U.S. patent application number 15/083772 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-06 for novel wireline-tool adapter sleeve.
This patent application is currently assigned to BPE, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is BPE, LTD.. Invention is credited to Billy Dewayne Perkins.
Application Number | 20160290061 15/083772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57015147 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160290061 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perkins; Billy Dewayne |
October 6, 2016 |
Novel Wireline-Tool Adapter Sleeve
Abstract
A system and method for adapting a wireline tool to operate in
environments for which it was not designed is disclosed. The system
includes a pressure housing within which a wireline tool may be
secured between a first connector subassembly mated to one end of
the pressure housing and a second connector subassembly mated to
the other end of the pressure housing. The first connector
subassembly includes an electrical connector subassembly by which
the wireline tool may be electrically connected to the wireline.
The method includes disposing a wireline tool within a pressure
housing between a first connector subassembly mated to one end of
the pressure housing and a second connector subassembly mated to
the other end of the pressure housing and electrically connecting
the wireline tool to an electrical connector subassembly in the
first connector subassembly, by which the wireline tool may be
electrically connected to the wireline.
Inventors: |
Perkins; Billy Dewayne;
(Midland, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BPE, LTD. |
Odessa |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BPE, LTD.
Odessa
TX
|
Family ID: |
57015147 |
Appl. No.: |
15/083772 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62143462 |
Apr 6, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/017 20200501;
E21B 17/023 20130101; E21B 17/028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 17/02 20060101
E21B017/02; E21B 47/01 20060101 E21B047/01 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for adapting a wireline tool having two ends and an
electrical connector to operate in environments for which the
wireline tool was not designed, the apparatus comprising: (a) a
pressure housing having two ends; (b) a first connector subassembly
adapted to mate to one end of the pressure housing, the first
connector subassembly comprising: (i) a first electrical connector
subassembly compatible with the electrical connector of the
wireline tool; and (ii) a first chassis; and (c) a second connector
subassembly adapted to mate to the other end of the pressure
housing, the second connector subassembly comprising a second
chassis; (d) wherein the pressure housing, the first connector
subassembly, and the second connector subassembly define a space
within which the wireline tool may be securely disposed when the
first connector subassembly is mated to one end of the pressure
housing and the second connector subassembly is mated to the other
end of the pressure housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a liner shaped to be
disposed between the wireline tool and the pressure housing.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the liner is a Dewar flask.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first electrical connector
subassembly comprises: (a) a line conductor; (b) a wireline-tool
conductor; and (c) a switch operable to electrically connect the
line conductor to the wireline-tool conductor.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the switch is operable by
application of a predetermined voltage on the line conductor.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second connector
subassembly further comprises a second electrical connector
subassembly electrically connected to the first electrical
connector assembly.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: (a) the second connector
subassembly further comprises a second electrical connector
subassembly; and (b) the first electrical connector assembly
comprises: (i) a line conductor; (ii) a wireline-tool conductor;
and (iii) a switch selectively operable to electrically connect the
line conductor either to the wireline-tool conductor or to the
second electrical connector subassembly.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the switch is selectively
operable through application of a predetermined voltage on the line
conductor.
9. An adapted wireline-tool apparatus comprising: (a) a pressure
housing having two ends; (b) a first connector subassembly mated to
the first end of the pressure housing, the first connector
subassembly comprising: (i) a first electrical connector
subassembly; and (ii) a first chassis; (c) a second connector
subassembly mated to the second end of the pressure housing, the
second connector subassembly comprising a second chassis; and (d) a
wireline tool having two ends and an electrical connector; (e)
wherein the wireline tool is disposed within the pressure housing
between the first connector subassembly and the second connector
subassembly such that one end of the wireline tool is secured by
contact with the first chassis and the other end of the wireline
tool is secured by contact with the second chassis; and (f) wherein
the first electrical connector subassembly is electrically
connected to the wireline tool's electrical connector.
10. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 9 further
comprising a liner disposed within the pressure housing between the
wireline tool and the pressure housing and between the first
connector subassembly and the second connector subassembly.
11. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 10 wherein the
liner is a Dewar flask.
12. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 9 wherein: (a) the
wireline tool further comprises a second electrical connector; and
(b) the second connector subassembly further comprises a second
electrical connector subassembly electrically connected to the
wireline tool's second electrical connector.
13. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 9 wherein the
first electrical connector subassembly comprises: (a) a line
conductor; (b) a wireline-tool conductor electrically connected to
the wireline tool's electrical connector; and (c) a switch operable
to electrically connect the line conductor to the wireline-tool
conductor.
14. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 13 wherein the
switch is operable by application of a predetermined voltage on the
line conductor.
15. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 9 wherein the
second connector subassembly further comprises a second electrical
connector subassembly electrically connected to the first
electrical connector subassembly.
16. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 9 wherein: (a) the
second connector subassembly further comprises a second electrical
connector subassembly; and (b) the first electrical connector
subassembly comprises: (i) a line conductor; (ii) a wireline-tool
conductor electrically connected to the wireline tool's electrical
connector; and (iii) a switch selectively operable to electrically
connect the line conductor either to the wireline-tool conductor or
to the second electrical connector subassembly.
17. The adapted wireline-tool apparatus of claim 16 wherein the
switch is selectively operable through application of a
predetermined voltage on the line conductor.
