CA2134154C - Coiled tubing with signal transmitting passageway - Google Patents

Abstract

A combination of coiled tubing and a signal transmitting passageway for transmitting and/or receiving signals to well tools positioned in the coiled tubing. The signal transmitting passageway may transmit and receive hydraulic, electrical or light signals and the signals may be used for transmitting power signals for actuating well tools, control signals for controlling well tools, and/or data signals for transmitting or receiving information.

Description

. ' 2~3~15 COILED TUBING WITH SIGNAL TRANSMITTING P~qA~.~WAY

13a~ ~,u~d of the I.~
The l,~eselll invention is di e~ led to the comhinAtion of a coiled tubing and a signal i~ g passageway for tr~n~mit~;n~ and/or 10 1eC6LVI11g signals to well tools po~it;on~d in the coiled tubing. The signal llA~ passageway may l~ sllliL and receive hydraulic, electrical, or light signals and the ~ignals maybe used for Ll .~ l:..gpower signals for a l~ l :.,g well tools, control signals for controlling well tools, and/or data signals for l~A~ ..ill ..g and/or recciv,--g inf~ -ation. The signal 15 l~ iL~ passageway is positioned ~ ent the wall of the coiled tubing and out of the center of the bore of the coiled tubing for avoiding ~t~,rele~.ce with pA~ ~ of eqt1ipmant through the coiled tubing, and in ion~ the ~ignal l.~ passageway does not create any protuberances on the exterior of the coiled tubing which would inle~rele ' j 20 with its passage through wellhead i~ue. lol s.
Coiled tubing is utilized in oil and/or gas wells by being reeled into and out of a prodll~; n tiubing string for performing many types of operations. In ~llition, using various types of well tools in a coiled tubing l~qui.es a signal l~ .g signal passageway, conduit or line, to be utilized either outside or inside of the coiled tubing, such as disclosed in 213~154 United States Patent Nos. 4,844,166 and 5,285,851. However, such a coiled tubing and signal transmitting passageway must be flexible so as to be spoolable on a coiled tubing reel and is also important that the bore of the coiled tubing be clear to allow the passage of required wireline tools 5 therethrough such as bottom hole survey or temperature tools.
However, prior outside signal tr~n~mi~ing passageways, such as hydraulic lines, are undesirable and subject to being damaged on being injecte~l through wellhead eql]iI-m~nt~ Prior inside positioned signal tr~n.~mit~ing passageways, such as hydraulic and electrical lines, are free 10 flowing and coiled for specific lengths to acco.~ odate expansion and contraction and therefore hltelrere with the passage of other well tools therethrough. These problems increase in those spoolable well completions whel eill it is desired to run more than one signal transmitting passageway in comhin~ti-~n with coiled tubing.
The present invention is diiecled to various embodiment~ of a comhin~ti- n of coiled tubing and signal tr~n.qmit~ing passageway which will m~intqin the passageway out of the center of the bore of the coiled tubing thereby allowing free passage of other well tools through the bore, but still providing a flexible and spoolable comhin~ti-~n which will readily 2û pass through wellhead injectors by providing a smooth exterior on the coiled tubing and may be capable of transmitting various l~pes of signals - ~ such as hydraulic, electrical, and optical.

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One object of the present invention is the provision of a 25 combination of a coiled tubing and a signal transmitting passageway for triqn~mit~;ng and/or receiving signals to well tools positioned in the coiled tubing. The flexible coiled tubing includes an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bore ther~lhrough and is ~ rtecl to ~l.oll at least one signal ~ct~lAtecl well tool therein. The coiled tubing includes at least one signal 30 tr~n~mit~;n~passageway positioned in the coiled tubingbetween the inner ,- ,.... .. -.,., - ~ . ,. .. , - , . . .

: 213~1~4 wall and the outer wall. In one embodiment, at least two ~eparate signal tr~n.~mitt;ng passageways are positioned between the inner wall and the outèr wall. The signal transmitting passageway may be adapted to conduct hydraulic fluid, electrical signals, or light signals.
5Yet a further object of the present invention is wherein the signal transmitting passageway is positioned aL~pr~x i ., .~tely midway between the inner wall and the outer wall.
In another embodiment, the signal transmitting passageway is positioned against the outer wall of the coiled tubing. In one embodiment 10the signal transmitting means is bonded in the passageway.
A still further object of the present invention is wherein the signal tr~n~mi~;ng passageway extends from the outer wall towards the inner wall and the cross-sectional area at the outer wall is less than the cross-sectional area of the passageway whereby the signal transn~ g means 15may be securely held in the passageway.
Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of one or more protective ribs PYt~nding transversely to the outer wall between cent signal passageways for protection of the passageways.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a 20comhin~tion of a coiled tubing and a signal transmitting passageway for ,IXlllil ~ g and/or receiving signals to well tools positioned in the coiled tubing in which a flexible coiled tubing having an outer wall, an inner ~'~ wall, and a bore therethrough i8 adapted to support at least one signal ~ctllfltel well tool having a bore in colll..,....ir~t.ion with the bore of the 2i6coiled tubing. An annular signal transmitting passageway is formed between the inner wall and the outside of a concentric tube coaxially positione(l in the inside of the coiled tubing. In one embodiment the signal tr~n.~mit~ing annular passageway is formed to conduct hydraulic fluid.
30Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a combination of a coiled tubing and a signal tr~n.~mitting passageway for .. i . ; -. . ~

