Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A COMPLETION COMPONENT WITH POSITION DETECTION
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a completion component, a downhole system
and a method for determining a position of a displaceable part of a completion
component.
Background art
Many of the completion components in a well or a completion downhole comprise
movable parts, which is why it is relevant to identify the position of the
movable
parts. The completion component may for instance be an inflow control device,
which can be open and closed for inflow of fluid into the well. Accordingly,
it may
be desirable to determine whether a specific inflow control device is open or
closed and to verify this.
Equipment for performing identification of components downhole is known and
may for instance be tools which are arranged to make contact with the
components in order to identify the position of the movable part of the
component. However, in this operation there is a risk that the tool may
accidentally displace the movable part and thereby open or close the
component,
contrary to what was intended. Furthermore, when the tool makes contact with
the component and the surrounding area, there is a risk that it wears the
components and damages them.
In other known tools, the identification may be performed by logging or
scanning
tools. However, such tools often provide inaccurate determinations, which
means
that the operators of the well will not know for certain the position of the
movable parts.
One solution is known from U52008/0236819 in which one magnet is arranged in
a fixed part and another magnet in the sliding part of a sliding sleeve. The
position of the sliding part is then detected by moving a Casing Collar
Locator
(CCL) past the fixed magnet and by moving the CCL further past the slidable
magnet. By estimating the velocity of the CCL, the position of the slidable
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magnet in relation to the fixed magnet can then be calculated. The solution is
dependent on an accurate velocity determination which is impossible to get,
and
this hence results in a corresponding uncertainty in the determination of the
position of the sliding sleeve. Furthermore, the determination of the position
of
the sliding sleeve is dependent on a permanent magnet which over time has
shown to reduce its strength when exposed to the high temperatures downhole
and to pumps during downhole operations. Thus, such solution will be
inadequate, if not impossible, during the entire lifespan of a well, and the
precision of the position determination will be too uncertain when also
considering the velocity dependency.
Hence, there is a need for a more reliable way of determining the position of
the
movable parts of a completion component downhole.
Summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the
above
disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an
object to
provide an improved completion component in which the position of a
displaceable part may easily be determined, also in high temperature wells
having a sliding sleeve which has been in the well for more than 20 years.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a downhole
system having a detection tool in which determination of the position of the
displaceable part of the completion component is facilitated independently of
a
velocity of the detection tool and with the determination having a high degree
of
reliability.
The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and
features, which will become evident from the below description, are
accomplished
by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a completion
component having a circumference for insertion into a well tubular structure,
comprising:
- a tubular base part having an axial extension and a thickness and being
adapted to be mounted as part of the well tubular structure, and
- a displaceable part having a thickness and being displaceable in relation
to the
tubular base part from a first position to a second position,
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wherein the tubular base part comprises a plurality of first markers and the
displaceable part comprises a second marker for determining a position of the
displaceable part in relation to the tubular base part, the first and second
markers being arranged with a marker distance, wherein the first markers are
different in geometrical size or material, or arranged with a varying mutual
distance.
The first markers may be passive non-inducing markers.
By having passive non-inducing markers, the tool detecting the marker distance
does not rely on an inducing device, such as a magnet, which may be discharged
over time due to bumps induced to the casing, or due to the high temperature
downhole.
In an embodiment, the displaceable part may be displaceable in an axial
direction
in relation to the tubular base part.
Further, the displaceable part may be displaceable by rotation in relation to
the
tubular base part.
In one embodiment, the displaceable part may be arranged within the tubular
base part.
In another embodiment, the displaceable part may be arranged outside the
tubular base part.
Also, the displaceable part may be arranged in a groove of the tubular base
part.
Moreover, the marker distance may be larger than zero, so that the first and
second markers do not overlap in the axial extension.
Furthermore, the first markers may be grooves in the tubular part.
Said grooves may have different depths and/or different extensions in the
axial
extension.
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In this way, the first markers function as a bar code for identifying a
specific
completion component down the well. When manufacturing a completion
component, such bar code could be implemented and subsequent the
manufacture, information about the component type and the manufacturing date
could be gained by detecting the pattern of first markers forming the "bar
code".
Additionally, the marker may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.
Further, the marker may be a geometrical pattern provided by varying the
thickness of the tubular base part and the displaceable part, respectively.
In an embodiment, the markers may be ring-shaped.
In this way, the tool is capable of detecting the markers independently of its
orientation.
