Systems And Methods For Multi-Zone Power And Communications

Abstract

A system, method and device may be used to provide power and monitor conditions in a borehole. Well tubing and casing act as a conductive pair for delivering power wirelessly to isolated zones defined between packer elements. Data signals are similarly transmitted. The packer elements include magnetic toroidal cores for power and signal transmission via inductively coupling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packer assembly for disposal within a subterranean wellbore lined by a casing, the packer assembly comprising:
 a packer comprising an upper end, a lower end, and a feedthrough that traverses the packer from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the upper end is configured to couple to a first tubing string, wherein the lower end is configured to couple to a second tubing string;   a first core disposed around the second tubing string adjacent to the lower end of the packer; and   an electrical wire disposed within the feedthrough of the packer, wherein the electrical wire has a proximal end and a distal end wrapped around the first core,   wherein the proximal end of the electrical wire is configured to receive a first power from a power source disposed above the upper end of the packer, wherein the distal end of the electrical wire is configured to use the first power to induce a second power in the first core, wherein the second power in the first core generates a first current that flows on the second tubing string away from the first core.   
     
     
         2 . The packer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a second core disposed around the first tubing string adjacent to the upper end of the packer, wherein the proximal end of the electrical wire is wrapped around the second core. 
     
     
         3 . The packer assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the packer, the first core, the second core, and the electrical wire form a single integral piece. 
     
     
         4 . The packer assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second core is configured to receive a second current from a third core of an additional packer assembly, wherein the third core is disposed around the first tubing string. 
     
     
         5 . The packer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the electrical wire is coupled to a power source at a surface above the subterranean wellbore. 
     
     
         6 . The packer assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one cleat disposed on an outer surface of a body of the packer, wherein the at least one cleat comprises electrically conductive material and is configured to abut against a casing of the subterranean wellbore, wherein the at least one cleat further has electrical continuity with the second tubing string when the second tubing string is coupled to the packer.   
     
     
         7 . The packer assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one cleat is retractable relative to the body of the packer. 
     
     
         8 . The packer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the packer comprises a body, wherein the body has disposed thereon at least one seal and at least one slip section, wherein the at least one seal and the at least one slip section are configured to abut against a casing of the subterranean wellbore to provide a pressure separation within the subterranean wellbore above the packer and the subterranean wellbore below the packer. 
     
     
         9 . The packer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first core comprises magnetic properties. 
     
     
         10 . A power transmission system for use within in a subterranean wellbore having a casing disposed against a subterranean formation and defining an outer perimeter of the subterranean wellbore and forming a cavity, the system comprising:
 a power source disposed proximate to a surface at an opening of the subterranean wellbore, wherein the power source generates a first power;   a first tubing string segment disposed within the cavity;   a first packer mechanically coupled to a first distal end of the first tubing string within the cavity of the subterranean wellbore, wherein the first packer has a first feedthrough disposed therein along a first height of the first packer;   a second tubing string segment mechanically coupled to a first bottom end of the first packer within the cavity of the subterranean wellbore;   a first core disposed around the second tubing string segment adjacent to the bottom end of the first packer and the first feedthrough; and   a first electrical wire disposed within the first feedthrough of the first packer, wherein the first electrical wire has a first end coupled to the power source and a second end wrapped around the first core, wherein the first electrical wire receives the first power from the power source,   wherein the first power flowing through the first electrical wire disposed around the first core induces a second power in the first core, wherein the second power in the first core generates a first current that flows on the second tubing string away from the first core further into the subterranean wellbore.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first packer comprises a body, wherein the body has disposed thereon at least one seal and at least one slip section, wherein the at least one seal and the at least one slip section are configured to abut against the casing within the cavity of the subterranean wellbore to provide a pressure separation within the cavity of the subterranean wellbore above the first packer and the subterranean wellbore below the first packer. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second core disposed around the second tubing string segment; and   a second electrical wire wrapped around the second core, wherein the first current induces a third power in the second electrical wire.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one first electrical device coupled to the second electrical wire and disposed adjacent to the second core, wherein the at least one electrical device operates using the third power.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second packer coupled to a second distal end of the second tubing string segment, wherein the second core and the at least one electrical device are disposed adjacent to the second packer, wherein the second packer has a second feedthrough disposed therein along a second height of the second packer, wherein the second electrical wire is disposed within the second feedthrough;   a third tubing string segment mechanically coupled to a second bottom end of the second packer within the cavity of the subterranean wellbore; and   a third core disposed around the second tubing string segment adjacent to the bottom end of the second packer and the second feedthrough,   wherein the second electrical wire is further wrapped around the third core,   wherein the third power flowing through the second electrical wire disposed around the third core induces a third power in the third core, wherein the third power in the third core generates a second current that flows on the third tubing string away from the third core further into the subterranean wellbore.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a fourth core disposed around the third tubing string segment;   a third electrical wire wrapped around the fourth core, wherein the second current induces a fourth power in the third electrical wire; and   at least one first electrical device coupled to the third electrical wire and disposed adjacent to the fourth core, wherein the at least one electrical device operates using the fourth power.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second packer comprises at least one first cleat disposed on a first outer surface of the second packer, wherein the at least one first cleat comprises electrically conductive material and abuts against the casing. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the casing, the second tubing string segment, and the third tubing string segment are electrically conductive, wherein the at least one first cleat forms a first short that electrically isolates the second tubing string segment from the third tubing string segment. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first packer comprises at least one second cleat disposed on a second outer surface of the first packer, wherein the at least one second cleat comprises the electrically conductive material and abuts against the casing, wherein the at least one second cleat forms a second short that electrically isolates the second tubing string segment from the first tubing string segment. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first current flows in a loop down the second tubing string segment and up the casing between the first core and the second core. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second packer coupled to a second distal end of the second tubing string segment;   a third core disposed around the second tubing string segment toward a second distal end of the second tubing string segment;   a second electrical wire wrapped around the second core, wherein the first current induces a third power in the second electrical wire; and   at least one first electrical device coupled to the second electrical wire and disposed adjacent to the second core, wherein the at least one electrical device operates using the third power.