Equipment and Methods for Deploying Line in a Wellbore

Abstract

Many wellbore service operations involve placing a line in the wellbore. The line may be used to transmit power to downhole tools, convey signals from downhole-measurement instruments, or both. A problem associated with such operations involves drag forces experienced by the line as process fluids flow through the well, particularly the interior of a tubular body such as casing. The drag forces may cause the line to fail. Magnetizing the line solves this problem. During deployment, the line will migrate and become attached to the casing. Drag forces are significantly reduced because the line is no longer surrounded by moving fluid.

1 . A system for deploying a line in a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
 (i) a tubular body;   (ii) a device that travels through the interior of the tubular body;   (iii) a first apparatus for dispensing line, comprising a first reel of line;   (iv) a second apparatus for dispensing line, comprising a second reel of line, wherein the line wound around both the first and second apparatuses is one continuous line, the line being a signal-conveyance medium comprising at least one electrical conductor or at least one optical fiber, or both;   (v) a protective jacket surrounding the line, comprising magnetizable particles; and   (vi) means for magnetizing the particles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetizable particles are ferromagnetic. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetizable particles comprise chromium (IV) oxide, cobalt, dysprosium, ferrite, gadolinium, gallium manganese arsenide, iron, magnetite, neodymium-boron, nickel, permalloy, samarium-cobalt, suessite, yttrium iron garnet, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetizable-particle concentration in the protective jacket is between about 5% and about 66% by volume. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the protective layer is between about 30 and about 75 micrometers. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising sensors distributed along the length of the line. 
     
     
         7 . A method for deploying a line in a subterranean well, comprising:
 (i) selecting a continuous line, wherein the line comprises:
 (a) a signal-conveyance medium comprising at least one electrical conductor or at least one optical fiber, or both; and 
 (b) a protective jacket surrounding the conveyance medium, comprising magnetizable particles; 
   (ii) magnetizing the particles in the protective layer;   (iii) attaching the line to a device that travels through a tubular body in the wellbore, and inserting both inside the tubular body;   (iv) pumping a process fluid into the wellhead, releasing the device, and allowing the device to begin traveling through the tubular body; and   (v) continuing to pump process fluid, allowing the line to extend and become magnetically attached to the tubular body as the device travels through the tubular body.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the magnetizable particles are ferromagnetic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the magnetizable particles comprise chromium (IV) oxide, cobalt, dysprosium, ferrite, gadolinium, gallium manganese arsenide, iron, magnetite, neodymium-boron, nickel, permalloy, samarium-cobalt, suessite, yttrium iron garnet, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the magnetizable-particle concentration in the protective jacket is between about 5% and about 66% by volume. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the protective layer is between about 30 and about 75 micrometers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the device is a plug, dart, ball, bomb, sonde or canister. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the line comprises one or more strands, each strand able to operate independently. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the device contains one or more instruments that measure one or more parameters in the group consisting of temperature, pressure, distance, pH, density, resistivity, conductivity, salinity, carbon dioxide concentration and asphaltene concentration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the line delivers power to tools that emit energy in the form of one or more types in the group consisting of electricity, heat, acoustic waves, magnetic fields, microwaves, gamma rays, x-rays and neutrons. 
     
     
         16 . A method for performing measurements in a subterranean well, comprising:
 (i) selecting a continuous line, wherein the line comprises:
 (a) a signal-conveyance medium comprising at least one electrical conductor or at least one optical fiber, or both; and 
 (b) a protective jacket surrounding the conveyance medium, comprising magnetizable particles; 
   (ii) magnetizing the particles in the protective layer;   (iii) attaching the line to a device that travels through a tubular body in the wellbore, and inserting both inside the tubular body;   (iv) pumping a process fluid into the wellhead, releasing the device, and allowing the device to begin traveling through the tubular body;   (v) continuing to pump process fluid, allowing the line to extend and become magnetically attached to the tubular body as the device travels through the tubular body;   (vi) measuring one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, distance, pH, density, resistivity, conductivity, salinity, carbon dioxide concentration and asphaltene concentration; and   (vii) transmitting the measurements through the line.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetizable particles are ferromagnetic. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the device is a plug, dart, ball, bomb, sonde or canister. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the device contains one or more instruments that measure one or more parameters in the group consisting of temperature, pressure, distance, pH, density, resistivity, conductivity, salinity, carbon dioxide concentration and asphaltene concentration. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the line delivers power to tools that emit energy in the form of one or more types in the group consisting of electricity, heat, acoustic waves, magnetic fields, microwaves, gamma rays, x-rays and neutrons.