Downhole tool deployment

Abstract

An apparatus for fitting to a wellbore, the apparatus including: a self-propelled downhole tool for deployment within the wellbore, and configured to propel itself along at least part of a length of the wellbore; and a lubricator for fitting to a wellhead of the wellbore via a valve system providing communication between the lubricator and the wellbore, and for housing the self-propelled downhole tool when in a stowed position, wherein the lubricator includes an input port for receiving data from a remote unit, the input port being in electrical communication with the self-propelled downhole tool when in the stowed position, and wherein the received data includes instructions for operating the self-propelled downhole tool, and associated self-propelled downhole tool, lubricator and method.

1 . An apparatus for fitting to a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
 a self-propelled downhole tool for deployment within the wellbore, and configured to propel itself along at least part of a length of the wellbore; and   a lubricator for fitting to a wellhead of the wellbore via a valve system providing communication between the lubricator and the wellbore, and for housing the self-propelled downhole tool when in a stowed position,   wherein the lubricator comprises an input port for receiving data from a remote unit, the input port being in electrical communication with the self-propelled downhole tool when in the stowed position, and wherein the received data comprises instructions for operating the self-propelled downhole tool.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricator is configured to transfer the received data communications to the self-propelled downhole tool when in the stowed position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the input port comprises an electrical connector for connection to the self-propelled downhole tool when in the stowed position for creating an electrical connection between the input port and the self-propelled downhole tool. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein electrical connector and/or the self-propelled downhole tool are configured such that the electrical connection is broken when the self-propelled downhole tool is not in the stowed position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein communications data is received by the input port and is transmitted to the self-propelled downhole tool via the electrical connection. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor configured to sense one or more downhole parameters during deployment of the self-propelled downhole tool. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the lubricator further comprises an output port for transmitting sensor data corresponding to the one or more sensed downhole parameters to the, or a separate, remote unit. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the received data comprising instructions for operating the self-propelled downhole tool comprises one or more instructions based on the one or more sensed downhole parameters;   wherein the received data communications comprise data instructing the self-propelled downhole tool to deploy within the wellbore; and   wherein the data communications comprise one or more instructions setting deployment parameters for a deployment of the self-propelled downhole tool.   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the self-propelled downhole tool comprises a processor configured to store the one or more instructions and/or one or more preloaded instructions;   wherein the processor is configured to control the self-propelled downhole tool to undertake the one or more instructions and/or the one or more preloaded instructions.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , when dependent directly or indirectly on any of  claims 6  to  8 , wherein the processor is configured to determine one or more autonomous instructions based at least in part on the one or more sensed downhole parameters. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to control the self-propelled downhole tool autonomously. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the one or more instructions comprise a plurality of instructions; and   wherein the plurality of instructions comprise a complete operation within the wellbore, including returning the self-propelled downhole tool to the stowed position.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, after deployment, the self-propelled downhole tool is configured to operate autonomously. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, after deployment, the self-propelled downhole tool has no direct and/or physical connection to the remote unit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the self-propelled downhole tool comprises a battery to provide power for propelling the self-propelled downhole tool. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the input port is further configured to receive electrical power from the, or a further, remote unit. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claims 18 , wherein the battery is chargeable when the self-propelled downhole tool is in the stowed position. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a sealed end cap fitted to a distal end of the lubricator, and the input port forms part of the end cap;
 wherein the input port comprises an electrical connector for fitting to an external cable.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A self-propelled downhole tool for deployment within a wellbore, and comprising:
 a drive mechanism for propelling the self-propelled downhole tool along at least part of a length of the wellbore; and   a receiver for electrical communication with an input port of a lubricator when the self-propelled downhole tool is in a stowed position, and configured to receive data communications from a remote unit for operating the self-propelled downhole tool.   
     
     
         25 . A lubricator for fitting to a wellhead of a wellbore via a valve system providing communication between the lubricator and the wellbore, and for housing a self-propelled downhole tool when in a stowed position, the self-propelled downhole tool for deployment within the wellbore and configured to propel itself along at least part of a length of the wellbore,
 the lubricator comprising an input port for receiving data from a remote unit, and for electrical communication with a receiver of the self-propelled downhole tool when in the stowed position, and wherein the received data comprises instructions for operating the self-propelled downhole tool.   
     
     
         26 . A method for operating a self-propelled downhole tool within a wellbore, the self-propelled downhole tool being configured to propel itself along at least part of a length of the wellbore , the method comprising:
 stowing the self-propelled downhole tool in a stowed position, in which the self-propelled downhole tool is received within a lubricator fitted to a wellhead of the wellbore via a valve system providing communication between the lubricator and the wellbore;   transmitting, from a remote unit, data communications for operating the self-propelled downhole tool;   receiving, at an input port of the lubricator, the transmitted data communications, the input port being in electrical communication with the self-propelled downhole tool; and   deploying the self-propelled downhole tool based on the received data communications.