US20180149018A1 - Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device - Google Patents

Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20180149018A1
US20180149018A1 US15/362,207 US201615362207A US2018149018A1 US 20180149018 A1 US20180149018 A1 US 20180149018A1 US 201615362207 A US201615362207 A US 201615362207A US 2018149018 A1 US2018149018 A1 US 2018149018A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
wellbore
signal
control circuit
drop ball
signals
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
Application number
US15/362,207
Inventor
William A. Hered
Rajeshwari Paluri
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
Original Assignee
Baker Hughes Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Baker Hughes Inc filed Critical Baker Hughes Inc
Priority to US15/362,207 priority Critical patent/US20180149018A1/en
Assigned to BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED reassignment BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HERED, WILLIAM A., PALURI, RAJESHWARI
Publication of US20180149018A1 publication Critical patent/US20180149018A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
    • E21B47/14Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/01Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for anchoring the tools or the like
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B47/123
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
    • E21B47/13Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
    • E21B47/135Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
    • E21B47/138Devices entrained in the flow of well-bore fluid for transmitting data, control or actuation signals
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12Packers; Plugs

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmission by a transmitter in a drop device.
  • Wellbores are formed in subsurface formations for the production of hydrocarbons (oil and gas). Modern wells descend to great well depths, often more than 15,000 ft. Hydrocarbons are generally trapped in zones at various depths. A variety of sensors and tools are used to determine the location of such zones. A drilled wellbore at such a stage is referred to as open hole. To recover hydrocarbons, the wellbore is typically lined with a casing (serially connected metal tubulars) along the length of the wellbore to prevent collapse of the formation (rocks) into the wellbore. Such a wellbore is referred to as a cased wellbore.
  • a string such a work string or a completion string, containing a variety of devices or tools, is installed inside the casing or the open hole to controllably allow fluid containing hydrocarbons to move from the formation into the wellbore and to transport such fluid to the surface.
  • the equipment on such as string is often referred to as the completion equipment.
  • the completion equipment includes a variety of tools and devices, which may be electrically, hydraulically, electrically and/or mechanically operated, i.e. activated and/or deactivated to perform a variety of intended functions. Often a service string is conveyed into the completion string to operate devices in the work string.
  • Service strings carrying a transmitter that transmits signals, such as light signals, in the wellbore to operate certain devices have been proposed.
  • a light source is mounted on a string to transfer data from sensors and memory located at the surface to a downhole device.
  • Another system proposes a method of activating downhole tools using light signals transmitted via fiber-optic cables run inside a service string conveyed into the wellbore. Such systems require conveying a string in the wellbore or installation of communication links in the completion strings for operating various devices, which are very expensive and time consuming.
  • control signals or selected signals are generated in a wellbore by a transmitter carried by device traveling through the wellbore to operate one or more downhole devices.
  • an apparatus for operating a device in a wellbore includes a drop device configured to be dropped into the wellbore that transmits a selected signal while the drop device is traveling in the wellbore, a control circuit in the wellbore that detects the transmitted selected signal and provides a control signal in response to the detected signal to operate the device in the wellbore.
  • a method of operating a device in a wellbore includes: dropping a drop device in the wellbore that transmits a selected signal while the device is traveling in the wellbore; detecting by a detector in the wellbore the transmitted signal; and operating the device in the wellbore in response to the detected signal.
  • FIG. 1 shows a line diagram of a wellbore system that includes a device desired to be operated utilizing a control signal transmitted by a drop device traveling in the wellbore;
  • FIG. 2 shows an exemplary drop device that includes a number of transmitters configured to transmit omnibus control signals.
  • the disclosure herein provides apparatus and methods for operating (activating and/or deactivating) devices (also referred to herein as the target device or devices) disposed in a wellbore using signals such as light signals, acoustic signals and electromagnetic signals, without the use of strings conveyed into the wellbore or via links disposed or installed in the wellbore, such as conductors or fiber optic links.
  • the apparatus includes a drop device, such as a drop ball, that is dropped from a surface location or from a tool located up hole from the device to be operated.
  • the drop device may contain one or more transmitters or sources that transmit certain selected signals while the drop device is traveling in the wellbore.
  • a transmitter may include a light source, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), an electromagnetic signal generator, an acoustic source, or another suitable signal generator.
  • the transmitted signals may include one or more signals selected from a range of signals, such as signals having different frequencies, wavelength, etc.
  • the apparatus may include a control circuit or control unit configured to detect the transmitted signals and provide one or more control signals to operate one or more target devices.
  • a power unit may operate an associated device to be operated in response to the one or more control signals.
  • the control circuit includes a detector configured to detect the selected signals transmitted by the drop device.
  • the receiver may include photodetectors to receive the transmitted light signals.
  • a controller such as a micro-processor based circuit, in the control circuit may be configured to process certain selected signals detected by the detector, such as signals corresponding to certain frequencies, and generate control signals to operate selected devices.
  • the detector in the control circuit detects or senses the transmitted signal that corresponds to or relates to its associated device to be operated and provides a control signal to a power unit associated with such device to operate the device.
  • the controller in the control circuit may be programmed to generate the control signals to operate specific devices in response to the transmitted signals.
  • a single drop device may be utilized to transmit a variety of signals to operate more than one device in the wellbore.