18. A method of adapting a wireline tool to operate in environments
for which the wireline tool was not designed, the method
comprising: (a) providing a pressure housing having two ends; (b)
providing a first connector subassembly comprising: (i) a first
electrical connector subassembly; and (ii) a first chassis; (c)
providing a second connector subassembly comprising a second
chassis; (d) disposing a wireline tool having two ends and an
electrical connector within the pressure housing between the first
connector subassembly and the second connector subassembly such
that one end of the wireline tool is secured by contact with the
first chassis and the other end of the wireline tool is secured by
contact with the second chassis; and (e) electrically connecting
the first electrical connector subassembly to the wireline tool's
electrical connector.
19. The method of claim 18: (a) wherein the first electrical
connector subassembly comprises: (i) a line conductor; (ii) a
wireline-tool conductor; and (iii) a switch operable to
electrically connect the line conductor to the wireline-tool
conductor; and (b) wherein the step of electrically connecting the
first electrical connector subassembly to the wireline tool's
electrical connector comprises electrically connecting the
wireline-tool conductor to the wireline tool's electrical
connector; and (c) further comprising operating the switch to
connect the line conductor to the wireline-tool conductor.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of operating the switch
comprises applying a predetermined voltage to the line conductor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/143,462, filed on Apr. 6, 2015, the entirety of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention pertains to systems and methods for adapting
wireline well-logging tools ("wireline tools") to operate in
environments or in combinations for which the wireline tools were
not designed.
[0003] The use of wireline tools to take in-situ measurements of
various aspects of the borehole environment is well known.
Typically, one or a few active or passive sensors are combined in a
wireline tool. The wireline tool is disposed within a borehole on
the end of a wireline and the sensors are operated to collect
information about the borehole environment at various depths within
the borehole. A surface system is connected to the wireline tool
through a conductor or conductors in the wireline. The surface
system may provide power to the wireline tool, send commands to the
wireline tool to control the sensors and data acquisition, and
receive information from the wireline tool to store and analyze. In
a single-conductor wireline, power and telemetry are carried on the
same conductor.
[0004] Different wireline tools use different sensors to measure
different characteristics of the borehole environment. For example,
a wireline tool utilizing acoustic transducers may collect
information about the formation surrounding the borehole, about the
condition of the casing in a borehole, or about the condition of
the cement in the annulus between the casing and the formation.
Information about such wireline tools can be found in U.S. Pat. No.
3,729,705, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,092, U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,928, and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,160. And a wireline tool utilizing
accelerometers and gyros may collect information about the
direction and inclination of the borehole. Information about such
wireline tools can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,499, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,437,243, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,684.
[0005] Different wireline tools are specifically designed to
operate in different environments. For example, a wireline tool may
be specifically designed to operate: in a small-diameter borehole,
in a high-pressure environment, in a high-temperature environment,
as a stand-alone wireline tool, as a combinable wireline tool, or
with a particular surface system. Wireline tools designed to
operate in one environment are often incapable of operating in
another environment. For example, a wireline tool designed to
operate in a borehole having a hydrostatic pressure of no more than
6,000 psi and a temperature not more than 300.degree. F. is not
safely operated in a borehole having a hydrostatic pressure of
10,000 psi and a temperature of 400.degree. F. Similarly, a
wireline tool designed to run alone may be mechanically or
electrically incapable of operating in combination with other
wireline tools. And a wireline tool designed to run in combination
with certain wireline tools may be mechanically or electrically
incapable of operating in combination with certain other wireline
tools otherwise designed to run in combination.
[0006] Because different wireline tools are designed to run in
different environments, a wireline service provider often has to
make multiple runs in the borehole. For example, a service provider
may have to make two runs to acquire: (1) cement bond information
with an acoustic wireline tool and (2) borehole directional
information with a gyro wireline tool.
[0007] The greater the number of runs to complete the logging
operation, the costlier the operation. More runs take longer to
complete. This increased time imposes a cost on the service
provider by, for example, increasing labor costs and limiting the
number of operations it can complete in a given time period. The
increased time may also impose a cost on the provider's customer,
who may be paying for equipment and personnel that are idle during
the logging operation.
[0008] Requiring multiple runs may also adversely impact safety.
For example, setting up the wireline tools for the logging
operation, and retrieving the wireline tools once the operation is
complete, poses certain dangers to personnel. The more times that
such set up and retrieval must be accomplished, the more
opportunity for an accident that may injure personnel or equipment.
For some logging operations, multiple runs means there is an
increased risk that hazardous material will escape from the
borehole or be lost in the borehole.
[0009] Performing the operation in multiple runs also poses the
risk that changes in the borehole environment from run to run may
adversely affect interpretation of the well-log information.
[0010] Because different wireline tools are designed to run in
different borehole environments, a wireline service provider often
has to carry different versions of the same wireline tool. For
example, a provider may need to keep multiple gamma-ray wireline
tools or gyro-directional wireline tools for operation in different
borehole diameters, pressures, or temperatures. The need to carry
otherwise duplicative equipment imposes a significant increased
expense on the provider.
[0011] Thus, there is a need for a system and method for adapting
wireline tools to operate in borehole environments or in
combinations for which they were not designed.
SUMMARY
[0012] The present invention is directed to a system and method
that satisfies the need for adapting a wireline tool to operate in
an environment for which it was not designed.
