Patent Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for webserver-based well instrumentation, logging, monitoring and control provide convenience and economy in well site and off-site operations. In a described embodiment, a well tool includes a webserver connected to a sensor and an actuator of the tool. In response to a condition sensed by the sensor, a person utilizing a network to access a web page supported by the webserver at a remote location may operate the actuator to control operation of the well tool.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119 of the filing date of PCT Application No. PCT/USoo/14750, filed May 26, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to operations performed and equipment utilized in conjunction with subterranean wells and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides well instrumentation, logging, monitoring and control using webservers.  
           [0003]    In many situations it is advantageous to be able to remotely monitor and control aspects of a subterranean well. For example, well tools positioned in the well might be operated without requiring intervention into the well and without requiring the use of certain equipment, such as pumps, to apply pressure to the tools, etc. Well conditions might be monitored at a remote location, so that personnel do not have to physically travel to the well, and so that well data is available when needed at any location. Complex and/or hazardous operations, such as drill stem tests, might be monitored and controlled by a person or persons having special expertise in these operations at a remote location. These are but a few of the advantages of remotely monitoring and controlling a well.  
           [0004]    Past attempts to provide such remote monitoring and control have only gone so far. That is, these attempts have fallen short of the goal of providing world-wide access to well data and to the tools needed to actually control equipment at the well. For example, some attempts to provide remote well monitoring and control have required that an operator utilize a specially configured control terminal which communicates via a proprietary system, etc.  
           [0005]    What is needed is a well monitoring and control system which enables an operator anywhere in the world to monitor well data and/or to control equipment at the well using readily available facilities, such as a standard computer or terminal and a connection to the Internet or other network. A similar system might also be used to perform well tool diagnostics or other operations.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a well monitoring and control system is provided which utilizes the Internet or other network to permit remote monitoring and control of aspects of the well. A webserver included in a well tool supports a website accessible by an operator having a connection to the Internet or other network.  
           [0007]    In one aspect of the present invention, a well tool is provided that includes a sensor and/or an actuator. The sensor and/or actuator is connected to a webserver of the tool. The webserver is connected to a network. If a sensor is used, signals generated by the sensor are accessible at a remote location via the network. If an actuator is used, the actuator is controllable from the remote location via the network.  
           [0008]    Multiple well tools may be used in a well, in which case each well tool may include a webserver and a sensor and/or actuator. The well tools may be independently monitored and/or controlled via a network connected to the webserver.  
           [0009]    In another aspect of the present invention, surface equipment associated with a well may be monitored and/or controlled from a remote location using a system provided herein. An item of surface equipment may include a webserver connected to a sensor and/or actuator. The webserver is connected to a network. If a sensor is used, signals generated by the sensor are accessible at a remote location via the network. If an actuator is used, the actuator is controllable from the remote location via the network.  
           [0010]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, logging tools may be monitored and/or controlled from a remote location using a system provided herein. A logging tool may include a webserver connected to a sensor and/or actuator. The webserver is connected to a network. If a sensor is used, signals generated by the sensor are accessible at a remote location via the network. If an actuator is used, the actuator is controllable from the remote location via the network.  
           [0011]    In still another aspect of the present invention, a well tool may be tested from a remote location using a system and method provided herein. A webserver of the tool is connected to a network. One or more sensors may sense fluid properties proximate the tool and/or sense the position of one or more structures of the tool, etc. The webserver and sensors are connected to a test control module, which is also connected to one or more items of test equipment. The item of test equipment maybe operated remotely, for example, to apply pressure to the tool, via the network.  
           [0012]    In a further aspect of the present invention, various methods may be utilized for communicating between the webserver and the network. A fiber optic line, a wireline, acoustic telemetry or a satellite uplink may serve as a part of a communication path between the webserver and the network. If a fiber optic line is used, the present invention provides a cable uniquely suited for use in a subterranean well.  
