Method and device

Abstract

A device for use downhole comprises a body housing: a power source arranged to supply power to a driver; and a hydraulic system including a piston sealed in a chamber and an outlet provided at each opposing end of the chamber wherein each outlet is in communication with a respective reservoir, the driver being actuable to drive the piston in a first direction, such that fluid is driven out of the chamber through one outlet and simultaneously fluid is drawn into the chamber through the other outlet at the opposing end.

1 . A method of preparing a well for production comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a pipe having a throughbore and a plurality of ports spaced axially along the pipe, each port having an associated obturation member;   (b) arranging each port in a closed configuration in which the port is substantially obturated by the obturation member to restrict fluid communication between the throughbore and an annulus surrounding the pipe;   (c) running the pipe into a well with each port in the closed configuration; and   (d) actuating relative movement of at least one of the port(s) and associated obturation members to change at least one port from the closed configuration to an open configuration, in which there is fluid communication between the annulus and the throughbore of the pipe.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ports is provided on a sub and a plurality of subs are spaced axially along the pipe. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein in step (c) the pipe is run into a deviated well. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein in step (d) production commences by opening a fluid flow path from the annulus exterior of the pipe to the throughbore of the pipe. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least two of the subs are actuated to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least two subs move at different times. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the subs are sequentially actuated from the closed to the open configuration. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the subs are sequentially actuated to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration from a toe of the well towards a heel of the well. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the method further includes the step of providing an end sub having an orifice located towards or at a leading end of the pipe and performing step (c) with the said orifice in the open configuration. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises the step of associating an obturation member with the orifice and actuating relative movement of the obturation member and the orifice to move the end sub into a closed configuration prior to or during step (d). 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein each sub is incorporated as part of a sandscreen sub. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the sandscreen can be coaxial with the pipe. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the size of the sandscreen mesh is determined according to the maximum acceptable size of formation particles travelling through the port and in the pipe. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes the step of stabilising the well following step (c) by circulating fluid through the pipe. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the fluid is a high density fluid or mud such as kill fluid, selected to substantially restrict a pressure blow out of the well. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes the step of remotely actuating relative movement of the obturation member and the port(s). 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the relative movement is remotely actuated without need for either electric or hydraulic cables run all the way from the surface to the subs and also without need for intervention equipment to be deployed into the well to manually shift each respective obturation member. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the method further includes the step of incorporating a reader or signal sensor into each sub and method step (d) can be achieved by circulating at least one tag through the reader, wherein the at least one reader is arranged to read data from the tag when the tag passes therethrough. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the tag and the reader communicate using radio frequency identification. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the reader is arranged coaxial with the sub and the pipe. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein relative movement of the obturation member and associated port(s) is electronically actuated. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes the step of coupling each obturation member to a timer and actuating relative movement of the obturation member and associated port(s) following a predetermined time delay. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes actuating relative movement of the obturation member and the port(s) into an intermediate configuration in which the obturation member partially obturates the port(s) to thereby choke the ports. 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A production string for inclusion in a well comprising:
 (a) a pipe having a throughbore and at least one port spaced axially along the pipe, each port having an associated obturation member;   (b) the obturation member being adapted to selectively obturate and open the port to respectively restrict and permit fluid communication between the throughbore and an annulus surrounding the pipe in use of the production string;   (c) a signal transmission means capable of transmitting signals from the surface of the well to the obturation member, wherein said signals contain instructions to move the obturation member between the obturate and open configurations; and   (d) a downhole power mechanism capable of moving the obturation member when instructed to do so by the signal transmission means.   
   
   
       26 . A production string apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the ports is provided on a sub and a plurality of subs having ports are spaced axially along the pipe. 
   
   
       27 . A production string apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein each sub is incorporated as part of a sandscreen sub. 
   
   
       28 . A production string apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the sandscreens are coaxial with the pipe. 
   
   
       29 . A production string apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the size of the sandscreen mesh is determined according to the maximum acceptable size of formation particles travelling through the port and in the pipe. 
   
   
       30 . A production string apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the signal transmission means is a wireless signal transmission means without need for either electric or hydraulic cables run all the way from the surface to the subs and also without need for intervention equipment to be deployed into the well to manually shift each respective obturation member. 
   
   
       31 . A production string apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the signal transmission means comprises a reader or signal sensor associated with each sub and at least one tag capable of being circulated through the reader, wherein the at least one reader is arranged to read data from the tag when the tag passes therethrough. 
   
   
       32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . A downhole power device for use downhole in a wellbore, the downhole power device comprising a tubular body housing incorporating:
 a driver;   a power source arranged to supply power to the driver; and   an actuator for selectively actuating the driver;   wherein the tubular body includes two or more cylindrical bores extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and formed in a sidewall of the body, one of said cylindrical bores for housing at least one of the power source, the actuator and the driver and another of said cylindrical bores for housing at least another of the power source, the actuator and the driver.   
   
   
       34 . A downhole power device according to  claim 33 , further comprising a hydraulic system including a piston sealed in a chamber, wherein the piston is connected to the driver and is moveable upon actuation of the driver. 
   
   
       35 . A device according to  claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical bores extend from one end of the tubular parallel to a longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       36 . A device according to  claim 33 , wherein a plug is provided to substantially seal the ends of the bores following insertion of at least one of the power source, the actuator, the driver and the hydraulic system in the bores. 
   
   
       37 . A device according to  claim 33 , wherein one cylindrical bore accommodates a power source. 
   
   
       38 . A device according to  claim 37 , wherein the power source is a battery. 
   
   
       39 . A device according to  claim 39 , wherein another cylindrical bore accommodates the driver and hydraulic system. 
   
   
       40 . A device according to  claim 33 , wherein the driver is a motor. 
   
   
       41 . A device according to  claim 40 , wherein the motor comprises a gearing mechanism to step up the torque provided by the motor. 
   
   
       42 . A device for use downhole comprising a body housing:
 a power source arranged to supply power to a driver; and   a hydraulic system including a piston sealed in a chamber and an outlet provided at each opposing end of the chamber wherein each outlet is in communication with a respective reservoir;   and wherein the driver is actuable to drive the piston in a first direction, such that fluid is driven out of the chamber through one outlet and simultaneously fluid is drawn into the chamber through the other outlet at the opposing end.   
   
   
       43 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the hydraulic system is a closed hydraulic system. 
   
   
       44 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the driver is actuable to drive the piston in a second direction, such that fluid is driven out of the chamber through one outlet and simultaneously fluid is drawn into the chamber through the other outlet at the opposing end. 
   
   
       45 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein each outlet also functions as an inlet. 
   
   
       46 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the body is a tubular body. 
   
   
       47 . A device according to  claim 46 , wherein the tubular body is an element in a pipe string. 
   
   
       48 . A device according to  claim 46 , wherein the hydraulic system, the power source and the driver are housed in a sidewall of tubular body. 
   
   
       49 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the device also comprises an actuator wherein the actuator is arranged to selectively actuate the driver. 
   
   
       50 . A device according to  claim 49 , wherein the tubular body includes one or more cylindrical bores extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body for housing at least one of the power source, the actuator, the driver and the hydraulic system. 
   
   
       51 . A device according to  claim 50 , wherein the cylindrical bore(s) extend from one end of the tubular parallel to a longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       52 . A device according to  claim 49 , wherein a plug is provided to substantially seal the ends of the bore(s) following insertion of at least one of the power source, the actuator, the driver and the hydraulic system in the bore(s). 
   
   
       53 . A device according to  claim 50 , wherein one cylindrical bore accommodates a power source. 
   
   
       54 . A device according to  claim 53 , wherein another cylindrical bore accommodates the driver and hydraulic system. 
   
   
       55 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the power source is a battery. 
   
   
       56 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the driver is a motor. 
   
   
       57 . A device according to  claim 56 , wherein the motor includes a gearing mechanism to step up the torque provided by the motor. 
   
   
       58 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the driver is coupled to a rod arranged to drive the piston. 
   
   
       59 . A device according to  claim 58 , wherein the rod is a threaded rod and the rod and the piston are rotatable relative to each other such that rotation of the rod causes axial movement of the piston in the chamber. 
   
   
       60 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the device incorporates a second piston. 
   
   
       61 . A device according to  claim 42 , wherein the outlets at each end of the chamber are in fluid communication with opposing sides of the second piston, thus actuation of the driver in one direction causes resultant movement of the second piston in one direction. 
   
   
       62 . A device according to  claim 60 , wherein the area of the second piston on which hydraulic fluid acts is greater relative to the area of the piston in the hydraulic system on which hydraulic fluid acts. 
   
   
       63 . A device according to  claim 60 , wherein the second piston is an annular piston. 
   
   
       64 . A device according to  claim 60 , wherein the second piston forms part of a sliding sleeve. 
   
   
       65 . A device according to  claim 49 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the power source. 
   
   
       66 . A device according to  claim 49 , wherein the actuator includes a reader electrically coupled to an electronics pack, wherein the reader is arranged to read a signal from a remote source and wherein the signal is processed by the electronics pack to selectively actuate the driver. 
   
   
       67 . A device according to  claim 66 , wherein the reader comprises an antenna arranged to remotely communicate using radio frequency identification. 
   
   
       68 . A device according to  claim 49 , wherein the actuator comprises an electronic circuit and a timer switch coupled to the driver to actuate the driver after a predetermined period of time. 
   
   
       69 . (canceled)