Interactive and/or secure activation of a tool

摘要

A tool activation system and method includes receiving an authorization code of a user to verify access rights of a user to activate the tool. In one example, the authorization code is receive from a smart card. The environment around the tool, which can be in a wellbore, for example, is checked. In response to the authorization code and the checking of the environment, activation of the tool is enabled.

主权项

1. A system for activating a well tool, wherein the well tool comprises a perforating gun, comprising:
a controller having an interface to communicate with the well tool, the controller further having a security input unit configured to receive an authorization code, the controller configured to verify the authorization code; and the interface configured to receive data pertaining to the well tool and an environment of the well tool, the data comprising pressure and temperature components, the controller configured to, in response to a user request to activate the well tool:
verify the authorization code, wherein the verification comprises a verification of an access level of having authority to activate the well tool;determine if data pertaining to the environment of the well tool indicates it is safe to activate the well tool; andsend a command including a unique code from an earth surface location to a downhole location to selectively activate and fire the well tool in response to the received data pertaining to the environment of the well tool indicating that it is safe to activate the well tool; orselectively disable activation of the well tool in response to the received data indicating that it is not safe to activate the well tool.