Pressure test method for permanent downhole wells and apparatus therefore

Abstract

A permanently installed, remotely monitored and controlled transient pressure test system is provided. This system utilizes shut-in/choke valves, pressure sensors and flow meters which are permanently associated with the completion string to perform transient pressure tests in single and multiple zone production and injection wells. The present invention permits full bore testing which thereby eliminates undesirable wellbore storage effects. The present invention further allows for pressure testing limited only to a selected zone (or zones) in a well without expensive well intervention and without halting production from, or injection into, other zones in the well. The permanently located pressure test system of this invention also allows for real-time, downhole nodal sensitivity and control. This pressure test system may be permanently deployed either in production wells or injection wells.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for the control of oil and gas production wells. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically controlling petroleum production wells using downhole computerized control systems. This invention also relates to a control system for controlling production wells, including multiple zones within a single well, from a remote location. This invention further relates to a permanent downhole system for conducting well pressure tests.

2. The Prior Art

The control of oil and gas production wells constitutes an on-going concern of the petroleum industry due, in part, to the enormous monetary expense involved as well as the risks associated with environmental and safety issues.

Production well control has become particularly important and more complex in view of the industry wide recognition that wells having multiple branches (i.e., multilateral wells) will be increasingly important and commonplace. Such multilateral wells include discrete production zones which produce fluid in either common or discrete production tubing. In either case, there is a need for controlling zone production, isolating specific zones and otherwise monitoring each zone in a particular well.

As a consequence, sophisticated computerized controllers have been positioned at the surface of production wells for control of downhole devices such as the motor valves. In addition, such computerized controllers have been used to control other downhole devices such as hydro-mechanical safety valves. These typically microprocessor based controllers are also used for zone control within a well and, for example, can be used to actuate sliding sleeves or packers by the transmission of a surface command to downhole microprocessor controllers and/or electromechanical control devices.

While it is well recognized that petroleum production wells will have increased production efficiencies and lower operating costs if surface computer based controllers and downhole microprocessor controller (actuated by external or surface signals) of the type discussed hereinabove are used, the presently implemented control systems nevertheless suffer from drawbacks and disadvantages. For example, as mentioned, all of these prior art systems generally require a surface platform at each well for supporting the control electronics and associated equipment. However, in many instances, the well operator would rather forego building and maintaining the costly platform. Thus, a problem is encountered in that use of present surface controllers require the presence of a location for the control system, namely the platform. Still another problem associated with known surface control systems such as the type disclosed in the '168 and '112 patents wherein a downhole microprocessor is actuated by a surface signal is the reliability of surface to downhole signal integrity. It will be appreciated that should the surface signal be in any way compromised on its way downhole, then important control operations (such as preventing water from flowing into the production tubing) will not take place as needed.

In multilateral wells where multiple zones are controlled by a single surface control system, an inherent risk is that if the surface control system fails or otherwise shuts down, then all of the downhole tools and other production equipment in each separate zone will similarly shut down leading to a large loss in production and, of course, a loss in revenue.

Still another significant drawback of present production well control systems involves the extremely high cost associated with implementing changes in well control and related workover operations. Presently, if a problem is detected at the well, the customer is required to send a rig to the wellsite at an extremely high cost (e.g., 5 million dollars for 30 days of offshore work). The well must then be shut in during the workover causing a large loss in revenues (e.g., 1.5 million dollars for a 30 day period). Associated with these high costs are the relatively high risks of adverse environmental impact due to spills and other accidents as well as potential liability of personnel at the rig site. Of course, these risks can lead to even further costs. Because of the high costs and risks involved, in general, a customer may delay important and necessary workover of a single well until other wells in that area encounter problems. This delay may cause the production of the well to decrease or be shut in until the rig is brought in.

Still other problems associated with present production well control systems involve the need for wireline formation evaluation to sense changes in the formation and fluid composition. Unfortunately, such wireline formation evaluation is extremely expensive and time consuming. In addition, it requires shut-in of the well and does not provide "real time" information. The need for real time information regarding the formation and fluid is especially acute in evaluating undesirable water flow into the production fluids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-discussed and other problems and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by the production well control system of the present invention. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. An important feature of this invention is that the automatic control is initiated downhole without an initial control signal from the surface or from some other external source.

The first embodiment of the present invention generally comprises downhole sensors, downhole electromechanical devices and downhole computerized control electronics whereby the control electronics automatically control the electromechanical devices based on input from the downhole sensors. Thus, using the downhole sensors, the downhole computerized control system will monitor actual downhole parameters (such as pressure, temperature, flow, gas influx, etc.) and automatically execute control instructions when the monitored downhole parameters are outside a selected operating range (e.g., indicating an unsafe condition). The automatic control instructions will then cause an electromechanical control device (such as a valve) to actuate a suitable tool (for example, actuate a sliding sleeve or packer; or close a pump or other fluid flow device).

The downhole control system of this invention also includes transceivers for two-way communication with the surface as well as a telemetry device for communicating from the surface of the production well to a remote location.

The downhole control system is preferably located in each zone of a well such that a plurality of wells associated with one or more platforms will have a plurality of downhole control systems, one for each zone in each well. The downhole control systems have the ability to communicate with other downhole control systems in other zones in the same or different wells. In addition, as discussed in more detail with regard to the second embodiment of this invention, each downhole control system in a zone may also communicate with a surface control system. The downhole control system of this invention thus is extremely well suited for use in connection with multilateral wells which include multiple zones.

The selected operating range for each tool controlled by the downhole control system of this invention is programmed in a downhole memory either before or after the control system is lowered downhole. The aforementioned transceiver may be used to change the operating range or alter the programming of the control system from the surface of the well or from a remote location.

A power source provides energy to the downhole control system. Power for the power source can be generated in the borehole (e.g., by a turbine generator), at the surface or be supplied by energy storage devices such as batteries (or a combination of one or more of these power sources). The power source provides electrical voltage and current to the downhole electronics, electromechanical devices and sensors in the borehole.

In contrast to the aforementioned prior art well control systems which consist either of computer systems located wholly at the surface or downhole computer systems which require an external (e.g., surface) initiation signal (as well as a surface control system), the downhole well production control system of this invention automatically operates based on downhole conditions sensed in real time without the need for a surface or other external signal. This important feature constitutes a significant advance in the field of production well control. For example, use of the downhole control system of this invention obviates the need for a surface platform (although such surface platforms may still be desirable in certain applications such as when a remote monitoring and control facility is desired as discussed below in connection with the second embodiment of this invention). The downhole control system of this invention is also inherently more reliable since no surface to downhole actuation signal is required and the associated risk that such an actuation signal will be compromised is therefore rendered moot. With regard to multilateral (i.e., multi-zone) wells, still another advantage of this invention is that, because the entire production well and its multiple zones are not controlled by a single surface controller, then the risk that an entire well including all of its discrete production zones will be shut-in simultaneously is greatly reduced.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a system adapted for controlling and/or monitoring a plurality of production wells from a remote location is provided. This system is capable of controlling and/or monitoring:

(1) a plurality of zones in a single production well;

(2) a plurality of zones/wells in a single location (e.g., a single platform); or

(3) a plurality of zones/wells located at a plurality of locations (e.g., multiple platforms).

