Automatic packer

Abstract

A downhole apparatus including a tool body and a sealing element disposed within the tool body. Also, at least one sensor disposed on the tool body, wherein the sensor is configured to take measurements from a well and wherein the sensor measures an actuation condition, the sensor signals the sealing element to actuate. Also, a method of sealing a portion of a well including disposing an automatic packer in a well, wherein the automatic packer includes a tool body, a sealing element disposed within the tool body, and a sensor disposed on the tool body. The method also includes measuring a condition within the well, determining an actuation condition with the sensor, and expanding the sealing element into contact with an inner diameter of the well when the actuation condition is determined.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A downhole apparatus comprising:
 a tool body;   a sealing element disposed within the tool body; and   at least one sensor disposed on the tool body, wherein the sensor is configured to take measurements from a well, and   wherein when the sensor measures an actuation condition, the sensor signals the sealing element to actuate.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source connected to the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a fluid type, a load, a density, a specific gravity, an induction, a conduction, a refraction, an infrared signal, a fiber optic signal, an acceleration, a velocity, a wireless transmission, a gyroscopic measurement, an ultrasonic signal, a tachometer measurement, a casing collar locator, a modular reservoir dynamic test, and a position. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one data controller connected to the sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wireless transmitter connected to the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an extendable perforator. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least one perforation charge is disposed on the extendable perforator. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the extendable perforator comprises a line and at least one perforation charge disposed on the line. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the extendable perforator further comprises at least one retention device disposed at a terminal end of the extendable perforator. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one retention device comprises an engagement surface configured to hold the retention device against an inner diameter of the well. 
     
     
         11 . A method of sealing a portion of a well:
 disposing an automatic packer in the well, wherein the automatic packer comprises a tool body, a sealing element disposed within the tool body, and a sensor disposed on the tool body;   measuring a condition within the well;   determining an actuation condition with the sensor, and   expanding the sealing element into contact with an inner diameter of the well when the actuation condition is determined.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the expanding comprises radially expanding the sealing element. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the actuation condition comprises at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a fluid type, a load, an acceleration, a velocity, and a position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising determining a position within the well by measuring a number of tubular sections with the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the automatic packer moves freely within the well. 
     
     
         16 . A method of perforating a well:
 disposing an automatic packer in the well, wherein the automatic packer comprises a tool body, a sealing element disposed within the tool body, and a sensor disposed on the tool body;   measuring a condition within the well;   determining an actuation condition with the sensor;   expanding the sealing element into contact with an inner diameter of the well when the actuation condition is determined;   extending an extendable perforator having at least one perforation charge within the well; and   discharging at least one perforation charge within the well.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising engaging at least one retention device of the extendable perforator into contact with the inner diameter of the well. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising extending a second extendable perforator having at least one perforation charge within the well and discharging the at least one perforation charge disposed on the second extendable perforator within the well. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the extendable perforator extends above the automatic packer and the second extendable perforator extends below the automatic packer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the extendable perforator is extended based on a control signal from the sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising drilling laterally a borehole into a side of the well and discharging the at least one perforation charge within the borehole. 
     
     
         22 . A method of clearing an obstruction from a wellbore, the method comprising:
 disposing an automatic packer in a well, wherein the automatic packer comprises a tool body, a sealing element disposed within the tool body, a sensor disposed on the tool body and a drill bit disposed on the tool body;   determining an obstruction is in the well;   actuating the drill bit; and   removing the obstruction from the well with the drill bit.   
     
     
         23 . A downhole apparatus comprising:
 a tool body;   a sealing element disposed within the tool body;   a motive device attached to the tool body; and   at least one sensor disposed on the tool body, wherein the sensor is configured to take measurements from a well.   
     
     
         24 . A method of gathering data from a wellbore, the method comprising:
 disposing an automatic packer in a well, wherein the automatic packer comprises a tool body,   a sealing element disposed within the tool body, and a sensor disposed on the tool body;   actuating the sealing element;   isolating a first portion of the well from a second portion of the well;   gathering data within at least one of the first portion of the well and the second portion of the well with the sensor; and   transmitting the gathered data to a surface of the well.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising receiving data from the surface of the well to the automatic packer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising adjusting a wellbore parameter based on the gathered data transmitted to the surface of the well. 
     
     
         27 . A method of perforating a well, the method comprising:
 disposing an automatic packer in a well, wherein the automatic packer comprises a tool body, a sealing element disposed within the tool body, a sensor disposed on the tool body, an extendable drilling mechanism having a drill bit, and a plurality of perforation charges;   actuating the sealing element;   perforating a casing with at least one perforation charge;   drilling a bore with the extendable drilling mechanism;   extending arms of the extendable drilling mechanism into the bore; and   perforating the bore with at least one perforation charge.