Hydraulic power source for downhole instruments and actuators
First Claim
1. A system for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a packer sealing an annulus between the well and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising:
- a conduit connecting the annulus above said packer to the annulus below said packer, and an electrical generator located in said well below said packer coupled to said conduit using energy from completion fluid flowing through said conduit to generate electrical power.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a system for using pressure differential between completion fluid in an oil well and produced fluids to power downhole devices, including instruments and actuators. A conduit is provided bypassing a packer which seals a production string to a well casing. A control system, including a flow valve, allows fluid to flow to an electrical generator as needed to charge an electrical storage device. Downhole electrically operated devices, e.g. a temperature sensor and signal transmitter, draw power from the storage device. Alternatively, fluid may also be directed to hydraulically driven actuators to, for example, operate a production fluid control valve.
52 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a packer sealing an annulus between the well and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising:
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a conduit connecting the annulus above said packer to the annulus below said packer, and an electrical generator located in said well below said packer coupled to said conduit using energy from completion fluid flowing through said conduit to generate electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a casing lining the well, a packer sealing an annulus between the well casing and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising:
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a conduit connecting the annulus above said packer to the annulus below said packer, and an electrical generator coupled to said conduit using energy from completion fluid flowing through said conduit to generate electrical power, wherein said casing has a first port above said packer and a second port below said packer and said conduit is positioned outside said casing and connected between said first port and said second port.
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13. A system for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a packer sealing an annulus between the well and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising:
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a conduit connecting the annulus above said packer to the annulus below said packer, and a hydraulically driven actuator located in said well below said packer coupled to said conduit using completion fluid flowing through said conduit to provide power to devices located in said well. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a casing lining the well, a packer sealing an annulus between the casino and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising:
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a conduit connecting the annulus above said packer to the annulus below said packer, and a hydraulically driven actuator coupled to said conduit using completion fluid flowing through said conduit to provide power to devices located in said well, wherein said casing has a first port above said packer and a second port below said packer and said conduit is positioned outside said casing and connected between said first port and said second port.
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22. A system for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a packer sealing an annulus between the well and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising:
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a conduit connecting the annulus above said packer to the annulus below said packer, and power means located in said well below said packer coupled to said conduit for using completion fluid flowing through said conduit to provide power to devices located in said well. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A system for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a packer sealing an annulus between the well and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising:
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a conduit connecting the annulus above said packer to the annulus below said packer, and power means coupled to said conduit for using completion fluid flowing through said conduit to provide power to devices located in said well, further comprising casing lining said well, wherein said casing has a first port above said packer and a second port below said packer and said conduit is positioned outside said casing and connected between said first port and said second port.
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- 34. A method for providing power to devices in a producing well having a production tubing, a packer sealing an annulus between the well and tubing, completion fluid in the annulus above the packer and produced fluids below the packer, comprising using pressure differential between completion fluid above said packer and produced fluid below said packer and flowing completion fluid from above said packer to a hydraulically driven device located in said well below said packer to provide power to said devices.
Specification