Also, the displaceable part may be made of a ferromagnetic, non-magnetic
material.
Moreover, the markers may be made of a ferromagnetic, non-magnetic material.
Further, the markers may be made of a material which is different from that of
the displaceable part.
In addition, one first marker may be made of a different ferromagnetic, non-
magnetic material than another first marker.
Also, the first markers may be arranged at a first position along the
circumference of the completion component and the second marker may be
arranged at an angle (a) along the circumference from the first marker.
This angle may be at least 45 .
Alternatively, the angle may be 90 , preferably 180 .
Moreover, the first markers may be different from the second marker.
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The completion component as described above may comprise a projecting
element which is connected with either the tubular base part or the
displaceable
part and which may be adapted to engage grooves in the other part.
5 By having a projecting element engaging a groove, the displaceable part
is
prevented from returning to its initial position when the displaceable part is
slid
axially. And hence the position of the displaceable part is known and does not
unintentionally change.
In addition, the projecting element may be connected by means of a spring
device.
Also, the completion component may comprise a plurality of first and second
markers spaced around the circumference.
Hereby it is obtained that the position of a specific marker may be determined
independently of the orientation of the completion component in relation to
the
detection tool.
Furthermore, the emitter may be a gamma ray source or an x-ray source.
Additionally, the marker may be elongated and extend along the axial
extension.
Elongated markers are especially expedient in circumstances where the
displaceable part rotates in relation to the tubular part.
In an embodiment, the displaceable part may be displaceable in intermediate
positions arranged between the first and second positions.
Moreover, the tubular base part may have a first opening and the displaceable
part may have a second opening, the first and second openings not overlapping
in a first position of the displaceable part, and the first and second
openings
overlapping in a second position of the displaceable part.
The first and second openings may have substantially the same size.
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Also, in the intermediate positions of the displaceable part, the first and
second
openings may be partly overlapping.
Hereby it is possible to control a fluid flow rate through the completion
component by displacing the second opening in the displaceable part in
relation
to the first opening in the tubular base part, and the present invention
facilitates
the determination and establishment of how high the fluid rate is by
determining
the marker distance between the markers.
Furthermore, the tubular base part may have a thread engaging a thread in the
displaceable part.
In addition, the completion component may comprise a screen arranged on the
outside of the openings.
Further, the completion component may be any kind of completion component
having a stationary part being the tubular base part and the displaceable
part,
such as a sleeve, a sliding or rotational sleeve, an annular barrier, an
inflow
control device, a valve, or a packer.
The present invention also relates to a downhole system comprising:
- a well tubular structure,
- a completion component having a circumference for insertion into a well
tubular
structure, comprising:
- a tubular base part having an axial extension and a thickness and being
adapted to be mounted as part of the well tubular structure, and
- a displaceable part having a thickness and being displaceable in relation to
the tubular base part from a first position to a second position,
wherein the tubular base part comprises a plurality of first markers and the
displaceable part comprises a second marker for determining a position of
the displaceable part in relation to the tubular base part, the first and
second markers being arranged with a marker distance, and
- a detection tool having a detection unit for detecting a marker distance
between
the first markers of the tubular base part and the second marker of the
displaceable part,
wherein the detection unit comprises a first detector having a first detection
range in the axial extension and a second detector having a second detection
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range in the axial extension, the first and second detection ranges defining a
common detection range in the axial direction, the common detection range
being larger than the marker distance between the first and second markers
independently of the position of the displaceable part in relation to the
tubular
base part.
In an embodiment, the distance between the first and second markers may be
detected independently of a velocity of the detection tool.
Also, the detection unit may comprise a first detector having a first
detection
range in the axial extension and a second detector having a second detection
range in the axial extension, the first and second detection ranges defining a
common detection range in the axial direction, the common detection range
being larger than the marker distance between the first and second markers.
Moreover, the first detection range and the second detection range may each be
half the common detection range.
Furthermore, the detection unit may comprise intermediate detectors arranged
between the first and second detectors.
The marker distance may be determined by simultaneous detection of the first
and second markers by two separate detectors.
The detectors of the downhole system as described above may be
magnetometers.
Said magnetometers may detect changes in the magnitude and/or direction of
the magnetic field.
Also, the detectors may be readers or Geiger counters.
Further, the detector unit may comprise a plurality of magnets.
