SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF TOOLS IN A SUBTERRANEAN COMPLETION APPLICATION
A technique utilizes a completion system deployed for use in select groundwater applications. The completion system comprises a plurality of sensors, e.g. pressure probes, and a plurality of multi-function tools which are positioned to control the opening and closing of corresponding pumping ports and/or other devices. The multi-function tools can be controlled individually via communication signals, thus avoiding the need to retrieve and/or reconfigure portions of the completion to make operational changes to the pumping ports and/or other devices.
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In a variety of groundwater applications, testing, monitoring and other groundwater related tasks are performed by deploying completion systems in subterranean environments. The completion systems may comprise tubing, packers, measurement ports, pumping ports, and/or other devices permanently installed in an open borehole or cased wellbore. Sensor systems may be temporarily placed in a completion system to provide information for controlling operation of the valves/ports or other devices. For example, pressure sensors can be deployed along corresponding measurement ports. Additionally, valves can be used to control flow through one or more pumping ports positioned along the completion. The one or more pumping ports can be opened or closed to facilitate specific testing, monitoring, or flow procedures.
Completion systems are available in which the opening and closing of pumping ports is accomplished by deployment of a special tool. The tool is placed in one configuration for opening a pumping port and in a second configuration for closing the pumping port. The tool must be retrieved, reconfigured and redeployed for each pumping port change operation. If other probes or tools have been previously installed in the well, those probes and tools must be retrieved before pumping port change operations can be undertaken. The procedures for tool retrieval are labor intensive and time-consuming. Additionally, such procedures require mobilization and operation of accessory equipment, such as hoists, power supplies, site security equipment, well control equipment, and other equipment. Because of the added time associate was such procedures, activities requiring rapid response observations are difficult or impossible to perform.
SUMMARYIn general, the present invention provides a system and method for the deploying a completion, such as a modular completion, for select groundwater applications. The system comprises a plurality of sensors, e.g. pressure probes, and a plurality of multi-function tools which are positioned to control the opening and closing of corresponding pumping ports or to control other devices. The overall system and methodology enables individual control over the plurality of multi-function tools via communication signals, thus avoiding the need to retrieve and/or reconfigure portions of the completion to make operational changes to the pumping ports or other devices.
Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:
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.
The present invention generally relates to a completion system that is used in subsurface fluid applications, such as groundwater applications. However, the completion system also may be used with subsurface fluids such as gas, oil, brine and other fluids in liquid or gaseous phase. By way of example, the completion system can be used in aquifer storage and recharge, monitoring of CO2 sequestration in the subsurface, environmental monitoring and characterization, storage and extraction of subsurface fluids, in situ treatment of groundwater contamination, selective groundwater extraction for treatment, monitoring of enhanced recovery of subsurface fluids by heating, fluid injection or other procedures, as well as other groundwater/subterranean fluid applications. In general, the completion system provides a technical solution that enables on-demand opening and closing of individual pumping ports along a completion deployed in a subterranean environment. The opening and closing of individual pumping ports can be performed in conjunction with the operation of other compatible devices, e.g. sensors or tools, in the same subterranean environment, e.g. well environment. The on-demand opening and closing of individual pumping ports and other devices can be accomplished by providing simple control signals rather than requiring retrieval, redeployment or reconfiguration of installed equipment or equipment strings. Examples of other devices include downhole packers in which the present system may be used to control inflation and deflation of the packer. However, the completion system also may be used in conjunction with a variety of other downhole devices.
In a variety of applications, the completion system comprises a modular, multi-level well completion having multiple monitoring zones. Additionally, multiple pumping ports and measurement ports can be distributed throughout the monitoring zones. Access through the pumping ports and measurement ports can be controlled by a variety of controllable closure members, such as valves. In some applications, the pumping ports are controlled by hydraulically operated sliding sleeve valves, and the measurement ports comprise side access valves, however other types of devices can be used to control access through the completion ports in the plurality of monitoring zones.
