Abstract:
A cable that includes outer cable jacketing located about a conductor layer. The conductor layer includes cable elements that are resistant to compression and a plurality of compression-resistant members.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is related in general to wellsite equipment such as oilfield surface equipment, downhole assemblies, and the like. 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to pump down conveyance of wireline and/or slickline tools including, but not limited to, the conveyance of perforating guns. 
         [0003]    Generally, this disclosure describes methods for improving the efficiency of pump down operations in wellbores having longer horizontal sections and/or higher curvature, deviated, and/or horizontal wellbores. 
         [0004]    One of the problems encountered while conveying downhole tools by pumping them down in the well is the unintentional pull off of the wireline or slickline cable at the weak point at the top of the toolstring. A weak point is highly desirable in cases where the toolstring becomes stuck in the well, and must be retrieved with a fishing tool. The weak point is installed to ensure that when over-pulling on the cable, the weak point breaks at the top of the toolstring if the toolstring is stuck, such that the cable may be removed from the well before fishing. The more extended the reach of the well is, the higher the tension of the cable must be to exceed the frictions forces between the cable and the sidewall of the well, and therefore the lower the tension rating of the weak point must be to insure mechanical integrity of the cable over its entire length. Lowering the tension rating of the weak point makes unintentional pull off more likely when the tool is pumped down. 
         [0005]    It remains desirable to provide improvements in oilfield surface equipment and/or downhole assemblies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An example method of conveying downhole equipment includes providing pressure to a wellbore to convey a toolstring connected with a cable; and measuring tension in the cable proximate a top of the toolstring; wherein if the toolstring is being conveyed the toolstring remains connected with the cable regardless of measured tension in the cable proximate to the top of the toolstring, and wherein if the cable is being retrieved the downhole equipment is released from the cable if the measured tension in the cable proximate the top of the toolstring is too large. 
         [0007]    An example system for monitoring and controlling a downhole operation includes a toolstring connected with a cable by a release device. The release device is configured to release the toolstring from the cable upon receipt of a release signal from the control logic. The system also includes a sensor operatively located adjacent a top of the toolstring for measuring tension in the cable. 
         [0008]    The system can also have control logic in communication with the release device and the sensor. The control logic is configured to send the release signal to the release device during deployment of the toolstring if the sensor measures tension in the cable that is too large. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a system for pump down conveyance. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts flow diagram of a method of pump down conveyance. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a general schematic of a method of monitoring and controlling a downhole operation. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts another schematic of an embodiment of a method of conveying and retrieving downhole equipment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a toolstring in a wellbore. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, similar or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness. 
         [0015]    An example method of pump down conveyance includes lowering in a well a toolstring connected to a cable by applying pressure to a pump down head via a pump located at a wellbore surface; measuring a cable tension at a downhole location proximate the top of the toolstring; transmitting the measured cable tension to an operator at the wellbore surface; unlatching the cable from the toolstring if the downhole cable tension is above a threshold when the toolstring is reeled in; and not unlatching the cable from the toolstring even if the downhole cable tension is above the threshold when the toolstring is pumped down. Detaching the cable from the toolstring may be performed by sending a command to an electrically controlled release device. 
         [0016]    Another example method can include controlling the rate of the pump based on the downhole cable tension. The method may also include measuring a cable tension at a surface location proximate the winch, and controlling the rate of the pump and the rotation of the winch based on the downhole and surface cable tensions. 
         [0017]    Controlling the pump or the winch may be automated and performed by an electronics controller, or the operation and control of the pump or the winch may be performed by an operator. 
         [0018]    The control may be performed by an operator making decision in view of data displayed on a monitor, or it may be performed automatically by a controller, utilizing suitable equipment for monitoring data and controlling surface equipment or the like. 
         [0019]    The control inputs comprise downhole data, for example measured by sensors disposed proximate the top of the toolstring, such as in the logging head. Typically, downhole data may comprise downhole cable tension measured at the logging head. Other downhole data can include wellbore pressure, wellbore temperature, etc., as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art with the aid of this dislcsoure. 
         [0020]    The control inputs may also comprise surface data, for example measured by sensors disposed at the well site. Typically, surface data include winch direction (or winch speed). Other surface data may also include uphole cable tension measured at the winch, the rate of the pump used to pump the toolstring down, and pressure at the pump. 
         [0021]    The control logic utilizes downhole and surface data, so the data are gathered in one convenient location, typically at the surface. For example the downhole data are telemetered and displayed to the operator and/or gathered by the controller, together with the surface data. 
         [0022]    The control outputs include downhole commands, for example sent to downhole actuators disposed proximate the top of the toolstring, such as in the logging head. Downhole commands may be sent to an electrically controlled release device. Other downhole commands could be sent to an unsticking device or another downhole device as part of the toolstring. 
         [0023]    The control outputs may also include commands sent to surface actuators disposed at the well site. The control outputs could include commands sent to the pump used to pump the toolstring down or to the winch. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a system for pump down conveyance. 
         [0025]    The system  100  can include a logging head  110 . The logging head  110  can have any number of sensors. The sensors can be for measuring downhole tension in the cable or other parameters related to downhole parameters of the toolstring, cable, or wellbore. The downhole parameters can be acceleration of the toolstring, wellbore pressure, wellbore temperature, or the like. The toolstring may also be referred to herein as a downhole tool. The toolstring can have any number of components or tools connected together. 
         [0026]    A release device  114  can be connected with the logging head  110 . The logging head  110  can also be connected with a telemetry module  112 . The telemetry module  112  is in communication with the sensors of the logging head  110  and the release device  114 . 
         [0027]    A control  120  with control logic  122  can be in communication with the telemetry module  112 , a pump motor  136 , a pump  130 , a winch  132 , and a winch motor  134 . The control logic  122  can be configured to perform any of the methods described herein. 
