half of a length of the track118mounted on the section114of the tubing string110. By landing the tubing-mounted antenna112within the landing window, the tubing-mounted antenna112is able to be repositioned by the linear actuator202along the track118to align with the casing-mounted antenna116.

At block404, the process400involves moving the tubing-mounted antenna along the track118to align the tubing-mounted antenna112with the casing-mounted antenna116. By aligning the tubing-mounted antenna112with the casing-mounted antenna116, the transmission of data, power, or both between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116may be enhanced in relation to when the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116are misaligned.

At block406, the process400involves communicating between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116. Because the tubing-mounted antenna112is aligned with the casing-mounted antenna116at block404, the reliability and signal fidelity of the data communication between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116may be enhanced.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of a process500for positioning the tubing-mounted antenna112within the wellbore102, as at block404ofFIG. 4, according to one example of the present disclosure. In an example, the process500may occur after the tubing string110is landed at a final position within the wellbore102. For illustrative purposes, the process500is described with reference to certain examples depicted in the figures. Other implementations, however, are possible.

At block502, the process500involves transmitting, by the computing device120, a signal to the tubing-mounted antenna112requesting a signal test between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116. As discussed above, the signal strength between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116may be poor when the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116are misaligned. Accordingly, the signal test may provide a mechanism for the tubing-mounted antenna112to measure a signal strength from the casing-mounted antenna116, for the casing-mounted antenna116to measure a signal strength from the tubing-mounted antenna112, or both.

At block504, the process500involves receiving, at the computing device120, a signal strength indication from the tubing-mounted antenna112based on the signal test. The signal strength indication may provide the computing device120with an indication of the misalignment between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116. For example, a very low signal strength indicates a greater misalignment than a relatively higher signal strength.

At block506, the process500involves determining if the signal strength indication is stronger than at a previous location of the tubing-mounted antenna112. In an example, the tubing-mounted antenna112may be positioned within the wellbore102at one end of the track118, and the process500may be repeated when the tubing-mounted antenna112is positioned at set locations along a length of the track118. In this manner, each location of the tubing-mounted antenna112may generate a signal strength that is stronger than or weaker than a signal strength generated at one or more of the other locations along the length of the track118. If the signal strength is stronger than a signal strength at a previous location of the tubing-mounted antenna112, then the process500moves on to block508. If the signal strength is not stronger than the signal strength at the previous location, then the process500bypasses block508and moves to block510.

In some examples, block506may be replaced by making a determination as to whether the signal strength exceeds a threshold value. In such an example, if a threshold signal strength value is reached, the process500may end and the tubing-mounted antenna112may remain at the current location along the track118. If the threshold signal strength value is not reached, the process500may proceed directly to block512, as described below.

At block508, the process500involves assigning the present location of the tubing-mounted antenna112as the location of the strongest signal. This assignment ensures that the tubing-mounted antenna112will return to the present location if no other locations available to the tubing-mounted antenna112can produce stronger signal strengths.

At block510, the process500involves determining if more locations are available along the track118where the tubing-mounted antenna112has not moved. This determination may be made to ensure that the tubing-mounted antenna112has tested signal strengths at every available location along the track118. If more locations are available, then the process500proceeds to block512. If more locations are not available, then the process500proceeds to block414.

At block512, the process500involves moving the tubing-mounted antenna112to a new location along the track118. When the tubing-mounted antenna112reaches the new location, the process500may begin again at block502. At block414, the process500involves moving the tubing-mounted antenna112to the location of the strongest signal (e.g., as assigned at block508), and the process500ends. This ensures that the best available alignment for communication between the tubing-mounted antenna112and the casing-mounted antenna116is reached. The process500may also be repeated dynamically during downtime of the wellbore system100. For example, when data is not being collected and transmitted between the casing-mounted antenna116and the tubing-mounted antenna112, the location of the tubing-mounted antenna112may be adjusted by repeating the process500to ensure that the tubing-mounted antenna remains in an aligned position with the casing-mounted antenna116.

In some aspects, a system and method for aligning downhole communication devices are provided according to one or more of the following examples:

Example 1 is a wellbore communication system, comprising: a section of downhole tubing positionable within a wellbore; a track mechanically coupleable to the section of downhole tubing; a downhole communication device; and an actuator mechanically coupleable to the downhole communication device and the track to move the downhole communication device along the track.

Example 2 is the wellbore communication system of example 1, further comprising: an outer tubing in which the section of downhole tubing is positionable; and an additional downhole communication device mechanically coupleable to the outer tubing, wherein the actuator is positionable to move the downhole communication device along the track to align the downhole communication device with the additional downhole communication device to facilitate transmission of data, power, or both between the downhole communication device and the additional downhole communication device.

