EP0165154B1 - Method and device for effecting by means of specialized tools such operations as measurements in well sections highly inclined to the vertical, or the horizontals - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to improvements to the method and to the devices described in French patent application FR-A-2,501,777 and to its first addition FR-A-2,522,059 for carrying out operations such as measurements or interventions, using the using specialized tools or instruments in a specific portion of a well. This portion can be deviated, strongly tilted vertically or be horizontal or vertical. In the latter case, the application of the invention is particularly advantageous when said portion is located beyond an area where penetration of the tool or instrument is difficult, this area being for example deviated, strongly inclined or horizontal , or blocked by cuttings.

According to the prior art, specialized tools or instruments for performing operations such as, for example, measurements, are fixed to the end of a carrying cable and move under the action of gravity, without great difficulty, as long as the inclination of the drilled well relative to the vertical does not exceed approximately 45 °. Beyond this limit, the displacement of the tools is only possible if one knows the profile and the variations in diameter of the drilled well and if tools of reduced dimensions are used.

For sharply inclined wells, it has been proposed in US Pat. No. 4,168,747 to install in the well a flexible pipe provided at its end with a head producing jets of fluid which promote the advancement of the flexible pipe in the well. The tool is introduced into the flexible pipe and its movement is ensured by pumping the fluid filling the well and the flexible pipe. The tool which is permanently maintained inside the flexible pipe is therefore necessarily of a type whose operation is not affected by the presence of the flexible pipe, such as for example a neutron probe or radii for measuring land characteristics.

Such a solution has many drawbacks. In fact, not only is it not usable for all the tools that may have to be introduced into the well, such as an electrical or electromagnetic measuring probe, but also it proves to be long to implement. In addition, the inevitable friction of the flexible pipe against the well wall, in particular in the strongly inclined portions, requires for its progression very powerful jets which locally deteriorate the well wall. Such a device is therefore not usable when tools have to be introduced into sharply inclined portions of great length and into portions of practically horizontal wells.

It is also known to fix a tool such as a measurement probe at the end of a practically rigid hollow rod to ensure its displacement under the action of a thrust exerted on the rod.

The drawbacks of this solution lie in the fact that the tools placed at the end of the rod rub against the wall of the well and can be damaged. On the other hand, these tools are connected to the surface by a cable for transmitting control and measurement signals which is housed in the bore of the hollow rod, which notably complicates the assembly operations of the elements screwed end to end. end which constitute the stem.

To limit this latter drawback, it is possible to use a side window fitting generally designated by the Anglo-Saxon expression of "Side Entry Sub" and described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,062,551.

The screwing or unscrewing of the rod sections located above this special connector is simplified by the fact that above this connector, the cable is outside the hollow rod. However, the drawback indicated above remains for the portion of rod between this special fitting and the tool. In addition, precautions must be taken to avoid cable jamming because, above the special connection, the cable is located in the annular space defined between the hollow rod and the wall of the well. The location of this special connector on the hollow rod is preferably but not limited to so that, when the rod is moved, this connector remains in the vertical part of the wall of the well.

US Patent 4,039,237 describes a drilling device in which one descends into the drill string, by gravity, a cable having at its lower part a connector which is connected to a downhole electric motor.

Also known from US Patents 3,976,347 and 4,126,848 are electrical connectors adapted to be lowered into a drill string at the lower end of a cable to be connected to devices located at the bottom.

Such devices cannot be used to carry out operations in highly deviated wells.

It is, moreover, necessary in certain cases to rotate the tool about its axis, for example when this tool is a tool carrying out nuclear density logs, such logs requiring that a pad be applied against the formation. geological, or when the tool is a training test tool, or an oriented perforation tool, or when this tool is a four-arm calibration tool intended to determine the geometry of the section right of the well. It is often desirable that the angle of rotation is precisely controlled and that rotation is easy and reliable, whether that of the tool itself or that of the other components of the apparatus, for example the casing, the electric cables ... etc ...