           [0013]    These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative embodiments of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a well tool embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a method of communicating between the well tool and a network, the method embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view of a first cable for use with the well tool of FIG. 1, the first cable embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first cable, taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second cable embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a third cable embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth cable embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a well tool monitoring and control system embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a surface equipment monitoring and control system embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a well monitoring and control system embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a well monitoring system embodying principles of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a well logging system embodying principles of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an alternate communication method that may be used in conjunction with any of the described systems; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a method of remotely testing a well tool. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a well tool  10  which embodies principles of the present invention. In the following description of the well tool  10  and other apparatus and methods described herein, directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used only for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0029]    As depicted in FIG. 1, the well tool lo facilitates monitoring of well conditions from a remote location. However, it is to be clearly understood that other types of well tools may embody principles of the present invention. The well tool  10  may be appropriately configured for interconnection in a tubular string in a well by, for example, providing threaded connections at each end of the tool.  
         [0030]    The well tool  10  includes two pressure and temperature sensors  12 ,  14 . Preferably, the sensors  12 ,  14  are conventional quartz pressure and temperature gauges, although other types of sensors may be used in the well tool  10 . The sensor  12  is connected to an internal flow passage  16  of the well tool  10  via a fluid passage  18 , so that properties of fluid in the flow passage  16  may be sensed by the sensor. The sensor  14  is connected to the exterior of the well tool  10  via a fluid passage  20 , so that properties of fluid external to the well tool may be sensed by the sensor. Thus, the pressure and temperature of fluids internal and external to the well tool  10  may be sensed by the sensors  12 ,  14 . Of course, additional or alternate sensors may be provided in the well tool  10  to sense other properties, such as resistivity, water cut, density, etc.  
         [0031]    The sensors  12 ,  14  are connected to a webserver  22 . Preferably, the webserver  22  is an integrated circuit or “chip”, such as an Agilent model 11501, which is capable of supporting a web page on the Internet or other network. The Agilent model 11501 webserver is a network capable application processor which conforms to the IEEE 1451.2 industry standard. In this manner, signals generated by the sensors  12 ,  14  are accessible on the web page, so that a person at a remote location may conveniently monitor the signals by merely going to the web page on the network.  
         [0032]    A cable  24  provides a communication path between the well tool  10  and a remote location when the tool is positioned in a well. In the embodiment representatively illustrated in FIG. 1, the cable  24  includes one or more fiber optic lines for communication between the webserver  22  and the remote location. Accordingly, the well tool  10  includes a converter  26  for converting electrical signals generated by the webserver  22  into optical signals for transmission via the fiber optic line(s) of the cable  24 . Preferably, the converter  26  is a Versitron model M7235(10 base T) or M7245(10 base T), which utilize the conventional ethernet communication standard. However, it is to be clearly understood that the webserver  22  could communicate directly with the remote location via an electrical conductor, another converter could be used and another communication standard could be used, without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0033]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, a schematic block diagram of a method  28  of communicating between the well tool  10  and a network  30  is representatively illustrated, the method embodying principles of the present invention. In FIG. 2, it may be seen that the cable  24  extends to another converter  32 , which is in communication with the network  30  via a further communication path  34 . The converter  32  may be the same type as the converter  26 , but the converter  32  preferably converts optical signals on the cable  24  to electrical signals for transmission on the communication path  34 , which preferably includes one or more electrical conductors.  
         [0034]    The communication path  34  from the converter  32  to the network  30  may be located, for example, at the earth&#39;s surface. The network  30  may be accessed via a computer terminal or other device, etc. (not shown), in which case the communication path  34  would be connected to the device, and the device would be connected to the network. Thus, signals generated by the sensors  12 ,  14  are communicated to the webserver  22 , the webserver incorporates the signals (or a translated form thereof) into a web page supported by the webserver, and the webserver communicates with the network  30  using the converters  26 ,  32  and communication paths  24 ,  34 . Of course, if it is not desired to use optical signals, then the converters  26 ,  32  may not be used.  