Example 3 is the wellbore communication system of examples 1-2, further comprising: an additional section of downhole tubing positionable within the wellbore and coupleable to the section of downhole tubing; and an additional downhole communication device coupleable to the additional section of downhole tubing, wherein the actuator is positionable to move the downhole communication device along the track to align the downhole communication device with the additional downhole communication device to facilitate transmission of data, power, or both between the downhole communication device and the additional downhole communication device.

Example 4 is the wellbore communication system of examples 1-3, further comprising a tubing encased conductor or an instrument wire coupleable between a surface of the wellbore and the actuator to provide a control signal to control the actuator to move the downhole communication device along the track.

Example 5 is the wellbore communication system of examples 1-4, wherein a length of the track is about 13 meters or less.

Example 6 is the wellbore communication system of examples 1-5, wherein the downhole communication device is moveable along the track to align the downhole communication device with a casing-mounted communication device.

Example 7 is the wellbore communication system of examples 1-6, wherein the section of downhole tubing is mechanically coupleable on either end to sections of production tubing.

Example 8 is the wellbore communication system of examples 1-7, wherein the downhole communication device is positionable within the wellbore to inductively couple with an inductive coupler located at an entry to a lateral wellbore from the wellbore or with a downhole instrument positionable within the wellbore.

Example 9 is the wellbore communication system of example 8, wherein the downhole communication device is positionable for being inductively coupled with (i) the inductive coupler or (ii) the downhole instrument, to transfer power and data signals between the downhole communication device and the inductive coupler.

Example 10 is a method, comprising: positioning a tubing-mounted communication device within a landing window of a casing-mounted communication device that is located within a wellbore; and moving the tubing-mounted communication device, using an actuator, along a track that is mechanically coupled to a section of tubing within the wellbore to align the tubing-mounted communication device with the casing-mounted communication device.

Example 11 is the method of example 10, wherein moving the tubing-mounted communication device comprises: performing a first signal strength test between the tubing-mounted communication device at a first location within the wellbore and the casing-mounted communication device to generate a first signal strength indication; moving the tubing-mounted communication device along the track using the actuator to a second location within the wellbore; performing a second signal strength test between the tubing-mounted communication device positioned at the second location and the casing-mounted communication device to generate a second signal strength indication; moving the tubing-mounted communication device along the track to the first location within the wellbore using the actuator of the tubing-mounted communication device when the first signal strength indication is greater than the second signal strength indication; and maintaining the tubing-mounted communication device at the second location within the wellbore when the second signal strength indication is greater than the first signal strength indication.

Example 12 is the method of example 11, further comprising: moving the tubing-mounted communication device along the track using the actuator of the tubing-mounted communication device to a third location within the wellbore; performing a third signal strength test between the tubing-mounted communication device at the third location within the wellbore and the casing-mounted communication device to generate a third signal strength indication; moving the tubing-mounted communication device along the track to the first location within the wellbore using the actuator of the tubing-mounted communication device when the first signal strength indication is greater than the second signal strength indication and the third signal strength indication; moving the tubing-mounted communication device along the track to the second location when the second signal strength indication is greater than the first signal strength indication and the third signal strength indication; and maintaining the tubing-mounted communication device at the third location within the wellbore when the third signal strength indication is greater than the first signal strength indication and the second signal strength indication.

Example 13 is the method of examples 10-12, wherein the tubing-mounted communication device and the casing-mounted communication device comprise radio frequency antennas or acoustic transceivers.

Example 14 is the method of examples 10-13, wherein a length of the track is about 13 meters or less.

Example 15 is an apparatus comprising: a section of downhole tubing positionable within an outer tubing in a wellbore; and a track mechanically coupled to the section of downhole tubing and mechanically coupleable to an actuator of a downhole communication device to move the downhole communication device along the track to align the downhole communication device with an additional downhole communication device.

Example 16 is the apparatus of example 15, wherein the section of downhole tubing and the track are positionable within a casing tubing, and wherein the additional downhole communication device is mechanically coupleable to the casing tubing.

Example 17 is the apparatus of examples 15-16, wherein a length of the track is about 13 meters or less.

Example 18 is the apparatus of examples 15-17, wherein the section of downhole tubing is mechanically coupleable on either end to sections of production tubing.

Example 19 is the apparatus of examples 15-18, further comprising: a tubing encased coupler or an instrument wire communicatively coupleable to the actuator of the downhole communication device to provide power and control signals to the actuator.

Example 20 is the apparatus of examples 15-19, wherein the downhole communication device is moveable along the track to align the downhole communication device with the additional downhole communication device to inductively couple the downhole communication device with the additional downhole communication device.