WIRELINE TOP SUB QUICK CONNECT

Abstract

A wireline tool connection comprising a wireline top sub and a tandem sub; wherein the wireline top sub further comprises a first pin end, a first box end, wherein the first box end further comprises an internal threads, and a bore that extends from the first pin end partially through the body of the wireline top sub. The tandem sub further comprises threads, an electric feedthrough, and a pressure barrier. The tandem sub and wireline top sub are connected via the threads of the tandem sub and the internal threads of the wireline top sub.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to a wireline top sub, which is compatible with a threaded tandem sub used in a perforating gun string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments, and together with the description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a wireline top sub as known in the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a wireline top sub, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a wireline top sub connected to a tandem sub, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a wireline top sub in a perforating gun string, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to perforating gun string. However, the embodiments discussed herein may be used for other tools that are used in a well.

In the oil and gas field, after a well is drilled to a desired depth H relative to the surface, and the casing protecting the wellbore has been installed and cemented in place, the wellbore is connected to the subterranean formation to extract the oil and/or gas. This process of connecting the wellbore to the subterranean formation may include a step of fluidly insulating with a plug a previously fractured stage of the well, a step of perforating a portion of the casing, which corresponds to a new stage, with a perforating gun such that various channels are formed to connect the subterranean formation to the inside of the casing, a step of removing the perforating gun, and a step of fracturing the various channels of the new stage by pumping a fluid into the channels. These steps are repeated until all the stages of the well are fractured.

The perforating guns are deployed into the well in groups, i.e., as a perforating gun string that includes plural perforating guns. Each perforating gun may include any number of shaped charges. The shaped charges are the elements that are detonated inside the well for perforating the casing of the well.

The individual perforating guns are connected to each other either directly or with tandem subs so that they form the perforating gun string. Because the perforating guns are explosive, it is important to isolate the guns in a string from each other. This requires the gun string to maintain electrical connectivity with the surface even after some of the guns are detonated.

A wireline is generally used to run a string of perforating guns into the wellbore to the desired location. The wireline is also used to transmit communications from the surface to the perforating guns after they have been run into the wellbore. Accordingly, there must be an electrical connection between the wireline and the perforating gun string. This electrical connection is generally provided through a top sub located at the uphole end of a string of perforating guns. In addition to providing for electrical communication through the wireline, the top sub must also maintain a pressure seal to ensure the integrity of the perforating gun string.

Existing wireline top subs generally include multiple components to provide an electric feedthrough so that the guns may maintain electrical connectivity with the surface, while still providing a pressure barrier to protect the components after detonation. For example, FIG. 1 shows a prior art top sub disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,844,697. As shown in this design, a top sub 20 can connect to a tandem seal adapter 30 of a perforating gun string 10. This tandem seal adapter 30 is connected to the top sub 20 with the assistance of a quick change assembly 22 and a threaded adapter 24. The threaded adapter 24 provides an offset distance between the electrical connector 26 of the top sub 20 and the contact pin 32 of the pressure bulkhead 34 disposed within the tandem sub adapter 30. This allows the pressure bulkhead 34 to provide a pressure barrier to protect the components after detonation while maintaining electrical connectivity within the perforating gun string. Although these components are capable of repeated use, over time they need to be replaced to ensure proper function of the tool. Replacing these items requires new parts and labor to perform the redress.

Therefore, what is needed is a top sub connection that addresses one or more of the foregoing issues.

FIG. 2 shows a top sub 100 that can connect to a perforating gun or other tool in a wireline tool string. In the illustrated embodiment, the top sub 100 includes a pin end A and a box-end B. The box-end B includes internal threads 160. The top sub 100 further includes a bore that extends axially from the pin end A to the internal threads 160 of the box-end B.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pin 110 is disposed within the bore of the top sub 100. The pin 110 includes an upper electric contact 120 and a lower electric contact 130. The upper contact 120 is on the pin end A of the pin 110. In some embodiments, the upper contact 120 extends past the end of the top sub 100. The lower electric contact 130 is on the box-end B of the pin 110. In some embodiments, the lower electric contact 130 is positioned within the threads of the top sub 100.

A spring electric contact 140 extends from the upper electric contact 120 to the lower electric contact 130. The spring electric contact 140 allows for upper electric contact 120 to maintain an electrical connection with lower electric contact 130. The pin 110 further comprises an insulating material 150. The insulating material 150 encloses the upper electric contact 120 from the end of the top sub body 100 and including the point where the upper electric contact 120 contacts the spring electric contact 140. The portion of the upper electric contact 120 that extends past the end of the top sub 100 is not enclosed by the insulating material 150. The insulating material 150 entirely encloses the spring electric contact 140 and the lower electric contact 130. There is an opening at the end of the insulating material 150 so that the lower electric contact 130 is exposed to form an electrical connection with another component.

In some embodiments, the top sub is designed for a “one-time use.” This eliminates the need for redress parts and labor.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the box-end B of the top sub 100 is coupled to a tandem sub 200 via the threads 160. The top sub 100 and tandem sub 200 also form a pressure barrier via o-rings 210.

The tandem sub 200 further comprises an electric feedthrough 220. In this embodiment, the lower electric contact 130 will form an electrical connection with the electric feedthrough 220 in the tandem sub 200. The pressure barrier requirement of the downhole connection would be met by the electric feedthrough 220 and the o-rings 210 of the tandem sub.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a top sub 100 in a perforating gun string 400. In this embodiment, the top sub 100 is connected to the tandem sub 200. The tandem sub is connected to the first gun carrier 300. In this embodiment, the pin 110 of the top sub 100 forms an electrical connection with the electric feedthrough 220. The electric feedthrough 220 maintains an electrical connection with the first gun carrier 300 so that an electric signal can travel from the uphole end of the perforating gun string to the downhole end of the perforating gun string.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.

Any spatial references, such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above. Similarly, references to the general shape of certain components, such as for example, “planar” or “cylindrical,” are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific configuration of the structure described above.

Although an exemplary embodiment has been described in detail above, the embodiment described is exemplary only and is not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.

Claims

1. A wireline tool connection comprising:

a wireline top sub comprising: a first pin end; a first box end comprising internal threads; and a bore extending from the first pin end and through a body of the top sub; and

a threaded tandem sub comprising: an electric feedthrough; a pressure barrier; and an outer threaded surface connected to the internal threads of the wireline top sub.

2. The wireline tool connection of claim 1, wherein a pin is disposed within the bore of the top sub.

3. The wireline tool connection of claim 1, wherein the pin comprises:

a first electric contact;

a second electric contact; and

a spring electric contact extending from the first electric contact to the second electric contact.

4. The wireline tool connection of claim 3, wherein the first electric contact is partially enclosed by an insulating material.

5. The wireline tool connection of claim 3, wherein the pin is enclosed by an insulating material.

6. The wireline tool connection of claim 3, wherein the electric feedthrough of the threaded tandem sub is in electrical contact with the second electric contact of the pin.

7. The wireline tool connection of claim 1, wherein the pressure barrier is an o-ring sealingly engaged between the wireline top sub and the threaded tandem sub.

8. A perforating gun string comprising:

a wireline top sub comprising: a first pin end; a first box end comprising internal threads; and a bore extending from the first pin end and through a body of the top sub;

a threaded tandem sub comprising: an electric feedthrough; a pressure barrier; a first end comprising a first outer threaded surface connected to the internal threads of the wireline top sub; and a second end comprising a second outer threaded surface; and

a perforating gun comprising an outer gun carrier with internal threads connected to the second outer threaded surface of the tandem sub.

9. The perforating gun string of claim 8, wherein a pin is disposed within the bore of the top sub.

10. The perforating gun string of claim 9, wherein the pin comprises:

a first electric contact,

a second electric contact,

and a spring electric contact, wherein the spring electric contact extends from the first electric contact to the second electric contact.

11. The perforating gun string of claim 10, wherein the first electric contact is partially enclosed by insulating material.

12. The perforating gun string of claim 10, wherein the pin is enclosed by an insulating material.