Abstract:
An actuating mechanism for use in a tool such as a plug used in oil and gas wells. The mechanism being operable under pressure in the well bore to set the plug in a first natural closed state for a pressure under a predetermined pressure range; a second closed state wherein the plug is locked closed regardless of the pressure; and a third open state by increasing the pressure to the predetermined pressure range and holding the pressure in the range for a predetermined time. Electronic and mechanical, dual piston, actuating mechanisms are described as is a method of controlling fluid flow in a well bore using the plug and performing a pressure test against the plug.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/579,274 which was filed on Oct. 26, 2006 and is the U.S. national phase, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371, of international application No. PCT/GB2004/004745, filed Nov. 12, 2004 published in English on Jun. 9, 2005 as international publication No. WO 2005/052302 A2, which claims the benefit of British application Ser. No. GB 0326457.9, filed Nov. 13, 2003, the disclosure of which applications are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to plugs used in oil and gas wells and in particular, though not exclusively, to an actuating mechanism which provides for controlled opening of a plug. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   During the lifetime of an oil/gas production well, various servicing operations will be carried out to the well to ensure that the efficiency and integrity of the well is maximised. This would include; a full work over, surface well-head tree change, side tracking or close proximity drilling operations. To allow any of these operations to be done safely and to accommodate verification pressure tests from surface, it is necessary to install a plug (or plugs) into the production tubing to create a barrier to both test against and provide isolation from the production zones. 
   These plugs are typically installed/retrieved from the well bore by either wire line or coiled tubing methods. Wire line and coiled tubing operations however, can be time consuming and risky depending on the application, and are generally kept to a minimum where possible. When retrieving plugs it is necessary to equalise pressure above and below prior to unlocking and removal—this often involves an extra intervention run to initiate equalisation prior to retrieval. 
   One type of plug developed to remove the requirement for intervention is referred to as a pump open plug. This device is equalised by applying pressure to the tubing above the plug to a pre-determined value. This causes a specially rated shear pin to fail, actuating the device to communicate pressure between the tubing above and below the plug. Retrieval of the plug can then commence, or the plug left in situ and the well produces through the now open plug. This is a simple design which can be equalised remotely by pressure from the surface. It can also handle over balanced situations i.e. the pressure below the plug is always less than that above due to the hydrostatic weight of fluid above being greater than the zonal pressure below the plug. 
   However, this plug does have a number of disadvantages, namely that it does not allow for a full pressure test of the production tubing above the plug as the shear pin rating inherently has to be less than the production tubing&#39;s pressure rating. There is also a need to know what the expected pressure below the plug will be prior to opening as this is important when rating the shear pin. Additionally, the over balance conditions permanently load up the shear pin. Shear pins are inherently difficult to manufacture accurately and the shear pin used cannot be tested prior to installation. When the shear pin fails during opening operations the pressure can surge into the zonal formation causing formation damage within the well. 
   Pressure cycle plugs have also been developed. Such designs are those disclosed in GB 2,281,752 and EP 0,485,243. These are generally referred to as pressure cycle plugs. In such devices the pressure is equalised by applying, from surface, a predetermined number of pressure cycles (pressure up-bleed off). The actual value of pressure applied is less important than that of the pump open plug, it equivalently just needs to be more than the pressure below the plug. During each cycle applied, the equalisation mechanism with the device moves incrementally typically via a ratchet. On the last cycle the mechanism will finally move to a position that will allow communication to occur between the tubing above the plug to that below. Again retrieval of the plug can then commence, or the plug left in situ and the well produced with the now open plug. These plugs are advantageous in that the pressure can be equalised remotely from the surface. The value of the pressure applied is less critical than that needed for operating a pump open plug and the number of pressure cycles can be pre-set before the plug is installed, to allow enough scope to do all the pressure testing etc prior to opening. The plug will open during the bleed off phase of the pressure cycle and thus pressure surges to the formation are minimised. The tubing above the plug can be tested to the maximum pressure rating and then cycled open to a lower pressure. 
