Patent Publication Number: US-10787866-B2

Title: Segmented bend-limiter for slickline rope sockets and cable-heads

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In the oil field, slickline cable is used to introduce a slickline tool into a borehole that may be used for the production of hydrocarbons. The borehole may deviate, such that the borehole may transition, for example, from a vertical region to a horizontal region. Moving the slickline tool from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, for example, without harming (e.g., kinking or breaking) the slickline cable is a challenge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation of a slickline system with a chain of bend-limiter segments coupled to a tool deployed into a borehole. 
         FIG. 2A  is a plan view of a bend-limiter segment. 
         FIG. 2B  is a plan view of a bend-limiter segment divided into two sections. 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of the bend-limiter segment of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B . 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the bend-limiter segment of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B . 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of two bend-limiter segments of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  coupled together. 
         FIG. 4A  is cross-sectional view of a chain of bend-limiter segments. 
         FIG. 4B  is a plan view of a bend-limiter segment. 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the bend-limiter segment of  FIG. 4B . 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a chain of bend-limiter segments. 
         FIG. 5B  is a plan view of a bend-limiter segment. 
         FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the bend-limiter segment of  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded plan view of a chain of bend-limiter segments with a spanner hole assembly. 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of a chain of bend-limiter segments with a spanner hole assembly. 
         FIG. 7B  is an exploded cross-sectional view of a bend-limiter segment with a spanner hole assembly. 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view of a bend-limiter segment with a spanner hole assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these embodiments without undue experimentation. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments and examples described herein are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and rearrangements may be made that remain potential applications of the disclosed techniques. Therefore, the description that follows is not to be taken as limiting on the scope of the appended claims. In particular, an element associated with a particular embodiment should not be limited to association with that particular embodiment but should be assumed to be capable of association with any embodiment discussed herein. 
     While the following disclosure is described in the context of a slickline cable being used in a hydrocarbon well environment, it will be understood that the equipment and techniques described herein are useful in any environment in which it is desired to limit the bend radius of a flexible cable, rope, E-line, fiber optic cable, power cable or similar material. Further, the equipment and techniques described herein may be useful in sea-based production systems, land-based systems, multilateral wells, all types of drilling systems, all types of rigs, measurement while drilling (“MWD”)/logging while drilling (“LWD”) environments, wired drillpipe environments, coiled tubing (wired and unwired) environments, wireline environments, and similar environments. 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation of a slickline system  100  with a chain of bend-limiter segments  105  coupled to a tool  110  deployed into a borehole  115 . The slickline system  100  is used to convey the tool  110  (or tools) into the borehole  115 , and to retrieve the tool  110  therefrom, using a slickline cable  120 . The slickline cable  120 , may be thin, hard, and rigid, such as the composite slickline described in WO 2014/137335 (entitled “Bonded Slickline and Methods of Use”), which is assigned to the assignee of the present application, however the slickline system  100  may instead use a wire slickline cable  120  with different material properties and varied physical dimensions. The slickline cable  120  may provide a forward path for signals from the tool  110  to a surface equipment module  125  located on the surface of the earth, or vice versa, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,547,246 (entitled “Telemetry System for slickline enabling real time logging”), which is assigned to the assignee of the present application. The slickline cable  120  is stored on a draw works or spool  130  and proceeds through a pulley or system of pulleys  135  and through a packing assembly (not shown). 
     The slickline cable  120  may be electronically and mechanically coupled to the tool  110 . The coupling between the slickline cable  120  and the tool  110  may include a sturdy mechanical connection, capable of sustaining the connection through the entire slickline operation. In one or more embodiments, there is an electronic or optical connection (not shown) between the slickline cable  120  and the tool  110 . The tool  110  may include sensors and actuators, such as probes, pressure sensors, and acoustic sensors. 
