One trip completion method and assembly

Abstract

A method and assembly for accurately positioning and safely deploying a packer and at least one tool, such as a perforating gun(s), in a subterranean well during a one-trip completion operation. The assembly comprises an expandable packer, a location device(s), such as a gamma ray probe and/or a collar locator, and at least one tool, such as a perforating gun and/or formation logging tool. The assembly is lowered into a subterranean well on electric line and the packer is accurately positioned in the well by means of the location device(s), and thereafter, is expanded. The remaining assembly is automatically released from the expanded packer and accurately repositioned to a new location within the tubular by means of the electric line and location device(s). The tool is then activated to perform the desired operation, and thereafter, the assembly is removed from the well.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A one-trip well completion method comprising: 
 transporting an assembly comprising at least one location device, at least one tool and a packer on an electric line in a tubular;    accurately positioning said packer at a first location in said tubular;    expanding said packer into sealing engagement with said tubular at said first location;    releasing said at least one tool from said expanded packer; and    accurately positioning said at least one tool at a second location in said tubular.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 activating said at least one tool at said second location.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said at least one tool is at least one perforating gun and said step of activating comprises detonating at least one explosive charge that is contained in said at least one perforating gun thereby perforating said tubular.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said separate steps of accurately positioning said packer and said at least one tool comprise: 
 activating said at least one location device to determine the exact position a portion of the assembly within said tubular.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said at least one location device is selected from a collar locator probe, a gamma ray measuring probe or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 substantially filling said tubular with fluid, said step of expanding said packer into sealing engagement with said tubular being initiated by increasing the pressure of said fluid.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of expanding said packer into sealing engagement with said tubular is initiated by electric impulses via said electric line.  
     
     
         8 . A one-trip well completion method comprising: 
 transporting an assembly comprising at least one location device, at least one tool and    a packer on an electric line in a tubular that is positioned in a subterranean well bore;    accurately positioning said packer at a first location in said tubular;    expanding said packer into sealing engagement with said tubular at said first location;    releasing said at least one tool from said expanded packer; and    accurately positioning said at least one tool at a second location in said tubular.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 activating said at least one tool at said second location.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said at least one tool is at least one perforating gun, said second location is a subterranean zone of interest, and said step of activating comprises detonating at least one explosive charge that is contained in said at least one perforating gun thereby forming at least one perforation through said tubular and into said subterranean zone.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said separate steps of accurately positioning said packer and said at least one tool comprise: 
 activating said at least one location device to determine the exact position a portion of the assembly within said tubular.  
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said at least one location device is selected from a collar locator probe, a gamma ray measuring probe or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 substantially filling said tubular with fluid, said step of expanding said packer into sealing engagement with said tubular being initiated by increasing the pressure of said fluid.  
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said step of expanding said packer into sealing engagement with said tubular is initiated by electric impulses via said electric line.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said tubular is casing.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said at least one tool is at least one logging formation logging tool.  
     
     
         17 . An assembly for insertion into subterranean well during a one-trip completion method on an electric line comprising: 
 at least one location or measurement probe adapted to be connected to said electric line;    a packer assembly; and    a perforating gun connected at one end thereof to said at least one location or measurement probe and at the other end thereof to said packer assembly.    
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein said packer assembly comprises an expandable packer and a setting tool for expanding said packer in response to a signal.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18  wherein said signal is an increase in hydraulic pressure in the environment surrounding the packer assembly.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein said signal is an electrical impulse transmitted via said electric line.