Electrically conductive fiber optic slickline for coiled tubing operations

Abstract

A slickline that includes both electrically conductive and fiber optic capacity. The slickline includes a fiber optic thread or bundle of threads that may be surrounded by an electrically conductive member such as split half shells of copper elements. Further, these features may be disposed in a filler matrix so as to provide a cohesiveness the core of the slickline. So, for example, the line may be more effectively utilized in downhole applications such as coiled tubing operations, without undue concern over collapse or pinhole issues emerging in the line.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A downhole assembly for deployment in a well at an oilfield, the assembly comprising:
 a downhole tool for performing an application in the well; and   an electrically conductive fiber optic slickline coupled to said tool in the well and to surface equipment at the oilfield, said slickline having a core comprising:
 a fiber optic thread disposed in a filler matrix and to support communication between said tool and the equipment; and 
 an electrically conductive member circumferentially about said thread and matrix for power transmission from the equipment to said tool during the application. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the downhole tool is a coiled tubing application tool, the assembly further comprising coiled tubing running from the oilfield and coupled to the tool, said slickline disposed within a fluid flow path of the coiled tubing. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the downhole tool is a logging tool. 
     
     
         4 . A method of performing a wellbore operation in a well, the method comprising:
 providing a coiled tubing;   running an electrically conductive fiber optic slickline through the coiled tubing;   performing the wellbore operation;   communicating through the well over a fiber optic thread in a core of the fiber optic slickline; and   transmitting one of power and backup communications through the well over an electrically conductive member in the core circumferentially disposed relative the fiber optic thread.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the electrically conductive member is disposed circumferentially about said fiber optic thread. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the electrically conductive member comprises one of split shell halves and a plurality of wires about said fiber optic thread. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the fiber optic thread is one of a plurality of fiber optic threads in a bundle and wherein said electrically conductive member is disposed circumferentially about the bundle. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the fiber optic thread is one of a plurality of fiber optic threads in a bundle and the electrically conductive member is one of a plurality of electrically conductive members each circumferentially about a thread of the bundle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising cohesively integrating a filler material about the fiber optic thread to substantially eliminate void space thereat prior to said running of the electrically conductive fiber optic slickline through the coiled tubing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising enhancing one of slickline stability for assembly thereof and hydrogen absorption in the well by incorporating a glass yarn member into the core prior to said running of the electrically conductive fiber optic slickline through the coiled tubing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising providing outer layering over the core prior to said running of the electrically conductive fiber optic slickline through the coiled tubing, the outer layering being a structurally cohesive layering of one of a synthetic fiber layer, a foamed polymer and cladding. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the synthetic fiber layer is one of a para-aramid fiber, carbon, epoxy glass and an aromatic polyester. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the foamed polymer is fluorinated ethylene propylene to provide one of thermal compensation and compressive absorption. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the cladding is an austenitic nickel-chromium-based superalloy. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 4  wherein performing comprises performing at least one of a coiled tubing operation, a fluid pumping operation, a fracturing operation, an acidizing operation, a drilling operation, obtaining DTS measurements, obtaining DVS measurements, obtaining DSS measurements and obtaining DPS measurements and wherein communicating comprises communicating data related to the wellbore operation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising attaching a tool to the coiled tubing, wherein performing comprises performing the wellbore operation with the tool and wherein communicating comprising communicating data related to the tool operation. 
     
     
         17 . An electrically conductive fiber optic slickline for deployment in a well, the slickline having a core with outer layering thereover, the core comprising:
 a fiber optic thread to support communication through the well;   an electrically conductive member adjacent said thread for power transmission through the well; and   a substantially void-free filler matrix to accommodate said fiber optic thread and said electrically conductive member.   
     
     
         18 . The electrically conductive fiber optic slickline of  claim 17  wherein said electrically conductive member is of copper split shell halves. 
     
     
         19 . The electrically conductive fiber optic slickline of  claim 17  further comprising a glass yarn member accommodated by said filler matrix. 
     
     
         20 . The electrically conductive fiber optic slickline of  claim 17  wherein the outer layering comprises one of a synthetic fiber layer, a foamed polymer and cladding.