Controlling fluids in a wellbore using a backup packer

Abstract

Methods and systems for controlling fluids in a wellbore are described. The methods and systems include running a production string into the wellbore, the production string includes production tubing and completion components with a first packer with a first control line and a backup packer with a second control line; setting the first packer in the wellbore in response to a signal on the first control line; producing hydrocarbons from the wellbore with the first packer set and the backup packer unset; and setting the backup packer in the wellbore in response to a signal on the second control line.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A system for controlling fluids in a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a production tubing comprising:
 one or more first packers intermittently disposed from the production tubing throughout the wellbore; 
 one or more inactive backup packers intermittently disposed from the production tubing throughout the wellbore; 
 a first control line operable to set the one or more first packers in response to a signal; and 
 a second control line operable to set the one or more inactive backup packers in response to a signal; and 
   an onboard electronic equipment in electronic communication with the production tubing and configured to perform operations comprising:
 monitoring a condition of the wellbore; and 
 reporting the condition of the wellbore. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the production string comprises one or more protective sleeves covering the one or more backup packers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system comprises a shifting tool configured to remove one or more protective sleeves covering the one or more inactive backup packers before setting the one or more inactive backup packers. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the one or more inactive backup packers is positioned between 500 ft and 1500 ft downhole from ground surface. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the onboard electronic equipment is further configured to perform operations comprising transmitting, while the one or more inactive backup packers are unset, the signal to the one or more first packers on the first control line to set the one or more first packers in the wellbore. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the onboard electronic equipment is further configured to perform operations comprising transmitting the signal to the one or more inactive backup packers on the second control line to set the one or more backup packers in the wellbore. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the a completion string comprises the production tubing, the one or more first packers, and the one or more backup packers, the onboard electronic equipment is further configured to perform operations comprising controlling a flow of fluids through the completion string to the surface. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein transmitting, while the one or more inactive backup packers are unset, the signal to the one or more first packers on the first control line to set the one or more first packers in the wellbore comprises transmitting an electrical signal to the one or more first packers on the first control line to set the one or more first packers in the wellbore. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein transmitting the signal to the one or more inactive backup packers on the second control line to set the one or more backup packers in the wellbore comprises transmitting a hydraulic signal to the one or more backup packers on the first control line to set the one or more backup packers in the wellbore. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the condition of the wellbore comprises at least one of the wellbore in a stable or an unstable condition. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the unstable condition includes an unintentional flow of a formation fluid from one formation into another formation or to a surface. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the condition of the wellbore comprises a pressure applied to the backup packer. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the onboard electronic equipment is further configured to perform operations comprising responsive to reporting the condition of the wellbore comprising the pressure applied to the backup packer, transmitting the signal to the one or more backup packers on the second control line to set the one or more backup packers in the wellbore. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first control line comprises an encapsulated conductor configured to conduct the signal to set the one or more first packers. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second control line conducts a hydraulic pressure to set the one or more inactive backup packers. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second control line comprises a J slot to accept lugs of a mandrel to rotate the second control line to set the one or more inactive backup packers. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more protective sleeves comprise an elastomer. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more protective sleeves each comprise a receiving slot configured to receive a shifting tool. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more backup packers are configured to receive a mechanical lock configured to unset the one or more backup packers and remove the one or more backup packers from the wellbore. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the mechanical lock comprises a stinger. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one first packer and at least one backup packer define a pair of packers, each pair of packers positioned in the wellbore to control a flow of fluid from one formation into the production tubing.