Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to the performance of wireline or slickline cable during logging operations of a subsurface wellbore. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for use with a wireline or slickline cable to reduce cable contact and drag during logging operations.
Wireline logging is a common operation in the oil industry whereby down-hole tools are conveyed on wireline (also known as “e-line” in industry parlance) to acquire data or perform services in either the open-hole or cased-hole sections of a wellbore. Some of these cased-hole services can also be conducted by slickline. Data or services may be needed in wellbores comprising geometries with various curves, bends, and/or turns (e.g., doglegs) in the cased-hole section, the result of which may be casing or tubing wear due to the high cable drags generated or high surface tensions and limited overpull capacity for the tools.
Currently, during a logging operation, the wireline or slickline may experience high drag and high surface tension due to the curvatures of the cased-hole section of the wellbore. These conditions can contribute to damage and/or wear of both the wellbore and the wireline or slickline. For example, a cable experiencing high drag and high tension may damage a wellbore by cutting deep grooves into the casing or tubing. Casing or tubing grooves may compromise the structural integrity of the wellbore, and can be particularly problematic in wells requiring a minimum material thickness of tubing or casing to satisfy pressure testing. Additionally, a cable experiencing high drag and high tension may be subjected to significant wear-and-tear due to the increase in friction and force. Wear-and-tear of the wireline or slickline may be mitigated by using higher grade cables; however, such use often times incurs additional unwanted cost.
Furthermore, high drag and high-tension conditions may result in insufficient overpull capacity at surface and require a lighter tool-string or an alternate deployment method to conduct a job safely, such as setting a packer on tubing as opposed to wireline. In some wells, particularly in long extension high angle wells, wireline logging tools may utilize motorized devices such as tractors to push the tools downhole. However, a cable experiencing high drag due to the cased-hole curvatures in a wellbore may cause a tractor to run out of power before reaching a target zone. This is due to high cable drag that the tractor must overcome to push the tools along the wellbore and may require a higher power tractor to reach the target zone. When this occurs, the tractor may exhaust all power before delivering the logging tool to its target destination along the wellbore.
Consequently, there is a need for a cable mounted device for wireline or slickline operations to improve performance in tortuous cased-hole sections by reducing cable contact (casing and tubing wear), reducing cable drags and surface tensions, and improving tension transmission efficiency from surface to the logging tools.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a wireline cased-hole roller (WCRO) comprising a pair of cable insert halves, a pair of opposing WCRO body halves, a pair of reciprocally-positioned chassis comprising a plurality of roller wheels, and one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more fasteners are configured to couple the pair of cable insert halves, the pair of opposing WCRO body halves, and the pair of chassis together onto a cable, wherein the shape of the WCRO in combination with the plurality of roller wheels allow for both radial and axial movement.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a cable assembly comprising a cable, and a wireline cased-hole roller (WCRO), wherein the WCRO comprises: a pair of cable insert halves, a pair of opposing WCRO body halves, a pair of reciprocally-positioned chassis comprising a plurality of roller wheels, and one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more fasteners are configured to couple the pair of cable insert halves, the pair of opposing WCRO body halves, and the pair of chassis together onto the cable, wherein the shape of the WCRO in combination with the plurality of roller wheels allow for both radial and axial movement.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a method for reducing cable drag and tension during wireline logging operations comprising coupling one or more wireline cased-hole rollers (WCROs) to a cable, wherein the one or more WCROs comprise: a pair of cable insert halves, a pair of opposing WCRO body halves, a pair of reciprocally-positioned chassis comprising a plurality of roller wheels, and one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more fasteners are configured to couple the pair of cable insert halves, the pair of opposing WCRO body halves, and the pair of chassis together onto the cable, wherein the shape of the WCRO in combination with the plurality of roller wheels allow for both radial and axial movement.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
In embodiments, cable insert halves 4 may be available in various sizes to ensure the central bore diameter of WCRO 2 corresponds to the diameter of cable 14. In embodiments, cable 14 may vary in diameter between about 5.0 mm and about 20.0 mm. During installation of WCRO 2, cable insert halves 4 may be configured to slightly deform around an outer armor of cable 14 to prevent physical damage to the cable. To accomplish this deformity, cable insert halves 4 may be manufactured from any suitable material, such as, without limitation, aluminum and other soft metals. Further, cable insert halves 4 may be disposable. In embodiments, cable insert halves 4 may be manufactured from aluminum, and because aluminum may be considerably softer than the armor of cable 14, there may be a reduced risk of damage to the wireline or slickline during installation of WCRO 2. At installation, cable 14 may be any suitable diameter required for a particular logging operation and may even vary in diameter size along its length, taking into account any manufacturing tolerances and varying degrees of wear or distortion. Therefore, a range of different cable insert halves 4 may be employed for a plurality of WCROs 2 installed on cable 14 to ensure a proper fit along the length of cable 14 and prevent slippage on and/or damage to cable 14. In embodiments, the length of cable insert halves 4 may be between about 10.0 cm and about 20.0 cm, or alternatively between about 10.0 cm and about 15.0 cm.
