Abstract: A safety mechanism comprising: an obstructing member moveable between a first position where fluid flow is permitted, and a second position where fluid flow is restricted preferably blocked; a movement mechanism; and a wireless receiver, often an acoustic transceiver, adapted to receive a wireless signal; wherein the movement mechanism is operable to move the obstructing member from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions in response to a change in the signal being received by the wireless receiver. Embodiments of the invention thus provide a safety mechanism for a well such as a valve, packer, plug or sleeve, which can be operated wirelessly and so may allow operation of safety mechanisms in a well even when emergency situations have occurred.

Abstract: A well comprising: (a) a safety mechanism, the safety mechanism comprising: (i) an obstructing member moveable between a first position where fluid flow is permitted, and a second position where fluid flow is restricted; (ii) a movement mechanism; (iii) and a wireless receiver, adapted to receive a wireless signal; wherein the movement mechanism is operable to move the obstructing member from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions in response to a change in the signal being received by the wireless receiver; (b) sensors to detect a parameter in the well, in the vicinity of the safety mechanism; wherein a sensor is provided above and a sensor is provided below the safety mechanism. Embodiments of the invention have acoustic and/or electromagnetic receivers or transceivers.

Abstract: A well comprising a borehole and wellhead apparatus, and a communication box at or proximate to the wellhead apparatus, the well comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to wireless transmitters which are adapted to transmit information from the sensors to the communication box; the sensors comprising at least one pressure sensor; and the well comprising a first memory device spaced apart from the communication box, the first memory device configured to store information from the sensors, wherein the communication box comprises a receiver adapted to receive signals from the transmitters, and at least one of a transmission device and a second memory device to transmit and/or store data received from the transmitters. The communication box is typically highly shock resistant (above 50 Gs for at least 5 ms, all axes) and so provides, together with other optional features, a system to monitor a well, especially before, during or after an emergency situation.

Abstract: A safety mechanism (401) comprising: (i) an obstructing member (412,414) moveable between a first position where fluid flow is permitted, and a second position where fluid flow is restricted; (ii) a movement mechanism (416,418); (iii) a wireless receiver (360), optionally a transceiver, adapted to receive a wireless signal such as electromagnetic or acoustic. The movement mechanism (416,418) is operable to move the obstructing member (412,414) from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions in response to a change in the signal being received by the wireless receiver (360). The safety mechanism also has (iv) a valve (401) in a casing sub; the valve (401) being adapted to move from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions, and then back to the first of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A well comprising a borehole and wellhead apparatus, and a communication box at or proximate to the wellhead apparatus, the well comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to wireless transmitters which are adapted to transmit information from the sensors to the communication box; the sensors comprising at least one pressure sensor;and the well comprising a first memory device spaced apart from the communication box, the first memory device configured to store information from the sensors, wherein the communication box comprises a receiver adapted to receive signals from the transmitters, and at least one of a transmission device and a second memory device to transmit and/or store data received from the transmitters. The communication box is typically highly shock resistant (above 50 Gs for at least 5 ms, all axes) and so provides, together with other optional features, a system to monitor a well, especially before, during or after an emergency situation.

Abstract: A safety mechanism comprising: an obstructing member moveable between a first position where fluid flow is permitted, and a second position where fluid flow is restricted preferably blocked; a movement mechanism; and a wireless receiver, often an acoustic transceiver, adapted to receive a wireless signal; wherein the movement mechanism is operable to move the obstructing member from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions in response to a change in the signal being received by the wireless receiver. Embodiments of the invention thus provide a safety mechanism for a well such as a valve, packer, plug or sleeve, which can be operated wirelessly and so may allow operation of safety mechanisms in a well even when emergency situations have occurred.

Abstract: Data is transmitted along a borehole containing a drill stem (2) by means of a transmitter (6) which converts electric data signals to acoustic signals propagating along the drill stem (2). The acoustic signals are converted back to electric form by a receiver (12) which also processes the signals. In the preferred form the signals are stored in a receiver memory (15) for subsequent retrieval using a pick-up tool (5) lowered into the borehole. The system is particularly useful in moving data past an obstruction such as a shut-in valve (4).