U.S. patent application number 12/128226 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for system and method for shifting a tool in a well.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Dinesh R. Patel.
Application Number | 20090294124 12/128226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41378347 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090294124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Dinesh R. |
December 3, 2009 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHIFTING A TOOL IN A WELL
Abstract
A technique is employed to shift a well tool located in a
wellbore. A shifting tool is moved downhole into proximity with a
well tool that is to be shifted. The shifting tool comprises one or
more engagement members that enable engagement with any of a
variety of well tools having a variety of sizes. A sensor system
provides an indication as to when the shifting tool is moved into
proximity with a specific well tool.
Inventors: |
Patel; Dinesh R.; (Sugar
Land, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHLUMBERGER RESERVOIR COMPLETIONS
14910 AIRLINE ROAD
ROSHARON
TX
77583
US
|
Assignee: |
SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATION
Sugar Land
TX
|
Family ID: |
41378347 |
Appl. No.: |
12/128226 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/255.2 ;
166/378; 166/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 23/02 20130101;
E21B 47/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/255.2 ;
166/378; 166/72 |
International
Class: |
E21B 47/09 20060101
E21B047/09 |
Claims
1. A system for use in a wellbore, comprising: a shifting tool
comprising: a body; an engagement member mounted to the body, the
engagement member being radially movable to enable engagement with
downhole well tools of a variety of sizes; an actuator coupled to
the engagement member to selectively move the engagement member
into and out of engagement with at least one downhole well tool;
and a sensor system cooperating with the actuator to detect the
proximity of the engagement member with respect to the at least one
downhole well tool, wherein the actuator moves the engagement
member toward an engaged configuration following detection.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the shifting tool
further comprises a microprocessor coupled to the sensor system to
process signals from the sensor system and to control the actuator
based on signals from the sensor system.
3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor system
comprises a sensor and a plurality of unique signature tags, each
signature tag being associated with a corresponding downhole well
tool.
4. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
conveyance coupled to the shifting tool to convey the shifting tool
through the wellbore.
5. The system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a downhole
well tool having an engagement profile positioned for receipt of
the engagement member.
6. The system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a plurality
of downhole well tools, each downhole well tool having an
engagement profile positioned for receipt of the engagement
member.
7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the
downhole well tools comprises a valve.
8. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the
downhole well tools comprises a sliding sleeve.
9. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the
downhole well tools comprises a packer.
10. A method, comprising: moving a shifting tool in a wellbore;
detecting a signature tag indicative of a well tool proximate the
shifting tool; actuating the shifting tool based on detection of
the signature tag, the actuation being sufficient to engage the
shifting tool with one of several well tool engagement profile
diameters; and shifting the well tool.
11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein moving comprises
moving the shifting tool downhole via a conveyance.
12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein detecting comprises
using a radio frequency identification sensor to detect a
radiofrequency signature tag.
13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein actuating comprises
moving a plurality of engagement members in a radially outward
direction.
14. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising moving
the shifting tool following actuation to move an engagement member
into engagement with an engagement profile of the well tool.
15. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising
controlling actuation of the shifting tool with a
microprocessor.
16. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising
controlling actuation of the shifting tool with a microprocessor
positioned within the shifting tool.
17. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein actuating comprises
automatically actuating the shifting tool after detection of the
signature tag.
18. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising
automatically releasing the shifting tool from engagement with the
well tool.
19. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein shifting comprises
shifting a plurality of well tools with the shifting tool.
20. A method, comprising: constructing a shifting tool with a body
and an engagement member; providing an actuator to extend the
engagement member from the body in a manner that enables engagement
with well tools having any of a variety of sizes; and using a
non-contact sensing system to sense the presence of the shifting
tool at a well tool.
21. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising actuating
the shifting tool to engage the well tool; and shifting the well
tool.
22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein using comprises
using a radiofrequency identification sensor and a signature tag at
the well tool.
23. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising using the
shifting tool to shift a plurality of well tools having different
sizes.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Many types of well tools are used downhole in well related
operations. Some of these downhole devices can be designed to
operate in two or more configurations. A shifting tool is used to
shift the device from one configuration to another by engaging a
profile in the downhole device and then moving the shifting tool up
or down to shift the device from one configuration to another.
Examples of devices that can be shifted include a variety of valves
and other downhole devices.
[0002] The shifting tools used to shift downhole well tools are
mechanical devices designed to engage downhole tools of a specific
size having a latch profile of a specific diameter. A collet can be
used to engage a latch profile in the downhole tool, or in other
applications spring loaded dogs can be used to engage the latch
profile. Hydraulic pressure or other forces move the collet or
spring loaded dogs up or down until engaged with the latch profile.
However, the radial travel of the collet or dogs is limited, and
therefore the shifting tool must be matched to a downhole device of
a particular size. In many applications, restrictions also are
located above and/or below the downhole tool. Because the shifting
tool must be able to pass through the restriction, the size of the
shifting tool, and thus the size of the downhole tool that can be
shifted, is limited.
SUMMARY
[0003] In general, the present invention provides a system and
method for shifting a well tool located downhole in a wellbore. A
shifting tool is designed for movement downhole into proximity with
a well tool that is to be shifted. The shifting tool comprises one
or more engagement members that are able to engage a variety of
well tools having a variety of sizes. Additionally, a sensor system
may be used to detect when the shifting tool is moved into
proximity with a specific well tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements, and:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a shifting tool system
deployed downhole to engage one or more well tools, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example of a
shifting tool, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a shifting tool
deployed downhole to a well completion but positioned at a stage
prior to engagement with a well tool, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another stage of a
shifting tool procedure in which the shifting tool is deployed
downhole to a well completion, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another stage of a
shifting tool procedure in which the shifting tool is deployed
downhole to a well completion, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another stage of a
shifting tool procedure in which the shifting tool is deployed
downhole to a well completion, according to an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another stage of a
shifting tool procedure in which the shifting tool is deployed
downhole to a well completion, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without these details and that
numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments
may be possible.
[0013] The present invention generally relates to a system and
method for shifting a device, e.g. a well tool, located downhole in
a wellbore. The system and method utilize a shifting tool that may
be selectively moved downhole to engage one or more well tools. For
example, the shifting tool can be used to shift an individual well
tool, or the shifting tool can be used to shift a plurality of well
tools. The design of the shifting tool enables use of the
individual shifting tool in shifting a variety of well tools having
a variety of sizes and configurations. This unique design also
enables use of the shifting tool to shift a plurality of well tools
during the same trip downhole, even if the well tool size varies
from one well tool to another. For example, the shifting tool can
be actuated to shift a small well tool having an engagement profile
with a relatively small diameter followed by a subsequent actuation
in which the shifting tool is used to shift a larger well tool
having an engagement profile with a relatively larger diameter.
[0014] In one embodiment, the shifting tool system utilizes a
"smart" shifting tool that can automatically detect the presence of
a well tool. In some applications, the shifting tool is
automatically actuated to engage a specific well tool when, for
example, the shifting tool is moved into proximity with the well
tool. The shifting tool system also can utilize a shifting tool
that automatically disengages from the well tool upon the
occurrence of a predetermined parameter, e.g. passage of a specific
amount of time.
[0015] Referring generally to FIG. 1, an example of a well system
20 is deployed in a wellbore 22 according to one embodiment of the
present invention. The wellbore 22 is illustrated as extending
downwardly into a subterranean formation 24 from a wellhead 26
positioned at a surface location 28. However, the well system 20
can be utilized in a variety of wells having generally vertical or
deviated, e.g. horizontal wellbores. Additionally, the well system
20 can be employed in a variety of environments and applications,
including land-based applications and subsea applications.
[0016] In the embodiment illustrated, well system 20 comprises a
completion 30 deployed within wellbore 22 via, for example, a
tubing 32. In many applications, completion 30 is deployed within a
cased wellbore having a casing 34, however the completion 30 also
can be deployed in an open bore application. As illustrated,
completion 30 comprises one or more well tools 36, and one or more
of the well tools 36 is shiftable between two or more
configurations. The shiftable well tools 36 may have a variety of
sizes and configurations. For example, the shiftable well tools 36
may comprise one or more packers and one or more valves, plugs or
sliding sleeves. Depending on the application, the well tools 36
may comprise many types of valves, including ball valves, flapper
valves, disk valves, flow control valves, circulating or reversing
valves, and other valves that are shifted during a given downhole
procedure.
[0017] Well system 20 further comprises a shifting tool system 38
having a shifting tool 40 and a deployment mechanism or conveyance
42. Depending on the specific application, conveyance 42 may have a
variety of forms. For example, conveyance 42 may comprise tubing,
e.g. pipe, coiled tubing, wireline, slick line, or other suitable
conveyances. Additionally or alternatively, a tractor or stroker 44
can be used to move shifting tool 40 along wellbore 22. In the
example illustrated, shifting tool 40 is moved along the interior
of tubing 32 for selective engagement with one or more of the well
tools 36.
[0018] The shifting tool 40 can be used in selective operations in
which, for example, a specific well tool 36 is located, engaged and
shifted. In other applications, shifting tool 40 can be used for
multiple operations in which a plurality of well tools 36 can be
shifted from one configuration to another. Shifting tool 40 is
designed to enable engagement with well tools of different sizes.
For example, the shifting tool 40 is designed to engage well tool
engagement profiles even when the engagement profiles have
different diameters from one well tool to the next.
[0019] In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, shifting tool 40 is a
"smart" shifting tool able to automatically detect the presence of
specific well tools 36. A sensor system 46 is incorporated into the
shifting tool 40 to detect well tools 36 generally and/or to detect
specific, individual well tools that cause the shifting tool 40 to
actuate. By way of example, sensor system 46 may comprise one or
more sensors 48, mounted on shifting tool 40, and one or more
signature tags 50 associated with each well tool 36. As a sensor 48
is moved into proximity with the signature tag 50 on a given well
tool 36, the shifting tool 40 can be actuated for engagement with
the well tool. The actuation can be automatic or prompted by an
appropriate output from the sensor or sensors 48. The signature
tags 50 can be similar from one well tool 36 to the next, or the
signature tags can be unique to each well tool 36 so that shifting
tool 40 can be programmed (or otherwise controlled) to actuate when
proximate specific well tools according to a predetermined
operational procedure. In some applications, sensors can be located
in the well tools 36, and the corresponding signature tag or tags
can be mounted on the shifting tool 40.
[0020] One example of a shifting tool 40 is illustrated in FIG. 2.
In this embodiment, shifting tool 40 comprises one or more
engagement members 52 coupled to an actuator 54 that can be
controlled to move the engagement members 52 in an outward or
inward direction. For example, the engagement members 52 can be
moved radially outward and radially inward for selective engagement
and disengagement with a specific well tool 36. The engagement
members 52 are retracted radially inward for movement through
tubing 32 and through any restrictions along tubing 32. However,
the actuator 54 is able to move engagement members 52 in a radially
outward direction to the degree necessary to engage a corresponding
well tool 36 whether the size/diameter of the well tool is large or
relatively small.
[0021] Actuator 54 is mounted in a shifting tool body 56 and may be
coupled to engagement members 52 via a variety of connection
mechanisms 58 depending on the style of actuator 54 and of
engagement members 52. In some embodiments, engagement members 52
can be spring mounted to actuator 54 or to connection mechanisms 58
to facilitate engagement with the corresponding well tool upon
expansion of the engagement members 52 via actuator 54. By way of
example, actuator 54 may comprise a motor, a shape memory alloy, a
hydraulic piston, a gas chamber, or another type of actuator able
to force engagement members 52 into suitable engagement with a well
tool 36 to enable shifting of the well tool.
