Well system and method for controlling the production of fluids

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention allow the placement of a stand alone device (valve) along a flow path, without a physical connection to the surface or reliance on the borehole for signaling, to provide a means to control the flow between reservoirs. This is achieved using a valve located in the flow path that can be actuated without sending signals down the borehole or well path and thereby eliminating the need for complicated signal lines and or fluid columns to actuate the valve.

1 . A downhole completion system comprising:
 a wireless transmitter that transmits a wireless signal from a surface location to a subsurface location;   a flow control device located along a flow path between two reservoirs proximate the subsurface location;   a sensor adjacent to the flow control device adapted to detect the wireless signal,   
     wherein the flow control device is actuated in response to the detection of the wireless signal by the sensor, and 
     wherein the wireless signal is transmitted through a strata between the surface location and the subsurface location. 
   
   
       2 . The downhole system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor and flow control valve are supplied with power from a downhole power supply. 
   
   
       3 . The downhole system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor and flow control valve are supplied with power from a downhole power generator. 
   
   
       4 . The downhole system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device is connected with a communication line running from the surface location, and wherein the communication line is adapted to supply the flow control device with power. 
   
   
       5 . The downhole system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device is a flow control valve, and wherein the wireless transmitter transmits a signal that is in a preset coded sequence that will actuate the valve. 
   
   
       6 . The downhole system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter transmits a signal that is in a preset coded sequence that will actuate the flow control device to open or close. 
   
   
       7 . A method for actuating a flow control device, comprising:
 placing a flow control device between two reservoirs;   transmitting a signal from a surface location to a borehole through a strata;   detecting the signal;   communicating to the flow control device in a preset coded sequence adapted to actuate the valve; and   actuating the flow control device when the sensor receives the signal.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the signal from the surface location to actuate the flow control device is at least one selected from the group consisting of: seismic, acoustic, pressure pulse, mud pulse and electromagnetic. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising actuating the flow control device requiring
 the sensor to sense reservoir parameters and feed data to a downhole processor that sends a command to the flow control device to actuate the valve.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising supplying power to the flow control device from a battery or a fuel cell that is run with the flow control device. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising supplying power to the flow control device from a downhole power supply. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the downhole power supply comprises a downhole power generator. 
   
   
       13 . A method of producing subterranean hydrocarbons comprising of:
 drilling and completing a primary well for producing a primary reservoir;   drilling at least one auxiliary well adjacent to the primary well;   connecting the primary reservoir to the marginal reservoir by extending the primary well;   completing the primary well to control fluid communication between the primary reservoir and the marginal reservoir; and   placing a flow control device along a flow path between the primary reservoir and the marginal reservoir.   
   
   
       14 . A method of  claim 13  further comprising placing a sensor adjacent to the flow control device. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising actuating the flow control device via a cable or a control line from a surface location. 
   
   
       16 . A method of  claim 13  wherein the primary reservoir is connected to the marginal reservoir by drilling and completing a multilateral bridging well proximate the primary well. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising regulating flow of the fluid between the marginal reservoir and the primary reservoir with the flow control device. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising supplying power to the flow control device and downhole sensor using a downhole power supply. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising detecting a wireless signal using the sensor, wherein the flow control device is actuated in response to the wireless. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of actuating the flow control device via a cable or a control line from a surface location is at least one step selected from the group consisting of using an electrical control line to convey electric signals, using a hydraulic control line to convey pressurized fluid, using a pneumatic control line containing an electrical conductor to convey pressure and electrical signals.