i ' 213~1~4 transimitting and/or receivillg signals to well tools positioned in the coiled tubing. A flexible coiled tubing having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bore therethrough is adapted to support at least one signal actuated well tool having a bore in communication with the bore of the coiled tubing.
A signal tr~n~mitt;ng passageway is formed by circularly wlapping a conduit around the outside of the outer wall of the coiled tubing and en~rs~ te~1 with a coating providing a smooth outer circumference. In one embodiment, more than one conduit is circularly wrapped around the exterior of the outer wall of the coiled tubing.
Other and further objects, fea~u, es and adv~nt~ges will be apparent from the following der~ ion of presently preferred embo~im~nts, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunction with the accon~pan~il,g drawings where like character references (lesign~te like parts throughout the several views.

BriefIhir~ oftl3eD~,in~
Fig. 1 is an elevational view, in cross section, of a portion of a spoolable well completion system ut~ .ing the combination of a coiled tubing and a signal tr~n~mitt;nE passageway, here shown as a hydraulic -control passageway, of the present invention, -Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a flat metal plate showing the ~lrst step in the m~nl]f~rt~lre of the combination coiled tubing and signal tr~ncmittin~ passageway of Fig. 1, ~ ~-Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the use 26 of a combination of hydraulic signal passageways, electrical signal ~;
piassageway, and a fiber optic signal passageway in the wall of a coiled tubing, Fig. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one of the signal -tr~n~mittin~passageways of Fig. 4, ~

-- 213~1~4 Fig. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another of the signal transmitting passageways of Fig. 4, Fig. 5 i8 an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a signal tr~n~mitt;ng passageway in the wall of a coiled 5 tubing, Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a signal transmitting passageway in the wall of a coiled tubing, Fig. 7 i8 a fr~gment~ry cross-sectional view of still a further 10 embodiment of the pl~cem~nt of a plurality of signal transmitting passageways within the wall of a coiled tubing, Fig. 8 is a frA~n~qnt~ry cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a signal tr~n~mit~;ng passageway in the wall of a coiled tubing, Fig. 9 is a fr~m~ntory cross-sectional view of yet a further pls~-ament of a signal tr~n~mitting means in the wall of a coiled tubing, Fig. 10 i6 an elevational view, in cross section, of another ' ~ embodiment of the combination of a coiled tubing and a signal transmitting passageway, Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig.
20 10, Fig. 12 is an elevational view, in cross section, of still a further mho~lim~nt of the present invention, and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 13-13, of Fig.
12.
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Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 10 generally intlic~tes a portion of a spoolable well ~; completion system and generally includes coiled tubing 12 having one or ~; more signal tr~n~mit~ing passageways such as hydraulic control conduits, passageways, or lines 14 and 14a (Fig. 2) for hydraulically controlling one :~' 213~1~4 or more well tools positioned in the coiled tubing, such as a hydraulically ~ct~lA~etl well tool 16. The hydraulically ~ct~l~ted well tool 16 may be any suitable well tool, such as Camco Model CTSP hydraulically actuated well safety valve. The coiled tubing 12 includes a wall 15 having an inner wall 17, an outer wall 19, and a coaxial bore 13 therethrough. The completion system 10 may include various other types of well tools, such as sliding sleeves, gas lift valves, and other tools (not shown).
As previously (li.qcll~se(l, the use of hydraulic or electrical control lines for act~l~ting electrical or hydraulically operated well tools have been 10 provided by llt;li~:ing separate electrical or hydraulic lines on either the outside of the coiled tubing 12 or on the inside of the coiled tubing 12.
Signal transmitting passageways, conduits or lines on the outside of the coiled tubing 12 present problems in sealing against the outer wall 19 of the coiled tubing 12 while inserting the coiled tubing 12 into a well 15 through conventional wellhead eqllipmant., such as an injector head.
Placing the signal trPn~mi~t;ng signal line inside the coiled tubing creates a free flo~qting and coiled line allowing for .o~p~n~ion and contraction, but which intelreres with the open bore 13 in the coiled tubing 12. That is, it is desirable to pass other well tools, such as bottom hole survey or 20 tt,~ ala~u.e tools, dowllw~dly through the bore 13 of the coiled tubing 12, such as on wireline systems. In such an event, it is desired that the coaxial longitudinal bore 13, particularly along the longit~ in~l axis be free of obstructions. The hydraulic control lines 14 and/or 14a in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 provide a hydraulic signal tr~nRmitt;ng 2~ passageway or lines within the wall 15 of the coiled tubing between the inner wall 17 and the outer wall 19 which is particularly advantageous as it doex not il.tel rere with the spoolability of the coiled tubing 1~, does not create any upsets or protuberances on the outside for outer wall 19 of the coiled tubing 12, nor does it interfere with the passage of wireline tools 30 through the coaxial bore 13 of the coiled tubing 12. As illu~trated, the hydraulic signal passageway 14 is utilized to provide hydraulic control ... ~, . . . ... .

