Patent · US Active

Remote actuation of downhole well tools

US8322446B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
28References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 2009
Grant dateDec 4, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B2200/02
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method of selectively actuating well tools includes the steps of: selecting a well tool for actuation by current flow in one direction through a set of conductors; and selecting another well tool for actuation by opposite current flow through the set of conductors. A system includes multiple control devices that control which well tool is selected for actuation in response to current flow in at least one conductor set. A current direction in the conductors selects a certain well tool for actuation. A method of using n conductors to selectively actuate n*(n−1) well tools includes the steps of: arranging the conductors into n*(n−1)/2 sets; connecting the conductor sets to respective groups of the well tools; and controlling direction of current flow through at least one of the sets of conductors, thereby selecting at least one well tool in the respective group of the well tools for actuation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.