Interactive and/or secure activation of a tool
First Claim
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1. A system for activating a well tool, wherein the well tool comprises a perforating gun, comprising:
- a controller having an interface to communicate with the well tool,the controller further having a security input unit configured to receive an authorization code,the controller configured to verify the authorization code; and
the interface configured to receive data pertaining to the well tool and an environment of the well tool, the data comprising pressure and temperature components,the controller configured to, in response to a user request to activate the well tool;
verify the authorization code, wherein the verification comprises a verification of an access level of having authority to activate the well tool;
determine if data pertaining to the environment of the well tool indicates it is safe to activate the well tool; and
send a command including a unique code from an earth surface location to a downhole location to selectively activate and fire the well tool in response to the received data pertaining to the environment of the well tool indicating that it is safe to activate the well tool;
orselectively disable activation of the well tool in response to the received data indicating that it is not safe to activate the well tool.
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Abstract
A tool activation system and method includes receiving an authorization code of a user to verify access rights of a user to activate the tool. In one example, the authorization code is receive from a smart card. The environment around the tool, which can be in a wellbore, for example, is checked. In response to the authorization code and the checking of the environment, activation of the tool is enabled.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for activating a well tool, wherein the well tool comprises a perforating gun, comprising:
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a controller having an interface to communicate with the well tool, the controller further having a security input unit configured to receive an authorization code, the controller configured to verify the authorization code; and the interface configured to receive data pertaining to the well tool and an environment of the well tool, the data comprising pressure and temperature components, the controller configured to, in response to a user request to activate the well tool; verify the authorization code, wherein the verification comprises a verification of an access level of having authority to activate the well tool; determine if data pertaining to the environment of the well tool indicates it is safe to activate the well tool; and send a command including a unique code from an earth surface location to a downhole location to selectively activate and fire the well tool in response to the received data pertaining to the environment of the well tool indicating that it is safe to activate the well tool;
orselectively disable activation of the well tool in response to the received data indicating that it is not safe to activate the well tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for activating a well tool, wherein the well tool comprises a perforating gun, comprising:
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a controller having an interface to communicate with the well tool, the controller further having a security input unit configured to receive an authorization code, the controller configured to verify the authorization code to an access level; and the interface configured to receive data pertaining to an environment of the well tool, wherein the data comprises an indication of the presence or absence of liquid or gas, wherein the security input unit comprises a smart card reader configured to receive the authorization code stored on a smart card, and wherein the controller is configured to further; enable activation and firing of the well tool in response to verifying the authorization code received by the smart card reader is to an activation access level and determining that the received data satisfies one or more predetermined criteria indicating that it is safe to activate the well tool, wherein the activation is enabled by a unique code issued by the controller; and disable activation of the well tool in response to the received data not satisfying the one or more predetermined criteria. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification