Methods and Systems Employing an Electrically-Powered Crossover Service Tool

Abstract

A crossover service tool includes a tool body and crossover components integrated with the tool body to control a direction of fluid circulation into and out of the tool body. The crossover service tool also includes an electrically-powered actuator and a latch coupled to the electrically-powered actuator. The crossover service tool also includes a power/communications coupler to convert electrical signals to another type of signals and vice versa. A related system includes a crossover service tool in a downhole environment, the crossover service tool having an electrically-powered actuator and a latch coupled to the electrically-powered actuator. The system also includes a sand control assembly and an electrical power source to provide electrical power to the electrically-powered actuator. The electrically-powered actuator operates to move the latch relative to the sand control assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 deploying a crossover service tool in a downhole environment, the crossover service tool having an electrically-powered actuator; and   moving a component of the crossover service tool relative to a sand control assembly by providing electrical power to said actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said moving a component comprises moving a latch in a radial direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said moving a component comprises moving a latch in an axial direction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing power or communications via the crossover service tool to one or more sensors deployed along the sand control assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising collecting data from the one or more sensors during a sand-packing operation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing power via the crossover service tool to one or more electrically-powered actuators deployed along the sand control assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transducing, by the crossover service tool, electrical signals to another type of signals, and restoring the other type of signals to electrical signals for use by a sand control assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing electrical power involves a downhole battery or downhole power generator. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing electrical power involves a wired pipe. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 a crossover service tool in a downhole environment, the crossover service tool having an electrically-powered actuator and a latch coupled to the electrically-powered actuator;   a sand control assembly; and   an electrical power source to provide electrical power to the electrically-powered actuator,   wherein the electrically-powered actuator operates to move the latch relative to the sand control assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the electrically-powered actuator is an electro-mechanical actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the electrically-powered actuator is an electro-hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the crossover service tool and the sand control assembly comprise power/conditioning couplers to transfer electrical power or communications to at least one component deployed along the sand control assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one component deployed along the sand control assembly includes a sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one component deployed along the sand control assembly includes an electrically-powered actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical power source includes a power supply at earth's surface and a wired pipe coupled to the crossover service tool. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical power source includes a downhole battery. 
     
     
         18 . A crossover service tool, comprising:
 a tool body;   crossover components integrated with the tool body to control a direction of fluid circulation into and out of the tool body;   an electrically-powered actuator;   a latch coupled to the electrically-powered actuator; and   a power/communications coupler to convert electrical signals to another type of signals and vice versa.   
     
     
         19 . The crossover service tool of  claim 18 , wherein the power/communications coupler converts electrical signals to acoustic signals and vice versa to transfer power or communications between the crossover service tool and a sand control assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The crossover service tool of  claim 18 , wherein the electrically-powered actuator is an electro-hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         21 . The crossover service tool of  claim 18 , wherein the electrically-powered actuator is an electro-mechanical actuator.