Wellbore activation system

Abstract

A wellbore activation device and method of use in downhole operations are provided. The device comprises a deployment member packaged in a first configuration and arranged to be deployed from said first configuration upon deployment of the activation device within a wellbore, and an activation mechanism for activating the operation of a tool, the activation mechanism being operable upon the deployment or unwinding of a predetermined length of the deployment member. The wellbore activation device and method may initiate the operation of one or more downhole tools.

1 . A wellbore activation device comprising:
 a deployment member packaged in a first configuration and arranged to be deployed from said first configuration upon deployment of the activation device within a wellbore; and   an activation mechanism for activating the operation of a tool, the activation mechanism being operable upon the deployment of a predetermined length of the deployment member.   
     
     
         2 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism is initiated upon full deployment of the deployment member. 
     
     
         3 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism initiates the operation of one or more downhole tools. 
     
     
         4 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation device initiates the operation of a first tool, said first tool then activating a downhole tool. 
     
     
         5 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation device initiates the operation of a variable size dart causing the variable size dart to obtain a different configuration before reaching a corresponding mating seat of a downhole tool to thereby engage the seat, and activate the downhole tool. 
     
     
         6 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a safety device for preventing accidental initiation of the activation device. 
     
     
         7 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation device is activated only if at least one of the ambient pressure and ambient temperature on the activation device is above a pressure threshold. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first tool. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a frame for supporting the deployment member, and the activation mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spool for winding the deployment member prior to deployment. 
     
     
         13 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 12 , wherein the spool is a single piece. 
     
     
         19 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 12 , wherein the spool comprises a split arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 12 , wherein the spool comprises an at least partially split arrangement comprising two or more parts that are held together in a first position via a holding mechanism whereas upon release of the holding mechanism the split arrangement shifts to a second position. 
     
     
         21 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 20 , wherein shifting of the at least partially split arrangement from the first to the second position is a requirement for the initiation of the activation mechanism. 
     
     
         22 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 21 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises the deployment member being wound around the at least partially spool split arrangement, and whereas upon deployment of the deployment member the at least partially split arrangement shifts to the second position. 
     
     
         23 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the deployment member comprises at least one of Vectran, Kevlar fibres, monofilament polymer, steel, copper and optical fibre. 
     
     
         24 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the deployment member comprises a material that degrades or dissolves in the presence of wellbore conditions. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a material applied on the deployment member to control unintentional deployment of the deployment member. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism comprises an energy storage arrangement adapted to release the stored energy to activate a tool upon the deployment of a predetermined length of the deployment member. 
     
     
         30 . The activation device according to  claim 29 , wherein the energy storage arrangement comprises a mechanical energy storage arrangement. 
     
     
         31 . The activation device according to  claim 29 , wherein the energy storage arrangement comprises a chemical energy storage arrangement. 
     
     
         32 . The activation device according to  claim 31 , wherein the activation mechanism comprises a percussion initiator containing an explosive material that ignites upon the striking by a hammer once a predetermined length of the deployment member is deployed. 
     
     
         33 . The activation device according to  claim 32 , wherein the hammer is held in a first position during deployment by virtue of a holding device that prevents accidental striking of the hammer on the percussion initiator. 
     
     
         34 . The activation device according to  claim 33 , wherein the holding device comprises a pull out pin holding a safety pin or wedge at a first position preventing the hammer from striking the percussion initiator. 
     
     
         35 . The activation device according to  claim 34 , wherein the pull out pin is coupled to the deployment member so that upon deployment a predetermined length of the deployment member, the deployment member pulls the pull out pin thus allowing the hammer to strike the percussion initiator. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more perforation guns and wherein the activation mechanism comprises a hammer, a percussion initiator, and a detonation cord, whereas the deployment member is packaged or wound with a predetermined length for deploying the perforation gun to a specified wellbore location whereupon the hammer is released to strike the percussion initiator creating an explosion, and the explosion transmitted via the detonation cord to a plurality of charges carried by the perforation gun to fire the gun and perforate a surrounding casing and/or wellbore. 
     
     
         38 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation mechanism comprises a first member and at least one variable size second member. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The wellbore activation device according to  claim 38 , wherein the deployment member is preloaded with a precise length to cause actuation of the first member at a specified location within the wellbore, said first member in turn causing the second member or members to move from a first retracted position to a second expanded position. 
     
     
         41 . A method for the activation of a wellbore tool, the method comprising: introducing a wellbore activation device according to  claim 1  inside a wellbore;
 anchoring a first end of a deployment member to a wellbore structure at or near the surface; 
 launching the well bore activation device into the wellbore under the action of at least one of gravity and fluid flow; 
 deploying the deployment member; and 
 initiating the activation device once a predetermined length of the deployment member has been deployed. 
 
     
     
         42 .- 56 . (canceled)