Autonomous wellbore downhole indexing device

Abstract

Wellbore rotational indexing devices, methods and systems for indexing a wellbore device downhole. The rotational indexing device has an electronic controller electronically configured to cause a rotary actuator to automatically rotate according to a predetermined indexing sequence. The rotary actuator, the controller and a power source are operatively carried on the body for inserting downhole in the wellbore. When the indexing device is disposed downhole and the rotary actuator is operatively coupled to the wellbore device to be rotated, the indexing device automatically rotates the wellbore device through successive rotational steps according to the predetermined indexing sequence.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotational indexing device for indexing a wellbore device downhole; the rotational indexing device comprising:
 a body configured for inserting downhole in a wellbore;   a rotary actuator configured for rotationally indexing a wellbore device;   a electronic controller for controlling said rotary actuator; wherein   said electronic controller is electronically configured to cause the rotary actuator to automatically rotate according to a predetermined indexing sequence; and   a power source for powering said controller;   wherein said rotary actuator, said controller and said power source are operatively carried on said body for inserting downhole in said wellbore; and   wherein, when the indexing device is disposed downhole and the rotary actuator is operatively coupled to the wellbore device to be rotated, the indexing device automatically rotates the wellbore device through successive rotational steps according to said predetermined indexing sequence.   
     
     
         2 . The indexing device of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic controller is electronically configured to cause the rotary actuator to index the wellbore device through successive rotational steps at time intervals predetermined to permit cutting, jetting or other wellbore tool functions to be performed by the wellbore device between successive rotational steps. 
     
     
         3 . The indexing device of  claim 2 , wherein said wellbore device comprises a directional guide of a lateral jetting system; said directional guide being configured for substantially radially deflecting towards the wellbore formation a jetting hose and/or fluid disposed in the directional guide. 
     
     
         4 . The indexing device of  claim 3 , wherein said rotary actuator comprises an electro-mechanical rotary drive. 
     
     
         5 . The indexing device of  claim 4 , wherein said indexing body comprises a housing substantially enclosing said electro-mechanical drive, said controller and said power source. 
     
     
         6 . The indexing device of  claim 2 , wherein said indexing device is further configured for attaching to said wellbore device, or a string device connected thereto, such that said indexing device is supported downhole by said wellbore device or string device. 
     
     
         7 . The indexing device of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic controller is configured to initiate the indexing sequence in response to an internal timer signal. 
     
     
         8 . The indexing device of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic controller comprises a digital controller. 
     
     
         9 . The indexing device of  claim 8 , wherein said electronic digital controller comprises, one or more processors and memory, said memory containing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the rotary actuator to automatically rotate in the predetermined indexing sequence. 
     
     
         10 . The indexing device of  claim 9 , wherein said electronic digital controller is further configured for monitoring signals from one or more formation sensors, wellbore sensors and/or wellbore equipment sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The indexing device of  claim 8 , wherein said digital controller comprises a pre-programmable digital controller for pre-programming a particular index sequence to be executed by said indexing device downhole. 
     
     
         12 . The indexing device of  claim 11 , further comprising a programmable user interface carried on said indexing body for pre-programming said digital controller. 
     
     
         13 . The indexing device of  claim 11 , wherein said digital controller is further configured to be connectable to an auxiliary programmable user interface for pre-programming said digital controller. 
     
     
         14 . The indexing device of  claim 13 , wherein said digital controller is configured to be connectable to a computer comprising said auxiliary programmable user interface for pre-programming said digital controller. 
     
     
         15 . The indexing device of  claim 8 , wherein said digital controller is further configured to be connectable to an auxiliary electronic device and to receive from said auxiliary electronic device a predetermined indexing sequence program for causing said indexing device to automatically rotate said electro-mechanical drive according to the predetermined indexing sequence. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for indexing a wellbore device downhole, the apparatus comprising a memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, cause:
 initiating timer;   in response to an output of said timer, rotating an electrical mechanical drive carried on the indexing device downhole through successive rotational steps according to a predetermined indexing sequence.   
     
     
         16 . A computer readable storage medium for indexing a wellbore device downhole, the computer readable storage medium carrying instructions which, when processed by one or more processors cause:
 initiating timer;   in response to an output of said timer, rotating an electrical mechanical drive carried on the indexing device downhole through successive rotational steps according to a predetermined indexing sequence.   
     
     
         17 . A method for rotational indexing a wellbore device by an indexing device, the indexing device comprising a body configured for inserting downhole in a wellbore; a rotary electromechanical drive configured for operably coupling a wellbore device to be indexed; a electronic controller for controlling said rotary actuator; and a power source for powering said controller; the method comprising
 configuring said electronic controller to cause the electro-mechanical drive to automatically rotate according to a predetermined indexing sequence;   operatively coupling said electro-mechanical drive to the wellbore device for rotating said wellbore device;   inserting said indexing device downhole;   automatically rotating the wellbore device in the wellbore downhole, utilizing the indexing device, through successive rotational steps according to said predetermined indexing sequence.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein automatically rotating the wellbore device in the wellbore downhole further comprises rotating said wellbore device through successive rotational steps at time intervals predetermined to permit cutting, jetting or other wellbore tool functions to be performed by the wellbore device between successive rotational steps. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein operatively coupling said electro-mechanical drive to the wellbore device for rotating said wellbore device comprises operatively coupling a shaft associated with an electrical motor of said drive to said wellbore device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein inserting said indexing device downhole comprises attaching said indexing device to said wellbore device uphole and inserting said indexing device attached to said wellbore device downhole in said wellbore. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising, preparatory to inserting said indexing device and said wellbore device downhole, setting a timer for initiating the indexing sequence; and initiating said indexing sequence with said indexing device downhole in response to said timer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising processing signals from a pressure transducer and/or temperature sensor located on or in the vicinity of said indexing device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising pre-programming said electronic controller for causing said indexing device to execute a particular index sequence downhole. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising operatively connecting said electronic controller to an auxiliary programmable user interface for pre-programming said controller. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising operatively connecting said electronic controller to an auxiliary electronic device; and receiving from said electronic device in said electronic controller a predetermined indexing sequence program for causing said indexing device to automatically rotate said rotary actuator according to the predetermined indexing sequence. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein operatively coupling said electro-mechanical drive to the wellbore device for rotating said wellbore device;
 comprises operatively coupling said electro-mechanical drive to a directional guide of a lateral jetting system; and   wherein automatically rotating the wellbore device in the wellbore downhole through successive rotational steps includes rotating said directional guide from a first position in which said directional guide is aligned with a first port or opening for accessing the formation to a second port or opening after a time interval predetermined to permit jetting to be performed via said first port or opening.   
     
     
         27 . A wellbore system for indexing a wellbore device, the system comprising:
 a wellbore device for inserting downhole in a wellbore:   a rotational indexing device for rotational indexing said wellbore device downhole; wherein said rotational indexing device comprises:
 a body configured for inserting downhole in said wellbore; 
 a rotary actuator configured for operably coupling said wellbore device to rotate said wellbore device; 
 a electronic controller for controlling said rotary actuator; wherein
 said electronic controller is electronically configured to cause the rotary actuator to automatically rotate according to a predetermined indexing sequence; and 
 
 a power source for powering said controller;
 wherein said rotary actuator, said controller and said power source are operatively carried on said body for inserting downhole in said wellbore; and 
 
 wherein, when the indexing device and wellbore device are disposed downhole and the rotary actuator is operatively coupled to the wellbore device to be rotated, the indexing device automatically rotates the wellbore string device or device thereof through successive rotational steps according to said predetermined indexing sequence. 
   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said wellbore device comprises a directional guide of a lateral jetting string system for enabling a jetting hose to be radially deflected towards or into a formation;
 wherein said rotary actuator is operably coupled to said directional guide for rotating said directional guide between a first jetting position in which the directional guide is aligned with a first opening for accessing the formation and a second jetting position in which the directional guide is aligned with a second opening for accessing the formation, circumferentially spaced from the first opening, for accessing the formation; and wherein said electronic controller is electronically configured to cause the rotary actuator to automatically index said directional guide from said first jetting position to second jetting position at time interval predetermined to permit said lateral jetting system to sequentially perform jetting through said first opening and said second opening.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said jetting trough is rotateably mounted within a casing of said lateral jetting system for enabling said jetting hose to be radially deflected from the casing;
 wherein said casing has a plurality of jetting orifices circumferentially distributed about the casing; and   wherein said rotary actuator comprises an electromechanical drive operably coupled to said jetting trough for rotating said jetting trough between a first jetting position in which the jetting trough is aligned with a first one of said jetting orifices and a second jetting position in which the jetting trough is aligned with a second one of said jetting orifices; and   wherein said electronic controller is electronically configured to cause the electro-mechanical drive to sequentially index said jetting trough from said first jetting position to said second jetting position at a time interval predetermined to permit said lateral jetting system for sequentially performing jetting at said first jetting position and said second jetting position.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising a jetting hose adapted for advancing in the lateral jetting system such that the jet hose seats within the jetting trough and is radially deflected along the jetting trough to said jetting orifice. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said indexing device comprises a housing substantially enclosing said electro-mechanical drive, said controller and said power source. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein said indexing device is further configured for attaching to said lateral jetting system, such that said indexing device is supported downhole by said lateral jetting system. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said electronic controller is configured to initiate the indexing sequence in response to an internal timer signal. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said electronic controller comprises a digital controller. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said electronic digital controller comprises, one or more processors and memory, said memory containing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the electro-mechanical drive to automatically rotate in the predetermined indexing sequence. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein said electronic digital controller is further configured for monitoring signals from one or more formation sensors, wellbore sensors and/or wellbore equipment sensors. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said digital controller comprises a pre-programmable digital controller for pre-programming a particular index sequence to be executed by said indexing device downhole. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein said digital controller is further configured to be connectable to an auxiliary electronic device and to receive from said electronic device a predetermined indexing sequence program for causing said indexing device to automatically rotate said electro-mechanical drive according to the predetermined indexing sequence. 
     
