# US 2020/0399968 A1 · Method for Synchronizing Downhole Tractor and Winch Deployment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0399968 A1 - Document ID: US20200399968A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/446,243 - Filed: 2019-06-19 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-19 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Wesley Neil Ludwig - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399968A1 ## CPC - E21B 23/14: for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells - E21B 19/008: {Winding units, specially adapted for drilling operations} - E21B 47/12: Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling - E21B 17/023: {Arrangements for connecting cables or wirelines to downhole devices} - E21B 23/001: {Self-propelling systems or apparatus, e.g. for moving tools within the horizontal portion of a borehole} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A method and system for synchronizing downhole tractor and surface winch deployment includes deploying a tractor and deploying wireline from a winch, obtaining readings of wireline tension, and adjusting the speed of the tractor to match the winch speed. If the tractor and winch speeds appear substantially matched, periodically adding and/or removing slack in the wireline while observing the wireline tension can confirm if the tractor and winch are still synchronized. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for synchronizing downhole tractor and surface winch deployment comprising: inserting into a wellbore a tool string connected to a wireline, the tool string comprising a variable speed tractor; deploying the tractor; deploying the wireline from a winch; dynamically monitoring a wireline tension as an indicator of synchronization of the tractor and winch; implementing a counter to indicate an amount of slack in the wireline; and adjusting the tractor speed in response to a disparity in tension to match the winch speed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: incrementally increasing the tractor speed in response to wireline tension that is unchanging, until an increase in wireline tension is observed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: incrementally decreasing the tractor speed in response to wireline tension that is increasing, until the wireline tension is observed to stabilize. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: deploying the tractor and wireline from a winch at the same time and same speed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: utilizing downhole wireline tension as an indicator of obtaining substantially matching tractor and winch speeds. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: periodically adding or removing slack in the wireline by adjusting the tractor speed while observing the wireline tension, to confirm whether the tractor and winch are synchronized. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the counter is zeroed when the wireline tension confirms that adding or removing slack indicates there is no slack in the wireline. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising: tracking the difference in measured winch movement and calculated tractor movement to indicate when synchronization might be compromised. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising: tracking the difference in measured winch movement and measured tractor movement to indicate when synchronization might be compromised. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: utilizing an information handling system to track winch movement and tractor movement. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: a controller in communication with the tractor and the wireline tension and configured to determine a disparity in tension indicative of non-synchronization of the tractor and winch. ### Claim 12 A system for synchronizing downhole tractor speed and surface winch deployment comprising: a winch for deploying a tool string on a wireline; a variable speed tractor connected to the tool string for deploying the tool string into a wellbore; a wireline tension sensor; a controller in communication with the tractor and the wireline tension sensor and configured to dynamically monitor wireline tension as an indication of synchronization of the tractor and winch; a counter that indicates whether there is a slack in the wireline; and a means of adjusting the speed of the tractor to match the winch speed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the wireline tension sensor is capable of obtaining downhole wireline tension readings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the wireline tension sensor is capable of obtaining real-time downhole wireline tension readings ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the counter is zeroed when the wireline tension confirms that there is no slack in the wireline. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 further comprising: an information handling system capable of tracking the difference in measured winch movement and calculated tractor movement to indicate when synchronization might be compromised. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 further comprising: an information handling system capable of tracking the difference in measured winch movement and measured tractor movement to indicate when synchronization might be compromised. ### Claim 18 A method for synchronizing downhole tractor and surface winch deployment comprising: inserting into a wellbore a toolstring connected to a wireline, the tool string comprising a variable speed tractor; deploying the tractor; deploying wireline from a winch; dynamically monitoring a downhole wireline tension as an indicator of synchronization of the tractor and winch; tracking the difference in winch movement and tractor movement to indicate when synchronization might be compromised; utilizing a controller in communication with the tractor and the wireline tension readings to adjust the tractor speed in response to indications when synchronization might be compromised; utilizing a counter to determine whether is a slack in the wireline; and periodically altering the tractor speed while observing the wireline tension, to confirm whether the tractor and winch are synchronized. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising: incrementally increasing the tractor speed in response to wireline tension that is unchanging, until an increase in wireline tension is observed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising: incrementally decreasing the tractor speed in response to wireline tension that is increasing, until the wireline tension is observed to stabilize.