[0022] In some applications, electrical power can be provided to
actuator 54 from a battery 60 via a powerline 62. The battery 60 is
illustrated as mounted in shifting tool body 56, however battery 60
(or another suitable power supply) also can be positioned at other
locations. The battery 60, or another suitable battery/power
supply, also can be used to power a microprocessor 64 which is
connected to actuator 54 to provide appropriate control signals to
the actuator via one or more control lines 66. In the illustrated
embodiment, microprocessor 64 is mounted in shifting tool body 56,
although the processing of data and the transmission of control
signals could be from other locations.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, sensors 48 of sensor system 46
also can be connected to microprocessor 64. In many applications,
microprocessor 64 receives signals from sensors 48, processes those
signals, and provides control signals to actuator 54. The
microprocessor 64 can be programmed to control actuator 54 in a
variety of ways depending on the signals received from sensors 48.
For example, microprocessor 64 can be programmed to respond to
specific signature tags, actuating engagement members 52 only in
the presence of a specific well tool or specific well tools 36.
[0024] Many types of microprocessors 64 and sensor systems 46 can
be incorporated into shifting tool 40. In one example, sensor
system 46 is a radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor system,
and signature tags 50 (FIG. 1) are radio frequency signature tags.
In this example, each sensor 48 can be constructed as an RFID tag
reader able to detect the proximity of the desired RFID signature
tag 50. The RFID sensor system can be constructed as a non-contact
system, although other technologies can be utilized in forming a
non-contact sensor system by which proximity between shifting tool
40 and a desired well tool 36 is detected for actuation of the
shifting tool. Additionally, the sensors 48 and signature tags 50
can be positioned in a variety of locations along the shifting tool
40 and the well tool 36, respectively.
[0025] The shifting tool 40 is deployed on conveyance 42 in its
collapsed position in which engagement members 52 are located
radially inward. In some applications, tractor 44 (FIG. 1) can be
used in combination with, for example, wireline or coiled tubing,
to facilitate deployment of shifting tool 40. In the collapsed
position, shifting tool 40 is readily able to move through
restrictions 68 that may be deployed along tubing 32 or completion
30, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 3, one example of an operational
procedure is illustrated. In this example, well tools 36 are
deployed below packers 69 which may comprise a first packer
positioned between tubing 32 and casing 34 and a second packer,
e.g. a GP packer, coupled with completion 30. Shifting tool 40 is
initially delivered downhole through completion 30 and then pulled
upwardly via conveyance 42 for engagement with selected well tools
36. As illustrated, each well tool 36 comprises an engagement
profile 70 by which the well tool may be engaged with shifting tool
40 and shifted to another configuration. The engagement profile 70
has an engagement profile diameter 72, and shifting tool 40 can
engage and shift a variety of well tools 36 having many types of
engagement profiles 70 of various diameters 72. In other words, the
shifting tool can be radially expanded as necessary to engage
relatively smaller or larger diameter engagement profiles.
[0027] As the shifting tool 40 is pulled upwardly via conveyance
42, the sensor or sensors 48 detects the presence of a signature
tag 50 that corresponds with a specific well tool 36, as
illustrated in FIG. 4. The sensor 48 then sends a signal to
microprocessor 64 which, in turn, causes actuation of shifting tool
40. As the shifting tool 40 is actuated, actuator 54 causes one or
more engagement members 52 to move radially outward. In the
embodiment illustrated, a plurality of engagement members 52 is
moved radially outward before reaching engagement profile 70 of the
well tool 36.
