Interface for deploying wireline tools with non-electric string

• US 7,878,242 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2008
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Gray, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, KENNETH L
• Application Number:
  US12/132,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20090301723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 166 556- 558, 166/55, 166/297, 166/63, 166/113, 166/385, 166/301, 166/98, 166/99, 166/250.13, 166/66, 166/65.1, 166/377
• US Class Current: 166/250.13
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/00 Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/002 Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant means for transmitting well survey signals E21B47/12; signal transmission systems in general G08C; transmission in general H04B

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and/or apparatus for deploying wireline tools with a non-electric string. In one embodiment, a method of determining a free point of a tubular string stuck in a wellbore includes deploying a tool string in the stuck tubular with a non-electric string. The free point assembly includes a battery, a controller, and a free point tool. The method further includes activating the free point tool by the controller. The free point tool contacts an inner surface of the stuck tubular string. The method further includes applying a tensile force and/or torque to the stuck tubular string; and measuring a response of the tubular string with the free point tool.

Claims

1. A method of determining a free point of a tubular string stuck in a wellbore, comprising acts of:

deploying a tool string in the stuck tubular string with a non-electric string, the tool string comprising a free point tool and an interface, the interface comprising a battery, a controller, and a memory unit;

activating the free point tool by the controller, wherein the free point tool contacts an inner surface of the stuck tubular string;

applying a tensile force and/or torque to the stuck tubular string;

measuring a response of the tubular string with the free point tool;

storing the free point measurement in the memory unit;

retrieving the tool string to the surface;

downloading the free point measurement from the memory unit; and

determining the free point.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a trigger event by the controller, wherein the controller activates the free point tool in response to detecting the trigger event.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the free point tool from the tool string;

adding a cutting tool to the tool string;

redeploying the tool string with the non-electric string to the free point; and

activating the cutting tool by the controller, thereby severing a free portion of the tubular string from a stuck portion of the tubular string.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wellbore intersects a formation, the interface further comprises a logging tool, and the method further comprises logging the formation.

5. The tool string of claim 3, wherein the interface is modular, and the interface further comprises a bus extending along the interface and operable to provide data and power communication among the modules.

6. The tool string of claim 3, wherein the interface further comprises an adjustable power supply.

7. The tool string of claim 3, wherein the interface further comprises a memory unit.

8. The tool string of claim 3, wherein the interface further comprises a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

9. The tool string of claim 3, wherein the interface further comprises casing collar locator and a tension senor.

10. The tool string of claim 3, further comprising a cutting tool, wherein the interface further comprises a safety operable to isolate the controller from the cutting tool until the safety detects a condition indicative of the tool string being disposed in the wellbore.

11. The tool string of claim 3, wherein the interface further comprises a logging tool.

12. A tool string for determining a free point of a tubular stuck in a wellbore, comprising:

a free point tool, comprising;

a longitudinal strain gage and/or a torsional strain gage;

first and second anchors operable to longitudinally and rotationally couple the strain gages to the stuck tubular in an extended position;

an electric motor operable to extend and/or retract the anchors; and

an interface, comprising;

a battery; and

a controller operable to supply electricity from the battery to the free point tool,

wherein the tool string is tubular.

13. A tool string for use in wellbore, comprising:

a wireline tool;

a battery module;

a controller module operable to supply electricity from the battery to the wireline tool;

a bus extending through the modules and operable to provide data and power communication among the modules; and

a safety module operable to isolate the controller module from the wireline tool until the safety module detects a condition indicative of the tool string being disposed in the wellbore,

wherein the tool string is tubular.

14. A method of determining a free point of a tubular string stuck in a wellbore, comprising acts of:

deploying a tool string in the stuck tubular string with a non-electric string, the tool string comprising a free point tool and an interface, the interface comprising a battery and a controller;

activating the free point tool by the controller, wherein the free point tool contacts an inner surface of the stuck tubular string;

applying a tensile force and/or torque to the stuck tubular string;

measuring a response of the tubular string with the free point tool;

disengaging the free point tool from the stuck tubular by the controller;

moving the free point tool to another location in the stuck tubular; and

repeating the activating, applying, and measuring acts.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tool string further comprises a cutting tool, and the method further comprises determining the free point by the controller;

and operating the cutting tool by the controller, thereby severing a free portion of the tubular string from a stuck portion of the tubular string.

16. A method of determining a free point of a tubular string stuck in a wellbore, comprising acts of:

deploying a tool string in the stuck tubular string with a non-electric string, the tool string comprising a free point tool and an interface, the interface comprising a battery and a controller;

activating the free point tool by the controller, wherein the free point tool contacts an inner surface of the stuck tubular string;

applying a tensile force and/or torque to the stuck tubular string; and

measuring a response of the tubular string with the free point tool,

wherein;

the wellbore intersects a formation,

the interface further comprises a logging tool, and

the method further comprises logging the formation.