[0013] In one aspect of the invention, a wireline-tool adapter
sleeve has a pressure housing, a first connector subassembly having
a chassis, and a second connector subassembly having a chassis. The
first connector subassembly is adapted to mate to one end of the
pressure housing. The second connector subassembly is adapted to
mate to the other end of the pressure housing. The pressure
housing, the chassis of the first connector subassembly, and the
chassis of the second connector subassembly define a space within
which a wireline tool can be securely disposed when the first
connector subassembly is mated to one end of the pressure housing
and the second connector subassembly is mated to the other end of
the pressure housing. The first connector subassembly includes a
first electrical connector subassembly, by which a wireline tool
secured in the sleeve may be electrically connected to a wireline
attached to the adapter sleeve. In another aspect of the invention,
the wireline-tool adapter sleeve has a first electrical connector
subassembly that includes a line conductor, a wireline-tool
conductor, and a switch that can electrically connect the line
conductor to the wireline-tool conductor, by which a wireline tool
secured in the sleeve may be selectively electrically connected to
a wireline attached to the adapter sleeve. In another aspect of the
invention, the switch is operable by application of a predetermined
voltage on the line conductor, by which a wireline tool secured in
the sleeve may be selectively electrically connected to a wireline
attached to the adapter sleeve by application of a predetermined
voltage on the wireline. In another aspect of the invention, the
wireline-tool adapter has a second connector subassembly that
includes an electrical connector subassembly electrically connected
to the electrical connector subassembly of the first connector
subassembly, by which a wireline tool connected to the second
connector subassembly may be electrically connected to a wireline
attached to the adapter sleeve. In another aspect of the invention,
the wireline-tool adapter sleeve includes a liner that is
configured to fit between the outer surface of a wireline tool
secured within the sleeve and the inner surface of the pressure
housing. In another aspect of the invention, the liner is a Dewar
flask.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, an adapted wireline-tool
apparatus includes a wireline tool disposed within a pressure
housing mated on one end to a first connector subassembly having a
chassis and on the other end to a second connector subassembly
having a chassis. The pressure housing, the chassis of the first
connector subassembly, and the chassis of the second connector
subassembly define a space within which the wireline tool is
securely disposed. The first connector subassembly includes a first
electrical connector subassembly electrically connected to the
secured wireline tool, by which the secured wireline tool may be
electrically connected to a wireline. In another aspect of the
invention, the adapted wireline-tool apparatus has a first
electrical connector subassembly that includes a line conductor, a
wireline-tool conductor, and a switch that can electrically connect
the line conductor to the secured wireline tool through the
wireline-tool conductor, by which the secured wireline tool may be
selectively electrically connected to a wireline. In another aspect
of the invention, the switch is operable by application of a
predetermined voltage on the line conductor, by which the secured
wireline tool may be selectively electrically connected to a
wireline by application of a predetermined voltage on the wireline.
In another aspect of the invention, the adapted wireline-tool
apparatus has a second connector subassembly that includes an
electrical connector subassembly electrically connected to the
electrical connector subassembly of the first connector
subassembly, by which a wireline tool connected to the second
connector subassembly may be electrically connected to a wireline.
In another aspect of the invention, the adapted wireline-tool
apparatus includes a liner between the outer surface of the secured
wireline tool and the inner surface of the pressure housing. In
another aspect of the invention, the liner is a Dewar flask.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a method for adapting a
wireline tool to operate in environments or in combinations for
which the wireline tool was not designed includes securing the
wireline tool within a pressure housing between, on one end, a
first connector subassembly having a chassis, and on the other end,
a second connector subassembly having a chassis, and electrically
connecting the wireline tool to an electrical connector subassembly
of the first connector subassembly. The wireline tool is secured by
contact on one end with the chassis of the first connector
subassembly and contact on the other end with the chassis of the
second connector assembly. In another aspect of the invention, the
method for adapting the wireline tool includes operating a switch
in the electrical connector subassembly of the first connector
subassembly to electrically connect the wireline tool to a line
conductor in the electrical connector subassembly, by which the
wireline tool may be selectively electrically connected to a
wireline. In another aspect of the invention, operating the switch
is done by applying a predetermined voltage on the line conductor,
by which the secured wireline tool may be selectively electrically
connected to a wireline by application of a predetermined voltage
on the wireline.
[0016] Through the practice of the various aspects of the
invention, a wireline tool can be adapted to operate in
environments and can be operated in environments for which it was
not designed. For example, the wireline tool may be adapted to
operate in combination with other wireline tools or in borehole
environments otherwise outside of the wireline tool's designed
operating parameters.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will be become better understood with reference
to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying
drawings where:
[0018] FIG. 1a illustrates a well-logging system as known in the
art.
[0019] FIG. 1b is a top sectional view of a portion of a wireline
tool disposed within a borehole as known in the art.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates two wireline tools stacked in combination
as known in the art.
[0021] FIGS. 3a-3f illustrate various configurations of wireline
tools as known in the art.
[0022] FIG. 4a illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a
wireline-tool adapter sleeve securing a wireline tool, connecting
the wireline tool to a wireline cable head, and connecting to a
second wireline tool.
[0023] FIG. 4b is a top sectional view of a portion of an exemplary
embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter sleeve securing a wireline
tool.
[0024] FIG. 4c is a top sectional view of another portion of an
exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter sleeve securing a
wireline tool.
[0025] FIG. 5a is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an
uphole connector subassembly configured as a component of an
exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter sleeve.
[0026] FIG. 5b is a top sectional view of a portion of an exemplary
embodiment of an uphole connector subassembly configured as a
component of an exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter
sleeve.
[0027] FIG. 5c is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a
downhole connector subassembly configured as a component of an
exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter sleeve.