     The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include a plurality of bend-limiter segments  140 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include a first end  145  and a second end  150 . The borehole  115  may bend at a first location  155  causing the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  to bend at the first location  155 . In  FIG. 1 , the bend is shown to be N degrees, where N can be any practical number between 0 and 360. The bend in the borehole  115  causes the slickline cable  120  to bend and undergo stress as the tool traverses the first location  155  through the bend, or vice versa. That is, the slickline cable  120  bends as the tool  110  is inserted into the borehole  115  and as it is withdrawn from the borehole  115 . Similarly, the slickline cable  120  may experience similar stresses when the tool  110  is picked up using the slickline cable  120  from a deck on an offshore platform or from the ground at a land-based drilling system. The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may assist the slickline cable  120  transition through restrictions, such as tubing re-entry guides (not shown.) 
     Typically, the slickline cable  120  has a minimum radius of curvature specification M, where M is measured in any units of length (English units, scientific units, etc.) below which the slickline cable  120  is susceptible to damage, such as kinking, breaking, or, more generally, experiencing stress that causes the slickline cable  120  to exceed its yield point (i.e., the point at which stress will cause the slickline cable to deform plastically rather than elastically) and permanently deform due to overstressing caused by subjecting the slickline cable  120  to a too-tight radius of curvature. Further, the slickline cable  120  is constrained where it joins to the tool  110 , making the slickline cable  120  more susceptible to damage in that area. 
     To reduce the likelihood of such damage, the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  is coupled to the slickline cable  120  and to the tool  110  to restrict the radius of curvature M of the slickline cable  120  where it joins the tool  110 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include a sucker rod adaptor  160 , a fishneck end  165  and shear pins  170  to facilitate coupling the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  to the slickline cable  120  and the tool  110 . 
     As illustrated in the magnified view A of  FIG. 1 , each bend-limiter segment  140  may include a male end  175  having a male shape. The bend-limiter segment  140  may include a female end  180  couplable to the male end  175  and having a cavity  185 . The cavity  185  has a cavity shape that is complementary to the male shape with a restriction in the cavity  185 , discussed in more detail below, which confines angular movement of the male shape within the cavity  185  to P degrees from a longitudinal axis through the male end  175  and the female end  180 . The total bend allowed by the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  is P multiplied by the number of bend-limiter segments  140  in the chain of bend-limiter segments  140 . For example, if P is 10 degrees and there are 9 bend-limiter segments  140 , the total bend allowed by the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  is 90 degrees (9×10). 
     Each bend limiter segment  140  may include a channel  190  having a diameter D through the male end  175  and the female end  180  along the longitudinal axis. The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may form a passage  195  from the first end  145  to the second end  150 . The combined length of the male end  175  and the bottom of the cavity  185  is L. The radius of curvature M is defined by P and L: 
                   M   =     L     2   ⁢     Tan   (     P   z     )                 (   1   )               
For small values of P (i.e, P&lt;2 degrees), M can be approximated as:
 
                   M   =     L     Sin   ⁡     (   P   )                 (   2   )               
For very small values of P (i.e., P&lt;½ degree), M can be approximated as:
 
L/P   (3)
 
As can be seen in the equations, M increases as L increases and decreases as P increases.
 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are plan views of a bend-limiter segment  140 . Each bend-limiter segment  140  may include two halves  205  couplable along a longitudinal axis  200 . The two halves  205  may be identical. The bend-limiter segment  140  may also include three or more sections (not shown). The bend-limiter segment  140  may also be a single apparatus not comprising any sections. 
       FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of the bend-limiter segment  140  of  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B . As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , the sections  205  may be coupled together by bolts  210  or by other methods (i.e., adhesives, welding). The bolts  210  may couple the sections  205  along an axial axis  215 . The longitudinal axis  200  may be substantially perpendicular to the axial axis  215 . 
     The bend-limiter segment  140  may be manufactured from a polymer. The bend-limiter segment  140  may be manufactured from a metal or a similar material. 
     In order to retrieve the tool  110  from the borehole  115  using the slickline cable  120  while maintaining the minimum radius of curvature M of the slickline cable  120 , the bend-limiter segment  140  may be designed and manufactured to meet certain parameters. Those parameters may include the diameter D of the passage  195 ; the length L and width of each bend-limiter segment  140 ; and other parameters of the bend-limiter segments  140 . 
