System and method for shifting a tool in a well

Abstract

A technique is employed to shift a well tool located in a wellbore. A shifting tool is moved downhole into proximity with a well tool that is to be shifted. The shifting tool comprises one or more engagement members that enable engagement with any of a variety of well tools having a variety of sizes. A sensor system provides an indication as to when the shifting tool is moved into proximity with a specific well tool.

1 . A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 a shifting tool comprising:
 a body; 
 an engagement member mounted to the body, the engagement member being radially movable to enable engagement with downhole well tools of a variety of sizes; 
 an actuator coupled to the engagement member to selectively move the engagement member into and out of engagement with at least one downhole well tool; and 
 a sensor system cooperating with the actuator to detect the proximity of the engagement member with respect to the at least one downhole well tool, wherein the actuator moves the engagement member toward an engaged configuration following detection. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shifting tool further comprises a microprocessor coupled to the sensor system to process signals from the sensor system and to control the actuator based on signals from the sensor system. 
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor system comprises a sensor and a plurality of unique signature tags, each signature tag being associated with a corresponding downhole well tool. 
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyance coupled to the shifting tool to convey the shifting tool through the wellbore. 
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a downhole well tool having an engagement profile positioned for receipt of the engagement member. 
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of downhole well tools, each downhole well tool having an engagement profile positioned for receipt of the engagement member. 
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the downhole well tools comprises a valve. 
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the downhole well tools comprises a sliding sleeve. 
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the downhole well tools comprises a packer. 
   
   
       10 . A method, comprising:
 moving a shifting tool in a wellbore;   detecting a signature tag indicative of a well tool proximate the shifting tool;   actuating the shifting tool based on detection of the signature tag, the actuation being sufficient to engage the shifting tool with one of several well tool engagement profile diameters; and   shifting the well tool.   
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein moving comprises moving the shifting tool downhole via a conveyance. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein detecting comprises using a radio frequency identification sensor to detect a radiofrequency signature tag. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein actuating comprises moving a plurality of engagement members in a radially outward direction. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising moving the shifting tool following actuation to move an engagement member into engagement with an engagement profile of the well tool. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising controlling actuation of the shifting tool with a microprocessor. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising controlling actuation of the shifting tool with a microprocessor positioned within the shifting tool. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein actuating comprises automatically actuating the shifting tool after detection of the signature tag. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising automatically releasing the shifting tool from engagement with the well tool. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein shifting comprises shifting a plurality of well tools with the shifting tool. 
   
   
       20 . A method, comprising:
 constructing a shifting tool with a body and an engagement member;   providing an actuator to extend the engagement member from the body in a manner that enables engagement with well tools having any of a variety of sizes; and   using a non-contact sensing system to sense the presence of the shifting tool at a well tool.   
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising actuating the shifting tool to engage the well tool; and shifting the well tool. 
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein using comprises using a radiofrequency identification sensor and a signature tag at the well tool. 
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising using the shifting tool to shift a plurality of well tools having different sizes.