In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a permanently installed, remotely monitored and controlled transient pressure test system is provided. This system utilizes shut-in/choke valves, pressure sensors and flow meters which are permanently associated with the completion string to perform transient pressure tests in single and multiple zone production and injection wells. The present invention permits full bore testing which thereby eliminates undesirable wellbore storage effects. The present invention further allows for pressure testing limited only to a selected zone (or zones) in a well without expensive well intervention and without halting production from, or injection into, other zones in the well. The permanently located pressure test system of this invention also allows for real-time, downhole nodal sensitivity and control. This pressure test system may be permanently deployed either in production wells or injection wells.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated by and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view depicting the multiwell/multizone control system of the present invention for use in controlling a plurality of offshore well platforms;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of a portion of FIG. 1 depicting a selected well and selected zones in such selected well and a downhole control system for use therewith;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of a portion of FIG. 2 depicting control systems for both open hole and cased hole completion zones;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting the multiwell/multizone control system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a surface control system for use with the multiwell/multizone control system of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a communications system using sensed downhole pressure conditions;

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a portion of the communications system of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a block diagram of the data acquisition system used in the surface control system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting a downhole production well control system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic of the downhole production well control system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a retrievable pressure gauge side pocket mandrel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is an idealized rate and pressure history for a conventional pressure build-up test in a completed production well;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrammatic side elevation views of permanent multizone downhole systems for conducting pressure tests in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a remotely controlled shut off valve and variable choke assembly; and

FIGS. 14A-D are a sequential cross section view of the upside down side pocket mandrel embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention relates to a system for controlling production wells from a remote location. In particular, in an embodiment of the present invention, a control and monitoring system is described for controlling and/or monitoring at least two zones in a single well from a remote location. The present invention also includes the remote control and/or monitoring of multiple wells at a single platform (or other location) and/or multiple wells located at multiple platforms or locations. Thus, the control system of the present invention has the ability to control individual zones in multiple wells on multiple platforms, all from a remote location. The control and/or monitoring system of this invention is comprised of a plurality of surface control systems or modules located at each well head and one or more downhole control systems or modules positioned within zones located in each well. These subsystems allow monitoring and control from a single remote location of activities in different zones in a number of wells in near real time.

As will be discussed in some detail hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the downhole control system is composed of downhole sensors, downhole control electronics and downhole electromechanical modules that can be placed in different locations (e.g., zones) in a well, with each downhole control system having a unique electronics address. A number of wells can be outfitted with these downhole control devices. The surface control and monitoring system interfaces with all of the wells where the downhole control devices are located to poll each device for data related to the status of the downhole sensors attached to the module being polled. In general, the surface system allows the operator to control the position, status, and/or fluid flow in each zone of the well by sending a command to the device being controlled in the wellbore.

As will be discussed hereinafter, the downhole control modules for use in the multizone or multiwell control system of this invention may either be controlled using an external or surface command as is known in the art or the downhole control system may be actuated automatically in accordance with a novel control system which controls the activities in the wellbore by monitoring the well sensors connected to the data acquisition electronics. In the latter case, a downhole computer (e.g., microprocessor) will command a downhole tool such as a packer, sliding sleeve or valve to open, close, change state or do whatever other action is required if certain sensed parameters are outside the normal or preselected well zone operating range. This operating range may be programmed into the system either prior to being placed in the borehole or such programming may be effected by a command from the surface after the downhole control module has been positioned downhole in the wellbore.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the multiwell/multizone monitoring and control system of the present invention may include a remote central control center 10 which communicates either wirelessly or via telephone wires to a plurality of well platforms 12. It will be appreciated that any number of well platforms may be encompassed by the control system of the present invention with three platforms namely, platform 1, platform 2, and platform N being shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Each well platform has associated therewith a plurality of wells 14 which extend from each platform 12 through water 16 to the surface of the ocean floor 18 and then downwardly into formations under the ocean floor. It will be appreciated that while offshore platforms 12 have been shown in FIG. 1, the group of wells 14 associated with each platform are analogous to groups of wells positioned together in an area of land; and the present invention therefore is also well suited for control of land based wells.

As mentioned, each platform 12 is associated with a plurality of wells 14. For purposes of illustration, three wells are depicted as being associated with platform number 1 with each well being identified as well number 1, well number 2 and well number N. As is known, a given well may be divided into a plurality of separate zones which are required to isolate specific areas of a well for purposes of producing selected fluids, preventing blowouts and preventing water intake. Such zones may be positioned in a single vertical well such as well 19 associated with platform 2 shown in FIG. 1 or such zones can result when multiple wells are linked or otherwise joined together. A particularly significant contemporary feature of well production is the drilling and completion of lateral or branch wells which extend from a particular primary wellbore. These lateral or branch wells can be completed such that each lateral well constitutes a separable zone and can be isolated for selected production. A more complete description of wellbores containing one or more laterals (known as multilaterals) can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,407, 5,325,924 and U.S. application Ser. 08/187,277 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,082), all of the contents of each of those patents and applications being incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, each of the wells 1, 2 and 3 associated with platform 1 include a plurality of zones which need to be monitored and/or controlled for efficient production and management of the well fluids. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, well number 2 includes three zones, namely zone number 1, zone number 2 and zone number N. Each of zones 1, 2 and N have been completed in a known manner; and more particularly have been completed in the manner disclosed in aforementioned application Ser. No. 08/187,277. Zone number 1 has been completed using a known slotted liner completion, zone number 2 has been completed using an open hole selective completion and zone number N has been completed using a cased hole selective completion with sliding sleeves. Associated with each of zones 1, 2 and N is a downhole control system 22. Similarly, associated with each well platform 1, 2 and N is a surface control system 24.

As discussed, the multiwell/multizone control system of the present invention is comprised of multiple downhole electronically controlled electromechanical devices and multiple computer based surface systems operated from multiple locations. An important function of these systems is to predict the future flow profile of multiple wells and monitor and control the fluid or gas flow from the formation into the wellbore and from the wellbore into the surface. The system is also capable of receiving and transmitting data from multiple locations such as inside the borehole, and to or from other platforms 1, 2 or N or from a location away from any well site such as central control center 10.

The downhole control systems 22 will interface to the surface system 24 using a wireless communication system or through an electrical wire (i.e., hardwired) connection. The downhole systems in the wellbore can transmit and receive data and/or commands to or from the surface and/or to or from other devices in the borehole. Referring now to FIG. 5, the surface system 24 is composed of a computer system 30 used for processing, storing and displaying the information acquired downhole and interfacing with the operator. Computer system 30 may be comprised of a personal computer or a work station with a processor board, short term and long term storage media, video and sound capabilities as is well know. Computer control 30 is powered by power source 32 for providing energy necessary to operate the surface system 24 as well as any downhole system 22 if the interface is accomplished using a wire or cable. Power will be regulated and converted to the appropriate values required to operate any surface sensors (as well as a downhole system if a wire connection between surface and downhole is available).

