Remotely operated and multi-functional down-hole control tools
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling flow in a wellbore, comprising:
- a tubular string comprising a sidewall and defining an interior passage within the sidewall and an annular space around the sidewall;
a first flow control tool carried by the tubular string, the first flow control tool comprising a first hydraulic activation mechanism for changing an operational configuration of the first flow control tool;
a first control line extending from the first hydraulic activation mechanism; and
a first control module carried by the tubular string, the first control module comprising;
a reservoir for hydraulic fluid;
a pump operable to deliver hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the first control line; and
a controller operably coupled to the pump to instruct the pump to operate to deliver the hydraulic fluid through the at least one of the first and second control lines to the first activation mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for controlling flow in a wellbore can include a down-hole control module that is hydraulically coupled to multiple components of the system. The control module can include a computer, which can be preprogrammed to operate the various components in a particular sequence, and communicate confirmation or error signals to a surface location. The control module can also include a micro-hydraulic motor and pump that can that can be instructed by the computer to selectively deliver hydraulic fluid to one or more of the components of the system. The system can include isolation members such as packers, hydraulic pressure maintenance devices (PMDs), hydraulic sheer joints, inflow control devices or valves (ICDs or ICVs) and a three-position valve that can be actuated by the control module without necessitating communication with a surface location.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling flow in a wellbore, comprising:
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a tubular string comprising a sidewall and defining an interior passage within the sidewall and an annular space around the sidewall; a first flow control tool carried by the tubular string, the first flow control tool comprising a first hydraulic activation mechanism for changing an operational configuration of the first flow control tool; a first control line extending from the first hydraulic activation mechanism; and a first control module carried by the tubular string, the first control module comprising; a reservoir for hydraulic fluid; a pump operable to deliver hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the first control line; and a controller operably coupled to the pump to instruct the pump to operate to deliver the hydraulic fluid through the at least one of the first and second control lines to the first activation mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for controlling flow in a wellbore, comprising:
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a tubular string comprising a sidewall and defining an interior passage within the sidewall and an annular space around the sidewall; a first flow control tool carried by the tubular string, the first flow control tool comprising a first hydraulic activation mechanism for changing an operational configuration of the first flow control tool; a control module carried by the tubular string and operably coupled to the first flow control tool by a first control lines extending therebetween, the control module comprising; a reservoir for hydraulic fluid; a pump operable to deliver hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the first control line; a non-transitory computer readable medium programmed with instructions for operating the pump thereon; and a processor operably coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium and the pump to instruct the pump to execute the instructions programmed on the non-transitory computer readable medium. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling flow in a wellbore, comprising:
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(a) deploying a tubular string, a first flow control tool and a control module into the wellbore; and (b) instructing the control module to operate a pump therein to deliver hydraulic fluid to the first control tool thereby changing the operational configuration thereof. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification