Remote Operation of Cementing Head
Methods and systems are provided for remotely operating a cementing head. Remotely operating a cementing head ( 202 ) may allow for continued rotation as well as up or down movements (e.g., of a top drive).
1 . A method for remotely operating a cementing head in a wellbore, the method comprising:
exchanging signals between a first device and a second device via a medium in connection with the cementing head, wherein the second device is adjacent to the cementing head; and
performing cementing head operations corresponding to the exchanged signals.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium is a metal pipe.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first device is located at a rig floor of the wellbore.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising receiving a signal confirming the operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein sensors confirm the operations of the cementing head.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted by an acoustic transmitter that is in physical contact with the medium.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted longitudinally, transversely, or a combination of both with respect to the medium.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by toroidal coils that are not in physical contact with the medium.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one toroidal coil of the first device comprises partial toroidal coil sections mounted to form a complete toroidal coil.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the complete toroidal coil is formed by disposing the partial toroidal coil sections on a hinged frame around the medium.
13 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by a single-wire line transmission system.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the operations comprise dropping plugs, darts, tool activation, and confirmation devices into the wellbore.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises exchanging signals through a body of water using sonar or an acoustic modem.
16 . A system for remotely operating a cementing head in a wellbore, the system comprising:
a first device located at a rig floor of the wellbore;
a second device located adjacent to the cementing head; and
a control unit for remotely operating the cementing head, wherein the control unit is configured to:
exchange signals between the first device and the second device via a medium in connection with the cementing head; and
perform cementing head operations corresponding to the exchanged signals.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the control unit is attached to the second device.
18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising another control unit attached to the first device for processing the signals exchanged between the first device and the second device.
19 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising sensors for confirming the operations of the cementing head.
20 . The system of claim 19 , further comprising a handheld device for controlling the first device and receiving confirmations for the operations of the cementing head.
21 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals.
22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by toroidal coils that are not in physical contact with the medium.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein at least one toroidal coil of the first device comprises partial toroidal coil sections mounted to form a complete toroidal coil.
24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the complete toroidal coil is formed by disposing the partial toroidal coil sections on a hinged frame around the medium.