Moreover, the magnets may have a north pole and a south pole, and two
adjacent magnets may be arranged so that repelling poles are arranged in
opposite directions.
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In an embodiment, the detectors may be arranged along a line arranged between
two adjacent magnets.
In addition, the detectors may be arranged with a predetermined distance
between them, so that when two detectors detect the markers, the position of
the displaceable part may be determined.
Furthermore, the first detector may be different from the second detector.
Also, the detector unit may comprise a plurality of magnets functioning as an
inducing device.
By having the magnetic field inducing device in the tool and not in the
completion
component, there is no risk that the magnet loses its magnetic inducing
ability
over time due to bumps induced to the casing, or due to the high temperatures
in
the well. Known solutions have magnets in the completion component which lose
their magnetism over time. Completion components, such as sliding sleeves, are
seldom adjusted in position and must be fully functional, also after 20 years.
Further, the magnets of the detector unit may have a magnetic field source
axis
substantially transverse to the longitudinal tool axis.
Additionally, the first markers of the displaceable part of the completion
component may be passive non-inducing markers.
The present invention further relates to a completion comprising any of the
aforementioned completion components.
The detection tool may comprise a centraliser for maintaining the detection
tool
in a predetermined radial distance from the completion component.
Also, the detection tool may comprise a measurement device adapted to
continuously measure a radial distance from the detection tool to the
completion
component.
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In an embodiment, the detection unit may comprise a processor device adapted
to process observations provided by the detectors for calculating the marker
distance on the basis of the detectors detecting the respective markers.
Moreover, the detection tool may comprise a communication unit adapted for
communicating the determined marker distance to an external source.
In the downhole system according to the present invention, the communication
may be performed via a wireline.
The present invention furthermore relates to a method for determining a
position
of a displaceable part of a completion component as described above in
relation
to a tubular base part, comprising the steps of:
- arranging a first marker in connection with the tubular base part,
- arranging an additional first marker in connection with the tubular base
part at
a predetermined distance from the other first marker,
- arranging a second marker in connection with the displaceable part, and
- moving a detection tool having a detection unit past the first and second
markers in order to detect the first and second markers simultaneously and
hence to detect a marker distance between the first and second markers
independently of a velocity of the detection tool.
The method as described above may comprise the step of arranging a first
detector having a first detection range in the axial extension and a second
detector having a second detection range in the axial extension for providing
a
common detection range in the axial extension, wherein the common detection
range is larger than the marker distance between the first and second markers.
Further, said method may comprise the step of arranging a plurality of
intermediate detectors between the first and second detectors with
predetermined distances between them.
Additionally, the method according to the present invention may comprise the
step of determining the marker distance by simultaneous detection of the first
and second markers by two separate, different detectors.
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Finally, this method may comprise the step of processing observations provided
by the detectors for calculating the marker distance on the basis of the
detectors
detecting the respective markers.
5 Brief description of the drawings
The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below
with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose
of
illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which
Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a completion component according to the
invention,
Figs. 2a-2c show the displaceable part in different positions in relation to
the
tubular part,
Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the completion
component,
Fig. 4 shows a view of Fig. 3 along the line A-A,
Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a rotatable
completion component,
Fig. 6 shows a tubular base part in perspective,
Fig. 7 shows a displaceable part in perspective,
Fig. 8A shows a cross-sectional view of a downhole system comprising a
completion component and a detection tool within the component,
Fig. 8B shows a cross-sectional view of another detection unit,
Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the downhole
system,
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Figs. 10a and 10b show cross-sectional views of a completion component where
the displaceable part is shown in its closed and open positions,
Figs. 11a and 11b show cross-sectional views of a completion component being
an annular barrier where the displaceable part is shown in its unexpanded and
expanded positions,
Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the downhole
system,
Fig. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the
completion component having an identification code,
Fig. 14 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
downhole system,
Fig. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the completion
component,
Figs. 16A-C show cross-sectional views of the completion component of Fig. 15,
the displaceable part being shown in its different, axial positions, and
Fig. 17 shows the enlarged partial view of Fig. 15.
All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they
show
only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention,
other
parts being omitted or merely suggested.
