Method and apparatus for coupling wireline tools to coil tubing

• US 4,877,089 A
• Filed: 06/18/1987
• Issued: 10/31/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Western Atlas International Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Western Atlas International Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Burns, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hoang C.
• Application Number:
  US07/063,420
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 166/65.1, 166/77, 166/77.5, 166/377, 166/378, 166/385, 166/376, 166/50, 166/117, 166/178, 166/242, 166/301, 166/380, 175/318, 175/320, 339/191-195, 403/74, 403/2, 285/1, 285/2, 285/33-35, 285/382.4, 285/81, 285/304, 285/309, 285/314, 285/382.5, 285/382.7, 285/3, 285/4, 294/86.17, 294/86.18
• US Class Current: 166/377
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/023 Arrangements for connecting cables or wirelines to downhole devices
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/06 Releasing-joints, e.g. safety joints
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/08 Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems
• 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 47/017 Protecting measuring instruments

Abstract

Apparatus for coupling wireline tools to coil tubing wherein a pull-out, disconnect, is provided. The pull-out consists of two tubular members with flared, bell-shaped portions, one such portion being coaxially disposed within the other. A ferrule applies pressure to the interface of the surfaces of said flared portions. Sufficient tension on the coil tubing pulls the flared portion of the interior member through the neck and out of the exterior member. Pilot valves prevent intrusion of bore hole fluid into the coupling device during logging and into the coil tubing if a pull-out has been effected.

Claims

1. An apparatus for coupling a tool to a string of coil tubing in a bore hole, comprising:

a tubular lower housing attached to said tool;

a tubular upper housing, having a first end coaxially received within said lower housing, and having a second end attached to said string of coil tubing; and

means, located within said upper and lower housings, for compressing said first end of said upper housing against said lower housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means, located within said lower housing, for regulating the extent to which said upper housing is compressed against said lower housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for compressing said upper housing against said lower housing comprises a ferrule.

4. An apparatus for decoupling a tool from a string of coil tubing in a bore hole, comprising:

a tubular lower housing attached to said tool;

a tubular upper housing, having a first end received within said lower housing and retained therein by friction, said tubular upper housing also having a second end attached to said string of coil tubing; and

means, located within said lower housing, for deforming said first end of said upper housing upon the decoupling of said tool from said string of coil tubing by applying tension to the string of coil tubing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said tool is decoupled from said coil tubing in response to tension applied to said coil tubing.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said upper housing is deformed in response to tension applied to said coil tubing.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means, located within said upper and lower housings, for regulating the amount of tension required for deforming said upper housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said upper housing is withdrawn from said lower housing upon the decoupling of said tool from said string of coil tubing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising means, located within said upper and lower housings, for regulating the friction between said upper housing with said lower housing upon the withdrawal of said upper housing from said lower housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for regulating friction comprise a ferrule and a lock nut.

11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said lower housing comprises:

a cylindrical member having an internal bore; and

a chamfer in said internal bore.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

means, located in said lower housing, for communicating fluid from said coil tubing into said bore hole; and

means for diverting said fluid from coil tubing into said fluid communicating means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said fluid communicating means restrict entry of fluid from said bore hole into said lower housing.

14. A method for coupling a tool to a string of coil tubing disposed within a bore hole, comprising the steps of:

attaching an end of a lower housing to said tool;

attaching an end of an upper housing to said string of coil tubing; and

axially receiving an opposite end of said upper housing in an opposite end of said lower housing; and

detachably coupling said upper housing within said lower housing by way of an adjustable pressure fitting, compressing the opposite end of said upper housing against the opposite end of said lower housing by a pressure applying means positioned within said lower housing.

15. A method for decoupling a tool from a string of coil tubing disoposed within a bore hole, comprisinig the steps of:

attaching a lower housing to said tool;

attaching an upper housing to said string of coil tubing; and

pressure coupling an end of said upper housing coaxially within said lower housing,

decoupling the tool from the coil tubing by applying a tension force to the coil tubing thereby deforming the end of said upper housing and allowing the upper housing to be withdrawn from the lower housing.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

adjusting the amount of pressure applied to the coupling retaining the upper housing within said lower housing in accordance with a desired amount of tension on said coil tubing required to deform and withdraw said upper housing from said lower housing.