Surface tagging system with wired tubulars

Abstract

Downhole systems and methods including tags configured to provide distinguishable identifiers are set for selective release to a subsurface location. Sources/sensors in the wellbore are activated to detect the tags at a subsurface location, and signal data associated with the detected tags is conveyed to the surface.

1 . A downhole system, comprising:
 at least one tag configured to provide a distinguishable identifier and set for selective release to a subsurface location; and   at least one sensor disposed on a drill string comprising a plurality of interconnected drill pipes, wherein the at least one sensor detects the at least one tag at a subsurface location,   and further wherein the at least one sensor is configured to transmit a signal associated with the at least one tag to a surface location.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tag is set for selective release from a surface location for transit to the subsurface location. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tag is set for selective release from a tool disposed subsurface. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the drill string comprises a plurality of interconnected wired tubulars. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of sensors disposed on the drill string and configured to detect the at least one tag. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to alter operation of a surface or subsurface component based on detection of the at least one tag at the surface location or the subsurface location. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to activate release of the at least one tag to the subsurface location. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection unit to detect the at least one tag at the surface location. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the drill string comprises interconnected wired tubulars, and wherein the at least one sensor is configured to transmit a signal associated with the at least one via the interconnected wired tubulars. 
   
   
       10 . A method, comprising:
 detecting the at least one tag at a subsurface location with a sensor disposed on a drill string, the tag configured to provide a distinguishable identifier; and   conveying a signal associated with the at least one tag from the sensor to a surface location.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the drill sting comprises an interconnected wired tubular string. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising releasing the at least one tag from a surface location. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising releasing the at least one tag from a tool disposed subsurface. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising using the at least one tag to do at least one of determine a fluid flow property, determine a kick location, determine an event location, determine a depth location, determine a transit time, monitor cement placement, monitor gravel packing, convey information, and determine a cuttings flow. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising adding the least one tag to a fluid for disposal subsurface. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining a time between the step of releasing the at least one tag and the step of the detecting the at least one tag. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising activating a plurality of sensors disposed in the borehole to detect the at least one tag. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising altering operation of a surface or subsurface component based on detection of the at least one tag at a surface or subsurface location. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising automatically activating the step of releasing the at least one tag in the borehole. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising detecting the at least one tag at a surface location. 
   
   
       21 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a plurality of sensors on an interconnected wired tubular to detect a location of a tag, wherein the tag has a distinguishable identifier; and   conveying a signal associated with the tag from the plurality of sensors along interconnected wired tubular.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising releasing the tag in a borehole and detecting the tag in the borehole, and further comprising determining a time between the releasing and the detecting the tag. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising using the tag to do at least one of determine a fluid flow property, determine a kick location, determine an event location, determine a depth location, determine a transit time, monitor cement placement, monitor gravel packing, convey information, and determine a cuttings flow. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising altering operation of a surface or subsurface component based on detection of the tag. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the signal comprises a time the tag is detected by one of the plurality of sensors.