A surface to borehole transceiver 34 is used for sending data downhole and for receiving the information transmitted from inside the wellbore to the surface. The transceiver converts the pulses received from downhole into signals compatible with the surface computer system and converts signals from the computer 30 to an appropriate communications means for communicating downhole to downhole control system 22. Communications downhole may be effected by a variety of known methods including hardwiring and wireless communications techniques. A preferred technique transmits acoustic signals down a tubing string such as production tubing string 38 (see FIG. 2) or coiled tubing. Acoustical communication may include variations of signal frequencies, specific frequencies, or codes or acoustical signals or combinations of these. The acoustical transmission media may include the tubing string as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,375,239; 4,347,900 or 4,378,850, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the acoustical transmission may be transmitted through the casing stream, electrical line, slick line, subterranean soil around the well, tubing fluid or annulus fluid. A preferred acoustic transmitter is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,049, all of the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto, which discloses a ceramic piezoelectric based transceiver. The piezoelectric wafers that compose the transducer are stacked and compressed for proper coupling to the medium used to carry the data information to the sensors in the borehole. This transducer will generate a mechanical force when alternating current voltage is applied to the two power inputs of the transducer. The signal generated by stressing the piezoelectric wafers will travel along the axis of the borehole to the receivers located in the tool assembly where the signal is detected and processed. The transmission medium where the acoustic signal will travel in the borehole can be production tubing or coil tubing.

Communications can also be effected by sensed downhole pressure conditions which may be natural conditions or which may be a coded pressure pulse or the like introduced into the well at the surface by the operator of the well. Suitable systems describing in more detail the nature of such coded pressure pulses are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,712,613 to Nieuwstad, 4,468,665 to Thawley, 3,233,674 to Leutwyler and 4,078,620 to Westlake; 5,226,494 to Rubbo et al and 5,343,963 to Bouldin et al.

Similarly, the aforementioned '168 patent to Upchurch and '112 patent to Schultz also disclose the use of coded pressure pulses in communicating from the surface downhole.

A preferred system for sensing downhole pressure conditions is depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Referring to FIG. 5A, this system includes a handheld terminal 300 used for programming the tool at the surface, batteries (not shown) for powering the electronics and actuation downhole, a microprocessor 302 used for interfacing with the handheld terminal and for setting the frequencies to be used by the Erasable Programmable Logic Device (EPLD) 304 for activation of the drivers, preamplifiers 306 used for conditioning the pulses from the surface, counters (EPLD) 304 used for the acquisition of the pulses transmitted from the surface for determination of the pulse frequencies, and to enable the actuators 306 in the tool; and actuators 308 used for the control and operation of electromechanical devices and/or ignitors.

Also, other suitable communications techniques include radio transmission from the surface location or from a subsurface location, with corresponding radio feedback from the downhole tools to the surface location or subsurface location; the use of microwave transmission and reception; the use of fiber optic communications through a fiber optic cable suspended from the surface to the downhole control package; the use of electrical signaling from a wire line suspended transmitter to the downhole control package with subsequent feedback from the control package to the wire line suspended transmitter/receiver. Communication may also consist of frequencies, amplitudes, codes or variations or combinations of these parameters or a transformer coupled technique which involves wire line conveyance of a partial transformer to a downhole tool. Either the primary or secondary of the transformer is conveyed on a wire line with the other half of the transformer residing within the downhole tool. When the two portions of the transformer are mated, data can be interchanged.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the control surface system 24 further includes a printer/plotter 40 which is used to create a paper record of the events occurring in the well. The hard copy generated by computer 30 can be used to compare the status of different wells, compare previous events to events occurring in existing wells and to get formation evaluation logs. Also communicating with computer control 30 is a data acquisition system 42 which is used for interfacing the well transceiver 34 to the computer 30 for processing. The data acquisition system 42 is comprised of analog and digital inputs and outputs, computer bus interfaces, high voltage interfaces and signal processing electronics. An embodiment of data acquisition sensor 42 is shown in FIG. 5C and includes a pre-amplifier 320, band pass filter 322, gain controlled amplifier 324 and analog to digital converter 326. The data acquisition system (ADC) will process the analog signals detected by the surface receiver to conform to the required input specifications to the microprocessor based data processing and control system. The surface receiver 34 is used to detect the pulses received at the surface from inside the wellbore and convert them into signals compatible with the data acquisition preamplifier 320. The signals from the transducer will be low level analog voltages. The preamplifier 320 is used to increase the voltage levels and to decrease the noise levels encountered in the original signals from the transducers. Preamplifier 320 will also buffer the data to prevent any changes in impedance or problems with the transducer from damaging the electronics. The bandpass filter 322 eliminates the high and low frequency noises that are generated from external sources. The filter will allow the signals associated with the transducer frequencies to pass without any significant distortion or attenuation. The gain controlled amplifier 324 monitors the voltage level on the input signal and amplifies or attenuates it to assure that it stays within the acquired voltage ranges. The signals are conditioned to have the highest possible range to provide the largest resolution that can be achieved within the system. Finally, the analog to digital converter 326 will transform the analog signal received from the amplifier into a digital value equivalent to the voltage level of the analog signal. The conversion from analog to digital will occur after the microprocessor 30 commands the tool to start a conversion. The processor system 30 will set the ADC to process the analog signal into 8 or 16 bits of information. The ADC will inform the processor when a conversion is taking place and when it is competed. The processor 30 can at any time request the ADC to transfer the acquired data to the processor.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the electrical pulses from the transceiver 34 will be conditioned to fit within a range where the data can be digitized for processing by computer control 30. Communicating with both computer control 30 and transceiver 34 is a previously mentioned modem 36. Modem 36 is available to surface system 24 for transmission of the data from the well site to a remote location such as remote location 10 or a different control surface system 24 located on, for example, platform 2 or platform N. At this remote location, the data can be viewed and evaluated, or again, simply be communicated to other computers controlling other platforms. The remote computer 10 can take control over system 24 interfacing with the downhole control modules 22 and acquired data from the wellbore and/or control the status of the downhole devices and/or control the fluid flow from the well or from the formation. Also associated with the control surface system 24 is a depth measurement system which interfaces with computer control system 30 for providing information related to the location of the tools in the borehole as the tool string is lowered into the ground. Finally, control surface system 24 also includes one or more surface sensors 46 which are installed at the surface for monitoring well parameters such as pressure, rig pumps and heave, all of which can be connected to the surface system to provide the operator with additional information on the status of the well.

Surface system 24 can control the activities of the downhole control modules 22 by requesting data on a periodic basis and commanding the downhole modules to open, or close electromechanical devices and to change monitoring parameters due to changes in long term borehole conditions. As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, surface system 24, at one location such as platform 1, can interface with a surface system 24 at a different location such as platforms 2 or N or the central remote control sensor 10 via phone lines or via wireless transmission. For example, in FIG. 1, each surface system 24 is associated with an antenna 48 for direct communication with each other (i.e., from platform 2 to platform N), for direct communication with an antenna 50 located at central control system 10 (i.e., from platform 2 to control system 10) or for indirect communication via a satellite 52. Thus, each surface control center 24 includes the following functions:

1. Polls the downhole sensors for data information; 2. Processes the acquired information from the wellbore to provide the operator with formation, tools and flow status; 3. Interfaces with other surface systems for transfer of data and commands; and 4. Provides the interface between the operator and the downhole tools and sensors.

