U.S. patent application number 14/901885 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-02 for managing strain on a downhole cable.
The applicant listed for this patent is HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.. Invention is credited to Dominick Joseph Bellotte, Jack Gammill Clemens, Sean Gregory Thomas.
Application Number | 20160153250 14/901885 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52393675 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160153250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas; Sean Gregory ; et
al. |
June 2, 2016 |
MANAGING STRAIN ON A DOWNHOLE CABLE
Abstract
Techniques for managing strain on a downhole cable, such as a
slickline or wireline, include a wire coupled with a communication
line, such as a fiber optic cable or metallic (or non-metallic)
conductor. In one example, a downhole cable includes a wire to
support a downhole tool string; and a communication line
non-linearly coupled with the wire, the communication line sized to
communicate instructions, that include at least one of logic or
data to the downhole tool, and elongate based on an axial force
that acts on the downhole cable.
Inventors: |
Thomas; Sean Gregory;
(Allen, TX) ; Clemens; Jack Gammill; (Fairview,
TX) ; Bellotte; Dominick Joseph; (Flower Mound,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52393675 |
Appl. No.: |
14/901885 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
July 23, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2013/051608 |
371 Date: |
December 29, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/385 ;
166/243 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 23/14 20130101;
E21B 17/206 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 17/20 20060101
E21B017/20 |
Claims
1. A downhole cable, comprising: a wire to support a downhole tool
string; and a communication line non-linearly coupled with the
wire, the communication line sized to communicate instructions,
that comprise at least one of logic or data to the downhole tool,
and elongate based on an axial force that acts on the downhole
cable.
2. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein the communication line
comprises at least one of a fiber optic line or a metallic
conductor.
3. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein the wire comprises a
composite material.
4. The downhole cable of claim 3, wherein the communication line is
non-linearly embedded in a matrix of the composite material.
5. The downhole cable of claim 4, wherein the communication line is
non-linearly embedded in the matrix of the composite material in a
helical or zig-zag path.
6. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein the wire comprises a
flexible rod, and the communication line is non-linearly wrapped
around the flexible rod.
7. The downhole cable of claim 6, further comprising a coating that
at least partially covers the communication line and the flexible
rod.
8. The downhole cable of claim 7, wherein the coating comprises
polyether ether ketone.
9. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein for a particular portion
of the downhole cable, a length of the communication line that
extends between ends of the particular portion is greater than a
length of the wire that extends between the ends of the particular
portion.
10. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein a value that defines an
allowable strain of the wire is greater than a value that defines
an allowable strain of the communication line.
11. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the
downhole cable is about 0.138 inches.
12. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein the wire comprises
polyphenylene sulfide.
13. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein the downhole cable
comprises a slickline, and the wire is a monofilament wire.
14. The downhole cable of claim 1, wherein the downhole cable
comprises a wireline, and the wire comprises a braided wire.
15. A method of managing strain on a downhole cable, comprising:
running a downhole tool coupled to a downhole cable into a
wellbore, the downhole cable comprising a wire and a communication
line non-linearly coupled with the wire; operating the downhole
tool in the wellbore by transmitting, on the communication line,
instructions that comprise at least one of logic or data between
the downhole tool and a terranean surface; receiving a force in an
axial direction on the downhole cable; and in response to the
received force, elongating the communication line from a
substantially non-linear position toward a substantially linear
position.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication line
comprises at least one of a fiber optic line or a metallic
conductor.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication line is
non-linearly embedded in a matrix of a composite material.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein elongating the communication
line from a non-linear position toward a linear position comprises
elongating the communication line from a helical or zig-zag
position toward the substantially linear position.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: receiving a second
force in the axial direction on the downhole cable that is less
than the received force; and in response to the second force,
shortening the communication line toward the substantially
non-linear position.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the wire comprises a flexible
rod, and the communication line is non-linearly wrapped around the
flexible rod.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the downhole cable further
comprises a coating that at least partially covers the
communication line and the flexible rod.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein for a particular portion of the
downhole cable, a length of the communication line that extends
between ends of the particular portion is greater than a length of
the wire that extends between the ends of the particular
portion.
23. The method claim 15, wherein the logic or data comprises values
associated with telemetry data.
