System and Method for Enabling the Detection of Fluid Production and Stimulation of a Portion of a Wellbore

Abstract

A system and method to isolate a portion of a wellbore and to detect fluid production from the wellbore. The system includes first and second isolators connected to a tubing string. The isolators include memory shape elements positioned between sealing elements and mandrels that may be actuated from a first shape to a second shape to create a seal within the wellbore with the sealing elements. The system may include a sensor configured to detect production from the wellbore. A sensor may be configured to detect a pressure of the isolated portion of the wellbore. A port between the isolators may permit fluid communication to the portion of the wellbore isolated by the sealing elements. The memory shape elements may be actuated from the first shape to the second shape at a first temperature and may actuated back to the second shape at a second temperature

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to detect fluid production from an isolated zone comprising:
 a tubing string;   a first isolator connected to the tubing string, the first isolator including at least one first sealing element, a first mandrel, and at least one first memory shape element positioned between the at least one first sealing element and the first mandrel, wherein the at least one first memory shape element may be actuated between a first shape and a second shape to move the at least one first sealing element away from the first mandrel;   a second isolator connected to the tubing string, the second isolator including at least one second sealing element, a second mandrel, and at least one second memory shape element positioned between the at least one second sealing element and the second mandrel, wherein the at least one second memory shape element may be actuated between a first shape and a second shape to move the at least one second sealing element away from the second mandrel; and   wherein a portion of the wellbore is substantially isolated when the at least one first memory shape element and the at least one second memory shape element are each actuated to the second shape.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first sensor configured to detect a production flow from a wellbore. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one first sealing element further comprises a first plurality of sealing elements, wherein the at least one first memory shape element further comprises a first plurality of memory shape elements, wherein the at least one second sealing element further comprises a second plurality of sealing elements, and wherein the at least one second memory shape element further comprises a second plurality of memory shape elements. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a port between the first isolator and the second isolator, the port in fluid communication with an interior of the tubing string and wherein the first sensor is configured to detect the production flow from the isolated portion of the wellbore through the tubing string. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a second sensor positioned between the first isolator and the second isolator, wherein the second sensor is configured to monitor a pressure of the isolated portion of the wellbore while the first plurality of memory shape elements and the second plurality of memory shape elements are each actuated to the second shape. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second plurality of sealing elements are configured in a substantially circular configuration and wherein the first and second plurality of sealing elements have a first diameter when the first and second plurality of shape memory elements are in their respective first shape and a second diameter when the first and second plurality of shape memory elements are in their respective second shape. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second plurality of memory shape elements actuates from their respective first shape to their respective second shape at a predetermined first temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second plurality of memory shape elements actuates from their respective second shape to their respective first shape at a predetermined second temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first temperature is at least approximately five degrees Celsius greater than the second temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second plurality of memory shape elements further comprises memory shape polymer that actuates from their respective first shape to their respective second upon contact with an actuating fluid. 
     
     
         12 . A method of substantially isolating a portion of a wellbore comprising:
 positioning an isolator adjacent a first portion of a wellbore, the isolator comprising a first plurality of shape memory elements operatively connected to a first plurality of sealing elements and a second plurality of shape memory elements operatively connected to a second plurality of sealing elements, wherein the first and second plurality of shape memory elements are in a respective first shape;   actuating the first and second plurality of shape memory elements of the isolator to move to a respective second shape, wherein the actuation of the first and second plurality of shape memory elements to their respective second shapes engages the first and second plurality of sealing elements against the wellbore to substantially isolate the first portion of the wellbore;   enabling detection of a production of fluids from the isolated first portion of the wellbore.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein detection of the production of fluids from the isolated first portion of the wellbore further comprises measuring a fluid flow through a tubing string fluidly connected to the isolated first portion of the wellbore via a port in the isolator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising treating the isolated first portion of the wellbore by pumping fluid through the tubing string and out the port in the isolator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein treating the isolated first portion of the wellbore comprises re-fracturing a wellbore formation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein treating the isolated first portion of the wellbore comprises restimulation of a wellbore formation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein detection of the production of fluids from the isolated first portion of the wellbore further comprises detecting a change in the production of fluid from the wellbore due to the isolation of the first portion of the wellbore. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising monitoring a pressure of the first portion of the wellbore while it is isolated by the isolator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein actuating the first and second plurality of shape memory elements further comprises heating the first and second plurality of shape memory elements to at least a first predetermined temperature, wherein the first and second plurality of shape memory elements actuates to their respective second shape at approximately the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein heating the first and second plurality of shape memory elements further comprises applying an electric current. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein electric current is applied via a battery located within the wellbore. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein heating the plurality of shape memory elements further comprises pumping heated fluid down the wellbore. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein heating the plurality of shape memory elements further comprises transmitting radio frequency waves or microwaves into the wellbore. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising cooling the first and second plurality of shape memory elements to a second predetermined temperature, wherein each of the shape memory elements actuates back to their respective first shape at approximately the second predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first predetermined temperature is at least approximately fife degrees Celsius greater than the second predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein actuating the first and second plurality of shape memory elements further comprises pumping a fluid down the wellbore, wherein the exposure of the first and second plurality of shape memory elements to the fluid actuates the first and second plurality of shape memory elements.