Multiple well tool control systems in a multi-valve well testing system having automatic control modes

Abstract

A multi-valve well testing system adapted to be disposed downhole in a borehole, includes a plurality of valves and a plurality of well tool control systems connected, respectively, to the plurality of valves and further includes an automatic control mode feature. The well testing system includes a controller board which comprises a microprocessor and a read only memory (ROM). The ROM has encoded therein a set of microcode which, when executed by the microprocessor, causes the various plurality of valves in the well testing system to be opened and closed automatically, without intervention from the operator at the well surface. A kickoff stimulus is required in order to begin execution of the microcode by the microprocessor. This kickoff stimulus could include a sensing, by a pressure transducer, of a predetermined bottom hole pressure, or a sensing, by a strain gauge, of a predetermined set down weight of the well testing system. As a result, in response to a predetermined kickoff stimulus, the well testing system automatically begins a test which includes the automatic opening and closing of a plurality of valves a predetermined number of times, and in a predetermined sequence.

1. A well testing system adapted to be disposed in a borehole, comprising:
 stimulus generating means for generating an initial kickoff stimulus;  
 a plurality of valves;  
 a plurality of control system means connected respectively to the plurality of valves for operating said valves; and  
 control means interconnected between said plurality of control system means and said stimulus generating means for automatically controlling the operation of one or more of said plurality of control system means and thereby one or more of said plurality of valves in a predetermined manner in response to said initial kickoff stimulus.  
 
     
     
       2. The well testing system of  claim 1 , wherein said control means comprises a memory means for storing a set of instructions and a processor means connected to said memory means for executing said set of instructions in response to said initial kickoff stimulus and automatically controlling the operation of said one or more of said plurality of control system means during the execution of said instructions. 
     
     
       3. The well testing system of  claim 2 , wherein said set of instructions comprises a special instruction set, said plurality of valves include a first valve and a second valve, the processor means alternately opening and closing said first valve until a predetermined time is reached, said processor means opening said second valve after said predetermined time in response to execution of said special instruction set. 
     
     
       4. A method of automatically controlling a plurality of valves disposed in a multi-valve well testing system when said system is disposed in a borehole, comprising:
 generating an initial kickoff stimulus signal;    receiving said initial kickoff stimulus signal in a processor means disposed in said system;    executing in said processor means a set of instructions stored in a memory disposed in said system in response to said initial kickoff stimulus signal; and    automatically controlling one or more of said plurality of valves during the execution of said set of instructions.    
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the generating step comprises the step of:
 sensing an annulus pressure around a tubing string and generating said initial kickoff stimulus signal when the sensed annulus pressure matches a predetermined criterion.    
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the generating step comprises the step of:
 sensing a bottom hole pressure inside a tubing string and generating said initial kickoff stimulus signal when the sensed bottom hole pressure matches a predetermined criterion.    
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4 ,  A method of automatically controlling a plurality of valves disposed in a multi- valve well testing system when said system is disposed in a borehole, comprising:  
   generating an initial kickoff stimulus signal;    
   receiving said initial kickoff stimulus signal in a processor means disposed in said system;    
   executing in said processor means a set of instructions stored in a memory disposed in said system in response to said initial kickoff stimulus signal; and    
   automatically controlling one or more of said plurality of valves during the execution of said set of instructions,    
 
       wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:
 sensing a set down weight of said multi-valve well testing system when said system is disposed in said borehole and generating said initial kickoff stimulus signal when the sensed set down weight matches a predetermined criterion.  
 
     
     
       8. The well testing system of  claim 1  wherein said stimulus generating means comprises a pressure transducer. 
     
     
       9. The well testing system of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure transducer senses annulus pressure around tubing string in said borehole. 
     
     
       10. The well testing system of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure transducer senses bottom hole pressure inside a tubing string in said borehole. 
     
     
       11. The well testing system of  claim 1 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises a strain gauge for sensing a set down weight of said well testing system when disposed in said borehole. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 4 ,  A method of automatically controlling a plurality of valves disposed in a multi- valve well testing system when said system is disposed in a borehole, comprising:  
   generating an initial kickoff stimulus signal;    
   receiving said initial kickoff stimulus signal in a processor means disposed in said system;    
   executing in said processor means a set of instructions stored in a memory disposed in said system in response to said initial kickoff stimulus signal; and    
   automatically controlling one or more of said plurality of valves during the execution of said set of instructions,    
 
       wherein said plurality of valves includes a first valve and a second valve, and wherein the executing step comprises the steps of:
 further executing a special instruction set, the further execution of the special instruction set including the steps of, 
 opening and closing said first valve in an alternating manner until a predetermined time is reached, and  
 opening said second valve after said predetermined time.  
 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 4 ,  A method of automatically controlling a plurality of valves disposed in a multi- valve well testing system when said system is disposed in a borehole, comprising:  
   generating an initial kickoff stimulus signal;    
   receiving said initial kickoff stimulus signal in a processor means disposed in said system;    
   executing in said processor means a set of instructions stored in a memory disposed in said system in response to said initial kickoff stimulus signal; and    
   automatically controlling one or more of said plurality of valves during the execution of said set of instructions,    
 
       wherein said plurality of valves includes a first valve and a second valve, and wherein the executing step comprises the steps of:
 (a) opening said first valve;  
 (b) closing said first valve and determining if a measured bottom hole pressure matches a predetermined criterion;  
 (c) if said measured bottom hole pressure matches said predetermined criterion, opening one of said first valve and said second valve;  
 (d) if said measured bottom hole pressure does not match said predetermined criterion, determining if a predetermined time has elapsed;  
 (e) if said predetermined time has elapsed, opening one of said first valve and said second valve; and  
 (f) if said predetermined time has not elapsed, returning to step (a).  
 
