Remote Actuation of a Downhole Tool

• US 20070285275A1
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Petrowell Limited (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Purkis, Daniel, MacLaeod, Iain
• Granted Patent: US 9,115,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/854.600
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/14 operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools E21B34/066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency

Abstract

A method and apparatus for operating a downhole tool is disclosed. The method involves providing a conduit for the passage of fluid. The conduit includes at least one reader which can read data and is arranged for the passage of fluid. A downhole tool is coupled to the reader and has at least one tag capable of containing data. The tag is moved within the conduit and at least partially through the reader such that the reader can read data from the tag when the tag passes. This enables remote operation of the downhole tool. An antenna is provided for use in a downhole tubular. The antenna comprises a generally cylindrical housing and a coiled conductor located within a portion of the housing and separated therefrom by insulating material. The portion of housing has a greater internal diameter than an external diameter of the coiled conductor.

Claims

1. A method for operating a downhole tool comprising the steps of:

providing a conduit for the passage of fluid therethrough, the conduit comprising at least one reader, also arranged for the passage of fluid therethrough, wherein the reader can read data;

coupling a downhole tool to the at least one reader;

providing at least one tag wherein the at least one tag is capable of containing data; and

moving the at least one tag within the conduit and at least partially through the reader, such that the reader is capable of reading data from the tag when the tag passes through the reader, enabling remote operation of the tool.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of running the conduit into a borehole.

3. A method according to claim 1, including the step of matching an inner diameter of the reader and an inner diameter of the conduit.

4. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of coupling a valve to the reader.

5. A method according to claim 4, comprising the step of coupling a sliding sleeve valve to the reader.

6. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of arranging the reader to transmit data.

7. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of circulating fluid through the conduit and the at least one reader.

8. A method according to claim 7, comprising the step of adding at least one tag to the fluid circulating through the conduit and the at least one reader.

9. A method according to claim 8, comprising the step of recovering the at least one tag after use.

10. A method according to claim 1, including the step of arranging at least two readers in series along the conduit.

11. A method according to claim 10, comprising the step of arranging the at least two readers such that there is a portion of the conduit therebetween.

12. A method according to claim 11, comprising the step of providing each reader with a particular identity.

13. A method according to claim 12, comprising the step of selectively encoding the at least one tag such that a particular tag is arranged to communicate with a reader having a particular identity.

14. Apparatus for operating a downhole tool located in a conduit for the passage of fluid therethrough, the apparatus comprising:

at least one reader associated with the conduit, wherein the at least one reader is arranged to read data and wherein the at least one reader is also arranged for the passage of fluid therethrough;

a downhole tool coupled to the at least one reader; and

at least one tag moveable through at least a portion of the conduit and the reader, wherein the at least one tag is capable of containing data, such that the reader is capable of reading data from the tag when the tag passes through the reader, thereby enabling remote actuation of the downhole tool.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the reader is in fluid communication with the bore of the conduit.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the reader is arranged on an inner surface of the conduit.

17. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the reader and the conduit each have an inner diameter and the inner diameter of the at least one reader is similar to the inner diameter of the conduit such that the at least one reader does not cause a restriction in the conduit.

18. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the conduit comprises a downhole tubing string.

19. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the downhole tool comprises valve.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the valve is a sliding sleeve valve.

21. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one reader is capable of transmitting data to the at least one tag.

22. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein at least two readers and respective coupled downhole tools are provided and wherein each reader is individually identifiable.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the at least one tag is selectively encoded with data such that data from the at least one tag is capable of being received by an individually identifiable reader.

24. An antenna for use in downhole tubular, the antenna comprising a generally cylindrical housing and a coiled conductor located within a portion of the housing and being separated from the portion of the housing by insulating material, wherein the portion of the housing has a greater internal diameter than an external diameter of the coiled conductor.

25. An antenna according to claim 24, comprising a liner, wherein the coiled conductor is located around the liner.

26. An antenna according to claim 25, wherein the conductor is helically coiled around the liner and co-axial therewith.

27. An antenna according to claim 25, wherein the housing and the liner form a seal around the coiled conductor and insulating material.

28. An antenna according to claim 25, wherein the liner is non-magnetic and non-conductive.

29. An antenna according to claim 24, wherein the antenna is operable in the frequency range from 50 to 200 kHz.

30. An antenna according to claim 24, wherein the antenna is operable in the frequency range between 125 and 134 kHz.

31. An antenna according to claim 24, wherein the antenna is of sufficient length to charge and read the at least one tag when the at least one tag passes therethrough.

32. An antenna according to claim 24, wherein the antenna has a length of less than 10 metres.