Module For Use With Completion Equipment

Abstract

In general, module is lowered to a position in a well to communicate with completion equipment in the well for performing a check of a downhole condition. According to a result of the check, the module is used to actuate a component of the completion equipment. In further examples, a string is lowered into the well, where the string has a first coupler portion and a contraction joint. The contraction joint is used to align the first coupler portion on the string with a second coupler portion that is part of completion equipment in the well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 lowering a module to a position in a well to communicate with completion equipment in the well for performing a check of a downhole condition; and   according to a result of the check, using the module to actuate a component of the completion equipment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 establishing communication between the module and the completion equipment to perform the check of the downhole condition.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein establishing the communication comprises establishing the communication using a first coupler portion that is part of the module and a second coupler portion that is part of the completion equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second coupler portions is selected from the group consisting of: an inductive coupler portion, an electrical wet connect portion, an optical coupler portion, and a hydraulic coupler portion. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the module is part of equipment that further includes a contraction joint, the method further comprising using the contraction joint to align the first inductive coupler portion with the second inductive coupler portion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the check comprises performing a check of a downhole environmental condition in the well. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the check comprises performing a status check of the completion equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the check includes the module querying a sensor in the completion equipment or the module querying for a setting of a component of the completion equipment. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein using the module to actuate the component comprises using the module to mechanically actuate the component. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein using the module to actuate the component comprises using the module to electrically actuate the component. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein using the module to actuate the component comprises using the module to hydraulically actuate the component. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising:
 a module to be lowered into a well; and   a completion equipment for installation in the well, where the module is to communicate with the completion equipment in the well for performing a check of a downhole condition, and where the module is to, according to a result of the check, actuate a component of the completion equipment.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the module includes a first coupler portion, and the completion equipment includes a second coupler portion to communicate with the first coupler portion when the first and second coupler portions are brought into alignment. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second coupler portions is selected from the group consisting of: an inductive coupler portion, an electrical wet connect portion, an optical coupler portion, and a hydraulic coupler portion. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the module further includes a ball-release mechanism to release a ball to actuate the component. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 lowering a string into a well, wherein the string has a first coupler portion and a contraction joint; and   using the contraction joint to align the first coupler portion on the string with a second coupler portion that is part of completion equipment in the well.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the coupler portion is selected from the group consisting of: an inductive coupler portion, an electrical wet connect portion, an optical coupler portion, and a hydraulic coupler portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising setting weight on the string to shear a shear element of the contraction joint. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a mechanism in the contraction joint to actuate the contraction joint between different stroke positions. 
     
     
         20 . A module comprising:
 a body;   an electrical cable connected to the body to allow for electrical communication; and   a ball-release mechanism having a ball and a release member for releasing the ball in response to an input stimulus.