Along string measurement tool with pressure sensor array

Abstract

An along string measurement tool may include an elongate body configured for loading into a drill string and a sensor array arranged on the body. The sensor array may include a first sensor arranged at a first sensor location on the body and the first sensor may be oriented relative to the body and configured for sensing annular pressures in a wellbore. The sensor array may include a second sensor arranged at a second sensor location on the body and the second sensor location may be spaced longitudinally along the body from the first sensor location by a first distance. The second sensor may be oriented relative to the body and configured for sensing annular pressures in a wellbore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An along string measurement tool, comprising:
 an elongate body configured for loading into a drill string: and   a sensor array arranged on the body, the sensor array comprising:
 a first sensor arranged at a first sensor location on the body, the first sensor being oriented relative to the body and configured for sensing annular pressures in a wellbore; and 
 a second sensor arranged at a second sensor location on the body, the second sensor location being spaced longitudinally along the body from the first sensor location by a first distance, the second sensor being oriented relative to the body and configured for sensing annular pressures in a wellbore. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a third sensor arranged at a third sensor location on the body, the third sensor location being spaced longitudinally along the body from the second sensor location by a second distance and in a direction opposite the first sensor location, the third sensor being oriented relative to the body and configured for sensing annular pressures in a wellbore. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first distance is equal to the second distance. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first distance is not equal to the second distance. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first sensor comprises a first pair of sensors, the second sensor comprises a second pair of sensors, and the third sensor comprises a third pair of sensors, the pairs of sensors being arranged longitudinally relative to one another or circumferentially relative to one another at their respective sensor locations. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured for communicating a pressure sensor signal to a surface where drilling is being performed. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second sensor are configured for wireless communication. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second sensor are configured for communicating using a telemetry system. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein the telemetry system is a pulse flow telemetry system. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein the telemetry system is an electromagnetic telemetry system. 
     
     
         11 . A method of monitoring wellbore characteristics, comprising:
 receiving pressure sensor signals from first and second sensors arranged on and spaced longitudinally along an along string measurement tool, the first and second sensor being spaced apart by a first distance;   calculating a differential pressure signal based on the signals from the first and second sensors;   displaying a differential pressure signal for a drilling operator.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, calculating an interval density signal based on the differential pressure signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising displaying the interval density signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving a pressure sensor signal from a third sensor arranged on and spaced longitudinally along the along string measurement tool, the third sensor being spaced from the second sensor by a second distance and in an opposite direction as the first sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising calculating a differential pressure signal based on the signals from the third and first sensors. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising calculating a differential pressure signal based on the signals from the third and second sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising calculating interval density signals based on the differential pressure signals between the third and first sensor and the third and second sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first sensor comprises a first sensor pair and the second sensor comprises a second sensor pair, the method further comprising calculating an average sensor signal for the first sensor pair and for the second senor pair. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein calculating an average sensor signal occurs prior to calculating a differential pressure signal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving is performed by a telemetry system. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving multiresolution data including the pressure sensor signals from the first and second sensor and receiving a pressure sensor signal from a third sensor arranged on another along string measurement tool. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising performing a hierarchical analysis of the multiresolution data. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising denoising the pressure sensor signals or the differential pressure signal or both using at least one of a time-domain filter, a frequency-domain filter, and a combined time-frequency filter.