Abstract:
A washpipe includes a tubular member; a recess extending axially along the tubular member; a conductor positioned within the recess; and a communication configuration communicatively attached to the conductor.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In the hydrocarbon recovery industry, tubular members are disposed in a wellbore to take such actions as drill the borehole, stimulate the borehole, produce borehole fluids, etc. Such tubulars are frequently run into the earth formation for many thousands of feet. On occasion, tubular components are left in the well for a variety of reasons and require a washpipe at the end of another string to retrieve them. Most commonly, this occurs in the fishing end of the business to retrieve a tubular that has broken off in the downhole environment. Often, washover pipes include an abrasive or cutting feature of surface at a leading edge thereof to cut away a portion of the fish to enable the washover. Because the fish is likely to ride against an inside dimension surface of the washover tube, information gainable by sensors at the end of the washpipe cannot be sent uphole by any conductor within the washover pipe. Heretofore then, sensorial information has not been available for washpipe operations. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    A washpipe includes a tubular member; a recess extending axially along the tubular member; a conductor positioned within the recess; and a communication configuration communicatively attached to the conductor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-section of a washpipe as taught herein; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the recess of the washpipe illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of an alternative recess configuration; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of another alternative recess configuration; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-section of a washpipe as taught herein illustrating the conductor and communication configuration attached thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a communication washpipe  10  is illustrated in an axial cross-section. The illustration makes clear that in a tubular member  12 , which may be a metal or composite material, for example, an elongate recess  14  is provided to accommodate a conductor  16  therein. The depth of the recess  14  is selectable related to the duty intended for the washpipe but in one embodiment where significant protection of the conductor  16  is desired, the recess  14  will be of greater depth than a dimension of the conductor  16  oriented radially to the washpipe  10 . By configuring the recess with such depth, the conductor  16  is completely enveloped in the recess  14 . In one embodiment, the recess depth is less than about one-half of the thickness of a wall of the tubular member  12 . 
         [0010]    The recess  14  may be configured to have dimensions orthogonal to the radial dimension that are different based upon the radial locus at which the orthogonal measurement is taken, see  FIG. 2 , which appears trapezoidal in cross-section. For example, in one embodiment, a deepest surface  20  of the recess  14  is of greater orthogonal dimension than an orthogonally taken dimension of the recess  14  at an opening  22  thereof. Alternatively, the recess may be a simplified straight cut groove, see  FIG. 3 . Yet still, the recess  14  may be configured to approximate the outside geometry (in cross-section) of the conductor  16 , see  FIG. 4 . It is to be understood that the exemplary configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4  are just that and are not intended to limit the application. Rather, other configurations could be substituted as desired or required for particular applications. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the recess  14  is further filled with a protective composition  18  after insertion of the conductor. Such composition may be a hardenable material such as epoxy or may be other materials as appropriate to the application to which the washpipe is to be put. The composition  18  functions to protect the conductor  16  from environmental conditions be they mechanical, chemical, etc. and further in some cases, assists in retaining the conductor  16  in the recess  14  during use of the washpipe  10 . 
         [0012]    Both the recess  14  and the composition  18  function to protect the conductor especially from portions of downhole fishes that are not axially aligned in the wellbore and thus must be milled off to wash over them. As one of skill in the art will quickly recognize, a conductor positioned on an inside diameter of the washpipe, could be damaged by such fish. With a washpipe as taught herein, however, the conductor is at significantly less risk. This allows for the use of the conductor and therefore sensor(s) (not shown) that are helpful regarding conditions experienced by the washpipe downhole. 
         [0013]    The conductor  16  may be an electrical conductor, optical conductor or hydraulic conductor, for example. The conductor is communicatively attached to a communication configuration  24  (see  FIG. 5 ) at least one end of the washpipe  10  and in the illustration at both ends of the washpipe  10 . In one embodiment utilizing an electrical conductor, it is contemplated that the conductor be electrically interconnected with a coil (communication configuration) at least one end of the washpipe  10  for inductive connection to another conductor such as a wired pipe configuration. 
         [0014]    While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation.