System and method for actuating a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation

Abstract

A system and method for closing a subterranean valve ( 22 ) to terminate a reverse cementing operation is disclosed. The system comprises an interrogator ( 44 ) operably associated with the valve ( 22 ) that detects at least one detectable member ( 52 ) that is associated with an interface ( 50 ) between a first fluid ( 48 ) and a cement composition ( 54 ) that is pumped through an annulus ( 26 ) between a pipe string ( 20 ) and a wellbore ( 18 ). The detectable member ( 50 ) is detectable by the interrogator ( 44 ) when the detectable member ( 50 ) comes within communicative proximity with the interrogator ( 44 ). Once the interrogator ( 44 ) detects the detectable member ( 50 ), the interrogator ( 44 ) sends a signal indicating it is time to close the valve ( 22 ), thereby terminating the cementing process and allowing the cement ( 54 ) to set in the annulus ( 26 ) into a hard, substantially impermeable mass.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for actuating an actuatable device in a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore comprising: 
 at least one interrogator operably associated with the actuatable device; and    at least one detectable member disposed within a fluid, the detectable member being detectable by the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator causing the interrogator to send a signal to actuate the actuatable device.    
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the interrogator comprises an oscillator that produces a magnetic field.  
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the interrogator comprises a radio-frequency transmitter circuit that produces a radio-frequency signal.  
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the interrogator comprises a gamma ray detector that detects gamma rays.  
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the detectable member comprises a resonant circuit.  
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the detectable member comprises a radio-frequency modulator.  
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the detectable member comprises a gamma ray source.  
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the fluid comprises an interface fluid between a drilling fluid and a cement composition and wherein the detectable member is disposed within the interface fluid.  
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the fluid comprises a mud-cement interface and wherein the detectable member is disposed proximate the mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         10 . A system for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising: 
 at least one interrogator operably associated with the valve;    an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition that is pumped through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore; and    at least one detectable member associated with the interface, the detectable member being detectable by the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator causing the interrogator to send a signal to close the valve.    
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the interrogator comprises an oscillator that produces a magnetic field and wherein the detectable member comprises a resonant circuit.  
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the interrogator comprises a radio-frequency transmitter circuit that produces a radio-frequency signal and wherein the detectable member comprises a radio-frequency modulator.  
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the interrogator comprises a gamma ray detector that detects gamma rays and wherein the detectable member comprises a gamma ray source.  
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the interface further comprises an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition and wherein the detectable member is disposed within the interface fluid.  
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 10  wherein the interface further comprises a mud-cement interface and wherein the detectable member is disposed proximate the mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         16 . A system for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising: 
 at least one interrogator that produces a balanced magnetic field, the interrogator operably associated with the valve;    an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition that is pumped through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore; and    at least one detectable member associated with the interface, the detectable member unbalancing the magnetic field when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator causing the interrogator to send a signal to close the valve.    
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the interface further comprises an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition and wherein the detectable member is disposed within the interface fluid.  
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 16  wherein the interface further comprises a mud-cement interface and wherein the detectable member is disposed proximate the mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         19 . A system for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising: 
 an interrogator that transmits an interrogating signal and receives a response signal, the interrogator operably associated with the valve;    an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition that is pumped through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore; and    at least one detectable member associated with the interface, the detectable member transmitting the response signal in reply to the interrogating signal when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator causing the interrogator to send a signal to close the valve.    
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 19  wherein the interrogating signal and response signal are radio-frequency signals.  
     
     
         21 . The system as recited in  claim 19  wherein the interface further comprises an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition and wherein the detectable member is disposed within the interface fluid.  
     
     
         22 . The system as recited in  claim 19  wherein the interface further comprises a mud-cement interface and wherein the detectable member is disposed proximate the mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         23 . A system for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising: 
 at least one interrogator that detects gamma rays, the interrogator operably associated with the valve;    an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition that is pumped through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore; and    at least one detectable member associated with the interface, the detectable member having a source that emits gamma rays such that when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator, the interrogator sends a signal to close the valve.    
     
     
         24 . The system as recited in  claim 23  wherein the interface further comprises an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition and wherein the detectable member is disposed within the interface fluid.  
     