  • a common control circuit may be utilized to provide specific control signals (for example, signals having different wavelength or frequency for each device) corresponding to more than one device, or a separate receiver may be utilized for each device to be operated.
  • the drop device generates a specific signal for each device to be operated and the common receiver or separate receivers, as the case may be, provide corresponding control signals.
  • the same downhole device may be configured to perform different functions in response to different signals transmitted by the drop device.
  • the drop device does not need to contact a target device in order to convey the transmitted signal to its associated detector.
  • the drop device may be sized to pass through the device to be operated without blocking the internal diameter of such a device.
  • the emitted light may be visible light or it may extend to other wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, such as ultraviolet light or infrared light.
  • FIG. 1 shows a wellbore system 100 that includes a wellbore 101 formed in a formation 102 that is lined with a casing 104 .
  • the annular space 105 between the wellbore 101 and the casing 104 is shown filled with cement 106 .
  • An exemplary work string 110 is shown conveyed inside the casing 104 .
  • the work string 110 may a completion string for producing hydrocarbons (oil and gas) from one or more production zones (not shown) in the formation 102 .
  • a work string may include a number of devices, including, but not limited to, packers, sliding sleeves or other type of valves, mechanical devices, hydro-mechanical devices, and electro-mechanical devices that are operated (activated and/or deactivated) downhole to perform one or more selected functions or operations.
  • the apparatus for operating devices disclosed herein may be configured to operate any suitable device in the wellbore.
  • the work string 110 is shown to include a through passage 112 and a tool or apparatus 120 positioned at a location 110 a that includes a device 122 desired to be operated.
  • the tool 120 is further shown to include a control circuit or control unit 130 and a power unit 124 associated with the device 122 .
  • the device 122 is configured to be activated and/or deactivated by the power unit 124 in response to a control signal received from the control circuit 130 .
  • the power unit 124 may be a hydraulic device, a mechanical device, an electrical device or any combination thereof.
  • the device 122 is shown as an anchor, wherein activating the device 122 means causing a member 122 a thereof to extend from a retracted position to an extended position to contact the casing 104 .
  • the device to be operated is a valve, such as a sliding sleeve valve, or solenoid valve, activating such a device means opening the valve and deactivating the device means closing the valve.
  • the control circuit 130 controls the operation of the device 122 in response to detection of one or more selected signals from a device traveling through the wellbore, such as a drop device, as described later.
  • the control circuit 130 may include a detector or receiver 132 that is configured to detect one or more selected signals, a controller 134 that processes the signals detected by the detector 132 and provides one or more control signals in response to the detected signals to the power unit 124 to operate the device 122 .
  • the controller 134 may include analog and/digital circuits known in the art and may include a microprocessor for processing the detected signals and for generating control signals.
  • a power unit 136 such as a battery may be provided to provide electrical energy to the various components of the control circuit 130 .
  • the apparatus described herein may be utilized to operate multiple devices in the wellbore.
  • the work string 110 may further include a second tool or apparatus 160 that includes a device 150 to be operated.
  • the exemplary device 150 is a control valve device that is shown to include valves 150 a , 150 b and 150 c for controlling flow of a fluid 115 through the work string passage 112 .
  • the valves 150 a and 150 b are closed and the valve 150 c is open, the fluid 115 will flow through the passage 112 .
  • control circuit 130 may be common to both devices 122 and 150 while in another embodiment, each such device may include a separate control circuit.
  • a communication link such as link 135
  • link 135 may be provided in the work string 110 between the control circuit 130 and the device 150 to provide control signals to a power unit 165 to operate the device 150 .
  • another control circuit 180 similar to control circuit 130 , may be provided for device 150 .
  • FIG. 2 shows an exemplary drop device 200 , which in one non-limiting embodiment may be a ball that includes one or more transmitters, transmitters 202 a - 202 n , that are configured to generate selected signals in the wellbore corresponding to one or more target devices.
  • the transmitters 202 a - 202 n transmit light at one or more frequencies or wavelengths within a range of frequencies or wavelengths.
  • the transmitters 202 a - 202 n may be placed around the device to transmit omnidirectional selected light signals (i.e. 360 degrees around the device). Referring now to FIGS.
  • the device 200 is dropped from the surface or from a location above the device 150 into the work string 110 .
  • the transmitters 202 a - 202 n transmit signals that are specific to operating devices 120 and 150 . while the device is traveling through the string 110 .
  • the detector 132 detects the selected transmitted signals and the controller 134 sends separate control signals to each of the devices 120 and 150 .
  • each such control circuit is configured to detect signals that are specific to its associated device or devices and to generate corresponding control signals for operating such associated devices.
  • the drop device 200 is dropped from a surface location or a location in the wellbore above the device 122 into the work string 110 , wherein the transmitters 202 a - 202 n transmit control signals specific for device 122 .
  • the detector 132 detects such signals and the controller 134 sends control signals to the power unit 124 to cause it to operate the device 122 .
  • the transmitters 202 a - 202 n are configured to transmit signals corresponding to both devices 122 and 150 .
  • the control circuits 130 and/or 180 detect the signals corresponding to their associated device and send control signals to operate device 122 and device 150 . In this manner, multiple devices may be operated or controlled by using a single drop device.
  • the controllers in the control circuits 130 and/or 180 may be programmed to send control signals that are timed in a manner so as to operate various devices in any desired sequence and at any desired time. In this manner, a single drop device may be utilized to operate multiple devices in any desired sequence at any desired time regardless of their location (depth) in the wellbore.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Geophysics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for operating a device in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drop device configured to be dropped into the wellbore that transmits a selected signal while the drop device is traveling in the wellbore, a control circuit in the wellbore that detects the transmitted selected signal and provides a control signal in response to the detected signal to operate the device in the wellbore.