     An example of a bend-limiter segment  140  is illustrated in  FIG. 3A , which is a cross-sectional view of a bend-limiter segment  140 . As previously mentioned, the bend-limiter segment  140  may have a male end  175 . The male end  175  may be positioned along the longitudinal axis  200 . The male end  175  may have a ball joint. The male end  175  may have a conical shape. The male end  175  may have a bowl shape. The male end  175  may have a parabolic shape. The male end  175  may have a tapered shape. 
     The male end  175  have may have a crown surface  310  that is substantially parallel to the axial axis  215 . The crown surface  310  may have a flat surface. The crown surface  310  may integrate with a crown rocker  315 . The crown rocker  315  may have the shape of a truncated cone with a crown rocker large end  320  and a crown rocker small end  325 . The crown rocker small end  325  may integrate with the crown surface  310 . The area of the crown rocker large end  320  is greater than the area of the crown rocker small end  325 . There may be a sloped surface  330  between the crown rocker small end  325  and the crown surface  310 . 
     The crown rocker  315  may be integral with a truncated cone  335 . The truncated cone  335  may be substantially positioned along the longitudinal axis  200 . The outer surface of the truncated cone  335  may have a conical shape. The outer surface of the curved truncated cone  335  may have a parabolic shape. The truncated cone  335  may be truncated at a desired length. The dimensions of the curved truncated cone  335  may be one of the factors that define the maximum angle P that can be achieved between the longitudinal axis  200   a  through one of the bend-limiter segments  140  and the longitudinal axis  200   b  through the other bend-limiter segment  140 . 
     The curved truncated cone  335  may have a bottom surface  340  integral with the crown rocker  315  and a top surface  345  integral with a neck  350  (discussed below). The bottom surface  340  is opposite the top surface  345 . The curved truncated cone  335  may decrease in diameter along the longitudinal axis  200  starting from the bottom surface  340  to the top surface  345 . The short dimension of the curved truncated cone  335  may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  200 . The long dimension of the truncated cone  335  may be substantially parallel to the axial axis  215 . 
     The truncated section of the curved truncated cone  335  may be integral with a neck  350 . The neck  350  may be positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis  200 . The neck  350  may have substantially the same area as the truncated section of the curved truncated cone  335 . The neck  350  may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The neck  350  may have the shape of a cylinder flared on both ends. The neck  350  may integrate with a shoulder  355 . 
     The shoulder  355  is substantially positioned along the axial axis  215 . The shoulder  355  may have the shape of a truncated cone. The shoulder  355  integrates with the neck  355  at one end and with a body  360  at the other end. 
     The body  360  may be cylindrical. The body  360  may have a cap screw hole  365  for placing the screw bolts  210 . The cap screw hole  365  is bored through the body  360 . The body  360  may have a plurality of cap screw holes  365 . The body  360  may have a top end  370  and a bottom end  375 . The body top end  370  may be integrated with the shoulder  355 . The body bottom end  375  may be integral with the female end  180 . 
     The female end  180  may include a cavity  185 . The cavity  185  may be positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis  200  and opposite the male end  175 . The cavity  185  may have a cavity bottom surface  380  positioned substantially along the axial axis  215 . The cavity bottom surface  380  may have substantially the same surface area as the crown rocker large end  320 . 
     The cavity  185  may also include a cavity wall  385  integrated with the cavity bottom surface  380 . The cavity wall  385  may be adjacent the cavity bottom surface  380 . The cavity wall  385  may have substantially the same shape as the curved truncated cone  335 . The cavity  185  may have a conical shape. The cavity  180  may have a bowl shape. The cavity  180  may have a parabolic shape. The cavity  180  may be tapered. 
     The cavity  180  may have a cavity opening  390  positioned substantially along the axial axis  215  and opposite the cavity bottom surface  380 . The cavity opening  390  may be large enough to allow the male end  175  to rotate sufficiently in the cavity  185  to achieve the angle P, as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the channel  190 . The channel  190  may be positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis  200 . The channel  190  may traverse the entire length of the bend-limiter segment  140 . The channel  190  may have a diameter at the male end  175  that gradually reduces as it traverses the body  360 , and then gradually increases as it exits the female end  180 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of multiple bend-limiter segments  140  of  FIG. 2A and 3B  coupled together. The restriction in the cavity  185  that restricts movement of bend-limiters  140  relative to each other is provided by the interaction between the crown rocker surface  310 , the crown rocker  315 , the neck  345 , the cavity bottom surface  380 , and the cavity wall  385 . 
