US20150361761A1 - Cable-conveyed activation object - Google Patents
Cable-conveyed activation object Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150361761A1 US20150361761A1 US14/303,776 US201414303776A US2015361761A1 US 20150361761 A1 US20150361761 A1 US 20150361761A1 US 201414303776 A US201414303776 A US 201414303776A US 2015361761 A1 US2015361761 A1 US 2015361761A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- valve assembly
- well
- dart
- cable
- downhole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 title description 25
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 41
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 230000005291 magnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 21
- 230000000638 stimulation Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002285 radioactive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 13
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000003302 ferromagnetic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005251 gamma ray Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000246 remedial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 125000001183 hydrocarbyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000700 radioactive tracer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
- E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells
- E21B23/14—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells for displacing a cable or cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
- E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
- E21B34/14—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
- E21B43/26—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/09—Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells, e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
- E21B47/092—Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells, e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes by detecting magnetic anomalies
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/09—Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells, e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
- E21B47/095—Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells, e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes by detecting an acoustic anomalies, e.g. using mud-pressure pulses
Definitions
- At least one perforating gun may be deployed into the well via a conveyance mechanism, such as a wireline or a coiled tubing string.
- the shaped charges of the perforating gun(s) are fired when the gun(s) are appropriately positioned to perforate a casing of the well and form perforating tunnels into the surrounding formation.
- Additional operations may be performed in the well to increase the well's permeability, such as well stimulation operations and operations that involve hydraulic fracturing.
- the above-described perforating and stimulation operations may be performed in multiple stages of the well.
- a technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a cable-conveyed object in a passageway of a string in the well; using the object to sense a property of an environment of the string and communicating an indication of the sensed property to an Earth surface of the well; remotely controlling an operation of the object to change a state of a first downhole valve assembly based at least in part on the communication; and using the object to control a state of at least one other downhole valve assembly during deployment of the object in the well.
- a technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a cable-conveyed object in a passageway of a string in the well; using the object to detect a location of the object and communicate an indication of the location to the Earth surface of the well; in response to the indication, remotely controlling operation of the object from the Earth surface to cause the object to engage a first valve assembly to change a state of the first valve assembly; and remotely controlling operation of the object from the Earth surface to cause the object to engage at least one additional valve assembly while the object is deployed in the well to change state(s) of the additional valve assembly(ies).
- the object includes a sensor to sense an environment of the object, a telemetry interface, an actuator, an expandable element and a control system.
- the control system uses the sensed environment to determine a location of the object; uses the telemetry interface to communicate an indication of the location uphole; uses the actuator to selectively expand the expandable element to engage a first valve assembly in response to receiving a first remotely communicated stimulus; uses the actuator to retract the expandable element in response to receiving a second remotely communicated stimulus; and uses the actuator to expand the expandable element to actuate a second valve assembly in response to receiving a third remotely communicated stimulus.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multiple stage well according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cable-conveyed dart of FIG. 1 in a radially contracted state according to an example implementation.
- FIGS. 3A , 3 B and 3 C are schematic diagrams illustrating use of the dart in a downhole stimulation operation according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 4A is a flow diagram depicting a technique to use a cable-conveyed object in a well according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 4B is a flow diagram depicting a technique to use a cable-conveyed activation object to perform a stimulation operation in a well according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a dart illustrating a magnetic field sensor of the dart according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a dart illustrating a differential pressure sensor of the dart according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 6B is a flow diagram depicting a technique to determine the location of a cable-conveyed dart in a well based on a pressure sensed by the dart according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a technique to perform a multiple stage stimulation operation in a well using a cable-conveyed activation object according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a dart illustrating an electromagnetic coupling sensor of the dart according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 9 is an illustration of a signal generated by the sensor of FIG. 8 according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 10 is a flow diagram depicting use of an electromagnetic coupling sensor to sense a position of a cable-conveyed activation object according to an example implementation.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a dart according to an example implementation.
- a “cable-conveyed object” refers to an object that travels at least some distance in a well passageway while being attached to a cable-based conveyance mechanism.
- the cable-based conveyance mechanism may be a cable that contains one or more electrical communication lines (called an “electric line” or a “wireline”) or a cable that does not contain any electrical communication lines (called a “slickline); and the activation object may be a dart, a ball or a bar that is suspended from the conveyance cable as it is run into the well, retrieved from the well or in general, has its downhole location controlled by the conveyance cable.
- downhole actions that are performed by the activation object may be controlled by command stimuli that are communicated to the object via the cable.
- the movement of the activation object through a given well passageway may be aided by pumping (i.e., pushing to object using a fluid), although pumping may not be employed to move the object in the well, in accordance with other implementations.
- the downhole operation may be a stimulation operation (a fracturing operation or an acidizing operation, as examples); an operation that is performed by a downhole tool assembly (the operation of a downhole valve assembly, the operation of a single shot tool assembly, or the operation of a perforating gun assembly, as examples); an operation that involves the formation of a downhole obstruction; or an operation that diverts fluid (the diversion of fracturing fluid into a surrounding formation, for example).
- a single deployed cable-conveyed activation object may be used to perform multiple downhole operations in multiple zones, or stages, of the well, as further disclosed herein.
- the cable-conveyed activation object travels in a passageway (a tubing string passageway, for example) of the well, autonomously senses its position as it travels in the passageway, and employs uphole telemetry communication to communicate its sensed position to the Earth surface.
- the cable-conveyed activation object is constructed to be remotely operated from the Earth surface initiate/further a given downhole operation.
- the cable-conveyed activation object may, in general, have two physical states: a radially contracted state (i.e., a state in which the object has a relatively smaller overall outer cross-sectional dimension) and a radially expanded state (i.e., a state in which the object has a relatively larger overall cross-sectional dimension).
- the cable-conveyed activation object is initially radially contracted (i.e., has a reduced overall diameter) when the object is deployed into the well at the Earth surface, and as the conveyance cable is extended to lower the object into the well, the object continuously or intermittently communicates indications of its location uphole to the Earth surface as the object travels downhole.
- actions may be taken at the Earth surface to remotely control the state of the object. For example, when the object reaches a predetermined, targeted location, one or more actions may be taken at the Earth surface to remotely instruct the object to radially expand.
- the cable-conveyed object may actuate a downhole tool assembly, such as a valve assembly, in ways other than radially expanding the object to engage the assembly.
- a downhole tool assembly such as a valve assembly
- the object may form a magnetic coupling with the tool assembly; using a sliding pin and key arrangement between the object and the assembly; and so forth.
- the increased diameter of the object due to its radial expansion may be used to effect any of a number of downhole actions, such as shifting a valve, forming a fluid obstruction, actuating a tool, a construction of these actions, and so forth.
- the object may pass through downhole restrictions (valve seats, for example) that may otherwise “catch” the object, thereby allowing the object to be used in, for example, multiple stage applications in which the object is used in conjunction with seats of the same size so that the radial expansion of the object is used to select which seat catches the object.
- the cable-conveyed activation object is a downhole communication node of an uphole telemetry system to continuously or intermittently transmit indications of the object's location to the Earth surface.
- the object may contain a transmitter (a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, for example) that is constructed to communicate an electrical signal to one of more electrical communication lines of a wireline for purposes of transmitting data uphole, which represents the absolute or relative location of the object.
- RF radio frequency
- the electrical signal may represent a packet of telemetry data.
- Other uphole telemetry techniques may be used, in accordance with further, example implementations.
- the object may contain an acoustic transducer to communicate its position uphole using acoustic pulses that are communicated via fluid or communicated along a slickline.
- the object may a tension-based transducer that has arms to selectively contact a wellbore or tubing string wall for purposes of creating tension pulses in the conveyance cable, which represents telemetry data indicative of the object's position.
- the object may contain an electromagnetic (EM) wave transducer for uphole telemetry communication.
- EM electromagnetic
- the cable-conveyed activation object may sense its position based on features of a string in which the object travels, markers, formation characteristics, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation.
- the cable-based activation object may be constructed to, during its travel, sense specific points in the well, called “markers” herein.
- the cable-based activation object may be constructed to detect the markers by sensing a property of the environment that surrounds the object (a physical property of the string in which the object is disposed or a formation, as examples).
- the markers may be dedicated tags or materials that are installed in the well for location sensing by the object or may be formed from features (sleeve valves, casing valves, casing collars, and so forth) of the well, which are primarily associated with downhole functions, other than location sensing.
- the markers may be incorporated into a material that is used in the construction of the well, such as, for example, microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based sensors that are deployed in a cement slurry.
- MEMS microelectromechanical system
- the cable-conveyed activation object may be constructed to sense its location in other and/or different ways that do not involve sensing a physical property of its environment, such as, for example, sensing a pressure for purposes of identifying valves or other downhole features that the object traverses and/or passes in the vicinity of during its travel.
- activation of the object may be based on the measurement of a length, such as measurement of a length between certain features of the tubing string 130 .
- a multiple stage well 90 includes a wellbore 120 , which traverses one or more formations (hydrocarbon bearing formations, for example).
- the wellbore 120 may be lined, or supported, by a tubing string 130 , as depicted in FIG. 1 .
- the tubing string 130 may be cemented to the wellbore 120 (such wellbores typically are referred to as “cased hole” wellbores); or the tubing string 130 may be secured to the formation by packers (such wellbores typically are referred to as “open hole” wellbores).
- the wellbore 120 extends through one or multiple zones, or stages 170 (four stages 170 - 1 , 170 - 2 , 170 - 3 and 170 - 4 , being depicted as examples in FIG. 1 ).
- FIG. 1 depicts a laterally extending wellbore 120
- the systems and techniques that are disclosed herein may likewise be applied to vertical wellbores, such as the example vertical wellbores that are illustrated in FIGS. 3A , 3 B and 3 C and discussed below.
- the well may contain multiple wellbores, which contain tubing strings that are similar to the illustrated tubing string 130 .
- the well may be an injection well or a production well.
- the downhole operations that are performed using the cable-conveyed activation object may be multiple stage operations that may be sequentially performed in the stages 170 in a particular direction (in a direction from a toe end 182 of the wellbore 120 to a heel end 180 of the wellbore 120 or vice versa, as examples) or may be performed in no particular direction or sequence, depending on the implementation.
- fluid communication with the surrounding reservoir may be enhanced in one or more of the stages 170 through, for example, abrasive jetting operations, perforating operations, and so forth.
- the well of FIG. 1 includes downhole tool assemblies 152 (tool assemblies 152 - 1 , 152 - 2 , 152 - 3 , 152 - 4 and 152 - 5 , being depicted in FIG. 1 as examples) that are located in the respective stages 170 .
