Method and apparatus for a reusable auto-reset setting tool

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to install a plug on a reusable auto-reset setting tool. This disclosure relates more particularly to methods and apparatus for providing a setting tool able to actuate subsequent plugs on subsequent downhole deployment runs, without the need to use tooling or recharges between each subsequent run. The auto-reset setting tool may include components able to recover automatically, without human manipulation, their run-in-hole position after the downhole actuation to set a plug, for example. The auto-reset setting tool may include a pressure chamber and a piston, wherein a fluid pressure can be adjusted within the pressure chamber, and wherein the piston is linked with the fluid pressure of the pressure chamber and can shift longitudinally within the auto-reset setting tool. The method using a reusable auto-reset setting tool may comprise the recovering of the position of the auto-reset setting tool after its downhole actuation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 deploying an auto-reset setting tool inside a wellbore,
 whereby the auto-rest setting tool includes a pressure chamber and a piston,
 wherein a fluid pressure can be adjusted within the pressure chamber, 
 wherein the piston is linked with the fluid pressure of the pressure chamber and can shift longitudinally within the auto-reset setting tool; 
 
   actuating the auto-reset setting tool by increasing the pressure inside the pressure chamber and consequently shifting the piston longitudinally;   using the piston longitudinal shift to set a device downhole;   releasing the fluid pressure inside the pressure chamber;   recovering the auto-reset setting tool at surface for a subsequent device deployment without the need to redress the auto-reset setting tool.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby the device to be set downhole is a frac plug, a bridge plug, a seat. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , whereby the fluid pressure within the pressure chamber is suited to provide a shifting force to the piston, to set the device downhole. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby the fluid pressure within the pressure chamber is generated by a fluid pump connected to a motor, within the auto-rest setting tool. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , whereby the motor is powered
 by a wired connection linked to a surface unit, or,   by a battery positioned within or next to the auto-reset setting tool, or,   by a turbine positioned within or next to the auto-reset setting tool, wherein the turbine is driven by fluid flow within the wellbore around the auto-reset setting tool.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby the piston includes an uphole surface linked with the fluid pressure of the pressure chamber and a downhole surface linked with a relief pressure chamber,
 whereby the relief pressure chamber is filled with a gas, such as air,   whereby the downhole surface of the piston is contacting a compression spring.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , whereby the piston shifts between an unactuated and an actuated position within the auto-rest setting tool. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , whereby releasing of the fluid pressure inside the pressure chamber occurs when the piston reaches its actuated position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , whereby releasing of the fluid pressure inside the pressure chamber happens by switching off or reversing the powering of the motor, after a predetermined time lapse. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , whereby the piston shifts back to its unactuated position, when the fluid pressure inside the pressure chamber has been released, and when the compression spring applies a force to the downhole surface of the piston.