In a less preferred embodiment of the present invention, the downhole control system 22 may be comprised of any number of known downhole control systems which require a signal from the surface for actuation. Examples of such downhole control systems include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,227,228; 4,796,669; 4,896,722; 4,915,168; 5,050,675; 4,856,595; 4,971,160; 5,273,112; 5,273,113; 5,332,035; 5,293,937; 5,226,494 and 5,343,963, all of the contents of each patent being incorporated herein by reference thereto. All of these patents disclose various apparatus and methods wherein a microprocessor based controller downhole is actuated by a surface or other external signal such that the microprocessor executes a control signal which is transmitted to an electromechanical control device which then actuates a downhole tool such as a sliding sleeve, packer or valve. In this case, the surface control system 24 transmits the actuation signal to downhole controller 22.

Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention, the aforementioned remote central control center 10, surface control centers 24 and downhole control systems 22 all cooperate to provide one or more of the following functions:

1. Provide one or two-way communication between the surface system 24 and a downhole tool via downhole control system 22; 2. Acquire, process, display and/or store at the surface data transmitted from downhole relating to the wellbore fluids, gases and tool status parameters acquired by sensors in the wellbore; 3. Provide an operator with the ability to control tools downhole by sending a specific address and command information from the central control center 10 or from an individual surface control center 24 down into the wellbore; 4. Control multiple tools in multiple zones within any single well by a single remote surface system 24 or the remote central control center 10; 5. Monitor and/or control multiple wells with a single surface system 10 or 24; 6. Monitor multiple platforms from a single or multiple surface system working together through a remote communications link or working individually; 7. Acquire, process and transmit to the surface from inside the wellbore multiple parameters related to the well status, fluid condition and flow, tool state and geological evaluation; 8. Monitor the well gas and fluid parameters and perform functions automatically such as interrupting the fluid flow to the surface, opening or closing of valves when certain acquired downhole parameters such as pressure, flow, temperature or fluid content are determined to be outside the normal ranges stored in the systems' memory (as described below with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7); and 9. Provide operator to system and system to operator interface at the surface using a computer control surface control system. 10. Provide data and control information among systems in the wellbore.

In a preferred embodiment and in accordance with an important feature of the present invention, rather than using a downhole control system of the type described in the aforementioned patents wherein the downhole activities are only actuated by surface commands, the present invention utilizes a downhole control system which automatically controls downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters without the need for an initial control signal from the surface or from some other external source. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, this downhole computer based control system includes a microprocessor based data processing and control system 50.

Electronics control system 50 acquires and processes data sent from the surface as received from transceiver system 52 and also transmits downhole sensor information as received from the data acquisition system 54 to the surface. Data acquisition system 54 will preprocess the analog and digital sensor data by sampling the data periodically and formatting it for transfer to processor 50. Included among this data is data from flow sensors 56, formation evaluation sensors 58 and electromechanical position sensor 59 (these latter sensors 59 provide information on position, orientation and the like of downhole tools). The formation evaluation data is processed for the determination of reservoir parameters related to the well production zone being monitored by the downhole control module. The flow sensor data is processed and evaluated against parameters stored in the downhole module's memory to determine if a condition exists which requires the intervention of the processor electronics 50 to automatically control the electromechanical devices. It will be appreciated that in accordance with an important feature of this invention, the automatic control executed by processor 50 is initiated without the need for a initiation or control signal from the surface or from some other external source. Instead, the processor 50 simply evaluates parameters existing in real time in the borehole as sensed by flow sensors 56 and/or formation evaluations sensors 58 and then automatically executes instructions for appropriate control. Note that while such automatic initiation is an important feature of this invention, in certain situations, an operator from the surface may also send control instructions downwardly from the surface to the transceiver system 52 and into the processor 50 for executing control of downhole tools and other electronic equipment. As a result of this control, the control system 50 may initiate or stop the fluid/gas flow from the geological formation into the borehole or from the borehole to the surface.

The downhole sensors associated with flow sensors 56 and formation evaluations sensors 58 may include, but are not limited to, sensors for sensing pressure, flow, temperature, oil/water content, geological formation, gamma ray detectors and formation evaluation sensors which utilize acoustic, nuclear, resistivity and electromagnetic technology. It will be appreciated that typically, the pressure, flow, temperature and fluid/gas content sensors will be used for monitoring the production of hydrocarbons while the formation evaluation sensors will measure, among other things, the movement of hydrocarbons and water in the formation. The downhole computer (processor 50) may automatically execute instructions for actuating electromechanical drivers 60 or other electronic control apparatus 62. In turn, the electromechanical driver 60 will actuate an electromechanical device for controlling a downhole tool such as a sliding sleeve, shut off device, valve, variable choke, penetrator, perf valve or gas lift tool. As mentioned, downhole computer 50 may also control other electronic control apparatus such as apparatus that may effect flow characteristics of the fluids in the well.

In addition, downhole computer 50 is capable of recording downhole data acquired by flow sensors 56, formation evaluation sensors 58 and electromechanical position sensors 59. This downhole data is recorded in recorder 66. Information stored in recorder 66 may either be retrieved from the surface at some later date when the control system is brought to the surface or data in the recorder may be sent to the transceiver system 52 and then communicated to the surface.

The borehole transmitter/receiver 52 transfers data from downhole to the surface and receives commands and data from the surface and between other downhole modules.

Transceiver assembly 52 may consist of any known and suitable transceiver mechanism and preferably includes a device that can be used to transmit as well as to receive the data in a half duplex communication mode, such as an acoustic piezoelectric device (i.e., disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,049), or individual receivers such as accelerometers for full duplex communications where data can be transmitted and received by the downhole tools simultaneously. Electronics drivers may be used to control the electric power delivered to the transceiver during data transmission.

It will be appreciated that the downhole control system 22 requires a power source 66 for operation of the system. Power source 66 can be generated in the borehole, at the surface or it can be supplied by energy storage devices such as batteries. Power is used to provide electrical voltage and current to the electronics and electromechanical devices connected to a particular sensor in the borehole. Power for the power source may come from the surface through hardwiring or may be provided in the borehole such as by using a turbine. Other power sources include chemical reactions, flow control, thermal, conventional batteries, borehole electrical potential differential, solids production or hydraulic power methods.

Referring to FIG. 7, an electrical schematic of downhole controller 22 is shown. As discussed in detail above, the downhole electronics system will control the electromechanical systems, monitor formation and flow parameters, process data acquired in the borehole, and transmit and receive commands and data to and from other modules and the surface systems. The electronics controller is composed of a microprocessor 70, an analog to digital converter 72, analog conditioning hardware 74, digital signal processor 76, communications interface 78, serial bus interface 80, non-volatile solid state memory 82 and electromechanical drivers 60.

The microprocessor 70 provides the control and processing capabilities of the system. The processor will control the data acquisition, the data processing, and the evaluation of the data for determination if it is within the proper operating ranges. The controller will also prepare the data for transmission to the surface, and drive the transmitter to send the information to the surface. The processor also has the responsibility of controlling the electromechanical devices 64.

