Electro-Mechanical-Hydraulic Instrument Bus
A downhole string having a series of downhole tools, where the tools are powered by different energy sources. The different energy sources include electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical. Connections between adjacent downhole tools provide for electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical communication between adjacent tools. Thus energy in one part of the downhole string can be converted into another form of energy and communicated for use in another part of the downhole string.
This application dates priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/033,468, filed Aug. 5, 2014, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates in general to a system and method of delivering one form of energy to a downhole string for powering a tool in the siring, and converting the energy to another form for powering another tool in the string.
2. Description of Prior Art
A wide variety of tools are used in wellbore operations, where the operations typically range from well completions to well intervention. Tools used during well completions and intervention often include perforating tools, logging devices, jars, rollers, tractors, milling, tools, cutting tools, expanding tools, setting tools, retrieving tools, bailers, baskets, fishing tools, seismic tools, vacuum cleaners, tubular patching devices, to name a few. These tools are powered by electrical power, hydraulic power, or are mechanical, driven. Tools having different sources of power, and with different functionalities and capabilities, are usually deployed downhole at different times (in separate downhole trips) so that a dedicated power source can he provided to the particular downhole tool.
Sometimes several different services are conducted when an intervention is performed in a subterranean, hydrocarbon producing well installation. However, typically well intervention procedures are designed to undertake one service id a time on separate downhole tripping deployments. Often, the outcome of one service, such, as an inspection, a survey, or procedure dictates the next service that is performed. Usually, a particular well service requires a series of operational steps performed by dedicated well intervention tools for each, step, which requires that after being used to perform an intervention task, each, tool is removed from the wellbore before the next one is nipped downhole. While some intervention tools can be run on the same tool strings currently known tool strings internal power transmission buses are limited in the number of tools they can service at a time requiring separate downhole trip deployments or sequential operational steps within one downhole trip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONDisclosed herein are embodiments of a downhole string and method of using the downhole. string in a wellbore. In one example, a downhole string includes an electrically powered tool, a hydraulically powered tool, a mechanically powered tool, a sub between the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool. The sub includes an electrical connection system having an end in electrical communication with the electrically powered tool and an opposing end in electrical communication the hydraulically powered tool and a hydraulic connection system having an end in hydraulic communication with the electrically powered tool and an opposing end in hydraulic communication the hydraulically powered tool. Further, another sub is included that is between the mechanically powered tool and the electrically powered tool. The another sub is made up of a mechanical connection system having an end mechanically coupled with the mechanically powered tool and an opposing end mechanically coupled with the hydraulically powered tool, and an electrical connection system having an end in electrical communication with the electrically powered tool and an opposing end in electrical communication the mechanically powered tool. The electrically powered tool can be a first electrically powered tool, and the downhole tool can further include a second electrically powered tool and a sub between the second electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool. The electrically powered tool can include a device that operates on electricity. The mechanically powered tool can include a device that operates on a mechanical force, mechanical power, or mechanical energy. The hydraulically powered tool can include a device that operates on a supply of hydraulic fluid. In an example, the sub between the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool includes a housing, a means for connecting the housing to the electrically powered tool, a means for connecting the housing to the hydraulically powered tool; is this example the opposing ends of the electrical connection system are equipped with electrical connectors that selectively connect to electrical connectors in the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered toot and the electrical connectors are in electrical communication via an electrically conducting medium that is disposed in the housing. Further in this example, the opposing ends of the hydraulic connection system have hydraulic connectors that selectively connect to hydraulic connectors in the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool, and the hydraulic connectors are in hydraulic communication via a hydraulic flow conduit that is disposed in the housing. In an embodiment, the sub between the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool is made up of a cylindrical pressure vessel housing, a means for connecting the housing to the electrically powered tool, a means for connecting the housing to the Mechanically powered tool. Alternatively, the opposing ends of the electrical connection system have electrical connectors that selectively connect to electrical connectors in the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool, and the electrical connectors are in electrical communication via an electrically conducting medium that is disposed in the housing, and the opposing ends of the mechanical connection system have mechanical couplings that selectively connect to mechanical couplings in the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool, and the mechanical connectors are mechanically coupled via a mechanical element that is disposed in the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the sub is attached to adjacent ones of the tools with a spin collar that is selectively rotatable with respect to the sub and threading affixed to the adjacent ones of the tools.