The completion system further comprises a plurality of multi-function tools, e.g. pumping port tools, that can be individually operated to control access through corresponding pumping ports. By way of example, the multi-function tools can be coupled with sliding sleeve valves positioned at the pumping ports. Additionally, the completion system enables individual control over a variety of other devices, such as sensors. For example, pressure probes can be positioned in cooperation with corresponding measurement ports and controlled individually. The plurality of multi-function tools and the plurality of pressure probes are deployed and operated in a cooperative manner. In at least some embodiments, the pressure probes and multi-function tools are designed to have a common control cable, such as a common electrical cable. Additionally, the plurality of multi-function tools can be designed to share a common hydraulic control line or hydraulic control lines. Furthermore, the downhole pressure probes and multi-function tools are controlled independently via appropriate control signals so that any pressure probe or multi-function tool can be individually selected and actuated without any retrieval, redeployment or reconfiguration of equipment or equipment strings used in the completion system. In one example, each of the pressure probes and multi-function tools can be controlled independently via internal addressable electronics that receive and respond to specific signals sent downhole.
Unlike many completion systems utilized in the hydrocarbon production industry, the present completion system comprises modular plumbing and electrical components along with valving, sensors and devices that can be deployed in modular tools. The design allows the modular tools to be easily deployed and retrieved with light field support equipment instead of a heavy work-over rig. Power can be provided in the form of low-power electrical power for both control signals and deployment power. In at least some applications, hydraulic signals are provided by a surface source hydraulic supply and control unit. The modularity enables the various tools and completion components to be reconfigured, reassigned or recombined with other tools to enable a widely variable operating capability. Sensors may be deployed to facilitate not only operations control but also to facilitate testing, monitoring, and other tasks related to subsurface fluids.
Referring generally to
In other words, completion 22 can be deployed in a variety of subterranean environments for a variety of applications and is designed to isolate a plurality of levels or well zones 28. The completion 22 comprises packers 30, or other suitable isolation devices, that establish the isolated well zones 28. By way of example, packers 30 may comprise hydraulically inflated packers or other packer types suitable to isolate a plurality of well zones.
Completion 22 also may comprise a variety of ports that are selectively opened or closed to provide access between the interior of completion 22 and the surrounding exterior. By way of example, the ports may comprise measurement ports 32 and pumping ports 34. In one specific example, completion 22 comprises a Westbay MP System® multi-level, well completion available from the Schlumberger Company. The multi-level well completion may comprise a modular casing system that enables creation of a large number of monitoring zones in a single wellbore. The measurement ports 32 and pumping ports 34 have valves that are controlled to provide access to individual zones from, for example, a common sealed casing.
The completion system 20 also comprises a plurality of multi-function tools 36, e.g. pumping port tools, with each multi-function tool 36 positioned adjacent a corresponding pumping port 34 or other device. The multi-function tools 36 can be individually actuated to control the opening and closing of their corresponding pumping ports. The multi-function tools 36 also may be used for downhole actuation of other types of devices, such as mechanical-hydraulic devices. For example, the multi-function tools 36 may be used for controlling fluid access to the wellbore outside of the completion system tubing. However, the multi-function tools 36 also may be used for controlled operation of other devices. Examples of such devices and their operations include packer valves which may be operated for deflation of packers. The multi-function tool 36 also may be used to control/set the position of telescoping tubing sections or to control/set other hydraulically actuated devices, such as hydraulic pulse test tools, valves or devices for controlling the circulation of fluid for downhole chemical sensing, and other types of devices.
Completion system 20 also comprises a variety of other devices 38, such as sensors that are able to sense selected parameters related to the groundwater application. In the embodiment illustrated, for example, devices 38 comprise a plurality of pressure probes in which each pressure probe is positioned adjacent a corresponding measurement port 32. By way of specific example, the pressure probes 38 may comprise MOSDAX® pressure probes available from the Schlumberger Company. The MOSDAX® pressure probes are individually addressable and can be polled individually to provide a logging device with desired data, such as pressure and temperature data.
The multi-function tools 36 and the pressure probes 38 (or other devices/sensors) also are modular and can be deployed in the desired numbers and arrangements to accommodate applications having any number of well zones. The modular tools, pressure probes, other sensors, and other completion components can be deployed by wireline or other suitable conveyances.