The analog to digital converter 72 transforms the data from the conditioner circuitry into a binary number. That binary number relates to an electrical current or voltage value used to designate a physical parameter acquired from the geological formation, the fluid flow, or status of the electromechanical devices. The analog conditioning hardware processes the signals from the sensors into voltage values that are at the range required by the analog to digital converter.

The digital signal processor 76 provides the capability of exchanging data with the processor to support the evaluation of the acquired downhole information, as well as to encode/decode data for transmitter 52. The processor 70 also provides the control and timing for the drivers 78.

The communication drivers 70 are electronic switches used to control the flow of electrical power to the transmitter. The processor 70 provides the control and timing for the drivers 78.

The serial bus interface 80 allows the processor 70 to interact with the surface data acquisition and control system 42 (see FIGS. 5 and 5C). The serial bus 80 allows the surface system 74 to transfer codes and set parameters to the micro controller 70 to execute its functions downhole.

The electromechanical drivers 60 control the flow of electrical power to the electromechanical devices 64 used for operation of the sliding sleeves, packers, safety valves, plugs and any other fluid control device downhole. The drivers are operated by the microprocessor 70.

The non-volatile memory 82 stores the code commands used by the micro controller 70 to perform its functions downhole. The memory 82 also holds the variables used by the processor 70 to determine if the acquired parameters are in the proper operating range.

It will be appreciated that downhole valves are used for opening and closing of devices used in the control of fluid flow in the wellbore. Such electromechanical downhole valve devices will be actuated by downhole computer 50 either in the event that a borehole sensor value is determined to be outside a safe to operate range set by the operator or if a command is sent from the surface. As has been discussed, it is a particularly significant feature of this invention that the downhole control system 22 permits automatic control of downhole tools and other downhole electronic control apparatus without requiring an initiation or actuation signal from the surface or from some other external source. This is in distinct contrast to prior art control systems wherein control is either actuated from the surface or is actuated by a downhole control device which requires an actuation signal from the surface as discussed above. It will be appreciated that the novel downhole control system of this invention whereby the control of electromechanical devices and/or electronic control apparatus is accomplished automatically without the requirement for a surface or other external actuation signal can be used separately from the remote well production control scheme shown in FIG. 1.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an example of the downhole control system 22 is shown in an enlarged view of well number 2 from platform 1 depicting zones 1, 2 and N. Each of zones 1, 2 and N is associated with a downhole control system 22 of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In zone 1, a slotted liner completion is shown at 69 associated with a packer 71. In zone 2, an open hole completion is shown with a series of packers 73 and intermittent sliding sleeves 75. In zone N, a cased hole completion is shown again with the series of packers 77, sliding sleeve 79 and perforating tools 81. The control system 22 in zone 1 includes electromechanical drivers and electromechanical devices which control the packers 69 and valving associated with the slotted liner so as to control fluid flow. Similarly, control system 22 in zone 2 include electromechanical drivers and electromechanical devices which control the packers, sliding sleeves and valves associated with that open hole completion system. The control system 22 in zone N also includes electromechanical drivers and electromechanical control devices for controlling the packers, sliding sleeves and perforating equipment depicted therein. Any known electromechanical driver 60 or electromechanical control device 64 may be used in connection with this invention to control a downhole tool or valve. Examples of suitable control apparatus are shown, for example, in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,343,963; 5,199,497; 5,346,014; and 5,188,183, all of the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference; FIGS. 2, 10 and 11 of the '168 patent to Upchurch and FIGS. 10 and 11 of the '160 patent to Upchurch; FIGS. 11-14 of the '112 patent to Schultz; and FIGS. 1-4 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,228 to Bannister.

Controllers 22 in each of zones 1, 2 and N have the ability not only to control the electromechanical devices associated with each of the downhole tools, but also have the ability to control other electronic control apparatus which may be associated with, for example, valving for additional fluid control. The downhole control systems 22 in zones 1, 2 and N further have the ability to communicate with each other (for example through hard wiring) so that actions in one zone may be used to effect the actions in another zone. This zone to zone communication constitutes still another important feature of the present invention. In addition, not only can the downhole computers 50 in each of control systems 22 communicate with each other, but the computers 50 also have ability (via transceiver system 52) to communicate through the surface control system 24 and thereby communicate with other surface control systems 24 at other well platforms (i.e., platforms 2 or N), at a remote central control position such as shown at 10 in FIG. 1, or each of the processors 50 in each downhole control system 22 in each zone 1, 2 or N can have the ability to communicate through its transceiver system 52 to other downhole computers 50 in other wells. For example, the downhole computer system 22 in zone 1 of well 2 in platform 1 may communicate with a downhole control system on platform 2 located in one of the zones or one of the wells associated therewith. Thus, the downhole control system of the present invention permits communication between computers in different wellbores, communication between computers in different zones and communication between computers from one specific zone to a central remote location.

Information sent from the surface to transceiver 52 may consist of actual control information, or may consist of data which is used to reprogram the memory in processor 50 for initiating of automatic control based on sensor information. In addition to reprogramming information, the information sent from the surface may also be used to recalibrate a particular sensor. Processor 50 in turn may not only send raw data and status information to the surface through transceiver 52, but may also process data downhole using appropriate algorithms and other methods so that the information sent to the surface constitutes derived data in a form well suited for analysis.

Referring to FIG. 3, an enlarged view of zones 2 and N from well 2 of platform 1 is shown. As discussed, a plurality of downhole flow sensors 56 and downhole formation evaluation sensors 58 communicate with downhole controller 22. The sensors are permanently located downhole and are positioned in the completion string and/or in the borehole casing. In accordance with still another important feature of this invention, formation evaluation sensors may be incorporated in the completion string such as shown at 58A-C in zone 2; or may be positioned adjacent the borehole casing 78 such as shown at 58D-F in zone N. In the latter case, the formation evaluation sensors are hardwired back to control system 22. The formation evaluation sensors may be of the type described above including density, porosity and resistivity types. These sensors measure formation geology, formation saturation, formation porosity, gas influx, water content, petroleum content and formation chemical elements such as potassium, uranium and thorium. Examples of suitable sensors are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,278,758 (porosity), 5,134,285 (density) and 5,001,675 (electromagnetic resistivity), all of the contents of each patent being incorporated herein by reference.

