Method and an apparatus for controlling a well barrier

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for controlling a well barrier ( 401, 1002 ) arranged so as to be able to be inserted into a well for allowing a first well zone to be separated from a second well zone by means of a sealing element ( 409, 903, 1006 ,), wherein the method includes setting a pressurized fluid in communication with an activating element ( 905, 906; 1004, 1005 ) by selectively controlling an opening device ( 913, 914, 915 ), and wherein the activating element ( 905, 906; 1004, 1005 ) influences opening of the sealing element ( 409, 903, 1006 ) to provide communication between said first and second well zones, wherein the method further comprises the step of influencing the pressurized fluid supplied to the activating element ( 905, 906; 1004, 1005 ) by the well pressure upstream or downstream of the sealing element ( 409, 903, 1006 ). The disclosure also relates to a well barrier ( 401, 1002 ) for execution of the method.

1 . A method for controlling a well barrier ( 401 ,  1002 ) arranged so as to be able to be inserted into a well for allowing a first well zone to be separated from a second well zone by means of a sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ,), wherein the method comprises setting a pressurized fluid in communication with an activating element ( 905 ,  906 ;  1004 ,  1005 ) by selectively controlling an opening device ( 913 ,  914 ,  915 ), and wherein the activating element ( 905 ,  906 ;  1004 ,  1005 ) influences opening of the sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ) to provide communication between said first and second well zones, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of influencing the pressurized fluid supplied to the activating element ( 905 ,  906 ;  1004 ,  1005 ) by the well pressure upstream or downstream of the sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ). 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprising controlling the opening device ( 913 ,  914 ,  915 ) by means of wireless signals. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method includes transmitting the signals from surface of the well. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method includes transmitting the signals from a tool ( 701 ) being inserted into the well. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is the well fluid located upstream or downstream of the sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is a fluid located within an accumulator chamber ( 1008 ) influenced by the well fluid, but wherein the fluid within the accumulator chamber ( 1008 ) is separate from the well fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid within the accumulator chamber is pre-compressed to a pressure lower than the well pressure at a working depth, and prior to inserting the well barrier ( 401 ,  1002 ) into the well. 
     
     
         8 . A well barrier ( 401 ) for use in a well for production of hydrocarbons, the well barrier ( 401 ) being arranged for installation in the well for allowing a first well zone to be separated from a second well is zone by means of a sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ), wherein an activating element ( 905 ,  906 ;  1004 ,  1005 ) is arranged for influencing the sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ) to provide communication between said first and second well zone, characterized in that the activating element ( 905 ,  906 ;  1004 ,  1005 ) is arranged to be initiated by the pressure in an activating fluid that is supplied to the activating element by a controlled opening device ( 913 ,  914 ,  915 ), the pressure in the activating fluid being influenced by the well pressure upstream or downstream of the sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ). 
     
     
         9 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the activating fluid is well fluid that is communicated via a channel ( 917 ) from the well upstream or downstream of the sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ) to the activating element ( 905 ,  906 ;  1004 ,  1005 ). 
     
     
         10 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the activating fluid is a fluid located in an accumulator chamber ( 1008 ), the activating fluid being separate from the well fluid, and wherein the volume of the accumulator chamber ( 1008 ) is influenced by the well pressure upstream or downstream of the sealing element ( 409 ,  903 ,  1006 ). 
     
     
         11 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein the opening device ( 913 ,  914 ,  915 ) is controlled by wireless signals. 
     
     
         12 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the wireless signals are transmitted from a transmitter located outside the well. 
     
     
         13 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein is the wireless signals are transmitted from a tool ( 701 ) inserted into the well. 
     
     
         14 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein the tool ( 701 ) is a pulling tool. 
     
     
         15 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the opening device ( 913 ,  914 ,  915 ) includes a receiving means ( 913 ), at least one energy source ( 914 ) and a driving means ( 915 ). 
     
     
         16 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the receiving means ( 913 ) and the driving means ( 915 ) are powered by an energy source ( 914 ) of their own. 
     
     
         17 . The well barrier ( 401 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein the energy sources ( 914 ) have different characteristics.