Well sensors

Abstract

A wellhead is provided having a port or ports about the external periphery of the wellhead. The center bore of each port is generally directed at a point within the wellhead having a location where a portion of a tool or an object is expected. Each port does not provide fluid access from the exterior to the interior of the wellhead and preferably has a flat bottom. Each port is fitted with a sensor and preferably the sensor contacts the bottom of the port. And ultrasonic a sensor emits an ultrasonic waveform which proceeds through the bottom of the port and a portion of the ultrasonic waveform is reflected back to the ultrasonic receiver. A comparison is then performed to compare the predicted value versus the received value to determine whether or not the expected tool or object is in place or partially in place within the wellhead.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well sensor system comprising:
 a first tubular having a throughbore,   wherein the throughbore has a first landing shoulder,   a second tubular having a second landing shoulder,   wherein the first landing shoulder and the second landing shoulder cooperate to support the second tubular within the throughbore,   a bore within the first tubular and adjacent to the first landing shoulder,   wherein the bore does not penetrate to the throughbore, and   a sensor within the bore capable of detecting the second landing shoulder.   
     
     
         2 . The well sensor system of  claim 1  wherein, the sensor transmits and receives an ultrasonic pulse. 
     
     
         3 . The well sensor system of  claim 1  wherein, the sensor is magnetic. 
     
     
         4 . The well sensor system of  claim 1  wherein, the sensor is a strain gage. 
     
     
         5 . A well sensor system comprising:
 a first tubular having a throughbore,   wherein the throughbore has a first landing shoulder,   a second tubular having a second landing shoulder,   wherein the first landing shoulder and the second landing shoulder cooperate to support the second tubular within the throughbore,   at least two bores within the first tubular and adjacent to the first landing shoulder,   wherein the at least two bores do not penetrate to the throughbore, and   a sensor within each of the at least two bores are capable of detecting the second landing shoulder.   
     
     
         6 . The well sensor system of  claim 5  wherein, the sensor transmits and receives an ultrasonic pulse. 
     
     
         7 . The well sensor system of  claim 5  wherein, each sensor within a bore is either a magnetic, ultrasonic, or strain gage sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The well sensor system of  claim 5  wherein, the sensors is magnetic. 
     
     
         9 . The well sensor system of  claim 5  wherein, the sensor is a strain gage 
     
     
         10 . The well sensor system of  claim 5  wherein, the sensor within each of the at least two bores are capable of detecting the distance between the first shoulder and the second shoulder. 
     
     
         11 . A well sensor system comprising:
 a first tubular having a throughbore,   wherein the throughbore has a first landing shoulder,   a second tubular having a second landing shoulder,   wherein the first landing shoulder and the second landing shoulder cooperate to support the second tubular within the throughbore,   at least two bores within the first tubular and adjacent to the first landing shoulder,   wherein the at least two bores do not penetrate to the throughbore, and   a sensor within each of the at least two bores are capable of detecting the second landing shoulder;   wherein, the sensor within each of the at least two bores are capable of detecting the distance between the first shoulder and the second shoulder;   further wherein the signals from the sensors are provided to a logic controller.   
     
     
         12 . The well sensor system of  claim 11  wherein, the sensor transmits and receives an ultrasonic pulse. 
     
     
         13 . The well sensor system of  claim 11  wherein, each sensor within a bore is either a magnetic, ultrasonic, or strain gage sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The well sensor system of  claim 11  wherein, the sensors is magnetic. 
     
     
         15 . The well sensor system of  claim 11  wherein, the sensor is a strain gage 
     
     
         16 . The well sensor system of  claim 11  wherein, the logic controller determines the orientation of the second tubular within the throughbore.