Gauge hanger

Abstract

A gauge hanger for deployment in a wellbore using a setting tool is disclosed. The gauge hanger comprises a switchable magnet for attaching the gauge hanger to a wellbore wall, and a coupling assembly for coupling the gauge hanger to the setting tool. The switchable magnet and the coupling assembly are arranged to be actuated by a common actuator such as a motor in the setting tool.

1 . A gauge hanger arranged to be deployed in a wellbore using a setting tool, the gauge hanger comprising:
 a switchable magnet arranged to attach the gauge hanger to a wellbore wall; and   a coupling assembly arranged to couple the gauge hanger to the setting tool;   wherein the switchable magnet and the coupling assembly are arranged to be actuated by a common actuator.   
     
     
         2 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the switchable magnet is switchable between a deactivated state and an activated state, and, in the activated state, the switchable magnet produces an external magnetic field sufficient to attach the gauge hanger to the wellbore wall. 
     
     
         3 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly is switchable between an engaged state and a disengaged state, and, in the engaged state, the setting tool is attached to the gauge hanger. 
     
     
         4 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein switching the switchable magnet to an activated state also switches the coupling assembly to a disengaged state. 
     
     
         5 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 4 , wherein the coupling assembly is not switched to the disengaged state until the switchable magnet is switched to the activated state. 
     
     
         6 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein switching the coupling assembly to an engaged state also switches the switchable magnet to a deactivated state. 
     
     
         7 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the switchable magnet is not switched to the deactivated state until the coupling assembly is switched to the engaged state. 
     
     
         8 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the switchable magnet comprises a rotatable core, and rotation of the rotatable core switches the switchable magnet between an activated state and a deactivated state. 
     
     
         9 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly comprises a rotatable element, and rotation of the rotatable element switches the coupling assembly between an engaged state and a disengaged state. 
     
     
         10 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the rotatable element is rotated synchronously with a rotatable core in the switchable magnet. 
     
     
         11 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the coupling assembly comprises at least one engagement member for engagement with the setting tool, and the rotatable element comprises a cam which is arranged to displace the at least one engagement member. 
     
     
         12 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary retention mechanism for holding the setting tool and the gauge hanger together when the coupling assembly is in a disengaged state. 
     
     
         13 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 1 , the gauge hanger comprising a plurality of switchable magnets for attaching the gauge hanger to the wellbore wall. 
     
     
         14 . A gauge hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein one of the plurality of switchable magnets is provided on either side of an instrument, and the instrument is used to transfer rotation between the plurality of switchable magnets. 
     
     
         15 . A deployment assembly comprising:
 a gauge hanger, the gauge hanger comprising a switchable magnet for attaching the gauge hanger to a wellbore wall; and   a setting tool for deploying the gauge hanger in a wellbore,   wherein the deployment assembly comprises a coupling assembly for coupling the gauge hanger to the setting tool, and   the switchable magnet and the coupling assembly are arranged to be actuated by a common actuator.   
     
     
         16 . A deployment assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting tool comprises the common actuator arranged to actuate the coupling assembly and the switchable magnet. 
     
     
         17 . A deployment assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting tool comprises a collar arranged to slide over the coupling assembly, wherein the collar comprises one or more of:
 an internal taper;   a V-shaped slot arranged to ride over a locator pin on the coupling assembly;   an internal groove arranged to receive a snap ring on the coupling assembly; or   one or more slots arranged to receive an engagement member.   
     
     
         18 . A deployment assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting tool comprises a guide arranged to locate the setting tool in the wellbore relative to the gauge hanger. 
     
     
         19 . A method of deploying a gauge hanger in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 coupling the gauge hanger to a setting tool;   lowering the gauge hanger and setting tool in the wellbore;   attaching the gauge hanger to a wellbore wall by activating a switchable magnet; and   decoupling the setting tool from the gauge hanger,   wherein activating the switchable magnet and decoupling the setting tool are actuated by a common actuator.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , the method further comprising:
 lowering a retrieval tool into the wellbore;   coupling the retrieval tool to the gauge hanger; and   deactivating the switchable magnet attaching the gauge hanger to the wellbore wall,   wherein coupling the retrieval tool and deactivating the switchable magnet are actuated by the common actuator.