[0028] FIG. 5d is a top sectional view of a portion of an exemplary
embodiment of a downhole connector subassembly configured as a
component of an exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter
sleeve.
[0029] FIG. 5e is a top sectional view of another portion of an
exemplary embodiment of a downhole connector subassembly configured
as a component of an exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool
adapter sleeve.
[0030] FIG. 6a is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an
uphole connector subassembly configured as a component of an
exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter sleeve.
[0031] FIG. 6b is a top sectional view of a portion of an exemplary
embodiment of an uphole connector subassembly configured as a
component of an exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter
sleeve.
[0032] FIG. 6c is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a
downhole connector subassembly configured as a component of an
exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter sleeve.
[0033] FIG. 6d is a top sectional view of a portion of an exemplary
embodiment of a downhole connector subassembly configured as a
component of an exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool adapter
sleeve.
[0034] FIG. 6e is a top sectional view of another portion of an
exemplary embodiment of a downhole connector subassembly configured
as a component of an exemplary embodiment of a wireline-tool
adapter sleeve.
[0035] FIG. 7a illustrates a well-logging system incorporating an
exemplary wireline-tool adapter sleeve securing a wireline
tool.
[0036] FIG. 7b is a top sectional view of a portion of a wireline
tool secured within an exemplary wireline-tool adapter sleeve and
disposed within a borehole.
DESCRIPTION
[0037] In the summary above, and in the description below,
reference is made to particular features of the invention in the
context of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The features are
described in the context of the exemplary embodiments to facilitate
understanding. But the invention is not limited to the exemplary
embodiments. And the features are not limited to the embodiments by
which they are described. The invention provides a number of
inventive features which can be combined in many ways, and the
invention can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts.
[0038] The terms "comprising," "comprises," "including,"
"includes," "having," "haves," and their grammatical equivalents
are used herein to mean that other components or steps are
optionally present. For example, an article comprising A, B, and C,
includes an article having only A, B, and C as well as articles
having A, B, C, and other components. And a method comprising the
steps A, B, and C includes methods having only the steps A, B, and
C as well as methods having the steps A, B, C, and other steps.
[0039] Except as explicitly defined otherwise, the words and
phrases used herein, including terms used in the claims, carry the
same meaning they carry to one of ordinary skill in the art as
ordinarily used in the art.
[0040] Except as otherwise stated herein or as is otherwise clear
from context, the inventive methods comprising or consisting of
more than one step may be carried out without concern for the order
of the steps.
[0041] "Uphole," as used herein, means the direction in the
borehole directed along the borehole's longitudinal axis toward the
surface.
[0042] "Downhole," as used herein, means the direction in the
borehole directed along the borehole's longitudinal axis away from
the surface.
[0043] Except as otherwise stated herein or as is otherwise clear
from context, the term "or" is used herein in its inclusive sense.
For example, "A or B" means "A or B, or both A and B."
[0044] An exemplary logging system is shown in FIG. 1. A wireline
tool 10 is disposed within a borehole 30 to collect information
about the borehole environment. The borehole 30 penetrates an earth
formation 32. The borehole may be cased with a concentric casing 38
or the borehole 30 may be left open without any casing. In a cased
hole, the annulus defined by the outside diameter of the casing 38
and the borehole wall 34 may be filled with cement 36. The borehole
30 is filled with fluid (e.g., air, water, mud). The borehole may
be capped with a pressure-control system 60. In the event that the
borehole fluid pressure at the surface is greater than the
atmospheric pressure at the surface, the pressure-control system 60
is meant to prevent borehole fluid from escaping to the surface
during the logging operation. The pressure-control system typically
comprises a wireline valve 62, a riser 64, and a control head 66.
The wireline valve 62 is attached to a wellhead 70 (which includes
a pressure control valve).
[0045] The wireline tool 10 typically comprises a pressure housing
13, at least one sensor 16, 17, an electronics package 15, and an
uphole connector subassembly 12. The wireline tool may also have a
downhole connector subassembly 14. The sensors 16, 17 and
electronics package 15 are secured in the pressure housing 13. The
sensors 16, 17 and electronics package 15 are coupled together and
the electronics package 15 is coupled to a cable head 58 by way of
an electrical connector subassembly of the uphole connector
subassembly 12. The downhole connector subassembly 14 (if present)
may be sealed with a pressure cap 18 or, as shown in FIG. 2, it may
connect to an uphole connector subassembly 112 of a second wireline
tool 100.
[0046] The wireline tool 10 is suspended and positioned in the
borehole by way of a wireline cable 56. One end of the wireline
cable 56 is mechanically and electrically connected to the wireline
tool 10 by way of the cable head 58. The other end of the wireline
cable 56 terminates at a winch 50. The wireline is coupled to a
surface system 40 through slip rings 48. The surface system 40
typically comprises a computer 42, a transceiver 44, and a power
supply 46. The wireline cable 56 extends from the cable head 58
through the pressure-control system 60 (if present), around an
upper sheave 54, around a lower sheave 52, and then to the winch
50.