Description

    BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure
  • This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmission by a transmitter in a drop device.
  • 2. Background of the Art
  • Wellbores are formed in subsurface formations for the production of hydrocarbons (oil and gas). Modern wells descend to great well depths, often more than 15,000 ft. Hydrocarbons are generally trapped in zones at various depths. A variety of sensors and tools are used to determine the location of such zones. A drilled wellbore at such a stage is referred to as open hole. To recover hydrocarbons, the wellbore is typically lined with a casing (serially connected metal tubulars) along the length of the wellbore to prevent collapse of the formation (rocks) into the wellbore. Such a wellbore is referred to as a cased wellbore. The zones bearing hydrocarbons are perforated through the casing to cause the hydrocarbons to flow from such zones to within of the casing. A string, such a work string or a completion string, containing a variety of devices or tools, is installed inside the casing or the open hole to controllably allow fluid containing hydrocarbons to move from the formation into the wellbore and to transport such fluid to the surface. The equipment on such as string is often referred to as the completion equipment. The completion equipment includes a variety of tools and devices, which may be electrically, hydraulically, electrically and/or mechanically operated, i.e. activated and/or deactivated to perform a variety of intended functions. Often a service string is conveyed into the completion string to operate devices in the work string. Service strings carrying a transmitter that transmits signals, such as light signals, in the wellbore to operate certain devices have been proposed. In one such system, a light source is mounted on a string to transfer data from sensors and memory located at the surface to a downhole device. Another system proposes a method of activating downhole tools using light signals transmitted via fiber-optic cables run inside a service string conveyed into the wellbore. Such systems require conveying a string in the wellbore or installation of communication links in the completion strings for operating various devices, which are very expensive and time consuming.
  • The disclosure herein provides apparatus and methods in which control signals or selected signals are generated in a wellbore by a transmitter carried by device traveling through the wellbore to operate one or more downhole devices.
  • SUMMARY
  • In one aspect, an apparatus for operating a device in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drop device configured to be dropped into the wellbore that transmits a selected signal while the drop device is traveling in the wellbore, a control circuit in the wellbore that detects the transmitted selected signal and provides a control signal in response to the detected signal to operate the device in the wellbore.
  • In another aspect, a method of operating a device in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes: dropping a drop device in the wellbore that transmits a selected signal while the device is traveling in the wellbore; detecting by a detector in the wellbore the transmitted signal; and operating the device in the wellbore in response to the detected signal.
  • Examples of the more important features of certain embodiments and methods according to this disclosure have been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • For a detailed understanding of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and the detailed description thereof, wherein:
  • FIG. 1 shows a line diagram of a wellbore system that includes a device desired to be operated utilizing a control signal transmitted by a drop device traveling in the wellbore; and
  • FIG. 2 shows an exemplary drop device that includes a number of transmitters configured to transmit omnibus control signals.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • In general, the disclosure herein provides apparatus and methods for operating (activating and/or deactivating) devices (also referred to herein as the target device or devices) disposed in a wellbore using signals such as light signals, acoustic signals and electromagnetic signals, without the use of strings conveyed into the wellbore or via links disposed or installed in the wellbore, such as conductors or fiber optic links. In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus includes a drop device, such as a drop ball, that is dropped from a surface location or from a tool located up hole from the device to be operated. The drop device may contain one or more transmitters or sources that transmit certain selected signals while the drop device is traveling in the wellbore. In one embodiment, a transmitter may include a light source, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), an electromagnetic signal generator, an acoustic source, or another suitable signal generator. The transmitted signals may include one or more signals selected from a range of signals, such as signals having different frequencies, wavelength, etc. The apparatus may include a control circuit or control unit configured to detect the transmitted signals and provide one or more control signals to operate one or more target devices. A power unit may operate an associated device to be operated in response to the one or more control signals. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a detector configured to detect the selected signals transmitted by the drop device. In the case of light signals, the receiver may include photodetectors to receive the transmitted light signals. A controller, such as a micro-processor based circuit, in the control circuit may be configured to process certain selected signals detected by the detector, such as signals corresponding to certain frequencies, and generate control signals to operate selected devices. In one non-limiting embodiment, when the drop device is proximate to or passes by the device to be operated, the detector in the control circuit detects or senses the transmitted signal that corresponds to or relates to its associated device to be operated and provides a control signal to a power unit associated with such device to operate the device. The controller in the control circuit may be programmed to generate the control signals to operate specific devices in response to the transmitted signals. A single drop device may be utilized to transmit a variety of signals to operate more than one device in the wellbore. Also, a common control circuit may be utilized to provide specific control signals (for example, signals having different wavelength or frequency for each device) corresponding to more than one device, or a separate receiver may be utilized for each device to be operated. In such cases, the drop device generates a specific signal for each device to be operated and the common receiver or separate receivers, as the case may be, provide corresponding control signals. In another embodiment, the same downhole device may be configured to perform different functions in response to different signals transmitted by the drop device. In the apparatus and methods described herein, the drop device does not need to contact a target device in order to convey the transmitted signal to its associated detector. Thus, the drop device may be sized to pass through the device to be operated without blocking the internal diameter of such a device. Also, in the case of light signals, the emitted light may be visible light or it may extend to other wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, such as ultraviolet light or infrared light.
  • FIG. 1 shows a wellbore system 100 that includes a wellbore 101 formed in a formation 102 that is lined with a casing 104. The annular space 105 between the wellbore 101 and the casing 104 is shown filled with cement 106. An exemplary work string 110 is shown conveyed inside the casing 104. In one-non limiting embodiment, the work string 110 may a completion string for producing hydrocarbons (oil and gas) from one or more production zones (not shown) in the formation 102. A work string may include a number of devices, including, but not limited to, packers, sliding sleeves or other type of valves, mechanical devices, hydro-mechanical devices, and electro-mechanical devices that are operated (activated and/or deactivated) downhole to perform one or more selected functions or operations. The apparatus for operating devices disclosed herein may be configured to operate any suitable device in the wellbore. For illustration purpose and for ease of understanding, the work string 110 is shown to include a through passage 112 and a tool or apparatus 120 positioned at a location 110 a that includes a device 122 desired to be operated. The tool 120 is further shown to include a control circuit or control unit 130 and a power unit 124 associated with the device 122. The device 122 is configured to be activated and/or deactivated by the power unit 124 in response to a control signal received from the control circuit 130. The power unit 124 may be a hydraulic device, a mechanical device, an electrical device or any combination thereof. For purpose of explanation and not as a limitation, the device 122 is shown as an anchor, wherein activating the device 122 means causing a member 122 a thereof to extend from a retracted position to an extended position to contact the casing 104. If the device to be operated is a valve, such as a sliding sleeve valve, or solenoid valve, activating such a device means opening the valve and deactivating the device means closing the valve. The control circuit 130 controls the operation of the device 122 in response to detection of one or more selected signals from a device traveling through the wellbore, such as a drop device, as described later. in one non-limiting embodiment the control circuit 130 may include a detector or receiver 132 that is configured to detect one or more selected signals, a controller 134 that processes the signals detected by the detector 132 and provides one or more control signals in response to the detected signals to the power unit 124 to operate the device 122. The controller 134 may include analog and/digital circuits known in the art and may include a microprocessor for processing the detected signals and for generating control signals. A power unit 136, such as a battery may be provided to provide electrical energy to the various components of the control circuit 130.
