Claims
- 1. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in a wellbore, comprising:(a) providing a wellbore tubular string; (b) providing a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, including at least one of the following: (1) at least one perforating gun; (2) at least one packer; (3) at least one flow control device; (4) at least one safety joint; (5) at least one gun release; (6) at least one circulating valve; and (7) at least one filler valve; (c) wherein each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools have: (1) a force responsive member which comprises a mechanical component which is moved in position in response to force being applied to one end thereof, (2) a gas generating member comprising a secondary charge which upon ignition generates a gas which applies a force to said force responsive member, and (3) a trigger member comprising an electrically energized component which causes ignition of said gas generating member, and which are switchable between modes of operation in response to application of force to said force responsive member; (d) providing at least one receiver communicatively coupled to said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively activating a particular trigger member upon receipt of a particular command signal; (e) securing said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string; (f) lowering said wellbore tubular string into said wellbore; (g) transmitting at least one command signal into said wellbore; (h) utilizing said at least one receiver to detect said at least one command signal, and to individually activate said trigger member of at least one particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which is associated with said at least one command signal in order to cause application of force from said gas generating member and actuation of said at least one particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools; (i) wherein said method further includes providing at least one transmitter at a surface location for generating said at least one command signal; and (j) wherein said at least one transmitter and said at least one receiver are synchronized in operation.
- 2. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in a wellbore, according to claim 1, further comprising:(i) sequentially and individually actuating particular ones of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in order to perform particular ones of said completion operation, and said drill stem test operation.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one receiver comprises a discrete receiver for each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools.
- 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one receiver includes at least one programmable controller for decoding said at least one command signal and for determining which particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools is to be actuated.
- 5. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in accordance with claim 1:(i) wherein said at least one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools comprise at least one perforating gun; (j) wherein each of said at least one perforating gun includes: (1) a firing pin; (2) a percussive firing pin responsive to said firing pin; (3) a thermally actuable charge for propelling the perforation which is responsive to said percussive firing pin; (k) wherein upon receipt and detection of a particular command signal associated with said at least one perforating gun said trigger member is activated to activate said gas generating member to cause application of force to said force response member; (l) wherein said force responsive member activates said firing pin to actuate said percussive firing pin which thermally actuates said charge which causes perforation.
- 6. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill Stem test operation, in accordance with claim 1:(i) wherein said at least one command signal comprises a series of acoustic pulses communicated in said wellbore.
- 7. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in accordance with claim 1:(i) wherein said at least one receiver receives said at least one command signal through a communication channel which is at least in part defined by a fluid column within said wellbore.
- 8. A method of performing a particular wellbore operation, comprising:(a) providing a wellbore tubular string; (b) providing a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, including particular ones of the following, which are necessary for accomplishing said particular wellbore operation: (1) at least one perforating gun; (2) at least one packer; (3) at least one flow control device; (4) at least one safety joint; (5) at least one gun release; (6) at least one circulating valve; and (7) at least one filler valve; (c) wherein each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools include: (1) a force responsive member which comprises a mechanical component which is moved in position in response to force being applied to one end thereof, (2) a gas generating member comprising a secondary charge which upon ignition generates a gas which applies a force to said force responsive member, and (3) a trigger member comprising an electrically energized component which causes ignition of said gas generating member, and which are switchable between modes of operation in response to application of force to said force responsive member; (d) providing a plurality of receivers communicatively coupled to said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for sequentially activating said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools upon receipt of a plurality of command signals; (e) securing said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string; (f) lowering said wellbore tubular string into said wellbore; (g) transmitting a plurality of command signals into said wellbore; (h) utilizing said plurality of receivers to detect said plurality of command signals, and to individually and successively activate said trigger members of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which are associated with said plurality of command signals in order to cause application of force from a plurality of said gas generating members to a plurality of force responsive members, in order to switch said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools between modes of operation.
- 9. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:(i) providing a subsurface processor and associated memory for executing program instructions; (j) providing a subsurface sensor for monitoring at least one subsurface wellbore condition, which is communicatively coupled to said subsurface processor to pass data thereto; (k) providing at least one computer program defined by executable instructions for processing said data in a predetermined manner; (l) providing at least one subsurface transmitter communicatively coupled to said at least one subsurface processor for communicating at least one of data and commands to a remote location; (m) processing data with said at least computer program; and (n) selectively utilizing said at least one subsurface transmitter to communicate at least one of data and commands to a remote location.
- 10. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in accordance with claim 8:(i) wherein said at least one command signal comprises a series of acoustic pulses communicated in said wellbore.
- 11. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in accordance with claim 8:(i) wherein said at least one receiver receives said at least one command signal through a communication channel which is at least in part defined by a fluid column within said wellbore.
- 12. A method of performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in accordance with claim 8:(i) wherein said method further includes providing at least one transmitter at a surface location for generating said at least one command signal; and (j) wherein said at least one transmitter and said at least one receiver are synchronized in operation.