- the tool assembly 152 may be any of a variety of downhole tool assemblies, such as a valve assembly (a circulation valve assembly, a casing valve assembly, a sleeve valve assembly, and so forth), a seat assembly, a check valve assembly, a plug assembly, a perforation gun assembly, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation.
- the tool assembly 152 may contain different tools (a mixture of a casing valve assembly, a plug assembly, a check valve assembly, and so forth, for example).
- a given tool assembly 152 may be selectively actuated by deploying the cable-conveyed activation object through the central passageway of the tubing string 130 and activating the object so that the object enters a state that is used to actuate the tool assembly 152 .
- the general cross-dimensional size of the object may be expanded to actuate a given tool assembly 152 .
- the cable-based activation object when in its radially contracted state, passes relatively freely through the central passageway of the tubing string 130 (and thus, through tool assemblies of the string 130 ), and when in its radially expanded state, the object is configured to land in, or, be “caught” by, a selected one of the tool assemblies 152 or otherwise secured at a selected downhole location (in general), for purposes of performing a given downhole operation.
- a given downhole tool assembly 152 may catch the cable-conveyed activation object in its radially expanded state and for purposes of forming a downhole fluid obstruction, or barrier in the tubing string 130 .
- the tubing string 130 uphole of the fluid barrier may then be pressurized to actuate the tool assembly 152 .
- the cable-conveyed activation object is a dart 100 , which, as depicted in FIG. 1 , may be deployed from the Earth surface E into the tubing string 130 at the end of a conveyance cable 101 and propagate along the central passageway of the string 130 as the dart 100 is lowered into the well by the cable 101 . Based on the indications of the dart's position that are communicated by the dart 100 uphole, corresponding actions may be taken at the Earth surface E to control the dart's downhole state.
- commands may be communicated downhole (via the cable 101 , via acoustic signals, electromagnetic signals, conveyance line movement and so forth) for purposes of instructing the dart 100 to radially expand and engage the next tool assembly 152 that the dart 100 encounters.
- the dart 100 may sequentially engage the tool assemblies 152 of the stages 170 - 4 , 170 - 3 , 170 - 2 and 170 - 1 in that order.
- the dart 100 may be deployed on the cable 100 into the central passageway of the tubing string 130 from the Earth surface E, and the cable 100 is used to lower the dart 100 downhole.
- an operator at the Earth surface E takes action to cause the dart 100 to radially expand so that the dart 100 engages a dart catching seat of the tool assembly 152 - 4 .
- fluid pressure may be applied uphole of the dart 100 (by pumping fluid into the tubing string 130 , for example) for purposes of actuating the tool assembly 152 - 4 .
- the dart 100 is constructed to subsequently radially contract to release itself from the tool assembly 152 - 4 (as further disclosed herein), be pulled uphole via the cable 101 , and be controlled to radially expand inside of the tool assembly 152 - 3 of the stage 170 - 3 to create another fluid barrier. Using this fluid barrier, the portion of the tubing string 130 uphole of the dart 100 may be pressurized for purposes of actuating the tool assembly 152 - 3 . The above-described process may then be repeated for the tool assemblies 152 in stages 170 - 2 and 170 - 1 .
- the dart 100 may be controlled to radially expand inside a tool assembly
- the dart 100 is constructed to secure itself to an arbitrary position of the string 130 , which is not part of a tool assembly.
- the dart 100 senses its downhole location by sensing downhole markers 160 .
- each stage 170 may contain a marker 160 , and each marker 160 may be embedded in a different tool assembly 152 .
- the marker 160 may be a specific material, a specific downhole feature, a specific physical property, a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID), tag, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation.
- RF radio frequency
- each stage 170 may contain multiple markers 160 ; a given stage 170 may not contain any markers 160 ; the markers 160 may be deployed along the tubing string 130 at positions that do not coincide with given tool assemblies 152 ; the markers 160 may not be evenly/regularly distributed as depicted in FIG. 1 ; and so forth, depending on the particular implementation.
- FIG. 1 depicts the markers 160 as being deployed in the tool assemblies 152
- the markers 160 may be deployed at defined distances with respect to the tool assemblies 152 , depending on the particular implementation.
- the markers 160 may be deployed between or at intermediate positions between respective tool assemblies 152 , in accordance with further implementations.
- many variations are contemplated, which are within the scope of the appended claims.
- a given marker 160 may be a magnetic material-based marker, which may be formed, for example, by a ferromagnetic material that is embedded in or attached to the tubing string 130 , embedded in or attached to a given tool housing, and so forth.
- the dart 100 may determine its absolute or relatively downhole location and use uphole telemetry to communicate that position to the Earth surface E. In this manner, the dart 100 may count the markers 160 , determine its location based on the count and communicate, via uphole telemetry, the location to the Earth surface E.
- the dart 100 may sense the markers 160 and transmit an indication of a sensed marker 160 uphole to the Earth surface E every time a marker 160 is sensed, so that a human or electronics at the Earth surface E may count the markers to determine the dart's location.
- the dart 100 may, in accordance with example implementations, detect specific markers 160 , while ignoring other markers 160 . In this manner, another dart may be subsequently deployed into the tubing string 130 to count the previously-ignored markers 160 (or count all of the markers, including the ignored markers, as another example) in a subsequent operation, such as a remedial action operation, a fracturing operation, and so forth. In this manner, using such an approach, specific portions of the well may be selectively treated at different times.
- the tubing string 130 may have more tool assemblies 152 (see FIG. 1 ), such as sleeve valve assemblies (as an example), than are needed for current downhole operations, for purposes of allowing future refracturing or remedial operations to be performed.
- the dart 100 may be deployed on the cable 101 for purposes of performing a being caught in the tool assembly 152 - 4 , which, for this example, has there tool assemblies 152 - 1 , 152 - 2 and 153 that are location uphole of the assembly 152 - 4 . Therefore, after the dart 100 has passed by three markers 160 (i.e., the markers 160 of the tool assemblies 152 - 1 , 152 - 2 and 152 - 3 ), the Earth surface E has received an indication that the dart 100 is between the tool assemblies 152 - 3 and 152 - 4 . At this point, the dart 100 may be remotely controlled from the Earth surface to cause the dart 100 to radially expand so that when the cable 101 further lowers the dart 100 downhole, the dart 100 engages the tool assembly 152 - 4 .
- the dart 100 has one or multiple, outer elastomer rings 252 , which are constructed to radially expand (be compressed between opposing pistons, or thimbles 254 and 256 , for example) for purposes of radially expanding the dart 100 to lodge the dart 100 inside a given sleeve valve assembly.
- the thimbles 254 and 256 are spaced apart to allow the elastomer element(s) 252 to relax to reduce the outer diameter of the dart 100 to a sufficiently small diameter to allow the dart 100 to pass through other passageways, valve assemblies, and so forth.
- the dart 100 includes a controller 224 (a microcontroller, microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), or central processing unit (CPU), as examples), which is constructed to communicate with a telemetry interface 250 of the dart 100 for purposes of communicating sensed dart positions to the Earth surface E, receive data indicative of commands for the dart 100 (commands to radially expand and retract, as examples), and so forth.
- the controller 224 may include a memory (a volatile or a non-volatile memory, depending on the implementation) that stores program instructions and data for the controller 224 .
- the telemetry interface 250 may include a transceiver (RF transceiver, acoustic transceiver, and so forth) for purposes of communicating data to (uphole telemetry) the Earth surface and for purposes of communicating data and commands from (downhole telemetry) from the Earth surface.
- the uphole and/or downhole telemetry may involve the use of the cable 101 , in accordance with example implementations.
- the uphole/downhole telemetry may use one or more wires, fibers, and so forth of the cable 101 .
- the telemetry interface 250 may control arms (not shown) that selectively contact the wellbore or tubing string wall for purposes of communicating data with the Earth surface via tension pulses.
- the telemetry interface 250 may also use, in accordance with further example implementations, acoustic signals, electromagnetic (EM) signals, acoustic pulses, fluid pulses, and so forth for uphole and/or downhole communications, depending on the particular implementation.
- EM electromagnetic
- the telemetry interface 250 may, for example, communicate stimuli uphole to indicate the dart's downhole position; and the telemetry interface 250 may receive stimuli communicated downhole for such purposes as directing the dart 100 to operate in a manner to engage a downhole tool assembly (such as a valve assembly), disengage from a given downhole tool assembly to allow the dart 100 to travel to other downhole positions, engage another downhole tool assembly, and so forth.
- a downhole tool assembly such as a valve assembly
- FIG. 2 also depicts an actuator 220 that is coupled to the controller 224 for purposes of controlling the radial expansion and contraction of the dart 100 .
- the controller 224 controls the actuator 220 for purposes of compressing the thimbles 254 and 256 for purposes of radially expanding the resilient element 252 as well as radially expanding one or multiple slips 260 of the dart 100 .
- engagement of the slips 260 with a tubing string wall, sleeve valve, and so forth stops downhole progress of the dart 100 and anchors the dart 100 to the surrounding member.
- the dart 100 may have a downhole energy source, in accordance with further example implementations, such as a battery or a fuel cell, and in accordance with further example implementations, the dart 100 may receive its power from the cable 101 (for the case of a wireline, for example). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2 , in accordance with example implementations, the dart 100 may have a wiper 264 at its lower end for purposes of allowing the pumping of fluid to facilitate the movement of the dart 100 through the well. In further implementations, the dart may have power regulation circuitry that receives power either from the cable 100 or a downhole energy source and distributes regulated supply voltages to the electrical power consuming components of the dart 100 .
- the dart 100 includes at least one sensor 230 .
- the sensor 230 may be used to detect markers 160 as well as detect other downhole features for purposes of acquiring an indication of the dart's downhole position, as further disclosed herein.
- the senor 230 provides one or more signals that indicate a physical property of the dart's environment (a magnetic permeability of the tubing string 130 , a radioactivity emission of the surrounding formation, and so forth); the controller 224 use the signal(s) to determine a location of the dart 100 ; and the controller 224 correspondingly uses the telemetry interface 250 to communicate with the Earth surface E for purposes of informing an operator or circuitry at the Earth surface E as to the dart's location.
- a physical property of the dart's environment a magnetic permeability of the tubing string 130 , a radioactivity emission of the surrounding formation, and so forth
- the controller 224 use the signal(s) to determine a location of the dart 100 ; and the controller 224 correspondingly uses the telemetry interface 250 to communicate with the Earth surface E for purposes of informing an operator or circuitry at the Earth surface E as to the dart's location.
- the sensor 230 senses a magnetic field.