24. A downhole conductor, comprising: a wire that extends a first
length between a first end of the downhole conductor and a second
end of the downhole conductor, the wire sized to support a downhole
tool string in a wellbore; and a data conductor to transmit at
least one of logic or data with the downhole tool string and
coupled with the wire, the data conductor extending a second length
between the first end of the downhole conductor and the second end
of the downhole conductor, the second length greater than the first
length.
25. The downhole conductor of claim 24, wherein the data conductor
is embedded in a helical path through a composite material of the
wire.
26. The downhole conductor of claim 25, wherein the composite
material comprises a single homogenous tension member, and the data
conductor is wound in a helical path around the member.
27. The downhole conductor of claim 26, further comprising a
protective coating wrapped around the data conductor and the
tension member.
28. The downhole conductor of any one of claims claim 24, wherein
the data conductor comprises an optical fiber.
29. The downhole conductor of claim 24, wherein each of the wire
and the data conductor comprise respective distal ends that are
coterminous with the first end of the downhole conductor and
respective proximal ends that are coterminous with the second end
of the downhole conductor.
30. The downhole conductor of claim 24, wherein the downhole
conductor comprises a slickline, and the wire comprises a single
homogeneous wire, and the data conductor comprises a fiber optic
conductor.
Description
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
[0001] This disclosure relates to managing strain on a downhole
cable.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A downhole cable is often used to convey a downhole tool
into a wellbore. For example, a downhole cable can be a strong wire
(e.g., wireline, slickline, and/or other downhole cable) for
withstanding the dynamic and static weight of the downhole tool.
The weight includes the dynamic and static tension forces in the
downhole cable when the downhole tool accelerates or decelerates.
The wire can also communicate telemetric signals with the downhole
tool. The dynamic weight of the downhole tool can slightly stretch
the downhole cable. Other factors can also change the strain in the
downhole cable.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a well
system with an example downhole cable;
[0004] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate cross-sectional views of example
embodiments of a downhole cable that manages strain on components
of the cable;
[0005] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate cross-sectional views of example
embodiments of a downhole cable that manages strain on components
of the cable; and
[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates an example method performed with a
downhole cable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] The present disclosure relates to managing strain on a
downhole cable, such as a slickline or wireline, that includes a
wire coupled with a communication line, such as a fiber optic cable
or metallic (or non-metallic) conductor. In a general
implementation, a downhole cable includes a wire to support a
downhole tool string; and a communication line non-linearly coupled
with the wire, the communication line sized to communicate
instructions, that include at least one of logic or data to the
downhole tool, and to elongate based on an axial force that acts on
the downhole cable.
[0008] In a first aspect combinable with the general
implementation, the communication line includes at least one of a
fiber optic line or a metallic conductor.
[0009] In a second aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the wire includes a composite material.
[0010] In a third aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the communication line is non-linearly embedded in a
matrix of the composite material.
[0011] In a fourth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the communication line is non-linearly embedded in the
matrix of the composite material in a helical or zig-zag path.
[0012] In a fifth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the wire includes a flexible rod, and the communication
line is non-linearly wrapped around the flexible rod.
[0013] A sixth aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects
further includes a coating that at least partially covers the
communication line and the flexible rod.
[0014] In a seventh aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the coating includes polyether ether ketone.
[0015] In an eighth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, for a particular portion of the downhole cable, a length
of the communication line that extends between ends of the
particular portion is greater than a length of the wire that
extends between the ends of the particular portion.
[0016] In a ninth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, a value that defines an allowable strain of the wire is
greater than a value that defines an allowable strain of the
communication line.
[0017] In a tenth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, a diameter of the downhole cable is about 0.138
inches.
[0018] In an eleventh aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the composite material includes polyphenylene sulfide.
[0019] In a twelfth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the downhole cable includes a slickline, and the wire
includes a single solid wire.
[0020] In a thirteenth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the downhole cable includes a wireline, and the wire
includes a braided wire.
[0021] Another general implementation includes a method of managing
strain on a downhole cable that includes running a downhole tool
coupled to a downhole cable into a wellbore, the downhole cable
including a wire and a communication line non-linearly coupled with
the wire; operating the downhole tool in the wellbore by
transmitting, on the communication line, instructions that include
at least one of logic or data between the downhole tool and a
terranean surface; receiving a force in an axial direction on the
downhole cable; and in response to the received force, elongating
the communication line from a substantially non-linear position
toward a substantially linear position.
