Wells – Processes – Placing or shifting well part
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-09
2001-01-30
Suchfield, George (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Placing or shifting well part
C166S050000, C166S065100, C166S066000, C166S385000, C073S152170, C073S865800, C405S154100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179058
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and to a method intended for measurement and/or servicing in wellbores or in pipes. The method is particularly well-suited to pipes comprising a substantially horizontal portion of substantial length.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of well logging, there are several well-known methods for displacing measuring instruments in both greatly inclined and horizontal pipes. It is possible to use drill rods made up end to end and equipped with a transmission cable placed in the inner space thereof, a continuous steel tubing (cabled coiled tubing) also comprising a transmission cable, or mechanical means for displacing measuring tools, such as hydraulically, electrically or electro-hydraulically-powered tractors. Measuring sonde tractors are generally fed by an electric cable which supplies electric power to an electric motor driving a high-pressure hydraulic pump. The high-pressure hydraulic fluid actuates wheels placed against the wall of the well or of the pipe. The tensile or thrust force is of the order of 5 to 10 kN. These tractors are mechanically complex and they are not currently available with small outside diameters. For example, in the case of the most powerful tractors on the market, the latter cannot be fed into pipes having an inside diameter below 6 inches (152 mm).
In a certain number of well patterns, the cased pipe is extended by a drain hole drilled by means of a tool whose diameter is smaller than the inside diameter of the cased pipe. The tractor used for maneuvering instruments or equipments in the wellbore cannot enter the drain hole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus relates to a system for displacing instruments in a pipe comprising a portion greatly inclined to the vertical. The system comprises a set of instruments mechanically linked to a first end of electrically-powered displacement means by an extension of determined length. The extension comprises a section of a semi-rigid composite rod that can be wound round a drum and comprising at least one electric conductor.
The instruments comprises measuring sounds, cameras, inflatable packer, plug or valve type well equipment and wall perforation tools.
The displacement means is actuated by a logging type cable, a continuous cabled metal tube, a semi-rigid composite rod, or by a combination thereof.
The pipe comprises a portion sufficiently inclined to allow weights to move under the effect of gravity. In this case, the system comprises from the bottom to the surface, a set of instruments, an extension made up of a semi-rigid rod section or electric displacement means, a semi-rigid rod section or weighting bars suspended in the pipe by a cable wound around a winch outside said pipe.
The invention also relates to a method of displacing instruments in a pipe comprising a portion greatly inclined to the vertical. The method comprises the following stages:
fastening a set of instruments to a first end of a section of a semi-rigid composite rod of sufficient flexibility to be wound round a drum and comprising at least one electric conductor,
connecting a second end of said section to a first end of electrically-powered displacement means placed in said pipe portion, and
displacing said set of instruments through the action of said displacement means in a second pipe into which said displaceemnt means cannot be fed.
The displacement means is connectable to the outside of the pipe by means of at least a second semi-rigid rod section.
The second semi-rigid rod section can be continuous up to the surface and displacement of the instruments can be assisted by exerting a thrust on the second rod section by actuating mechanical means for injecting the rod into the well.
Displacement of the instruments can be assisted by fastening weighting bars onto said second rod section and by suspending said bars in the pipe by a logging type cable.
The invention can be applied to oil wells comprising an uncased drain hole.
In a variant, the invention can also be applied to a lateral hole drilled from said pipe portion.
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Østvang, K., et al., “Wireline tractor operations successful in horizontal wells,”World Oil, vol. 218, No. 4, Apr. 4, 1997, pp. 125-126, 128, 130, 132.
“Downhole tractors expand extended reach possibilities,”Offshore, vol. 55, No. 8, Aug., 1995, p. 28.
Institut Francáis du Petrole
Millen, White, Zelane & Branigan, P.C.
Suchfield George
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