         [0035]    Referring additionally now to FIGS.  3 - 7 , various configurations of cables that may be used for the cable  24  in the well tool  10  and method  28  described above are representatively illustrated. Of course, other types of cables may be used, without departing from the principles of the present invention. Each of the illustrated cables utilizes a fiber optic package  36  commercially available from ArmorTech. In this package  36 , multiple fiber optic lines  38  are hermetically sealed within a tubular material  40 . Preferably, the material  40  is metallic for strength and durability, for example, the material maybe steel or inconel.  
         [0036]    A first cable  42  is depicted in FIGS. 3 &amp; 4, with FIG. 4 illustrating a crosssection of the cable taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 it may be seen that the cable  42  includes a helically wrapped outer protective material  44 . The material  44  may be steel or another suitably strong and abrasion resistant material.  
         [0037]    In FIG. 4 it may be seen that the cable  42  further includes two electrical conductors  46 , which may be used for communication, for supplying power to the well tool  10  for operation of the converter  26  and sensors  12 ,  14 , or for other purposes. Each conductor  46  is supplied with insulation  48 . A filler material  50  occupies the spaces between the outer protective material  44  and the fiber optic package  36  and the conductors  46  and insulation  48 . The filler material  50  may be any suitable material, such as rubber, fluorocarbon, etc., and may be a dielectric material.  
         [0038]    A cross-section of another cable  52  is depicted in FIG. 5. The cable  52  includes the fiber optic package  36  and a tubular conductor  54  disposed about the fiber optic package. The conductor  54  is, in turn, enveloped by a filler material  56 , which may be similar to the filler material  50  described above. A tubular outer protective material  58  outwardly surrounds the remainder of the cable  52 . The protective material  58  may be made of steel or another suitably strong and durable material, and the protective material may be in a solid tubular form, or may be helically wrapped as described above for the protective material  44 .  
         [0039]    A cross-section of yet another cable  60  is depicted in FIG. 6. The cable  60  is similar in many respects to the cable  42  described above, and the same reference numbers are used in FIG. 6 to indicate similar elements. However, the cable  60  differs from the cable  42  at least in part in that the cable  60  does not include the filler material  50 , and an outer tubular protective material  62  of the cable  60  is depicted as being in a solid tubular form, rather than being helically wrapped as described above for the protective material  44 . Of course, the protective material  62  could be helically wrapped, without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0040]    A cross-section of still another cable  64  is depicted in FIG. 7. The cable  64  is similar in many respects to the cable  42  described above, and the same reference numbers are used in FIG. 7 to indicate similar elements. However, the cable  64  differs from the cable  42  at least in part in that the conductors  46  do not have the insulation  48  disposed thereabout, and an outer tubular protective material  66  of the cable  64  is depicted as being in a solid tubular form, rather than being helically wrapped as described above for the protective material  44 . Of course, the protective material  66  could be helically wrapped, without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0041]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 8, a well monitoring and control system  68  embodying principles of the present invention is schematically and representatively illustrated. In the system  68 , multiple well tools  70 ,  72 ,  74  are interconnected in a tubular string  76  positioned in a wellbore  78 . Each of the well tools  70 ,  72 ,  74  includes a flow control device, with the well tool  70  including a flow control device  80  operative to control the flow of fluid through the tubular string  76 , and each of the well tools  72 ,  74  including a flow control device  82  operative to control the flow of fluid between the wellbore  78  and respective earthen formations or zones  84 ,  86  intersected by the wellbore.  
         [0042]    Each of the well tools  70 ,  72 ,  74  further includes a respective actuator  88 ,  90 ,  92  for operating the corresponding flow control device  80  or  82 . The actuators  88 ,  90 ,  92  maybe electrically, hydraulically or otherwise operated.  