   While the pressure cycle plug has these advantages, it also has a number of disadvantages. A major disadvantage is that by virtue of the fact that a predetermined amount of cycles have to be undertaken before opening, this can be restrictive in well operations. Often during surface operations, pressures may be applied inadvertently to the tubing and it becomes confusing as to whether they constituted a cycle or not, therefore it becomes less clear how many cycles are left to open the plug. In order to operate the plug a knowledge of the pressure below the plug is required. Because the plug opens during bleed-off, it is not easy to tell if the plug was closed or open until the next cycle is applied. Therefore it is never clear if the plug is really closed without using up another cycle. Shock loading during installation of the plug can cause the internal mechanism to incrementally move, thus using up some cycles without knowledge by the operator. The internal mechanisms are not particularly suitable for use in over balance situation due to the hydrostatic weight of fluid above being greater than the zonal pressure below the plug. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a plug for use in an oil or gas well which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art plugs. 
   It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide an actuating mechanism for use in a plug which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art plugs. 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a plug for controlling fluid flow in a well bore, the plug comprising a substantially cylindrical body adapted for location on a work string, the body including a bore through a portion thereof and one or more radial ports for passage of fluid from the bore to an outer surface of the body, an actuating member moveable relative to the body so as to cover the one or more radial ports in a first position and uncover the one or more radial ports in a second position wherein movement of the actuating member is controlled by an actuating mechanism, the mechanism being operable under pressure in the well bore to set the plug in a first natural state wherein the actuating member is in the first position for a pressure under a predetermined pressure range; a second closed state wherein the actuating member is locked in the first position regardless of the pressure; and a third open state wherein the actuating member is moved to the second position on increasing the pressure to the predetermined pressure range and holding the pressure in the range for a predetermined time. 
   Thus the plug can only be opened if the plug begins in the natural state, the pressure is brought up to a predetermined range an held in this range for a given time period. The actuating mechanism can be considered as a timed release actuating mechanism. A rapid increase of pressure will merely lock the plug in the closed state and any pressure variation thereafter will hold the plug in the closed state. With the plug ‘locked out’ pressure testing can advantageously be carried out above the plug in the well bore. 
   Preferably the bore provides communication with the work string such that the plug may be operated by pressure applied from a surface of the well bore. 
   Preferably the actuating mechanism is located in the bore. 
   Preferably the predetermined range for the pressure is approximately 1200 to 1800 psi. 
   Preferably the actuating mechanism comprises one or more pistons operated on by the applied pressure. More preferably the actuating mechanism comprises first and second pistons; the first piston including a damping element for delaying movement of the first piston relative to the second piston under the applied pressure; the second piston acting on a retaining element; the retaining element adapted to hold the second piston in an intermediate position when the applied pressure is within the predetermined range and allow movement of the first piston to a final position; the retaining element allowing the second piston to move to a secondary position when the applied pressure is above the predetermined range; a locking element which prevents movement of the first piston when the second piston is in the secondary position; and a securing element for retaining the actuating member in the first position until released by virtue of the first piston reaching the final position, whereby the actuating member moves to the second position and opens the plug. 
   Thus when a pressure is applied the pistons will move. By virtue of the damping element the first piston will move slower than the second piston. When the pressure reaches the predetermined range, the second piston is held in an intermediate position. If the first piston reaches its final position the actuating member will move and the plug will operate. If the pressure increases above the predetermined range before the first piston reaches its final position, the second piston ‘locks out’ the first piston and the actuating member remains in the first position. Thus holding the pressure in the intermediate range for sufficient time allows the first piston to move from its starting position to its final position without being ‘locked-out’ and will cause the actuating member to move and open the plug. 
   Preferably the first and second pistons include drive faces upon which the applied pressure acts. More preferably the drive faces are substantially conical with apexes directed towards the applied pressure. 