  • Still referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus described herein may be utilized to operate multiple devices in the wellbore. As an example, the work string 110 may further include a second tool or apparatus 160 that includes a device 150 to be operated. The exemplary device 150 is a control valve device that is shown to include valves 150 a, 150 b and 150 c for controlling flow of a fluid 115 through the work string passage 112. In the particular exemplary device 150, when the valves 150 a and 150 b are closed and the valve 150 c is open, the fluid 115 will flow through the passage 112. When the valve 150 c is closed and valves 150 a and 150 b are open, fluid 115 will flow through the annular space 170 between the casing 104 and the work string 110. Therefore, in such a configuration, selectively operating the valves 150 a, 150 b and 150 c allows controlling flow of fluid 115 though the wellbore system 100. Also, in one embodiment, the control circuit 130 may be common to both devices 122 and 150 while in another embodiment, each such device may include a separate control circuit. In the case of a common control circuit, such as control circuit 130, a communication link, such as link 135, may be provided in the work string 110 between the control circuit 130 and the device 150 to provide control signals to a power unit 165 to operate the device 150. In the case of separate control circuits, another control circuit 180, similar to control circuit 130, may be provided for device 150.
  • FIG. 2, shows an exemplary drop device 200, which in one non-limiting embodiment may be a ball that includes one or more transmitters, transmitters 202 a-202 n, that are configured to generate selected signals in the wellbore corresponding to one or more target devices. In the case of light signals, the transmitters 202 a-202 n transmit light at one or more frequencies or wavelengths within a range of frequencies or wavelengths. In one non-limiting embodiment, the transmitters 202 a-202 n may be placed around the device to transmit omnidirectional selected light signals (i.e. 360 degrees around the device). Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, to operate a device in the wellbore system 100, such as device 122 and/or 150, the device 200 is dropped from the surface or from a location above the device 150 into the work string 110. The transmitters 202 a-202 n transmit signals that are specific to operating devices 120 and 150. while the device is traveling through the string 110. In the case of a common control circuit 130, the detector 132 detects the selected transmitted signals and the controller 134 sends separate control signals to each of the devices 120 and 150. In the case of separate control circuits, for example control circuit 130 for device 120 and control circuit 180 for device 150, each such control circuit is configured to detect signals that are specific to its associated device or devices and to generate corresponding control signals for operating such associated devices.
  • Thus, in aspects, to operate a device such as device 122, the drop device 200 is dropped from a surface location or a location in the wellbore above the device 122 into the work string 110, wherein the transmitters 202 a-202 n transmit control signals specific for device 122. The detector 132 detects such signals and the controller 134 sends control signals to the power unit 124 to cause it to operate the device 122. If another device, such as device 150, is also to be operated, the transmitters 202 a-202 n are configured to transmit signals corresponding to both devices 122 and 150. The control circuits 130 and/or 180, as the case may be, detect the signals corresponding to their associated device and send control signals to operate device 122 and device 150. In this manner, multiple devices may be operated or controlled by using a single drop device. The controllers in the control circuits 130 and/or 180 may be programmed to send control signals that are timed in a manner so as to operate various devices in any desired sequence and at any desired time. In this manner, a single drop device may be utilized to operate multiple devices in any desired sequence at any desired time regardless of their location (depth) in the wellbore.
  • The foregoing disclosure is directed to the certain exemplary embodiments and methods of apparatus and method for operating one or more devices in a wellbore. Various modifications to the apparatus and methods disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such modifications within the scope of the appended claims be embraced by the foregoing disclosure. The words “comprising” and “comprises” as used in the claims are to be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” Also, the abstract is not to be used to limit the scope of the claims.