[0022] In a first aspect combinable with the general
implementation, the communication line includes at least one of a
fiber optic line or a metallic conductor.
[0023] In a second aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the communication line is non-linearly embedded in a
matrix of a composite material.
[0024] In a third aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, elongating the communication line from a non-linear
position toward a linear position includes elongating the
communication line from a helical or zig-zag position toward the
substantially linear position.
[0025] A fourth aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects
further includes receiving a second force in the axial direction on
the downhole cable that is less than the received force; and in
response to the second force, shortening the communication line
toward the substantially non-linear position.
[0026] In a fifth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the wire includes a flexible rod, and the communication
line is non-linearly wrapped around the flexible rod.
[0027] In a sixth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the downhole cable further includes a coating that at
least partially covers the communication line and the flexible
rod.
[0028] In a seventh aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, for a particular portion of the downhole cable, a length
of the communication line that extends between ends of the
particular portion is greater than a length of the wire that
extends between the ends of the particular portion.
[0029] In an eighth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the logic or data includes values associated with
telemetry data.
[0030] Another general implementation includes a downhole conductor
that includes a wire that extends a first length between a first
end of the downhole conductor and a second end of the downhole
conductor, the wire sized to support a downhole tool string in a
wellbore; and a data conductor to transmit at least one of logic or
data with the downhole tool string and coupled with the wire, the
data conductor extending a second length between the first end of
the downhole conductor and the second end of the downhole
conductor, the second length greater than the first length.
[0031] In a first aspect combinable with the general
implementation, the data conductor is embedded in a helical path
through a composite material of the wire.
[0032] In a second aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the composite material includes a single homogenous
tension member, and the data conductor is wound in a helical path
around the member.
[0033] A third aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects
further includes a protective coating wrapped around the data
conductor and the tension member.
[0034] In a fourth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the data conductor includes an optical fiber.
[0035] In a fifth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, each of the wire and the data conductor include respective
distal ends that are coterminous with the first end of the downhole
conductor and respective proximal ends that are coterminous with
the second end of the downhole conductor.
[0036] In a sixth aspect combinable with any of the previous
aspects, the downhole conductor includes a slickline, and the wire
includes a single homogeneous wire, and the data conductor includes
a fiber optic conductor.
[0037] Various implementations of a downhole cable (e.g., downhole
carrier, downhole conveyance, or downhole cable) in accordance with
the present disclosure may include one, some, or all of the
following features. For example, the communication line may be
non-linearly embedded in a downhole cable in a spiral, helical,
zig-zag, or sinusoidal path. The communication line can include a
fiber optic line and conductor lines, and the communication line
can be enclosed in a single line or be twisted using multiple
lines. In some implementations, the communication line may be
non-linearly wrapped around the composite material including a
flexible rod. The non-linear integration of the communication line,
either embedded internally or wrapped externally, can relieve
excessive strain from the communication line when the composite
material extends due to static and dynamic tensile loads, as well
as torsional loads and/or temperature variations. Further, in some
implementations, a downhole cable according to the present
disclosure may decrease linear and torsional strain in the static
and dynamic loading of the cable.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a well
system 100 with an example downhole cable 110. The well system 100
is provided for convenience of reference only, and it should be
appreciated that the concepts herein are applicable to a number of
different configurations of well systems. The well system 100
includes a wellbore 108 that extends from a terranean surface 105
through one or more subterranean zones of interest 101. In FIG. 1,
the wellbore 108 initially extends vertically and transitions
horizontally. In other instances, the wellbore 108 can be of
another position, for example, deviates to horizontal in the
subterranean zone 101, entirely substantially vertical or slanted,
it can deviate in another manner than horizontal, it can be a
multi-lateral, and/or it can be of another position.
[0039] At least a portion of the illustrated wellbore 108 may be
lined with a casing 106, constructed of one or more lengths of
tubing, that extends from the terranean surface 105, downhole,
toward the bottom of the wellbore 108. The casing 106 provides
radial support to the wellbore 108 and seals against unwanted
communication of fluids between the wellbore 108 and surrounding
formations. Here, the casing 106 ceases at or near the subterranean
zone 101 and the remainder of the wellbore 108 is an open hole,
e.g., uncased. In other instances, the casing 106 can extend to the
bottom of the wellbore 108 or can be provided in another position
and in multiple circumferences or thicknesses (e.g., conductor
casing or otherwise).
