Systems and methods for downhole deployment of containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11725486-B2
Application number	US-201917293618-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 14, 2019
Priority date	Nov 14, 2018
Publication date	Aug 15, 2023
Grant date	Aug 15, 2023

Abstract

A downhole tool system may include one or more containers to hold waste product and a tractor to convey the one or more containers to a storage location within a wellbore. The downhole tool system may also include an anchor to seal against the wellbore and secure the containers at the storage location. Additionally, the downhole tool system may include a disconnect tool to separate the tractor from the containers such that the tractor may be removed from the wellbore while leaving the containers at the storage location.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A downhole tool system comprising:
a container configured to contain waste product;
a tractor configured to convey the container to a storage location within a wellbore;
an anchor configured to seal against the wellbore and secure the container at the storage location, wherein the container is configured to be coupled between the tractor and the anchor;
a first disconnect tool configured to separate the tractor from the container such that the tractor may be removed from the wellbore while leaving the container at the storage location; and
a second disconnect tool configured to release the container from the anchor in response to a tensile force.

2. The downhole tool system of claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to be coupled to a second container and the anchor via flexible joints.

3. The downhole tool system of claim 1 , wherein the waste product comprises radioactive waste.

4. The downhole tool system of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a sensor system configured to monitor radioactive activity of the waste product.

5. The downhole tool system of claim 4 , wherein the sensor system comprises a wireless transmitter configured to send data comprising the radioactive activity of the waste product to a surface of the wellbore.

6. The downhole tool system of claim 4 , wherein the sensor system is configured to determine an integrity of the container based at least in part on the monitored radioactive activity.

7. The downhole tool system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is configured to provide a seal between a first formation zone and a second formation zone.

8. The downhole tool system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a packer.

9. The downhole tool system of claim 1 , comprising an anchor setting tool configured to:
facilitate sealing the anchor against the wellbore; and
test the sealing of the anchor for integrity.

10. The downhole tool system of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a pressure regulator configured to equalize a first gas pressure at the storage location in the wellbore and a second gas pressure within the container.

11. A method comprising:
conveying, via a cable, a downhole tool system into a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool system comprises a container configured to contain radioactive waste, a first disconnect tool, a second disconnect tool, and an anchor;
disconnecting the cable from at least the container of the downhole tool system using the first disconnect tool;
removing the cable from the wellbore;
plugging the wellbore; and
retrieving the container from the wellbore, wherein retrieving the container from the wellbore comprises releasing the container from the anchor by applying a tensile force to the second disconnect tool.

12. The method of claim 11 , comprising:
monitoring, via a sensor system, radioactivity of the radioactive waste; and
determining an integrity of the container.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the anchor is configured to secure the container at a location within the wellbore, the method further comprising plugging, via the anchor, the wellbore at the location.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Utter Robert
• Shampine Rod
• Potapenko Dmitriy
• Wang Yu
• Cooper Iain

Classifications

• E21B41/005 Primary

  Waste disposal systems · CPC title

• E21B23/14

  for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells · CPC title

• G21F5/14

  Devices for handling containers or shipping-casks, e.g. transporting devices {loading and unloading, filling of containers (cranes, load-engaging elements or devices for cranes, capstans, winches or tackles B66C)} · CPC title

• G21F9/34

  Disposal of solid waste · CPC title

• E21B23/001

  Self-propelling systems or apparatus, e.g. for moving tools within the horizontal portion of a borehole · CPC title