     
     
       14. The well testing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of control system means comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       15. The well testing system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said plurality of control system means comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       16. The well testing system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said plurality of control system means comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       17. The well testing system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said plurality of control system means comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       18. The well testing system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said plurality of control system means comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       19. The well testing system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said plurality of control system means comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       20. The well testing system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said plurality of control system means comprises a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       21. The well testing system of  claim 1 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole. 
     
     
       22. The well testing system of  claim 2 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole. 
     
     
       23. The well testing system of  claim 3 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole. 
     
     
       24. The well testing system of  claim 8 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole. 
     
     
       25. A method of automatically controlling a plurality of valves disposed in a multi- valve well testing system when said system is disposed in a borehole, comprising:      generating an initial kickoff stimulus signal;        receiving said initial kickoff stimulus signal in a processor means disposed in said system;        executing in said processor means a set of instructions stored in a memory disposed in said system in response to said initial kickoff stimulus signal; and        automatically controlling one or more of said plurality of valves during the execution of said set of instructions,        wherein automatic controlling step comprises the step of: operating a plurality of control system means connected respectively to said plurality of valves for operating said valves during the execution of said set of instructions.     
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the generating step comprises the steps of: sensing an annulus pressure around a tubing string and generating said initial kickoff stimulus signal when the sensed annulus pressure matches a predetermined criterion. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the generating step comprises the steps of: sensing an bottom hole pressure inside a tubing string and generating said initial kickoff stimulus signal when the sensed bottom hole pressure matches a predetermined criterion. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 7 , wherein automatic controlling step comprises the step of:
   operating a plurality of control system means connected respectively to said plurality of valves for operating said valves during the execution of said set of instructions.     
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 12 , wherein automatic controlling step comprises the step of:
   operating a plurality of control system means connected respectively to said plurality of valves for operating said valves during the execution of said set of instructions.     
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 13 , wherein automatic controlling step comprises the step of:
   operating a plurality of control system means connected respectively to said plurality of valves for operating said valves during the execution of said set of instructions.     
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:
 ( a )  recognizing pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein each of the pulses of predetermined signature comprises a predetermined magnitude and a predetermined duration, and wherein the predetermined magnitude and the predetermined duration define the predetermined signature; and      ( b )  producing said initial kickoff stimulus signal for control of one of said plurality of valves based on said pulses of predetermined signature.     
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 29 , wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:
 ( a )  recognizing pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein each of the pulses of predetermined signature comprises a predetermined magnitude and a predetermined duration, and wherein the predetermined magnitude and the predetermined duration define the predetermined signature; and      ( b )  producing said initial kickoff stimulus signal for control of one of said plurality of valves based on said pulses of predetermined signature.     
     
     
       33. The well testing system of  claim 9 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:
 ( a )  recognizing pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein each of the pulses of predetermined signature comprises a predetermined magnitude and a predetermined duration, and wherein the predetermined magnitude and the predetermined duration define the predetermined signature; and      ( b )  producing said initial kickoff stimulus signal for control of one of said plurality of valves based on said pulses of predetermined signature.     
     
     
       35. The well testing system of  claim 1 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein said pulses are propagated in a borehole fluid. 
     
     
       36. The well testing system of  claim 2 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein said pulses are propagated in a borehole fluid. 
     
     
       37. The well testing system of  claim 3 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein said pulses are propagated in a borehole fluid. 
     
     
       38. The well testing system of  claim 8 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein said pulses are propagated in a borehole fluid. 
     
     
       39. The well testing system of  claim 9 , wherein said stimulus generating means comprises: means for recognition of pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole, wherein said pulses are propagated in a borehole fluid. 
     
     
       40. A method of automatically controlling a plurality of valves disposed in a multi- valve well testing system when said system is disposed in a borehole, comprising:      generating an initial kickoff stimulus signal;        receiving said initial kickoff stimulus signal in a processor means disposed in said system;        executing in said processor means a set of instructions stored in a memory disposed in said system in response to said initial kickoff stimulus signal; and        automatically controlling one or more of said plurality of valves during the execution of said set of instructions,      
       
         wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:  
         ( a )  recognizing pulses of predetermined signature transmitted into said borehole via a borehole fluid, wherein each of the pulses of predetermined signature comprises a predetermined magnitude and a predetermined duration, and wherein the predetermined magnitude and the predetermined duration define the predetermined signature; and    
         ( b )  producing said initial kickoff stimulus signal for control of one of said plurality of valves based on said pulses of predetermined signature when the pulses of predetermined signature are detected.   
       
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 40 , wherein the recognizing pulses of predetermined signature step comprises detecting the pulses of predetermined signature in an annulus pressure around a tubing string. 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 40 , wherein the recognizing pulses of predetermined signature step comprises detecting the pulses of predetermined signature in a bottom hole pressure inside a tubing string. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 40 , wherein the pulses of predetermined signature comprise two or more pulses in a series to form a command signal. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the pulses of predetermined signature comprise two or more pulses in a series to form a command signal. 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 42 , wherein the pulses of predetermined signature comprise two or more pulses in a series to form a command signal.