Claims (21)

1. An apparatus for operating a device in a wellbore, comprising:
a drop ball configured to travel in the wellbore, the drop ball including a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged on the drop ball to transmit a selected omnidirectional light signal while the drop ball is traveling in the wellbore; and
a control circuit configured to detect the selected light signal as the drop ball passes the control circuit and provide a control signal to the device in response to the detected selected light signal to operate the device in the wellbore.
2. (canceled)
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a light detector configured to detect the transmitted light signal
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a controller that processes the detected signal and provides the control signal in response to the detected signal.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selected signal transmitted includes a plurality of signals, each such signal configured to operate a different device in the wellbore.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a power unit that operates the device in response to the control signal, and wherein the power unit includes a device selected from a group consisting of: an electrical device; a hydraulic device; a mechanical device; and a combination thereof.
7. (canceled)
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is selected from a group consisting of: a flow control device; a packer; an anchor; and a fishing device.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wellbore includes a string containing the device to be operated and at least one restriction and wherein the drop ball is configured to pass through the at least one restriction in the string.
10. (canceled)
11. A method of operating a device in a wellbore, the method comprising:
transmitting a selected omnidirectional light signal in a wellbore by drop ball traveling in the wellbore, wherein the drop ball includes a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on the drop ball to transmit the omnidirectional light signal as the drop ball is traveling in the wellbore;
detecting the transmitted selected light signal at a control circuit at a selected location in the wellbore as the drop ball passes the control circuit;
providing a control signal from the control circuit to the device in response to the detected selected light signal; and
operating the device in response to the control signal.
12. (canceled)
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting the selected signals includes detecting such signal by a light detector in the wellbore.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting a selected signal comprises transmitting a plurality of signals.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein each signal in the plurality of signals is configured to operate a different device in the wellbore.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein operating the device in response to the control signal comprises operating the device that is one of: an electric device; a hydraulic device; a mechanical device; and a combination of two or more of the electrical device, hydraulic device and mechanical device.
17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the device is selected from a group consisting of: a flow control device; a packer; an anchor; and a fishing device.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein the device is disposed in a string placed in the wellbore and wherein the string includes a restriction and wherein the drop device is configured to pass through the restriction in the string.
20. (canceled)
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drop ball transmits signals as the drop ball is traveling through a location in the wellbore above the control circuit, and the control circuit detects the selected light signal as the drop ball passes the control circuit.
US15/362,207 2016-11-28 2016-11-28 Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device Abandoned US20180149018A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/362,207 US20180149018A1 (en) 2016-11-28 2016-11-28 Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/362,207 US20180149018A1 (en) 2016-11-28 2016-11-28 Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20180149018A1 true US20180149018A1 (en) 2018-05-31