Also disclosed herein is an example of a downhole string for use in a wellbore that includes a pair of downhole tools and a sub connected between the downhole tools that includes two or more of (1) an electrical connection system through which the pair of downhole tools are in electrical communication, (2) a mechanical connection system through which the pair of downhole tools are mechanically coupled, and (3) a hydraulic connection system through which the pair of downhole tools are in hydraulic communication. The downhole string can further include another downhole tool, wherein the pair of downhole tools and the another downhole tool have an electrically powered tool, a hydraulically powered tool, and a mechanically powered tool. In an example, the sub in a first sub, wherein the downhole string further includes a second sub, and wherein a one of the first and second sub is disposed between the pair of downhole tools, and wherein the other one of the first and second sub is disposed between the pair of downhole tools and the another downhole tool. The first sub has the electrical connection system and the mechanical connection system, so that when the first sub is connected between the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool, electrical and mechanical power is transferred between the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool via the first sub. In one example, the first sub includes the electrical connection system and the hydraulic connection system, so that when the first sub is connected between the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool, electrical and hydraulic power is transferred between the electrically powered tool, and the hydraulically powered tool via the first sub.
Further disclosed herein is an example method of using a downhole string in a wellbore and which includes providing a first form of energy to the downhole suing in tire wellborn, operating a downhole tool in the downhole string with the first source of energy, and converting the first form of energy to a second form of energy and operating another downhole tool in the downhole string with the second form of energy. In an embodiment the downhole tool is a first downhole tool and the another downhole tool is a second downhole tool, in this embodiment the method further includes converting one of the first form of energy or the second form of energy to a third form of energy and operating a third tool in the downhole string with the third form of energy. Alternatively connecters are provided in the downhole string for communicating forms of energy between adjacent downhole tools, plus transfer across the tool string of command, sensor and operational state data, and control functionality. The forms of energy communicated between the downhole tools can he two of more of electrical energy, hydraulic energy, and mechanical energy. In an alternative, the downhole tool and the another downhole tool are operated simultaneously. Energy storage could he implemented with the supply of another source of energy form. Optionally, the another downhole tool is operated a time that is different than a time when the downhole tool is operated. In an example of operation, the downhole tool and the another downhole tool are coupled to one another proximate the wellbore.
Some of the features and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments. It will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The method and system of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments are shown. The method and system of the present disclosure may be in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, in an embodiment, usage of the term “about” includes +/−5% of the cited magnitude. In an embodiment, usage of the term “substantially” includes +/−5% of the cited-magnitude.
It is to be further understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as modifications arid equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed illustrative embodiments and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.
The downhole string of
Schematically represented within tool string 10 are connectors 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 between adjacent ones of the units 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. In the example of
Art optional controller 50 is shown in downhole tool 22 and can be used for controlling operations within, or by downhole tool unit 22, or any of the other downhole tool units 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. In an example, controller 50 includes an information handling system (IHS), which can store recorded data as well as process the data, into a readable format. The IHS may be disposed at the surface, in the wellbore, or partially above and below the surface. In an example, the IHS includes one or more of a processor, memory accessible by the processor, nonvolatile storage area accessible by the processor, and logics for performing each of the steps above described. Further shown, in dashed outline is a motor 52 disposed within downhole tool unit 22, where motor 52 can be ran on electrical power delivered by wireline 16. A shaft 54 (shown in dashed outline) has an end that couples with an output of motor 52, and on its other end connects to a pump 55 for driving pump. In one example, pomp 55 pressurizes hydraulic fluid which may he stored in a reservoir 56, which is shown in dashed outline in downhole tool 24 and adjacent pump 55. As will be described in more detail below, examples exist where pressurized fluid in reservoir 56 is used for powering one or more of the units 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34.
Referring now to
Shown in an axial cross sectional view in
Embodiments exist where one or more of connectors 58, 64, 70, 74, 76 are “field joints”, which can be selectively detached from an adjacent tool so that any tools joined by the field joint can be decoupled from one another with relative ease. Moreover, field joints can be coupled to or decoupled from another member, such as a downhole tool, in the field proximate a well site and without the need to return the assembly to a shop. In an embodiment, the field joints are equipped with a spin collar so that neither the tools nor the field joints are rotated when being coupled to one another. In contrast, a maintenance joint Is not Intended to be dismantled in the field. Optionally, each of the connectors 58, 64, 70, 74, 76 can be equipped with guide pins or slots (not shown) to facilitate alignment when being assembled within the tool string 10.