     Another example of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C .  FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of a chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include an external fishneck  165  coupled to either end of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include a slickline sucker rod adaptor  160  coupled to either end of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include a non-metallic hose  405  (also illustrated in magnified view A of  FIG. 4A ). The non-metallic hose  405  may traverse the entire length of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  through the passage created by the channels  190 . 
       FIG. 4B  is a plan view of the bend-limiter segment  140  shown in  FIG. 4A . The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the male end  175 . The male end  175  may include a dome  410 . The male end  175  may include a base  415 . The base  415  may have the shape of a tapered cylinder flared at one end. The base  415  may include a base top end  420 , which may be integrated with the dome  410 . The base  415  may include a base bottom end  425 . The base bottom end  425  may be flared such that it has a surface area larger than the base top end  420 . The male end  175  may include the channel  190 . 
       FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the bend-limiter segment of  FIG. 4B . The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the female end  180 . The female end  180  may include the cavity  185 . The cavity  185  may have a cavity bottom surface  430 . The cavity bottom surface  430  may have a shape substantially the same shape as the dome  410 . The cavity  185  may include a cavity wall  435 . The cavity wall  435  may be adjacent to the cavity bottom surface  430 . The cavity wall  435  may have substantially the same shape as the base  415 . The cavity  185  may include a cavity opening  440 . The cavity opening  440  may be opposite the cavity bottom surface  430 . The cavity opening  440  may be adjacent the cavity wall  435 . The cavity opening  440  may have substantially the same surface area as the base bottom end  425 . 
     When two or more bend-limiter segments  140  are coupled together, as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the restriction in the cavity  185  that restricts movement of bend-limiters  140  relative to each other is provided by the interaction of the dome  410 , the base  415 , the cavity wall  435 , and the cavity bottom surface  430   
     Another example of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5C .  FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include the external fishneck  165  coupled to either end of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include the slickline sucker rod adaptor  160  coupled to either end of the bend-segments  140 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include the non-metallic hose  405  (also illustrated in the magnified view A of  FIG. 5A ). The non-metallic hose  405  may traverse the entire length of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  through the passage created by the channel  190 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include snap rings  500 . The snap rings  500  may be coupled externally to male end  175 . The snap rings  500  may be coupled internally to the cavity  185 . 
       FIG. 5B  is a plan view of a bend-limiter segment. The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the male end  175 . The male end  175  may include a convex surface  505 . 
     The male end  175  may include a first truncated cone  510 . A large end of the first truncated cone  510  may be integral to the convex surface  505 . The male end  175  may include a truncated sphere (not shown). The male end  165  may include a second truncate cone  515 . The small end of the first truncated cone  510  may be integral with a small end of the second truncated cone  515 . 
     The male end  175  may include a neck  520 . The large end of the second truncated cone  515  may be integral to the neck  520 . The neck  520  may be cylindrical. 
     The male end  175  may include a male end link  525 . The male end link  525  may be cylindrical. The male end link  525  may include a link top end  530 . The link top end  530  may be integrated with the neck  520 . The male end link  525  may include a link bottom end  535  opposite the link top end  530 . The link top end  530  may have a surface area larger than the neck  520 . The link top end  530  may have a surface area larger than the link bottom end  535 . 
       FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the bend-limiter segment of  FIG. 5B . The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the female end  180 . The female end  180  may include the cavity  185 . The cavity  185  may include a cavity bottom surface  540 . The cavity bottom surface  540  may have substantially the same shape as the convex surface  505 . The cavity bottom surface  540  may have a concave surface. 
     The cavity  185  may include a cavity wall  545 . The cavity wall  545  may be adjacent the cavity bottom surface  540 . The cavity wall  545  may be substantially perpendicular to the cavity bottom surface  540 . The cavity wall  545  may have substantially the same shape as the male end link  525 . 
