MODULAR CONNECTOR AND METHOD

• US 20090229817A1
• Filed: 05/01/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ashers Partouche
• Original Assignee: Ashers Partouche
• Inventors: Partouche, Ashers
• Granted Patent: US 7,886,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/242.600
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/028 Electrical or electro-magnetic connections
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/18 Pipes provided with plural fluid passages E21B17/203 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 15/02 allowing substantial longitudinal adjustment by use of a long screw-threaded part
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 39/04 allowing adjustment or movement of the multiline swivel type F16L39/06

Abstract

A connector connects auxiliary flow lines—and, in some configurations, electrical lines—that extend through and terminate at or near opposing ends of two respective components of a downhole tool string. The connector comprises a body assembly for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines and electrically-connecting the electrical lines of the respective two components, and an assembly for adjusting the length of the body assembly. In particular embodiments, the two components are discrete modules of a unitary tool, or alternatively, are distinct tools. Additionally, the connector may include a mechanism for closing the auxiliary flow lines of one or both components upon disconnection of the fluid connection between the two components.

Claims

1. A method for connecting auxiliary flow lines and electrical lines that extend through and terminate at or near spaced-apart opposing ends of two respective components of a downhole tool string, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the distance between the opposing ends of the two components; and

establishing a fluid connection between the auxiliary flow lines and an electrical connection between the electrical lines of the respective two components in accordance with the determined distance.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the establishing step comprises the steps of:

employing at least one fluid conduit for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines of the two components; and

adjusting the length of the fluid conduit as necessary to accord with the determined distance.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the establishing step comprises the steps of:

employing at least one conductive pathway for electrically-connecting the electrical lines of the two components; and

adjusting the length of the conductive pathway as necessary to accord with the determined distance.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of closing the auxiliary flow lines of one or both components upon disconnection of the fluid connection between the two components.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing the fluid and electrical connections comprises rotation of a first one of the components relative to a second one of the components.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing the fluid and electrical connections does not require rotation of either of the components relative to the other of the components.

7. A method, comprising:

adjusting a distance between a first end of a first auxiliary flow line and a second end of a second auxiliary flow line, wherein the first and second auxiliary flow lines extend through first and second downhole tool string components, respectively, wherein the downhole tool string is positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, and wherein the first and second auxiliary flow lines isolate auxiliary fluid from drilling mud transmitted within the downhole tool string; and

fluidly connecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:

fluidly connecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines comprises fluidly connecting a body assembly between the first and second auxiliary flow lines; and

adjusting the distance comprises adjusting a length of the body assembly.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the body assembly comprises a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit, and wherein fluidly connecting the body between the first and second auxiliary flow lines comprises:

fluidly connecting the first fluid conduit to the first auxiliary flow line; and

fluidly connecting the second fluid conduit to the second auxiliary flow line.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first and second fluid conduits are substantially axially-oriented.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the first and second fluid conduits are substantially not axially-oriented.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the body assembly defines a single fluid conduit fluidly connecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the downhole tool string comprises:

a first drill collar comprising the first downhole tool string component; and

a second drill collar comprising the second downhole tool string component;

wherein the first and second drill collars are adjacently coupled.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein first and second electrical lines extend through the first and second downhole tool string components, respectively, and wherein fluidly connecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines comprises electrically connecting the first and second electrical lines.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein:

fluidly connecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines comprises fluidly connecting a body assembly between the first and second auxiliary flow lines and between the first and second electrical lines; and

adjusting the distance comprises adjusting a length of the body assembly.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the body assembly comprises a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, a first electrical conductor, and a second electrical conductor, and wherein fluidly connecting the body between the first and second auxiliary flow lines and between the first and second electrical lines comprises:

fluidly connecting the first fluid conduit to the first auxiliary flow line;

fluidly connecting the second fluid conduit to the second auxiliary flow line;

electrically connecting the first electrical conductor to the first electrical line; and

electrically connecting the second electrical conductor to the second electrical line.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first and second electrical conductors are substantially axially-oriented.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the first and second electrical conductors are substantially not axially-oriented.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the body assembly comprises a single conductive pathway electrically connecting the first and second electrical lines.

20. The method of claim 7 further comprising fluidly disconnecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines, thereby closing at least one of:

the first end of the first auxiliary flow line; and

the second end of the second auxiliary flow line.

21. The method of claim 7 wherein fluidly connecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines comprises relative rotation of the first and second downhole tool string components.

22. The method of claim 7 wherein fluidly connecting the first and second auxiliary flow lines is performed without relative rotation of the first and second downhole tool string components.