Detailed description of the invention
Fig. 1 shows a completion component 1 having a circumference for insertion
into
a well tubular structure 2 as illustrated in Fig. 12. The completion component
1
comprises a tubular base part 3 which is to be mounted as part of the well
tubular structure 2 via a thread 30. The tubular base part 3 has an axial
extension along the axial extension of the well tubular structure and a
thickness
t1. The completion component 1 comprises a displaceable part 4 arranged within
a groove 33 in the tubular base part 3 and displaceable in relation to the
tubular
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base part 3 from a first position to a second position in order to align or
unalign a
first opening 20 in the tubular base part 3 with a second opening 21 in the
displaceable part 4 to let fluid flow between a formation surrounding the
completion component 1 and an inside of the tubular base part 3. A screen 22
is
arranged on the outside of the tubular base part 3 opposite the opening 20 in
the
tubular base part 3 for filtering the well fluid before it is let into the
tubular base
part 3. The base part 3 comprises a plurality of first markers 5, and the
displaceable part 4 comprises a second marker 6 for determining a position of
the
displaceable part in relation to the tubular base part 3. As can be seen, the
first
and second markers 5, 6 are arranged with a first marker distance in which the
openings 20, 21 are unaligned, so that the first and second openings do not
overlap and no fluid is allowed to flow from the formation into the tubular
base
part 3. Sealing means 32, such as 0-rings or Chevron seals, arranged in
grooves
in the tubular base part 3, provides a sealing connection between the tubular
base part 3 and the displaceable part 4.
As can be seen from Fig. 1, the first markers vary in that they are different
in
geometrical size. The extension of the first markers varies along the axial
extension of the completion component. The first markers may also vary in
geometrical size by having different depths. Also, the first markers may vary
by
being made of different material. As shown in Fig. 11b, one of the first
markers
has an axial extension A which is larger than the axial extension B of the
other
first marker. Furthermore, the first markers may vary by being arranged with a
varying mutual distance as shown in Fig. 13, meaning that two first markers
have a mutual distance a and two first markers have a mutual distance b, where
a is larger than b. By having varying first markers, the first markers are
easily
recognisable and may contain information of component type, manufacture,
manufacturing date etc., and the first markers may thus form a bar code.
The first markers are passive non-inducing markers so that the tool detecting
the
markers relies on an inducing device, such as a magnet, which loses its
magnetic
force over time due to the high temperature downhole and/or due to bumps
induced to the casing.
The displaceable part 4 is displaceable in the axial direction in relation to
the
base part by means of a key tool operating with a stroking tool (shown in Fig.
14)
engaging a groove 31 in the displaceable part 4. The completion component
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comprises a projecting element 34 (as shown in Fig. 1) arranged in a groove 35
in the displaceable part 4. The projecting element projects 34 from the
displaceable part 4 and is adapted to engage grooves 36 in the tubular base
part
3. When the key tool or stroking tool moves the displaceable part 4 axially in
relation to the tubular base part 3, the projecting element 34 is forced to
revert
into the groove in the displaceable part 4, and the displaceable part 4 is
moved
axially until the projecting element 34 faces an internal groove 36 in the
tubular
base part 3 closest to groove 35. When the projecting element 34 is opposite
the
groove 36, the projecting element engages the groove and the displaceable part
4 is again locked for movement in the axial direction. The displaceable part 4
is
now in its slightly open position in which the first opening 20 and the second
opening 21 are overlapping. The completion component 1 can be further adjusted
so that the openings overlap even more by moving the displaceable part 4
further in the axial direction in relation to the tubular base part 3, and the
projecting element 34 is forced to retract, and the displaceable part 4 can
move
to position the projecting element 34 opposite another of the internal grooves
36
in the tubular base part 3. In this way, the displaceable part 4 is moved
axially in
relation to the tubular base part 3 from a first and closed position, in which
the
first and second openings do not overlap, to a fully open position, in which
the
first and second openings overlap completely. In Fig. 1, the completion
component 1 can be arranged in the closed position and in ten other positions
in
which the openings 20, 21 are more or less aligned. The projecting element may
be a spring element, such as a circlip or circlip ring, or be connected by
means of
a spring device, so that the projecting element is able to retract into the
groove
in the displaceable part 4.
In Figs. 2a-c, the first marker 5 and the second marker 6 of the completion
component 1 are ring-shaped so that the markers can be easily detected,
irrespective of the orientation of the completion component 1. The completion
component 1 has a plurality of first openings 20 and a plurality of second
openings 21. When completing a well and inserting the completion component 1,
the well tubular structure is often rotating as the structure is submerged
down
through the well. Therefore, the orientation of the completion component 1 is
often not known until a tool has been down the well to investigate and detect
the
orientation. However, such investigation and detection do most often not
occur.
