Slack management

A method of deploying a downhole tool on coiled tubing, the method comprising:

• installing an insert on a cable to bias the cable into an undulating configuration that retains at least 10 percent of a length of the coiled tubing as slack in the cable, the insert including a plurality of elongated rods radially spaced around the cable and a plurality of retractable bars pivotally coupled to the elongated rods by a flexible hinge defined between the plurality of retractable bars and the elongated rods, the retractable bars extending radially inwardly from the elongated rods and biased radially inward to an extended position wherein the retractable bars collectively engage the cable from differing radial directions at longitudinal intervals;
• inserting the insert and the cable through the coiled tubing;
• coupling the downhole tool to a downhole end of the coiled tubing and a downhole end of the cable;
• and
• deploying the downhole tool into the wellbore on the coiled tubing such that operational forces apply a tensile force to the cable within the coiled tubing such that the cable imparts a radial outward force on the plurality of retractable bars and such that the plurality of retractable bars pivot radially outward to a retracted configuration by rolling a curved radially inner surface of the plurality of retractable bars against the cable.

A tubing assembly for deploying a downhole too in a wellbore, the tubing assembly comprising:

• coiled tubing;
• a cable extending through the coiled tubing and operable to transmit electrical and/or hydraulic signals therethrough;
• a plurality of elongated rods disposed within the coiled tubing and radially spaced around the cable;
• and
• a plurality of retractable bars pivotally coupled to the elongated rods by a flexible hinge defined between the plurality of retractable bars and the elongated rods, the retractable bars extending radially inwardly from the elongated rods and biased radially inward to an extended position wherein the retractable bars collectively engage the cable from differing radial directions at longitudinal intervals,
• wherein the plurality of retractable bars flexes the cable into an undulating configuration,
• wherein the undulating configuration retains at least 10 percent of a length of the coiled tubing as slack in the cable, and
• wherein the plurality of retractable bars is responsive to an increased tension in the cable to move radially outward to a retracted configuration.