- 13. An apparatus for performing at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation, in a wellbore, comprising:(a) a wellbore tubular string; (b) a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, including at least one of the following: (1) at least one perforating gun; (2) at least one packer; (3) at least one valve; (4) at least one safety joint; (5) at least one gun release; (6) at least one circulating valve; and (7) a filler valve; (c) wherein each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools include: (1) a force responsive member which comprises a mechanical component which is moved in position in response to force being applied to one end thereof, (2) a gas generating member comprising a secondary charge which upon ignition generates a gas which applies a force to said force responsive member, and (3) a trigger member comprising an electrically energized component which causes ignition of said gas generating member, and which are switchable between modes of operation in response to application of force to said force responsive member; (d) wherein each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools are secured in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string; (e) at least one receiver for said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively activating a particular trigger member upon receipt of a particular command signal; (f) a transmitter for transmitting said at least one command signal into said wellbore; (g) wherein, during a control mode of operation, said at least one receiver is utilized to detect said at least one command signal, and to individually activate said trigger member of at least one particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in order to cause application of force from said gas generating member to said force responsive member to perform at least one of (1) a completion operation, and (2) a drill stem test operation; (h) wherein said transmitter is located at a surface location for generating said at least one command signal; and (i) wherein said transmitter and said at least one receiver are synchronized in operation.
- 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said at least one receiver comprises a discrete acoustic receiver for each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools.
- 15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said at least one receiver includes at least one programmable controller for decoding said at least one command signal and for determining which particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools is to be actuated.
- 16. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:(h) wherein said at least one command signal comprises a series of acoustic pulses communicated in said wellbore.
- 17. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:(h) wherein said at least one receiver receives said at least one command signal through a communication channel which is at least in part defined by a fluid column within said wellbore.
- 18. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:providing at least one transmitter at a surface location for generating said at least one command signal, which is synchronized with said at least one receiver.
- 19. An apparatus for performing a particular wellbore operation, comprising:(a) a wellbore tubular string; (b) a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, including particular ones of the following which are necessary for accomplishing said particular wellbore operation: (1) at least one perforating gun; (2) at least one packer; (3) at least one valve; (4) at least one safety joint; (5) at least one gun release; (6) at least one circulating valve; and (7) a filler valve; (c) wherein each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools include: (1) a force responsive member which comprises a mechanical component which is moved in position in response to force being applied to one end thereof, (2) a gas generating member comprising a secondary charge which upon ignition generates a gas which applies a force to said force responsive member, and (3) a trigger member comprising an electrically energized component which causes ignition of said gas generating member, and which are switchable between modes of operation in response to application of force to said force responsive member; (d) , wherein each of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools are secured in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string; (e) a plurality of receivers for said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for sequentially activating said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools upon receipt of said plurality of command signals; (f) a transmitter for transmitting said plurality of command signals into said wellbore; (g) wherein, during a control mode of operation, said plurality of receivers are utilized to detect said plurality of command signals, and to individually activate said trigger members of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in order to cause application of force from said gas generating members to said force responsive members to perform said particular wellbore operation.
- 20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said at least one command signal comprises a series of acoustic pulses communicated in said wellbore.
- 21. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said at least one receiver receives said at least one command signal through a communication channel which is at least in part defined by a fluid column within said wellbore.
- 22. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said method further includes providing at least one transmitter at a surface location for generating said at least one command signal, and wherein said at least one transmitter and said at least one receiver are synchronized in operation.
- 23. A method of monitoring a particular wellbore operation, comprising:(a) providing a wellbore tubular string; (b) providing a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools; (c) providing at least one receiver communicatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively actuating at least a particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools upon receipt of a particular command signal, with each discrete and individually actuable wellbore tool including; (1) a force responsive member which comprises a mechanical component which is moved in position in response to force being applied to one end thereof, (2) a gas generating member comprising a secondary charge which upon ignition generates a gas which applies a force to said force responsive member, and (3) a trigger member comprising an electrically energized component which causes ignition of said gas generating member, and which are switchable between modes of operation in response to application of force to said force responsive member; (d) providing at least one subsurface transmitter; (e) providing at least one subsurface processor; (f) providing at least one subsurface sensor for sensing at least one subsurface condition, which is communicatively coupled to said at least one subsurface processor; (g) securing said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, said at least one subsurface transmitter, said at least one subsurface processor, and said at least one subsurface sensor in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string; (h) lowering said wellbore tubular string into said wellbore; (i) transmitting at least one command signal into said wellbore; (j) utilizing said at least one receiver to detect said at least one command signal, and to individually actuate at least one particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which is associated with said at least one command signal; (k) utilizing said at least one subsurface sensor to monitor at least one subsurface wellbore condition; (l) utilizing said at least one subsurface controller to receive data from said at least one subsurface sensor and to process said data in a predetermined manner; and (m) utilizing said at least one subsurface transmitter to communicate information relating to said data to a remote location; (n) wherein said at least one subsurface processor is utilized to perform at least one frequency domain analysis on data developed by said at least one subsurface sensor.