Fig. 2a shows a partial view of the completion component 1 being arranged in
the
first position P1 which is also the closed position of the completion
component 1.
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In the first position, the first and second openings 20, 21 do not overlap in
the
axial extension of the completion component, and the markers 5, 6 are arranged
having a first marker distance X, X1 between them. Fig. 2b shows a partial
view
of the completion component 1 being arranged in the second and fully open
position in which the first and second openings 20, 21 fully overlap in the
axial
extension of the completion component. The markers 5, 6 are arranged having a
second marker distance Xf X2 between them. Thus, the marker distance X
between the markers varies between the first and the second marker distances
X1, X2.
In Fig. 2c, the completion component 1 is arranged in an intermediate position
X,
which is a position in which the completion component 1 is partially open and
the
first and second openings partially overlap.
Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the completion component 1, in which
the
first marker 5 is arranged in the tubular base part 3 in the top half of the
completion component 1 and the second marker 6 is arranged in the displaceable
part 4 in the bottom half of the completion component 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross-
sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 3 to illustrate that the first marker 5
is
arranged at a first position along the circumference of the completion
component
and the second marker 6 is arranged at an angle a of approximately 180 along
the circumference from the first marker, while markers 5 and 6 are not aligned
in
the axial extension. In other embodiments, the angle is at least 45 or
preferably
at least 90 . As can be seen in Fig. 3, the first and second openings 20, 21
have
substantially the same size in the axial extension. In other embodiments, the
first
opening 20 may be larger in the axial extension than the second opening.
The displaceable part 4 of completion component 1 may be moved axially or
rotated in relation to the tubular base part 3 in order to activate or
deactivate the
completion component 1. In Fig. 5, the displaceable part is displaceable by
rotation in relation to the base part. The tubular base part 3 has a thread
30A
engaging a thread 30B in the displaceable part, so that when the displaceable
part 4 is rotated, the displaceable part 4 also moves axially in relation to
the
tubular base part 3 aligning or unaligning the openings 20, 21. The second
openings are arranged at a substantially small mutual distance so that the
openings always partly overlap the first openings when the displaceable part 4
is
rotated. Hereby, the volume flow of fluid passing the openings is kept
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substantially linearly increasing as the displaceable part 4 is rotated. The
displaceable part 4 is rotated by means of an operational tool (shown in Fig.
14)
engaging the grooves 31. The first and second markers are elongated and have a
substantially small circumferential extension as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. When
the
5 displaceable part 4 of Fig. 5 is rotated, the displaceable part 4 is
moved axially so
that the first marker overlaps the second marker. By having elongated markers,
the first marker is still detectable. The position of the displaceable part 4
in
relation to the tubular base part 3 is determined by detecting the axial
extension
of the first markers which are not overlapped by the displaceable part 4 and
the
10 second marker. The more of the first marker that is detectable, the less
open the
completion component.
Fig. 6 shows the tubular base part 3 having a plurality of markers 5. As can
be
seen, the circumferential distance between two markers vary. Fig. 7 shows the
15 displaceable part 4 which fits into the tubular base part 3 in Fig. 6,
and the
displaceable part 4 has only one marker 6.
Fig. 8A discloses a downhole system comprising a well tubular structure 2, the
completion component 1 and a detection tool 50 having a detection unit 51 for
detecting a marker distance between the first marker of the base part and the
second marker of the displaceable part. As the displaceable part 4 is moved in
relation to the tubular base part 3, the marker distance changes. When the
detection tool 50 passes the completion component 1, the detection unit
detects
the position of the markers simultaneously so that the detection does not rely
on
the time between one measurement and the next. The marker distance between
the first and second markers is thus detected independently of a velocity of
the
detection tool. The detection unit 51 in this embodiment comprises eight
detectors.
In Fig. 8B, the detection unit 51 comprises a first detector 52 having a first
detection range d1 in the axial extension and a second detector 53 having a
second detection range d2 in the axial extension. The first and second
detection
ranges define a common detection range dc in the axial direction, and the
common detection range is larger than the first distance between the first and
second markers, so that the detection unit is capable of detecting all markers
at
the same time independently of the position of the displaceable part 4 in
relation
to the tubular base part 3.
