Field Joint for a Downhole Tool

• US 20090025926A1
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Briquet, Stephane, Hayes, Kevin, Del Campo, Chris, Nahas, Joe, Ervin, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,726,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/105
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.

Claims

1. A field joint for connecting a first downhole tool module and a second downhole tool module, the first downhole tool module having a first housing and a first electrical line disposed therein, the second downhole tool module having a second housing and a second electrical line disposed therein, the field joint comprising:

a bulkhead coupled to the first tool module and having a first connection face defining a portion of an exterior of the first tool module, the first connection face including a first conduit aperture, the first conduit aperture being configured for receiving an electrical connector assembly;

a first electrical connector assembly configured to be received at least in part in the first conduit aperture, the first electrical connector assembly being releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first tool module, the first electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to the first electrical lines and having a second end;

a connector block coupled to the second tool module and having a second connection face defining a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second tool modules are joined; and

a second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture, the second electrical connector being electrically coupled to the second electrical line and configured for establishing an electrical contact with the second end of the first connector when the first and second tool modules are joined.

2. The field joint of claim 1, in which the first electrical connector assembly comprises a plug sized to be received in the first conduit aperture, and adapted for releasable coupling to the bulkhead.

3. The field joint of claim 2, in which the first conduit aperture includes a threaded portion and the plug includes complementary external threads to releasably couple the plug to the bulkhead.

4. The field joint of claim 2, in which the plug is formed of a metal material.

5. The field joint of claim 2, in which the first conduit aperture includes a base flange recessed from the first connection face, and in which the first electrical connector assembly includes an enlarged central section defining first and second shoulders, wherein the first shoulder is sized to engage the conduit aperture base flange and wherein the second shoulder is sized to engage the plug, thereby retaining the electrical connector assembly in the conduit aperture.

6. The field joint of claim 1, in which the first connector comprises a feedthrough and an insulating sleeve coupled to an exterior of the feedthrough.

9. The field joint of claim 1, in which a wire termination is coupled to the first electrical line and includes a socket aligned with the first conduit aperture, and in which the first connector releasably engages the socket when the first connector assembly is inserted into the first conduit aperture.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

10. A field joint for connecting a first downhole tool module and a second downhole tool module, the first downhole tool module having a first housing and a first electrical line disposed therein, the second downhole tool module having a second housing and a second electrical line disposed therein, the field joint comprising:

a bulkhead coupled to the first housing and having a first connection face, the connection face defining a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, the central region having a plurality of first fluid connectors, the peripheral region including a first conduit aperture;

a first electrical connector assembly configured to be coupled to the first conduit aperture, the first electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to the first electrical line and having a second end;

a connector block coupled to the second housing and having a second connection face, the second connection face defining at least one central hole and a peripheral region surrounding the at least one central hole, the at least one central hole being sized for receiving a plurality of second fluid connectors being positioned to fluidly couple with the first fluid connectors of the first connection face, the peripheral region including a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second tool modules are joined; and

a second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture, the second electrical connector being electrically coupled to the second electrical line and configured for electrical coupling to the second end of the first electrical connector.

11. The field joint of claim 10, in which the peripheral region defined by the first connection face further comprises a plurality of first conduit apertures, the peripheral region defined in the second face further comprises a plurality of second conduit apertures, each of the plurality of first and second conduit apertures having an electrical connector disposed therein.

12. The field joint of claim 10, in which the first connection face central region includes four first fluid connectors and the at least one central hole in the second connection face is sized for receiving four second fluid connectors.

13. The field joint of claim 10, in which at least one of the plurality of first and second fluid connectors includes a self-sealing stabber assembly.

14. The field joint of claim 10, in which an annular isolation band extends between the first fluid connectors in the central region and the first electrical connector in the peripheral region.

15. The field joint of claim 11, in which each electrical connector is spaced from adjacent electrical connectors by at least 0.2 inch.

16. The field joint of claim 10, in which one of the first and second electrical connectors comprises a male connector and the other of the first and second electrical connectors comprises a female connector, and in which the female connector defines an inlet end through which the male connector is inserted, and a scraper seal is positioned adjacent the female connector inlet end and is sized to slidingly engage an exterior surface of the male connector.

18. The field joint of claim 10, in which an insulating sleeve is couple to one of the first and second connector and the insulating sleeve includes a distal portion having a length sufficient to extend beyond the connection face.

19. The field joint of claim 10, in which the second tool module further includes a transition block defining a central hub, and in which the first connector block frictionally engages the central hub.

17. (canceled)

20. A field joint for connecting a first downhole tool module and a second downhole tool module, the first downhole tool module having a first housing and a first electrical line disposed therein, the second downhole tool module having a second housing and a second electrical line disposed therein, the field joint comprising:

a bulkhead coupled to the first housing and having a first connection face, the connection face including a first conduit aperture, the first conduit aperture being configured for receiving an electrical connector assembly;

a first electrical connector assembly configured to be received at least partially in the first conduit aperture, the first electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to the first electrical lines and having a second end;

a first connector block releasably coupled to the second housing and having a second connection face, the second connection face including a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second tool modules are joined; and

a second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture, the second electrical connector being electrically coupled to the second electrical line and configured for electrically coupling with the second end of the first electrical connector.

21. The field joint of claim 20, in which the second tool module further includes a second connector block, the second connector block including a third conduit aperture, and in which a wire terminal is disposed in the third aperture and electrically coupled to the second electrical line.

22. The field joint of claim 21, in which the wire terminal includes a socket disposed at least partially in the third conduit aperture, and in which the second connector slidingly engages the socket when the first connector block is coupled to the second housing.

23. The field joint of claim 20, in which one of the first and second electrical connectors comprises a male electrical connector, and the other of the first and the second electrical connectors comprises a female electrical connector, and in which the female electrical connector defines an inlet end through which the male electrical connector is inserted, and a scraper seal is positioned adjacent the female electrical connector inlet end and is sized to slidingly engage an exterior surface of the male electrical connector.

24. The field joint of claim 20, in which the first connector block comprises a reinforcing portion defining a groove.

25. The field joint of claim 24, in which the second housing defines a slot configured to face the groove when the first connector block is coupled to the second housing.

26. A downhole tool comprised of a plurality of modules and positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the downhole tool comprising:

a first module including at least one inlet for receiving formation fluid, the inlet being fluidly coupled to a first auxiliary line, wherein the formation fluid is drawn into the tool by a displacement system operatively coupled to the first auxiliary line;

a second module including a hydraulic pump, the pump being fluidly connected the displacement system via at least two hydraulic lines;

a third module including an electrical controller communicably coupled to a plurality of electrical lines, the electrical lines being communicably coupled to each of the first and second modules; and

a connector disposed between at least two of the modules, wherein the connector includes at least two hydraulic line connections and two auxiliary line connections.

27. The field joint of claim 26, wherein the first auxiliary line receives virgin formation fluid and the second auxiliary line receives contaminated formation fluid.

28. The field joint of claim 26, wherein a first of the at least two hydraulic lines provides hydraulic fluid from the second module and a second of the at least two hydraulic lines provides hydraulic fluid to the second module.