Remotely operated isolation valve
A method of operating an isolation valve can include continuously transmitting a signal to a detector section, and a control system operating an actuator in response to the detector section detecting cessation of the signal transmission. A well system can include an isolation valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore, a remotely positioned signal transmitter, and the isolation valve including a control system which operates an actuator in response to detection of a signal by a detector section. Another well system can include an isolation valve interconnected in a tubular string, and the tubular string being cemented in a wellbore, with cement being disposed in an annulus formed radially between the isolation valve and the wellbore.
1. A method of operating an isolation valve in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
interconnecting the isolation valve between ends of a casing string located in the wellbore;
continuously transmitting a signal to a detector section of the isolation valve; and
energizing an actuator of the isolation valve via a control system in response to the detector section detecting that continuous transmission of the signal has ceased.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal is transmitted from a remote location.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the signal is transmitted from the remote location via telemetry.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the telemetry comprises at least one of the group consisting of electromagnetic, acoustic, and pressure pulse telemetry.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting further comprises maintaining a configuration of the isolation valve unchanged.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein energizing the actuator further comprises changing the configuration of the isolation valve.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the isolation valve is cemented in a wellbore.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein cement is positioned in an annulus formed between the isolation valve and the wellbore.
9. A well system, comprising:
an isolation valve interconnected between ends of a casing string located in a wellbore which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore;
a signal transmitter which transmits a signal, the signal transmitter being positioned remotely from the isolation valve;
the isolation valve including a detector section which detects the signal; and
the isolation valve further including a control system which energizes an actuator of the isolation valve in response to cessation of the signal.
10. The well system of claim 9 , wherein the control system electrically energizes the actuator in response to detection of the signal by the detector section.
11. The well system of claim 10 , wherein the control system maintains a configuration of the isolation valve unchanged in response to continuous transmission of the signal.
12. The well system of claim 11 , wherein the control system changes the configuration of the isolation valve in response to interruption of the continuous transmission of the signal.
13. The well system of claim 9 , wherein the signal is transmitted from the remote location via telemetry.
14. The well system of claim 13 , wherein the telemetry comprises at least one of the group consisting of electromagnetic, acoustic, and pressure pulse telemetry.
15. The well system of claim 9 , wherein the isolation valve is cemented in a wellbore.
16. The well system of claim 15 , wherein cement is positioned in an annulus formed between the isolation valve and the wellbore.
17. A well system, comprising:
an isolation valve interconnected between ends of a casing string located in a wellbore which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore;
the isolation valve being interconnected in a tubular string; and
the tubular string being cemented in the wellbore, with cement being disposed in an annulus formed radially between the isolation valve and the wellbore, wherein the isolation valve includes a detector section which detects a signal, and a control system which energizes an actuator in response to detection of the signal by the detector section, thereby rotating a rotary valve of the isolation valve to a first position, whereby the fluid communication is permitted, and wherein the control system electrically energizes the actuator in response to detection that transmission of the signal has ceased, thereby rotating the rotary valve to a second position, whereby the fluid communication is prevented.
18. The well system of claim 17 , further comprising a signal transmitter which transmits the signal, the signal transmitter being positioned at a location remote from the isolation valve.
19. The well system of claim 18 , wherein the signal is transmitted from the remote location via telemetry.
20. The well system of claim 19 , wherein the telemetry comprises at least one of the group consisting of electromagnetic, acoustic, and pressure pulse telemetry.
21. The well system of claim 17 , wherein the control system maintains a configuration of the isolation valve unchanged in response to continuous transmission of the signal.
22. The well system of claim 21 , wherein the control system changes the configuration of the isolation valve in response to interruption of the continuous transmission of the signal.