Detection and recording of blow out preventer ram operations during rig-less wellbore interventions

Abstract

A rig-less wellbore system includes a blowout preventer (BOP) central body fluidly coupled to a wellbore and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders extending radially from the central body. A plurality of pistons operable to move radially within a respective hydraulic cylinder between an open position wherein flow through the central passageway is permitted and a closed position wherein the pistons extend into the central passageway to prohibit fluid flow through the central passageway. At least one sensor is operable to monitor at least one parameter indicative of activity within a hydraulic circuit operably associated with an individual one of the pistons. A data acquisition system (DAS) is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor to collect and record data provided by the at least one sensor.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rig-less wellbore system, comprising:
 a blowout preventer (BOP) providing a central body that defines a central passageway extending along a longitudinal axis through the central body, the central passageway fluidly coupled to a wellbore;   a plurality of hydraulic cylinders extending radially from the central body;   a plurality of pistons operable to move radially within a respective hydraulic cylinder between an open position, where flow through the central passageway is permitted, and a closed position, where the piston extends into the central passageway to prohibit fluid flow through the central passageway;   at least one sensor operable to monitor at least one parameter indicative of activity within a hydraulic circuit operably associated with one of the pistons of the plurality of pistons; and   a data acquisition system (DAS) communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the DAS operable to collect and record data provided by the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel and a ram control valve within the control panel, wherein the ram control valve is operable to move the one of the pistons between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         3 . The wellbore system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a panel sensor operable to detect a parameter indicative of a position of the ram control valve. 
     
     
         4 . The wellbore system of  claim 2 , further comprising a pair of hydraulic hoses extending between the ram control valve and open and close chambers defined within the hydraulic cylinder in which the one of the pistons is disposed, wherein the one of the pistons is movable to the open position in response to pressurizing the open chamber and movable to the closed position in response to pressurizing the close chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The wellbore system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor operable to monitor a pressure within one of the hydraulic hoses. 
     
     
         6 . The wellbore system of  claim 2 , further comprising a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid disposed remotely with respect to the ram control valve and fluidly coupled to the control panel with a hydraulic fluid supply line. 
     
     
         7 . The wellbore system of  claim 6 , wherein the DAS is disposed remotely with respect to the control panel and wherein the at least one sensor is communicatively coupled to the DAS through a communication cable extending between the DAS and the control panel. 
     
     
         8 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is coupled to the hydraulic cylinder in which the one of the pistons is disposed and is operable to detect activity of the one of the pistons. 
     
     
         9 . The wellbore system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a proximity sensor operable to detect an actual movement of the one of the pistons within the hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyance extending through the central body, wherein the conveyance includes one of a wireline, slickine, or coiled tubing. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating and monitoring a rig-less wellbore system, the method comprising:
 passing a conveyance through a BOP including a plurality of pistons;   detecting, with at least one sensor, at least one parameter indicative of activity within a hydraulic circuit operably associated with an individual piston of the plurality of pistons;   transmitting data collected by the at least one sensor about the at least one parameter through a communication cable to a DAS; and   observing, with the DAS, a change in the data over time indicative of activity within the hydraulic circuit.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein passing the conveyance through the BOP includes passing one of a wireline, slickine, or coiled tubing through a central body of the BOP disposed radially inward of the plurality of pistons. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting the at least one parameter includes detecting a pressure, a temperature, or a flow of a hydraulic fluid within a hydraulic hose extending between an open or close chamber of a hydraulic cylinder around the individual piston and a ram control valve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising instructing the ram control valve to move between an open position and a close position, and wherein detecting the at least one parameter further includes detecting the position of the ram control valve prior to and subsequent to instructing the ram control valve to move. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting the at least one parameter further includes detecting a change in position of the individual piston within the hydraulic cylinder.