Apparatus and method for pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with the communication lines of a well tool

A method for pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with at least one communication line conduit included in a well tool, the fittings also adapted to sealingly engage a communication line, the method comprising:

• transmitting pressurized fluid from the exterior of the well tool, through a test flow path defined in the well tool, and into at least one communication line conduit so as to test the sealing engagement of the associated fittings;
• monitoring the pressure of the pressurized fluid to detect the presence of leaks in the sealing engagement of the fittings;
• and
• deploying the well tool into a wellbore subsequent to the monitoring step.

A system for pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with at least one communication line conduit included in a well tool, comprising:

• at least one well tool including:
• at least one communication line conduit;
• at least one fitting sealingly engaged to each communication line conduit and adapted to sealingly engage a communication line;
• a test flow path defined in the well tool that provides fluid communication between the exterior of the well tool and at least one communication line conduit so as to allow the testing of the sealing engagement of the fittings;
• and
• a source of pressurized fluid selectively connectable to the test flow path.

A method for pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with at least one communication line conduit included in a well tool, the fittings also adapted to sealingly engage a communication line, comprising:

• connecting a source of pressurized fluid from the exterior of the well tool to a test flow path defined in the well tool;
• injecting pressurized fluid from the source through the test flow path and into at least one communication line conduit so as to test the sealing engagement of the associated fittings;
• monitoring the pressure of the pressurized fluid to detect the presence of leaks in the sealing engagement of the fittings;
• and
• deploying the well tool into a wellbore subsequent to the monitoring step.

A method for pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with at least one communication line conduit included in a well tool, the well tool including a settable element, the fittings also adapted to sealingly engage a communication line, the method comprising:

• transmitting pressurized fluid through a test flow path and into the communication line conduit so as to test the sealing engagement of the fittings, the transmission step occurring without the actuation of the settable element;
• monitoring the pressure of the pressurized fluid to detect the presence of leaks in the sealing engagement of the fittings;
• and
• deploying the well tool into a wellbore subsequent to the monitoring step.

A method for pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with at least one communication line conduit included in a well tool, the fittings also adapted to sealingly engage a communication line, the method comprising:

• providing a well tool having at least one communication line conduit;
• providing a conduit tubing within at least one communication line conduit;
• sealing the conduit tubing to its associated communication line conduit in two seal areas located a distance apart so that a first space is generally defined interior of the conduit tubing and a second space is generally defined between the seal areas and between the conduit tubing and the communication line conduit;
• and
• testing the sealing engagement of the fittings;
• and
• deploying the well tool into a wellbore subsequent to the testing step.

A well tool adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, comprising:

• a body having at least one communication line conduit;
• at least one fitting sealingly engaged to each communication line conduit and adapted to sealingly engage a communication line;
• a test flow path that provides fluid communication to at least one communication line conduit so as to allow the testing of the sealing engagement of the associated fittings;
• and
• a settable element that is not actuated during the testing of the sealing engagement of the fittings.

A well tool adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, comprising:

• a body having at least one communication line conduit;
• at least one fitting sealingly engaged to each communication line conduit and adapted to sealingly engage a communication line;
• a test flow path that provides fluid communication to at least one communication line conduit so as to allow the testing of the sealing engagement of the associated fittings;
• a conduit tubing provided in at least one communication line conduit;
• and
• the conduit tubing sealingly engaged to its associated communication line conduit in at least two seal areas located a distance apart.

A method for pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with at least one communication line conduit included in a well tool, the fittings also adapted to sealingly engage a communication line, the method comprising:

• providing a well tool having at least one communication line conduit, the well tool made up of a plurality of body sections joined at junctions, at least one junction in fluid communication with at least one communication line conduit;
• pressure testing the sealing engagement of the fittings;
• isolating the at least one junction from the pressure generated in the pressure testing step;
• and
• deploying the well tool into a wellbore subsequent to the testing step.

A well tool adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, comprising:

• a body having at least one communication line conduit;
• at least one fitting sealingly engaged to each communication line conduit and adapted to sealingly engage a communication line;
• a test flow path that provides fluid communication to at least one communication line conduit so as to allow the testing of the sealing engagement of the associated fittings;
• the body made up from a plurality of body sections joined at junctions;
• at least one junction in fluid communication with at least one communication line conduit;
• and
• the at least one junction sealingly isolated from the test flow path.

A well tool adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, comprising:

• a one-piece mandrel having at least one communication line conduit;
• at least one fitting sealingly engaged to each communication line conduit and adapted to sealingly engage a communication line;
• and
• a test flow path defined in the body that provides fluid communication between the exterior of the body and at least one communication line conduit so as to allow the testing of the sealing engagement of the fittings associated with the at least one communication line conduit.