[0047] Wireline tools come in many varieties. For example, a number
of variants are shown in FIGS. 3a-3f. Differences include, for
example, diameter, length, pressure rating, temperature rating,
vibration rating, connector-subassembly standard, electrical
requirement, and sensor type. A first wireline tool 10, shown in
FIG. 3a, may be configured as described above. A second wireline
tool 200, shown in FIG. 3b, comprising a pressure housing 213,
sensors 216, 217, an electronics package 215, an uphole connector
subassembly 212, and a downhole connector subassembly 214 may be
identical to the first wireline tool 10 except that the second
wireline tool's pressure housing 213 is of a smaller diameter than
the first wireline tool's pressure housing 13 such that second
wireline tool 200 is designed to operate in a smaller diameter
borehole and at lower pressures than the first wireline tool 10. A
third wireline tool 300, shown in FIG. 3c, comprising a pressure
housing 313, sensors 316, 317, an electronics package 315, and an
uphole connector subassembly 312 may be identical to the second
wireline tool 200 except that it lacks a downhole connector
subassembly such that the third wireline tool 300 is not designed
to operate in combination with a wireline tool connected downhole.
A fourth wireline tool 100, shown in FIG. 3d, comprising a pressure
housing 113, sensors 116, 117, an electronics package 115, an
uphole connector subassembly 112, and a downhole connector
subassembly 114 may be identical to the first wireline tool 10
except that the fourth wireline tool 100 has sensors 116, 117
different than the sensors 16, 17 of the first wireline tool 10
such that the fourth wireline tool 100 is designed to collect
different information than the first wireline tool 10. Or the
fourth wireline tool 100 may have an electronics package 115 that
differs from the electronics package 15 of the first wireline tool
10 such that the fourth wireline tool 100 is designed to receive
power from a surface power supply 46 different than the power
received by the first wireline tool 10 or such that the fourth
wireline tool 100 is designed to communicate with a surface
transceiver 44 according to a protocol that differs from the
protocol used by the first wireline tool 10. A fifth wireline tool
400, shown in FIG. 3e, comprising a pressure housing 413, sensors
416, 417, an electronics package 415, and an uphole connector
subassembly 412 may be identical to the fourth wireline tool 100
except that it lacks a downhole connector subassembly such that the
fifth wireline tool 400 is not designed to operate in combination
with a wireline tool connected downhole. And a sixth wireline tool
500, shown in FIG. 3f, comprising a pressure housing 513, sensors
516, 517, an electronics package 515, an uphole connector
subassembly 512, and a downhole connector subassembly 514 may have
a different uphole connector subassembly 512 and downhole connector
subassembly 514 than the uphole connector subassembly 112 and
downhole connector subassembly 114 of the fourth wireline tool 100
such that the sixth wireline tool 500 is designed to connect to a
different cable head than the cable head 58 used by the fourth
wireline tool 100. These and other differences in the various
designs of wireline tools are known in the art.
[0048] The specific wireline tool used to collect the information
is a function of both the kind of information sought and the
operational environment. Whether a wireline tool 10 is appropriate
to acquire the desired information is a function of the sensors 16,
17. For example, acoustic transducers acquire different information
than gyroscopes, accelerometers, radiation detectors, or
radio-frequency or microwave antennas. And the wireline tool 10
must be able to reach and operate at the target depths. For
example, the wireline tool 10 must be able to withstand the
pressure and temperature at the target depth. And it must fit--the
diameter of wireline tool 10 defined by the outer surface of the
pressure housing 13 must be less than the diameter of the borehole
30 defined by the inside wall of the casing 38 in a cased hole or
by the borehole wall 34 in an open hole. Other
operational-environment constraints are known in the art.
Embodiments of the present invention can be used to adapt a
wireline tool to operate in environments for which the wireline
tool was not designed.
[0049] The logging operation can be understood with reference to
FIG. 1. The logging operation begins by configuring the various
components as shown in FIG. 1. Typically, this "rig up" proceeds as
follows: Once all the necessary equipment is located at the well
site, the wireline personnel will place the cable head 58 and
wireline 56 through the lower sheave 52 and through the upper
sheave 54 and then position the sheaves 52, 54 so that the upper
sheave 54 is suspended above the borehole 30 and the lower sheave
52 is secured some distance away from the borehole 30 such that it
will not rise beyond some fixed distance from the surface so that
it is always below the upper sheave 54. The cable head 58 is then
attached to the wireline tool 10 at uphole connector subassembly 12
and the winch is operated first to lift the wireline tool 10 so
that it is positioned above the borehole 30 and then to lower the
wireline tool 10 into the borehole. The upper sheave 54 is
positioned and held through use of equipment such as a mast unit, a
crane, or a rig. This rig up is time-consuming and dangerous as it
involves manually positioning heavy equipment in often dangerous
conditions. For example, the wireline personnel may have to rig up
on an icy or muddy well site, under conditions of extreme cold,
heat, or wind, or under risk of exposure to extremely flammable or
poisonous gas.
[0050] The rig up is more complicated when a pressure-control
system 60 is present. Such a rig up typically proceeds as follows:
The wireline personnel will place the cable head 58 and wireline 56
through the lower sheave 52 and through the upper sheave 54 and
then place the cable head 58 and wireline 56 through the control
head 66 and riser 64. The cable head 58 is then attached to the
wireline tool 10 and the cable head 58 and wireline tool 10 are
then placed in the riser 64. Then, at the same time the sheaves 52,
54 are positioned as described above, the riser 64, control head
66, and wireline tool 10 are positioned above the wellhead 70. At
that point, the riser 64 is attached to a wireline valve 62 (which
was previously attached to the wellhead 70). The wellhead 70,
wireline valve 62, and control head 66 are operated in concert to
allow the wireline tool 10 to be positioned at various depths in
the borehole 30 while still containing the borehole fluid in the
borehole. The addition of the pressure-control system 60
exacerbates the time-consuming and dangerous nature of the rig up.
