Instrumentation for a downhole deployment valve

A method for transferring information between an expansion tool positioned at a first position within a wellbore and a second position, comprising:

• assembling a downhole instrumentation sub as part of a first tubular string, wherein the downhole instrumentation sub comprises at least one receiver;
• running the first tubular string into the wellbore;
• runnning the expansion tool into the wellbore and through the first tubular string using a second tubular string;
• receiving a signal from the expansion tool with the at least one receiver;
• and
• transmitting data from the downhole instrumentation sub to the second position;
• measuring in real time a fluid pressure within the expansion tool and a fluid pressure around the expansion tool;
• and
• adjusting the fluid pressure within the expansion tool.

A method of operating a downhole deployment valve in a wellbore, comprising:

• disposing the downhole deployment valve in the wellbore, the downhole deployment valve defining a bore aligned within the wellbore and having a sensor located downhole being monitored by a monitoring and control unit;
• determining whether the deployment valve is in an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position with the sensor;
• closing a valve in the downhole deployment valve to substantially seal a first portion of the bore from a second portion of the bore;
• measuring a pressure differential between the first portion of the bore and the second portion of the bore with the sensor;
• equalizing a pressure differential between the first portion of the bore and the second portion of the bore;
• and
• opening the valve in the downhole deployment valve.

A downhole deployment valve (DDV), comprising:

• a housing having a fluid flow path therethrough;
• a valve member operatively connected to the housing for selectively obstructing the flow path, wherein the valve member is a flapper or a ball;
• a sensor for sensing a wellbore parameter or a parameter of the DDV;
• a second sensor for sensing a presence of a drill string within the housing;
• and
• a hydraulic piston operable to open the valve member.

A method of using a downhole deployment valve (DDV) in a wellbore, the method comprising:

• assembling the DDV as part of a casing string, the DDV comprising:
• a valve member movable between an open and a closed position,
• an axial bore therethrough in communication with an axial bore of the casing when the valve member is in the open position, the valve member obstructing the DDV bore in the closed position, thereby substantially sealing a first potion of the casing string bore from a second portion of the casing string bore, and
• a pressure sensor,
• wherein:
• the DDV bore has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the casing string bore, and
• a control line is disposed along the casing string to provide communication between the pressure sensor and a surface of the wellbore;
• running the casing string into the wellbore;
• and
• cementing at least a portion of the casing string within the wellbore.

A method of using a downhole deployment valve (DDV) in a wellbore extending to a first depth, the method comprising:

• assembling the DDV as part of a tubular string, the DDV comprising:
• a valve member movable between an open and a closed position, wherein the valve member is a flapper or a ball;
• an axial bore therethrough in communication with an axial bore of the tubular string when the valve member is in the open position, the valve member obstructing the DDV bore in the closed position, thereby substantially sealing a first portion of the tubular string bore from a second portion of the tubular string bore;
• and
• a sensor configured to sense a parameter of the DDV or a parameter of the wellbore,
• wherein a control line is disposed along the tubular string to provide communication between the sensor and a surface of the wellbore;
• running the tubular string into the wellbore;
• running a drill string through the tubular string bore and the DDV bore when the valve member is in the open position, the drill string comprising a drill bit located at an axial end thereof;
• and
• drilling the wellbore to a second depth using the drill string and the drill bit.

A method of using a downhole deployment valve (DDV) in a wellbore, the method comprising:

• assembling the DDV as pad of a casing string, the DDV comprising:
• a valve member movable between an open and a closed position,
• an axial bore therethrough in communication with an axial bore of the casing when the valve member is in the open position, the valve member substantially sealing a first potion of the casing string bore from a second portion of the casing string bore when the valve member is in the closed position, and
• a pressure sensor;
• running the casing string into the wellbore;
• and
• cementing at least a portion of the casing string within the wellbore;
• running a drill string through the casing string bore and the DDV bore when the valve member is in the open position, the drill string comprising a drill bit located at an axial end thereof;
• drilling the wellbore to a second depth using the drill string and the drill bit;
• and
• measuring a pressure of the wellbore while drilling using the pressure sensor.

A method for drilling a wellbore, the method comprising:

• assembling a downhole deployment valve (DDV) as part of a tubular string, the DDV comprising:
• a valve member movable between an open and a closed position;
• an axial bore therethrough in communication with an axial bore of the tubular string when the valve member is in the open position, the valve member obstructing the DDV bore in the closed position, thereby substantially sealing an upper portion of the tubular string bore from a lower portion of the tubular string bore;
• an upper pressure sensor in communication with the upper portion of the tubular string bore, and
• a lower pressure sensor in communication with the lower portion of the tubular string bore;
• running the tubular string into the wellbore so that the tubular string extends from a wellhead located at a surface of the wellbore, wherein the wellhead comprises a rotating drilling head (RDH) or a stripper and a valve assembly;
• running a drill string through the tubular string bore and the DDV bore, the drill string comprising a drill bit located at an axial end thereof;
• engaging the RDH or stripper with the drill string;
• and
• drilling the welibore using the valve assembly to control flow of fluid from the wellbore.

A downhole deployment valve (DDV), comprising:

• a housing having a fluid flow path therethrough;
• a valve member operatively connected to the housing for selectively obstructing the flow path, wherein the valve member is a flapper or a ball;
• a sensor for sensing pressure differential across the valve member;
• a second sensor for sensing a presence of a drill string within the housing;
• and
• a third sensor for sensing pressure differential across the valve member.