         [0028]    An operator  140  can see operation conditions on a display  141 . In an embodiment, the operator  140  can use the information on the display  141  to control the conveyance and retrieval of the toolstring. In another embodiment, the control logic can receive information from the sensors, pump motor  136 , pump  130 , winch  132 , winch motor  134 , and use that data to control the conveyance and retrieval of the toolstring. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  depicts flow diagram of a method of pump down conveyance. T 
         [0030]    The method  200  includes measuring downhole tension (Block  210 ). The downhole tension can be measured using a sensor that is proximate to the toolstring. The sensor can send a tension signal a controller and the controller can use calibration data to determine the downhole tension. 
         [0031]    The method  200  also includes determining if the downhole tool is being pump down or reeled in (Block  213 ). For example, the controller can receive a signal from an operator indicating if conveyance or retrieval is occurring, or in another embodiment a sensor such as an accelerometer can be send a direction signal to the controller, which can used preinstalled calibration data to determine if conveyance or retrieval is occurring. 
         [0032]    The method  200  also includes comparing downhole tension to threshold tension (Block  215 ) if the downhole tool or toolstring is being retreived; however, if the downhole tools is being conveyed the method loops back to measuring downhole tension (Block  210 ). The threshold tension can be a predetermined working break strength for the cable. The threshold tension can change as the toolstring moves through the well; therefore, the control can use know techniques and methods to dynamically determine the threshold tension. 
         [0033]    The method also included unlatching the release device (Block  217 ) if the downhole tool is likely stuck or cable failure is likely; however, if the comparison indicates cable failure risk is low then the method loops back to measuring the downhole tension (Block  210 ). Unlatching the release device can include sending a signal to the release device when the downhole tension is larger than the threshold tension. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  depicts a general schematic of a method of monitoring and controlling a downhole operation. 
         [0035]    The method  300  includes determining downhole tool movement (Block  310 ). The movement of the downhole tool (pumped down or reeled in) can be determined by utilizing the winch speed or other sensors. The method also include determining tension along the cable (Block  310 ). The tension along the cable can also be computed. The tension along the cable can change. For example, the tension changes depending on the tool movement, change in the direction of drag forces, and location of the tool in the well. To compute the tension, data other than the tool movement may be used, such as, but not limited to, uphole and/or downhole cable tension, pressure applied to pump down head, pump pressure at the well site, or the like, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0036]    Based on the cable tension computed along the cable, the method can include changing winch speed (Block  330 ), changing pump rate (Block  340 ), Unlatching the release device (Block  350 ), and/or unsticking the downhole tool (Block  360 ). For example, control logic can determine if the winch speed and/or the pump rate should be modified to prevent cable failure or to increase the speed of the tool as it progresses along the wellbore. Also, the control logic can determine if the electrically release device should be unlatched, and/or if an unsticking device should be actuated. The control logic can use predetermined operational parameters, calibration data, cable data, and predetermined mathematical formulas to make the control determinations. 
         [0037]    As an example of the generalized logic. When reeling in, the cable tension increases towards the surface, either because of cable drag in the deviated section, and/or because of cable weight in the horizontal section. The point of highest cable tension is usually uphole, and the decision to unlatch the ECRD may be taken or initiated based on the uphole cable tension measured at the winch and a cable failure threshold. The threshold may be updated to take into account uncertainty in the drag forces on the cable, to increase a safety margin in case of debris or the like. 
         [0038]    When pumping down, the cable tension may decrease towards the surface in the deviated section because of cable drag, and increases again towards the surface in the horizontal section because of cable weight. The point of highest cable tension is usually downhole, and the decision to unlatch the ECRD may be taken based on the downhole tension measured at the logging head and a cable failure threshold. The threshold can be updated to take into account uncertainty in the drag forces on the cable, or the like. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  depicts another schematic of an embodiment of a method of conveying and retrieving downhole equipment. 
         [0040]    The method  400  can include determining if the downhole tool is being pumped down or reeled in (Block  410 ). 
         [0041]    Upon a determination that the downhole tool is being pumped down the method includes measuring downhole tension (Block  412 ) and updating pump down-threshold (Block  414 ). Measuring downhole tension and updating the pump down-threshold can be done using techniques disclosed herein or other techniques that are now known or known in the future. These techniques and implantation thereof would be known to one skilled in the art with the aid of this disclosure. The method also includes comparing downhole tension to pump down-threshold (Block  416 ). The method  300  can loop back to determining if the downhole tool is being pumped down or reeled in (block  410 ) when cable failure risk is low, or the method  300  can include unlatching a release device (Block  430 ). 
         [0042]    Upon a determination that the downhole tool is being reeled in, the method  300  includes measuring the uphole tension (Block  420 ) and updating the reeled-in threshold (Block  424 ). The method also includes comparing uphole tension to reeled-in threshold (Block  426 ). Upon a determination that there is no cable failure risk the method loops back to (Block  410 ); however, if cable failure risk is determined the method continues to (Block  420 ). 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  depicts a toolstring in a wellbore. 
         [0044]    The toolstring  504  can be conveyed into a wellbore  502  using pump down head provided by pump  520 . The toolstring  504  can be connected with a cable  510 . The cable  510  is connected to a winch  511 . The winch  511  and cable  510  can be used to retrieve the toolstring  504 . The tension on the cable will be higher near the toolstring  504  during pump down and near the surface during retrieval. The tension on the cable can change depending on the wellbore shape, the pump down rate, and other factors. For example, when pumping down the cable tension decreases towards the surface in the deviated section because of cable drag, and increases again towards the surface in the horizontal section because of cable weight. 
         [0045]    Although example assemblies, methods, systems have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers every method, apparatus, and article of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.