   Preferably the drive faces of the pistons are initially located in the bore. Advantageously the pistons are arranged longitudinally to the body. Optionally the pistons are in parallel alignment. 
   Preferably the damping element is a fluid metering device. Preferably the fluid metering device comprises a fluid filled chamber through which the first piston passes. Preferably within the chamber a portion of the first piston includes a restrictor to regulate fluid flow between upper and lower compartments of the chamber. Preferably also a portion of the first piston includes a check valve to allow fluid to be selectively moved between the compartments. 
   Advantageously a pressure balance piston is located in the chamber. The pressure balance piston may be arranged around the first piston to control the size of the chamber in order to compensate for thermal effects and pressure differences between inside and outside the chamber. 
   Preferably the retaining element is a spring. The retaining element may be a leaf spring. More preferably the retaining element is a collet. Preferably the locking element is a sleeve. The retaining element and the locking element may engage to control movement of the pistons. 
   Optionally, the actuating mechanism may comprise a pressure sensor located in the bore to measure the applied pressure, a processor programmed to control a motor in response to the pressure wherein operation of the motor causes the required relative movement between the actuating member and the body. 
   In this embodiment, the processor is a logic processor programmed to perform the steps required to operate the plug. The mechanism may further comprise a pressure transducer and a battery pack. The motor may drive a ball screw located between the body and the actuating member. The mechanism may also comprise a securing element for retaining the actuating member in the first position. 
   Preferably the actuating member is a sleeve. The sleeve may be arranged around a body of the tool. 
   Preferably the securing element is one or more locking keys which engage with the sleeve. The keys may engage the sleeve when the sleeve is in the first and second positions to prevent unwanted movement of the sleeve. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an actuating mechanism for operating a tool used in a well bore, the mechanism comprising first and second pistons; the first piston including a damping element for delaying movement of the first piston relative to the second piston under an applied pressure; the second piston acting on a retaining element; the retaining element adapted to hold the second piston in an intermediate position when the applied pressure is within a predetermined range and allow movement of the first piston to a final position; the retaining element allowing the second piston to move to a secondary position when the applied pressure is above the predetermined range; a locking element which prevents movement of the first piston when the second piston is in the secondary position; an actuating member whose movement operates the tool; and a securing element for retaining the actuating member in a first position until released by virtue of the first piston reaching the final position, whereby the actuating member moves to a second position and operates the tool. 
   Thus when a pressure is applied the pistons will move. By virtue of the damping element the first piston will move slower than the second piston. When the pressure reaches the predetermined range, the second piston is held in an intermediate position. If the first piston reaches its final position the actuating member will move and the plug will operate. If the pressure increases above the predetermined range before the first piston reaches its final position, the second piston ‘locks out’ the first piston and the actuating member remains in the first position. Thus holding the pressure in the intermediate range for sufficient time allows the first piston to move from its starting position to its final position without being ‘locked-out’ and will cause the actuating member to move and operate the tool. 
   Preferably the first and second pistons include drive faces upon which the applied pressure acts. More preferably the drive faces are substantially conical with apexes directed towards the applied pressure. 
   Preferably the damping element is a fluid metering device. Preferably the fluid metering device comprises a fluid filled chamber through which the first piston passes. Preferably within the chamber a portion of the first piston includes a restrictor to regulate fluid flow between upper and lower compartments of the chamber. Preferably also a portion of the first piston includes a check valve to allow fluid to be selectively moved between the compartments. 
   Advantageously a pressure balance piston is located in the chamber. The pressure balance piston may be arranged around the first piston to control the size of the chamber in order to compensate for thermal effects and pressure differences between inside and outside the chamber. 
   Preferably the retaining element is a spring. The retaining element may be a leaf spring. More preferably the retaining element is a collet. Preferably the locking element is a sleeve. The retaining element and the locking element may engage to control movement of the pistons. 