Family

ID=62193155

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/362,207 Abandoned US20180149018A1 (en) 2016-11-28 2016-11-28 Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20180149018A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021229369A1 (en) * 2020-05-11 2021-11-18 Acoustic Data Limited Deploying acoustic telemetry equipment

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090218951A1 (en) * 2008-03-02 2009-09-03 Mpj Lighting, Llc Lighting and control systems and methods
US20170292371A1 (en) * 2014-12-29 2017-10-12 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Optical coupling system for downhole rotation variant housing

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090218951A1 (en) * 2008-03-02 2009-09-03 Mpj Lighting, Llc Lighting and control systems and methods
US20170292371A1 (en) * 2014-12-29 2017-10-12 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Optical coupling system for downhole rotation variant housing

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021229369A1 (en) * 2020-05-11 2021-11-18 Acoustic Data Limited Deploying acoustic telemetry equipment
US20230184079A1 (en) * 2020-05-11 2023-06-15 Acoustic Data Limited Deploying acoustic telemetry equipment

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10612369B2 (en) Lower completion communication system integrity check
US9777557B2 (en) Apparatus and method for operating a device in a wellbore using signals generated in response to strain on a downhole member
US8672031B2 (en) Perforating with wired drill pipe
EP2762672B1 (en) Method for real-time monitoring and transmitting hydraulic fracture seismic events to surface using the pilot hole of the treatment well as the monitoring well
US9249559B2 (en) Providing equipment in lateral branches of a well
US10323481B2 (en) Downhole valve
EP2764200B1 (en) System for real-time monitoring and transmitting hydraulic fracture seismic events to surface using the pilot hole of the treatment well as the monitoring well
US20100133004A1 (en) System and Method for Verifying Perforating Gun Status Prior to Perforating a Wellbore
US20150361761A1 (en) Cable-conveyed activation object
AU2012397833A1 (en) Systems and methods for downhole telecommunication
US20120061095A1 (en) Apparatus and Method For Remote Actuation of A Downhole Assembly
CN106574497A (en) Rig telemetry system
US8022839B2 (en) Telemetry subsystem to communicate with plural downhole modules
US20170183938A1 (en) Valves For Regulating Downhole Fluids Using Contactless Actuation
AU3561602A (en) Method for repeating messages in long intelligent completion system lines
RU2405106C1 (en) Control system of mutual orientation process of shafts during cluster drilling of oil and gas wells
US20180149018A1 (en) Apparatus and methods for operating devices in wellbores using signal transmitters in a drop device
AU2016433058A1 (en) Methods and systems for downhole inductive coupling
US20170175501A1 (en) System And Method For Performing An Operation
US11268356B2 (en) Casing conveyed, externally mounted perforation concept
US9970268B2 (en) Apparatus and methods for oriented-fracturing of formations
WO2023212270A1 (en) Monitoring casing annulus
WO2020006268A1 (en) Casing conveyed, externally mounted perforation concept

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED, TEXAS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HERED, WILLIAM A.;PALURI, RAJESHWARI;REEL/FRAME:040433/0789

Effective date: 20161121

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION