Downhole Wireless System for Tunneling Arrangements

Abstract

A wireless data communication system within a tunneling tool used to form subterranean tunnels. The wireless data communication system is useful to provide real time data relating to tunneling and for controlling or adjusting the tunneling process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tunneling arrangement for creating a subterranean tunnel, the tunneling arrangement comprising:
 a first body portion which incorporates a tunneling tool;   a second body portion that is separated from the first body portion by an articulating joint which permits angular movement between the first and second body portions;   a wireless transmitter incorporated into the first body portion; and   a wireless receiver incorporated into the second body portion, the wireless receiver configured to receive data from the wireless transmitter.   
     
     
         2 . A tunneling arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the wireless transmitter transmits wireless data to the wireless receiver across the articulating joint. 
     
     
         3 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor associated with the tunneling tool to detect at least one wellbore parameter related to tunneling and provide data indicative of the at least one wellbore parameter to the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         4 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a controller configured to receive data from the wireless receiver and to at least partially control operation of the tunneling tool; 
 a data communications conduit interconnecting the wireless receiver with the controller. 
 
     
     
         5 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 4  wherein the data communications conduit comprises tubewire. 
     
     
         6 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the tunneling tool comprises an acid injection tunneling tool. 
     
     
         7 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the wellbore parameter relating to tunneling comprises at least one of angular orientation of the tunneling tool, pressure, temperature, location of the tunneling tool, minerology (gamma) and acidity (pH) of the acid entering the formation. 
     
     
         8 . A tunneling arrangement for creating a subterranean tunnel, the tunneling arrangement comprising:
 a first body portion which incorporates a tunneling tool;   a second body portion that is separated from the first body portion by an articulating joint which permits angular movement between the first and second body portions;   a sensor disposed upon the tunneling tool to detect at least one wellbore parameter related to tunneling;   a wireless transmitter incorporated into the first body portion, the wireless transmitter receiving data from the sensor relating to tunneling;   a wireless receiver incorporated into the second body portion, the wireless receiver configured to receive the data from the wireless transmitter; and   a controller configured to receive the data from the wireless receiver and, in response, at least partially control operation of the tunneling tool.   
     
     
         9 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 8  wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the data wirelessly to the wireless receiver across the articulating joint. 
     
     
         10 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 8  wherein:
 the controller is located at a surface location; and 
 a data communications conduit interconnects the wireless receiver with the controller. 
 
     
     
         11 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 10  wherein the data communications conduit comprises tubewire. 
     
     
         12 . The tunneling arrangement of  claim 8  wherein the wellbore parameter relating to tunneling comprises at least one of angular orientation of the tunneling tool, pressure, temperature, location of the tunneling tool, minerology (gamma) and acidity (pH) of the acid entering the formation. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling a tunneling tool to form a subterranean tunnel within a formation, the method comprising the steps of:
 disposing a tunneling tool within a wellbore, the tunneling tool having first and second body portions which are separated from each other by an articulating joint which permits angular movement between the first and second body portions; and   wirelessly communicating data relating to tunneling from the first body portion to the second body portion across the articulating joint.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the steps of:
 communicating the data relating to tunneling to a controller; and 
 adjusting at least one aspect of operation of the tunneling tool in response to the data. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of adjusting at least one aspect of operation of the tunneling tool comprises changing at least one of: altering the angle or direction of the tunneling tool, adjusting acid flow rate to the tunneling tool, and adjusting weight on bit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of sensing the data relating to tunneling with at least one sensor which is disposed upon the tunneling tool. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the data relating to tunneling is a wellbore parameter of the group consisting of: angular orientation of the tunneling tool, pressure, temperature, location of the tunneling tool, minerology (gamma) and acidity (pH) of the acid entering the formation.