System and method for connecting communication lines in a well environment
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsMichael Alff, Robert Speers, Emmanuel Rioufol
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique enables the efficient connection of communication lines in a well application by substantially reducing online rig assembly time. The technique reduces online time of the rig by sealably fastening a first connector of a downhole connection assembly to a segment of a communication line during offline assembly time to substantially reduce the online time requirements. The first connector is later connected to a corresponding second connector while the rig is online to complete the downhole connection assembly that joins communication line segments.
Claims22
A method for efficiently coupling a communication line for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- providing a first weldable connector and a second weldable connector to enable formation of a downhole connector assembly to be delivered downhole with a tool assembly into a wellbore via a rig during online rig assembly time;
- welding at least one of the first weldable connector and the second weldable connector to a communication line during offline assembly time;
- and
- subsequently completing the downhole connector assembly with the tool assembly during the online rig assembly time comprising splicing a first core side of the first weldable connector to a second core side of the second weldable connector, wherein:
- the offline assembly time is assembly time when the critical path of the rig is not governed by the tool assembly;
- and
- the online rig assembly time is assembly time when the critical path of the rig is governed by the tool assembly.
A method for efficiently coupling a communication line for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- forming a downhole connector assembly by fastening a first connector to a first segment of a communication line and a second connector to a second segment of the communication line during offline assembly time;
- and
- connecting the first connector to the second connector to couple the communication line segments and thus complete the downhole connector assembly with a tool assembly during online rig assembly time, wherein:
- the offline assembly time is assembly time when the critical path of the rig is not governed by the tool assembly;
- and
- the online rig assembly time is assembly time when the critical path of the rig is governed by the tool assembly.
A method for efficiently coupling a communication line for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- reducing online rig assembly time-of a rig by sealably fastening a first connector of a downhole connector assembly to a segment of a communication line during offline assembly time, wherein the first connector comprises a first core side having a first core splice member;
- assembling during offline assembly time a second connector to a segment of the communication line, the second connector comprising a second core side formed in a coil and having a second core splice member;
- connecting the first connector to the second connector during the online rig assembly time to complete the downhole connector assembly thereby joining segments of the communication line with a tool assembly, wherein:
- the offline assembly time is assembly time when the critical path of the rig is not governed by the tool assembly;
- and
- the online rig assembly time is assembly time when the critical path of the rig is governed by the tool assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.