Surface controlled reservoir analysis and management system
OwnerRichard P. Rubbo, Brett W. Boundin +1inventors
InventorsRichard P. Rubbo, Brett W. Boundin, Steven C. Owens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A well control system for providing surface control of downhole production tools in a well. The well control system is capable of detecting well conditions and of generating command signals for operating one or more well tools. An electric conductor transmits electric signals, and a hydraulic line containing pressurized hydraulic fluid provides the power necessary to operate downhole tools. The invention provides a unique system for providing redundant conductors and redundant hydraulic lines to the well tool to continue operation if an electric conductor or hydraulic line becomes disabled. The well control tool also permits the selective operation of multiple production zones in a producing well.
Claims37
A well control system for communication between the surface of a well and a downhole well tool, comprising:
- a surface controller at the well surface;
- a hydraulic line engaged with the tool for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to operate the tool;
- a control means engaged with said hydraulic line and the well tool for selectively operating the well tool by discharging hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic line;
- and
- a conductor for transmitting electric signals between said surface controller and said control means.
A well control system for operating a well tool, comprising:
- a first hydraulic line containing pressurized fluid engaged with said tool for providing hydraulic power to operate said tool;
- a second hydraulic line containing hydraulic fluid engaged with said tool for providing hydraulic power to operate said tool;
- and
- a valve engaged with said first hydraulic line and with said second hydraulic line for selectively operating to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to said tool when the fluid carrying integrity of said first hydraulic line or said second hydraulic line is impaired.
A well control system for operating a well tool, comprising:
- a control module engaged with said tool for processing electric signals;
- a first conductor engaged with said control module for transmitting electric signals;
- a second conductor engaged with said control module for transmitting electric signals;
- and
- a surface controller engaged with said first conductor and with said second conductor for processing electric signals, wherein said surface controller selectively processes electric signals through said first conductor when the electric transmitting capacity of said second conductor is impaired, and wherein said surface controller selectively processes electric signals through said second conductor when the electric transmitting capacity of said first conductor is impaired.
A method for operating a downhole well tool, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a surface controller at the well surface;
- placing a first hydraulic line in communication with a downhole well tool having a control module engaged with said downhole tool;
- placing a second hydraulic line in communication with said downhole tool;
- and
- selectively closing said second hydraulic line if the fluid carrying capacity of said second hydraulic line becomes impaired.
A method for operating a downhole well tool, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a surface controller at the well surface;
- placing a first conductor in communication with a downhole well tool having a control module engaged with said downhole tool;
- placing a second conductor in communication between said surface controller and said control module;
- and
- selectively disabling said second conductor if the integrity of said second conductor becomes impaired.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.