The multiwell/multizone production well control system of the present invention may be operated as follows:

1. Place the downhole systems 22 in the tubing string 38. 2. Use the surface computer system 24 to test the downhole modules 22 going into the borehole to assure that they are working properly. 3. Program the modules 22 for the proper downhole parameters to be monitored. 4. Install and interface the surface sensors 46 to the computer controlled system 24. 5. Place the downhole modules 22 in the borehole, and assure that they reach the proper zones to be monitored and/or controlled by gathering the formation natural gamma rays in the borehole, and comparing the data to existing MWD or wireline logs, and monitoring the information provided by the depth measurement module 44. 6. Collect data at fixed intervals after all downhole modules 22 have been installed by polling each of the downhole systems 22 in the borehole using the surface computer based system 24. 7. If the electromechanical devices 64 need to be actuated to control the formation and/or well flow, the operator may send a command to the downhole electronics module 50 instructing it to actuate the electromechanical device. A message will be sent to the surface from the electronics control module 50 indicating that the command was executed. Alternatively, the downhole electronics module may automatically actuate the electromechanical device without an external command from the surface. 8. The operator can inquire the status of wells from a remote location 10 by establishing a phone or satellite link to the desired location. The remote surface computer 24 will ask the operator for a password for proper access to the remote system. 9. A message will be sent from the downhole module 22 in the well to the surface system 24 indicating that an electromechanical device 64 was actuated by the downhole electronics 50 if a flow or borehole parameter changed outside the normal operating range. The operator will have the option to question the downhole module as to why the action was taken in the borehole and overwrite the action by commanding the downhole module to go back to the original status. The operator may optionally send to the module a new set of parameters that will reflect the new operating ranges. 10. During an emergency situation or loss of power all devices will revert to a known fail safe mode.

A common form of well production testing utilizes pressure measurement techniques from inside the wellbore. These well known measurements relate to the determination of the rate of production of hydrocarbons at different drawdown pressures. The pressure measurements are used in productivity or deliverability tests involving a physical or empirical determination of the produced fluid flow versus bottom hole pressure drawdowns.

Transient pressure tests, of which pressure build-up testing is a common type, provides the production well operator with a wide variety of important and crucial information such as information relative to the porosity and permeability of the producing formation. Referring to FIG. 9, in a conventional pressure build-up test, the well is produced at a constant rate long enough to establish a stabilized pressure distribution identified at q. Thereafter, the well is shut in. Referring again to FIG. 9, t.sub.p is production time and .DELTA.t is shut-in time. Pressure is measured immediately before shut-in, and is recorded as a function of time during the shut-in period. The resulting pressure build-up curve is a then analyzed for reservoir properties and wellbore condition.

In a conventional production well, pressure build-up and other pressure transient tests of the type described above are accomplished using a variety of systems which are placed temporarily in the wellbore. In drill stem testing, these pressure transient testing systems are positioned after drilling and prior to the completion string being delivered downhole. An example of a prior art drill stem testing system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,113. Drill stem testing equipment cannot be permanently positioned downhole and such equipment is removed prior to production. Thereafter, pressure transient tests can only be accomplished using other types of temporary pressure testing tools which are generally delivered downhole by coil tubing, drillpipe or on wireline. This temporary pressure build-up test equipment suffers from serious deficiencies and disadvantages. For example, the prior art does not allow for full bore testing. Therefore, the production data derived from the pressure build-up test are associated with well known wellbore storage effects which adversely affect the accuracy of the data. Using temporary pressure testing equipment with less than full bore measurement capability also does not allow for testing to be at the sand face as would be desirable. Temporary testing equipment also masks the true pressures downhole and therefore the data derived is associated with pressure drops that are not actually present during actual production.

The presently implemented prior art requires computer simulations derived from drill stem test data (which in and of itself is inherently problematic) and is used to determine initial downhole choke settings for the temporary pressure testing equipment. Any changes to the choke settings are difficult to make and require costly intervention. Indeed, the expensive and time consuming requirement for well intervention associated with the prior art testing devices is extremely disadvantageous and leads to an undesirable halting of production from, or injection into, other zones within the same well. It is similarly very difficult, if not impossible, to precisely control pressure testing at various production zones within a given well.

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, and in contrast with the aforementioned prior art, a permanently installed pressure test system is used to run pressure transient tests downhole such as the aforementioned pressure build-up test. This test system is useful both for production wells and injection wells. An example of a permanently installed control system for pressure transient tests in a typical multi-zone production well is depicted in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 10, a well is shown at 400 which includes well casing 402 and a production completion string 404 positioned within casing 402. A plurality of isolation packers 406 are positioned at the boundaries of various production zones so as to isolate portions of the completion string 404. Each production zone is associated with a distinct downhole production control system for running the pressure transient tests. This production control system includes selective, remotely controlled shut-in and/or choke valves and remotely monitored pressure gauges and flow meters, all of which are associated with a downhole controller. Power and/or instructional signals may be delivered to the downhole pressure test system either from a surface system or from downhole, as discussed above with regard to FIGS. 1-7.

Referring again to FIG. 10, a shut-in/choke valve 408 receives fluid being produced from the formation. The produced fluid flows into the annulus 412 of well 400 and into the openings 410 of valve 408. Valve 408 provides for selective shut-in during testing and adjustable choke flow control during production/production testing. A flow meter 414 measures the flow of fluid within the production tubing 404 and will thereby enable measurement of tubing flow from all zones upstream of the flow meter. A pressure gauge 416 is similarly associated with the flow meter 414 and shut-in/choke valve 408. Pressure gauge 416 enables individual sand face pressure measurements (in the annulus), tubing pressure measurements for flowing bottom hole pressure. In those cases where the flow meter is a venturi flow meter, the pressure gauge 416 also provides for the requisite fluid density correction. Of course, the shut-in/choke valve 408, flow meter 414 and pressure gauge 416 will be associated with a downhole control system 417 of the type described in FIGS. 6 and 7. Thus, a downhole microprocessor or similar controller will be associated with each of the valves, meters and gauges so as to receive data from the meters and gauges and initiate actuation of the valves. Also, in the FIG. 10 embodiment, each of the valves 408, flowmeter 414, pressure gauge 416 and controller 417 is hardwired to a cable 418 from the surface for delivery of power and transmission of signals and data. A preferred cable is the TEC cable discribed in detail hereafter. Of course, the present invention contemplates other wireless modes of power delivery and communications as described in detail above. Examples of suitable downhole power supplies are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/668,053 filed Jun. 19, 1996, assigned to the assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a variation of the permanent downhole pressure testing system of FIG. 10 is shown in a multi-zone open hole horizontal well. As in FIG. 10, the permanent downhole transient pressure test system of FIGS. 11 and 12 include a shut-in/choke valve 408, a flow meter 414 and a pressure gauge 416. In addition, a series of open hole isolation packers 420 act to isolate each of the transient pressure test control systems in a particular zone. The flow meter 414, pressure gauge 416, valve 408 and downhole computer and other electronics 417 communicate with one another and/or receive power from the surface and or from downhole using a suitable cable 418 as discussed with regard to FIG. 10.

The novel permanently installed, remotely monitored and controlled transient pressure test systems as depicted in FIGS. 10-12 and in accordance with the present invention provide many features and advantages relative to the temporarily installed transient pressure testing apparatus of the prior art. The present invention is useful in both single and multi-zone production and injection wells. The unique configuration and positioning of the in-flow (production)/outflow (injection) valve and pressure gauges at the sand face and between isolation packers enable conventional pressure build-up tests, multi-rate flow testing, interwell and intrawell interference testing, pressure fall-off testing and injectivity testing. In contrast to the prior art, the foregoing test methods are performed using the full bore with no restrictions. Therefore, the test results rely on actual, real production data thereby eliminating the wellbore storage effects imposed by conventional pressure build-up testing apparatus. That is, in contrast to the present invention, using conventional temporary testing strings with less than full bore testing capability, the test valve and pressure gauges are away from the sand face leading to undesirable wellbore storage effects. These temporary strings also mask the real pressures whereas in the present invention, only the actual pressure drops are measured so as to simulate actual production.

