System for installing tubing encapsulated cable into coil tubing

Abstract

Tubing encapsulated cable is generally difficult to place in the interior of coil tubing while the coil tubing is wound onto a reel on the surface. In various embodiments of the present invention tubing encapsulated cable is placed in the interior of coil tubing by first installing a semi-rigid cable into the coil tubing semi-rigid cable is initially installed by pumping the cable into the coil tubing. The leading end of the cable is then attached to a winch while the trailing end of the cable is attached to tubing encapsulated cable. The winch applies tension to the cable in turn pulling on the tubing encapsulated cable to move the tubing encapsulated cable into the coil tubing. Additionally fluid is pumped through the tubing encapsulated cable in the direction that the tubing encapsulated cable is being installed to assist in overcoming the capstan effect that acts on both the cable and the tubing encapsulated cable. Also the coil tubing may be vibrated to assist in overcoming the capstan effect while installing the tubing encapsulated cable into the interior of coil tubing while the coil tubing is on a reel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of installing a tubing encapsulated cable comprising:
 inserting a cable into a first end of a coil tubing, wherein the coil tubing is wound on a reel,   pumping fluid into the first end of the coil tubing,   moving a first end of the cable through the coil tubing,   connecting a second end of the cable to a tubing encapsulated cable,   applying tension to the cable, and   pulling and pumping the tubing encapsulated cable through the coil tubing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, the first end of the coil tubing has a flow tee. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, connecting the first end of the cable to a winch after the first end of the cable moves through the coil tubing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, connecting the first end of the cable to a plug prior to moving the first end of the cable through the coil tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, vibrating the coil tubing while pulling and pumping the tubing encapsulated cable through the coil tubing. 
     
     
         6 . A method of installing a tubing encapsulated cable comprising:
 inserting a cable into an end of a coil tubing, wherein the coil tubing is spooled,   pumping fluid into the end of the coil tubing,   moving a first end of the cable through the coil tubing,   connecting a second end of the cable to a tubing encapsulated cable,   applying tension to the cable, and   pulling and vibrating the tubing encapsulated cable through the coil tubing.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein, the first end of the coil tubing has a flow tee. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising, connecting the first end of the cable to a winch after the first end of the cable moves through the coil tubing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising, connecting the first end of the cable to a plug prior to moving the first end of the cable through the coil tubing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising, pumping the coil tubing through the coil tubing while pulling and vibrating the tubing encapsulated cable.