- the tubing string 130 may contain embedded magnets, and sensor 230 may be an active or passive magnetic field sensor that provides one or more signals, which the controller 224 interprets to detect the magnets.
- the sensor 230 may sense an electromagnetic coupling path for purposes of allowing the dart 100 to electromagnetic coupling changes due to changing geometrical features of the string 130 (thicker metallic sections due to tools versus thinner metallic sections for regions of the string 130 where tools are not located, for example) that are not attributable to magnets.
- the sensor 230 may be a gamma ray sensor that senses a radioactivity.
- the sensed radioactivity may be the radioactivity of the surrounding formation. In this manner, a gamma ray log may be used to program a corresponding location radioactivity-based map into a memory of the dart 100 .
- FIGS. 3A , 3 B and 3 C depicts deployment and use of the dart 100 in a multiple stage fracturing operation in a vertical wellbore that contains sleeve valve assemblies 300 and markers 160 .
- the dart 100 is used to perform a fracturing operation in stage 170 - 3 ; and as shown in FIG. 3A , initially all of the sleeve valve assemblies 300 are closed so that radial fluid communication with the surrounding formations is prevented.
- the dart 100 is deployed into the tubing string 130 on the cable 101 and passes through valve assemblies 170 - 1 and 170 - 2 .
- the valve assembly 300 in the stage 170 - 3 contains a marker 160 that identifies the valve assembly 170 - 3 as being the valve assembly 300 that is targeted by the dart 100 .
- the dart's proximity to the stage 170 - 3 (and its associated marker 160 ) is detected at the Earth surface using the uphole telemetry communication from the dart 100 .
- the dart 100 is remotely controlled from the Earth surface E to cause the dart 100 to radially expand above the valve assembly 300 of the stage 170 - 3 so that as the dart 100 is further deployed downhole, the dart 100 lodges in an inner sleeve 304 of the valve assembly 300 , in shown in FIG. 3B .
- the lodging of the dart 100 in the inner sleeve 300 creates a fluid barrier in the tubing string 130 .
- the dart 100 may then be remotely controlled from the Earth surface to cause the dart 100 to radially contract at the conclusion of the fracturing of the zone associated with the stage 170 - 3 .
- the cable 101 may be used to move the dart 100 uphole of the valve assembly 300 for the stage 170 - 2 .
- the cable 101 may be retracted to cause the dart 100 to pass through a marker (not shown) associated with the valve assembly 300 for the stage 170 - 2 .
- a command may then be communicated downhole to once again cause the dart 100 to radially expand.
- the dart 100 may be lowered downhole to thereafter engage the inner sleeve 304 of the valve assembly for the stage 170 - 2 .
- the radially expanded dart 100 now engaged with the inner sleeve 304 , may be forced farther downhole using hydraulic pressure to shift the valve assembly 300 open.
- fluid may then be communicated using the fluid barrier created by the dart 100 and the open state of the valve assembly 300 for purposes of fracturing the associated zone.
- Other zones may be fractured using the above-described process.
- the dart 100 may be used for purposes of performing multiple stage operations in a downhole direction, in accordance with further, example implementations.
- the dart 100 may, while in the radially expanded state, be pulled uphole to subsequently reclose the valve assembly 300 before the dart 100 is radially contracted to allow the dart 100 to move to the next valve assembly 300 .
- a technique 400 that is depicted in FIG. 4A includes deploying (block 402 ) a cable-conveyed object in a passageway of a string in a well and using (block 404 ) the object to sense a property of an environment of the string and communicate an indication of the sensed property to the Earth surface of the well.
- the object may be remotely controlled (block 406 ) based on the communicated indication to engage a downhole valve assembly and transition the assembly from one state (a closed state, for example) to another state (an open state, for example).
- the object may then be used to perform (block 408 ) a downhole operation.
- the object may be radially expanded to engage a sleeve of a valve assembly and shift the sleeve to open the valve assembly. Due to the fluid barrier, or obstruction, that is created by the now lodged object, fluid may be diverted into the surrounding formation through radial ports of the opened valve assembly to conduct a downhole operation, such as a stimulation operation (a fracturing operation, as a more specific example).
- the technique 400 further includes allowing (block 410 ) the object to travel to the next downhole valve assembly and repeating blocks 404 , 406 and 408 at least one additional time.
- the object may be released by radially contracting the object (or by operating another type of release mechanism of the object) to allow the object to move to change the state of another downhole valve assembly and perform another stimulation operation in a similar manner.
- a technique 420 that is depicted in FIG. 4B may be used for purposes of performing a stimulation operation in a well.
- a cable-conveyed object is deployed in a passageway of a string, pursuant to block 422 .
- the object is used (block 424 ) to sense a downhole location of the object and communicate an indication of the sensed location of the Earth surface of the well, pursuant to block 424 .
- operation of the object may be remotely controlled from the Earth surface to cause the object to radially expand in a given valve assembly, pursuant to block 426 .
- a fluid barrier that is created by the radial expansion of the object is then used (block 426 ) to hydraulically shift the given valve assembly open so that a stimulation operation may be performed (block 430 ) in the zone that is associated with the given valve assembly.
- the sensor 230 of the dart 100 may include a coil 504 for purposes of sensing a magnetic field.
- the coil 504 may be formed from an electrical conductor that has multiple windings about a central opening.
- the magnetic field that is sensed by the coil 504 changes in strength due to the motion of the dart 100 (i.e., the influence of the material 520 on the sensed magnetic field changes as the dart 100 approaches the material 520 , coincides in location with the material 520 and then moves past the material 520 ).
- the changing magnetic field induces a current in the coil 504 .
- the controller 224 (see FIG. 2 ) may therefore monitor the voltage across the coil 504 and/or the current in the coil 504 for purposes of detecting a given marker 160 ; and thereafter, the controller 224 may use the telemetry interface 250 for purposes of communicating to the Earth surface a detected position of the dart 100 .
- the coil 504 may or may not be pre-energized with a current (i.e., the coil 504 may passively or actively sense the magnetic field), depending on the particular implementation.
- FIGS. 2 and 5 depict a simplified view of the sensor 230 and controller 224 , as the skilled artisan would appreciate that numerous other components may be used, such as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert an analog signal from the coil 504 into a corresponding digital value, an analog amplifier, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation.
- ADC analog-to-digital converter
- the dart 100 may sense a pressure to detect features of the tubing string 130 for purposes of determining the location/downhole position of the dart 100 .
- the dart 100 includes a differential pressure sensor 620 that senses a pressure in a passageway 610 that is in communication with a region 660 uphole from the dart 100 and a passageway 614 that is in communication with a region 670 downhole of the dart 100 . Due to this arrangement, the partial fluid seal/obstruction that is introduced by the dart 100 in its radially contracted state creates a pressure difference between the upstream and downstream ends of the dart 100 when the dart 100 passes through a valve assembly.
- a given valve may contain radial ports 604 . Therefore, for this example, the differential pressure sensor 620 may sense a pressure difference as the dart 100 travels due to a lower pressure below the dart 100 as compared to above the dart 100 due to a difference in pressure between the hydrostatic fluid above the dart 100 and the reduced pressure (due to the ports 604 ) below the dart 100 . As depicted in FIG. 6A , the differential pressure sensor 620 may contain terminals 624 that, for example, electrically indicate the sensed differential pressure (provide a voltage representing the sensed pressure, for example), which may be communicated to the controller 224 (see FIG. 2 ). For these example implementations, valves of the tubing string 130 are effectively used as markers for purposes of allowing the dart 100 to sense its position along the tubing string 130 .
- a technique 680 that is depicted in FIG. 6B may be used in conjunction with the dart 100 .
- cable-conveyed object is deployed (block 682 ) in a passageway of a string; and the object is used (block 684 ) to sense pressure as the object travels in a passageway of the string.
- the technique 680 includes selectively communicating (block 686 ) with the Earth surface to indicate detection of a valve assembly based at least in part on the sensed pressure.
- the dart 100 may sense multiple indicators of its position as the dart 100 travels in the tubing string 130 .
- the dart 100 may sense both a physical property and another downhole position indicator, such as a pressure (or another property), for purposes of determining its downhole position.
- the markers 160 may have alternating polarities, which may be another position indicator that the dart 100 uses to assess/corroborate its downhole position.
- magnetic-based markers 160 in accordance with an example implementation, may be distributed and oriented in a fashion such that the polarities of adjacent magnets alternate.
- one marker 160 may have its north pole uphole from its south pole, whereas the next marker 160 may have its south pole uphole from its north pole; and the next the marker 160 may have its north pole uphole from its south pole; and so forth.
- the dart 100 may use the knowledge of the alternating polarities as feedback to verify/assess its downhole position.
- a technique 700 for autonomously operating an untethered object in a well includes determining (decision block 704 ) whether a marker has been detected. If so, the dart 100 updates a detected marker count and updates its location and transmits an indication of its location uphole to the Earth surface, pursuant to block 708 . The dart 100 further determines (block 712 ) its location based on a sensed marker polarity pattern, and the dart 100 may determine (block 716 ) its location based on one or more other measures (a sensed pressure, for example). If the dart 100 determines (decision block 720 ) that the marker count is inconsistent with the other determined locations, then the dart 100 adjusts (block 724 ) the marker count/location.
- the dart 100 continually performs the above-described loop (sensing and transmitting its location uphole); and the radial expansion and contraction of the dart 100 are independently controlled.
- the dart 100 determines (decision block 728 ) that the dart 100 has received a command to expand, the dart 100 suspends the location transmission and performs functions related to expanding and contracting, as controlled from the Earth surface.
- the dart 100 actuates (block 733 ) its actuator to cause the radial expansion of the dart 100 and thereafter waits (decision block 736 ) for a command to release the dart 100 .
- the dart upon receiving a command to be released, activates (block 740 ) a self-release mechanism to release the dart.
- the dart 100 actuates the actuator in the opposite direction used to expand the dart for purposes of radially contracting the dart to allow the dart to be moved to the next valve assembly, be moved to another position in the well, and so forth.
- the dart if the dart is to be radially expanded again (decision block 744 ), then control returns to decision block 704 .
- FIG. 8 depicts a dart 800 according to a further example implementation.
- the dart 800 includes an electromagnetic coupling sensor that is formed from two receiver coils 814 and 816 , and a transmitter coil 810 that resides between the receiver coils 815 and 816 .
- the receiver coils 814 and 816 have respective magnetic moments 815 and 817 , respectively, which are opposite in direction. It is noted that the moments 815 and 817 that are depicted in FIG. 8 may be reversed, in accordance with further implementations.