     The cavity  185  may include a cavity opening  550 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5C . The cavity opening  550  may have substantially the same surface area as the convex surface  505 . The cavity  375  may have an area substantially the same as the male end  175 . 
     When two or more bend-limiter segments  140  are coupled together, as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the restriction in the cavity  185  that restricts movement of the bend-limiters  140  relative to each other is provided by the interaction of the convex surface  505 , the truncated cone neck  520 , the cavity bottom surface  540 , and the cavity wall  545 . 
     Another example of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6, and 7A-7C .  FIG. 6  is an exploded plan view of a chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include the external fishneck  165  coupled to either end of the chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  140  may include the slickline sucker rod adaptor  160  coupled to either end of the chain of bend-segments  105 . 
     The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include the male end  175 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include the female end  180 . The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include a collar  605  (discussed below in connection with  FIGS. 7A-7C ). The chain of bend-limiter segments  105  may include shear pins  170  (discussed below in connection with  FIG. 7A ). 
       FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of a chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . The shear pins  170  may be coupled to the slickline sucker rod adaptor  145 . The shear pins  170  may be positioned along the longitudinal axis  200  and /or the axial axis  215  (not shown). In cases where the tool  110  is stuck in the borehole  115 , an operator (not shown) may “jar” the slickline cable  120 , shearing the shear pins  170 , and retract the chain of bend-limiter segments  105  from the borehole  115 . 
       FIG. 7B  is an exploded cross-sectional view of a bend-limiter segment  105 . The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the male end  175 . The male end  175  may include a truncated sphere  705 . The truncated sphere  705  may be truncated at a desired length on opposite sides of the truncated sphere  705 . The truncated sphere  705  may include a truncated top end  710 . The truncated sphere  705  may include a truncated bottom end  715 . 
     The bend-limiter segment  140  may include a shaft  720 . The shaft  720  may be coupled to the truncated bottom end  715 . The shaft  720  may be a cylindrical. The shaft  720  may have a threaded end  725 . 
     The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the channel  190  that traverses the entire length of the male end  175 . The channel  190  may have a diameter that decreases as it traverses the truncated sphere  705  and increases as it exits the shaft  720 . The channel  190  may include the non-metallic hose  405 . The non-metallic hose  405  may traverse the entire length of the bend-limiter segment  140  and/or the chain of bend-limiter segments  105 . 
     The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the collar  605 . The collar  605  may have a top collar cavity  735  that has substantially the same shape as the truncated sphere  705 . The collar  730  may include a bottom collar cavity  740 . The bottom collar cavity  740  has a diameter that is larger than the shaft  720  to allow the male end to swivel within the bottom collar cavity  740  and the top collar cavity  735 . The collar  605  may include spanner holes  745 . The spanner holes may allow a spanner wrench to remove the collar  730  from the female end  180 . 
     The collar  605  may include a collar neck  750 . The collar neck  750  may include an irregular exterior. The collar neck  750  may be threaded. The collar  605  may include a collar shoulder  755 . The collar shoulder  755  may be coupled to the collar neck  750 . The collar shoulder  755  may be integral with the collar neck  750 . The collar shoulder  755  may have an outside diameter that is greater than the collar neck&#39;s  750  outside diameter. 
     The bend-limiter segment  140  may include the female end  180 . The female end  180  may include a clasp end  760 . The clasp end may be threaded. The female end  180  may include a receptacle end  765  opposite the clasp end  760 . The receptacle end  765  may be threaded. The receptacle end  765  has an internal shape that is complimentary to the external shape of the collar  605 . 
       FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view of a bend-limiter segment  140 . When two or more bend-limiter segments  140  are coupled together, as illustrated in  FIG. 7C , the restriction in the cavity  185  that restricts movement of bend-limiters  140  relative to each other is provided by the interaction of the truncated sphere  705 , the shaft  720 , the collar  605 , the female end  180 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart. A technique for limiting the bend in a cable includes coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments (such as chain of bend-limiter segments  105 ). The chain has a first end (such as first end  145 ) and a second end (such as second end  150 ). The chain is bendable such that an angle between the first end (such as first end  145 ) and the second end (such as second end  150 ) is at least N degrees and a radius of curvature of the chain is at least M (block  805 ). A cable (such as cable  120 ) may be inserted through the chain (such as chain of bend-limiter segments  105 ) from the first end (such as first end  140 ) to the second end (such as second end  150 ) (block  810 ). A chain (such as chain of bend-limiter segments  105 ) and a cable (such as cable  120 ) may be coupled to a tool (such as tool  110 ) (block  815 ). The tool (such as tool  110 ) may be pulled using the cable (such as cable  120 ), the chain maintaining a radius of curvature of the cable (such as cable  120 ) greater than M and preventing a stress level in the cable (such as cable  120 ) from exceeding a yield point (block  820 ). 
