Apparatus and methods for operating a tool in a wellbore

• US 20050269106A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Roberts, John Douglas, Haugen, David M., David, John, Hosie, David G., Tilton, Frederick T., Wilson, Paul, Nero, Michael, Bothner, Ronald E., Nuth, David, Collins, Ronald B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,513,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/381
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/14 for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for conveying and operating tools into a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of performing a downhole operation in a wellbore is provided. The method includes pushing a continuous rod into the wellbore, wherein the continuous rod includes a member disposed therein. The method further includes positioning the continuous rod proximate at a predetermined location in the wellbore and performing the downhole operation. In yet another aspect, a system for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore is provided.

Claims

1. A method of operating a tool in a wellbore, the method comprising:

inserting the tool at an end of a continuous, reelable conveyance member, wherein the conveyance member is a tubular conveyance member having a diameter to thickness ratio of less than 10 and a minimum outer diameter of 0.625 inches;

running the tool with the conveyance member to a predetermined location in the wellbore; and

operating the tool.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyance member has a diameter to thickness ratio of less than 5.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tool is urged through a nonvertical portion of the wellbore with the conveyance member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyance member is reeled from a reel into the wellbore.

5. The method of claim 1, further including fixing the tool at the predetermined depth and disconnecting the tool from the conveyance member.

6. The method of claim 1, further including utilizing a depth encoder at the surface of the wellbore to determine a depth of the tool in the wellbore.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyance member has a solid cross section.

8. An apparatus for positioning a tool in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

a logging tool;

a memory device having prerecorded log data defining at least one aspect of the wellbore related to a location in the wellbore;

a processor for comparing the prerecorded data to data measured by the logging tool; and

a tool for locating at a predetermined depth in the wellbore.

10. The method of claim 8, further including transmitting the data towards the surface of the well via a signal transmission path integral to the conveyance member.

9. A method of operating a tool in a wellbore comprising:

running an assembly into the wellbore, the assembly including;

a conveyance member;

an apparatus for positioning the tool in the wellbore, the apparatus comprising;

a logging tool;

a memory device having prerecorded log data defining at least one aspect of the wellbore related to a location in the wellbore;

a processor for comparing the prerecorded data to data measured by the logging tool; and

a tool for locating at a predetermined depth in the wellbore;

comparing the prerecorded data to data measured by the logging tool; and

operating the tool.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the conveyance member is jointed pipe.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the conveyance member is coil tubing.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the conveyance member is slick line.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the conveyance member is a continuous, reelable rod.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the conveyance member is continuous tubular material having a diameter to thickness ratio of less than 10.

16. An apparatus for placing a pump in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:

a pump member;

an anchoring member to fix the pump at a location in the wellbore; and

a conveyance member that is one of rotatable and reciprocatable for physically operating the pump.

17. A method for locating and operating a pump in a wellbore, the method comprising:

providing a pump and a pump anchor;

conveying the pump and pump anchor into a wellbore on a conveyance member;

fixing the pump relative to a structure of the wellbore with the pump anchor; and

operating the pump by supplying energy through the conveyance member.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the energy comprises mechanical movement.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mechanical movement is reciprocation

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the mechanical movement is rotation.

21. A method of performing a downhole operation in a wellbore, the method comprising:

pushing a continuous rod into the wellbore, wherein the continuous rod includes a communication member disposed therein;

positioning the continuous rod proximate at a predetermined location in the wellbore; and

performing the downhole operation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the communication member is a fiber line.

23. The method of claim 22, further including transmitting a signal through the fiber line.

24. The method of claim 22, further including measuring a downhole parameter through the fiber line.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the communication member is a capillary tube.

26. The method of claim 25, further including injecting a chemical through the capillary tube to the predetermined location.

27. The method of claim 25, further including measuring a pressure at the predetermined location by utilizing the capillary tube.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the communication member is a conductor capable of transmitting high electrical power.

29. The method of claim 28, further including welding in the wellbore by transmitting high electrical power through the conductor.

30. The method of claim 28, further including melting paraffin in the wellbore by transmitting high electrical power through the conductor.

31. A method of performing a downhole operation in a wellbore, the method comprising:

pushing a continuous rod into the wellbore, wherein the continuous rod includes a small bore disposed therein and the small bore is coated with a material;

positioning the continuous rod proximate at a predetermined location in the wellbore; and

transmitting a signal through the small bore.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the material is a low dielectric material that is used to transmit microwave signals.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the material is a reflective material that is used to transmit light signals.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the continuous rod is made from a metal material having at least a ¾

″

diameter.

35. A method of performing a downhole operation in a deviated wellbore, the method comprising:

pushing a continuous rod into the deviated wellbore;

positioning the continuous rod proximate at a predetermined location in the deviated wellbore; and

transmitting a signal.

36. The method of claim 35, further including substantially isolating the continuous rod from contact with the deviated wellbore.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the isolation comprises a plurality of centralizers.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the signal is an acoustic signal.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the continuous rod includes a slot formed in an outer surface thereof for housing a communication member.

40. A system for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore, the system comprising;

a continuous rod having a data communication member operatively attached thereto;

a delivery apparatus for pushing the continuous rod into the wellbore, wherein the delivery apparatus includes a depth encoder for tracking the amount of continuous rod pushed into the wellbore; and

a member having circuitry for receiving and analyzing data from the data communication member and the depth encoder.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the data communication member is a fiber line.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the data communication member is a downhole tool with a memory module.