         [0043]    Each of the well tools  70 ,  72 ,  74  also includes a respective webserver  94 ,  96 ,  98 . In FIG. 8, each of the webservers  94 ,  96 ,  98  is shown schematically alongside the respective actuator  88 ,  90 ,  92  and flow control device  80  or  82 , in order to conveniently illustrate connections between the webservers, actuators and devices, but it should be understood that in actual practice the webservers would be positioned internally, rather than externally, in the well tools  70 ,  72 ,  74 .  
         [0044]    The webserver  94  is connected to a sensor (not shown) of the flow control device  80 . For example, the device  80  may include a pressure and temperature sensor, such as the sensors  12 ,  14  described above. Alternatively, the device  80  may include a position sensor for sensing the position of a closure structure of the device to indicate whether the device is open or closed to fluid flow therethrough. Examples of the use of such sensors are depicted in FIG. 14 and described more fully below.  
         [0045]    The webserver  94  is further connected to the actuator  88  for controlling operation of the actuator. For example, if the actuator  88  is electrically operated, the webserver  94  may be connected to a switch (not shown) or other electrical component of the actuator. As another example, if the actuator  88  is hydraulically operated, the webserver  94  may be connected to an electrically operated pilot valve (not shown) or other component of the actuator.  
         [0046]    In a similar manner, each of the webservers  96 ,  98  is connected to one or more sensors of the corresponding flow control device  82  and to the associated actuator  90 ,  92 . Thus, the webserver  96  is used to monitor the sensor(s) of the corresponding device  82  and to control operation of the actuator go, and the webserver  98  is used to monitor the sensor(s) of the corresponding device  82  and to control operation of the actuator  92 .  
         [0047]    Each of the webservers  94 ,  96 ,  98  is connected via a communication path, such as a cable  100 , to the Internet  102  or another network. Of course, other types of communication paths may be used, such as acoustic telemetry, electromagnetic telemetry, etc., for connecting the webservers  94 ,  96 ,  98  to the Internet  102 .  
         [0048]    Each of the webservers  94 ,  96 ,  98  supports a web page on the Internet  102 . Thus, a person at a remote location can go to a web page supported by one of the webservers  94 ,  96 ,  98  and monitor signals generated by the sensor(s) of the corresponding well tool  70 ,  72 ,  74 . In addition, a corresponding one of the actuators  88 ,  90 ,  92  may be controlled via the respective web page to operate the associated device  80  or  82 . Thus, in the system  68 , a person with a connection to the Internet  102  at a remote location may, for example, monitor a pressure drop across or a flow rate through the device  80  and, based on this information, operate the actuator  88  to adjust the pressure drop or flow rate, or to close the device, as desired.  
         [0049]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 9, a surface equipment monitoring and control system  104  embodying principles of the present invention is schematically and representatively illustrated. In the system  104 , multiple items of surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  are positioned at the earth&#39;s surface. The surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  may be any type of surface equipment used in conjunction with operations performed at a wellsite. For example, the surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  may include separators, burners, pumps, chokes, blowout preventers, valves, etc., for use in operations such as drill stem tests.  
         [0050]    Each of the items of surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  112  includes at least one respective sensor  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  and at least one respective actuator  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 . However, it is to be clearly understood that it is not necessary in keeping with the principles of the present invention for every item of surface equipment in a system to include both an actuator and a sensor. For example, an item of surface equipment could include only a sensor or only an actuator, or another element which may be monitored or controlled.  
         [0051]    Each of the items of surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  also includes a respective webserver  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 . Each of the webservers  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  is connected to the respective sensor  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  and actuator  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  of the associated item of surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 . Each of the webservers  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  is further connected via a communication path  138  to a conventional intranet webserver  140  and thence via another communication path  141  to the Internet  142  or another network. The intranet webserver  140  serves as an interface between a local area network (not shown) and the Internet  142  in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The intranet webserver  140  is also known to those skilled in the art as a “gateway webserver”.  
