Reservoir management system and method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION To overcome the shortcomings of the prior systems and their operations, the present invention contemplates a reservoir management system including a centralized control center that communicates with a plurality of remote sensing units that are deployed in the subsurface formations of interest by way of communication circuitry located on the earth surface at the well site.
According to specific implementations, the deployed remote sensing units provide formation information either to a measurement while drilling tool (MWD) or to a wireline tool.
The well control unit is coupled either to a least one antenna or to a downhole data acquisition system that includes an antenna for communicating with the remote sensing units.
Because the remote sensing units are already deployed, the downtime associated with gathering remote sensing unit information via a wireline tool is minimized.
Because the invention may be implemented through MWD tool, there is no downtime associated with gathering remote sensing unit information during drilling.
Accordingly, formation information may be obtained more efficiently, and more frequently thereby assisting in the efficient depletion of the reservoir.
In one embodiment of the described embodiment, a central control center communicates with a plurality of well control units deployed at each well for which remote sensing units have been deployed.
Some wells include a drilling tool that is in communication with at least one remote sensing unit while other wells include a wireline tool that is communication with at least one remote sensing unit.
Other wells include permanently installed downhole electronics and antennas for communicating with the remote sensing units.
Each of the wells that have remote sensing units deployed therein include circuitry for receiving formation data received from the remote sensing units.
In some embodiments, a well control unit serves to transpond the formation data to the central control unit.
In other embodiments, an oilfield service vehicle includes transceiver circuitry for transmitting the formation data to the central control system