Wellsite Communication System and Method

Abstract

An apparatus for communication with a downhole tool linked to a plurality of wired drill pipes includes a base. In addition, the apparatus includes an extension assembly having a first end pivotally coupled to the base and a second end. Further, the apparatus includes a head assembly pivotally coupled to the second end of the extension assembly. Still further, the apparatus includes an interface connector moveably coupled to the head assembly and configured to connect to an uphole end of the tool string and form an interface link between a surface unit and the downhole tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for communication with a downhole tool, the downhole tool being linked to a plurality of wired drill pipes forming a tool string extending from the surface to the downhole tool, the apparatus comprising:
 a base;   an extension assembly having a first end pivotally coupled to the base and a second end;   a head assembly pivotally coupled to the second end of the extension assembly;   an interface connector moveably coupled to the head assembly and configured to connect to an uphole end of the tool string and form an interface link between a surface unit and the downhole tool.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extension assembly comprises a first pair of parallel arms, an elbow, and a second pair of parallel arms;
 wherein each of the first pair of arms has an end pivotally coupled to the base and an end pivotally coupled to the elbow;   wherein each of the second pair of arms has an end pivotally coupled to the elbow and an end pivotally coupled to the head assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the head assembly comprises:
 a vertical gooseneck;   a head bracket moveably coupled to the gooseneck, wherein the head bracket is configured to move vertically up and down relative to the gooseneck;   a drive assembly mounted to the head bracket;   wherein the drive assembly is configured to rotate the interface connector.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the vertical gooseneck further comprises a vertically oriented guide rail and wherein the head bracket comprises a follower configured to engaged with the guide rail. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a centralizer coupled to the gooseneck, wherein the centralizer comprises two laterally spaced horizontally extending arms, and wherein each of the arms of the centralizer has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second ends of the arms of the centralizer are flared away from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the arms of the centralizer are biased toward each other. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the arms of the centralizer are biased with a coiled spring. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the vertical gooseneck further comprises a stop member, the stop member configured to engage with a tool joint of the drill string to align the interface connector with the tool string. 
     
     
         10 . A communication system for communicating with a downhole tool, the downhole tool being linked to a plurality of wired drill pipes forming a tool string extending from the surface to the downhole tool, the communication system comprising:
 a surface unit configured to receive a signal from the downhole tool; and   a communication interface electrically coupled to the surface unit and configured to receive the signal from the downhole tool and direct the signal to the surface unit;   wherein the communication interface comprises:
 a base; 
 an extension assembly having a first end pivotally coupled to the base and a second end; 
 a head assembly pivotally coupled to the second end of the extension assembly; 
 an interface connector moveably coupled to the head assembly and configured to connect to an uphole end of the tool string and form an interface link between the surface unit and the downhole tool. 
   
     
     
         11 . The communication system of  claim 10 , wherein the extension assembly comprises a first pair of parallel arms, an elbow, and a second pair of parallel arms;
 wherein each of the first pair of arms has an end pivotally coupled to the base and an end pivotally coupled to the elbow;   wherein each of the second pair of arms has an end pivotally coupled to the elbow and an end pivotally coupled to the head assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The communication system of  claim 11 , wherein the head assembly comprises:
 a vertical gooseneck;   a head bracket moveably coupled to the gooseneck, wherein the head bracket is configured to move vertically up and down relative to the gooseneck;   a drive assembly mounted to the head bracket;   wherein the drive assembly is configured to rotate the interface connector.   
     
     
         13 . The communication system of  claim 12 , wherein the vertical gooseneck further comprises a vertically oriented guide rail and wherein the head bracket comprises a follower configured to engaged with the guide rail. 
     
     
         14 . The communication system of  claim 12 , further comprising a centralizer coupled to the gooseneck, wherein the centralizer comprises two laterally spaced horizontally extending arms, and wherein each of the arms of the centralizer has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         15 . The communication system of  claim 14 , wherein the second ends of the arms of the centralizer are flared away from one another. 
     
     
         16 . The communication system of  claim 15 , wherein the arms of the centralizer are biased toward each other. 
     
     
         17 . The communication system of  claim 16 , wherein the arms of the centralizer are biased with a coiled spring. 
     
     
         18 . The communication system of  claim 12 , wherein the vertical gooseneck further comprises a stop member, the stop member configured to engage with a tool joint of the drill string to align the interface connector with the tool string. 
     
     
         19 . A method for communicating with a downhole tool, the downhole tool being linked to a plurality of wire drill pipes forming a tool string extending from the surface to the downhole tool, the method comprising:
 (a) providing an interface connector on a communication interface;   (b) extending the communication interface horizontally to position the interface connector substantially over an uphole end of the tool string;   (c) lowering the interface connector with the communication interface until the interface connector engages the uphole end of the tool string; and   (d) connecting the interface connector to the tool string to form a communication link between the interface connector and the tool string.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein (d) comprises threading the interface connector into the upper end of the tool string. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  20 , wherein (d) comprises rotating the interface connector with a pneumatic motor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein (b) comprises extending an extension member from a boom. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein (c) comprises sliding a sleeve coupled to the boom along an upright mast. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein (b) comprises extending an extension assembly including a base, a first pair of arms pivotally coupled to the base, and a second pair of arms pivotally coupled to the first pair of arms with an elbow;
 wherein the interface connector is coupled to the second pair of arms.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein (c) comprises extending an actuator coupled to a head assembly comprising a gooseneck and a cable, wherein a first end of cable is coupled to the gooseneck and a second end of the cable is coupled to the interface connector. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein (c) comprises slidingly engaging a gooseneck of the head assembly with a head bracket. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  26 , wherein (c) further comprises slidingly engaging a follower mounted to the head bracket with a guide rail mounted to the gooseneck. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein (b) comprises aligning the interface connector with the tool string with a pair of laterally spaced horizontally extending arms, wherein each of the arms has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second ends of the arms are flared away from one another, and wherein the arms are biased toward each other.