Remote Operation of Setting Tools for Liner Hangers
Methods and systems are provided for remotely operating a setting tool for a liner hanger ( 402 ) independent of a ball seating or dart landing. Operating the setting tool independent of the ball seating or dart landing may allow for a sufficient pressure differential to properly set the liner hanger.
1 . A method for remotely operating a setting tool for a liner hanger in a wellbore, the method comprising:
exchanging signals between a first device and a second device via a medium in connection with the setting tool, wherein the second device is adjacent to the setting tool; and
performing operations of the setting tool 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 the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted by an acoustic transmitter that is in physical contact with the medium.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted longitudinally, transversely, or a combination of both with respect to the medium.
7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by toroidal coils that are not in physical contact with the medium.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by a single-wire line transmission system.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a signal confirming the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the operations comprise actuating at least one of a valve, a tool, and a monitoring sensor.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving the signal comprises receiving confirmation of actuation of at least one of the valve, the tool, and the monitoring sensor.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein receiving the signal comprises:
receiving a signal comprising force and displacement measurements of the liner hanger; and
confirming proper setting of the liner hanger based on the signal.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises exchanging signals through a body of water using sonar or an acoustic modem.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
exchanging other signals between the first device and a third device via a medium in connection with a cementing head, wherein the third device is adjacent to the cementing head; and
performing cementing head operations corresponding to the other exchanged signals.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein exchanging the other signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the third device.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving a signal confirming the operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the third device.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein sensors confirm the operations of the cementing head.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the cementing head operations comprise dropping plugs, darts, tool activation, and confirmation devices into the wellbore.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
receiving a signal confirming proper placement of the plugs into the wellbore, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device; and
upon receiving the signal confirming the proper placement, performing the operations of the setting tool.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein sensors confirm proper placement of the plugs into the wellbore.
22 . A system for remotely operating a setting tool for a liner hanger in a wellbore, the system comprising:
a first device located at a rig floor of the wellbore;
a second device adjacent to the setting tool; and
a control unit for remotely operating the setting tool, wherein the control unit is configured to:
exchange signals between the first device and the second device via a medium in connection with the setting tool; and
perform operations of the setting tool corresponding to the exchanged signals.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals.
24 . The system of claim 22 , the control unit configured to exchange the signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device.
25 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the control unit is configured to receive a signal confirming the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device.
26 . The system of claim 25 , wherein the control unit configured to receive the signal comprises:
receiving a signal comprising force and displacement measurements of the liner hanger; and
confirming proper setting of the liner hanger based on the signal.
27 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the control unit configured to exchange the signals comprises exchanging signals through a body of water using sonar or an acoustic modem.
28 . The system of claim 22 , further comprising:
a third device adjacent to a cementing head; and
another control unit for remotely operating the cementing head, wherein the other control unit is configured to:
exchange other signals between the first device and the third device via a medium in connection with the cementing head; and
perform cementing head operations corresponding to the other exchanged signals.