   Preferably the actuating member is a sleeve. The sleeve may be arranged around a body of the tool. Preferably the securing element is one or more locking keys which engage with the sleeve. The keys may engage the sleeve when the sleeve is in the first and second positions to prevent unwanted movement of the sleeve. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a controlling fluid flow in a well bore, the method comprising the steps:
     (a) locating a plug in a well bore, the plug including an actuating mechanism to operate the plug;   (b) increasing pressure from a surface of the well bore to within a predetermined range; and   (c) keeping the pressure within the predetermined range over sufficient time to cause the actuating mechanism to move and open the plug.   

   Preferably the plug is according to the first aspect. 
   Preferably the method includes the step of applying pressure above the predetermined range. 
   Preferably the method includes the step of locking the plug in a closed position in the event that the pressure exceeds the predetermined range. 
   The method may then include the step of performing a pressure test above the plug. 
   Preferably also the method includes the step of bringing the pressure back down to below the predetermined range to then perform steps (b) and (c) to open the plug. 
   It will be appreciated that where reference is given to the terms ‘up’ and ‘down’ this is relative and the invention could equally well be applied in deviated or horizontal well bores where the references would convert accordingly. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of plug in parts ( a ), ( b ) and ( c ) according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the natural state; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the plug of  FIG. 1  in parts ( a ), ( b ) and ( c ) of the plug in a locked out, closed state; 
       FIG. 3  ( a )-( d ) are part cross-sectional views of the plug of  FIG. 1  illustrating the locking out procedure; 
       FIG. 4  is a part cross-sectional view through the plug of  FIG. 1  in the locked out state; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the plug of  FIG. 1  in parts ( a ), ( b ) and ( c ) wherein the plug is now in the open state; 
       FIG. 6  is a part cross-sectional views through the plug of  FIG. 1  in the open state; 
       FIGS. 7  ( a ) and ( b ) are part cross-sectional views of the plug of  FIG. 1  illustrating the procedure to return to the natural state from the locked out state; 
       FIG. 8  is a series of schematic cross-sectional views through a plug, illustrating the ( a ) natural state, ( b ) closed state and ( c ) open state, according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is a plot of time against applied pressure for three pressure tests and an opening run. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1(   a ), ( b ) and ( c ) there is illustrated a plug, generally indicated by reference numeral  10 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the sections  14 , 18 , 24  shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ), ( b ) and ( c ) are spliced together to form a single plug where a base  12  of the section  14  meets the top  16  of section  18  and a base  20  of section  18  meets a top  22  of section  24 . Thus a full plug  10  is illustrated. 
   Plug  10  comprises a substantially cylindrical body assembly  26  on which is located an outer sleeve  28 . At an upper end  30  of the body  26  there is located a threaded connector  32  for joining the plug  10  to an anchoring device located on a work string (not shown). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such an anchoring device may be a packer or other sealing element such that fluid is prevented from travelling up through the well bore from a location at the plug unless it travels through the plug into the work string. 
   Body  26  comprises an upper bore portion  34  for continuance of the bore of the work string. Through the body  26  are arranged four circumferentially spaced radial flow ports  36   a - d . It will be appreciated that the size of these ports may be selected to determine a flow area for fluid from the outer surface  38  of the plug  10  to the bore portion  34  and thereon through the work string. Flow ports  36  are angled downwards to enhance the passage of fluid flow. 
   The ports  36  are opened or closed via movement of the outer sleeve  28 . Seals  40   a,b  further prevent any fluid flow between the ports  36  and the outer surface  38  when the sleeve  28  covers the ports  36 . Outer sleeve  28  is biased to the open position by virtue of a compression spring  42  located between a shoulder  44  of the body  26  and a shoulder  46  on the sleeve  28 . A shoulder sleeve  54  is located at a base  52  of the outer sleeve  28 . The outer sleeve  28  is retained in position by locking keys  48  positioned on the body  26  which locate within a groove  50  formed at the base  52  of the outer sleeve  28  and the shoulder sleeve  54 . It will be appreciated that there may be one or more locking keys  48  arranged circumferentially around the body  26  of the plug  10 . On movement of the locking keys  48 , the outer sleeve  28  and support sleeve  54  can move together on the outer surface  38 . Movement is as described hereinafter with reference to the further Figures. 