[0040] As illustrated, a downhole tool string 120 is coupled to
(e.g., supported by) the downhole cable 110, which can be, for
example, a wireline, a slickline, an electric line. In the
illustrated embodiment, the downhole cable 110 can support a
downhole tool string (e.g., one or more downhole tools). In this
example, the downhole cable 110 includes a braided (e.g., multiple
bound, or intertwined, wires such as wireline or electric line) or
solid wire (e.g., a single wire such as slickline) and a
communication line. The communication line is coupled with the
braided or solid wire such as, for example, embedded in,
intertwined with one or more wires, or wrapped around or within one
or more wires, in a non-linear (e.g., undulating, helical, zig-zag,
or otherwise) configuration.
[0041] In the illustrated example, the communication line may have
a different Young's modulus than a Young's modulus of the braided
or solid wire. In such cases, a maximum strain that the
communication line may tolerate (e.g., before failure) may be
different than a maximum strain that the braided or solid wire can
tolerate (e.g., before failure). In some aspects, for instance, the
braided or solid wire may tolerate a higher (e.g., substantially)
maximum strain before failure as compared to the communication
line.
[0042] In some aspects, a particular length (e.g., between two
terminating ends) of the downhole cable 110 includes a length of
the braided or solid wire and a length of the communication line.
In the particular length of the downhole cable 110, the respective
lengths of the braided or solid wire and the communication line may
also terminate at or close to the terminating ends of the downhole
cable 110. In some aspects, the length of the communication line
may be greater than (e.g., slightly or substantially) the length of
the braided or solid wire because of, for example, the non-linear
configuration in which the communication line is coupled with the
braided or solid wire.
[0043] In one example embodiment (as described more fully with
respect to FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B), the downhole cable 110 is a
slickline that includes a solid wire and a communication line. The
slickline supports tool string 120 and can communicate
instructions, data, and/or logic between the tool string 120 and
the terranean surface 105 though the communication line (e.g.,
optical fiber, metallic conductor, or non-metallic conductor). The
communication line of the slickline is non-linearly coupled with
the solid wire such that strain that exceeds a maximum allowable
strain of the communication line, but not a maximum allowable
strain of the solid wire, does not cause failure of the
communication line or the slickline.
[0044] In some implementations, the downhole tool string 120 may
communicate with computing systems or other equipment at the
surface 105 using the communication capabilities of the downhole
cable 110. For example, the downhole tool string 120 may send and
receive electrical signals and/or optical signals (e.g., data
and/or logic) through respective conductor wire and/or fiber optics
of the communication line within the downhole cable 110. In
addition, the downhole tool string 120 may be lowered or raised
relative to the wellbore 108 by respectively extending or
retrieving the downhole cable 110.
[0045] During operation, variable tension loading is applied to the
downhole cable 110 when the downhole cable 110 lowers or raises the
downhole tool string 120. The tension loading is related to the
mass, acceleration, and deceleration of the downhole tool string
120. The tension loading can extend the downhole cable 110 axially.
The amount of extension is related to the magnitude of the tension
loading, the stiffness (e.g., Young's modulus) of the downhole
cable 110, and parameters (e.g., diameter) of the downhole cable
110. Because the downhole cable 110 is placed downhole where
temperature varies, the downhole cable 110 may also experience
thermal expansion or contraction. The thermal expansion or
contraction can also contribute to the amount of extension of the
downhole cable 110.
[0046] When the downhole cable 110 includes two or more different
materials, the extension due to tensile loading and thermal effect
can be different in the two or more materials. For example, the
braided or solid wire of the downhole cable 110 can comprise a
composite material, while the communication line can comprise a
conductive or fiber optic material (or other data conductor). The
braided or solid wire of the cable 110 and the communication line
may have different extension limits (e.g., maximum allowable
strains without structural damage) and different changes in length
when experiencing the same temperature changes (e.g., different
coefficient of thermal expansion). Strain values can employ
different definitions, for example, engineering strain is the ratio
between the total deformation to the original length, e.g., the
amount of deformation of unit length.
