Field joint for a downhole tool

• US 7,726,396 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Briquet, Stephane, Hayes, Kevin, Del Campo, Chris, Nahas, Joe, Ervin, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell; David J
• Assistant Examiner(s): MICHENER, BLAKE E
• Application Number:
  US11/829,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20090025926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 166/65.1, 166/100, 166/242.6, 166/264, 439/191, 403/34, 403/408.1
• US Class Current: 166/242.6
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A field joint used to connect downhole tool modules. The field joint includes a bulkhead, a connector block, and various electrical connections. The bulkhead couples to a first tool module and has a first connection face, which partially defines an exterior of the first tool module and has a first conduit aperture that receives an electrical connector assembly. An electrical connector assembly received in the first conduit aperture is releasably coupled to the exterior of the first tool module, and includes a first connector. The connector block is coupled to a second tool module and has a second connection face defining a second conduit aperture positioned to face the first conduit aperture when the tool modules are joined. A second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture establishes electrical contact with the first connector when the first and second tool modules are joined.

Claims

1. A field joint for connecting a first downhole tool module and a second downhole tool module, the first downhole tool module having a first housing and a first electrical line disposed therein, the second downhole tool module having a second housing and a second electrical line disposed therein, the field joint comprising:

a bulkhead coupled to the first housing and having a first connection face, the connection face defining a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, the central region having a plurality of first fluid connectors, the peripheral region including a first conduit aperture;

a first electrical connector assembly configured to be coupled to the first conduit aperture, the first electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to the first electrical line and having a second end;

a connector block coupled to the second housing and having a second connection face, the second connection face defining at least one central hole and a peripheral region surrounding the at least one central hole, the at least one central hole being sized for receiving a plurality of second fluid connectors being positioned to fluidly couple with the first fluid connectors of the first connection face, the peripheral region including a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second tool modules are joined; and

a second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture, the second electrical connector being electrically coupled to the second electrical line and configured for electrical coupling to the second end of the first electrical connector.

2. The field joint of claim 1, in which the first conduit aperture is one of a plurality of first conduit aperture, the peripheral region defined by the first connection face comprises the plurality of first conduit apertures, the second conduit aperture is one of a plurality of second conduit apertures, the peripheral region defined in the second face comprises the plurality of second conduit apertures, and each of the pluralities of first and second conduit apertures has an electrical connector disposed therein.

3. The field joint of claim 2, in which each electrical connector is spaced from adjacent electrical connectors by at least 0.2 inch.

4. The field joint of claim 1, in which the first connection face central region includes four first fluid connectors and the at least one central hole in the second connection face is sized for receiving four second fluid connectors.

5. The field joint of claim 1, in which at least one of the plurality of first fluid connectors includes a self-sealing stabber assembly.

6. The field joint of claim 1, in which an annular isolation band extends between the first fluid connectors in the central region and the first electrical connector in the peripheral region.

7. The field joint of claim 1, in which one of the first and second electrical connectors comprises a male connector and the other of the first and second electrical connectors comprises a female connector, and in which the female connector defines an inlet end through which the male connector is inserted, and a scraper seal is positioned adjacent the female connector inlet end and is sized to slidingly engage an exterior surface of the male connector.

8. The field joint of claim 7, in which the scraper seal comprises an o-ring.

9. The field joint of claim 1, in which an insulating sleeve is couple to one of the first and second connector and the insulating sleeve includes a distal portion having a length sufficient to extend beyond the connection face.

10. The field joint of claim 1, in which the second tool module further includes a transition block defining a central hub, and in which the first connector block frictionally engages the central hub.

11. A field joint for connecting a first downhole tool module and a second downhole tool module, the first downhole tool module having a first housing and a first electrical line disposed therein, the second downhole tool module having a second housing and a second electrical line disposed therein, the field joint comprising:

a bulkhead coupled to the first housing and having a first connection face, the connection face including a first conduit aperture, the first conduit aperture being configured for receiving an electrical connector assembly;

a first electrical connector assembly configured to be received at least partially in the first conduit aperture, the first electrical connector assembly including a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to the first electrical lines and having a second end;

a first connector block releasably coupled to the second housing and having a second connection face, the second connection face including a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second tool modules are joined, wherein the first connector block comprises a reinforcing portion defining a groove; and

a second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture, the second electrical connector being electrically coupled to the second electrical line and configured for electrically coupling with the second end of the first electrical connector.

12. The field joint of claim 11, in which the second tool module further includes a second connector block, the second connector block including a third conduit aperture, and in which a wire terminal is disposed in the third aperture and electrically coupled to the second electrical line.

13. The field joint of claim 12, in which the wire terminal includes a socket disposed at least partially in the third conduit aperture, and in which the second connector slidingly engages the socket when the first connector block is coupled to the second housing.

14. The field joint of claim 11, in which one of the first and second electrical connectors comprises a male electrical connector, and the other of the first and the second electrical connectors comprises a female electrical connector, and in which the female electrical connector defines an inlet end through which the male electrical connector is inserted, and a scraper seal is positioned adjacent the female electrical connector inlet end and is sized to slidingly engage an exterior surface of the male electrical connector.

15. The field joint of claim 11, in which the second housing defines a slot configured to face the groove when the first connector block is coupled to the second housing.