Not only is the pressure-control system 60 heavy and difficult to
maneuver, there is the added danger of a failure allowing borehole
fluid--potentially including extremely flammable or poisonous
gas--to escape.
[0051] Once the various components are in the configuration shown
in FIG. 1, the logging operation typically proceeds as follows: A
logging application compatible with the wireline tool 10 is run on
the computer 42. The wireline tool 10 is selectively positioned at
target depths in the borehole 30 through operation of the winch 50.
The electronics 15 and sensors 16, 17 are controllably powered
through power supply 46. And the logging application controls and
communicates with the electronics 15 and sensors 16, 17 by way of
transceiver 44. In this way, information about the borehole
environment is acquired by the electronics 15 and sensors 16, 17
and collected by the logging application on the computer 42, where
it is analyzed and stored.
[0052] When the desired information is collected from all the
depths of interest, the wireline tool 10 is retrieved to the
surface and removed from the borehole 30. The winch 50 is operated
to lift the wireline tool 10 out of the borehole 30, wireline
personnel then physically position the wireline tool 10 so that it
can be lowered away from the borehole 30, then they detach the
cable head 58 from the wireline tool 10. When a pressure-control
system 60 is present, retrieval of the wireline tool 10 requires
operating the winch 50 to position the wireline tool in the riser
64 and then operating the wellhead 70, wireline valve 62, and
control head 66 in concert to allow the riser 64 to be detached
from the wireline valve 62 without releasing borehole fluid. The
wireline personnel then physically position the riser 64, control
head 66, and wireline tool 10, so that they can be lowered away
from the borehole 30 and the cable head 58 can be detached from the
wireline tool 10. Once the wireline tool 10 is lowered away from
the borehole 30 and the cable head 58 is detached, the wireline
personnel may rig up and position another wireline tool as
required.
[0053] The time and risk of repeated rig-up and tool-retrieval
cycles can be avoided if two or more wireline tools can be combined
for a single run in the borehole. It is known in the art that two
or more compatible wireline tools may be combined as shown in FIG.
2 and simultaneously positioned in a borehole 30. Such a
combination is possible only if the downhole connector subassembly
14 of the uphole wireline tool 10 is compatible with the uphole
connector subassembly 112 of the downhole wireline tool 100, or a
suitable converter (cross over) is placed between the wireline
tools. Each wireline tool in such a combination further must: (1)
be able to withstand the operational environment at the target
depths, (2) have sufficient strength to withstand the increased
stress and strain due to the other wireline tools in the
combination, and (3) be electrically compatible such that operation
of one wireline tool in the combination will not hinder or harm any
other wireline tool in the combination. Embodiments of the present
invention can be used to adapt a first wireline tool to operate in
combination with at least one other wireline tool when the first
wireline tool was not designed to operate in combination with the
other wireline tool.
[0054] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 4a-4c. A wireline-tool adapter sleeve 600 comprises an uphole
connector subassembly 602, a pressure housing 604, a liner 606, and
a downhole connector subassembly 610. The wireline-tool adapter
sleeve 600 is configured to secure a wireline tool 200 in the
pressure housing 604 and to mechanically and electrically connect
to a wireline 56 through a cable head 58. The uphole connector
subassembly 602 includes an electrical connector subassembly that
is further configured to electrically couple the wireline tool 200
to the wireline 56 through the cable head 58. In this fashion, the
adapter sleeve 600 can be used to effectively adapt the wireline
tool 200 to operate in environments or in combinations for which
the wireline tool 200 was not designed. While the wireline-tool
adapter sleeve 600 is described in the context of a secured
wireline tool 200, a cable head 58, and a wireline 56, the secured
wireline tool 200, cable head 58, and wireline 56 define aspects of
the intended environment of the wireline-tool adapter sleeve 600.
The particular configuration of the wireline-tool adapter sleeve
600 depends on the specifics of the wireline tool 200 it is
configured to secure and on the specifics of the cable head 58 and
wireline 56 to which it is configured to connect. The wireline-tool
adapter sleeve 600 is configured to define a space within which the
wireline tool 200 may be securely disposed. The secured wireline
tool 200, cable head 58, and wireline 56 are not components of the
wireline-tool adapter sleeve 600.
[0055] The uphole connector subassembly 602 is configured to
electrically and mechanically connect to a cable head 58 and
comprises components customarily found in an uphole connector
subassembly of a wireline tool. For example, the uphole connector
subassembly 602 may comprise a single box GO (1 3/16'' unified
national standard class 2), but other connector subassemblies
compatible with the cable head may also be used in the same manner
those connector subassemblies are used in the art to connect
wireline tools to a single-conductor or a multi-conductor wireline
through a variety of cable heads. The uphole connector subassembly
602 is configured to electrically couple the wireline 56 to the
wireline tool 200 secured within the adapter sleeve 600 through an
electrical connector assembly. The uphole connector subassembly 602
is further configured to secure the uphole end of the wireline tool
200.
