Method of saving string of tools installed in an oil well and a corresponding transmission assembly
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorGuy Vachon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In order to ensure that at least some of the tools (12-1) to 12-4) in a string of tools that is permanently installed in an oil well (10) are kept in operation even in the event of a localized fault, the link (18) interconnecting the tools and a surface installation (16) is subdivided into segments by switch members (20). More precisely, a switch member is associated with each tool. In addition, the link (18) forms a loop with both ends thereof being connected to the surface installation (16).
Claims8
A method of saving a string of tools installed in an oil well in the event of a localized fault, a link (18) being used to form a loop between a surface installation (16) and each of the tools (12-1 to 12-4) of said string, the method comprising the steps of:
- subdividing the link (18) into segments that are successively interconnected by switch means (20),
- locating a fault, if any, by closing each of the switch means (20) one after another in both directions along said loop starting from the surface installation (16) until said fault appears,
- opening said switch means (20) again, and
- re-closing in each direction only those switch means (20) that precede the switch means last closed before the fault appeared.
A transmission assembly, comprising:
- a surface installation (16),
- a series of tools (12-1 to 12-4) connected in series to the surface installation (16) by means of a link (18) made up of a series of successive segments interconnected by switch means (20) capable of isolating a faulty segment;
- wherein
- the tools (12-1 to 12-4) are permanently installed in an oil well (10), and
- the link (18) forms a loop and provides both power and signals between the tools (12-1 to 12-4) and the surface installation (18).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.