METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING A DOWNHOLE TOOL

• US 20070235199A1
• Filed: 06/12/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: LoGiudice, Michael, Colvard, R.L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,503,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/386
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/1014 Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well E21B17/1042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/1028 with arcuate springs only, e.g. baskets with outwardly bowed strips for cementing operations
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/10 Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/05 Flapper valves
• 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 34/066 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/005 Below-ground automatic control systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/00 Survey of boreholes or wells monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for remotely actuating a downhole tool. In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for activating a downhole tool in a wellbore, the downhole tool having an actuated and unactuated positions. The apparatus includes an actuator for operating the downhole tool between the actuated and unactuated positions; a controller for activating the actuator; and a sensor for detecting a condition in the wellbore, wherein the detected condition is transmitted to the controller, thereby causing the actuator to operate the downhole tool. In one embodiment, conditions in the wellbore are generated at the surface, which is later detected downhole. These conditions include changes in pressure, temperature, vibration, or flow rate. In another embodiment, a fiber optic signal may be transmitted downhole to the sensor. In another embodiment still, a radio frequency tag is dropped into the wellbore for detection by the sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for activating a downhole tool in a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool has an actuated and unactuated positions, comprising:

an actuator for operating the downhole tool between the actuated and unactuated positions;

a controller for activating the actuator; and

a sensor for detecting a condition in the wellbore, wherein the detected condition is transmitted to the controller, thereby causing the actuator to operate the downhole tool.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises a flow control apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the flow control apparatus comprises a movable sleeve adapted to open or close one or more ports.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises a centralizer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the centralizer comprises a bow spring centralizer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool comprises an instrumented collar.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the instrumented collar comprises an operating sleeve.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the instrumented collar comprises a vacuum chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the vacuum chamber is filled to create a negative pressure pulse that is detected at the surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool is repeatedly actuated and unactuated.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool is mounted on a casing having a drilling assembly.

12. A method for activating a downhole tool, comprising:

providing the downhole tool with a sensor;

generating a condition downhole;

detecting the condition;

signaling the detected condition; and

operating an actuator based on the detected condition, wherein the actuator activates the downhole tool between an actuated and an unactuated positions.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a condition downhole comprises generating a condition selected from the group consisting of changing a pressure, temperature, vibration, and flow rate pattern.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a condition downhole comprises generating a fiber optics signal.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a condition downhole comprises releasing a downhole device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the downhole device is selected from the group consisting of plugs, darts, balls, and tripping device.