[0056] An exemplary uphole connector subassembly 602 is shown in
FIGS. 5a-5b. A threaded box 620 is configured to accept and mate
with the threaded pin of cable head 58. A conductor-pin receptacle
621 is configured to accept and mate with a conductor-pin of cable
head 58 wherein the conductor-pin is electrically connected to a
wireline conductor as is known in the art. The conductor-pin
receptacle is electrically connected to a connector 626 through a
conductor 622. The conductor 622 is insulated from a chassis 629 by
way of an insulator 624. The connector 626 is electrically
connected to a conductor-pin-connector 630 through a conductor 628
which runs through a channel 631 in the chassis 629. The
conductor-pin-connector 630 is configured to mate with a
conductor-pin receptacle in the wireline tool's uphole electrical
connector (not shown) in the uphole connector subassembly 212 of
the secured wireline tool 200. While the uphole connector
subassembly 602 is shown with a threaded box 620, a threaded pin
may be used instead to mate with a cable head 58 that has a
threaded box instead of a threaded pin. Similarly, the
conductor-pin receptacle 621 may be replaced with a conductor-pin
so as to mate with a cable head 58 that has a conductor-pin
receptacle instead of a conductor-pin. The conductor-pin-connector
630 may be replaced with any electrical connector compatible with
the electrical connector of the uphole connector subassembly 212 of
the secured wireline tool 200. For example, the
conductor-pin-connector 630 may be replaced with a
pin-receptacle-connector so as to mate with a secured wireline tool
200 that has an uphole connector subassembly 212 with a
conductor-pin instead of a conductor-pin receptacle. The chassis
629 is shown as a single piece, but it may itself be an assembly of
components.
[0057] The exemplary uphole connector subassembly 602 shown in FIG.
5a is further configured to mate with a pressure housing 604 to
form a mechanical joint that is pressure tight and sufficiently
strong enough to handle the stress and strain of the logging
operation. This mating can be accomplished as is known in the art
by, for example, threading the uphole connector subassembly 602
into the pressure housing 604, securing the relative positions of
the uphole connector subassembly 602 and the pressure housing 604
through use of a fastener 632, such as a pin or a screw, and
sealing the joint with an o-ring 634. The mating may be
accomplished through other methods, such as welding, press fitting,
or bonding, as is known in the art.
[0058] Returning to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIGS. 4a-4c. The liner 606 is configured to
secure a wireline tool 200 in the adapter sleeve 600 by
substantially filling the annulus defined by the outside surface of
the pressure housing 213 of secured wireline tool 200 and the
inside surface of pressure housing 604. The liner 606 may comprise
a solid. For example, the liner 606 may be an aluminum or plastic
tube. The liner may alternatively comprise an assembly of
components. For example, the liner may comprise a set of nested
thin-wall tubes configured to form a Dewar flask or it may comprise
a series of rings. The liner 606 is shown as a component separate
and discrete from the uphole connector subassembly 602 or the
downhole connector subassembly 610, but the liner may be an
extension, or integral part, of the uphole connector subassembly
602 or the downhole connector subassembly 610.
[0059] In the exemplary embodiment of the wireline tool adapter
sleeve 600 shown in FIGS. 4a-4c, the downhole connector subassembly
610 is configured to electrically and mechanically connect to an
uphole connector subassembly 112 of a wireline tool 100 and
comprises components customarily found in a downhole connector
subassembly of a wireline tool. For example, the downhole connector
subassembly 610 may comprise a single pin GO (1 3/16'' unified
national standard class 2), but other connector subassemblies
compatible with a wireline tool's uphole connector subassembly 112
may also be used in the same manner those connector subassemblies
are used in the art to connect a first wireline tool to a second
wireline tool positioned downhole of the first wireline tool. The
downhole connector subassembly 610 includes an electrical connector
subassembly that is configured to electrically couple a wireline
tool 200 secured within the adapter sleeve 600 to a wireline tool
100 that is positioned downhole of the adapter sleeve 600.
Alternatively, the downhole connector subassembly 610 may be
configured such that no wireline tool can be connected below. For
example, the downhole connector subassembly 610 can terminate in a
plug. The downhole connector subassembly 610 is further configured
to mechanically secure the downhole end of the wireline tool
200.
[0060] An exemplary downhole connector subassembly 610 is shown in
FIGS. 5c-5e. A conductor-pin receptacle 641 is configured to accept
and mate with a conductor pin of an electrical connector of a
downhole connector subassembly 214 of a secured wireline tool 200.
The conductor-pin receptacle 641 is electrically connected to a
connector 646 through a conductor 642. The conductor 642 is
insulated from a chassis 649 by way of an insulator 644. The
connector 646 is electrically connected to a
conductor-pin-connector 650 through a conductor 648 which is run
through a channel 651 in the chassis 649. The
conductor-pin-connector 650 is configured to mate with a pin
receptacle in an electrical connector of an uphole connector
subassembly 112 of a wireline tool 100 connected downhole of the
adapter sleeve 600. A threaded pin 640 is configured to mate with a
threaded box of an uphole connector subassembly 112 of a wireline
tool 100 connected downhole of the adapter sleeve 600. While the
downhole connector subassembly 610 is shown with a threaded pin
640, a threaded box may be used instead to mate with a wireline
tool 100 that has a threaded pin instead of a threaded box.
Similarly, the conductor-pin-connector 650 may be replaced with a
pin-receptacle-connector so as to mate with a wireline tool 100
that has a conductor-pin instead of conductor-pin receptacle. And
the conductor-pin receptacle 641 may be replaced with any
electrical connector compatible with the downhole connector
subassembly 214 of secured wireline tool 200. For example, the
conductor-pin receptacle 641 may be replaced with a conductor-pin
so as to mate with a wireline tool 200 that has a downhole
connector subassembly 214 with a conductor-pin receptacle instead
of a conductor-pin. The chassis 649 is shown as a single piece, but
it may itself be an assembly of components.
