Dual downhole pressure barrier with communication to verify

Abstract

Apparatus and method are provided for placing a dual pressure barrier in a vertical or horizontal well and verifying by pressure sensors in the well that the pressure barriers are operable. Communication of data from the well may be by electromagnetic or acoustic signals, and the data may be acquired on a ship near the well.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A dual downhole barrier assembly having a flow conduit therethrough for placement in a well, comprising:
 a first and a second barrier valve in the flow conduit;   a first and a second packer to seal outside the flow conduit, the first packer being deeper than the second packer; and   a pressure transducer and a wireless telemetry apparatus between the first and second packer for transmitting pressure data.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a ported sleeve disposed between the first and second barrier valve. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second packer is a retrievable packer and further comprising a polished bore receptacle below the second packer to allow removal of a portion of the conduit above the first packer. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a polished bore receptacle above the second packer. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second barrier valves are operable by a stinger prong. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the ported sleeve is operable by a stinger prong. 
     
     
         7 . A well suspension plug, comprising:
 a body having a sealing surface thereon adapted for setting in a well casing;   a probe below the body containing an acoustic receiver; and   a wireless telemetry pod in the body for communicating data collected below the body or on the body.   
     
     
         8 . The plug of  claim 7  further comprising a sensor on or below the body and below the sealing surface. 
     
     
         9 . A method for verifying pressure barriers in a well, comprising:
 deploying the dual barrier assembly of  claim 1  on a work string in a single trip into the well;   manipulating the first and second barrier valves by movement of a stinger prong; and   sending pressure data to a receiver where the data are communicated to test the first or the second packer of the dual barrier assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the receiver is disposed on a work string or running tool and the pressure data are communicated to surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the work string further comprises a storage device and the pressure data are stored and later retrieved. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the work string includes an on/off attachment and further comprising removing a top portion of the work string by operation of the on/off attachment and placing the suspension plug of  claim 7  in the well and communicating the data to surface through the plug. 
     
     
         13 . A method for placing verifiable pressure barriers in a well, comprising:
 deploying the dual barrier assembly of  claim 1  on a work string and running tool in a single trip into a well; and   removing at least a portion of the work string so as to deploy the suspension plug of  claim 7  in the well.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising providing transmitters and receivers to transmit pressure data from the plug to a ship.