- the transmitter 810 has an associated magnetic moment 811 , which is pointed upwardly in FIG. 8 , but may be pointed downwardly, in accordance with further implementations.
- the electromagnetic coupling sensor of the dart 800 senses geometric changes in a tubing string 804 in which the dart 800 travels. More specifically, in accordance with some implementations, the controller (not shown in FIG. 8 ) of the dart 800 algebraically adds, or combines, the signals from the two receiver coils 814 and 816 , such that when both receiver coils 814 and 816 have the same effective electromagnetic coupling the signals are the same, thereby resulting in a net zero voltage signal.
- the electromagnetic coupling sensor passes by a geometrically varying feature of the tubing string 804 (a geometric discontinuity or a geometric dimension change, such as a wall thickness change, for example)
- the signals provided by the two receiver coils 814 and 816 differ. This difference, in turn, produces a non-zero voltage signal, thereby indicating to the controller that a geometric feature change of the tubing string 804 has been detected.
- Such geometric variations may be used, in accordance with example implementations, for purposes of detecting certain geometric features of the tubing string 804 , such as, for example, sleeves or sleeve valves of the tubing string 804 .
- the dart 800 may determine its downhole position and actuate its deployment mechanism accordingly.
- FIG. 9 an example signal is depicted in FIG. 9 illustrating a signature 902 of the combined signal (called the “V DIFF ” signal in FIG. 9 ) when the electromagnetic coupling sensor passes in proximity to an illustrated geometric feature 820 , such as an annular notch for this example.
- V DIFF the combined signal
- a technique 1000 includes deploying (block 1002 ) a cable-conveyed object in a string and using (block 1004 ) the object to sense an electromagnetic coupling as the object travels in a passageway of the string.
- the technique 1000 includes selectively communicating (block 1006 ) with the Earth surface to indicate detection of a valve assembly based at least in part on the sensed electromagnetic coupling.
- implementations are disclosed herein for purposes of deploying a cable-conveyed object through a passageway of the string in a well and using the object to sense a location indicator as the object traverses the passageway.
- the object communicates an indication of its position to the Earth surface and is constructed to be remotely actuated from the Earth surface to selectively expand and retract.
- the property may be a physical property such as a magnetic marker, an electromagnetic coupling, a geometric discontinuity, a pressure or a radioactive source.
- the physical property may be a chemical property or may be an acoustic wave.
- the physical property may be a conductivity.
- a given position indicator may be formed from an intentionally-placed marker, a response marker, a radioactive source, magnet, microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a pressure, and so forth.
- the cable-conveyed activation object has the appropriate sensor(s) to detect the locations indicator(s), as can be appreciated by the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure contained herein.
- the dart may have a container that contains a chemical (a tracer, for example) that is carried into the fractures with the fracturing fluid.
- a chemical a tracer, for example
- the dart may contain a rupture disc (as an example), or other such device, which is sensitive to the tubing string pressure such that the disc ruptures at fracturing pressures to allow the chemical to leave the container and be transported into the fractures.
- the use of the chemical in this manner allows the recovery of information during flowback regarding fracture efficiency, fracture locations, and so forth.
- the telemetry interface 250 (see FIG. 2 ) of the dart 100 may be used for purposes of communicating information other than the above-described commands and locations.
- the telemetry interface 250 may be used by the controller 224 (see FIG. 2 ) for purposes of communicating a status of the dart to the Earth surface.
- the status may be an acknowledgment that the dart 100 has expanded, contracted, and so forth.
- the status may be a status indicating whether dart 100 is functioning properly.
- Other information may be communicated using the telemetry interface 250 , such as sensed downhole pressures, temperatures and so forth.
- the cable-conveyed object may contain or be attached to a perforating gun assembly.
- FIG. 11 depicts a cable-conveyed object 1100 in accordance with a further example implementation.
- the object 1100 includes a perforating gun assembly 1102 .
- a firing head of the perforating gun assembly 1102 may be instructed to fire perforating charges (shaped charges, for example) of the assembly 1102 by remotely communicating stimuli to the assembly 1102 from equipment at the Earth surface of the well.
- pressure pulses may be communicated to the firing head using the fluid column above the object 1100 .
- the cable 101 may be moved in a predetermined pattern to send a firing command to the perforating gun assembly 1102 .
- pressure in the fluid column above the object 1100 may be used to cause the firing head to fire the perforating charges.
- Other stimuli acoustic, electromagnetic (EM), electrical, and so forth
- EM electromagnetic
- the cable-conveyed object 1100 may be used to perforate a given zone, or stage of a well and then perform a stimulation operation in the stage before moving onto to the next stage where another set of stimulation and perforation operations are performed.
- the perforation and stimulation may be repeated for multiple zones.
- the perforating gun assembly 1102 may be replaced with another type of perforating tool, such as an abrasive fluid-based jetting tool, for example.
Abstract
Description
- For purposes of preparing a well for the production of oil or gas, at least one perforating gun may be deployed into the well via a conveyance mechanism, such as a wireline or a coiled tubing string. The shaped charges of the perforating gun(s) are fired when the gun(s) are appropriately positioned to perforate a casing of the well and form perforating tunnels into the surrounding formation. Additional operations may be performed in the well to increase the well's permeability, such as well stimulation operations and operations that involve hydraulic fracturing. The above-described perforating and stimulation operations may be performed in multiple stages of the well.
- The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
- In an example implementation, a technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a cable-conveyed object in a passageway of a string in the well; using the object to sense a property of an environment of the string and communicating an indication of the sensed property to an Earth surface of the well; remotely controlling an operation of the object to change a state of a first downhole valve assembly based at least in part on the communication; and using the object to control a state of at least one other downhole valve assembly during deployment of the object in the well.
- In another example implementation, a technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a cable-conveyed object in a passageway of a string in the well; using the object to detect a location of the object and communicate an indication of the location to the Earth surface of the well; in response to the indication, remotely controlling operation of the object from the Earth surface to cause the object to engage a first valve assembly to change a state of the first valve assembly; and remotely controlling operation of the object from the Earth surface to cause the object to engage at least one additional valve assembly while the object is deployed in the well to change state(s) of the additional valve assembly(ies).
- In yet another example implementation, an apparatus that is usable with a well includes a conveyance cable and an object that is adapted to be deployed in the well using the cable. The object includes a sensor to sense an environment of the object, a telemetry interface, an actuator, an expandable element and a control system. The control system uses the sensed environment to determine a location of the object; uses the telemetry interface to communicate an indication of the location uphole; uses the actuator to selectively expand the expandable element to engage a first valve assembly in response to receiving a first remotely communicated stimulus; uses the actuator to retract the expandable element in response to receiving a second remotely communicated stimulus; and uses the actuator to expand the expandable element to actuate a second valve assembly in response to receiving a third remotely communicated stimulus.
- Advantages and other features will become apparent from the following drawings, description and claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multiple stage well according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cable-conveyed dart ofFIG. 1 in a radially contracted state according to an example implementation. -
FIGS. 3A , 3B and 3C are schematic diagrams illustrating use of the dart in a downhole stimulation operation according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 4A is a flow diagram depicting a technique to use a cable-conveyed object in a well according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 4B is a flow diagram depicting a technique to use a cable-conveyed activation object to perform a stimulation operation in a well according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a dart illustrating a magnetic field sensor of the dart according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a dart illustrating a differential pressure sensor of the dart according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 6B is a flow diagram depicting a technique to determine the location of a cable-conveyed dart in a well based on a pressure sensed by the dart according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a technique to perform a multiple stage stimulation operation in a well using a cable-conveyed activation object according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a dart illustrating an electromagnetic coupling sensor of the dart according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 9 is an illustration of a signal generated by the sensor ofFIG. 8 according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram depicting use of an electromagnetic coupling sensor to sense a position of a cable-conveyed activation object according to an example implementation. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a dart according to an example implementation. - In general, systems and techniques are disclosed herein for purposes of deploying a cable-conveyed activation object into a well; using the object to sense its location (its location relative to a downhole, targeted tool assembly to be activated by the object, for example); communicating the sensed location to the Earth surface of the well; and based on this communicated position, controlling the object from the Earth surface to perform one or more downhole operations. In this context, a “cable-conveyed object” refers to an object that travels at least some distance in a well passageway while being attached to a cable-based conveyance mechanism.
- As specific examples, the cable-based conveyance mechanism may be a cable that contains one or more electrical communication lines (called an “electric line” or a “wireline”) or a cable that does not contain any electrical communication lines (called a “slickline); and the activation object may be a dart, a ball or a bar that is suspended from the conveyance cable as it is run into the well, retrieved from the well or in general, has its downhole location controlled by the conveyance cable. Moreover, in accordance with some implementations, downhole actions that are performed by the activation object (such as actions in which the object radially expands or contract) may be controlled by command stimuli that are communicated to the object via the cable. In accordance with some implementations, the movement of the activation object through a given well passageway may be aided by pumping (i.e., pushing to object using a fluid), although pumping may not be employed to move the object in the well, in accordance with other implementations.
- As just a few examples, the downhole operation may be a stimulation operation (a fracturing operation or an acidizing operation, as examples); an operation that is performed by a downhole tool assembly (the operation of a downhole valve assembly, the operation of a single shot tool assembly, or the operation of a perforating gun assembly, as examples); an operation that involves the formation of a downhole obstruction; or an operation that diverts fluid (the diversion of fracturing fluid into a surrounding formation, for example). Moreover, in accordance with example implementations, a single deployed cable-conveyed activation object may be used to perform multiple downhole operations in multiple zones, or stages, of the well, as further disclosed herein.
- In accordance with example implementations, the cable-conveyed activation object travels in a passageway (a tubing string passageway, for example) of the well, autonomously senses its position as it travels in the passageway, and employs uphole telemetry communication to communicate its sensed position to the Earth surface. Moreover, in accordance with example implementations, the cable-conveyed activation object is constructed to be remotely operated from the Earth surface initiate/further a given downhole operation.
- As a more specific example, the cable-conveyed activation object may, in general, have two physical states: a radially contracted state (i.e., a state in which the object has a relatively smaller overall outer cross-sectional dimension) and a radially expanded state (i.e., a state in which the object has a relatively larger overall cross-sectional dimension). The cable-conveyed activation object is initially radially contracted (i.e., has a reduced overall diameter) when the object is deployed into the well at the Earth surface, and as the conveyance cable is extended to lower the object into the well, the object continuously or intermittently communicates indications of its location uphole to the Earth surface as the object travels downhole. Based on the object's location, actions may be taken at the Earth surface to remotely control the state of the object. For example, when the object reaches a predetermined, targeted location, one or more actions may be taken at the Earth surface to remotely instruct the object to radially expand.
