Sensor deployment and retrieval system using fluid drag force

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems for deploying and retrieving sensors downhole are provided. The apparatus can include an outer tubular member disposed about one or more inner tubular members coupled to a fluid directional controller. The fluid directional controller may include a housing separating an interior cavity from an external environment of the wellbore. One end of the outer tubular member and at least one end of an inner tubular member may communicate with the interior cavity. The housing may also include a passageway configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the external environment. A flow control device may selectively facilitate fluid flow through the passageway. Accordingly, a sensor located in the interior cavity may be selectively exposed to fluid from the external environment. Sensors may be deployed by flowing fluid through a particular tubular member in one direction and retrieved by flowing fluid in another direction.

1 . A bi-directional flow apparatus configured to facilitate the deployment and retrieval of one or more sensors, the bi-directional flow apparatus comprising:
 an outer tubular member disposed about one or more inner tubular members;   a fluid directional controller coupled to an end of the outer tubular member and an end of the one or more inner tubular members, wherein the fluid directional controller comprises:
 a housing separating an interior cavity from an external environment of the wellbore wherein the end of the outer tubular member and at least one end of the one or more inner tubular members communicate with the interior cavity; 
 at least one passageway formed through the housing and configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the external environment; and 
 a flow control device configured to selectively facilitate fluid flow between the interior cavity and the external environment via the at least one passageway. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more tubular members is operatively coupled to the flow control device to provide access between the interior cavity and the external environment. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device is a valve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the valve is a three-way flow control valve. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device comprises:
 a piston operatively coupled to at least one of the one or more tubular members;   a ball and spring check valve blocking the at least one passageway;   wherein changing pressure in the at least one of the one or more tubular members translates the piston and unblocks the ball and spring check valve from the at least one passageway.   
     
     
         6 . A method for deploying and retrieving a sensor from a wellbore location comprising:
 locating a bi-directional flow apparatus into the wellbore, the bi-directional flow apparatus comprising:
 an outer tubular member disposed about one or more inner tubular members; 
 a fluid directional controller coupled to an end of the outer tubular member and an end of the one or more inner tubular members, wherein the fluid directional controller comprises:
 a housing separating an interior cavity from an external environment of the wellbore wherein the end of the outer tubular member and at least one end of the one or more inner tubular members communicate with the interior cavity; 
 at least one passageway formed through the housing and configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the external environment; 
 a flow control device configured to selectively block fluid flow between the interior cavity and the external environment via the at least one passageway; and 
 
 at least one sensor disposed within any of the tubular members; 
   flowing a fluid in a first direction through the tubular member containing the at least one sensor to locate the at least one sensor within the interior cavity;   actuating the flow control device to facilitate fluid flow between the interior cavity and the external environment; and   measuring at least one property of the wellbore with the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The method of claim  7 , further comprising retrieving the at least one sensor by flowing fluid in a second direction through the tubular member containing the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of claim  7 , further comprising closing a valve downstream of the at least one sensor to prevent fluid from the external environment from flowing to a surface location when the flow control device has been actuated. 
     
     
         10 . The method of claim  7 , wherein flowing fluid in the first direction through one of the tubular members comprises simultaneously flowing fluid in a second direction through another one of the tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . The method of claim  7 , wherein the fluid directional controller places the outer tubular member and at least one of the one or more inner tubular members in fluid communication with one another. 
     
     
         12 . A system for retrievably deploying at least one sensor into a wellbore; the system comprising:
 a completion assembly having an inner bore and provided in the wellbore;   an outer tubular member disposed about one or more inner tubular members;   a fluid directional controller coupled to an end of the outer tubular member and an end of the one or more inner tubular members, wherein the fluid directional controller comprises:
 a housing separating an interior cavity from an external environment of a wellbore location to be measured wherein the end of the outer tubular member and at least one end of the one or more inner tubular members communicate with the interior cavity; 
 at least one passageway formed through the housing and configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the external environment; and 
 a flow control device configured to selectively facilitate fluid flow between the interior cavity and the external environment via the at least one passageway; 
   wherein the at least one sensor is deployed by flowing fluid in a first direction in the tubular member containing the at least one sensor until the at least one sensor is provided in a position exposable to conditions from the external environment.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor is deployed within the interior cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular members each comprise two or more segments coupled together by a conduit splice. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor is retrieved by flowing fluid in a second direction in the tubular member containing the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein another sensor is simultaneously deployed by flowing fluid in a first direction in another tubular member containing the another sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid directional controller comprises:
 a return conduit in fluid communication with the tubular members; and   a three-way flow control device connected to the return conduit and at least one of the inner tubular members, wherein the three-way flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between the tubular members and the external environment.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the environment of the wellbore comprises wellbore fluids, treatment fluids, gasses, and hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors simultaneously deployed through one of the tubular members. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the inner tubular members is used to actuate the flow control device disposed within the fluid directional controller.