The elimination of wellbore storage effects also leads to reduced shut-in times for the zones being tested. In addition, the ability to specifically locate a transient pressure test system in any one of the zones of interest allow only that zone (or zones) of interest to be subjected to test conditions at any one point in time. This is in contrast to the prior art where the entire well was subjected to test conditions at the same time. Because the transient pressure test system is permanently located downhole as part of the production completion string, time consuming and extremely expensive well intervention methods are not required in stark contrast to the temporary pressure test strings associated with prior art transient pressure testing. Still another important feature of the present invention is that the transient pressure testing can be done without halting production from, or injection into, other zones within the same well. Thus, a particular zone of interest may be subjected to test conditions while other zones of interest continue to be produced (or injected) all within the same well. This constitutes a significant advance in the field of pressure testing for production and injection wells.

Still other significant features and advantages provided by the present invention is that the use of a permanently installed remotely controlled and monitored transient pressure test system enables true downhole nodal sensitivity and control through real-time. That is, because each zone in a well has different permeablities, pressures, flow rates and the like, the prior art testing capabilities do not permit differentiation of nodal sensitivities between one zone and another zone. In contrast, the present invention allows for such nodal sensitivity and analysis in real-time. This is provided by selected inflow volumetric rate measurement and control and selected flowing bottomhole pressure measurement and control, both of which are done under true co-mingled flow conditions for interactive production optimization. The choke valves 408 shown in FIGS. 10-12 are used in an attempt to compensate for the differences in nodal sensitivity in each zone. Using a choke ensures that pressure inside the production tubing is always less than the pressure outside the tubing. As any zone changes, the pressure to the interior tubing changes and therefore alters the required choke setting. Presently, computer simulations from drill stem test data (which is inherently problematic) is used to determine initial choke settings. Any changes are difficult to make and require costly intervention. However, the automatic system of the invention allows for real time choke changes in response to real-time pressure measurements during production and therefore optimization of the entire system.

While FIG. 10 depicted a typical vertical mutli-zone production well, the FIGS. 11 and 12 embodiment depict a configuration for open hole which illustrates optimization of placement within the wellbore to facilitate the transient pressure analysis of a complex reservoir. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, shale stringers represent drainage obstructions and potential sealing joints resulting in "separate" zones. The present invention as described above, enables characterization and flexible, interventionless selective zonal control due to heterogeneity.

As will be discussed hereinafter, an example of a remotely controlled shut-off valve and variable choke assembly which may be used in the pressure test system of FIGS. 11-12 is depicted in FIG. 13.

Traditional permanent downhole gauge (e.g. sensor) installations require the mounting and installation of a pressure gauge external to the production tubing thus making the gauge an integral part of the tubing string. This is done so that tubing and/or annulus pressure can be monitored without restricting the flow diameter of the tubing. However, a drawback to this conventional gauge design is that should a gauge fail or drift out of calibration requiring replacement, the entire tubing string must be pulled to retrieve and replace the gauge. In accordance with the present invention an improved gauge or sensor construction (relative to the prior art permanent gauge installations), is to mount the gauge or sensor in such a manner that it can be retrieved by common wireline practices through the production tubing without restricting the flow path. This is accomplished by mounting the gauge in a side pocket mandrel.

Side pocket mandrels have been used for many years in the oil industry to provide a convenient means of retrieving or changing out service devices needed to be in close proximity to the bottom of the well or located at a particular depth. Side pocket mandrels perform a variety of functions, the most common of which is allowing gas from the annulus to communicate with oil in the production tubing to lighten it for enhanced production. Another popular application for side pocket mandrels is the chemical injection valve, which allows chemicals pumped from the surface, to be introduced at strategic depths to mix with the produced fluids or gas. These chemicals inhibit corrosion, particle build up on the I.D. of the tubing and many other functions.

As mentioned above, permanently mounted pressure gauges have traditionally been mounted to the tubing which in effect makes them part of the tubing. By utilizing a side pocket mandrel however, a pressure gauge or other sensor may be installed in the pocket making it possible to retrieve when necessary. This novel mounting method for a pressure gauge or other downhole sensor is shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A. In FIG. 8, a side pocket mandrel is shown at 86 and includes a primary through bore 88 and a laterally displaced side pocket 90. Mandrel 86 is threadably connected to the production tubing using threaded connection 92. Positioned in side pocket 90 is a sensor 94 which may comprise any suitable transducer for measuring flow, pressure, temperature or the like. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, a pressure/temperature transducer 94 (Model 2225A or 2250A commercially available from Panex Corporation of Houston, Tex.) is depicted having been inserted into side pocket 90 through an opening 96 in the upper surface (e.g., shoulder) 97 of side pocket 90 (see FIG. 8A). The pressure gauge of FIG. 8 is described further in application Ser. No. 08/599,324, assigned to the assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference.

Information derived from downhole sensor 94 may be transmitted to a downhole electronic module 22 as discussed in detail above or may be transmitted (through wireless or hardwired means) directly to a surface system 24. In the FIGS. 8 and 8A embodiments, a hardwired cable 98 is used for transmission. Preferably the cable 98 comprises tubular encased conductor or TEC available from Baker Oil Tools of Houston, Tex. TEC comprises a centralized conductor or conductors encapsulated in a stainless steel or other steel jacket with or without epoxy filling. An oil or other pneumatic or hydraulic fluid fills the annular area between the steel jacket and the central conductor or conductors. Thus, a hydraulic or pneumatic control line is obtained which contains an electrical conductor. The control line can be used to convey pneumatic pressure or fluid pressure over long distances with the electrical insulated wire or wires utilized to convey an electrical signal (power and/or data) to or from an instrument, pressure reading device, switch contact, motor or other electrical device. Alternatively, the cable may be comprised of Center-Y tubing encased conductor wire which is also available from Baker Oil Tools. This latter cable comprises one or more centralized conductor encased in a Y-shaped insulation, all of which is further encased in an epoxy filled steel jacket. It will be appreciated that the TEC cable must be connected to a pressure sealed penetrating device to make signal transfer with gauge 94. Various methods including mechanical (e.g., conductive), capacitive, inductive or optical methods are available to accomplish this coupling of gauge 94 and cable 92. A preferred method which is believed most reliable and most likely to survive the harsh downhole environment is a known "inductive coupler" 99.

Referring to FIG. 13, a remotely controlled downhole device is shown which provides for actuation of a variable downhole choke and positively seals off the wellbore above from downhole well pressure. This variable choke and shut-off valve system is subject to actuation from the surface, autonomously or interactively with other intelligent downhole tools in response to changing downhole conditions without the need for physical reentry of the wellbore to position a choke. This system may also be automatically controlled downhole as discussed with regard to FIGS. 6 and 7. As will be discussed hereinafter, this system contains pressure sensors upstream and downstream of the choke/valve members and real time monitoring of the response of the well allows for a continuous adjustment of choke combination to achieve the desired wellbore pressure parameters. The choke body members are actuated selectively and sequentially, thus providing for wireline replacement of choke orifices if necessary.

