A system for tracking an object in an oil and gas well within a formation, a releasable object for release into an oil and gas well, and a method for tracking the position of a released object within a well.

摘要

A system for tracking an object in oil and gas well drilling operations where a releasable object carrying a primary signal system is released into the associated pipe system of a well. the primary signal system communicates with one or more secondary signal systems positioned along the object path; along the surface of the formation; and / or all over the well. The primary signal system and the secondary signal system can communicate by RF signals. the primary signal system and any surface-positioned secondary signal systems communicate by means of ground frequency or very low frequency signals. A global positioning system may be used in conjunction with any of the second surface signal systems to identify the absolute location of the object in the underground well. The object-carried primary signal system may be a piezoelectric system arranged to transmit a signal when the object experiences a predetermined pressure.