   Arranged axially within the body  26  is a primary piston  58 . Piston  58  includes a conically arranged face  60  upon which fluid can act. The shape of the face  60  is selected to help allow the piston  58  to return even when sand or other soft debris has settled above. Piston  58  thereafter comprises a shaft  59  running through a central portion of the plug  10 . Surrounding the shaft  59  is a locking collet  60 . Locking collet  60  comprises three dogs  62 , although only two are shown in cross-section, which are arranged around the piston  58  while being connected to the body  26 . Piston  58  thereafter passes into a metering chamber  64 . 
   Within the metering chamber  64 , a portion  66  of the shaft  59  is broadened in circumference so that the outer wall  68  of the portion  66  touches the inner wall  70  of the chamber  64 . Seals  72  prevent the passage of fluid through the chamber around the piston  58  at this point. Chamber  64  is filled with hydraulic fluid  78 . A fluid restrictor  74  and a check valve  76  are arranged longitudinally through the portion  66 . The fluid restrictor  74  and check valve  76  control the passage of fluid flow within the chamber  64  between an upper compartment  65   a  and a lower compartment  65   b . As piston  58  moves downwards, fluid flows through restrictor  74  and dampens the movement of the piston  58 . 
   While the restrictor  74  and valve  76  are illustrated at an angle to a central axis through the plug, it will be appreciated that they could be arranged parallel to the axis. In this way they may be independently supported on the shaft  59 . 
   Located in the upper compartment  65   a  of the chamber  64  is a balance piston  80 . Piston  80  surrounds the shaft  59  and contacts the wall  70  of the chamber  64 . O-rings  82  provide a seal against the wall  70  while allowing the piston  80  to be free to move within the chamber  64  in either direction to compensate for thermal effects and pressure differences between the inside and the outside of the chamber  64 . Thus the balance piston  80  ensures that the behaviour of the fluid restrictor  74  and check valve  76  is uniform regardless of the operating temperature and pressure in the plug  10 . 
   The primary piston  58  exits the chamber  64  and is terminated after a short length by a bleed screw  90  arranged in its base. The bleed screw  90  provides access through the piston  58  to the chamber  64  so that hydraulic fluid  78  can be introduced and bled off. At its base, the primary piston  58  is connected to a support sleeve  86 . The support sleeve  86  abuts the rear of the locking keys  48  and pushes them in to the grooves  50 . At a base of the support sleeve  86  is positioned a return spring  92  which biases the piston  58  towards the top  30  of the plug  10 . 
   Located adjacent and in parallel to the primary piston  58  is a locking piston  94 . Piston  94  also has a conically arranged face  96 . In an embodiment, the piston face  96  may be identical to the face  60  of the primary piston  58 . This ensures that the pistons  58 , 94  will act together when pressure is first applied to their faces  60 , 96 . 
   Piston  94  abuts a locking sleeve  98 . On an inner surface  100  of the locking sleeve  98  is a longitudinal recess  102  in which the dogs  62  of the locking collet  60  may locate to allow them to be in a natural state. At a base  104  of the locking sleeve  98  is shoulder  105  against which is arranged a return spring  106  which biases the locking piston  94  toward the top  30  of the plug  10 . 
   A secondary collet  108  is arranged around the locking sleeve  98 . Located below the collet  108  is a retaining shoulder  110 . Opposite and above the retaining shoulder  110  is a further retaining shoulder  112  located on the locking sleeve  98 . Contained between the retaining shoulders  110 , 112  is a circumferential key retainer  114  biased towards the further retaining shoulder  112  by a return spring  116  abutting the retaining shoulder  110 . Keys  118  are mounted on the key retainer  114 , protruding toward the collet  108 . Excepting the collet  108 , these components form an easy return mechanism for the locking piston  94  as will be described hereinafter with reference to the operation of the plug  10 . 
