Fiber optic well logging cable

• US 6,060,662 A
• Filed: 01/23/1998
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Western Atlas International Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Western Atlas International Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Lopez, Josephine, Rafie, Saeed
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Application Number:
  US09/012,334
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 174/106 R, 174/70 R, 174/116, 174/25 G, 174/15.5, 174/128.1, 174/128.2, 385/101, 385/102, 385/104, 385/107
• US Class Current: 174/106.00R
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/206 with conductors, e.g. electrical, optical
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4427 Pressure resistant cables, e.g. undersea cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4435 Corrugated mantle

Abstract

A well logging cable including an optical fiber and a pressure sealed enclosure surrounding the fiber. The enclosure is adapted to be able to be elongated to the maximum expected axial strain on the logging cable without permanent deformation. In one embodiment, the enclosure is a corrugated-wall tube surrounding the optical fiber. The tube contains toroidally shaped rings within the maximum diameter portions of the corrugations in the tube wall. The cable includes armor wires wound around the corrugated-wall tube. In the preferred embodiment, the tube is surrounded by an elastomeric jacket, and is filled with hydraulic oil or the like to prevent entry of wellbore fluids into the tube under hydrostatic pressure.

Claims

1. A cable comprising:

an optical fiber;

a corrugated-wall tube having a plurality of maximum diameter portions surrounding said optical fiber, each said maximum diameter portion containing a substantially toroidally shaped ring, said tube being pressure sealed to exclude fluids from a wellbore from entering said tube under hydrostatic pressure, said tube having an elastic limit at least equal to a predetermined axial strain value on said cable, said tube adapted to withstand crushing in normal use when a lateral force is applied to said cable; and

armor wires wound around said tube.

2. The well logging cable as defined in claim 1 further comprising an inner elastomeric jacket disposed outside said optical fiber and inside said tube to provide abrasion resistance to said optical fiber.

3. The well logging cable as defined in claim 1 further comprising a chemically and thermally inert liquid filling an annular space between said fiber and said tube to prevent entry under hydrostatic pressure of fluids into said tube.

4. The well logging cable as defined in claim 1 further comprising an outer elastomeric jacket disposed on an external surface of said tube.

5. The well logging cable as defined in claim 4 further comprising conductive strands surrounding said tube and inside said outerjacket, said outer jacket surrounding said conductive strands, said outer jacket comprising a substantially electrically nonconductive material.

6. The well logging cable as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of insulated electrical conductors wound helically in a substantially symmetric pattern within said armor wires and around said tube, said tube disposed in a central position within said pattern.

7. A cable comprising:

an optical fiber;

a wire helically wound around said optical fiber, said wire resistant to crushing thereof under a lateral force on said cable and having an elastic limit at least as large as a predetermined axial strain value;

an outer elastomeric jacket disposed on an exterior surface of said wire, said jacket being pressure sealed to exclude fluids from a wellbore from entering said jacket under hydrostatic pressure; and

armor wires wound around said jacket.

8. The well logging cable as defined in claim 7 further comprising an inner elastomeric jacket disposed outside said optical fiber and inside said wire to provide abrasion resistance to said optical fiber.

9. The well logging cable as defined in claim 7 further comprising a chemically and thermally inert liquid filling an annular space between said fiber and said outer elastomeric jacket to prevent entry of fluids from outside said outerjacket under hydrostatic pressure.

10. The well logging cable of claim 7 further comprising conductive strands surrounding said wire, said outer jacket surrounding said conductive strands, said outer jacket comprising a substantially nonconductive material.

11. The well logging cable of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of electrical conductors helically wound in a substantially symmetric pattern within said armor wires.