초록 ▼

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 pl

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). The multizone and/or multiwell control system of this invention is composed of multiple downhole electronically controlled electromechanical devices and multiple computer based surface systems operated from multiple locations. Important functions for these systems include the ability to predict the future flow profile of multiple wells and to monitor and control the fluid or gas flow from either the formation into the wellbore, or from the wellbore to the surface. The control system of this invention is also capable of receiving and transmitting data from multiple remote locations sch as inside the borehole, to or from other platforms, or from a location away from any well site.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for the downhole control of fluid produced in a production well having at least one production zone comprising:a downhole computerized control system which monitors actual downhole parameters and automatically executes control instructions in response to said

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for the downhole control of fluid produced in a production well having at least one production zone comprising:a downhole computerized control system which monitors actual downhole parameters and automatically executes control instructions in response to said monitored downhole parameters in said production zone, said downhole computerized control system being permanently deployed downhole to control at least one downhole fluid flow control tool, providing variable flow between, and including, fully open and fully closed, disposed in said production zone and thereby control production of fluid flowing from the formation into the production well and then to the surface of the production well. [11.] A method for controlling fluid produced from at least a first production zone in a production well comprising:sensing in said first production zone at least one downhole parameter to define at least one sensed parameter; andin said first production zone, automatically controlling at least one downhole fluid flow control tool in response to the sensed parameter utilizing a downhole computerized control system which has been permanently deployed downhole to variably control between, and including, fully open and fully closed conditions of the fluid flow control tool, production of fluid flowing from the formation into the production well and then to the surface of the production well. The method of claim 11 including:transmitting at least one of data or control signals from downhole to the surface or to another location downhole. The method of claim 11 including:initiating said automatic control without an external stimulus or signal from the surface. The method of claim 11 including:initiating said automatic control using signals originating, at least in part from downhole. The method of claim 11 wherein:said downhole computerized control system processes raw data based on the sensed parameters to derive processed data, said processed data being used for at least one of controlling production of said well and for transmission to the well surface.