Abandoned well monitoring system

Abstract

Method and apparatus are presented for monitoring environmental parameters in one or more abandoned wellbores. A mandrel with a radially expandable sealing element is positioned downhole, such as in a tubing string, to provide pressure isolation. A measurement tool having one or more sensors or gauges is positioned below the mandrel to measure the environmental parameters. The data is transmitted to the surface via wire or wirelessly.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of monitoring an abandoned wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) running into an abandoned wellbore an environmental parameter measuring device below a pressure isolation assembly;   b) providing annular pressure isolation across the annulus defined exterior to the pressure isolation assembly;   c) measuring at least one downhole environmental parameter in the wellbore downhole from the isolation assembly using the measuring device; and   d) transmitting data related to a measured parameter to the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step a) further comprises running the measuring device and isolation assembly in hole on a wire line, slick line, coiled tubing, or tubing string. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step a) further comprises running the measuring device and isolation assembly into a tubing string positioned in the wellbore. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step b) further comprises radially expanding at least one sealing element. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising radially expanding a sealing element into sealing engagement with the tubing string. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the sealing element is swellable upon contact with an activating fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step c) further comprises measuring a downhole temperature, pressure, pH, or salinity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step c) further comprises using at least one of a quartz gauge, piezoelectric gauge, or distributed optical cable. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step d) further comprises transmitting data via wire or wirelessly to the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore extends through multiple zones, and further comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of environmental parameter measuring devices in the wellbore, at least one measuring device in each of the plurality of zones. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: positioning a plurality of pressure isolation assemblies adjacent the plurality of zones. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of radially expanding the plurality of isolation devices and isolating the plurality of zones. 
     
     
         13 . A system for monitoring an abandoned wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, the system comprising:
 a mandrel assembly having a mandrel and at least one radially expandable isolation element positioned thereon, and connected thereto   at least one downhole instrument tool for measuring downhole parameters.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the radially expandable isolation element comprises a swellable sealing element. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the radially expandable isolation element is activated to radially expand by contact with in situ fluids in the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the mandrel defines a through-bore. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the mandrel assembly is connected to the downhole instrument tool by a tubular or wire. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising connectors for attaching the mandrel assembly to a wireline, slick line, coiled tubing, or tubing string. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the downhole instrument tool has sensors or gauges for measuring temperature or pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a wireless transmission assembly for transmitting data from the instrument tool to the surface. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of mandrel assemblies and downhole instrument tools spaced apart to monitor multiple zones in the formation.