초록 ▼

A technique is provided to control operation of well tools deployed in a wellbore. The technique utilizes a completion with at least one well tool actuated by fluid input. An electronic trigger system is associated with each well tool and is designed to respond to a unique series of pressure pulses.

A technique is provided to control operation of well tools deployed in a wellbore. The technique utilizes a completion with at least one well tool actuated by fluid input. An electronic trigger system is associated with each well tool and is designed to respond to a unique series of pressure pulses. Upon receiving the unique series of pressure pulses, the electronic trigger system actuates to enable flow of actuating fluid to the well tool for operation of the well tool.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for use in a wellbore, comprising: a completion having a well tool actuated by fluid input via an input port; and an electronic trigger system coupled to the input port via a control line, the electronic trigger system being powered by a self-contained battery for ac

What is claimed is: 1. A system for use in a wellbore, comprising: a completion having a well tool actuated by fluid input via an input port; and an electronic trigger system coupled to the input port via a control line, the electronic trigger system being powered by a self-contained battery for actuation in response to a unique series of pressure pulses, wherein upon actuation the electronic trigger system enables flow of actuating fluid through the control line to actuate the well tool, wherein the well tool comprises a plurality of well tools and the electronic trigger system comprises a plurality of electronic trigger systems with each electronic trigger system dedicated to a corresponding well tool of the plurality of well tools. 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic trigger system further comprises a pressure sensor to sense the unique series of pressure pulses. 3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the electronic trigger system further comprises a valve mechanism to selectively enable the flow of actuating fluid through the control line to the well tool. 4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the valve mechanism comprises a valve body having an opening to receive fluid; and a piston mechanism disposed in the valve body, the piston mechanism movable from a closed position blocking flow through the opening to an open position allowing flow through the opening to the control line. 5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the piston is held in the closed position by a biasing liquid held in place by a plug. 6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the plug is held in place by a lead screw coupled to a gearbox which, in turn, is coupled to a motor that may be actuated to turn the lead screw and release the plug. 7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each electronic trigger system responds to its own specific pressure pulse signal, further wherein all the specific pressure pulse signals fall within the same pressure range. 8. A system for controlling actuation of a plurality of hydraulic tools deployed in a wellbore, comprising: a plurality of electronic trigger systems that selectively block a supply of actuating hydraulic fluid to the plurality of hydraulic tools, each electronic trigger system being actuable, via a specific pressure pulse signal, to enable flow of actuating hydraulic fluid to a corresponding hydraulic tool, wherein each electronic trigger system is powered by its own internal power supply. 9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein each electronic trigger system is shaped as a generally elongate cylinder having a diameter of less than 1 inch. 10. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the specific pressure pulse signals for the plurality of electronic trigger systems all fall within the same pressure range without relying on sequentially higher pressure ranges to differentiate actuation. 11. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein each electronic trigger system is coupled to a corresponding hydraulic tool of the plurality of hydraulic tools by a control line for conducting the actuating hydraulic fluid. 12. A system for controlling actuation of a well tool deployed in a well completion, comprising: an actuator able to selectively open flow of an actuating fluid to the well tool; a pressure sensor to detect a specific pressure pulse signal; and an electronic system coupled between the pressure sensor and the actuator to direct operation of the actuator when the specific pressure pulse signal is detected by the pressure sensor, the actuator comprising a piston slidable between a closed position blocking flow of the actuating fluid and an open position enabling flow of the actuating fluid, wherein movement of the piston is controlled by a motor and gearbox unit. 13. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a battery to power the actuator. 14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the actuator, the pressure sensor, the electronic system and the battery are carried by a generally cylindrical body that is attachable to the wellbore completion. 15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the generally cylindrical body is attachable along a surface of the wellbore completion. 16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the piston is biased to the closed position by a biasing liquid held in place by a plug and a lead screw. 17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the lead screw is selectively operated by the motor and a gearbox unit to remove the plug and release the biasing liquid to allow the piston to be forced to the open position. 18. The system as recited in claim 14, further comprising a carrier member integrated into the well completion, the carrier member having a side slot for receiving the generally cylindrical body therein. 19. A method of actuating a plurality of devices in a wellbore, comprising: deploying a completion in a wellbore, the completion having a plurality of well tools actuable via hydraulic fluid; associating a unique pressure pulse signal with each of a plurality of electronic trigger systems; providing each electronic trigger system with an actuator and a self-contained power source; and controlling flow of hydraulic fluid to the plurality of well tools by the plurality of electronic trigger system actuators which are independently actuable in response to the unique pressure pulse signals. 20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein associating comprises creating a specific series of pressure pulses separated by predetermined time periods, and varying the predetermined time periods from one electronic trigger system to the next along the completion. 21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein providing comprises providing each electronic trigger system with a battery able to power electronics for decoding the unique pressure pulse signals and able to power a motor disposed in the electronic trigger system and coupled to an actuator piston positioned to selectively enable flow of the hydraulic fluid to a specific well tool for actuation of the specific well tool. 22. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising constructing each electronic trigger system with a pressure sensor, an electronic system, a motor, and a valve in a generally elongate body having a diameter less than 1 inch.