System and method for performing and protecting hybrid line splices

• US 7,600,928 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2007
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Flores, Gilbert, Speer, Robert, Rubinstein, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Radkowski; Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/735,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20070237467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 385 98- 99, 385135-136
• US Class Current: 385/99
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2553 Splicing machines, e.g. optical fibre fusion splicer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2558 Reinforcement of splice joint

Abstract

A method for providing a protected splice in a hybrid cable that has a fiber optic line and an electrical line includes the steps of providing an optic splice in the fiber optic line; providing a electrical splice in the electrical line proximate to the optic splice; connecting a tube over the optic splice; installing a boot over the electrical splice; disposing the tube and the boot in a slotted sleeve; positioning the slotted sleeve within a housing; and anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposing sides of the splices.

Claims

1. A method for providing a protected splice in a hybrid cable that has a fiber optic line and an electrical line, the method comprising:

providing an optic splice in the fiber optic line;

providing an electrical splice in the electrical line proximate to the optic splice;

connecting a tube over the optic splice;

installing a boot over the electrical splice;

disposing the tube and the boot in a slotted sleeve;

positioning the slotted sleeve within a housing;

anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposing sides of the splices, wherein the hybrid cable includes a transfer tube; and

interconnecting the transfer tube and the slotted sleeve via a transfer tube adapter, wherein the transfer tube adapter comprises a neck portion and an expanded diameter region, wherein the neck portion is disposed in the transfer tube and the expanded region is disposed within the slotted sleeve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic line includes a plurality of individual and separate optic fibers, each optic fiber having an optic splice.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of disposing a gel within the slotted sleeve.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing substantially transfers the axial load on the hybrid cable across the splices.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the fiber optic line includes a plurality of individual and separate optic fibers, each optic fiber having an optic splice.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic line includes a plurality of individual and separate optic fibers, each optic fiber having an optic splice.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing an optic splice includes providing a plurality of individual splices in separate optic fibers substantially simultaneously.

8. The method of claim 7, further including the step of disposing a gel within the slotted sleeve.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the optic splice is a fusion splice.

9. A method for providing a protected splice in a hybrid cable in a wellbore environment, wherein the hybrid cable has a fiber optic line and an electrical line, the method comprising:

connecting the hybrid cable to a tubing for positioning in a wellbore;

providing an optic splice in the fiber optic line;

providing an electrical splice in the electrical line proximate to the optic splice;

connecting a tube over the optic splice;

installing a boot over the electrical splice;

disposing the tube and the boot in a slotted sleeve;

positioning the slotted sleeve within a housing;

hydraulically sealing the housing about the hybrid cable;

anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposite sides of the splices, wherein the hybrid cable includes a transfer tube; and

interconnecting the transfer tube and the slotted sleeve via a transfer tube adapter, wherein the transfer tube adapter comprises a neck portion and an expanded diameter region, wherein the neck portion is disposed in the transfer tube and the expanded region is disposed within the slotted sleeve.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the optic splice comprises a plurality of individual splices in separate optical fibers performed substantially simultaneously.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the optic splice comprises a plurality of individual splices in separate optical fibers performed substantially simultaneously.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the optic splice is a fusion splice.

12. An assembly for use in a wellbore, the assembly comprising:

a hybrid cable having a fiber optic line and an electrical line, the fiber optic line having an optic splice and the electrical line having an electrical splice;

a tube secured over the optic splice;

a boot secured over the electrical splice;

a slotted sleeve containing the tube and the boot;

a housing containing the slotted sleeve;

means for anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposing sides of the splices;

a transfer tube connected to a portion of the hybrid cable; and

a transfer tube adapter comprising a neck portion and an expanded diameter region, wherein the neck portion is disposed in the transfer tube and the expanded region is disposed within the slotted sleeve.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the hybrid cable is connected to the exterior of a tubing.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the optic splice comprises a plurality of individual splices in separate optical fibers performed substantially simultaneously.

15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the hybrid cable is connected to the exterior of a production string positioned in a wellbore.

18. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the optic splice is a fusion splice.