Referring back to
Further in example of
Optionally, connector 44 is an electrical connector, such as electrical connector 58 in
In alternative embodiments, tool unit 24 may include tools involved in well intervention, such as logging tools used for logging wellbore 12, as well as tools having batteries and PCL. Alternatively, tool unit 26 can include tools such as releasable jars, rollers and tools that perform real time monitoring and control of operation and which can be reprogramed, have functional control and artificial intelligence. Tool unit 28 can include tools which have real time servo control, control power consumption and distributions, control power load spikes, voltage and control management, and regulate power voltage, perform sequencing and timing of power distribution, and have supplemental power generation. In one example, included is a power management system executed from the surface 19, or in coordination with downhole tool string controllers, adjusts the operational execution so that tools in the string do not exceed maximum mechanical stress allowed and also maximum energy available for deliver targeted work execution. Moreover, tools in tool unit 28 may include mud pumps and any other device that converts kinetic motion derived energy such as in a rotating shaft or pressurized fluid motion (including mechanical or hydraulic energy) to electrical energies. In this example, the source energy could be pressurized hydraulic fluid. Example tools within tool unit 30 include downhole tractors, milling tools, cutting tools, expanding tools, setting tools (such as inflatable packers), include valves for retrieving and setting. Include power jars, include bailers, baskets, fishing tools, downhole seismic and logging devices, perforating guns, gear reducers, electrical and hydraulic perforates and drillers, oriented tubing punchers, vacuum cleaners and basket retrieval debris, easing and tubing patch devices, and piston drivers. Optics may be included with the string 10 so that a component downhole (such as a tabular) can be viewed real time by operations personnel on surface as downhole operations (such as cutting through the tabular) are taking place. Also included in tool unit 30 are tool joint clutches, electrical backup to mechanical-hydraulic, tools within tool unit 32 may be anti-rotating tool joints as well as single run interventions tool. Tool unit 34 can include multiple tractors. It should he pointed out that the unique method of transferring mechanics, hydraulics, and electricity as illustrated in
In an example method of operation, controller 50 executes and delivers a variety of service solutions primarily delivered mechanically but powered in multiple modes and field tool string stack up sequence. Optionally, limited power available is required designing the service execution with sequential and concurrent steps. The device can be deployed in a well, locate a target, position the string 10 correctly, clean casing C, cut a casing window W, remove cutting debris, insert plug P, seal, test and finish, next service, to name but a few. Optionally included is a surface to downhole feedback control loop with a stabilizing and power management algorithm using power load levels sensing (string composite use and each network node) and telemetry metering and surface to downhole power management communication and feedback control algorithms (main power control loop). A Downhole Remote Master controller (not shown) may also be included that performs a local downhole power management algorithm with feedback control (dependent slave control loop) involving all and each bus node to make sure downhole power consumption does not exceed power available from the surface at each moment and each service operational step. Examples of energy conversion modules are shown in the figures. Optionally included is a backbone internal communication bus (not shown) with sub-network protocol (OSI model) coordinating the service with the downhole remote master controller and each service node and also coordinating the operational, safety and parametric aspects of the one-trip delivery of a variety of services (independent or complementary).
Referring now to
Downhole tool unit 26 of tool string 10A includes a first electro-hydraulic tool (first EH tool) 86 and a second, electro-hydraulic tool (second EH tool) 88, and which are connected via a connector 90. Connector 90 communicates electrical and hydraulic fluid between first EH tool 86 and second EH tool 88, and thus in the example of
Still referring to
A side sectional view of an example of a connector 120 is provided in
Also shown in the example of
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In addition to the transfer of electricity and hydraulics between connector 120 and tool 124, mechanics can be transferred between connector 120 and tool 124 via connector 120. An example of a selectively rotatable shaft 160 is depicted axially extending through body 122 and which is couples with a selectively rotatable shaft 162 that axially extends within tool 124. A mechanical coupler 164 rotationally engages shafts 160, 162 to one another. Coupler 164 of
Referring hack to the example of
The present invention described herein, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the Invention has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. For example, tools within the tool units can be run on the same form of energy, or one of connectors 58, 64, 70 can be included, within a tool unit so that tools within a tool unit can operate on different forms of energy. Optionally, each of the tools of
Claims
1. A downhole string for use in a wellbore comprising:
- an electrically powered tool;
- a hydraulically powered tool;
- a mechanically powered tool;
- a sub between the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool comprising, an electrical connection system having an end in electrical communication with the electrically powered tool and an opposing end in electrical communication the hydraulically powered tool, and a hydraulic connection system having an end in hydraulic communication with the electrically powered tool and an opposing end in hydraulic communication the hydraulically powered tool; and
- a sub between the mechanically powered tool and the electrically powered tool comprising, a mechanical connection system having an end mechanically coupled with the mechanically powered tool and an opposing end mechanically coupled with the hydraulically powered tool, and an electrical connection system having art end in electrical communication with the electrically powered tool and an opposing end in electrical communication the mechanically powered tool.