The plurality of multi-function tools 36 and devices 38 are individually controlled via a control system 40. In the embodiment illustrated, control system 40 is positioned at a surface location 42, however the control system or components of the control system can be located at the well site, remote from the well site, or at other locations accessible to an operator. Depending on the specific design of multi-function tools 36, pressure probes 38, and other system devices, control system 40 can utilize a variety of components for monitoring and controlling the various components of completion system 20. By way of example, the pressure probes 38 and the multi-function tools 36 can be coupled to a logging device 44, or other suitable device, for sending and receiving signals to the desired components via a control cable 46. Logging device 44 may be coupled to a computer control 48, e.g. a host personal computer or notebook computer, via a communication link 50. Communication link 50 may comprise a direct wired link, wireless link, or other appropriate communication link for communicating control signals between computer-based control 46 and logging device 44.
The control system 40 also may comprise a hydraulic supply and control unit 52. A hydraulic supply and control unit 52 is used to actuate tools that may require hydraulic input signals. The multi-function tools 36 can be actuated downhole to direct the downhole flow of hydraulic fluid supplied by hydraulic supply and control unit 52 via hydraulic line 54. As discussed in greater detail below, the control system 40, in conjunction with the intelligent multi-function tools 36 and pressure probes 38, enables individual control over the multi-function tools and pressure probes without requiring retrieval, redeployment or reconfiguration of the completion 22 or the equipment string containing multi-function tools 36 and pressure probes 38. Alternatively, the multi-function tools 36 may be actuated by downhole, electrically powered pumps as discussed in greater detail below.
Referring generally to
As illustrated, hydraulic line 54 can be deployed for connection to each of the multi-function tools 36. In this embodiment, hydraulic line 54 by passes the pressure probes 38. The flow of hydraulic fluid at specific downhole locations in specific well zones 28 is controlled via multi-function tools 36. Hydraulic supply and control unit 52 ensures that adequate hydraulic fluid is supplied downhole under adequate pressure to carry out a desired procedure, e.g. opening or closing of a sliding sleeve at a desired pumping port 34. By way of example, downhole control of hydraulic power at each multi-function tool 36 can be achieved by an internal motorized valve controlled by internal electronics. The system modularity enables the addition of multi-function tools 36 and pressure probes 38 in a variety of arrangements without increasing the complexity of groundwater monitoring operations.
Referring generally to
In an alternate embodiment, pressurized fluid is provided to actuate individual multi-function tools 36 by a plurality of downhole pumps 55, such as electrically powered pumps coupled with each multi-function tool 36, as illustrated in
Referring generally to
Physically, the multi-function tool 36 of
If the downhole pumps 55 are used in cooperation with the multi-function tool 36, then each downhole pump 55 may be connected directly to housing 62 or otherwise coupled for cooperation with the corresponding multi-function tool 36, as illustrated in
One example of the downhole use of multi-function tools 36 is illustrated in
If the groundwater testing and monitoring operation subsequently requires closure of a specific pumping port 34, a similar control procedure is carried out. Initially, a control signal is sent downhole via control cable 46, and the signal is received by the internal, addressable electronics modules 60 of the multi-function tools 36. A specific multi-function tool 36 (addressed by a control signal that is recognized by its internal electronics 60) is then actuated to a specific flow configuration to cause closure of the pumping port, as illustrated in
The modular, multi-zone completions system and individually controllable multi-function tools/pressure probes can be arranged in a variety of configurations and can be utilized in multiple applications. However, one example of a general methodology for use in a groundwater application is illustrated in the flowchart of
Subsequently, the well completion, sensors and multi-function tools are deployed into the subterranean environment, as illustrated by block 102. Once in place, specific testing and monitoring procedures can be initiated by individually controlling the multi-function tools and sensors, e.g. pressure probes. The multi-function tools 36 can be individually controlled via control system 40 from a surface location, as illustrated by block 104. Similarly, the pressure probes 38 also can be individually controlled via control system 40 from a surface location, as illustrated by block 106.
The completion system 20 provides a simple, modular system that can be used in a variety of subterranean environments and is easily adapted to many types of groundwater testing and monitoring applications as well as other applications. Additionally, the completion system 20 is easy to use because the multi-function tools 36 and other downhole devices are individually controllable in a manner that enables an operator to conduct a wide variety of procedures simply by sending control signals downhole rather than making physical configuration changes. This flexibility enables the creation of a “smart” monitoring well in which the control functions are possible by providing simple control input at the wellhead (or other remote surface locations) by a single operator.
Completion system 20 can be deployed in many different configurations. Additionally, the various components of completion system 20 can be adjusted according to the environment, available equipment and preferred technologies. For example, the multi-function tools can be actuated via a variety of valve types and actuator types. Additionally, the internal electronic modules that are used to control the multi-function tool configuration can be adjusted according to the communication protocols employed. For example, the binary coded decimal format used to control MOSDAX® pressure probes is addressable and also can be used to control the multi-function tools. However, the internal electronic modules can be adjusted to accommodate other types of signals, signal carriers, and signal communication formats. Additionally, the completion can be constructed with a variety of other or additional components for use in many types of subterranean environments.
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.
Claims
1. A completion system for use in a groundwater application, comprising:
- a modular completion deployed in a wellbore, the modular completion comprising: a plurality of pressure probes located at corresponding measurement ports; a plurality of tools positioned to selectively open corresponding pumping ports; and a common control cable coupled to the plurality of pressure probes and the plurality of tools; wherein each pressure probe of the plurality of pressure probes and each tool of the plurality of tools is controlled independently via signals transmitted along the common control cable.
2. The completion system as recited in claim 1, wherein each pressure probe and each tool is controlled independently via internal addressable electronics.
3. The completion system as recited in claim 1, wherein the common control cable is a common electrical cable.
4. The completion system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic control line coupled to the plurality of tools.
5. The completion system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of downhole pumps coupled with the plurality of tools to selectively actuate individual tools.
6. The completion system as recited in claim 1, wherein the common control cable establishes electrical connections with the plurality of pressure probes and the plurality of tools for both power and communication signals.
7. The completion system as recited in claim 6, wherein the communication signals are in binary coded decimal format.
8. The completion system as recited in claim 1, wherein each tool is operationally coupled with a sliding sleeve valve to enable selective opening and closing of its corresponding pumping port.
9. A method, comprising:
- deploying a modular completion having a plurality of pressure probes and a plurality of tools;
- positioning the plurality of tools to control the opening and closing of corresponding pumping ports; and
- individually controlling the plurality of pressure probes and the plurality of tools via signals sent from a surface location.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein deploying comprises deploying a modular casing system in a wellbore.
11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein positioning comprises positioning each tool of the plurality of tools in cooperation with a sliding sleeve that can be actuated to enable or to stop flow through its corresponding pumping port.
12. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising using a common electrical cable to connect a plurality of tools and a plurality of pressure probes for providing power and control signals to the plurality of tools and the plurality of pressure probes.
13. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising coupling the plurality of tools with a common hydraulic line.
14. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising coupling the plurality of tools with a plurality of downhole pumps to actuate selected tools of the plurality of tools.
15. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein individually controlling comprises communicating with individual tools via addressable electronics internal to each tool.
16. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein individually controlling comprises sending control signals via a computer-based controller positioned at a surface location.
17. A method, comprising:
- preparing a modular, multi-level well completion;
- selecting the number of pressure probes and the number of multi-function tools desired for specific groundwater control application;
- deploying the modular, multi-level well completion in a subterranean environment; and
- individually controlling the pressure probes and the multi-function tools solely via signals sent downhole.
18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein individually controlling comprises sending electric signals downhole.
19. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising connecting the pressure probes and the multi-function tools with a common electric cable for carrying power and communication signals.
20. A system for use in groundwater control applications, comprising:
- a modular completion having a plurality of sensors located to sense desired groundwater parameters, the modular completion further comprising a plurality of multi-function tools connected to a surface control, the multi-function tools being individually actuatable without retrieving or reconfiguring portions of the modular completion.
21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein each multi-function tool comprises internal addressable electronics.
22. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein each multi-function tool is operably coupled with a sliding sleeve.
23. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of pressure probes.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2010
Publication Date: May 3, 2012
Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION (Sugar Land, TX)
Inventors: David Larssen (Surrey), Daniel Bailey (Delta)
Application Number: 12/914,007
International Classification: E21B 34/06 (20060101); E21B 43/12 (20060101);