     
         25 . The system as recited in  claim 23  wherein the interface further comprises a mud-cement interface and wherein the detectable member is disposed proximate the mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         26 . A method for actuating an actuatable device in a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore comprising the steps of: 
 operably associating at least one interrogator with the actuatable device;    disposing at least one detectable member within a fluid;    detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator; and    sending a signal from the interrogator to actuate the actuatable device.    
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 26  wherein the step of detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator further comprises producing a magnetic field with an oscillator in the interrogator and unbalancing the magnetic field with a resonant circuit in the detectable member.  
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 26  wherein the step of detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator further comprises producing a radio-frequency signal with a radio-frequency transmitter circuit in the interrogator, modulating the radio-frequency signal with the detectable member and returning the modulated radio-frequency signal to the interrogator.  
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 26  wherein the step of detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator further comprises detecting gamma rays with a gamma ray detector in the interrogator and emitting gamma rays from a gamma ray source in the detectable member.  
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 26  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within a fluid further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member within an interface fluid between a drilling fluid and a cement composition.  
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 26  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within a fluid further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member proximate a mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         32 . A method for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising the steps of: 
 operably associating at least one interrogator with the valve;    disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition;    pumping the cement composition through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore;    detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator; and    sending a signal from the interrogator to close the valve.    
     
     
         33 . The method as recited in  claim 32  wherein the step of detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator further comprises producing a magnetic field with an oscillator in the interrogator and unbalancing the magnetic field with a resonant circuit in the detectable member.  
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 32  wherein the step of detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator further comprises producing a radio-frequency signal with a radio-frequency transmitter circuit in the interrogator, modulating the radio-frequency signal with the detectable member and returning the modulated radio-frequency signal to the interrogator.  
     
     
         35 . The method as recited in  claim 32  wherein the step of detecting the detectable member with the interrogator when the detectable member comes in communicative proximity with the interrogator further comprises detecting gamma rays with a gamma ray detector in the interrogator and emitting gamma rays from a gamma ray source in the detectable member.  
     
     
         36 . The method as recited in  claim 32  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member within an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition.  
     
     
         37 . The method as recited in  claim 32  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member proximate a mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         38 . A method for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising the steps of: 
 operably associating at least one interrogator with the valve;    producing a balanced magnetic field with the interrogator;    disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition;    pumping the cement composition through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore;    unbalancing the magnet field by bringing the detectable member within communicative proximity of the interrogator;    detecting the detectable member with the interrogator; and    sending a signal from the interrogator to close the valve.    
     
     
         39 . The method as recited in  claim 38  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member within an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition.  
     
     
         40 . The method as recited in  claim 38  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member proximate a mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         41 . A method for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising the steps of: 
 operably associating at least one interrogator with the valve;    transmitting a interrogating signal from the interrogator;    disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition;    pumping the cement composition through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore;    transmitting a reply signal from the detectable member in response to the interrogating signal when the detectable member is within communicative proximity of the interrogator;    receiving the reply signal with the interrogator, thereby detecting the detectable member; and    sending a signal from the interrogator to close the valve.    
     
     
         42 . The method as recited in  claim 41  wherein the step of transmitting an interrogating signal from the interrogator further comprises transmitting a radio-frequency interrogating signal and wherein the step of transmitting a reply signal from the detectable member in response to the interrogating signal further comprises modulating the radio-frequency interrogating signal and transmitting the modulated radio-frequency interrogating signal as the reply signal.  
     
     
         43 . The method as recited in  claim 41  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member within an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition.  
     
     
         44 . The method as recited in  claim 41  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member proximate a mud-cement interface.  
     
     
         45 . A method for closing a subterranean valve to terminate a reverse cementing operation comprising the steps of: 
 operably associating at least one interrogator with the valve;    disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition;    pumping the cement composition through an annulus between a pipe string and a wellbore;    emitting gamma rays from a source in the detectable member;    detecting the gamma rays from the detectable member with a gamma ray detector in the interrogator when the detectable member comes within communicative proximity of the interrogator; and    sending a signal from the interrogator to close the valve.    
     
     
         46 . The method as recited in  claim 45  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member within an interface fluid between the first fluid and the cement composition.  
     
     
         47 . The method as recited in  claim 45  wherein the step of disposing at least one detectable member within an interface between a first fluid and a cement composition further comprises disposing the at least one detectable member proximate a mud-cement interface.