   A further feature of the plug  10  is a centraliser  120  mounted on the outer surface  38  of the body  26  towards the bottom end  56 . Centraliser  120  is of known construction providing a plurality of longitudinally arranged blades  122  which can abut walls of the well and ensure the plug  10  is centralised with respect to the well bore. 
   In use, the plug  10  is arranged as shown in  FIG. 1  and as described above. The end faces  60 , 96  of pistons  58 , 94  locate in the bore  34  at the same horizontal position. The return springs  92 ,  106 ,  116  are at maximum extension so the pistons  58 , 94  are fully biased. The portion  66  of the primary piston  58  is located centrally in the chamber  64 . The support sleeve  86  is supporting the locking keys  48  into grooves  50 . Outer sleeve  28  is therefore locked in a closed position with the ports  36  covered by the sleeve. In this ‘natural’ state the plug  10  is connected to an anchoring device as discussed above and run into a well bore. 
   When the anchoring device seals off the well bore between the production tubing inner diameter and the plug body  26 , pressure can be applied to the plug  10  by the flow of fluid downwards through the work string. This applied fluid pressure will act upon the faces  60 , 96  of the pistons  58 , 94  uniformly. Locking piston  94  will travel downwards faster than primary piston  58 . This is because as primary piston  58  moves downwards, hydraulic fluid  78  must pass through the restrictor  74  and thus passage of the piston  58  is dampened. 
   If the pressure applied is sufficient to move the locking piston  94  downwards until the base  105  meets a top  124  of the chamber  64 , before the portion  66  of the primary piston  58  reaches the bottom  126  of the chamber  64 , the plug  10  moves to a locked position. This is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  of the drawings which illustrates the key  118 /collet  108  interaction which locks the primary piston in position. Like parts between the Figures have been given the same reference numerals to aid clarity.  FIG. 3(   a ) shows the relationship of the components in the natural state. Key retainer  114  is biased against shoulder  112  by return spring  116 . The keys  118  are free to move along an inner surface  128  of the collet  108 . Pressure applied to the piston  94 , forces the keys  118  downwards with respect to the collet  108  against the spring  116 . The keys  118  push the dogs  130  of the collet  108  outwards as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ). Continual pressure moves the keys  118  under the dogs  130  and downwards until the retainer ring  114  bottoms out on a shoulder  131  located on a mount  132  for the retaining shoulder  110 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 3(   c ). The keys  118  are prevented from moving toward the top  30  of the plug  10 , such as would occur during pressure bleed down, by virtue of the keys  118  meeting the underside  134  of the dogs  130 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 3(   d ). 
   Returning to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that as the retaining ring  114  bottoms out, the dogs  62  engage the primary piston  58 , locking it in position. A circumferential lip  136  on the shaft  59  further prevents the primary piston from downward movement by abutting to surfaces  138  of the dogs  62 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . It is noted that outer sleeve  28  remains in the same locked position when the primary piston is locked out. Thus the ports  36  remain closed. In this position, pressure testing can be performed above the plug  10  on the work string. Excess pressure applied to the plug  10  from above will merely hold the tool more tightly in the locked position. 
