DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE OF A RESTRICTION ELEMENT INSIDE A WELL

1 . A setting tool for setting a plug in a well, the setting tool comprising:

a housing extending along a longitudinal axis X and having a bore;

a sleeve extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing, and located within the bore of the housing; and

a holding mechanism located within the sleeve and configured to hold a ball within the sleeve,

wherein the holding mechanism is configured to release the ball upon receiving a signal.

2 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the signal is a physical touch between a part of the holding mechanism and a plug set by the setting tool.

3 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the signal is an electrical signal sent along a wire from the surface to the holding mechanism.

4 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the signal is an acoustic signal detected by a local controller of the holding mechanism.

5 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the signal is a pressure change in a well fluid around the holding mechanism.

6 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the signal is related to a motion pattern.

7 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the signal is a velocity of the setting tool inside the well.

8 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the holding mechanism includes a swinging arm that has a closed position for holding the ball inside the sleeve and an open position for releasing the ball.

9 . The setting tool of claim 8 , wherein the swinging arm changes from the closed position to the open position when a pushing arm contacts the plug.

10 . The setting tool of claim 8 , wherein the holding mechanism further comprises:

a biasing mechanism located inside the sleeve and pressing against the ball to exit the sleeve.

11 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises:

a rotating arm that holds the ball; and

a motor connected to the rotating arm and configured to rotate the rotating arm to release the ball.

12 . The setting tool of claim 11 , wherein the motor is located inside an inner cavity of the sleeve, which is insulated from the well fluid, and the rotating arm extends through a wall of the inner cavity so that a first part of the rotating arm is located inside the inner cavity and a second part of the rotating arm is located outside the inner cavity.

13 . The setting tool of claim 11 , wherein the holding mechanism further comprises:

a sensor configured to determine the signal; and

a controller configured to release the ball upon receiving the signal.

14 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the holding mechanism is a mechanical enclosure having a flexible wall that holds the ball.

15 . A setting tool for setting a plug in a well, the setting tool comprising:

a sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to be attached to the plug;

a ball that fits inside a bore of the sleeve; and

a holding mechanism located within the sleeve and configured to hold the ball within the sleeve,

wherein the holding mechanism is configured to release the ball upon receiving a signal.

16 . The setting tool of claim 1 , wherein the signal is a physical touch of a part of the holding mechanism with a plug set by the setting tool, or an electrical signal sent along a wire from the surface to the holding mechanism, or an acoustic signal detected by a controller of the holding mechanism, or a pressure change in a well fluid around the holding mechanism, or a motion related signal, or a velocity of the setting tool inside the well.

17 . A method for releasing a ball from a setting tool in a well, the method comprising:

loading the ball into the setting tool;

securing the ball to the setting tool with a holding mechanism located within the setting tool;

lowering the setting tool and the ball into the well;

activating the setting tool to set up a plug inside the well; and

releasing the ball into the well based on a signal received by the holding mechanism.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the signal is a physical touch between a part of the holding mechanism and a plug set by the setting tool, or an electrical signal sent along a wire from the surface to the holding mechanism, or an acoustic signal detected by a controller of the holding mechanism, or a pressure change in a well fluid around the holding mechanism, or a motion related signal, or a velocity of the setting tool inside the well.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

actuating a motor to release the ball.

20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

pushing a pushing arm to release the ball.