As set forth above, cable insert halves 4 may be encased within the opposing WCRO body halves of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8. In embodiments, upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may be of similar structure and in the general shape of a tapered half cylinder comprising an inner surface 32 and an outer surface 34. Inner surface 32 of both upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may comprise cable insert recess portions 24 having anti-rotation spigots 30 and insert fastener clearance holes 28. In embodiments, insert fastener clearance holes 28 may extend from inner surface 32 to outer surface 34 of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8. In embodiments, cable insert recess portions 24 may be configured in shape to accurately receive cable insert halves 4, such that anti-rotation spigots 30 fit into anti-rotation spigot recesses 22, thus preventing radial rotation of cable insert halves 4 within WCRO 2. Further, cable insert halves 4 may be secured within cable insert recess portions 24 with cable insert fasteners 26, such that cable insert fasteners 26 may travel through insert fastener clearance holes 28 to be received by or fit into cable insert fastener threads 20, and sit flush with outer surface 34 of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8. In embodiments, cable insert fasteners 26 may be any suitable fasteners, bolts, or screws such as, without limitation, small cap head bolts or screws. In embodiments, cable insert fasteners 26 may have a diameter of 3 mm (i.e., M3 bolts).
In embodiments, upper and lower bodies 6 and 8, which securely encase cable insert halves 4, may be coupled together onto cable 14. Coupling of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 onto cable 14 may be accomplished via dowel pins 36 and dowel pin recesses 38. In embodiments, dowel pin recesses 38, configured to receive dowel pins 36, may be disposed on inner surface 32 of both upper and lower bodies 6 and 8. In embodiments, one dowel pin 36 may correspond to two dowel pin recesses 38, one recess being disposed on inner surface 32 of upper body 6 and the other recess being disposed on inner surface 32 of lower body 8. As illustrated in
In addition to dowel pins 36 and dowel pin recesses 38, coupling of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may be accomplished via clamping bolts 40, clamping bolt female threads 42, and clamping bolt clearance holes 44. In embodiments, clamping bolt female threads 42 may be disposed on upper body 6 or lower body 8 with corresponding clamping bolt clearance holes 44 disposed on the opposing body relative to clamping bolt female threads 42. For instance, as illustrated on
In further embodiments, upper body 6 and lower body 8 may comprise lanyard holes 62 disposed on outer surface 34. Lanyard holes 62 may travel through one of the tapered portions of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8. As illustrated in
The two opposing WCRO body halves, upper body 6 and lower body 8, may be manufactured from any suitable material such as, without limitation, stainless steel or other high-performance material. Further, upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may also be surface hardened (e.g., vacuum hardened) to improve wear resistance during use. Further, upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may be available in various sizes to accommodate the wellbore in which WCRO 2 may be used. In embodiments, the length of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may be between about 10.0 cm and about 15.0 cm, or alternatively between about 12.0 cm and about 13.0 cm. Further, the diameters of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may range from about 5.0 cm to 10.0 cm according to the application.