- 24. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, comprising:(a) a wellbore tubular string; (b) a plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools; (c) at least one receiver communicatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools for selectively actuating at least a particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools upon receipt of a particular command signal, with each discrete and individually actuable wellbore tool including; (1) a force responsive member which comprises a mechanical component which is moved in position in response to force being applied to one end thereof, (2) a gas generating member comprising a secondary charge which upon ignition generates a gas which applies a force to said force responsive member, and (3) a trigger member comprising an electrically energized component which causes ignition of said gas generating member, and which are switchable between modes of operation in response to application of force to said force responsive member; (d) at least one subsurface transmitter; (e) at least one subsurface processor; (f) at least one subsurface sensor for sensing at least one subsurface condition, which is communicatively coupled to said at least one subsurface processor; (g) wherein said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, said at least one subsurface transmitter, said at least one subsurface processor, and said at least one subsurface sensor are secured in particular and predetermined locations within said wellbore tubular string; (h) wherein said at least one receiver is utilized to detect said at least one command signal which is transmitted into said wellbore, and to individually actuate at least one particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools which is associated with said at least one command signal; (k) wherein said at least one subsurface sensor is utilized to monitor at least one subsurface wellbore condition; (l) wherein said at least one subsurface controller is utilized to receive data from said at least one subsurface sensor and to process said data in a predetermined manner including the performance of at least one frequency domain analysis on said data; and (m) wherein said at least one subsurface transmitter is utilized to communicate information relating to said data to a remote location.
- 25. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, according to claim 24, wherein said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools comprise at least one of the following:(1) at least one perforating gun; (2) at least one packer; (3) at least one flow control device; (4) at least one safety joint; (5) at least one gun release; (6) at least one circulating valve; and (7) at least one filler valve.
- 26. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation according to claim 24:wherein said at least one command signal comprises at least acoustic command signal.
- 27. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation according to claim 24 further comprising:(n) at least one receiver at a surface location for receiving said at least one subsurface transmitter.
- 28. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, according to claim 24:(n) wherein said at least one subsurface sensor comprises at least one subsurface sensor for monitoring at least one of the following subsurface wellbore conditions: (1) flow of fluid into said wellbore; (2) downhole temperature; (3) downhole pressure; and (4) actuation of a particular one of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools.
- 29. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, according to claim 24:(n) wherein said information comprises at least one of (1) data and (2) commands.
- 30. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, according to claim 24,wherein said at least one subsurface processor is communicatively coupled to particular ones of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools, wherein said apparatus further includes at least one computer program which is executable by said at least one subsurface processor; and wherein said at least one computer program comprises at least one of the following computer programs: (1) a perforation control computer program for receiving sensor data from said at least one subsurface sensor and for processing said sensor data and actuating said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools to perform at least one perforation operation; (2) a drill stem test control computer program for receiving sensor data from said at least one subsurface sensor and for processing said sensor data and actuating said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools to perform at least one drill stem test operation; (3) a flow control computer program for receiving sensor data from said at least one subsurface sensor and for processing said sensor data and actuating said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools to perform at least one flow control operation.
- 31. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, according to claim 24:wherein said perforation control computer program includes executable instructions which actuate at least one perforating gun of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in a predetermined programmed manner in order to perform a particular perforation operation.
- 32. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, according to claim 24:wherein said drill stem test control computer program includes executable instructions which actuate at least one valve of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in a predetermined programmed manner in order to perform a particular drill stem test operation.
- 33. An apparatus for monitoring a particular wellbore operation, according to claim 24:wherein said flow control computer program includes executable instructions which actuate at least one valve of said plurality of discrete and individually actuable wellbore tools in a predetermined programmed manner in order to perform a particular flow control operation.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a Continuation of Ser. No. 09/170,139 filed Oct. 8, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,829, which is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,449, Ser. No. 08/734,055 filed Oct. 18, 1998 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED COMMUNICATION IN A WELLBORE UTILIZING ACOUSTIC SIGNALS, which claims the benefit of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: (1) Ser. No. 60/005,745, filed Oct. 20, 1995, entitled Method and Apparatus for Improved Communication in a Wellbore Utilizing Acoustic Symbols; and (2) Ser. No. 60/026,084, filed Aug. 26, 1996, entitled Method and Apparatus for Improved Communication in a Wellbore Utilizing Acoustic Signals. This application has disclosure in common with U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,438 entitled Method and Apparatus for Communicating Data in a Wellbore for Detecting the Influx of Gas.
The present application claims priority under 35 USC §120 to the following provisional U.S. patent applications:
1. Ser. No. 60/005,745, filed Oct. 20, 1995, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Improved Communication in a Wellbore Utilizing Acoustic Symbols”,
2. Ser. No. 60/026,084, filed Aug. 26, 1996, entitled Method and Apparatus for Improved Communication in a Wellbore Utilizing Acoustic Signals”,
The present application has disclosure that is common with:
1. Ser. No. 08/108,958, filed Aug. 18, 1993, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Communicating Data in a Wellbore for Detecting the Influx of Gas”.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Provisional Applications (2)
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60/005745 |
Oct 1995 |
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60/026084 |
Aug 1996 |
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Continuations (1)
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09/170139 |
Oct 1998 |
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09/904078 |
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