~3~1~4 't~'l fluid to the well safety valve 16 for opening and closing the safety valve.
The second hydraulic signal passageway 14a (Fig. 2) may be run l- rl~ihl~linAlly dowll~.&dly within the wall 15 and through the coiled tubing 12 to operate other types of well tools (not shown).
Referring now to Fig. 3, one method of m~mlfnrt~lring the coiled tubing i2 ialong with the signal llnn j~ll jl 1 ll~ passageways 14 and 14a of Figs. 1 and 2, is best seen in ~ig. 3, in which a flat elongate metal plate 20 having an end 22 and first and second edges 24 and 26 is shown in end view. A single groove 30 or an ,Atl~it;~n~l groove 30a, providing one 10 passageway or two passa~~y~ may be provided in the edges 24 and 26, re;i~6clively. The plate 20 is then rolled in the form of a circle around its lon~ .di..Al axis, and, ~~ best seen in Fig. 2, a lon~ lin~l weld 28 is used to weld the edges 24 and 26 together. The weld 28 provides a barrier b~w~ , the grooves 30 and 30a thereby forming passageways 14 and 14a.
15 Of course, the lengths of the passageways 14 and 14a may be of any desired length and may be difr~, ellt from each other a~ l e~ d for the particular well completion ~;ystem 10. The top of the p~.s~eways 14 and 14a thus extend into 'a wellhead (not shown) for supplying the desired hydraulic control fluid to the passa~ 14 and 14a.
20 ~ Other and further e.. ho~ may be provided as herein~fter described were like parts to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will be similarly numbered with the ~ on of the suffi~ "a", '~", "c", "d", "e", "f", "~' and '~".
Referring now to Fig . 4, 4A and 4B, a plurality of ~rr~. e~ signal ~ passageways are provided within the wiall of the coiled tubing 12a between the inner wall 17a and the outer wall l9a. Hydraulic p~ eways 32 and 34 are provided, a fiber optic p~s~away 36 is provided and an cle~ l,;cal Sig~ 1AII~ 1 "~ passageway 38 i8 provided.
As best seen in Fig. 44 the fiber optic cable 36 col~ of a plurality of f~lber optic lines 40 anrlo9el~ within a ~uitable insulation 42. As best seen in Fig. 4B, the electrical line may include a flat ribbon ~re 44 enclosed 213~

with a suitable insulation 46. Thus, various data and power transmitting signals may be conducted through the wall 15a of the coiled tubing 12a to various downhole well tools (not shown). -Referring to Fig. 5, another embodiment is shown in which a signal tr~n.qmit~ing passageway 14b is formed between the inner wall 17b and the outer wall 19b of a coiled tubing 12b by cutting a portion of the outer wall 19b longit~l-lin~lly out of the exterior of the coiled tubing 12b. The passageway 14b is then formed by placing a closure plate 50 therein such as by welds 52 extending along the edges of the closure plate 50. While, of course, the passageway 14b may be left empty for conducting hydraulic fluid therethrough other types of signal tr~n~mit~ing means may be inserted in the passageway 14b, such as means 64 in which the signal transmitting elements 56 may be fiber optic cables or multiple strands of electrical wire.
In Fig. 6, a closure plate 50c is welded into the outer wall 19c of a coiled tubing 12c enclosing a f~lber optic bundle 58.
Referring to Fig. 7, a closure plate 50d encloses a plurality of p~ geways 14d which are separaled from each other by protective ribs 60. Various types of signal tr~n~mitting means 58d may be provided in the individual passageways 14d, such as single electrical wires or fiber optic lines.
Referring now to Fig. 8, the signal tr~n~mit~inF passageways 14e are positi~n.s~ against the outer wall 19e of the coiled tubing 12e and extend from the outer wall 19e inwardly. In the event that a plurality of -passageways 14e are desired a l).oLe~ liv~ rib 60e is provided between adjacent passageways 14e for protecting the signal tr~n~mit~ing means 58e. The tr~n~mi~ting means 58e are preferably ~nclose~l by a suitable rubber ~lller 62 which is bonded and holds the transmitting means 58e in place in the p~ ~s 14e by being bonded therein.
Referring to Fig. 9, a signal tr~n~mitting passageway 14f ~Yt~n from the outer wall 1~f towards the inner wall 17f of the coiled tubing 12f.

