Apparatus and methods for activating a downhole tool

Abstract

An apparatus for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore comprises a tool string deployed on a slickline into the wellbore, where the tool string comprises a controller and a tool. A motion detector is disposed in the controller and senses motion of the tool string and generates a first signal in response thereto. A device disposed in the controller detects a downhole parameter of interest and generates a second signal in response thereto. A processor in the controller acts according to programmed instructions to activate the tool when the first signal is below a first preset threshold for at least a preset time interval, and the second signal exceeds a second preset threshold. A method of using the apparatus is also provided.

1 . An apparatus for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore, comprising: 
 a. a tool string deployed on a slickline into the wellbore, the tool string comprising a controller and a tool;    b. a motion detector disposed in the controller sensing motion of the tool string and generating a first signal in response thereto;    c. a device disposed in the controller detecting a downhole parameter of interest and generating a second signal in response thereto;    d. a processor in the controller acting according to programmed instructions to activate the tool when the first signal is below a first preset threshold for at least a preset time interval and the second signal exceeds a second preset threshold.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motion detector is chosen from the group consisting of: an accelerometer and a noise sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is chosen from the group consisting of: a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a downhole clock.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second preset threshold is chosen from the group consisting of: a fluid pressure, a fluid temperature, and a deployed time interval.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises: 
 a. the processor having a memory capable of storing programmed instructions; and    b. a downhole clock.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is chosen from the group consisting of: a logging tool, a perforating gun, a packer, and a flow control valve.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a plurality of tools.  
   
   
       8 . A method of activating a downhole tool in a wellbore, comprising: 
 a. deploying a tool string on a slickline into the wellbore;    b. holding the tool string substantially motionless for at least a preset time interval;    c. detecting that the tool string is substantially motionless for at least the preset time interval;    d. determining that a downhole detected parameter of interest exceeds a second preset threshold; and    e. activating a tool in the tool string when both step c. and d. are met.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein, the tool string comprises a controller and a tool.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of detecting that the tool string is substantially motionless comprises determining that a signal from a motion detector is below a first preset threshold at least the preset time interval.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the motion detector is chosen from the group consisting of: an accelerometer and a noise sensor.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the downhole detected parameter of interest is chosen from the group consisting of: a downhole fluid pressure, a downhole fluid temperature, and a deployed time interval.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tool is chosen from the group consisting of: a logging tool, a perforating gun, a packer, and a flow control valve.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tool comprises a plurality of tools.