[0061] The exemplary downhole connector subassembly 610 shown in
FIG. 5c is further configured to mate with a pressure housing 604
to form a mechanical joint that is pressure tight and sufficiently
strong to handle the stress and strain of the logging operation.
This mating can be accomplished as is known in the art by, for
example, threading the downhole connector subassembly 610 into the
pressure housing 604, securing the relative positions of the
downhole connector subassembly 610 and the pressure housing 604
through use of a fastener 652, such as a pin or screw, and sealing
the joint with an o-ring 654. The mating may be accomplished
through other methods, such as welding, press fitting, or bonding,
as is known in the art.
[0062] Another exemplary embodiment of the wireline-tool adapter
sleeve can be understood with reference to FIGS. 6a-6f. Many of the
components may be understood with reference to the above
description with the understanding that a component labeled with a
number appended with an "a" is similar to the component with the
same number in FIGS. 5a-5f. For example, components 620a, 621a,
622a, 624a, and 626a may be understood with reference to the above
description of components 620, 621, 622, 624, and 626. An uphole
connector subassembly 602a has a connector 626a that is
electrically connected to a switch 662a through a line conductor
660a. The switch selectively connects the line conductor 660a to a
wireline-tool conductor 666a connected to an uphole pin-connector
630a in the uphole connector subassembly or to a through-sleeve
conductor 664a connected to a downhole pin-connector 650a in a
downhole connector subassembly 610a.
[0063] The switch 662a may be controlled from a surface system 40
while the wireline adapter sleeve 600 is disposed within a borehole
30. Such control can be effected according to methods known in the
art using switches known in the art. For example, the switch 662a
may be frequency-controlled through signals provided to the switch
662a through a conductor in a wireline 56 such that application of
a particular frequency on the line conductor 660a will set the
switch 662a to connect the line conductor 660a to either the
wireline-tool conductor 666a or to the through-sleeve conductor
664a. Or the switch may be addressable to respond to a command
signal provided to the switch 662a through a conductor in a
wireline 56 such that in response to the addressed command, the
switch 662a selectively connects the line conductor 660a to either
the wireline-tool conductor 666a or to the through-sleeve conductor
664a. Or the switch 662a may be voltage dependent such that the
switch 662a selectively connects the line conductor 660a to either
the wireline-tool conductor 666a or to the through-sleeve conductor
664a depending on the voltage on the line conductor 660a. Other
methods and switches may be employed as is known in the art. By use
of such an embodiment, the wireline-tool adapter sleeve adapts a
wireline tool to combine with a second wireline tool and
electrically isolate the wireline tools such that operation of one
wireline tool will not harm or hinder the other wireline tool.
[0064] In another embodiment, the switch 660a is replaced with a
splitter electrically connecting the line conductor 660a to both
the wireline-tool conductor 666a and the through-sleeve conductor
664a such that by use of such an embodiment, the wireline-tool
adapter sleeve adapts a wireline tool to combine with a second
wireline tool and electrically connect the wireline tools such that
wireline tools operate in concert.
[0065] In the exemplary embodiment of the wireline-tool adapter
sleeve shown in FIGS. 6a-6e, the liner 606a is configured with a
channel 638a through which the through-sleeve conductor 664a can be
run from the switch 662a or from connector 626a to the
conductor-pin-connector 650a. The channel may further comprise a
conductive tube surrounding the through-sleeve conductor 664a to
electromagnetically shield a wireline tool 200 secured in the
adapter sleeve 600 from the through-sleeve conductor 664a and to
electromagnetically shield the through-sleeve conductor 664a from
the wireline tool 200.
[0066] Exemplary benefits of the wireline-tool adapter sleeve can
be understood with reference to FIG. 7. A first wireline tool 200
is secured within an adapter sleeve 600 and disposed within a
borehole 30 to collect information about the borehole environment.
The borehole environment is as described with reference to FIG. 1.
The downhole connector subassembly 610 of the adapter sleeve 600
may be sealed with a pressure cap 18 or, as shown in FIG. 4, it may
be connected to an uphole connector subassembly 112 of a second
wireline tool 100. By such a use of a wireline-tool adapter sleeve
600, the first wireline tool 200 is adapted to operate outside of
its designed temperature or pressure rating or in combination with
the second wireline tool 100 with which it was not designed to
operate in combination. This may enable the wireline service
provider to log the well without the need to keep and maintain
multiple wireline tools of the same type but designed with
different pressure or combinability capabilities. This may also
enable the wireline service provider to log the well without the
need to make multiple logging runs.
[0067] For example the logging operation may require both a gyro
log and an acoustic cement-bond log in a borehole having a
hydrostatic pressure of 10,000 psi. A wireline service provider may
have a stand-alone gyro tool with a 6,000 psi pressure rating that
it uses to log small-diameter boreholes. With the adapter sleeve,
the service provider is able to adapt the 6,000 psi gyro tool for
use in a 10,000 psi borehole, thus allowing it to perform the
logging operation without the need for a second, 10,000 psi, gyro
tool. And using the adapter sleeve, the service provider is able to
combine the stand-alone gyro tool with a cement-bond tool, thus
allowing it to perform the logging operation without the need for
multiple runs in the borehole.
[0068] While the foregoing description is directed to the preferred
embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be
made without departing from the basic scope of the invention. And
features described with reference to one embodiment may be combined
with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above,
without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the
invention is defined by the claims which follow.
* * * * *