The patent FR-A-2.501.777 proposes a method and an apparatus not having the disadvantages nients of the prior art and allowing operations to be carried out using specialized tools, in portions of wells which are strongly inclined relative to the vertical and which may even be horizontal.

• - on fixe un corps d'outil de diagraphie ou d'intervention à la partie inférieure d'une première tige d'un train de tiges, ledit corps d'outils étant relié électriquement à un premier connecteur électrique solidaire de ladite première tige et accessible depuis la partie supérieure de celui-ci,
• - on assemble le train de tiges en connectant bout à bout de nouvelles tiges de forage au-dessus de ladite première tige et on fait descendre progressivement dans le puits l'ensemble du corps d'outil et du train de tiges, au fur et à mesure de l'assemblage de ce dernier,
• - on introduit dans le train de tiges, depuis la surface, un second connecteur électrique enfichable en milieu liquide sur ledit premier connecteur, ce second connecteur étant fixé mécaniquement à l'extrémité inférieure d'un câble de transmission électrique et relié électriquement à la surface par l'intermédiaire de ce câble. On fait descendre dans le train de tiges ledit second connecteur fixé au câble une fois que le corps d'outil atteint sensiblement ladite zone prédéterminée du puits. Ceci est réalisé en faisant coulisser le câble à travers un organe d'étanchéité que l'on fixe au train de tiges en surface, et l'on déplace ledit second connecteur à travers ladite portion inclinée ou horizontale du train de tiges par pompage d'un fluide à travers le train de tiges depuis la surface jusqu'à ce que ledit second connecteur électrique vienne se raccorder audit premier connecteur. Ledit corps d'outil est positionné dans ladite zone prédéterminée du puits, et on effectue la diagraphie ou l'intervention dans cette zone.

According to this patent FR-A-2.501.777, a method is used to perform logging operations or interventions in a predetermined area of a drilled well having from the ground surface an initial portion which is substantially vertical or slightly inclined, followed by an inclined or horizontal portion, said predetermined area being located beyond said initial portion of the well, this method comprising the following steps:

• - A log or intervention tool body is fixed to the lower part of a first rod of a drill string, said tool body being electrically connected to a first electrical connector secured to said first rod and accessible from the top of it,
• - the drill string is assembled by connecting new drill rods end to end above said first rod and the entire tool body and drill string are gradually lowered into the well, as and when measurement of the assembly of the latter,
• - A second electrical connector pluggable in liquid medium onto said first connector is introduced into the drill string from the surface, this second connector being mechanically fixed to the lower end of an electrical transmission cable and electrically connected to the surface through this cable. Said second connector fixed to the cable is lowered into the drill string once the tool body has substantially reached said predetermined zone of the well. This is achieved by sliding the cable through a sealing member which is fixed to the drill string on the surface, and said second connector is moved through said inclined or horizontal portion of the drill string by pumping fluid through the drill string from the surface until said second electrical connector connects to said first connector. Said tool body is positioned in said predetermined zone of the well, and logging or intervention is carried out in this zone.

According to the present invention, said tool or instrument is rotated without rotating the entire drill string. The tool can be rotated before or during the logging or intervention operation using the device described below.

The initial portion can be vertical or of any inclination.

According to a preferred embodiment, a pressure pulse is triggered in said first rod when said second connector arrives in the immediate vicinity of said first connector, in order to generate a closing force sufficient to connect these two connectors.

Patent FR-A-2.50L.777 also provides a device for carrying out logging operations or interventions using a specialized tool, in a predetermined area of a drilled well, comprising in combination a rigid rod hollow at the end of which the tool is fixed, a first electrical connection connector connected to the tool, a drill string connecting to the upper part of said rigid rod, and an electric cable provided at its end with a second electrical connector complementary to the first connector. This drill string has at its upper part a sealing member through which the cable can slide and in that said second connector is ballasted and provided with members ensuring its movement under the effect of the pressure of a fluid to inside the drill string.

According to the present invention, the device comprises means allowing the rotation of the tool or instrument without driving the entire drill string in rotation. These rotary drive means may be disposed between the drill string and said tool or instrument.

