Remote Operation of Cementing Head

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for remotely operating a cementing head. Remotely operating a cementing head ( 202 ) may allow for continued rotation as well as up or down movements (e.g., of a top drive).

1 . A method for remotely operating a cementing head in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 exchanging signals between a first device and a second device via a medium in connection with the cementing head, wherein the second device is adjacent to the cementing head; and   performing cementing head operations corresponding to the exchanged signals.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medium is a metal pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first device is located at a rig floor of the wellbore. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising receiving a signal confirming the operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein sensors confirm the operations of the cementing head. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted by an acoustic transmitter that is in physical contact with the medium. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted longitudinally, transversely, or a combination of both with respect to the medium. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by toroidal coils that are not in physical contact with the medium. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one toroidal coil of the first device comprises partial toroidal coil sections mounted to form a complete toroidal coil. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the complete toroidal coil is formed by disposing the partial toroidal coil sections on a hinged frame around the medium. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by a single-wire line transmission system. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operations comprise dropping plugs, darts, tool activation, and confirmation devices into the wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises exchanging signals through a body of water using sonar or an acoustic modem. 
     
     
         16 . A system for remotely operating a cementing head in a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a first device located at a rig floor of the wellbore;   a second device located adjacent to the cementing head; and   a control unit for remotely operating the cementing head, wherein the control unit is configured to:
 exchange signals between the first device and the second device via a medium in connection with the cementing head; and 
 perform cementing head operations corresponding to the exchanged signals. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the control unit is attached to the second device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising another control unit attached to the first device for processing the signals exchanged between the first device and the second device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising sensors for confirming the operations of the cementing head. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a handheld device for controlling the first device and receiving confirmations for the operations of the cementing head. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by toroidal coils that are not in physical contact with the medium. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein at least one toroidal coil of the first device comprises partial toroidal coil sections mounted to form a complete toroidal coil. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the complete toroidal coil is formed by disposing the partial toroidal coil sections on a hinged frame around the medium.