         [0052]    Each of the webservers  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  supports a web page on the Internet  142 . Thus, a person at a remote location can go to a web page supported by one of the webservers  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  and monitor signals generated by the sensor  114 ,  116 ,  118  or  120  of the corresponding item of surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110  or  112 . In addition, a corresponding one of the actuators  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may be controlled via the respective web page to operate the associated item of surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 . Thus, in the system  104 , a person with a connection to the Internet  142  at a remote location may, for example, monitor one of the sensors  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  and, based on this information, operate the corresponding actuator  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  to adjust an operating parameter of the associated item of surface equipment  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 , as desired.  
         [0053]    Note that the system  104  may also include a webserver  144 , sensor  146  and actuator  148  included in a well tool  150  positioned in the well. For example, if the system  104  is utilized in a drill stem test operation, the well tool  150  may be a tester valve which is selectively opened or closed to permit or prevent fluid flow therethrough in pressure buildup and drawdown phases of the drill stem test. The webserver  144  is also connected to the Internet  142 , so that signals generated by the sensor  146  may be monitored, and the actuator  148  maybe controlled, by a person connected to the Internet  142  at a remote location and accessing a web page supported by the webserver.  
         [0054]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 10, a well monitoring and control system  152  embodying principles of the present invention is schematically and representatively illustrated. The system  152  incorporates some of the features of the systems  68 ,  104  described above. Specifically, in the system  152 , items of surface equipment including sensors and/or actuators connected to webservers are represented in FIG. 10 by the block  154 . The webservers of the surface equipment  154  are connected to an intranet webserver  156  which is, in turn, connected to the Internet  158  or other network. A computer terminal  160  is shown connected to the Internet  158  for accessing any of the web pages supported by any of the webservers of the system  152 .  
         [0055]    The system  152  also includes multiple well tools  162 ,  164 ,  166  positioned in a wellbore  168 . Each of the well tools  162 ,  164 ,  166  includes a webserver  170  connected to sensors  172 ,  174 ,  176  and actuators  178  of the well tools. The sensors  172  sense pressure and temperature of fluid internal to a tubular string  180  in which the well tools  162 ,  164 ,  166  are interconnected, and the sensors  174  sense pressure and temperature of fluid external to the tubular string. Note that a pair of the sensors  172  and a pair of the sensors  174  are positioned at upper and lower ends of each of the well tools  162 ,  164 ,  166 . The sensors  176  are position sensors used for monitoring the position of a structure  182 , such as a sleeve, which is displaced by the actuator  178  when the corresponding well tool  162 ,  164 ,  166  is operated. The webservers  170  are connected via a communication path  184  to the intranet server  156  and thence to the Internet  158 .  
         [0056]    The well tools  162 ,  164 ,  166  are representatively depicted in FIG. 10 as variable chokes. The actuator  178  of each well tool  162 ,  164 ,  166  displaces the sleeve  182  to produce a desired flow rate of fluid produced from a respective one of formations or zones  186 ,  188 ,  190  intersected by the wellbore  168 . The position of the sleeve  182 , and the pressure and temperature of fluid above, below, internal and external to each of the well tools  162 ,  164 ,  166  are readily accessible to a person at a remote location via the computer  160  connected to the Internet  158 . The person at the remote location may also operate the actuator  178  of a well tool  162 ,  164 ,  166  to, for example, adjust the position of the sleeve  182  of a selected one of the well tools  162 ,  164 ,  166  to thereby adjust the rate of fluid flow therethrough.  
         [0057]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 11, a well monitoring system  192  embodying principles of the present invention is schematically and representatively illustrated. In the system  192 , a sensor  194 , such as a pressure and temperature sensor, is connected to a webserver  196  included in a well tool  198  positioned in a wellbore  200 . The well tool  198  communicates with another tool  202  at a remote location.  
         [0058]    The tools  198 ,  202  communicate with each other using acoustic telemetry, for example, by transmitting acoustic waves through a tubular string  204  and/or fluid internal or external to the tubular string. Such acoustic telemetry is well known to those skilled in the art and may be similar to that used in the ATS (Acoustic Telemetry System) commercially available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. The acoustic telemetry between the tools  198 ,  202  serves as a part of a communication path connecting the webserver  196  to the Internet  206  or other network. Note that acoustic telemetry may serve as a part of any of the communication paths between webservers and the Internet in any of the systems and methods described herein.  