   If the applied pressure is raised to within a predetermined range when the plug  10  is run in, the plug can be opened. The predetermined pressure range is set by the strength of the collet  108 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , when pressure is applied the two pistons  58 , 94  move as described above. When the keys  118  reach the dogs  130  of collet  108 , they are held there if the pressure is in the predetermined range. The locking piston  94  is thus held at this location as the key retainer  114  abuts the retaining shoulder  112 . There is no such restriction on the primary piston  58  and it will travel downwards on its damped path. As long as the pressure is maintained in the predetermined range, after a period of time, the primary piston will reach a final position as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The period of time is the time it takes to meter the hydraulic fluid  78  through the restrictor  74 . This can be set by the size of the restrictor  74 , taking note of the damping required to the primary piston  58 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined range is a relatively low pressure of 1200-1800 psi and the time period is approximately 10 mins. Thus holding the pressure on the plug  10  to within the predetermined range for the time period allows the primary piston to reach its final position. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the lip  136  of the shaft  59  has passed the dogs  62  of the locking collet  60 . The dogs  62  move outwardly into the groove  102  to allow the piston to pass through unimpeded. The groove  102  locates beside the dogs  62  by virtue of the keys  118  being stopped by the dogs  130  on the collet  108 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The portion  66  has now reached the base  126  of chamber  64 . The support sleeve  86  has move downwards to locate a recess  140  of the sleeve  86  behind the locking keys  48 . As a result the locking keys  48  move radially inwards a sufficient distance to unlock the outer sleeve  28  from the body  26 . On release of the sleeve  28 , spring  42  causes movement of the sleeve  28  downwardly towards the centraliser  120 . In the embodiment shown the shoulder  54  abuts the centraliser  120  to prevent further passage of the sleeve  28 . On moving the sleeve  28  has uncovered the ports  36 . Thus the plug is now open and fluid can flow between the work string, bore  34  and the annulus around the plug  10  in the well bore. Fluid flow may be in an uphole or downhole direction dependant on the pressure within the work string and in the annulus. 
   To prevent the sleeve  28  from inadvertantly closing over the ports  36 , the keys  48  locate into the housing  142  of the spring  42  and abut the shoulder  144 . 
   While the contact sleeve  87  is illustrated as a single sleeve, in an alternative embodiment this sleeve  87  may be two parallel aligned sleeves such that the friction on the keys  48  is reduce as one sleeve remains stationary while the other slides underneath it to release the collet. 
   While the plug  10  can be opened as the pressure is applied, it is more useful to be able to open the plug  10  after pressure testing has been completed. In order to move the plug from the locked out position, shown in  FIG. 2 , to the open position, shown in  FIG. 5 , the applied pressure is bled off to return the pistons  58 , 94  to their natural state i.e.  FIG. 1 . Pressure can then be applied as described hereinbefore to open the plug  10 . 
   On reducing the pressure, from the locked-out position shown in  FIG. 3(   d ), the return spring  116  pushes the key retainer  114  toward the top  30  of the plug  10 . The keys  118  ride up to an under surface  134  of the dogs  130 . The locking piston return spring  106  biases the locking piston  94  towards the top  30  of the plug  10 . This moves locking sleeve  98  upwards relative to the key retainer  114 , and the keys  118  are thus arranged against a narrower portion  146  of the sleeve  98 . As a result the keys  118  move radially inwards to clear the dogs  130 . The spring  116  pushes the key retainer  114  passed the dogs  130 . This is as shown in  FIG. 7(   a ). Further biasing of the spring  116  causes the keys  118  to move radially outward again as they pass onto the broader portion  148  of the sleeve  98 . The key retainer  114  then abuts the shoulder  112 . This is as shown in  FIG. 7(   b ). This is the easy return mechanism which allows the keys  118  and the key retainer  114  to by-pass the collet  108  easily as the pressure is bled off. 
   Both pistons  58 , 94  are now free to move. The return springs  92 , 106  are designed so that the primary piston  58  returns to its first position ahead of the locking piston  94 . Thus the ports  36  advantageously cannot be opened during bleed down. As the piston  58 , moves through the chamber  64 , hydraulic fluid passes through the uni-directional check valve  76  to fill the lower compartment  65   b . The return springs  92 , 106  have built in precompression to compensate for an overbalance up to 2000 psi in a preferred embodiment. The plug  10  is now in the natural state and can be opened as described herein with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
   An alternative embodiment of a plug, now referenced as  500 , is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the actuating mechanism  502 , is now electronic. The plug  500  comprises a cylindrical body  526  on which is located an outer sleeve  528 . The body includes radial ports  536  substantially as described hereinbefore for the plug  10 . 