- The cable-conveyed object may actuate a downhole tool assembly, such as a valve assembly, in ways other than radially expanding the object to engage the assembly. For example, in accordance with further, example implementations, the object may form a magnetic coupling with the tool assembly; using a sliding pin and key arrangement between the object and the assembly; and so forth.
- The increased diameter of the object due to its radial expansion may be used to effect any of a number of downhole actions, such as shifting a valve, forming a fluid obstruction, actuating a tool, a construction of these actions, and so forth. Moreover, because the object remains radially contracted before reaching the predetermined location, the object may pass through downhole restrictions (valve seats, for example) that may otherwise “catch” the object, thereby allowing the object to be used in, for example, multiple stage applications in which the object is used in conjunction with seats of the same size so that the radial expansion of the object is used to select which seat catches the object.
- In accordance with example implementations, the cable-conveyed activation object is a downhole communication node of an uphole telemetry system to continuously or intermittently transmit indications of the object's location to the Earth surface. For example, in accordance with some implementations, the object may contain a transmitter (a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, for example) that is constructed to communicate an electrical signal to one of more electrical communication lines of a wireline for purposes of transmitting data uphole, which represents the absolute or relative location of the object. As a more specific example, the electrical signal may represent a packet of telemetry data. Other uphole telemetry techniques may be used, in accordance with further, example implementations. For example, the object may contain an acoustic transducer to communicate its position uphole using acoustic pulses that are communicated via fluid or communicated along a slickline. As another example, the object may a tension-based transducer that has arms to selectively contact a wellbore or tubing string wall for purposes of creating tension pulses in the conveyance cable, which represents telemetry data indicative of the object's position. As yet another example, the object may contain an electromagnetic (EM) wave transducer for uphole telemetry communication. Thus, many variations are contemplated, which are within the scope of the appended claims.
- As disclosed herein, the cable-conveyed activation object may sense its position based on features of a string in which the object travels, markers, formation characteristics, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation. As a more specific example, for purposes of sensing its downhole location, the cable-based activation object may be constructed to, during its travel, sense specific points in the well, called “markers” herein. Moreover, as disclosed herein, the cable-based activation object may be constructed to detect the markers by sensing a property of the environment that surrounds the object (a physical property of the string in which the object is disposed or a formation, as examples). The markers may be dedicated tags or materials that are installed in the well for location sensing by the object or may be formed from features (sleeve valves, casing valves, casing collars, and so forth) of the well, which are primarily associated with downhole functions, other than location sensing. As another example, the markers may be incorporated into a material that is used in the construction of the well, such as, for example, microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based sensors that are deployed in a cement slurry. Moreover, as disclosed herein, in accordance with example implementations, the cable-conveyed activation object may be constructed to sense its location in other and/or different ways that do not involve sensing a physical property of its environment, such as, for example, sensing a pressure for purposes of identifying valves or other downhole features that the object traverses and/or passes in the vicinity of during its travel.
- In accordance with further example implementations, activation of the object may be based on the measurement of a length, such as measurement of a length between certain features of the
tubing string 130. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , as a more specific example of the object and its well environment, in accordance with some implementations, a multiple stage well 90 includes awellbore 120, which traverses one or more formations (hydrocarbon bearing formations, for example). As a more specific example, thewellbore 120 may be lined, or supported, by atubing string 130, as depicted inFIG. 1 . Thetubing string 130 may be cemented to the wellbore 120 (such wellbores typically are referred to as “cased hole” wellbores); or thetubing string 130 may be secured to the formation by packers (such wellbores typically are referred to as “open hole” wellbores). In general, thewellbore 120 extends through one or multiple zones, or stages 170 (four stages 170-1, 170-2, 170-3 and 170-4, being depicted as examples inFIG. 1 ). - It is noted that although
FIG. 1 depicts a laterally extendingwellbore 120, the systems and techniques that are disclosed herein may likewise be applied to vertical wellbores, such as the example vertical wellbores that are illustrated inFIGS. 3A , 3B and 3C and discussed below. In accordance with example implementations, the well may contain multiple wellbores, which contain tubing strings that are similar to the illustratedtubing string 130. Moreover, depending on the particular implementation, the well may be an injection well or a production well. Thus, many variations are contemplated, which are within the scope of the appended claims. - In general, the downhole operations that are performed using the cable-conveyed activation object may be multiple stage operations that may be sequentially performed in the stages 170 in a particular direction (in a direction from a
toe end 182 of thewellbore 120 to aheel end 180 of thewellbore 120 or vice versa, as examples) or may be performed in no particular direction or sequence, depending on the implementation. - Although not depicted in
FIG. 1 , fluid communication with the surrounding reservoir may be enhanced in one or more of the stages 170 through, for example, abrasive jetting operations, perforating operations, and so forth. - In accordance with example implementations, the well of
FIG. 1 includes downhole tool assemblies 152 (tool assemblies 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4 and 152-5, being depicted inFIG. 1 as examples) that are located in the respective stages 170. Thetool assembly 152 may be any of a variety of downhole tool assemblies, such as a valve assembly (a circulation valve assembly, a casing valve assembly, a sleeve valve assembly, and so forth), a seat assembly, a check valve assembly, a plug assembly, a perforation gun assembly, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation. Moreover, thetool assembly 152 may contain different tools (a mixture of a casing valve assembly, a plug assembly, a check valve assembly, and so forth, for example). - A given
tool assembly 152 may be selectively actuated by deploying the cable-conveyed activation object through the central passageway of thetubing string 130 and activating the object so that the object enters a state that is used to actuate thetool assembly 152. As an example, the general cross-dimensional size of the object may be expanded to actuate a giventool assembly 152. For these example implementations, the cable-based activation object, when in its radially contracted state, passes relatively freely through the central passageway of the tubing string 130 (and thus, through tool assemblies of the string 130), and when in its radially expanded state, the object is configured to land in, or, be “caught” by, a selected one of thetool assemblies 152 or otherwise secured at a selected downhole location (in general), for purposes of performing a given downhole operation. For example, a givendownhole tool assembly 152 may catch the cable-conveyed activation object in its radially expanded state and for purposes of forming a downhole fluid obstruction, or barrier in thetubing string 130. Thetubing string 130 uphole of the fluid barrier may then be pressurized to actuate thetool assembly 152. - For the specific example of
FIG. 1 , the cable-conveyed activation object is adart 100, which, as depicted inFIG. 1 , may be deployed from the Earth surface E into thetubing string 130 at the end of aconveyance cable 101 and propagate along the central passageway of thestring 130 as thedart 100 is lowered into the well by thecable 101. Based on the indications of the dart's position that are communicated by thedart 100 uphole, corresponding actions may be taken at the Earth surface E to control the dart's downhole state. For example, commands may be communicated downhole (via thecable 101, via acoustic signals, electromagnetic signals, conveyance line movement and so forth) for purposes of instructing thedart 100 to radially expand and engage thenext tool assembly 152 that thedart 100 encounters. - In accordance with an example implementation, the
dart 100 may sequentially engage thetool assemblies 152 of the stages 170-4, 170-3, 170-2 and 170-1 in that order. For this example, thedart 100 may be deployed on thecable 100 into the central passageway of thetubing string 130 from the Earth surface E, and thecable 100 is used to lower thedart 100 downhole. When thedart 100 is in proximity of thetool assembly 152 of the stage 170-4 (as indicated by the uphole telemetry information that is communication by the dart 100), an operator at the Earth surface E takes action to cause thedart 100 to radially expand so that thedart 100 engages a dart catching seat of the tool assembly 152-4. Using the resulting fluid obstruction, or barrier, that is created by thedart 100 landing in the tool assembly 152-4, fluid pressure may be applied uphole of the dart 100 (by pumping fluid into thetubing string 130, for example) for purposes of actuating the tool assembly 152-4. - The
dart 100 is constructed to subsequently radially contract to release itself from the tool assembly 152-4 (as further disclosed herein), be pulled uphole via thecable 101, and be controlled to radially expand inside of the tool assembly 152-3 of the stage 170-3 to create another fluid barrier. Using this fluid barrier, the portion of thetubing string 130 uphole of thedart 100 may be pressurized for purposes of actuating the tool assembly 152-3. The above-described process may then be repeated for thetool assemblies 152 in stages 170-2 and 170-1. - Although examples are disclosed herein in which the
dart 100 may be controlled to radially expand inside a tool assembly, in accordance with further example implementations, thedart 100 is constructed to secure itself to an arbitrary position of thestring 130, which is not part of a tool assembly. Thus, many variations are contemplated, which are within the scope of the appended claims. - For the specific example of
FIG. 1 , thedart 100 senses its downhole location by sensingdownhole markers 160. For example, as depicted inFIG. 1 , each stage 170 may contain amarker 160, and eachmarker 160 may be embedded in adifferent tool assembly 152. Themarker 160 may be a specific material, a specific downhole feature, a specific physical property, a radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID), tag, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation. - It is noted that each stage 170 may contain
multiple markers 160; a given stage 170 may not contain anymarkers 160; themarkers 160 may be deployed along thetubing string 130 at positions that do not coincide with giventool assemblies 152; themarkers 160 may not be evenly/regularly distributed as depicted inFIG. 1 ; and so forth, depending on the particular implementation. Moreover, althoughFIG. 1 depicts themarkers 160 as being deployed in thetool assemblies 152, themarkers 160 may be deployed at defined distances with respect to thetool assemblies 152, depending on the particular implementation. For example, themarkers 160 may be deployed between or at intermediate positions betweenrespective tool assemblies 152, in accordance with further implementations. Thus, many variations are contemplated, which are within the scope of the appended claims. - In accordance with an example implementation, a given
marker 160 may be a magnetic material-based marker, which may be formed, for example, by a ferromagnetic material that is embedded in or attached to thetubing string 130, embedded in or attached to a given tool housing, and so forth. By sensing themarkers 160, thedart 100 may determine its absolute or relatively downhole location and use uphole telemetry to communicate that position to the Earth surface E. In this manner, thedart 100 may count themarkers 160, determine its location based on the count and communicate, via uphole telemetry, the location to the Earth surface E. In further implementations, thedart 100 may sense themarkers 160 and transmit an indication of a sensedmarker 160 uphole to the Earth surface E every time amarker 160 is sensed, so that a human or electronics at the Earth surface E may count the markers to determine the dart's location. - The
