Injection of fluid into selected ones of multiple zones with well tools selectively responsive to magnetic patterns

Abstract

A method of actuating a well tool can include displacing a magnetic device pattern in the well, thereby transmitting a corresponding magnetic signal to the well tool, and the well tool actuating in response to detection of the magnetic signal. A method of injecting fluid into selected ones of multiple zones penetrated by a wellbore can include displacing at least one magnetic device into at least one valve in the wellbore, the valve actuating in response to the displacing step, and injecting the fluid through the valve and into at least one of the zones associated with the valve. An injection valve for use in a subterranean well can include a sensor which detects a magnetic field, and an actuator which opens the injection valve in response to detection of at least one predetermined magnetic signal by the sensor.

1 . A method of actuating at least one well tool in a well, the method comprising:
 producing a first magnetic device pattern in the well, thereby transmitting a corresponding first magnetic signal to the well tool; and   the well tool actuating in response to detection of the first magnetic signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern comprises a predetermined number of the magnetic devices. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern comprises a predetermined spacing in time of the magnetic devices. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern comprises a predetermined spacing in time between predetermined numbers of the magnetic devices. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one well tool comprises multiple well tools, and wherein a first set of the well tools actuates in response to detection of the first magnetic signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a second set of the well tools actuates in response to detection of a second magnetic signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the second magnetic signal corresponds to a second magnetic device pattern produced in the well. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the well tool comprises a valve. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the valve comprises an injection valve. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising injecting fluid outward through the injection valve and into a formation surrounding a wellbore. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting the first magnetic signal with a magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic sensor comprises an inductive sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic device pattern comprises a predetermined magnetic field arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic device pattern comprises a predetermined arrangement of multiple magnetic fields. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic device pattern comprises a predetermined change in a magnetic field. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic device pattern comprises a predetermined pattern of multiple magnetic field changes. 
     
     
         17 . A method of injecting fluid into selected ones of multiple zones penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:
 displacing at least one magnetic device in the wellbore;   at least one valve actuating in response to the displacing; and   injecting the fluid through the valve and into at least one of the zones associated with the valve.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve actuates in response to the displacing step comprising displacing a predetermined number of the magnetic devices into the valve. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a retractable seat is activated to a sealing position in response to the displacing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve actuates in response to the magnetic device having a predetermined magnetic pattern. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve actuates in response to displacing a predetermined pattern of multiple magnetic devices in the displacing step. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve actuates in response to a predetermined magnetic signal being transmitted from the magnetic device to the valve. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve actuates in response to a sensor of the valve detecting a magnetic field of the magnetic device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the valve actuates in response to a sensor of the valve detecting a change in a magnetic field. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the valve closing in response to the displacing step. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein at least two of the magnetic devices are displaced into the valve. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising retrieving the magnetic device from the valve. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein retrieving the magnetic device comprises expanding a retractable seat. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein retrieving the magnetic device comprises displacing the magnetic device through a seat. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the magnetic device comprises multiple magnetic field-producing components arranged in a pattern on a sphere. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pattern comprises spaced apart positions distributed along a continuous undulating path about the sphere. 
     
     
         32 . An injection valve for use in a subterranean well, the injection valve comprising:
 at least one sensor which detects a magnetic field; and   an actuator which opens the injection valve in response to detection of at least one predetermined magnetic signal by the sensor.   
     
     
         33 . The injection valve of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator opens the injection valve in response to a predetermined number of magnetic signals being detected by the sensor. 
     
     
         34 . The injection valve of  claim 32 , further comprising a retractable seat. 
     
     
         35 . The injection valve of  claim 34 , wherein the retractable seat is activated to a sealing position in response to detection of the predetermined magnetic signal by the sensor. 
     
     
         36 . The injection valve of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator opens the injection valve in response to a predetermined magnetic pattern being detected by the sensor. 
     
     
         37 . The injection valve of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator closes the injection valve in response to multiple predetermined magnetic signals being detected by the sensor. 
     
     
         38 . The injection valve of  claim 37 , wherein at least two of the predetermined magnetic signals are different from each other. 
     
     
         39 . A method of injecting fluid into selected ones of multiple zones penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:
 displacing a first set of at least one magnetic device through a tubular string having multiple injection valves interconnected therein;   actuating a first set of at least one of the injection valves in response to the first magnetic device set displacing;   displacing a second set of at least one magnetic device through the tubular string; and   actuating a second set of at least one of the injection valves in response to the second magnetic device set displacing.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first injection valve set actuates in response to the first magnetic device set including a first predetermined number of the magnetic devices. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the second injection valve set actuates in response to the second magnetic device set including a second predetermined number of the magnetic devices. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein at least one retractable seat of the first injection valve set is activated to a sealing position in response to the step of displacing the first magnetic device set through the tubular string. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first injection valve set actuates in response to the first magnetic device set having a first predetermined magnetic pattern. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the second injection valve set actuates in response to the second magnetic device set having a second predetermined magnetic pattern. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first injection valve set actuates in response to a first predetermined magnetic signal being transmitted from the first magnetic device set to the first injection valve set. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the second injection valve set actuates in response to a second predetermined magnetic signal being transmitted from the second magnetic device set to the second injection valve set. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first injection valve set actuates in response to at least one first sensor of the first injection valve set detecting a magnetic field of the first magnetic device set. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the second injection valve set actuates in response to at least one second sensor of the second injection valve set detecting a magnetic field of the second magnetic device set. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising displacing a third set of at least one magnetic device through the tubular string. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising closing the first injection valve set in response to the third magnetic device set displacing. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising displacing a fourth set of at least one magnetic device through the tubular string. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising closing the second injection valve set in response to the fourth magnetic device set displacing. 
     
     
         53 . A magnetic device, comprising:
 multiple magnetic field-producing components arranged in a pattern on a sphere.   
     
     
         54 . The magnetic device of  claim 53 , wherein the magnetic field-producing components comprise permanent magnets. 
     
     
         55 . The magnetic device of  claim 53 , wherein the pattern comprises spaced apart positions distributed along a continuous undulating path about the sphere. 
     
     
         56 . The magnetic device of  claim 53 , wherein the magnetic field-producing components are positioned in recesses formed on the sphere. 
     
     
         57 . The magnetic device of  claim 53 , wherein the pattern of magnetic field-producing components projects at least one magnetic field substantially evenly about the sphere. 
     
     
         58 . A method of actuating at least one well tool in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
 inwardly retracting a seat in the well tool; and   then outwardly expanding the seat in the well tool.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the inwardly retracting is performed in response to displacing a magnetic device in the well tool. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the inwardly retracting is performed in response to displacing a magnetic device through the well tool. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising sealingly engaging the seat with a plug, after the inwardly retracting. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the outwardly expanding is performed in response to the sealingly engaging. 
     
     
         63 . A valve for use in a subterranean well, the valve comprising:
 a seat which is sealingly engaged by a plug in the well, and   wherein the seat inwardly retracts and outwardly expands in succession.   
     
     
         64 . The valve of  claim 63 , wherein the seat inwardly retracts in response to displacement of a magnetic device in the valve. 
     
     
         65 . The valve of  claim 63 , wherein the seat inwardly retracts in response to displacement of a magnetic device through the valve. 
     
     
         66 . The valve of  claim 63 , wherein the seat sealingly engages the plug in an inwardly retracted configuration of the seat. 
     
     
         67 . The valve of  claim 66 , wherein the seat outwardly expands in response to sealing engagement between the plug and the seat.