Downhole data transmisssion line
First Claim
1. A transmission line comprising:
- at least one polymeric or glass fiber;
a first containment tube surrounding said fiber;
a conductive material wrapped or braided around said first tube;
a layer of insulating material covering said conductive material; and
a second containment tube surrounding said material.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention consists of a downhole data transmission line, and a method of making the same, having at least one polymeric or glass fiber, a first containment tube surrounding the fiber, a conductive material wrapped or braided around the first tube, a layer of insulating material covering the conductive material, and a second containment tube surrounding the insulating material. The downhole transmission line preferably uses optical fibers, a stainless steel first and metal alloy second tubes, copper braiding for the conductive material, thermoplastic for the insulating material, and a protective layer surrounding the outer second tube. A well for producing oil or gas from an oil or gas reservoir that includes the data transmission line and a system for sensing and recording physical parameters over an extended distance that includes the data transmission line are described. The invention also includes methods of using the data transmission line.
44 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A transmission line comprising:
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at least one polymeric or glass fiber;
a first containment tube surrounding said fiber;
a conductive material wrapped or braided around said first tube;
a layer of insulating material covering said conductive material; and
a second containment tube surrounding said material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of making a transmission line comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one polymeric or glass fiber;
surrounding said fiber with a first containment tube;
wrapping or braiding a conductive material around said first tube;
covering said conductive material with a layer of insulating material; and
surrounding said material with a second containment tube. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A transmission line suitable for use in well monitoring comprising:
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at least one polymeric or glass fiber of optical quality;
a first stainless steel containment tube surrounding said fiber;
a copper braiding wrapped around said first tube;
a first layer of thermoplastic insulating material covering said copper braiding;
a second layer of thermoplastic insulating material covering said copper braiding;
a second metal alloy containment tube surrounding said first and second layer of insulating material; and
a protective layer surrounding said second tube.
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24. A transmission line suitable for use in well monitoring comprising:
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at least one polymeric or glass fiber of optical quality;
a first stainless steel containment tube surrounding said fiber;
a copper braiding wrapped around said first tube;
a layer of thermoplastic insulating material covering said copper braiding;
a second metal alloy containment tube surrounding said layer of insulating material;
an epoxy resin injected between said layer of insulating material and said second tube; and
a protective layer surrounding said second tube.
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25. A well for producing oil or gas from an oil or gas reservoir, said well comprising:
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a hole drilled from the earth'"'"'s surface to the oil or gas reservoir;
a casing constructed and arranged to line said hole;
a string of production pipe or tubing constructed and arranged to pass through said casing to the oil or gas reservoir;
means for transferring oil or gas into the production tubing or pipe located on said plurality of pipe or tubing sections; and
a data transmission line constructed and arranged to pass between said casing and said plurality of pipe or tubing sections;
said data transmission line including;
at least one polymeric or glass fiber;
a first containment tube surrounding said fiber;
a conductive material wrapped or braided around said first tube;
a layer of insulating material covering said conductive material; and
a second containment tube surrounding said material.
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26. A system for sensing and recording physical parameters over an extended distance, said system comprising:
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means for receiving and recording signals representative of the physical parameters;
means for sensing the physical parameters; and
a data transmission line for connecting said means for sensing said physical parameters and said means for receiving and recording signals representative of the physical parameters;
said data transmission line including;
at least one polymeric or glass fiber;
a first containment tube surrounding said fiber;
a conductive material wrapped or braided around said first tube;
a layer of insulating material covering said conductive material; and
a second containment tube surrounding said material. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method of using a data transmission line for well monitoring, said method comprising:
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measuring the properties of earth formations penetrated by wellbores with one or more instruments, said instruments generating signals in response to the properties of the earth formations; and
transmitting said signals with a data transmission line to a computer for processing and interpretation of said signals, said data transmission line including;
at least one polymeric or glass fiber;
a first containment tube surrounding said fiber;
a conductive material wrapped or braided around said first tube;
a layer of insulating material covering said conductive material; and
a second containment tube surrounding said material.
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Specification