Claims
- 1. A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
a. a wireline extending from a surface location to a predetermined location in the wellbore; b. a tool string having at least one tool adapted to perform at least one downhole operation; and c. a cable head for releasably connecting said wireline to said tool string.
- 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable head includes:
i. a first member adapted for connection to the downhole tool and a second member adapted for connection to the wireline; ii. a plurality of locking elements constrained to engage said first member and said second member by a moveable locking sleeve, said plurality of locking elements maintaining said first member and said second member in a connected position when said moveable locking sleeve is in a first position; and iii. an actuator adapted to move said moveable locking sleeve to a second position releasing said plurality of locking elements from engagement with said first member and said second member allowing said first member and said second member to release said wireline from said tool.
- 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of locking elements are balls.
- 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the actuator includes a solenoid.
- 5. The system of claim 2 wherein the actuator includes a motor drive.
- 6. The system of claim 2 further comprising a breakable tensile link.
- 7. The system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of locking elements includes locking fingers.
- 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the locking fingers pivot about a hinge.
- 9. The system of claim 7 wherein the locking fingers comprise collet type elements.
- 10. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of locking elements move inwardly when said moveable locking sleeve is moved to the second position.
- 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireline is a multi-conductor wireline.
- 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool is a logging tool.
- 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable head is remotely operated by a surface controller.
- 14. An apparatus for releasably connecting a wireline to a downhole tool, comprising:
a. a cable head having a first member adapted for connection to the downhole tool and a second member adapted for connection to the wireline; b. a plurality of locking elements constrained to engage said first member and said second member by a moveable locking sleeve, said plurality of locking elements maintaining said first member and said second member in a connected position when said moveable locking sleeve is in a first position; and c. an actuator adapted to move said moveable locking sleeve to a second position releasing said plurality of locking elements from engagement with said first member and said second member allowing said first member and said second member to release said wireline from said tool.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of locking elements are balls.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the actuator includes a solenoid.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the electromechanical actuator includes a motor drive.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a breakable tensile link.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of locking elements includes locking fingers.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the locking fingers pivot about a hinge.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the locking fingers comprise collet type elements.
- 22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of locking elements move inwardly when said moveable locking sleeve is moved to the second position.
- 23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the wireline includes multiple conductors.
- 24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the wireline includes at least one optical fiber.
- 25. A method of releasably connecting a wireline to a downhole tool, comprising;
a. locking a first member coupled to the wireline to a second member coupled to the downhole tool by using a locking sleeve to constrain a plurality of locking elements to engage said first member and said second member when said locking sleeve is in a first position; and b. using an actuator to move said locking sleeve from said first position to a second position releasing said plurality of locking elements from engagement with said first member and said second member for releasing said first member from said second member and releasing said wireline from said downhole tool.
- 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the plurality of locking elements are balls.
- 27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the actuator includes a solenoid.
- 28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the actuator includes a motor drive.
- 29. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a breakable tensile link.
- 30. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the plurality of locking elements includes locking fingers.
- 31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the locking fingers pivot about a hinge.
- 32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the locking fingers comprise collet type elements.
- 33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of locking elements move inwardly when said moveable locking sleeve is moved to the second position.
- 34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wireline includes at least one optical fiber.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/426,897, filed Nov. 15, 2002.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60426897 |
Nov 2002 |
US |