Dual transducer communications node for downhole acoustic wireless networks and method employing same

An electro-acoustic communications node system and method for downhole wireless telemetry, the system including a housing for mounting to or with a tubular body; a receiver transducer positioned within the housing, the receiver transducer structured and arranged to receive acoustic waves that propagate through the tubular member; a transmitter transducer and a processor, positioned within the housing and arranged to retransmit the acoustic waves to another acoustic receiver in a different housing, using the tubular member for the acoustic telemetry. In some embodiments, the transducers may be piezoelectric transducers and/or magnetostrictive transducers. Included in the housing is also a power source comprising one or more batteries. A downhole wireless telemetry system and a method of monitoring a hydrocarbon well are also provided.