   In this embodiment applied pressure now acts on a pressure sensor  540 . Via a pressure transducer  542 , the applied pressure is transmitted to a logic processor  544 . The logic processor  544  is programmed to hold a motor  546  in a fixed position,  FIG. 8(   a ), until the applied pressure is within the predetermined range. When in the range, the logic processor  544  switches on the motor  546  to operate. With the motor on, shaft  548  is rotated and with it a ball screw  550  rotates also. Sleeve  552 , threaded upon the ball screw  550 , is moved downwards relative to the body  26 . If at any time the pressure increases above or below the predetermined range, the motor is stopped and then wound in the opposite direction to move the sleeve  552  back to the original starting point. 
   If the pressure remains in the predetermined range for a given time period, equated to be the time taken for the motor  546  to move the sleeve  552  over the distance shown between  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ), the plug can open. 
   Opening occurs as shown in  FIG. 8  ( c ). In this position a recess  554  on the surface of the sleeve  552  is located behind a key  546 , on the body  526 . The key  546  is drawn radially inwards thus releasing the outer sleeve  528  from the body  526 . Spring  558 , which had been held in compression between the sleeve  528  and the body  526 , then expands. This forces the sleeve  528  downwards relative to the body  526  and the radial ports  536  are opened. The logic processor can also be programmed to reset the plug  500  if desired. While the plug  500  could be powered from the well surface, it is more convenient to use a battery pack  560  which can be located in the body  526 . 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 9  of the drawings which shows a graph of applied surface pressure  150  against time  152  for three pressure tests  154   a - c  and an opening run  156 . A zone  158  is marked as a band in the predetermined pressure range. This is called the open zone and any graph which passes, from low pressure, through the zone  158  continuously for the set time period will result in the plug opening. 
   Graph  154   a  shows a steep initial applied pressure which does not remain in the zone  158  for a sufficient time. The graph  154   a  then levels off to represent a constant high pressure being applied for a pressure test. The pressure is then bled off rapidly. 
   Graph  154   b  has a parabolic increase and decrease of pressure illustrating a sharp pressure test, which does not open the plug. 
   Graph  154   c  illustrates a fast pressure test with an initial rise in pressure above the predetermined range. The pressure is then bled off until it reaches the predetermined range. Once here, although it remains in the zone  158  for the time period, the plug will not open as the pistons were not brought initially back to the natural state. 
   In graph  156  the pressure is increased until it is within the zone  158 . It is then maintained in the zone  158  for the time period and thus this trace illustrates opening the plug. 
   It can be seen from the Figure that it does not matter if the bleed down traces from a higher pressure, fall through the zone  158 , as the plug will already by ‘locked out’ during the pressure up phase. 
   The principal advantage of the present invention is that it provides plug which is known to have opened when a pressure is applied in a given range over a set period of time. 
   Further advantages of an embodiment the present invention are that it provides a plug which can be opened remotely from the surface; can be tested against any amount of times; can be opened when desired and doesn&#39;t require a predetermined number of cycles; can operate in both over and under-balanced conditions; is not susceptible to shock loading or inadvertent pressure spikes due to the damping effects of the fluid metering device; opens at a relatively low pressure to minimise damage to the formation; and removes the uncertainty about whether the plug is open or not. 
   It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the invention hereindescribed without departing from the scope thereof. 
   For example, collets have been used to retain and hold the pistons but leaf springs could equally have been used. The number of locking keys can be varied dependent upon the type of tool being used. Further sleeves could be incorporated, for instance, to encase the locking piston return spring  106  to provide easier assembly and added protection to the spring.