Importance

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Abstract

Smart shuttles are used to complete oil and gas wells. Following drilling operations into a geological formation, a steel pipe is disposed in the wellbore. The steel pipe may be a standard casing installed into the wellbore using typical industry practices. Alternatively, the steel pipe may be a drill string attached to a rotary drill bit that is to remain in the wellbore following completion during so-called 'one-pass drilling operations'. Using typical procedures in the industry, the well is 'completed' by placing into the steel pipe various standard completion devices, many of which are conveyed into place using the drilling rig. Instead, with this invention, smart shuttles are used to convey into the steel pipe the various smart completion devices necessary to complete the oil and gas well. Smart shuttles may be attached to a wireline, to a coiled tubing, or to a wireline installed within coiled tubing. Of particular interest is a wireline conveyed smart shuttle that possesses an electrically operated internal pump that pumps fluid from below the shuttle, to above the shuttle, that in turn causes the smart shuttle to 'pump itself down' and into a horizontal wellbore. Similar comments apply to coiled tubing conveyed smart shuttles.

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First Claim