Remote Operation of Setting Tools for Liner Hangers

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for remotely operating a setting tool for a liner hanger ( 402 ) independent of a ball seating or dart landing. Operating the setting tool independent of the ball seating or dart landing may allow for a sufficient pressure differential to properly set the liner hanger.

1 . A method for remotely operating a setting tool for a liner hanger in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 exchanging signals between a first device and a second device via a medium in connection with the setting tool, wherein the second device is adjacent to the setting tool; and   performing operations of the setting tool 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 the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted by an acoustic transmitter that is in physical contact with the medium. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the acoustic signals are transmitted longitudinally, transversely, or a combination of both with respect to the medium. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by toroidal coils that are not in physical contact with the medium. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the EM signals are exchanged by a single-wire line transmission system. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a signal confirming the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the operations comprise actuating at least one of a valve, a tool, and a monitoring sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving the signal comprises receiving confirmation of actuation of at least one of the valve, the tool, and the monitoring sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein receiving the signal comprises:
 receiving a signal comprising force and displacement measurements of the liner hanger; and   confirming proper setting of the liner hanger based on the signal.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exchanging the signals comprises exchanging signals through a body of water using sonar or an acoustic modem. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 exchanging other signals between the first device and a third device via a medium in connection with a cementing head, wherein the third device is adjacent to the cementing head; and   performing cementing head operations corresponding to the other exchanged signals.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein exchanging the other signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the third device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising receiving a signal confirming the operations of the cementing head, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the third device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein sensors confirm the operations of the cementing head. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cementing head operations comprise dropping plugs, darts, tool activation, and confirmation devices into the wellbore. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 receiving a signal confirming proper placement of the plugs into the wellbore, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device; and   upon receiving the signal confirming the proper placement, performing the operations of the setting tool.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein sensors confirm proper placement of the plugs into the wellbore. 
     
     
         22 . A system for remotely operating a setting tool for a liner hanger in a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a first device located at a rig floor of the wellbore;   a second device adjacent to the setting tool; and   a control unit for remotely operating the setting tool, wherein the control unit is configured to:
 exchange signals between the first device and the second device via a medium in connection with the setting tool; and 
 perform operations of the setting tool corresponding to the exchanged signals. 
   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the signals comprise acoustic signals and electromagnetic (EM) signals. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , the control unit configured to exchange the signals comprises transmitting a signal for actuating the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the control unit is configured to receive a signal confirming the operations of the setting tool, wherein the signal is received at the first device, originating from the second device. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control unit configured to receive the signal comprises:
 receiving a signal comprising force and displacement measurements of the liner hanger; and   confirming proper setting of the liner hanger based on the signal.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the control unit configured to exchange the signals comprises exchanging signals through a body of water using sonar or an acoustic modem. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a third device adjacent to a cementing head; and   another control unit for remotely operating the cementing head, wherein the other control unit is configured to:
 exchange other signals between the first device and the third device via a medium in connection with the cementing head; and 
 perform cementing head operations corresponding to the other exchanged signals.