Multi-segment instrument line for instrument in drill string

Abstract

A drilling system and method for deploying an instrument in a drill string in a wellbore. The method includes receiving an active instrument line through a drilling device and into the drill string, the active instrument line being connected to the instrument via a shallow connection, the instrument and the shallow connection being in the drill string. The method also includes lowering the active instrument line until a lower connection thereof reaches a predetermined depth, disconnecting the active instrument line from the shallow connection at the predetermined depth, and removing the active instrument line from the drill string, while the instrument remains in the drill string. The method further includes connecting a first interconnected line to the shallow connection in the drill string and to the active instrument line, and lowering the active instrument line, the first interconnected line, and the instrument in the drill string.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for deploying an instrument in a drill string in a wellbore, comprising:
 receiving an active instrument line through a drilling device and into the drill string, the active instrument line being connected to the instrument via a shallow connection, the instrument and the shallow connection being in the drill string;   lowering the active instrument line until a lower connection thereof reaches a predetermined depth;   disconnecting the active instrument line from the shallow connection at the predetermined depth;   removing the active instrument line from the drill string, wherein the instrument remains in the drill string;   connecting a first interconnected line to the shallow connection in the drill string and to the active instrument line; and   lowering the active instrument line, the first interconnected line, and the instrument in the drill string.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding one or more segments to the active instrument line, to extend the active instrument line. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein lowering the active instrument line, the first interconnected line, and the instrument in the drill string comprises lowering the active instrument line until the active instrument line again reaches the predetermined depth. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 anchoring the shallow connection between the first interconnected line and the active line in the drill string;   disconnecting the active instrument line from the first interconnected line after again lowering the active instrument line to the predetermined depth; and   removing the active instrument line from the drill string, wherein the instrument and the first interconnected line remain in the drill string.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising causing a junction module of the first interconnected line to anchor in the drill string prior to disconnecting the active instrument line from the first interconnected line. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising connecting a second interconnected line to the first interconnected line in the drill string and to the active instrument line. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising lowering the active instrument line to the predetermined depth after connecting the second interconnected line to the first interconnected line and the active instrument line. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 acquiring data using the instrument; and   transmitting a signal representing the data, from the instrument, through the first interconnected line, the active instrument line, or both.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising conducting one or more operations using the drill string while acquiring and transmitting the data. 
     
     
         10 . A drilling system, comprising:
 a drilling device;   a drill string coupled to the drilling device and extending into a wellbore;   an instrument located in the drill string, the instrument being configured to generate one or more signals;   an active instrument line configured to extend into the drill string, wherein the active instrument line is configured to transmit the one or more signals; and   an interconnected line configured to be positioned in the drill string, wherein the interconnected line comprises an upper connector and a lower connector, wherein the upper and lower connectors are each configured to form a junction with another connector in the drill string, wherein the junction is disconnectable within the drill string, and wherein the one or more interconnected lines are configured to transmit the one or more signals.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the drilling device comprises an entry port in communication within an interior of the drill string, the active instrument line being received through the entry port. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a sealing device connected to the drilling device and configured to seal with the active line received through the entry port. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the active line comprises a lower connector configured to connect to the upper connector of one of the one or more interconnected lines, wherein the active instrument line is configured to receive the one or more signals from the instrument via the one of the one or more interconnected lines. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the interconnected line is a first interconnected line, the system further comprising a second interconnected line having an upper connector that is connectable to the active line, and a lower connector that is connectable within the drill string to the upper connector of the first interconnected line. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a primary winch from which the active instrument line extends and a secondary winch from which the interconnected line extends. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a third winch, wherein the primary winch is configured to spool a first part of the active instrument line, the secondary winch is configured to spool the interconnected line, and the third winch is configured to spool a second part of the active line. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the upper connector of the interconnected line comprises an anchor configured to maintain a position of the upper connector within the drill string. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the instrument, the interconnect line and the active instrument line are configured to be un-anchored, moved axially as a single unit along the drill string, and re-anchored at another position therein. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the instrument, the interconnected line, and the active instrument line are configured to be un-anchored from the drill string and removed from the drill string as a single unit, and reinstalled in the drill string, without removing the drill string form the wellbore. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least a part of the active instrument line, at least a part of the interconnected line, or both, are configured to be removed from the drill string while the instrument remains in the drill string and the drill string remains in the wellbore.