Well isolation system

• US 6,041,864 A
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Patel, Dinesh R., Spring, Christian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): BATES, ZAKIYA W
• Application Number:
  US09/197,973
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 166/332.4, 166/332.3, 166/319, 166/321, 166/373, 166/375, 166/386, 166/66.6, 166/66.7, 137/487.5, 251/129.04, 251/63.5
• US Class Current: 166/332.4
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/10 Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/066 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/125 with time delay systems, e.g. hydraulic impedance mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

A fluid control system actuatable by a tool includes a valve and a valve operator coupled to operate the valve between an open and closed position. The valve operator is adapted to be responsive to signals generated by the tool such that a first combination is received when the tool is run in a first direction and a second combination is received when the tool is run in a second direction. The valve operator includes electronic circuitry adapted to actuate the valve open in response to the first combination and to actuate the valve closed in response to the second combination.

Claims

1. A fluid control system actuatable by a tool, comprising:

a valve; and

a valve operator coupled to operate the valve between an open and closed position,

the valve operator adapted to be responsive to electrical signals generated by the tool such that a first combination of electrical signals is received when the tool is run in a first direction and a second combination of electrical signals is received when the tool is run in a second direction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve operator includes electronic circuitry adapted to actuate the valve open in response to the first combination and to actuate the valve closed in response to the second combination.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve operator includes a portion of an inductive coupler switch.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the inductive coupler switch portion includes a female coil and the tool includes a passive male element.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the passive male element is formed of a magnetic material.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the passive male element includes a ceramic magnetic material.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the inductive coupler switch portion includes a second female coil.

8. A fluid control system actuatable by a tool, comprising:

a valve; and

a valve operator coupled to operate the valve between an open and closed position,

the valve operator adapted to be responsive to signals generated by the tool such that a first combination is received when the tool is run in a first direction and a second combination is received when the tool is run in a second, direction,

wherein the inductive coupler switch portion includes a female coil and the tool includes a male coil.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the tool further includes a second male coil.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the female coil receives a first signal when the first male coil is next to the female coil and receives a second signal when the second male coil is next to the female coil.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the inductive coupler switch portion includes a second female coil.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the inductive coupler switch includes the male coil and the female coil.

13. A formation isolation valve comprising:

a valve; and

a valve operator having a first mechanism responsive to a first type of command signal to actuate the valve and a second mechanism responsive to a second type of command signal to actuate the valve,

wherein the first mechanism includes a pressure transducer.

14. The formation isolation valve of claim 13, wherein the first type of command signal includes a pressure pulse.

15. The formation isolation valve of claim 13, wherein the second mechanism includes a portion of an inductive coupler switch.

16. A system for use in a well comprising:

an activation tool; and

a valve system actuatable by the activation tool, the valve system including a valve and a operator coupled to the valve, the operator including electronic circuitry adapted to detect direction of movement of the activation tool and to open or close the valve based on the detected direction of movement.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the operator further includes a female coil.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the activation tool includes a male coil.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the activation tool includes another male coil.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the electronic circuitry detects direction of movement of the activation tool based on which of the two male coils is first passed next to the female coil.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the activation tool includes first and second inductive coupler portions and the operator includes a third inductive coupler portion adapted to be inductively coupled to the first and second inductive coupler portions.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first inductive coupler portion generates a first electrical signature and the second inductive coupler generates a second electrical signature.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the activation tool includes a first inductive coupler portion and the operator includes second and third inductive coupler portions adapted to be inductively coupled to the first inductive coupler portion.

24. A method of operating a valve in a well, comprising:

passing an activation tool by a valve operator;

generating different electrical states in the valve operator by detecting direction of movement of the activation tool; and

activating the valve based on the electrical state of the valve operator.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising lowering the activation tool to open the valve.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising raising the activation tool to close the valve.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising transmitting a pressure pulse command down the well to actuate the valve operator.

30. The method of claim 27, comprising applying a low-level pressure pulse command down the well.

28. A method of operating a valve in a well, comprising:

passing an activation tool by a valve operator;

generating different states in the valve operator depending on direction of movement of the activation tool; and

activating the valve based on the state of the valve operator;

lowering the activation tool to open the valve;

raising the activation tool to close the valve; and

maintaining the valve opened if the activation tool is raised within a predetermined amount of time after the activation tool has been lowered to open the valve.

29. The method of clam 27, wherein the well includes a tubing, the method comprising applying the pressure pulse command through the tubing.

31. A valve operator comprising:

a mandrel moveable to operate a valve assembly;

a first chamber and a second chamber; and

a first valve coupled to the first chamber actuatable to fill the first chamber with fluid or to remove fluid from the first chamber, pressure in the first chamber adapted to actuate the valve assembly to a first state ; and

a second valve coupled to the second chamber actuatable to fill the second chamber with fluid or to remove fluid from the second chamber, pressure in the second chamber adapted to actuate the valve assembly to a second state.

32. The valve operator of claim 31, wherein each of the first and second valves includes a solenoid valve.

33. The valve operator of claim 32, further comprising electronic circuitry to control the first and second solenoid valves.