Field joint for a downhole tool

• US 8,042,611 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2010
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• 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: Hayes, Kevin, Nahas, Joe, Ervin, Steve, Briquet, Stephane, Del Campo, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay; Jennifer H
• Assistant Examiner(s): MICHENER, BLAKE E
• Application Number:
  US12/762,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20100200212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 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 for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of modules collectively configured to be positioned within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation;

a first auxiliary line extending through the plurality of modules;

a second auxiliary line extending through the plurality of modules;

a first hydraulic line extending through the plurality of modules; and

a second hydraulic line extending through the plurality of modules;

wherein the plurality of modules comprises;

a first module comprising;

a displacement system;

a first portion of the first auxiliary line;

a first portion of the second auxiliary line;

a first portion of the first hydraulic line;

a first portion of the second hydraulic line; and

a hydraulic pump fluidly configured to drive the displacement system via receiving, at least indirectly, hydraulic fluid from the first portion of the first hydraulic line and returning, at least indirectly, hydraulic fluid to the first portion of the second hydraulic line;

a second module comprising;

a second portion of the first auxiliary line;

a second portion of the second auxiliary line;

a second portion of the first hydraulic line;

a second portion of the second hydraulic line;

a first inlet configured to transmit virgin formation fluid from the formation into the second portion of the first auxiliary line via operation of the displacement system;

a second inlet configured to transmit contaminated formation fluid from the formation into the second portion of the second auxiliary line via operation of the displacement system; and

a setting piston operated via communication with the second portion of the first hydraulic line and the second portion of the second hydraulic line;

a connector disposed between the first and second modules and comprising;

a first hydraulic line connection fluidly coupling the first and second portions of the first hydraulic line;

a second hydraulic line connection fluidly coupling the first and second portions of the second hydraulic line;

a first auxiliary line connection fluidly coupling the first and second portions of the first auxiliary line; and

a second auxiliary line connection fluidly coupling the first and second portions of the second auxiliary line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first electrical line extending through the plurality of modules; and

a second electrical line extending through the plurality of modules;

wherein the first module comprises a first portion of the first electrical line and a first portion of the second electrical line;

wherein the second module comprises a second portion of the first electrical line and a second portion of the second electrical line;

wherein the connector further comprises a first electrical line connection communicably coupling the first and second portions of the first electrical line; and

wherein the connector further comprises a second electrical line connection communicably coupling the first and second portions of the second electrical line.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of modules further comprises a third module comprising:

a third portion of the first electrical line;

a third portion of the second electrical line; and

an electrical controller communicably coupled to the third portions of first and second electrical lines.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the third module further comprises:

a third portion of the first auxiliary line;

a third portion of the second auxiliary line;

a third portion of the first hydraulic line; and

a third portion of the second hydraulic line.