dart 100 may, in accordance with example implementations, detectspecific markers 160, while ignoringother markers 160. In this manner, another dart may be subsequently deployed into thetubing string 130 to count the previously-ignored markers 160 (or count all of the markers, including the ignored markers, as another example) in a subsequent operation, such as a remedial action operation, a fracturing operation, and so forth. In this manner, using such an approach, specific portions of the well may be selectively treated at different times. In accordance with some example implementations, thetubing string 130 may have more tool assemblies 152 (seeFIG. 1 ), such as sleeve valve assemblies (as an example), than are needed for current downhole operations, for purposes of allowing future refracturing or remedial operations to be performed. - As a more specific example, the
dart 100 may be deployed on thecable 101 for purposes of performing a being caught in the tool assembly 152-4, which, for this example, has there tool assemblies 152-1, 152-2 and 153 that are location uphole of the assembly 152-4. Therefore, after thedart 100 has passed by three markers 160 (i.e., themarkers 160 of the tool assemblies 152-1, 152-2 and 152-3), the Earth surface E has received an indication that thedart 100 is between the tool assemblies 152-3 and 152-4. At this point, thedart 100 may be remotely controlled from the Earth surface to cause thedart 100 to radially expand so that when thecable 101 further lowers thedart 100 downhole, thedart 100 engages the tool assembly 152-4. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , in accordance with an example implementation, thedart 100 has one or multiple, outer elastomer rings 252, which are constructed to radially expand (be compressed between opposing pistons, orthimbles dart 100 to lodge thedart 100 inside a given sleeve valve assembly. In this manner, when deployed into the well, in accordance with example implementations, thethimbles dart 100 to a sufficiently small diameter to allow thedart 100 to pass through other passageways, valve assemblies, and so forth. - As depicted in
FIG. 2 , in accordance with an example implementation, thedart 100 includes a controller 224 (a microcontroller, microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), or central processing unit (CPU), as examples), which is constructed to communicate with atelemetry interface 250 of thedart 100 for purposes of communicating sensed dart positions to the Earth surface E, receive data indicative of commands for the dart 100 (commands to radially expand and retract, as examples), and so forth. In accordance with example implementations, thecontroller 224 may include a memory (a volatile or a non-volatile memory, depending on the implementation) that stores program instructions and data for thecontroller 224. - In accordance with example implementations, the
telemetry interface 250 may include a transceiver (RF transceiver, acoustic transceiver, and so forth) for purposes of communicating data to (uphole telemetry) the Earth surface and for purposes of communicating data and commands from (downhole telemetry) from the Earth surface. The uphole and/or downhole telemetry may involve the use of thecable 101, in accordance with example implementations. For example, the uphole/downhole telemetry may use one or more wires, fibers, and so forth of thecable 101. Moreover, in accordance with some example implementations, thetelemetry interface 250 may control arms (not shown) that selectively contact the wellbore or tubing string wall for purposes of communicating data with the Earth surface via tension pulses. Thetelemetry interface 250 may also use, in accordance with further example implementations, acoustic signals, electromagnetic (EM) signals, acoustic pulses, fluid pulses, and so forth for uphole and/or downhole communications, depending on the particular implementation. Thus, thetelemetry interface 250 may, for example, communicate stimuli uphole to indicate the dart's downhole position; and thetelemetry interface 250 may receive stimuli communicated downhole for such purposes as directing thedart 100 to operate in a manner to engage a downhole tool assembly (such as a valve assembly), disengage from a given downhole tool assembly to allow thedart 100 to travel to other downhole positions, engage another downhole tool assembly, and so forth. -
FIG. 2 also depicts anactuator 220 that is coupled to thecontroller 224 for purposes of controlling the radial expansion and contraction of thedart 100. In this regard, in accordance with some example implementations, thecontroller 224 controls theactuator 220 for purposes of compressing thethimbles resilient element 252 as well as radially expanding one ormultiple slips 260 of thedart 100. In this regard, engagement of theslips 260 with a tubing string wall, sleeve valve, and so forth, stops downhole progress of thedart 100 and anchors thedart 100 to the surrounding member. - Among its other components, the
dart 100 may have a downhole energy source, in accordance with further example implementations, such as a battery or a fuel cell, and in accordance with further example implementations, thedart 100 may receive its power from the cable 101 (for the case of a wireline, for example). Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2 , in accordance with example implementations, thedart 100 may have awiper 264 at its lower end for purposes of allowing the pumping of fluid to facilitate the movement of thedart 100 through the well. In further implementations, the dart may have power regulation circuitry that receives power either from thecable 100 or a downhole energy source and distributes regulated supply voltages to the electrical power consuming components of thedart 100. - As also depicted in
FIG. 2 , in accordance with example implementations, thedart 100 includes at least onesensor 230. In general, thesensor 230 may be used to detectmarkers 160 as well as detect other downhole features for purposes of acquiring an indication of the dart's downhole position, as further disclosed herein. - In accordance with example implementations, the
sensor 230 provides one or more signals that indicate a physical property of the dart's environment (a magnetic permeability of thetubing string 130, a radioactivity emission of the surrounding formation, and so forth); thecontroller 224 use the signal(s) to determine a location of thedart 100; and thecontroller 224 correspondingly uses thetelemetry interface 250 to communicate with the Earth surface E for purposes of informing an operator or circuitry at the Earth surface E as to the dart's location. - In accordance with example implementations, the
sensor 230 senses a magnetic field. In this manner, thetubing string 130 may contain embedded magnets, andsensor 230 may be an active or passive magnetic field sensor that provides one or more signals, which thecontroller 224 interprets to detect the magnets. However, in accordance with further implementations, thesensor 230 may sense an electromagnetic coupling path for purposes of allowing thedart 100 to electromagnetic coupling changes due to changing geometrical features of the string 130 (thicker metallic sections due to tools versus thinner metallic sections for regions of thestring 130 where tools are not located, for example) that are not attributable to magnets. In other example implementations, thesensor 230 may be a gamma ray sensor that senses a radioactivity. Moreover, the sensed radioactivity may be the radioactivity of the surrounding formation. In this manner, a gamma ray log may be used to program a corresponding location radioactivity-based map into a memory of thedart 100. -
FIGS. 3A , 3B and 3C depicts deployment and use of thedart 100 in a multiple stage fracturing operation in a vertical wellbore that containssleeve valve assemblies 300 andmarkers 160. For this example, thedart 100 is used to perform a fracturing operation in stage 170-3; and as shown inFIG. 3A , initially all of thesleeve valve assemblies 300 are closed so that radial fluid communication with the surrounding formations is prevented. Thedart 100 is deployed into thetubing string 130 on thecable 101 and passes through valve assemblies 170-1 and 170-2. For this example implementation, thevalve assembly 300 in the stage 170-3 contains amarker 160 that identifies the valve assembly 170-3 as being thevalve assembly 300 that is targeted by thedart 100. - Referring to
FIG. 3B , the dart's proximity to the stage 170-3 (and its associated marker 160) is detected at the Earth surface using the uphole telemetry communication from thedart 100. At this point, thedart 100 is remotely controlled from the Earth surface E to cause thedart 100 to radially expand above thevalve assembly 300 of the stage 170-3 so that as thedart 100 is further deployed downhole, thedart 100 lodges in aninner sleeve 304 of thevalve assembly 300, in shown inFIG. 3B . The lodging of thedart 100 in theinner sleeve 300 creates a fluid barrier in thetubing string 130. Referring toFIG. 3C , therefore upon application of hydraulic pressure above the barrier (by pumping fluid downhole into the central passageway of the tubing string 130), a downward shifting force is developed to shift theinner sleeve 304 downwardly to open radial fluid communication through the valve assembly'sradial ports 302. At this point, fracturing fluid may be pumped downhole in thetubing string 130, and the fluid is diverted by the fluid barrier through theradial ports 302 and into the surrounding formation. - Continuing the example, the
dart 100 may then be remotely controlled from the Earth surface to cause thedart 100 to radially contract at the conclusion of the fracturing of the zone associated with the stage 170-3. Once radially contracted, as an example, thecable 101 may be used to move thedart 100 uphole of thevalve assembly 300 for the stage 170-2. For example, in accordance with some implementations, thecable 101 may be retracted to cause thedart 100 to pass through a marker (not shown) associated with thevalve assembly 300 for the stage 170-2. Upon receiving an indication of this position of thedart 100, a command may then be communicated downhole to once again cause thedart 100 to radially expand. Next, thedart 100 may be lowered downhole to thereafter engage theinner sleeve 304 of the valve assembly for the stage 170-2. At this point, the radially expandeddart 100, now engaged with theinner sleeve 304, may be forced farther downhole using hydraulic pressure to shift thevalve assembly 300 open. Once again, fluid may then be communicated using the fluid barrier created by thedart 100 and the open state of thevalve assembly 300 for purposes of fracturing the associated zone. Other zones may be fractured using the above-described process. - Although the above-described multiple stage operation occurs in an uphole direction, it is understood that the
dart 100 may be used for purposes of performing multiple stage operations in a downhole direction, in accordance with further, example implementations. For these implementations, thedart 100 may, while in the radially expanded state, be pulled uphole to subsequently reclose thevalve assembly 300 before thedart 100 is radially contracted to allow thedart 100 to move to thenext valve assembly 300. - Thus, in general, a
technique 400 that is depicted inFIG. 4A includes deploying (block 402) a cable-conveyed object in a passageway of a string in a well and using (block 404) the object to sense a property of an environment of the string and communicate an indication of the sensed property to the Earth surface of the well. Pursuant to thetechnique 400, the object may be remotely controlled (block 406) based on the communicated indication to engage a downhole valve assembly and transition the assembly from one state (a closed state, for example) to another state (an open state, for example). The object may then be used to perform (block 408) a downhole operation. - For example, in accordance with some implementations, the object may be radially expanded to engage a sleeve of a valve assembly and shift the sleeve to open the valve assembly. Due to the fluid barrier, or obstruction, that is created by the now lodged object, fluid may be diverted into the surrounding formation through radial ports of the opened valve assembly to conduct a downhole operation, such as a stimulation operation (a fracturing operation, as a more specific example). The
technique 400 further includes allowing (block 410) the object to travel to the next downhole valve assembly and repeatingblocks - A
technique 420 that is depicted inFIG. 4B may be used for purposes of performing a stimulation operation in a well. Referring toFIG. 4B , pursuant to thetechnique 420, in a well, a cable-conveyed object is deployed in a passageway of a string, pursuant to block 422. The object is used (block 424) to sense a downhole location of the object and communicate an indication of the sensed location of the Earth surface of the well, pursuant to block 424. In response to this indication, operation of the object may be remotely controlled from the Earth surface to cause the object to radially expand in a given valve assembly, pursuant to block 426. A fluid barrier that is created by the radial expansion of the object is then used (block 426) to hydraulically shift the given valve assembly open so that a stimulation operation may be performed (block 430) in the zone that is associated with the given valve assembly. - Referring to