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213~1~4 The cross-sectional area 64 at the outer wall 19f is less than other cross-sectional areas of the passageway 14f whereby the signal transmitting means 58f may be held in the passageway 14f. The signal transmitting means 58f may include any suitable signal means, such as electrical lines 5 or fiber optic lines which are covered by a plastic cover 68. The shape of the passageway 14f allows the signal tr~n~mitting means 58f to be inexpensively snapped into place in the passageway 14f and securely held therein.
Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, a spoolable well completion 10 system 10g is shown having a coiled tubing 12g, a hydraulic signal transmitting passageway conduit or line 70 for supplying hydraulic fluid to a hydraulically flct~l~ted well tool, such as safety valve 16g. The signal tr~n~mit~ing passageway 70 is a concentric annulus which is provided between the inside diameter of wall 17g of the coiled tubing 12g and the 1~ outside diameter 72 of a tubular member 74 which is concentrically positioned inside of the coiled tubing 12g. Again, the concentric annulus hydraulic signal passageway 70 meets the desired criteria of not being outside of the wall 15g and not interfering with the coaxial passage of well tools through the bore 13g which is in co~ ullication with the bore 76 of 20 the well tool 16g.
Referring to another embodiment, as best seen in Figs. 12 and 13, a coiled tubing 12h is provided having a slightly reduced internal diameter 17h which proYides for an open bore 13h therethrough. In this embodimant" one or more hydraulic signal transmitting passageways, 25 conduits or lines 80 and 80a are helically wound around the outside diameter 19h of the coiled tubing 12h. The circular wrapping of the hydraulic passageways 80 and 82 provides added strength to the structure.
The circular wrapped controlled lines 80 and 82 are then encapsulated with an outer cover 84 made out of a suitable strength providing plastic 30 cover made of any ~uitable material, such as PEEK fiber composite or Ryton "PPS" (polyphenylene sulfide), long fiber reinforced composite, the '-'. ~'. '~' ~' ,, ~ ~ '.

: '~ - ':'' 21341~4 -10- , .
cover 84 provides a smooth exterior with a non-upset circumference which will readily pass through an injector in a wellhead and at the same time will protect the control lines 80 and 82 from damage while also providing the necessal ~ strength for gripping by h~nging means for supporting the coiled tubing 12h.
The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While presently prererl ed embo~im~nts of the invention have been given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the 10 details of construction and arrangement of parts, will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and which are encomp~sed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
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Claims (14)

1. A combination of a metal coiled tubing and a signal transmitting passageway for transmitting and/or receiving signals to well tools positioned inthe coiled tubing comprising, a flexible metal coiled tubing having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bore therethrough and adapted to support at least one signal actuated well tool therein, and said coiled tubing having at least one signal transmitting passageway positioned in the coiled tubing between the inner wall and the outer wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least two separate signal transmitting passageways are positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 including, a protective rib extending transversely relative to the outer wall between adjacent passageways for protection of the passageways.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal transmitting passageways is formed to conduct hydraulic fluid.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal transmitting passageway includes an electrical wire.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal transmitting passageway includes a fiber optic cable.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal transmitting passageway is positioned approximately midway between the inner wall and the outer wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal transmitting passageway is positioned against the outer wall of the coiled tubing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein signal transmitting means is bonded in the passageway.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the signal transmitting passageway extends from the outer wall toward the inner wall and the cross-sectional area at the outer wall is less than other cross-sectional areas of the passageway whereby signal transmitting means may be held in the passageway.

11. A combination of a metal coiled tubing, and a signal transmitting passageway for transmitting and/or receiving signals to well tools positioned inthe coiled tubing comprising, a flexible metal coiled tubing having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bore therethrough and adapted to support at least one signal actuated well tool having a bore in communication with the bore of the coiled tubing, and an annular signal transmitting passageway formed between the inner wall and the outside of a concentric tube coaxially positioned in the inside of the coiled tubing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the signal transmitting passageway is formed to conduct hydraulic fluid for actuating said well tool.

13. A combination of a metal coiled tubing, and a signal transmitting passageway for transmitting and/or receiving signals to well tools positioned inthe coiled tubing comprising, a flexible metal coiled tubing having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bore therethrough and adapted to support at least one signal actuated well tool having a bore in communication with the bore of the coiled tubing, and a signal transmitting passageway formed by circularly wrapping a conduit around the outside of the outer wall of the coiled tubing and encapsulated with a coating providing a smooth outer circumference.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 including more than one conduit circularly wrapped around the outside of the outer wall of the coiled tubing.