MODULAR CONNECTOR AND METHOD

• US 20110127085A1
• Filed: 02/08/2011
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Partouche, Ashers
• Granted Patent: US 8,931,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/57
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/02 Couplings; joints expandable couplings or joints E21B43/106
• 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: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers
• 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 modular tool for use in subterranean formations includes a first module, a second module and one or more connectors for connecting the first and second modules. In particular, the first module includes a first collar that at least partially defines an exterior of the tool and that includes a first engagement mechanism at a first end of the collar and a second engagement mechanism at a second end of the collar. The first module also includes a fluid passageway for passing drilling fluid therethrough. The second module has a similar configuration as includes similar architecture. The one or more connectors facilitate the connection of at least one flowline fluidly connected to an exterior of the tool, and an electrical pathway for transmitting power and/or data between the modules.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

connecting first and second modules of a downhole tool at a job site, wherein;

the first module comprises;

a first collar that at least partially defines an exterior of the downhole tool;

a first fluid passageway configured to pass drilling fluid therethrough; and

a first flowline configured to pass auxiliary fluid therethrough;

the second module comprises;

a second collar that at least partially defines an exterior of the downhole tool;

a second fluid passageway configured to pass drilling fluid therethrough; and

a second flowline configured to pass auxiliary fluid therethrough; and

connecting the first and second modules connects;

the first fluid passageway with the second fluid passageway; and

the first flowline with the second flowline;

conveying the downhole tool on a drill string in a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the drill string comprises a drill bit at its lower end;

flowing drilling fluid to the drill bit through the first and second fluid passageways;

isolating a portion of a wall of the borehole with an assembly of one of the first and second modules;

flowing auxiliary fluid between the first flow line and the second flow line; and

extending the borehole using the drill bit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first flowline of the first module is fluidly connected to the exterior of the downhole tool and the second flowline of the second module is fluidly connected to an interior of the downhole tool.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein connecting the first and second modules further connects a first electrical pathway of the first module with a second electrical pathway of the second module, and wherein the first and second electrical pathways are configured to transmit at least one of power and data.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein connecting the first and second modules comprises engaging threaded portions of the first and second modules.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein flowing the auxiliary fluid between the first and second flow lines comprises flowing hydraulic fluid of the downhole tool between the first and second flow likes, wherein the hydraulic fluid is loaded into the downhole tool prior to conveying the downhole tool in the borehole.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein flowing auxiliary fluid between the first and second flow lines comprises flowing fluid from the formation through the assembly and into the first and second flow lines.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein flowing auxiliary fluid between the first and second flow lines comprises pumping fluid from the formation through the assembly and into the first and second flow lines with a pump of one of the first and second modules.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein one of the first and second modules comprises the assembly isolating the portion of the borehole wall, and the other of the first and second modules comprises the pump.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a probe configured to isolate the borehole wall portion.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein isolating the borehole wall portion comprises extending the probe from the downhole tool towards the borehole wall.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a fluid parameter of auxiliary fluid flowing in at least one of the first and second flow lines using a sensor of the downhole tool.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the first and second modules comprises the sensor.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a third module connected to at least one of the first and second modules, and wherein the third module comprises the sensor.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the sensor is an H₂O sensor.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a pressure of auxiliary fluid flowing in at least one of the first and second flow lines using at least one sensor of the downhole tool.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining an optical parameter of auxiliary fluid flowing in at least one of the first and second flow lines using at least one sensor of the downhole tool, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an optical sensor.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a viscosity of auxiliary fluid flowing in at least one of the first and second flow lines using at least one sensor of the downhole tool.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a density of auxiliary fluid flowing in at least one of the first and second flow lines using at least one sensor of the downhole tool.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a resistivity of auxiliary fluid flowing in at least one of the first and second flow lines using at least one sensor of the downhole tool, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a resistivity sensor.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising capturing a sample of auxiliary fluid flowing in at least one of the first and second flow lines.