FIG. 5 in conjunction withFIG. 2 , in accordance with an example implementation, thesensor 230 of thedart 100 may include acoil 504 for purposes of sensing a magnetic field. In this manner, thecoil 504 may be formed from an electrical conductor that has multiple windings about a central opening. When the dart passes in proximity to aferromagnetic material 520, such as amagnetic marker 160 that contains thematerial 520,magnetic flux lines 510 of the material 520 pass through thecoil 504. Thus, the magnetic field that is sensed by thecoil 504 changes in strength due to the motion of the dart 100 (i.e., the influence of thematerial 520 on the sensed magnetic field changes as thedart 100 approaches thematerial 520, coincides in location with thematerial 520 and then moves past the material 520). The changing magnetic field, in turn, induces a current in thecoil 504. The controller 224 (seeFIG. 2 ) may therefore monitor the voltage across thecoil 504 and/or the current in thecoil 504 for purposes of detecting a givenmarker 160; and thereafter, thecontroller 224 may use thetelemetry interface 250 for purposes of communicating to the Earth surface a detected position of thedart 100. Thecoil 504 may or may not be pre-energized with a current (i.e., thecoil 504 may passively or actively sense the magnetic field), depending on the particular implementation. - It is noted that
FIGS. 2 and 5 depict a simplified view of thesensor 230 andcontroller 224, as the skilled artisan would appreciate that numerous other components may be used, such as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert an analog signal from thecoil 504 into a corresponding digital value, an analog amplifier, and so forth, depending on the particular implementation. - In accordance with example implementations, the
dart 100 may sense a pressure to detect features of thetubing string 130 for purposes of determining the location/downhole position of thedart 100. For example, referring toFIG. 6A , in accordance with example implementations, thedart 100 includes adifferential pressure sensor 620 that senses a pressure in apassageway 610 that is in communication with aregion 660 uphole from thedart 100 and apassageway 614 that is in communication with aregion 670 downhole of thedart 100. Due to this arrangement, the partial fluid seal/obstruction that is introduced by thedart 100 in its radially contracted state creates a pressure difference between the upstream and downstream ends of thedart 100 when thedart 100 passes through a valve assembly. - For example, as shown in
FIG. 6A , a given valve may containradial ports 604. Therefore, for this example, thedifferential pressure sensor 620 may sense a pressure difference as thedart 100 travels due to a lower pressure below thedart 100 as compared to above thedart 100 due to a difference in pressure between the hydrostatic fluid above thedart 100 and the reduced pressure (due to the ports 604) below thedart 100. As depicted inFIG. 6A , thedifferential pressure sensor 620 may containterminals 624 that, for example, electrically indicate the sensed differential pressure (provide a voltage representing the sensed pressure, for example), which may be communicated to the controller 224 (seeFIG. 2 ). For these example implementations, valves of thetubing string 130 are effectively used as markers for purposes of allowing thedart 100 to sense its position along thetubing string 130. - Therefore, in accordance with example implementations, a
technique 680 that is depicted inFIG. 6B may be used in conjunction with thedart 100. Pursuant to thetechnique 680, cable-conveyed object is deployed (block 682) in a passageway of a string; and the object is used (block 684) to sense pressure as the object travels in a passageway of the string. Thetechnique 680 includes selectively communicating (block 686) with the Earth surface to indicate detection of a valve assembly based at least in part on the sensed pressure. - In accordance with some implementations, the
dart 100 may sense multiple indicators of its position as thedart 100 travels in thetubing string 130. For example, in accordance with example implementations, thedart 100 may sense both a physical property and another downhole position indicator, such as a pressure (or another property), for purposes of determining its downhole position. Moreover, in accordance with some implementations, the markers 160 (seeFIG. 1 ) may have alternating polarities, which may be another position indicator that thedart 100 uses to assess/corroborate its downhole position. In this regard, magnetic-basedmarkers 160, in accordance with an example implementation, may be distributed and oriented in a fashion such that the polarities of adjacent magnets alternate. Thus, for example, onemarker 160 may have its north pole uphole from its south pole, whereas thenext marker 160 may have its south pole uphole from its north pole; and the next themarker 160 may have its north pole uphole from its south pole; and so forth. Thedart 100 may use the knowledge of the alternating polarities as feedback to verify/assess its downhole position. - Thus, referring to
FIG. 7 , in accordance with an example implementation, atechnique 700 for autonomously operating an untethered object in a well, such as thedart 100, includes determining (decision block 704) whether a marker has been detected. If so, thedart 100 updates a detected marker count and updates its location and transmits an indication of its location uphole to the Earth surface, pursuant to block 708. Thedart 100 further determines (block 712) its location based on a sensed marker polarity pattern, and thedart 100 may determine (block 716) its location based on one or more other measures (a sensed pressure, for example). If thedart 100 determines (decision block 720) that the marker count is inconsistent with the other determined locations, then thedart 100 adjusts (block 724) the marker count/location. - In accordance with example implementations, the
dart 100 continually performs the above-described loop (sensing and transmitting its location uphole); and the radial expansion and contraction of thedart 100 are independently controlled. In further example implementations, when thedart 100 determines (decision block 728) that thedart 100 has received a command to expand, thedart 100 suspends the location transmission and performs functions related to expanding and contracting, as controlled from the Earth surface. In this manner, in accordance with example implementations, thedart 100 actuates (block 733) its actuator to cause the radial expansion of thedart 100 and thereafter waits (decision block 736) for a command to release thedart 100. In this regard, in accordance with example implementations, upon receiving a command to be released, the dart activates (block 740) a self-release mechanism to release the dart. For example, in accordance with some implementations, thedart 100 actuates the actuator in the opposite direction used to expand the dart for purposes of radially contracting the dart to allow the dart to be moved to the next valve assembly, be moved to another position in the well, and so forth. In accordance with example implementations, if the dart is to be radially expanded again (decision block 744), then control returns todecision block 704. - Other variations are contemplated, which are within the scope of the appended claims. For example,
FIG. 8 depicts adart 800 according to a further example implementation. In general, thedart 800 includes an electromagnetic coupling sensor that is formed from tworeceiver coils transmitter coil 810 that resides between the receiver coils 815 and 816. As shown inFIG. 8 , the receiver coils 814 and 816 have respectivemagnetic moments moments FIG. 8 may be reversed, in accordance with further implementations. As also shown inFIG. 8 , thetransmitter 810 has an associatedmagnetic moment 811, which is pointed upwardly inFIG. 8 , but may be pointed downwardly, in accordance with further implementations. - In general, the electromagnetic coupling sensor of the
dart 800 senses geometric changes in atubing string 804 in which thedart 800 travels. More specifically, in accordance with some implementations, the controller (not shown inFIG. 8 ) of thedart 800 algebraically adds, or combines, the signals from the tworeceiver coils receiver coils receiver coils tubing string 804 has been detected. - Such geometric variations may be used, in accordance with example implementations, for purposes of detecting certain geometric features of the
tubing string 804, such as, for example, sleeves or sleeve valves of thetubing string 804. Thus, by detecting and possibly counting sleeves (or other tools or features), thedart 800 may determine its downhole position and actuate its deployment mechanism accordingly. - Referring to
FIG. 9 in conjunction withFIG. 8 , as a more specific example, an example signal is depicted inFIG. 9 illustrating a signature 902 of the combined signal (called the “VDIFF” signal inFIG. 9 ) when the electromagnetic coupling sensor passes in proximity to an illustratedgeometric feature 820, such as an annular notch for this example. - Thus, referring to
FIG. 10 , in accordance with example implementations, atechnique 1000 includes deploying (block 1002) a cable-conveyed object in a string and using (block 1004) the object to sense an electromagnetic coupling as the object travels in a passageway of the string. Thetechnique 1000 includes selectively communicating (block 1006) with the Earth surface to indicate detection of a valve assembly based at least in part on the sensed electromagnetic coupling. - Thus, in general, implementations are disclosed herein for purposes of deploying a cable-conveyed object through a passageway of the string in a well and using the object to sense a location indicator as the object traverses the passageway. The object communicates an indication of its position to the Earth surface and is constructed to be remotely actuated from the Earth surface to selectively expand and retract. As disclosed above, the property may be a physical property such as a magnetic marker, an electromagnetic coupling, a geometric discontinuity, a pressure or a radioactive source. In further implementations, the physical property may be a chemical property or may be an acoustic wave. Moreover, in accordance with some implementations, the physical property may be a conductivity. In yet further implementations, a given position indicator may be formed from an intentionally-placed marker, a response marker, a radioactive source, magnet, microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a pressure, and so forth. The cable-conveyed activation object has the appropriate sensor(s) to detect the locations indicator(s), as can be appreciated by the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure contained herein.
- Other implementations are contemplated and are within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in accordance with further example implementations, the dart may have a container that contains a chemical (a tracer, for example) that is carried into the fractures with the fracturing fluid. In this manner, when the dart is deployed into the well, the chemical is confined to the container. The dart may contain a rupture disc (as an example), or other such device, which is sensitive to the tubing string pressure such that the disc ruptures at fracturing pressures to allow the chemical to leave the container and be transported into the fractures. The use of the chemical in this manner allows the recovery of information during flowback regarding fracture efficiency, fracture locations, and so forth.
- As another example of a further implementation, the telemetry interface 250 (see
FIG. 2 ) of thedart 100 may be used for purposes of communicating information other than the above-described commands and locations. For example, in accordance with further example implementations, thetelemetry interface 250 may be used by the controller 224 (seeFIG. 2 ) for purposes of communicating a status of the dart to the Earth surface. For example, the status may be an acknowledgment that thedart 100 has expanded, contracted, and so forth. As another example, the status may be a status indicating whetherdart 100 is functioning properly. Other information may be communicated using thetelemetry interface 250, such as sensed downhole pressures, temperatures and so forth. - As yet another example, in accordance with some implementations, the cable-conveyed object may contain or be attached to a perforating gun assembly. In this regard,
FIG. 11 depicts a cable-conveyedobject 1100 in accordance with a further example implementation. For this example, theobject 1100 includes a perforatinggun assembly 1102. As an example, a firing head of the perforatinggun assembly 1102 may be instructed to fire perforating charges (shaped charges, for example) of theassembly 1102 by remotely communicating stimuli to theassembly 1102 from equipment at the Earth surface of the well. For example, after the cable-conveyedobject 1100 forms a fluid obstruction, pressure pulses may be communicated to the firing head using the fluid column above theobject 1100. In further example implementations, thecable 101 may be moved in a predetermined pattern to send a firing command to the perforatinggun assembly 1102. In yet further example implementations, pressure in the fluid column above the object 1100 (due to theobject 1100 creating a fluid obstruction) may be used to cause the firing head to fire the perforating charges. Other stimuli (acoustic, electromagnetic (EM), electrical, and so forth) may be used to communicate with the firing head and with theobject 1100 in general, in accordance with further example implementations. - Thus, in accordance with example implementations, the cable-conveyed
object 1100 may be used to perforate a given zone, or stage of a well and then perform a stimulation operation in the stage before moving onto to the next stage where another set of stimulation and perforation operations are performed. Thus, the perforation and stimulation may be repeated for multiple zones. In further example implementations, the perforatinggun assembly 1102 may be replaced with another type of perforating tool, such as an abrasive fluid-based jetting tool, for example. - While a limited number of examples have been disclosed herein, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations.
