Equipment and Methods for Deploying Line in a Wellbore

Abstract

The invention is related in general to wellbore-telemetry technology. In particular, the invention relates to improved equipment and methods for deploying line in a wellbore. A continuous line is dispensed from two apparatuses. One apparatus is attached to a device such as a wiper plug that travels through a tubular body such as casing. The other apparatus is fixed either inside or outside a wellhead. As a process fluid is pumped into the tubular body, forcing the first apparatus and the device through the tubular body, line may unfurl from the first apparatus, the second apparatus, or both. In this way, stress on the line during deployment is minimized.

1 . A system for deploying a line in a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
 (i) a device that travels down a tubular body inside the wellbore;   (ii) a first apparatus for dispensing a line, comprising a first reel of line able to be unwound from the first reel, the apparatus being attached to the device;   (iii) a second apparatus for dispensing a line, comprising a second reel of line able to be unwound from the second reel;   wherein the line is continuous, extending from the first reel to the second reel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second apparatus is located inside a wellhead. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second apparatus is located outside a wellhead. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the line passes through a hollow tube located between the first and second apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a plug, dart, ball, bomb or canister. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the line comprises optical fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the line comprises an electrical conductor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the line comprises one or more strands, each strand able to operate independently. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device contains a chemical substance. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device contains one or more instruments that measure one or more parameters in the list comprising: temperature, pressure, distance, pH, density, resistivity, conductivity, salinity, carbon dioxide concentration and asphaltene concentration. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the line delivers power to devices that emit energy in the form of one or more types in the list comprising: electricity, heat, acoustic waves, magnetic fields, microwaves, gamma rays, x-rays and neutrons. 
     
     
         12 . A method for deploying line in a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
 (i) selecting a continuous line;   (ii) winding a portion of the line around a first reel in a first apparatus for dispensing line;   (iii) winding the other portion of the line around a second reel in a second apparatus for dispensing a line, such that both the first and second apparatus are connected by the same line;   (iv) attaching the first apparatus to a device that travels through a tubular body in the wellbore, and inserting both inside the tubular body;   (v) securing the second apparatus inside the wellhead, such that the first apparatus may travel down a tubular body when the device is released;   (vi) pumping process fluid into the wellhead, releasing the device, and allowing the device to begin traveling through the tubular body; and   (vii) continuing to the pump process fluid, allowing the line to unwind from the first apparatus, the second apparatus, or both as the device travels through the tubular body.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the device is a plug, dart, ball, bomb or canister. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the line comprises optical fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the line comprises an electrical conductor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the line comprises one or more strands, each strand able to operate independently. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the device contains a chemical substance. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the device contains one or more instruments that measure one or more parameters in the list comprising: temperature, pressure, distance, pH, density, resistivity, conductivity, salinity, carbon dioxide concentration and asphaltene concentration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the line delivers power to devices that emit energy in the form of one or more types in the list comprising: electricity, heat, acoustic waves, magnetic fields, microwaves, gamma rays, x-rays and neutrons. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the process fluid comprises one or more members of the list comprising: drilling fluid, cement slurry, spacer fluid, chemical wash, completion fluid, acidizing fluid, fracturing fluid, gravel-pack fluid and displacement fluid. 
     
     
         21 . A method for deploying line in a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
 (i) selecting a continuous line;   (ii) winding a portion of the line around a first reel in a first apparatus for dispensing line;   (iii) threading the other end of the line through a hollow tube;   (iv) winding the other portion of the line around a second reel in a second apparatus for dispensing a line, such that both the first and second apparatus are connected by the same line, and the line passes through the hollow tube;   (v) attaching the first apparatus to a device that travels through a tubular body in the wellbore, and inserting both inside a wellhead;   (vi) inserting a portion of the hollow tube into the wellhead, the hollow tube extending from inside the wellhead to the outside;   (vii) securing the second apparatus outside the cementing head, such that the line may travel through the hollow tube, and the first apparatus may travel down a tubular body when the device is released;   (viii) pumping process fluid into the wellhead, releasing the device, and allowing the device to begin traveling through the tubular body; and   (ix) continuing to pump process fluid, allowing the line to unwind from the first apparatus, the second apparatus, or both as the device travels through the tubular body.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device is a plug, dart, ball, bomb or canister. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the line comprises optical fiber. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the line comprises an electrical conductor. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the line comprises one or more strands, each strand able to operate independently. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device contains a chemical substance. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device contains one or more instruments that measure one or more parameters in the list comprising: temperature, pressure, distance, pH, density, resistivity, conductivity, salinity, carbon dioxide concentration and asphaltene concentration. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the line delivers power to devices that emit energy in the form of one or more types in the list comprising: electricity, heat, acoustic waves, magnetic fields, microwaves, gamma rays, x-rays and neutrons. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the process fluid comprises one or more members of the list comprising: drilling fluid, cement slurry, spacer fluid, chemical wash, completion fluid, acidizing fluid, fracturing fluid, gravel-pack fluid and displacement fluid.