Intervention based completions systems and methodologies

Abstract

A technique facilitates intervention operations in many types of wells including horizontal, multi-zone wells. According to an embodiment, a completion is deployed in a borehole, e.g. a deviated wellbore. The completion comprises a side pocket mandrel having a docking station. In some embodiments, the completion may comprise a plurality of the side pocket mandrels A device, such as an electrically powered device, is removably deployed in the docking station. When the docking station receives the electrically powered device, an inductive coupler or other suitable electric coupler may be used to provide power to the electrically powered device while deployed in the docking station. The electrically powered device also is configured for engagement with a tool which enables an intervention operation by simply removing and replacing the device via the tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use in a well, comprising:
 a lower completion disposed in a deviated wellbore section, the lower completion having a plurality of completion sections disposed in corresponding well zones, each completion section having a side pocket mandrel with a docking station for releasably receiving an electrically powered device, the electrically powered device being releasably docked for removal via a kickover tool.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically powered device comprises a plurality of electrically powered devices. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically powered device comprises a plurality of flow control valves which may be selectively removed via the kickover tool to provide a reconfigurable inflow control completion. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically powered device comprises a motor actuated flow control valve. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically powered device comprises a sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of electrically powered devices comprises a flow control valve and a sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein electric power is delivered to the electrically powered device via an electric cable routed along the lower completion. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the electric power is delivered through an inductive coupler disposed in the side pocket mandrel. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 configuring a well completion with a plurality of docking stations that have electric continuity to the surface;   removably positioning an electrically powered device in each docking station;   deploying the well completion in a borehole; and   using a tool to retrieve at least one of the electrically powered devices from its docking station and to replace the electrically powered device with another device.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising: positioning each docking station in a corresponding side pocket mandrel; and providing electric power to each electrically powered device via an inductive coupler located in the corresponding side pocket mandrel. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein removably positioning the electrically powered device comprises removably positioning a flow control valve. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein removably positioning the electrically powered device comprises removably positioning a sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein removably positioning the electrically powered device comprises removably positioning a flow control valve and a sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising providing electric power to the plurality of electrically powered devices via an electric cable routed along the well completion and via an inductive coupler. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein using the tool comprises using a kickover tool. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein deploying comprises deploying the well completion into a deviated wellbore. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising: forming the well completion with a plurality of completion sections disposed in corresponding well zones; and wherein removably positioning comprises providing each completion section with at least one electrically powered device in the form of a flow control valve removably docked to establish a reconfigurable inflow control completion. 
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a completion deployed in a borehole, the completion comprising a side pocket mandrel having a docking station; and   an electrically powered device removably deployed in the docking station, the electrically powered device receiving electric power through an inductive coupler, the electrically powered device having an engagement end configured for engagement with a kickover tool to enable replacement of the electrically powered device.   
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the electrically powered device comprises a plurality of flow control valves, each flow control valve being selectively removable from a corresponding well zone to establish the completion as a reconfigurable inflow control completion.