Claims (23)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/303,776 US20150361761A1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2014-06-13 | Cable-conveyed activation object |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/303,776 US20150361761A1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2014-06-13 | Cable-conveyed activation object |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150361761A1 true US20150361761A1 (en) | 2015-12-17 |
Family
ID=54835735
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/303,776 Abandoned US20150361761A1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2014-06-13 | Cable-conveyed activation object |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20150361761A1 (en) |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150176369A1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Autonomous selective shifting tool |
US20150218904A1 (en) * | 2011-03-02 | 2015-08-06 | Team Oil Tools, Lp | Multi-actuating plugging device |
US20150260013A1 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2015-09-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Remote downhole actuation device |
US20160130912A1 (en) * | 2014-11-06 | 2016-05-12 | Superior Energy Services, Llc | Method and Apparatus for Secondary Recovery Operations in Hydrocarbon Formations |
US20160298438A1 (en) * | 2015-04-10 | 2016-10-13 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Refracturing Method Using Spaced Shaped Charges Straddled with Isolators on a Liner String |
CN106194109A (en) * | 2016-09-07 | 2016-12-07 | 北京精密机电控制设备研究所 | A kind of downhole intelligent gate-controlled switch instrument |
CN106593352A (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2017-04-26 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Electrically-controlled sliding sleeve and fracturing string |
WO2017137781A1 (en) * | 2016-02-12 | 2017-08-17 | Well-Sense Technology Limited | Downhole method and apparatus |
US10280698B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2019-05-07 | General Electric Company | Well restimulation downhole assembly |
US10443344B2 (en) * | 2014-08-08 | 2019-10-15 | Welltec Oilfield Solutions Ag | Downhole valve system |
US10465499B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2019-11-05 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Underground GPS for use in plug tracking |
US10519765B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2019-12-31 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Plug tracking using through-the-earth communication system |
WO2020076709A1 (en) * | 2018-10-10 | 2020-04-16 | Dril-Quip, Inc. | Ultrasonic interventionless system and method for detecting downhole activation devices |
WO2021142878A1 (en) * | 2020-01-16 | 2021-07-22 | 成都维锐泰达能源技术有限公司 | Multi-stage fracturing intelligent control system and control method |
WO2021142877A1 (en) * | 2020-01-16 | 2021-07-22 | 成都维锐泰达能源技术有限公司 | Smart delivery device |
WO2021242281A1 (en) * | 2020-05-27 | 2021-12-02 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Automated isolation system |
US11365602B2 (en) * | 2019-03-27 | 2022-06-21 | Jovan Vracar | Programmable plug system and method for controlling formation access in multistage hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells |
US20220282592A1 (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2022-09-08 | Panda-Seal Limited | Method of abandoning a well |
CN115653541A (en) * | 2022-12-23 | 2023-01-31 | 哈尔滨艾拓普科技有限公司 | Intelligent key label-based segmented multi-cluster fracturing intelligent sliding sleeve system and method |
WO2023081144A1 (en) * | 2021-11-04 | 2023-05-11 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc | Counter object, method and system |
WO2023081142A1 (en) * | 2021-11-04 | 2023-05-11 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc | Counter object, method and system |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2280013A (en) * | 1993-07-13 | 1995-01-18 | Buyers Mark | Trigger module for explosive actuator |
US20050241824A1 (en) * | 2004-05-03 | 2005-11-03 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods of servicing a well bore using self-activating downhole tool |
US20120085538A1 (en) * | 2004-12-14 | 2012-04-12 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method and apparatus for deploying and using self-locating title of the invention downhole devices |
US20140076542A1 (en) * | 2012-06-18 | 2014-03-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Autonomous Untethered Well Object |
-
2014
- 2014-06-13 US US14/303,776 patent/US20150361761A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2280013A (en) * | 1993-07-13 | 1995-01-18 | Buyers Mark | Trigger module for explosive actuator |
US20050241824A1 (en) * | 2004-05-03 | 2005-11-03 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods of servicing a well bore using self-activating downhole tool |
US20120085538A1 (en) * | 2004-12-14 | 2012-04-12 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method and apparatus for deploying and using self-locating title of the invention downhole devices |
US20140076542A1 (en) * | 2012-06-18 | 2014-03-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Autonomous Untethered Well Object |
Cited By (31)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150218904A1 (en) * | 2011-03-02 | 2015-08-06 | Team Oil Tools, Lp | Multi-actuating plugging device |
US9909384B2 (en) * | 2011-03-02 | 2018-03-06 | Team Oil Tools, Lp | Multi-actuating plugging device |
US20150260013A1 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2015-09-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Remote downhole actuation device |
US10151175B2 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2018-12-11 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Remote downhole actuation device |
US20150176369A1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Autonomous selective shifting tool |
US9759040B2 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2017-09-12 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Autonomous selective shifting tool |
US10443344B2 (en) * | 2014-08-08 | 2019-10-15 | Welltec Oilfield Solutions Ag | Downhole valve system |
US20160130912A1 (en) * | 2014-11-06 | 2016-05-12 | Superior Energy Services, Llc | Method and Apparatus for Secondary Recovery Operations in Hydrocarbon Formations |
US10435986B2 (en) * | 2014-11-06 | 2019-10-08 | Superior Energy Services, Llc | Method and apparatus for secondary recovery operations in hydrocarbon formations |
US10465499B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2019-11-05 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Underground GPS for use in plug tracking |
US10519765B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2019-12-31 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Plug tracking using through-the-earth communication system |
US10082012B2 (en) * | 2015-04-10 | 2018-09-25 | Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc | Refracturing method using spaced shaped charges straddled with isolators on a liner string |
US20160298438A1 (en) * | 2015-04-10 | 2016-10-13 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Refracturing Method Using Spaced Shaped Charges Straddled with Isolators on a Liner String |
WO2017137781A1 (en) * | 2016-02-12 | 2017-08-17 | Well-Sense Technology Limited | Downhole method and apparatus |
CN106194109A (en) * | 2016-09-07 | 2016-12-07 | 北京精密机电控制设备研究所 | A kind of downhole intelligent gate-controlled switch instrument |
US10280698B2 (en) | 2016-10-24 | 2019-05-07 | General Electric Company | Well restimulation downhole assembly |
CN106593352A (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2017-04-26 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Electrically-controlled sliding sleeve and fracturing string |
WO2020076709A1 (en) * | 2018-10-10 | 2020-04-16 | Dril-Quip, Inc. | Ultrasonic interventionless system and method for detecting downhole activation devices |
GB2591921B (en) * | 2018-10-10 | 2023-04-05 | Dril Quip Inc | Ultrasonic interventionless system and method for detecting downhole activation devices |
GB2591921A (en) * | 2018-10-10 | 2021-08-11 | Dril Quip Inc | Ultrasonic interventionless system and method for detecting downhole activation devices |
US11530607B2 (en) | 2018-10-10 | 2022-12-20 | Dril-Quip, Inc. | Ultrasonic interventionless system and method for detecting downhole activation devices |
US11365602B2 (en) * | 2019-03-27 | 2022-06-21 | Jovan Vracar | Programmable plug system and method for controlling formation access in multistage hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells |
US20220282592A1 (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2022-09-08 | Panda-Seal Limited | Method of abandoning a well |
WO2021142878A1 (en) * | 2020-01-16 | 2021-07-22 | 成都维锐泰达能源技术有限公司 | Multi-stage fracturing intelligent control system and control method |
WO2021142877A1 (en) * | 2020-01-16 | 2021-07-22 | 成都维锐泰达能源技术有限公司 | Smart delivery device |
WO2021242281A1 (en) * | 2020-05-27 | 2021-12-02 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Automated isolation system |
US11536131B2 (en) | 2020-05-27 | 2022-12-27 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Automated isolation system |
WO2023081144A1 (en) * | 2021-11-04 | 2023-05-11 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc | Counter object, method and system |
WO2023081142A1 (en) * | 2021-11-04 | 2023-05-11 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc | Counter object, method and system |
US11761303B2 (en) | 2021-11-04 | 2023-09-19 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc | Counter object, method and system |
CN115653541A (en) * | 2022-12-23 | 2023-01-31 | 哈尔滨艾拓普科技有限公司 | Intelligent key label-based segmented multi-cluster fracturing intelligent sliding sleeve system and method |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20150361761A1 (en) | Cable-conveyed activation object | |
US9650851B2 (en) | Autonomous untethered well object | |
US10301910B2 (en) | Autonomous untethered well object having an axial through-hole | |
US10316645B2 (en) | Autonomous untethered well object | |
EP3653834B1 (en) | Well tools selectively responsive to magnetic patterns | |
US9745823B2 (en) | Downhole communication and control system and method for non-sequential downhole operations | |
US20150361747A1 (en) | Multistage well system and technique | |
US20150068771A1 (en) | Downhole Ball Dropping Systems and Methods | |
US20150068772A1 (en) | Downhole Ball Dropping Systems and Methods with Redundant Ball Dropping Capability | |
US11268363B2 (en) | Multi-zone actuation system using wellbore darts | |
WO2015038096A1 (en) | Downhole ball dropping systems and methods | |
WO2015038095A1 (en) | Downhole ball dropping systems and methods with redundant ball dropping capability | |
US11268356B2 (en) | Casing conveyed, externally mounted perforation concept | |
US20200003024A1 (en) | Casing conveyed, externally mounted perforation concept |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LAFFERTY, THEODORE;WHITSITT, JOHN R.;MILLER, MATTHEW J.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20140718 TO 20141118;REEL/FRAME:034300/0184 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |