METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING, COMPLETING AND/OR MAINTAINING WELLBORES USING A SENSOR DEVICE
The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for testing and monitoring wellbore operations. The invention is (1) a data acquisition device capable of monitoring, recording wellbore and/or reservoir characteristics while capable of fluid flow control; and (2) a method of monitoring and/or recording at least one downhole characteristic during testing, completion and/or maintenance of a wellbore. The invention includes an assembly within a casing string comprising a sensor probe having an optional flow port allowing fluid flow while sensing wellbore and/or reservoir characteristics. It also includes a microprocessor, a transmitting device, and a controlling device located in the casing string for processing and transmitting real time data. A memory device is also provided for recording data relating to the monitored wellbore or reservoir characteristics. Examples of downhole characteristics which may be monitored include: temperature, pressure, fluid flow rate and type, formation resistivity, cross-well and acoustic sesmometry, perforation depth, fluid characteristic or logging data. With the microprocessor, hydrocarbon production performance may be enhanced by activating local operations in additional associated downhole equipment, e.g., water shut-off operations at a particular zone, maintaining desired performance of a well by controlling flow in multiple wellbores, zone mapping on a cumulative basis, flow control operations, spacing casing and its associated flow ports in multiple zone wellbores, maintaining wellbore and/or reservoir pressure, sensing perforation characteristics, sensing reservoir characteristics or any number of other operations.