System and method for autonomously performing a downhole well operation
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorGordon R. J. Mackenzie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An autonomous system for performing a well operation at a predetermined location in a wellbore comprises a tool string having at least one well tool, a motive device for traversing the wellbore, and a control system adapted to position the tool string near the predetermined location. The control system comprises (i) a sensing system for detecting mass irregularities in the wellbore and (ii) a processor system having a processor with memory for storing at least one well log. The processor acts under programmed instructions to compare sensor signals to the stored well log to determine a tool string position in the wellbore. The control system also contains circuits for controlling the operation of the well tool and the motive device.
Claims14
An autonomous system for operating a well tool proximate a predetermined location in a wellbore, comprising:
- a. a tool string having at least one well tool for performing a well operation in the wellbore;
- b. a motive device in the tool string causing the tool string to traverse the wellbore;
- and
- c. a control system adapted to autonomously position said tool string proximate the predetermined location in the wellbore.
A method for autonomously performing a well operation at a predetermined location in a wellbore, comprising:
- a. storing, at the surface, at least one well log in a memory of a processor of a control system in a tool string;
- b. traversing the tool string through the wellbore under autonomous control of the control system;
- c. sensing at least one parameter of interest in the wellbore and generating a signal related thereto;
- d. comparing, using a signal comparison technique, said sensed signal to said at least one stored well log to identify the predetermined location in said wellbore;
- and
- e. operating a well tool under autonomous control of the control system to perform the well operation at the predetermined location in the wellbore.
A method for autonomously performing a well operation at a predetermined location in a wellbore, comprising:
- a. storing in a memory of a processor of a control system in a tool string, at the surface, a first number of mass irregularities to be traversed to reach a predetermined wellbore location;
- b. traversing the tool string through the wellbore under autonomous control of the control system;
- c. using a sensor to detect a second number of mass irregularities traversed in the wellbore and generating a signal related thereto;
- d. comparing said first number with said second number to locate the predetermined wellbore location;
- and
- e. operating a well tool to perform the well operation at the predetermined location in the wellbore.
A method for autonomously performing a well operation at a predetermined location in a wellbore, comprising:
- a. storing in a memory of a processor of a control system in a tool string, at the surface, a sensor signature for identifying a predetermined mass irregularity related to a predetermined location in a wellbore;
- b. traversing the tool string through the wellbore under autonomous control of the control system;
- c. using a sensor to detect at least one mass irregularity traversed in the wellbore and generating a signal related thereto;
- d. locating said tool at the predetermined location by identifying said predetermined mass irregularity by comparing said sensor signal to said stored signature using a signal comparison technique;
- and
- e. operating a well tool to perform the well operation at the predetermined location in the wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.