As set forth above, WCRO 2 may comprise two chassis 10 in addition to cable insert halves 4 and upper and lower bodies 6 and 8. In embodiments, each chassis 10 may be in the general shape of a hollow, half cylinder comprising a plurality of roller wheels 13 and chassis bolt clearance holes 56. In embodiments, each chassis 10 may be disposed on outer surfaces 34 of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 in a reciprocal fashion. Further, each chassis 10 may comprise three roller wheels 13 phased at a 60° offset in an up/down pattern about the structure. In embodiments, outer surface 34 of both upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 may comprise a chassis recess portion 46 configured in shape to accurately receive chassis 10. Chassis recess portion 46 may be disposed about the middle, non-tapered portion of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8. In embodiments, chassis recess portion 46 may be about 4.0 cm in length, measuring from one tapered portion to the other, and about 2.0 cm in thickness. Further, chassis recess portion 46 may comprise curved recesses 47 to create clearance for plurality of roller wheels 13. Clearance may aid in preventing any debris from becoming lodged in WCRO 2 during operation. In embodiments, outer surface 34 of upper and lower body 6 and 8 at chassis recess portions 46 may comprise both the insert fastener clearance holes 28 and chassis bolt female threads 48. Chassis bolt female threads 48 correspond to chassis bolt clearance holes 56. In certain embodiments, as illustrated in
In embodiments, chassis 10 may be secured within chassis recess portions 46 via chassis bolts 50, chassis bolt clearance holes 56, and chassis bolt female threads 48. Chassis bolts 50 may travel through chassis bolt clearance holes 56 and may be received by or fit into corresponding chassis bolt female threads 48. In embodiments, chassis bolts 50 may be any suitable fasteners, bolts, or screws such as, without limitation, small cap head bolts or screws. In embodiments, chassis bolts 50 may have a diameter of 4 mm (i.e., M4 bolts). In certain embodiments, as illustrated in
In embodiments, lubrication of plurality of roller wheels 13 may be accomplished via axle 53.
In embodiments, chassis 10 of WCRO 2 as well as plurality of roller wheels 13 may be manufactured from any suitable material such as, without limitation, stainless steel. The use of stainless steel material for these components may contribute to durability of WCRO 2 during operation. Further during operation, plurality of roller wheels 13 may contribute to low friction of cable 14, therefore minimizing cable drag within a wellbore, reducing logging tensions, and improving force transmission during wireline logging operations. In embodiments, chassis 10 may have any suitable dimensions to allow for proper mounting of plurality of roller wheels 13 as well as proper seating into chassis recess portion 46.
When fully assembled, referring once again to
In further embodiments upon full assembly, WCRO 2 may comprise cutouts 54. Sometimes during the disassembly or removal of WCRO 2 from cable 14, WCRO 2 may become stuck or fixed to the wireline or slickline. In such case, a parting tool or special jig may be used to pry WCRO 2 from cable 14. In embodiments, the parting tool may utilize cutouts 54 disposed on inner surface 34 of upper and lower bodies 6 and 8 to achieve leverage when disengaging a stuck WCRO 2 from cable 14.
In embodiments in which plurality of WCROs 2 may be used on cable 14, high tension and high drag during wireline logging operations may be significantly reduced by minimizing cable 14 contact over a selected zone(s) of a wellbore. WCROs 2 may be installed on cable 14, for example, to either straddle known dogleg zones where the cutting of casing grooves may be a risk (e.g., eliminating cable contact 100%) or they can be placed at regular intervals along cable 14 to minimize friction, and therefore reduce tension, during logging operations of the wellbore. In certain embodiments, the spacing of WCROs 2 on cable 14 may be from about 3 meters to about more than 35 meters, depending on the requirements for the particular wellbore being logged.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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