     In one aspect, a method features coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments, the chain having a first end and a second end, the chain being bendable such that an angle between the first end and the second end is at least N degrees and a radius of curvature of the chain is at least M. A cable is inserted through the chain from the first end to the second end. The chain and the cable are coupled to a tool. The tool is pulled using the cable. The chain maintains a radius of curvature of the cable greater than M and prevents a stress level in the cable from exceeding a yield point. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following. The cable may be coupled to a surface equipment. The chain of bend-limiter segments, the tool, and the cable may be deployed into a borehole, past a first location where the borehole deviates. Pulling the tool using the cable may include retrieving the tool from the deviated borehole when the tool passes through the first location. Pulling the tool using the cable may include lifting the tool from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation using the cable. Coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments may include coupling two or more bend-limiter segments. Coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments may include dividing the bend limiter segments into two or more halves. Coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments may include mounting the two or more halves about the cable. Coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments may include securing the two or more halves to the cable. 
     In one aspect, an apparatus features a chain of bend-limiter segments, the chain of bend-limiter segments having a first end and a second end. The chain of bend-limiter segments is bendable such that an angle between a first end and a second end is at least N degrees. A radius of curvature of the chain of bend-limiter segments is M when the angle between the first end and the second end is N degrees. N and M are determined by parameters of the bend-limiter segments. The bend-limiter segments have channels such that the chain of bend-limiter segments has a passage from the first end to the second end. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following. The bend-limiter segments may include a male end having a male shape. A female end may be coupled to the male end. The female end may have a cavity with a cavity shape that is complementary to the male shape with a restriction in the cavity that confines angular movement of the male shape within the cavity to P degrees from a longitudinal axis through the male end and the female end. The bend-limiter segments may include a channel having a diameter D through the male end and the female end along the longitudinal axis. 
     In one aspect, a system features a surface equipment located on a surface of the earth. The system includes a tool coupled to the cable. The system includes a bend-limiter coupled to the cable adjacent the tool. The bend-limiter includes a chain of bend-limiter segments, the chain of bend-limiter segments having a first end and a second end. The chain of bend-limiter segments is bendable such that an angle between the first end and the second end is at least N degrees. A radius of curvature of the chain of bend-limiter segments is M when the angle between the first end and the second end is N degrees. N and M are determined by parameters of the bend-limiter segments. The bend-limiter segments have channels such that the chain of bend-limiter segments has a passage from the first end to the second end. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following. The chain of bend-limiter segments may include a first end and a second end. The chain of bend-limiter segments may be bendable such that an angle between a first end and a second end is at least N degrees. A radius of curvature of the chain of bend-limiter segments may be M when the angle between the first end and the second end is N degrees. N and M may be determined by parameters of the bend-limiter segments. The bend-limiter segments may include a male end having a male shape. The bend-limiter segment may include a female end coupled to the male end and having a cavity with a cavity shape that is complementary to the male shape with a restriction in the cavity that confines angular movement of the male shape within the cavity to P degrees from a longitudinal axis through the male end and the female end. The bend-limiter segment may include a channel having a diameter D through the male end and the female end along the longitudinal axis. 
     References in the specification to “one or more embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     The operations of the flow diagrams are described with references to the systems/apparatus shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of systems and apparatus other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with reference to the systems/apparatus could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams. 
     The word “coupled” herein means a direct connection or an indirect connection. 
     The text above describes one or more specific embodiments of a broader invention. The invention also is carried out in a variety of alternate embodiments and thus is not limited to those described here. The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.