Downhole completion system with retrievable power unit

Abstract

A technique facilitates providing a downhole completion with electrical power. The technique may comprise placing an independent completion in a wellbore section. The independent completion is provided with a removable power unit having a power generator coupled to a power storage device. The technique further comprises communicating data or other signals between the independent completion located in the wellbore section and a second completion located in a separate wellbore section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use in a well, comprising:
 a well completion deployed in a generally vertical wellbore;   an independent completion deployed in a lateral wellbore, the independent completion comprising a power unit having a power generator and a power storage to store energy generated by the power generator, the power unit being removably engaged within the independent completion to enable removal and re-engagement of the power unit; and   a wireless telemetry system positioned to communicate signals between the independent completion and the well completion.   
     
     
         2 . The system is recited in  claim 1 , wherein the independent completion further comprises a flow control valve. 
     
     
         3 . The system is recited in  claim 1 , wherein the independent completion further comprises a sensor which receives power from the power storage, wherein data from the sensor is transmitted via the wireless telemetry system. 
     
     
         4 . The system is recited in  claim 1 , wherein the independent completion further comprises a plurality of electrical devices receiving power from the power storage. 
     
     
         5 . The system is recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power storage is coupled to an electrical device via an inductive coupler in the independent completion. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power storage comprises a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power generator comprises a turbine rotated by fluid flowing along the lateral wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wireless telemetry system comprises an electromagnetic wireless telemetry system. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wireless telemetry system comprises a pressure pulse system. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 placing an independent completion in a wellbore section;   providing the independent completion with a removable power unit having a hydraulically driven power generator coupled to a power storage; and   communicating data between the independent completion and a second completion located in a second wellbore section.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein communicating comprises communicating data wirelessly. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein communicating comprises communicating data to the second completion located in a generally vertical wellbore section. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein providing comprises coupling the removable power unit with a remainder of the independent completion via an inductive coupler and a lock mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein providing comprises providing the independent completion with the removable power unit having the hydraulically driven power generator in the form of a turbine and the power storage in the form of a battery. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising locating the independent completion in a lateral wellbore and using a sensor and a flow control valve in the independent completion to monitor and control flow in the lateral wellbore, wherein communicating comprises communicating data from the sensor to the second completion via wireless telemetry. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein communicating comprises communicating via a wireless, acoustic telemetry system. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising removing the removable power unit through an interior of the second completion. 
     
     
         18 . A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 a remote, independent completion deployed in a wellbore, the remote, independent completion comprising a power unit which is selectively engageable and disengageable from a remainder of the remote, independent completion, the power unit comprising a power generator and a power storage.   
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the remote, independent completion further comprises a wireless telemetry system. 
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a second, downhole completion in communication with the remote, independent completion via the wireless telemetry system.