2. The downhole string of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered tool comprises a first electrically powered tool the downhole tool further comprising a second electrically powered tool and a sub between the second electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool.
3. The downhole string of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered tool comprises a device that operates on electricity.
4. The downhole string of claim 1, wherein the mechanically powered tool comprises a device that operates on a mechanical force.
5. The downhole string of claim 1, wherein the hydraulically powered tool comprises a device that operates on a supply of hydraulic fluid.
6. The downhole string of claim 1, wherein the sub between the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool comprises a housing, a means for connecting the housing to the electrically powered tool, a means for connecting the housing to the hydraulically powered tool,
- wherein the opposing ends of the electrical connection system comprise electrical connectors that selectively connect to electrical connectors in the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool, and the electrical connectors are in electrical communication via an electrically conducting medium that is disposed in the housing, and
- wherein the opposing ends of the hydraulic connection system comprise hydraulic connectors that selectively connect to hydraulic connectors in the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool and the hydraulic connectors are in hydraulic communication via a hydraulic How conduit that is disposed in the housing.
7. The downhole string of claim 1, wherein the sub between the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool comprises a housing, a means for connecting the housing to the electrically powered tool, a means for connecting the housing to the mechanically powered tool
- wherein the opposing ends of the electrical connection system comprise electrical connectors that selectively connect to electrical connectors in the electrically powered tool and the Mechanically powered tool, and the electrical connectors are in electrical communication via an electrically conducting medium that is disposed in the housing, and
- wherein the opposing ends of the mechanical connection system comprise mechanical couplings that selectively connect to mechanical couplings in the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool, and the mechanical connectors are mechanically coupled via a mechanical element that is disposed in the housing.
8. The downhole string of claim 1, wherein the sub is attached to adjacent ones of the tools with a spin collar that is selectively rotatable with respect to the sub and threading affixed to the adjacent ones of the tools.
9. A downhole string for use in a wellbore comprising:
- a pair of downhole tools; and
- a sub connected between the downhole tools that comprises two or more of: an electrical connection system through which the pair of downhole tools are in electrical communication, a mechanical connection system through which the pair of downhole tools are mechanically coupled, and a hydraulic connection system through which the pair of downhole tools are in hydraulic communication.
10. The downhole string of claim 9, further comprising another downhole tool, wherein the pair of downhole tools and the another downhole tool comprise an electrically powered tool, a hydraulically powered tool and a mechanically powered tool.
11. The downhole string of claim 10, wherein the sub comprises a first sub, wherein the downhole string further comprises a second sub, and wherein a one of the first and second sub is disposed between the pair of downhole tools, and wherein the other one of the first and second sub is disposed between the pair of downhole tools and the another downhole tool.
12. The downhole string of claim 11, wherein the first sub comprises the electrical connection system and the mechanical connection system, so that when the first sub is connected between the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool, electrical and mechanical power is transferred between the electrically powered tool and the mechanically powered tool via the first sub.
13. The downhole string of claim 11, wherein the first sub comprises the electrical connection system and the hydraulic connection system, so that when the first sub is connected between the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool, electrical and hydraulic power is transferred between the electrically powered tool and the hydraulically powered tool via the first sub.
14. A method of using a downhole string in a wellbore comprising:
- providing a first fours of energy to the downhole string in the wellbore;
- operating a downhole tool in the downhole string with the first source of energy; and
- converting the first form of energy to a second form of energy and operating another downhole tool in the downhole string with the second form of energy.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first downhole tool and the another downhole tool comprises a second downhole tool the method further comprising converting one of the first form of energy or the second form of energy to a third form of energy, and operating a third tool in the downhole string with the third form of energy.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein connectors are provided in the downhole string for communicating forms of energy between adjacent downhole tools.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the forms of energy communicated between the downhole toots comprise two of more of electrical energy, hydraulic energy, and mechanical energy.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the downhole tool and the another downhole tool are operated simultaneously.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the another downhole tool is operated a time that is different than a time when the downhole tool is operated.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the downhole tool and the another downhole tool are coupled to one another proximate the wellbore.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 4, 2015
Publication Date: Feb 11, 2016
Inventors: Homero C. Castillo (Kingwood, TX), Randolph M. Collins (Houston, TX), Otto N. Fanini (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 14/817,974