     
         39 . A method for jetting a wellbore with an automated jetting system, the automated jetting system comprising:
 a lateral jetting string system for inserting into a wellbore, said lateral jetting string system including a directional guide for enabling a jetting hose to be radially deflected towards the wellbore formation; and   an indexing device comprising
 a body configured for inserting downhole in a wellbore, a rotary actuator for operably coupling to said directional guide of said lateral jetting system; an electronic controller for controlling said rotary actuator; and a power source f or powering said controller; the method comprising 
   configuring said electronic controller to cause the rotary actuator to automatically rotate said directional guide according to a predetermined indexing sequence;   operatively coupling said rotary actuator to the directional guide of said lateral jetting system for rotating said directional guide downhole;   inserting said indexing device downhole;   inserting said lateral jetting system downhole;   automatically rotating the directional guide in the wellbore downhole, utilizing the indexing device, through successive rotational steps according to said predetermined indexing sequence.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein
 configuring said electronic controller to cause the rotary actuator to automatically rotate said directional guide according to a predetermined indexing sequence; comprises configuring said electronic controller to cause a electro-mechanical drive of said indexing device to automatically rotate said directional guide according to said predetermined indexing sequence. 
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising
 rotating said directional guide into a first jetting position in which said directional guide is aligned with a first opening to the wellbore formation;   laterally deflecting a jetting hose through the directional guide into the formation via said first opening;   performing lateral jetting utilizing said jetting hose inserted into the formation via said first opening;   retracting the lateral jetting hose from the formation via said first opening; and   automatically rotating said directional guide from said first jetting position to a second jetting position in which said directional guide is aligned with a second opening to the formation;   laterally inserting a jetting hose through the directional guide into the formation via said second opening;   performing lateral jetting utilizing said jetting hose inserted into the formation via said second opening; and   retracting the lateral jetting hose from the formation via said second opening.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 ,
 wherein inserting said indexing device downhole and inserting said lateral jetting system downhole comprises attaching said indexing device to said lateral jetting system uphole and inserting said indexing device attached to said lateral jetting system downhole in said wellbore.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising, preparatory to inserting said indexing device downhole, setting a timer for initiating the indexing sequence; and initiating said indexing sequence with said indexing device downhole in response to said timer. 
     
     
         44 . A system for jetting a wellbore with an automated jetting system, the automated jetting system comprising:
 a lateral jetting string system for inserting into a wellbore, said lateral jetting string system including a directional guide for enabling a jetting hose to be radially deflected towards the wellbore formation; and   an indexing device comprising
 a body configured for inserting downhole in a wellbore, a rotary actuator for operably coupling to said directional guide of said lateral jetting system; an electronic controller for controlling said rotary actuator; and a power source f or powering said controller; wherein said electronic controller is configured to cause the rotary actuator to automatically rotate said directional guide according to a predetermined indexing sequence. 
   
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein
 wherein said rotary actuator comprises an electro-mechanical drive 
 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said electronic controller is configured to
 rotate said directional guide into a first jetting position in which said directional guide is aligned with a first opening to the wellbore formation;   wherein said lateral jetting system is configured to:
 laterally deflect a jetting hose through the directional guide into the formation via said first opening; 
 perform lateral jetting utilizing said jetting hose deflected into the formation via said first opening; 
 retract the lateral jetting hose from the formation via said first opening; and 
 wherein said indexing device is further configured to automatically rotate said directional guide from said first jetting position to a second jetting position in which said directional guide is aligned with a second opening to the formation.