Apparatus for Preventing Unintentional Valve Operation During Wireline Operations

Abstract

A method of preventing valve operations which may inadvertently shear a wireline, causing a downhole tool string loss. Logic control of actuated valve control equipment in a wireline operation enables and disables or set valve states when a wireline is passing through dependent on tool string placement. Emergency override is available to shear wirelines and drop tool strings prior to valve operations to avoid possible interference with valve closures.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for wireline operations comprising:
 a lubricator having one or more risers;   an optional tool trap;   one or more sensors for detecting a tool string;   one or more actuated valves,
 one being a master valve between the lubricator and the wellbore; 
   a programmable logic system;   wherein the logic system is programmed to monitor the sensor, and   enable or disable operation of the one or more actuated valves.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the one or more actuated valves are electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically actuated. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein enable or disable operation of a valve comprises controlling an energy source of the articulated valve. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the one or more actuated valves are manually operated valves with actuated interlocks to restrict manual operations. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as described in  claim 4  wherein the articulated interlocks comprise an indicator to authorize or prohibit manual operation of the valve. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as described in  claim 3  wherein the logic system further comprises:
 an override, wherein the override:
 enables energy sources to one or more actuated valves; 
 closes the master valve, and 
 optionally sets one or more of the actuated valves to known states. 
 
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the sensors detect the presents or absence of the tool string in one or more of the risers. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the sensors detect the movement of the tool string past one or more of the sensors. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as described in  claim 8  wherein a plurality of sensors detecting the movement of the tool string determines the direction of the movement of the tool string. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as described in  claim 9  wherein the sensors identify the movement of the tool string into or out of the one or more risers. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as described in  claim 9  wherein the sensors identify the movement of the tool string through the tool trap. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein a sensor is mechanical. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein a sensor is magnetic. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein a sensor is passive. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein a sensor is removably attached to an external surface of the lubricator. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein a sensor is internal to the lubricator. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as described in  claim 8  wherein the lubricator further comprises a connector sub having sensors. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as described in  claim 17  wherein the connector sub is between two risers. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as described in  claim 17  wherein the connector sub is between the lowest riser and the tool trap. 
     
     
         20 . A method of preventing valve operations during wireline operations comprising:
 monitoring the movement and/or position of a tool string;   determining the relationship of the tool string to one or more actuated valves;   disconnecting or connecting motive power to the one or more actuated valves.