Method and apparatus for reduction of control lines to operate a multi-zone completion

Abstract

A control system for a plurality of devices including a plurality of devices in at least one group. A first control line is in operable communication with the plurality of devices. A second control line in operable communication with the at least one group. A step-advance mechanism is in operable communication with each of the plurality of the devices, each mechanism being distinct from each other mechanism within the group of devices. Further disclosed herein is a method for reducing the number of control lines needed to control a plurality of downhole devices including supplying a first control line in operable communication with a plurality of devices including at least one group of devices and supplying a second control line in operable communication with the at least one group.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a flow control valve actuation configuration utilizing four control lines and actuating nine flow control devices;

FIG. 2 is a representative schematic view of a J-slot and bearing sleeve laid flat;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a J-slot and bearing sleeve arrangement for a first control device in a group;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a J-slot and bearing sleeve arrangement for a second control device in a group;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a J-slot and bearing sleeve arrangement for a third control device in a group; and

FIG. 6 is a representation of the collective movements of the flow control devices in a nine valve on four line setup.

Claims

1. A control system for a plurality of devices comprising: a plurality of devices in at least one group;a first control line in operable communication with said plurality of devices;a second control line in operable communication with said at least one group; anda step-advance mechanism in operable communication with each of said plurality of said devices, each mechanism being distinct from each other mechanism within said group of devices.

2. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein each group of devices of said plurality of devices is operable by said first control line.

3. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein a third control line is in operable communication with a second group of said plurality of devices.

4. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein a forth control line is in operable communication with a third group of said plurality of devices.

5. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein a total number of control lines utilized for said plurality of devices is equal to (the total number of devices divided by the total number of devices per group) plus 1.

6. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step-advance mechanism further comprises a bearing sleeve in operable communication with a J-slot of each mechanism, said bearing sleeve providing stops for the associated devices.

7. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bearing sleeve configuration facilitates positions of the associated device of open and closed, closed and choked or choked and open.

8. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein each group of devices includes three devices.

9. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step-advance mechanism comprises fourteen positions.

10. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step-advance mechanism steps said devices between a home position and a second position.

11. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 10 wherein said home position is one of open, choked or closed.

12. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 11 wherein said second position is one or the other of the positions represented in claim 10 that is not the home position.

13. A control system for a plurality of devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system further includes a surface control system.

14. A method for reducing the number of control lines needed to control a plurality of downhole devices comprising: supplying a first control line in operable communication with a plurality of devices, the plurality of devices including at least one group of devices; andsupplying a second control line in operable communication with said at least one group of devices; andmoving said at least one group of devices to a selected position with a step-advance mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein further comprising supplying a third control line to a second group of said plurality of devices.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein further comprising supplying a fourth control line to a third group of said plurality of devices.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein each group includes three devices.

18. A method for controlling a plurality of devices with two control lines comprising: configuring each device with a distinct step-advance mechanism; andalternating pressurization in said control lines to sequentially position the three devices so that following fourteen steps, all possible configurations of the devices have been achieved.

19. A system controlling nine devices with four control lines comprising: a first control line in operable communication with all nine devices;a second control line in operable communication with a group of three of the devices;a third control line in operable communication with a second group of three of the devices;a fourth control line in operable communication with a third group of three of the devices; andeach of the nine devices having a step-advance mechanism, and wherein the step-advance mechanisms are distinct within groups.

20. A method for independently controlling a plurality of groups of devices comprising: supplying a number of control lines equal to the number of groups of devices plus 1 control line.

21. A system for controlling a plurality of devices with a reduced number of control lines comprising: a plurality of devices represented by one or more groups of devices;a number of control lines equal to the number of groups of devices plus one control line.

22. A system for controlling a plurality of devices with a reduced number of control lines as claimed in claim 20 wherein at least a one of said plurality of devices includes a step-advance mechanism.

23. A system for controlling a plurality of devices with a reduced number of control lines as claimed in claim 22 wherein said step-advance mechanism is distinct for each member device in an individual group.