         [0059]    Converters, such as the converters  26 ,  32  described above, may be used in respective ones of the tools  198 ,  202  so that the ethernet communication standard is used for communication between the tools. In addition, an intranet webserver, such as the intranet webservers  140 ,  156  described above, may be interconnected between the tool  202  and the Internet  206 .  
         [0060]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 12, a well logging system  208  embodying principles of the present invention is schematically and representatively illustrated. In the system  208 , a string of logging tools  210  is conveyed into a wellbore  212  via a wireline  214 . The wireline  214  also serves as a communication path between a webserver  216  of each logging tool and the Internet  218  or other network.  
         [0061]    The logging tools  210  may be any type of logging tools, such as resistivity tools, gamma ray tools, magnetic field sensing tools, etc., or other types of tools, such as samplers, formation testers, video cameras, etc. The webservers  216  may be connected to sensor(s) and/or actuator(s) (not shown) of the tools  210 , so that a person at a remote location with a connection to the Internet  218  may conveniently monitor signals generated by the sensors and/or operate the actuators.  
         [0062]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 13, an alternate communication method  220  that may be used in conjunction with any of the systems described herein is schematically and representatively illustrated. The method  220  is depicted as being used with the system  208  of FIG. 12, wherein a wireline  214  serves as a part of a communication path between the webservers  216  and the Internet  218 . In FIG. 13, the wireline  214  is shown extending to a wireline truck or other type of wireline rig  222 .  
         [0063]    The truck  222  is provided with a satellite uplink  224  for communication via satellite with the Internet  218  or other network. It will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art that such a satellite uplink  224  may be used as a part of a communication path between any of the webservers described herein and the Internet or other network in any of the systems described herein.  
         [0064]    Referring additionally now to FIG. 14, a well tool diagnostic system  226  embodying principles of the present invention is schematically and representatively illustrated. In FIG. 14, the system  226  is depicted as being utilized in conjunction with testing a well tool  228  which includes a ball valve  230  for selectively permitting and preventing fluid flow through an inner flow passage  232  of the tool. However, it is to be clearly understood that other types of well tools may be tested using the system  226 , without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0065]    The well tool  228  further includes a webserver  234  and sensors  236 ,  238 ,  240 . The sensors  236 ,  238  are pressure sensors for sensing the pressure of fluid in the flow passage  232 . One of the sensors  236  is connected to the passage  232  above the ball valve  230 , and the other sensor  238  is connected to the passage below the ball valve. In this manner, a pressure differential, if any, across the ball valve  230  may be detected. The sensor  240  is a position sensor used to detect the position of the ball valve  230 . Of course, other types of sensors, such as a camera, flowmeter, etc., may be used in place of, or in addition to, the sensors  236 ,  238 ,  240  depicted in FIG. 14.  
         [0066]    The sensors  236 ,  238 ,  240  and the webserver  234  are connected to a test control module  242 . The control module  242  is also connected to an item of test equipment  244 , such as a pump for applying pressure to the passage  232 . The control module  242  acts as an interface between the sensors  236 ,  238 ,  240 , the test equipment  244  and the webserver  234 . Alternatively, the webserver  234  could be connected directly to the sensors  236 ,  238 ,  240  and the test equipment  244 .  
         [0067]    The webserver  234  is connected to the Internet  246  or other network. The webserver  234  supports a web page on the Internet  246 , which may be accessed by a person at a remote location with a connection to the Internet. In this manner, the person at the remote location may monitor the signals generated by the sensors  236 ,  238 ,  240  and may operate the test equipment  244  to thereby test the functionality of the well tool  228  and/or diagnose a problem encountered in testing the tool.  
         [0068]    Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6