Control apparatus for automated downhole tools

• US 7,283,060 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2004
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Robison, Clark, Weatherill, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yacob; Sisay
• Application Number:
  US10/763,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 367/81, 367/25, 702/7, 702/9, 702/16, 703/5, 703/10, 175/19, 175/45, 175/57
• US Class Current: 340/853.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/00 Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a computer controlled apparatus for use in wellbore completions. A touch-screen is provided that facilitates commands and information that is entered by an operator ordering movement of a downhole tool. In another embodiment, real-time information about the status of the downhole tools is transmitted to the apparatus based upon operating variables within the system, like pressure, flow rate, total flow, and time.

Claims

1. A method of operating a plurality of downhole devices in a wellbore, comprising:

disposing the plurality of downhole devices in the wellbore, each of the plurality of downhole devices having at least an open position and a closed position and in selective communication with a fluid source;

positioning a controller in the wellbore;

generating a signal based upon an operator'"'"'s interaction with a touch screen;

transmitting the signal to the controller, wherein the signal causes rotation of an actuating member of the controller and the controller places a selected downhole device in fluid communication with the fluid source;

operating the selected downhole device between the open position and the closed position;

displaying a status on the touch screen indicative of the open or closed position for at least one of the plurality of downhole devices; and

displaying an image representing the rotation of the actuating member on the touch screen, wherein the image comprises an indicator bar.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a first fluid pressure to move the selected downhole device between the open position and the closed position.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal comprises a second fluid pressure.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first fluid pressure is higher than the second fluid pressure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a different downhole device is placed in communication with the fluid source as the actuating member is incrementally rotated.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a single fluid control line extends between the controller and the fluid source.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of downhole devices has a fluid control line connected with the controller.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a single fluid control line extends between the controller and the fluid source.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising monitoring one or more conditions within the fluid control line of at least one of the plurality of downhole devices.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more conditions comprise at least one of pressure, time, total flow, and flow rate.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising notifying the operator if operating the selected downhole device is not completed within an amount of time based on monitoring the one or more conditions.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying the one or more conditions on the touch screen.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the controller from fluid communication with the plurality of downhole devices by selecting an icon on the touch screen.