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As can be seen from Fig. 8A, the detection unit comprises intermediate
detectors
arranged between the first and second detectors 52, 53. The common detector
range dc is the common detection range for all eight detectors. The detectors
are
magnetometers and the detection unit further comprises a plurality of magnets
56. Each magnet has a north pole and a south pole as shown in the enlarged
view of Fig. 8A, and two adjacent magnets are arranged so that repelling poles
are arranged in opposite directions. The detectors are arranged along a line I
arranged between two adjacent magnets, so that the magnetic field lines are
substantially linear through the magnetometers. The detectors are arranged
with
a predetermined distance z, so that when two detectors detect the markers, the
position of the displaceable part is determined. Along this line I, the
magnetic
field lines are substantially parallel to the axial extension of the tool 50,
and
when the magnets pass the markers, the markers are magnetised and divert the
magnetic field. The detectors detect this diversion, and based on the detected
diversion, the position of the markers can be determined in that the distance
between the detectors is known. Thus, the marker distance is determined by
simultaneous detection of the first and second markers by two separate
detectors, and since the distance between the two detectors having detected
the
first or the second marker is known, the marker distance can be determined.
When knowing the marker distance, the position of the displaceable part 4 in
relation to the tubular base part 3 is known. By knowing the position of the
displaceable part 4 in relation to the tubular base part 3, information of how
much the openings 20, 21 are overlapping is also known. In another
embodiment, the magnetometers measure the change in direction or magnitude
of the magnetic field.
In Fig. 8A, the markers are made of a magnetisable material, and the
displaceable part 4 and the tubular base part 3 are made of a non-magnetisable
material. In Figs. 9 and 10A-10B, the markers are made of a ferromagnetic
material, and the detectors are magnetometers. In Fig. 9, the detector unit
comprises three magnetometers for detection of the markers 5, 6. The
completion component is in its open position, and the detection range is equal
to
the distance between the first detector 52 and the second detector 53. The
detector range is larger than the marker distance X2 in the fully open
position of
the completion component. In Fig. 10A, the completion component 1 is fully
closed and the displaceable part 4 is in its first position P1, and the
markers are
arranged with the first marker distance X1 between them. In Fig. 10B, the
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completion component 1 is fully open and the displaceable part 4 is in its
second
position P2, and the markers are arranged with the second marker distance X2
between them. The common detection range dc is larger than the second marker
distance X2, and thus the markers can be detected simultaneously by the
detection unit, and the determination of the marker distance X is thus
independent of the velocity of the tool.
The marker may also be a geometrical pattern provided by varying the thickness
of the base part and the displaceable part, respectively. The detectors may be
readers, such as RFID readers for reading an RFID tag being the marker, Geiger-
counters for reading an x-ray source being the marker or magnetometers. As can
be seen in Fig. 3, the first marker is different from the second marker, and
the
first detector may also be different from the second detector.
The completion component 1 may be a sleeve as shown in Fig. 1, an inflow
control device, a valve, a packer, or an annular barrier as shown in Figs. 11A
and
11B. In Figs. 11A and 11B, the displaceable part is the connection part of the
annular barrier and is arranged outside the tubular base part 3, and the
second
marker is arranged outside the tubular base part 3. While an annular barrier
is
expanded, the sliding connection part being the tubular base part 3 slides
towards the fixed connection part. In order to determine whether the annular
barrier has been successfully expanded, the detection tool can pass the
annular
barrier and determine the marker distance which is equal to the distance
travelled by the sliding end during expansion. The annular barrier 1 comprises
an
expandable sleeve 70 which shrinks in the axial extension as the fluid passes
through the opening 71 in the tubular base part 3 and the annular barrier is
expanded. The travelling distance of the sliding end is a result of how far
the
expandable sleeve 70 has expanded in the radial direction of the completion
component 1.
In Fig. 8A, the detection tool 50 comprises a centraliser 57 for maintaining
the
detection tool at a predetermined radial distance r from the completion
component. The detection tool further comprises a measurement device 59
adapted to continuously measure the radial distance from the detection tool to
the completion component. The detection tool further comprises a processor
device 58 adapted to process observations provided by the detectors for
calculating the first distance on the basis of the detectors detecting the
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respective markers. The processor device may also be arranged in the detection
unit. The detection tool comprises a communication unit 60 adapted for
communicating the determined first distance to an external source. The
communication may be performed via a wireline connecting the detection tool
with surface.