[0028] An upward pull of the shifting tool 40 via conveyance 42
moves the engagement members 52 into location at engagement profile
70, and actuator 54 continues the radial outward movement of
engagement members 52 to fully engage the shifting tool 40 with
engagement profile 70, as illustrated in FIG. 5. It should be noted
that signature tags 50 also can be located above the engagement
profile 70 to enable actuation of shifting tool 40 when the
shifting tool 40 is moved downwardly into proximity with the well
tool 36. In the embodiment illustrated, for example, signature tags
50 are located on each well tool 36 above and below the engagement
profile 70 to accommodate potential actuation of the shifting tool
40 as it is moved upwardly or downwardly into proximity with the
well tool. Once the shifting tool 40 is engaged with a desired well
tool 36 via engagement members 52 and engagement profile 70, the
shifting tool 40 is moved to shift the well tool 36 to another
configuration. Depending on the design of well tool 36, the
shifting can be accomplished by moving the shifting tool 40 up or
down via conveyance 42.
[0029] By way of example, each sensor 48 may comprise an RFID
reader, and each signature tag 50 may comprise an RFID tag. In this
embodiment, the RFID tags are run with the well tools 36 when
completion 30 is deployed downhole. The RFID reader detects the
presence of the RFID tags and provides an appropriate signal to
microprocessor 64 which controls actuation of actuator 54 according
to programmed instructions. The use of microprocessor 64 enables
shifting tool 40 to be programmed for actuation according to a
specific procedural protocol, e.g. a protocol in which shifting
tool 40 is automatically actuated when moved into proximity with
specific well tools 36.
[0030] Upon completing the shifting of the well tool 36, the
engagement members 52 are retracted to the collapsed position, as
illustrated in FIG. 6. The actuator 54 moves the engagement members
52 to the radially inward/collapsed position upon receiving an
appropriate input from microprocessor 64. The microprocessor 64 can
be programmed to cause retraction of the engagement members 52
based on a variety of parameters. In one embodiment, the
microprocessor 64 outputs a suitable control signal to actuator 54
and causes retraction of engagement members 52 after a certain time
delay. For example, after passage of a certain amount of time from
expansion of the engagement members 52, the microprocessor 64
automatically causes disengagement of the shifting tool 40 from the
engagement profile 70.
[0031] Once shifting tool 40 is in its collapsed configuration with
engagement members 52 retracted, the shifting tool 40 can freely be
withdrawn or moved along wellbore 22, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Retraction of the engagement members 52 provides shifting tool 40
with a sufficiently small diameter to enable movement through any
restrictions 68 that may be deployed along completion 30 and/or
tubing 32.
[0032] The shifting tool 40 can be used to actuate an individual
well tool 36, a plurality of well tools 36, or specific well tools
36 selected from a plurality of shiftable well tools deployed in a
wellbore. As a result, multiple valves and other well tools can be
run with one or more completions 30, and the single shifting tool
40 can be used to selectively actuate the disparate well tool
devices. Furthermore, unique signature tags, e.g. unique RFID tags,
can be used to enable selective actuation of individual valves
and/or other well tools. For example, microprocessor 64 can be
programmed to cause actuation of the shifting tool 40 upon receipt
of signals from specific signature tags, enabling the selective
activation of individual well tools according to a desired,
predetermined procedure. Accordingly, the shifting tool system
provides great flexibility for actuating well tools having a
variety of sizes and configurations and for activating specific
well tools according to desired patterns or procedures.
[0033] The well system 20 and the shifting tool system 38 can be
constructed in a variety of forms for use in many different types
of environments. For example, well system 20 may utilize one or
more completions 30 having many types of configurations and
utilizing a variety of shiftable well tools. Additionally, shifting
tool system 38 can employ various types of conveyances, and
shifting tool 40 can have various configurations. For example,
shifting tool body 56 can be constructed in several shapes and
forms. Additionally, the number and type of sensors and signature
tags can be changed depending on the applications in which shifting
tool 40 is utilized. The actuator, processor, and engagement
members 52 also can be changed or adjusted according to the
application and according to the well tools to be shifted by
shifting tool 40.
[0034] Accordingly, although only a few embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail above, those of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible without materially departing from the teachings of
this invention. Such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims.
* * * * *