[0047] The different extension limits can impose limitations to the
downhole cable 110 if the braided or solid wire and the
communication line were integrated linearly (e.g., combined in a
one-to-one length ratio). For example, as described, the braided or
solid wire can have a higher allowable strain level than the
communication line (e.g., made of optical fibers). This can result
in a lower tension load rating for the braided or solid wire to
prevent failure of the communication line. In some aspects of the
present disclosure, failure such as that described above may be
presented through the non-linear coupling method to combine the
braided or solid wire with the communication line. In some
implementations, the diameter of the downhole cable 110 is about
0.138 inches.
[0048] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example embodiment of a downhole
cable 200 that manages strain on components of the cable 200. In
some aspects, the cable 200 can be used as or in place of the cable
110 described in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A is a cross sectional side view of
a portion of the downhole cable 110. FIG. 2B is a cross sectional
top view of the downhole cable 200. Generally, as with the downhole
cable 110, the downhole cable 200 can support a downhole tool
string (e.g., one or more downhole tools). The downhole cable 200
includes a braided wire (e.g., multiple bound, or intertwined,
wires such as wireline or electric line) or solid wire (e.g., a
single wire such as slickline) and a communication line. The
communication line is coupled with the braided or solid wire such
as, for example, embedded in, intertwined with one or more wires,
or wrapped around or within one or more wires, in a non-linear
(e.g., undulating, helical, zig-zag, or otherwise)
configuration.
[0049] In one example of the downhole cable 200, as shown in FIG.
2A, the downhole cable 200 is a slickline that includes a wire 210.
The wire 210 can be formed from a metallic or non-metallic
material, such as a composite material (e.g., polyphenylene sulfide
or other organic polymer, high-performance thermoplastic, or
otherwise). The wire 210 is configured to couple to and support a
downhole tool string, such as the downhole tool string 120 of FIG.
1. The downhole cable 200 further includes a communication line 220
that is non-linearly coupled with the wire 210. The communication
line 220 can be sized to communicate instructions that include
logic and/or data to the downhole tool. The communication line 220
can be configured to elongate based on an axial force acting on the
cable 200 that relate, for example, to the mass, acceleration,
and/or the deceleration of the downhole tool.
[0050] In some implementations, the communication line 220 includes
at least one of a fiber optic cable or a metallic conductor wire.
For example, when communication and/or telemetry with the downhole
tool use optical signals, the communication line 220 includes one
or more fiber optic cables. When communication and/or telemetry
with the downhole tool use electrical signals, the communication
line 220 includes one or more metallic conductor wires.
[0051] The communication line 220, in the illustrated example, is
non-linearly embedded in a matrix of the composite material of the
wire 210. For example, the composite material may include metallic
alloys, polymers, composites, and/or other materials. In
manufacture, the communication line 220 can be continuously fed
into the forming of the wire 210, which may be extruded or rolled
or otherwise formed. The communication line 220 can be non-linearly
embedded in the matrix of the composite material in a helical (or
spiral), zig-zag, sinusoidal, or other non-linear path. A helical
path may be defined with a constant pitch and radius. A spiral path
may be defined with a variable pitch and/or a variable radius. A
zig-zag or sinusoidal path may be planar or three-dimensional.
Other non-linear path benefiting manufacture or strain management
may also be used. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the communication line
220 is embedded in the wire 210 in a helical path. In FIG. 2B, the
helical path is further depicted with a constant or near constant
radius.
[0052] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate example embodiments of a downhole
cable 300 that manages strain on components of the conduit. In some
aspects, the cable 300 can be used as or in place of the cable 110
described in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is a side view of a portion of the
downhole cable 300. FIG. 3B is a compressed cross sectional top
view of the downhole cable 300. Generally, as with the downhole
cables 110 and 200, the downhole cable 300 can support a downhole
tool string (e.g., one or more downhole tools). The downhole cable
300 includes a braided wire (e.g., multiple bound, or intertwined,
wires such as wireline or electric line) or solid wire (e.g., a
single wire such as slickline) and a communication line. The
communication line is coupled with the braided or solid wire such
as, for example, embedded in, intertwined with one or more wires,
or wrapped around or within one or more wires, in a non-linear
(e.g., undulating, helical, zig-zag, or otherwise)
configuration.
[0053] Similar to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2A, in FIG. 3A,
the downhole cable 300 may be coupled with a downhole tool string.