Turning to FIG. 13, the variable choke and shut off valve system of this invention includes a housing 230 having an axial opening 232 therethrough. Within axial opening 232 are a series (in this case two) of ball valve chokes 234 and 236 which are capable of being actuated to provide sequentially smaller apertures; for example, the aperture in ball valve choke 234 is smaller than the relatively larger aperture in ball valve choke 236. A shut-off valve 238, may be completely shut off to provide a full bore flow position through axial opening 232. Each ball valve choke 234 and 236 and shut-off valve 238 are releasably engageable to an engaging gear 240, 242 and 244, respectively. These engaging gears are attached to a threaded drive shaft 246 and drive shaft 246 is attached to appropriate motor gearing 248 which in turn is attached to stepper motor 250. A computerized electronic controller 252 provides actuation control signals to stepper motor 250. Downhole controller 252 communicates with a pair of pressure transducers, one transducer 254 being located upstream of the ball valve chokes and a second pressure transducer 256 being located downstream of the ball valve chokes. Microprocessor controller 252 can communicate with the surface either by wireless means of the type described in detail above or, as shown in FIG. 13 by hard wired means such as the power/data supply cable 258 which is preferably of the TEC type described above.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ball valve chokes are positioned in a stacked configuration within the system and are sequentially actuated by the control rotation mechanism of the stepper motor, motor gearing and threaded drive shaft. Each ball valve choke is configured to have two functional positions: an "open" position with a fully open bore and an "actuated" position where the choke bore or closure valve is introduced into the wellbore axis. Each member rotates 90.degree. pivoting about its respective central axis into each of the two functional positions. Rotation of each of the members is accomplished by actuation of the stepper motor which actuates the motor gearing which in turn drives the threaded drive shaft 246 such that the engaging gears 240, 242 or 244 will engage a respective ball valve choke 234 or 236 or shut-off valve 238. Actuation by the electronic controller 252 may be based, in part upon readings from pressure transducers 254 and 256 or by a control signal from the surface.

The variable choke and shut-off valve system of the present invention provides important features and advantages including a novel means for the selective actuation of a downhole adjustable choke as well as a novel means for installation of multiple, remotely or interactively controlled downhole chokes and shut-off valves to provide tuned/optimized wellbore performance. As mentioned, the FIG. 13 system is also well suited for use with the permanently installed pressure test system of FIGS. 10-12.

In an alternate construction of the invention hereinbefore described and referring to FIGS. 14A-D, a side pocket 290 is oriented upside down to conventional side pockets. In other words, rather than orienting the side pocket opening 296 downhole, the side pocket opening 296 is oriented uphole thereby rendering the side pocket structure extending downhole rather than uphole. This alleviates the problem of silt collecting in the side pocket. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, in a normally oriented (upward) side pocket a cup is created which allows silt carried with the production fluid to settle into the pocket. This may interfere with the operation of sensors and certainly cause problems related to changing sensors since once the original sensor is removed, the silt will settle into the opening 96 thus completely or at least partially occluding the same. With the alternate construction, however, pocket 296 does not become occluded with silt since falling or settling particles fall down the production tube and are not collected in the pocket 290. Moreover, any silt flushed into pocket 290 will settle back into the production tube via down angled section 297 thus maintaining the pocket opening 290 in a clear condition. Because of the clearer condition of the pocket, changing of sensors is simplified. In other respects, the pocket 290 is the same as the other embodiments discussed herein. It is capable of supporting all of the same sensors in equivalent positions (albeit upside down) and merely provides the added benefit discussed herein.

In addition, the side pocket 290 is particularly adapted to receive gauge/inductive coupler 310 (FIG. 14C). Gauge/inductive coupler 310 is, in commercial form, available from Panex Corporation, Sugarland, Tex. and is disclosed under U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,457,988 and 5,455,573 the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The inductive couple is composed of female inductive coupler 348 and male inductive coupler 349.

As will be clearly understood by one of skill in the art from a perusal of FIGS. 14A-D, the side pocket 290 depends from main bore 288 similarly to those embodiments hereinbefore described, however being oriented upside down. The side pocket 290 of the invention includes a relatively broad shoulder area 312 having a through bore 313 adapted to sealingly receive a connector assembly 336 which inductively, or alternatively conductively, communicates with a sensor or gauge 318 disposed within side pocket 290. Side pocket 290 is defined by said shoulder area 312 and an outer wall 330 and inner wall 332. Inner wall 332 extends a shorter distance than the entire extent of side pocket 290 so as to expose latch 320 of gauge 318. Latch 320 provides the triple function of sealing the lower end of the side pocket 290, and providing a structure to maintain the sensor in the side pocket and also is adapted to engage a removal tool for when the sensor is changed. Seal 334 is of a metal-to-metal type and prevents primary bore fluid from "washing" the side pocket and sensor. This is advantageous because it reduces wear of the components. Latch 320 includes dogs 322 and 324 which are in a recessed position during installation of the gauge 318 but extend into recesses 326 and 328 upon loading of the sensor in a known manner. Once the dogs 322, 324 are engaged with recesses 326 and 328, the sensor is secured in the side pocket. In order to remove the sensor from the side pocket, a removal tool (not shown) is run below the side pocket; next a kickover tool (not shown) is employed to push the removal tool over into the side pocket so that engagement with the latch is possible; a jerk upward to release the dogs and a jerk downward to withdraw the sensor is all that is necessary. The sensor can then be moved along in the primary bore 288 as desired. Inner wall 332 also includes a port 333 to allow pressure from the primary bore to reach the sensor or gauge 318. The port does not create any risk of "washing" but does as is known to one of skill in the art allow pressure to be read by the sensor or gauge. Also importantly, side pocket 290 of the invention is maintained in a parallel relationship to main bore 288 as opposed to some prior art side pocket mandrels where side pockets are positioned at an angle to the main bore. The arrangement of the present invention provides the advantage of a smaller overall diameter than the prior art. This allows entry into smaller identified boreholes and thus is clearly beneficial to the industry.

Also beneficial are the metal-to-metal high pressure fittings 338 and 340 of the invention which are disposed, one on the surface connection assembly 336 (338) and one in the throughbore 313 (340). The metal-to-metal fittings provide an excellent high pressure seal which has proven extremely reliable. The seal is aided by O-rings 350 and 351.

The arrangement of the invention is advantageous not only for the reasons discussed above but because it enables easy exchange of surface connection assemblies.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled shut-off valve and variable choke assembly comprising:

a housing having a longitudinal passage;

a shut-off valve in said passage;

at least one variable choke valve in said passage;

a control assembly operatively connected to said shut-off valve and said variable choke valve for selectively actuating said valves between open and closed positions;

an electronic controller in communication with said control assembly for actuating said control assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said variable choke valve is upstream of said shut-off valve.

3. The assembly of claim I including:

a plurality of choke valves, each having a distinct flow orifice.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said control assembly includes a motor.