Systems, assemblies and processes for controlling tools in a wellbore
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hydraulic control system for use in a subterranean well comprising:
- at least one tool positioned along production casing within the subterranean well;
a first hydraulic line positioned in the subterranean well outside of the production casing and connected to each of said at least one tool via separate hydraulic connections;
a control line positioned in the subterranean well outside of the production casing and extending adjacent each of said at least one tool, said control line dedicated only to the passage of a signal device therethrough;
at least one valve corresponding in number to said at least one tool, each of said at least one valve being positioned in separate one of the hydraulic connections between said first hydraulic line and said at least one tool; and
at least one reader device corresponding in number to said at least one valve, each of said at least one reader device being connected to a separate one of said at least one valve so as to control the actuation thereof.
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Abstract
A dedicated hydraulic line for transmission of a signal device capable of generating one or more unique signals to one or more tools within a subterranean well. Each tool can be equipped with a reader device for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the signal device. Each reader device can control operation of the tool associated therewith if the reader device is programmed to respond to signals received from the control device. Hydraulic fluid used to operate the tool can be conveyed via the dedicated hydraulic line or a separate hydraulic line. A separate hydraulic line can be used to reset the tool.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A hydraulic control system for use in a subterranean well comprising:
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at least one tool positioned along production casing within the subterranean well; a first hydraulic line positioned in the subterranean well outside of the production casing and connected to each of said at least one tool via separate hydraulic connections; a control line positioned in the subterranean well outside of the production casing and extending adjacent each of said at least one tool, said control line dedicated only to the passage of a signal device therethrough; at least one valve corresponding in number to said at least one tool, each of said at least one valve being positioned in separate one of the hydraulic connections between said first hydraulic line and said at least one tool; and at least one reader device corresponding in number to said at least one valve, each of said at least one reader device being connected to a separate one of said at least one valve so as to control the actuation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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22. A process comprising:
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conveying at least one signal device capable of generating one or more unique signals from a well head through a control line positioned in a subterranean well outside of production casing and extending adjacent each of at least one tool that are positioned alone the production casing, said control line dedicated only to passage of said at least one signal device therethrough; conveying hydraulic fluid via a first hydraulic line that is positioned outside the production casing in a subterranean well and hydraulically connected to each of said at least one tool; and controlling flow of said hydraulic fluid to at least one of said at least one tool based upon said one or more unique signals. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A process comprising:
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conveying hydraulic fluid from a well head via a first hydraulic line that is positioned in a subterranean well outside of production casing; conveying at least one signal device through a control line positioned in the well and outside of the production casing and the first hydraulic line and at least one tool that is positioned in the well along the production casing, each of said at least one signal device capable of generating one or more unique signals and said control line dedicated only to passage of said at least one signal device therethrough; and transmitting a control signal based upon receipt of said one or more unique signals by a reader device so as to control the flow of said hydraulic fluid from said first hydraulic line to said at least one tool to actuate the tool. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification