System and method for actuating tools downhole

Abstract

A technique facilitates actuation of a downhole tool in a well string. The downhole tool may be actuated hydraulically via the controlled flow of a hydraulic fluid under pressure to the downhole tool through a port. Flow of the pressurized fluid through the port is controlled by a barrier member which may be opened by a plunger working in cooperation with the barrier member. Movement of the plunger is controlled by selectively increasing the pressure acting on the plunger through, for example, actuation of an expansion device or other suitable device.

1 . A system for use in a well, comprising:
 a downhole tool to be actuated by pressure exerted by well fluid; and   a downhole tool actuation system, comprising:
 an inlet port in communication with the well fluid; 
 a pressure sensor for receiving one or more pressure pulses; 
 an electronics module in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the electronics module processes the one or more pressure pulses to detect a command for actuating the downhole tool; 
 an expansion device having an expansion chamber for expansion of a gas generating energetic material, wherein the audible report from initiation of the expansion device does not exceed 150 dB as measured on an ANSI type I sound level meter placed not more than 1 meter away; 
 a plunger disposed in a housing and in communication with the expansion device, wherein the plunger is constrained to movement of not more than 1 meter in any direction; and 
 a barrier positioned to block flow through the inlet port such that actuation of the expansion device drives the plunger into the barrier to enable flow through the inlet port. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is figured to rupture the barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a rupture disc. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is configured to weaken the barrier. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion device locates the gas generating energetic material in the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool comprises a flow valve. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises the inlet port to enable exposure of the downhole actuation tool to actuating pressure of the well fluid after the plunger engages the barrier. 
     
     
         8 . A method for actuating a tool downhole, comprising:
 positioning the tool in a well string, the tool being hydraulically actuatable by a hydraulic fluid;   locating a barrier member to block flow of the hydraulic fluid through a port to the tool;   orienting a plunger between the barrier member and an expansion device containing a gas generating energetic material in a manner such that any audible report from initiation of the gas generating energetic material is less than 140 dB as measured by an ANSI type 2 sound level meter positioned at a distance of less than 1 meter and such that initiation of the gas generating energetic material provides no mechanical movement of more than 1 meter; and   coupling the expansion device to an initiator device able to receive signals from uphole regarding actuation of the gas generating energetic material.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising sending a signal downhole to the initiator device to actuate the expansion device and drive the plunger into the barrier member. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising locating a rupture disc in the port. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein orienting comprises slidably orienting the plunger in a cylindrical housing adjacent the barrier. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein sending the signal downhole comprises sending an acoustic signal downhole to the initiator device. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein sending the signal downhole comprises sending an electromagnetic signal downhole to the initiator device. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein sending the signal downhole comprises sending a seismic telemetry signal downhole to the initiator device. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein sending the signal downhole comprises sending a radiofrequency signal downhole to the initiator device. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising forming the expansion device with the gas generating energetic material located in an internal expansion chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising hydraulically actuating the tool with well fluid. 
     
     
         18 . A method of constructing and actuatable downhole tool system, comprising:
 providing a port in communication with a downhole tool which may be hydraulically actuated;   positioning a barrier member to selectively block flow of fluid through the port;   orienting a plunger member to selectively transition the barrier member in a manner which allows flow of actuating fluid through the port to actuate the downhole tool;   locating an expansion chamber adjacent the plunger member;   placing an expansion material in the expansion chamber, the expansion material being selectively expandable to drive the plunger member to transition the barrier member; and   simplifying transportability of the actuatable downhole tool system by:
 ensuring the expansion chamber is not ruptured; 
 maintaining temperature in the area surrounding the expansion material to a temperature that does not exceed 100° C.; 
 minimizing the audible report from initiation of the expansion material to less than 150 dB as measured by an ANSI type 1 sound level meter at not more than 1 meter away; and 
 limiting mechanical movement due to initiation of the expansion material to less than 1 meter. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein positioning the barrier member comprises positioning a valve. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein positioning the barrier member comprises positioning a rupture disc.