The downhole cable 300, in this example implementation, may be a
slickline that includes a wire 310, a communication line 320, and a
coating 315. The communication line 320 can be respectively similar
to the communication line 220 as discussed in FIGS. 2A-2B. In this
example, the wire 210 includes (e.g., is made of) a composite
material that forms a flexible rod. The communication line 320 can
non-linearly wrap around the flexible rod, such as in a helical
manner. In FIG. 3B, the coating 315 can at least partially cover
the communication line 320 and the flexible rod and can protect the
communication line 320 from damage and/or contamination. The
coating 315 may be made of various thermoset, thermoplastic, or
other polymer materials. In some implementations, the coating 315
includes polyether ether ketone.
[0054] In both configuration embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2A
and 3A, for a particular portion of the downhole cables 200 and/or
300, the length of the communication line 220 or 320 that extends
between ends (or generally, two points) of the particular portion
can be greater than the length of the wire 210 or 310
(respectively) that extends between the ends (or the two points) of
the particular portion. For example, the helical configuration of
the communication line 220 or 320 can be straightened during
extension without incurring substantial tensile strain. The
communication line 220 or 320 may respectively be allowed to move
relative to the composite materials of the wire 210 or 310 during
extension.
[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates an example method performed with a
downhole cable. At 402, a downhole tool is run into a wellbore from
a terranean. The downhole tool is coupled with the conduit. The
downhole cable includes a slickline that includes a composite
material, and a communication line non-linearly coupled with the
composite material. The communication line can be used to
communicate control or data information between the downhole tool
and computing systems at the terranean surface. For example, the
communication line can include at least one of a fiber optic line,
or a metallic conductor.
[0056] In some implementations, the communication line is
non-linearly embedded in a matrix of the composite material, such
as in a helical, spiral, zig-zag, sinusoidal, or other similar
non-linear manner. In some implementations, the downhole cable can
include composite material that includes a flexible rod; and the
communication line is non-linearly wrapped around the flexible rod.
The downhole cable can further include a coating that partially
covers the communication line and the flexible rod.
[0057] At 404, data signals are transmitted on the communication
line within the downhole cable. For example, the data signals can
include logic or data between the downhole tool and the terranean
surface. The logic or data can include values associated with
telemetry data. In some implementations, the data signals can be
optical signals sent from optical sensors of the downhole tool. In
some implementations, the data signals can be electrical signals
sent from electronic devices and sensors. The data signals can also
include control signals sent from the terranean surface. Close loop
control may also be implemented using the communication line.
[0058] At 406, the downhole tool can be operated corresponding to
the data signals. For example, the downhole tool can perform
certain functions based on a control instruction sent from the
terranean surface. The operation of the downhole tool may increase
or decrease the tension applied to the downhole cable.
[0059] At 408, a force is received on the downhole cable. The force
is related to the tension in the downhole cable. The force may have
been received at the very beginning of the operation. Discussing
the force in this step does not indicate its occurrence in timing
or order. The force can be a dynamic tensile load related to the
mass of the downhole tool and its acceleration/deceleration.
[0060] At 409, in response to the received force, the communication
line is elongated from a substantially non-linear position toward a
substantially linear position. For example, the elongation may
include extending the communication line from a helical, zig-zag,
sinusoidal, or spiral position toward the substantially linear
position. The substantially non-linear position can be the original
unloaded position of the communication line with respect to the
slickline. The substantially linear position can be the fully
extended position in line with the slickline. For a particular
portion of the downhole cable, a length of the communication line
that extends between ends of the particular portion can be greater
than a length of the slickline that extends between the ends of the
particular portion.
[0061] In some implementations, a second force less than the
received force is received (e.g., during deceleration). In response
to the second force, the communication line is shortened from the
substantially linear position toward the substantially non-linear
position.
[0062] A number of examples have been described. Nevertheless, it
will be understood that various modifications may be made. For
example, even though the illustrations in FIGS. 2A and 3A use
respective helical embedment and helical wrapping configurations
with the slickline composite materials, other configurations are
possible, such as zig-zag, spiral, sinusoidal, among others. The
composite material may include substance(s) other than
polyphenylene sulfide or include a different material. In the
embodiment of FIG. 3A, the coating 315 may also include
substance(s) other than polyether ether ketone, or include a
different material. Accordingly, other examples are within the
scope of the following claims.
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