Methods and appartus for remote actuation of a downhole device in a wellbore

Abstract

An apparatus for remote actuation of a downhole device in a wellbore, that includes a cable head configured to connect with a cable in communication with surface equipment. The cable head is connected with a tractor module. A communication module is connected with the tractor, and a release device is connected with the communication module. The release device is connected with an anchor. The anchor section is connected with a downhole device. The downhole device is configured to communication with the communication module when the communication module is released from the release device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for remote actuation of a downhole device in a wellbore, wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a cable head configured to connect with a cable in communication with surface equipment;   a tractor module connected with the cable head;   a communication module connected with the tractor;   a release device connected with the communication module;   an anchor section connected with the release device; and   a downhole device connected with the release device, wherein the downhole device is configured to communication with the communication module when the communication module is released from the release device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication between the communication module and the release device is wired. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the communication comprises a tether that is on a reel in the communication module, and wherein the tether is in communication with the cable head and with the downhole device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein communication between the communication module and the release device is wireless. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the communication module comprises a transmitter of a wireless communication system, and wherein the downhole device comprises a receiver of the wireless communication system. 
     
     
         6 . A method of remotely actuating a downhole device in a wellbore comprises:
 conveying a downhole device to a desired location of a wellbore;   actuating an anchor in the wellbore; and   actuating the downhole device when the downhole device is at a predetermined location.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein actuating the downhole device comprises removing an end of a trip wire from the downhole device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein actuating the downhole device comprises activating a detonation cord. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein actuating the downhole device comprises a processor on the anchor sending a signal to the downhole device after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein actuating the downhole device comprises using hydrostatic pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein actuating the downhole device comprises a processor on the downhole device instructing a switch to close completing an electric circuit when the processor determines that the downhole device is at a predetermined location. 
     
     
         12 . A method of remotely actuating a downhole device in a wellbore comprises:
 conveying a toolstring into a wellbore, wherein the toolstring is connected with a cable, wherein the toolstring comprises:
 a tractor module connected with a cable head, wherein the cable head is connected with the cable; 
 a communication module connected with the tractor; 
 a release device connected with the communication module; 
 an anchor section connected with the release device; and 
 a downhole device connected with the anchor section; 
   anchoring the downhole device in the wellbore by actuating the anchor section;   disconnecting the communication module form the anchor section by activating the release device;   moving the tractor module and communication module a distance from the downhole device; and   actuating the downhole device by transmitting an actuation signal from the communication module to the downhole device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein transmitting an actuation signal from the communication module to the downhole device comprises sending a signal over a tether connected with the communication module and the downhole device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the actuation signal is sent from a processor located on the toolstring and in communication with the communication module when the tractor module is at a predetermined distance from the downhole device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the actuation signal is sent in response to a signal sent to the communication module from surface equipment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , transmitting an actuation signal from the communication module to the downhole device comprises sending a signal wirelessly to the downhole device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the downhole device is an explosive device, and wherein actuation of the explosive device comprises detonating the explosive device.