Tubing conveyed wellbore straddle packer system

• US 5,291,947 A
• Filed: 06/08/1992
• Issued: 03/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company Incorporated (BP PLC)
• Original Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company Incorporated (BP PLC)
• Inventors: Stracke, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MELIUS, TERRY L
• Application Number:
  US07/895,307
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 166/191, 166/184, 166/185, 166/187, 166/188, 277/34, 277/34.6
• US Class Current: 166/187
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1243 with inflatable sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/066 electrically actuated

Abstract

A tubing conveyed straddle packer system includes two inflatable packers interconnected with each other and spaced apart to provide for isolating a wellbore space for communicating pressure fluids between a formation zone of interest and the surface through the tubing string. An electrical cable extends within the tubing string and is operable to provide control signals to electrically controlled valves for inflation and deflation of the packers and for conveying fluids between the formation zone of interest and the tubing string and between the tubing string and the wellbore above and below the straddle packer system. A logging tool is interposed in the tubing string for precisely locating the straddle packer system in the well.

Claims

1. A straddle packer system for insertion in a well, comprising:

spaced apart inflatable packers interconnected by tubing means;

packer control valve means associated with each of said packers for providing pressure fluid to inflate said packers to form a substantially fluid tight seal in a portion of said well between said packers, said packer control valve means being electrically controlled to provide pressure fluid to inflate said packers, respectively;

a tubing string connected to said packers for conveying pressure fluid to inflate said packers, respectively;

electrically controlled circulation valve means interposed in said tubing means between said packers for conducting pressure fluid between a space in said well between said packers and said tubing string; and

electrical conductor means associated with said tubing string for conducting electrical signals to said packer control valve means for controlling at least one of inflation and deflation of said packers, respectively.

2. The system set forth in claim 1 including:

electrically controlled valve means interposed in said tubing string between a wellhead associated with said well and said packers for controlling the flow of pressure fluid between said tubing string and a portion of said well between said packers and said wellhead.

3. The system set forth in claim 1 including:

electrically controlled valve means in communication with said tubing string for conducting pressure fluid between said tubing string and said well.

4. The system set forth in claim 1 including:

coupling means interposed in said tubing string between a wellhead of said well and said packers and operable to disconnect a portion of said tubing string from said packers.

5. The system set forth in claim 1 including:

means interposed in said tubing string for providing signals to determine the location of said packers in said well during traversal of said packers within said well.

6. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said electrically controlled valve means comprises an electrical actuator for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to act on said one electrically controlled valve means to move said one electrically controlled valve means between at least one of open and closed positions.

7. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said electrically controlled valve means includes electrical actuator means for moving a closure member of said electrically controlled valve means between open and closed positions.

8. A tubing conveyed straddle packer system for insertion in a well to isolate a space in said well for conducting pressure fluid between a zone in an earth formation and said tubing comprising:

a coilable tubing string including an electrical cable disposed therein, means for conducting electrical signals between said cable and control means at the earth'"'"'s surface and means for conducting pressure fluid to and from said tubing string;

a pair of spaced apart inflatable packers connected to said tubing string for insertion in said well and for placement at a predetermined location in said well, said packers each including pressure fluid inflatable elements for forming a substantially fluid tight seal with said well;

packer control valve means associated with each of said packers for providing pressure fluid to inflate said elements of said packers, respectively;

at least one electrically controlled valve interposed in said tubing string between said packers for controlling the flow of fluid between said well and said tubing string; and

control means for providing electrical signals through said cable for controlling said electrically controlled valve.

9. The system set forth in claim 8 including:

electrically controlled valve means interposed in said tubing string between a wellhead associated with said well and said packers for controlling the flow of pressure fluid between said tubing string and a portion of said well between said packers and said wellhead.

10. The system set forth in claim 8 including:

coupling means interposed in said tubing string between a wellhead of said well and said packers and operable to disconnect a portion of said tubing string from said packers.