Abstract: An improved apparatus to store an insulated electrical conductor cable in a overlapped configuration within a drill pipe includes a track attached to the drill pipe to guide a lower cable guide so that the overlapped portions of conductor cable will not snarl or twist during rotary drilling operations. To insure against entanglement, further restriction of rotation may be gained by additionally tracking the lower cable guide on a tensioned portion of the conductor cable which extends from a subsurface instrument package upwardly to an upper cable guide. A method for installing this improved apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor employed in a tubular drill string to transmit electric energy between subsurface and surface locations is arranged within the drill string in a convoluted configuration to provide an excess length of conductor. The convoluted conductor is prevented from entangling during drilling by rotation limiting assemblies mounted in the drill string over a selected interval.

Abstract: A cable system for wellbore telemetry includes a cable anchored at a subsurface location in a rotary drill string, guide assemblies for maintaining the cable in a looped configuration, and a cable gripping device for maintaining a portion of the cable in tension. Preferably the cable is provided with a novel releasable connector and latch assembly which (1) permits the cable to be electrically connected to a subsurface instrument and anchored to the drill string, (2) permits the cable to be maintained in tension, and (3) is releasable by manipulation of the cable at the surface.