The completion component may comprise a plurality of first and second markers
spaced around the circumference. Hereby it is obtained that the position of a
specific marker may be determined independently of the orientation of the
completion component in relation to the detection tool.
In Fig. 12, the downhole system 100 according to the invention is shown,
wherein three completion components 1 are arranged in succession of each other
in the well tubular structure 2. The three completion components 1 are shown
with their displaceable parts 4 in different positions in relation to the base
parts
3.
In the upper completion component la, the displaceable part 4 is displaced
into a
first position in relation to the base part 3, in which the first opening 20
in the
base part is open so that fluid may flow into the well tubular structure 2.
In the middle completion component lb, the displaceable part 4 is displaced
into
a second position in relation to the base part 3, in which the first opening
20 in
the base part is partly open, so that less fluid than in the upper completion
component la may flow into the well tubular structure 2.
In the lower completion component lc, the displaceable part 4 is displaced
into a
third position in relation to the base part 3, in which the first opening 20
in the
base part is closed, so that no fluid may flow into the well tubular structure
2.
The detection tool 50 having the detection unit 51 is rapidly lowered into the
well
tubular structure 2 past the completion components la-lc and determines the
position of the displaceable parts 4 of each completion component as described
above. When the detection tool 50 has determined and verified the position of
the displaceable parts 4 and thereby, in this embodiment, determined which
completion components la-lc are open, partly open and closed, this may be
communicated to the operator of the completion. By means of the downhole
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system according to the present invention it is obtained that the position of
the
displaceable parts of the completion components may be determined
independently of the velocity of the detection tool 50 when it moves through
the
well tubular structure 2.
Fig. 13 shows a partial, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
completion
component in which the first marker 5 of the tubular base part 3 is a weld
seam
80 of a magnetisable material. The second marker 6 in the displaceable parts 4
is
also a weld seam 80 of a magnetisable material. By the markers being weld
seams 80 of a magnetisable material, the markers are easily made and the
markers can thus be made as a pattern. Each completion component 1 can thus
be made having a unique identification pattern, barcode or signature, so that
the
detection tool can also detect in which completion component 1 in the well
structure the detection tool has measured a marker distance. In another
embodiment, the markers may be a circumferential groove or adjacent grooves,
such as a thread. The signature or identification code in each completion
component 1 may also be an RFID tag or the like.
As shown in Fig. 14, the detection tool 50 in the downhole system 100 may
further comprise a downhole driving unit 73, an anchoring tool section 74
having
radial extension anchors 75 and a key tool 76 having keys 77 engaging grooves
in the completion component 1. The key tool 76 is operated by a stroking tool
79.
The detection tool 50 is powered through a wireline 78. The key tool 76 is
able to
both open and close a completion component in one run, that is without the
tool
having to be retracted from the well. By the detection tool 50 and the key
tool
being in the same tool string, the key tool can change the position of the
completion component, and the detection tool can verify that the performed
operation of the key tool has resulted in the planned position change of the
completion component.
The completion component 1 may either be a rotational sleeve or an axially
slidable sleeve. In Fig. 15, another completion component 1 is shown in which
the displaceable part 4 rotates in relation to the tubular base part 3 in
order to
expose the first openings 20 in the tubular base part 3 to the formation so
that
well fluid is allowed to flow into the interior of the completion component 1.
The
first openings vary in size to regulate volume flow as the displaceable part 4
is
exposing more or fewer openings 20. The displaceable part 4 is rotated by
means
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of a key tool or the like engaging the grooves 31 in the displaceable part 4.
The
displaceable part 4 has a thread 30B engaging a guiding pin 43 arranged in the
tubular base part 3. The completion component 1 further comprises a second
displaceable part 4B having a thread engaging a second guiding pin 43B in the
5 tubular base part 3. A set of sealing means are arranged between the
displaceable parts 4, 4B and the tubular base part 3 to prevent well fluid
from
entering the potential gap between one of the displaceable parts and the
tubular
base part 3. The completion component 1 further comprises a scraping ring 41.
Two locking rings 40 are arranged at the ends of the completion component 1 in
10 order to prevent the displaceable parts 4, 4B from falling out of the
tubular base
part 3 during mounting of the completion component 1 in the well tubular
structure.
Figs. 16A-C show different positions of the completion component 1 of Fig. 15.
In
15 Fig. 16A, the displaceable part 4 is in its first and initial position
in which the
displaceable part 4 covers the first openings. In the first position, a first
projecting part 46 of the displaceable part 4 and a second projecting part of
the
second displaceable part 4B are in the same transversal plane of the
completion
component 1. The first and second projecting parts 46, 47 are opposite each
20 other, and as the displaceable part 4 is rotated, the first projecting
part 46
engages the second projecting part 47, forcing the second displaceable part 4B
to
rotate along with the displaceable part 4. In Fig. 16B, the completion
component
1 is partly open, and the displaceable part 4 only partly covers the first
openings
20. The displaceable part 4 has a thread having a thread pitch which is larger
than the thread pitch of the thread of the second displaceable part 4B. As the
displaceable part 4 is rotated, the displaceable part 4 moves a larger
distance in
the axial extension than the second displaceable part 4B. In this way, the
displaceable part 4 moves axially away from the second displaceable part 4B,
and
the first projecting part 46 and the second projecting part 47 no longer
engage.
Thus, the second displaceable part 4B moves in the axial extension along with
the displaceable part 4 until the second displaceable part 4B has passed the
sealing means 32, and thus the second displaceable part 4B provides a seal
before the first openings are exposed and the well fluid is let into the
completion
component 1. In Fig. 16C, the completion component 1 is more open than in Fig.
16B, and the displaceable part 4 uncovers more first openings 20 and thus more
fluid is allowed to flow in through the openings of the completion component
1.
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The guiding pin 43 is shown in Fig. 17 having a round end 48 engaging a thread
and a piston end 49. The piston end is provided with a sealing ring so that
well
fluid applying pressure from the outside of the tubular base part 3 does not
flow
past the guiding pin or in between the displaceable part 4 and the tubular
base
part 3. The piston end thus moves in a bore 45 in the tubular base part 3.
The invention further relates to a method for determining a position of the
displaceable part of the completion component in relation to the tubular base
part, so that a function of the completion component can be detected, e.g.
whether a sliding sleeve is closed, partly open or fully open, or whether an
annular barrier is expanded. The method comprises the steps of arranging a
first
marker in connection with the tubular base part and arranging a second marker
in connection with the displaceable part. After displacement of the
displaceable
part in relation to the tubular base part as a result of the expansion of an
annular
barrier or in order to open or close the sleeve, a detection tool having a
detection
unit is moved past the first and second markers for detecting the first and
second
markers and hence a marker distance being the distance between the markers.
The first detector may be arranged having a first detection range in the axial
extension of the tool and the completion component, and a second detector may
be arranged having a second detection range in the axial extension for
providing
a common detection range in the axial extension so that the common detection
range is larger than the marker distance between the first and second markers.
Since the detection is able to detect both first and second markers at the
same
time, the determination of the position of the completion component is
performed
independently of a velocity of the detection tool. Furthermore, the detection
is
performed without the detection tool having any physical contact with the
completion component.
A plurality of intermediate detectors may be arranged between the first and
second detectors with predetermined distances between them. Thus, the marker
distance may be determined by simultaneous detection of the first and second
markers by two separate different detectors.
A stroking tool is a tool providing an axial force. The stroking tool
comprises an
electrical motor for driving a pump. The pump pumps fluid into a piston
housing
to move a piston acting therein. The piston is arranged on the stroker shaft.
The
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pump may pump fluid into the piston housing on one side and simultaneously
suck fluid out on the other side of the piston.
By fluid or well fluid is meant any kind of fluid that may be present in oil
or gas
wells downhole, such as natural gas, oil, oil mud, crude oil, water, etc. By
gas is
meant any kind of gas composition present in a well, completion, or open hole,
and by oil is meant any kind of oil composition, such as crude oil, an oil-
containing fluid, etc. Gas, oil, and water fluids may thus all comprise other
elements or substances than gas, oil, and/or water, respectively.
By a casing is meant any kind of pipe, tubing, tubular, liner, string etc.
used
downhole in relation to oil or natural gas production.
In the event that the tool is not submergible all the way into the casing, a
downhole tractor can be used to push the tool all the way into position in the
well. The downhole tractor may have projectable arms having wheels, wherein
the wheels contact the inner surface of the casing for propelling the tractor
and
the tool forward in the casing. A downhole tractor is any kind of driving tool
capable of pushing or pulling tools in a well downhole, such as a Well Tractor
.
Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with
preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person
skilled in
the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the
invention as defined by the following claims.
