Apparatus and method for retrieving and/or communicating with downhole equipment

A method for selectively removing a component of a logging-while-drilling tool connected to a drill string while disposed within a well bore, said component being releasably secured within said logging-while-drilling tool and having a fishing head projecting upwardly therefrom, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) lowering a wireline tool down through said drill string, said wireline tool including a downwardly-facing, electrically-powered extraction mechanism adapted for selectively latching onto said fishing head of said component of said logging-while-drilling tool, said wireline tool being connected to surface instrumentation with a wireline cable;
• b) energizing said extraction mechanism to cause said mechanism to latch onto said fishing head and pull said fishing head upwardly, thereby releasing said component from said logging-while-drilling tool;
• and
• c) raising said wireline tool and latched component to the surface.

Well bore apparatus comprising

• a logging-while-drilling apparatus having a tubular body means for accommodating the lengthwise insertion and removal of a carrier for a nuclear radiation source, said carrier having a fishing head extending upwardly within said body, said logging-while-drilling apparatus having a landing surface secured to said tubular body, said tubular body including means for connecting it in a drilling string, and
• a wireline tool dimensioned for passage within said drilling string and for landing on said landing surface of said logging-while-drilling apparatus, said wireline tool including a selectively operable electrically powered coupling means for releasably coupling said wireline tool to said fishing head of said carrier,
• said coupling means including an electrical motor coupled to a latch means for latching said wireline tool said fishing head;
• surface instrumentation;
• a wireline cable connected between said surface instrumentation and said wireline tool;
• and
• remote sensing means disposed on said wireline tool for generating a signal representative of the operation of said motor and for transmitting said signal via said wireline cable to said surface instrumentation.

Well bore apparatus comprising

• a logging-while-drilling apparatus having a tubular body means for housing electrical instrumentation, said tubular body including means for connecting it in a drill string,
• said logging-while-drilling apparatus including an annular upwardly-facing landing surface structure coaxially secured within said tubular body,
• said logging-while-drilling apparatus further including an internal sleeve structure secured within said tubular body,
• said internal sleeve structure including a first induction coil disposed a first axial distance above said annular landing surface structure,
• a wireline tool designed and dimensioned for passage within a drilling string and said internal sleeve structure,
• said wireline tool including a structure having an annular downwardly-facing surface cooperatively designed and arranged to connect said upwardly-facing landing surface of said logging-while-drilling apparatus,
• said wireline tool further including a second induction coil disposed a second axial distance above said downwardly facing structure so that when said downwardly facing structure of said wireline tool is landed on said upwardly facing landing surface of said logging-while-drilling apparatus, said second induction coil is approximately axially aligned with said first induction coil, and wherein
• said logging-while-drilling apparatus includes a carrier for a radiation source,
• said upwardly-facing surface structure is disposed on structure means for securing said carrier within said tubular body of said logging-while-drilling apparatus,
• said carrier includes an upwardly extending fishing head,
• said wireline tool includes a selectively operable electrically powered coupling means for releasably coupling said wireline tool to said fishing head of said carrier, and
• said coupling means includes an electrical motor coupled to a latch means for latching said wireline tool to said fishing head and pulling said carrier upwardly when powered, thereby releasing said carrier from said tubular body of said logging apparatus.