Controlling multiple downhole tools

Details Controlling multiple downhole tools Controlling multiple downhole tools

1999-04-22

2001-01-16

Schoeppel, Roger (Department: 3672)

Wells

Processes

With indicating, testing, measuring or locating

C166S386000, C166S387000, C166S250170, C166S374000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06173772

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The invention relates to controlling multiple downhole tools.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, for purposes of measuring characteristics (e.g., formation pressure) of a subterranean formation
31
, a tubular test string
10
is typically inserted into a wellbore which extends into the formation
31
. In order to test a particular region, or zone
33
, of the formation
31
, the test string
10
may have a perforating gun
30
that is used to penetrate a well casing
12
and form fractures
29
in the formation
31
. To seal off the zone
33
from the surface of the well, the test string
10
typically includes a packer
26
that forms a seal between the exterior of the test string
10
and the internal surface of the well casing
12
. Below the packer
26
, a recorder
11
of the test string
10
takes measurements of the test zone
33
.
The test string
10
typically has valves to control the flow of fluid into and out of a central passageway of the test string
10
. An in-line ball valve
22
is used to control the flow of well fluid from the test zone
33
up through the central passageway of the test string
10
. Above the packer
26
, a circulation valve
20
is used to control fluid communication between an annulus
16
surrounding the test string
10
and the central passageway of the test string
10
.
The ball valve
22
and the circulation valve
20
may be controlled by commands (e.g., “open valve” or “close valve”) sent downhole. Each command is encoded into a predetermined signature of pressure pulses
34
(see
FIG. 2
) that are transmitted downhole to the tool
11
via hydrostatic fluid present in the annulus
16
. A sensor
25
of the tool
11
receives the pressure pulses
34
, and subsequently, electronics and hydraulics of the test string
10
operate the valves
20
and
22
to execute the command.
For purposes of generating the pressure pulses
34
, a port
18
in the casing
12
extends to a manually operated mud pump (not shown). The mud pump is selectively turned on and off by an operator to encode the command into the pressure pulses
34
. A duration T
0
(e.g., 1 min.) of the pulse
34
, a pressure P
0
(e.g., 250 p.s.i.) of the pulse
34
, and the number of pulses
34
in succession form the signature that uniquely identifies the command.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment, the invention features a system for use in a subterranean well. The system has a command generator that is configured to furnish a first command stimulus downhole. The system includes a first assembly located downhole and has a first member. The first assembly is connected to move the first member in response to the first command stimulus, and the movement of the first member generates a second command stimulus. The system also includes a second assembly located downhole. The second assembly is connected to respond to the second command stimulus.
Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, from the drawing and from the claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3971317 (1976-07-01), Gemmell et al.
patent: 4078620 (1978-03-01), Westlake et al.
patent: 4632034 (1986-12-01), Colle
patent: 4856595 (1989-08-01), Upchurch
patent: 4896722 (1990-01-01), Upchurch
patent: 4971160 (1990-11-01), Upchurch
patent: 5056600 (1991-10-01), Surjaatmadja et al.
patent: 5691712 (1997-11-01), Meek et al.
patent: 0 456 415 A2 (1991-11-01), None

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