The rotary drive means comprise a first part integral with the drill string, a second part integral in rotation with the tool, a first tubular element integral with the first part, a second tubular element coaxial with the first tubular element and comprising a groove cooperating with at least one finger secured to the second part.

The second element comprises two pistons between which is an orifice formed in the second element, the orifice cooperating with a second orifice formed in the first element.

This device preferably comprises means for relative positioning of said first and said second connectors, comprising in combination a conical bearing surface of the second connector cooperating with a corresponding shoulder formed on the internal wall of said rigid rod and a system for hooking the two connectors forming high stop above said conical bearing surface and its shoulder.

Preferably also, said members ensuring the movement of the second connector comprise annular cups on which the fluid pressure acts, these cups having a diameter less than the internal diameter of the drill string, and a tubular jacket locally reducing this internal diameter, so to create an engagement pulse, is disposed in said rigid rod at a level slightly higher than that occupied by said cups in the connection position of the two connectors.

• - la figure 1 représente un outil fixé à l'extrémité d'une colonne tubulaire rigide,
• - les figures 2 à 6, 5A et 5B illustrent la mise en oeuvre de la méthode selon le brevet principal,
• - les figures 7 et 8 montrent le centrage de l'outil et de son carter dans le puits foré,
• - la figure 9 illustre l'exemple d'un outil fixé directement à l'extrémité d'une colonne tubulaire rigide.
• - les figures 10A et 10B illustrent schématiquement un mode de réalisation de l'invention utilisant un outil pouvant être dégagé de son logement par télécommande,
• - les figures 11A et 11 B représentent respectivement la partie supérieure et la partie inférieure de l'ensemble constitué par la barre de charge et le connecteur électrique femelle, en position de raccordement au connecteur mâle,
• - la figure 12 montre une rondelle d'accrochage après cisaillement, et
• - les figures 13 et 14A, ainsi que la figure 14B illustrent des modes de réalisation des moyens d'entraînement en rotation de l'outil.

The invention can be clearly understood and all of its advantages will appear on reading the following description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• - Figure 1 shows a tool attached to the end of a rigid tubular column,
• FIGS. 2 to 6, 5A and 5B illustrate the implementation of the method according to the main patent,
• - Figures 7 and 8 show the centering of the tool and its casing in the drilled well,
• - Figure 9 illustrates the example of a tool attached directly to the end of a rigid tubular column.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically illustrate an embodiment of the invention using a tool which can be released from its housing by remote control,
• FIGS. 11A and 11B respectively represent the upper part and the lower part of the assembly constituted by the load bar and the female electrical connector, in the position of connection to the male connector,
• FIG. 12 shows a catching washer after shearing, and
• - Figures 13 and 14A, as well as Figure 14B illustrate embodiments of the rotary drive means of the tool.

The tool shown diagrammatically at 1 in FIG. 1 is mechanically protected by a casing 2. The assembly thus formed is fixed to the end of a rigid tubular rod 3 composed of elements screwed end to end. One of the elements 4 of a waterproof plug-in electrical connector is connected to the tool 1.

The term tool is used here to designate any device or organ which it is necessary to introduce into a drilled well to carry out operations such as the determination of at least one characteristic of terrains, for example resistivity, acoustic impedance, measurement of the speed of propagation of sound in the formations, natural emission of radiation there, rate of absorption of certain radiations, etc ..., controls of cementing of a casing in the well, controls of localization of the joints between the elements constituting the casing, precise orientation checks of the well, or operations such as the perforation of a casing, the taking of solid samples on the wall of the well, the taking of liquid samples in the well or even dip-metering measures, this list of operations being in no way limiting.

Of course, the shape of the casing 2 is determined by the technician depending on the tool used and can also provide a thermal protector for the tool by circulating a fluid such as drilling mud generally filling the drilled well. . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, this fluid flows through orifices 3c formed in the connector 3b beyond the electrical plug 4. These orifices can be located on the lateral surface just above the tool or at the end of the protective casing 2 (Fig. 1).

The method according to the invention consists in fixing the assembly of the tool 1 and of its protective casing 2 to the end of a column or of a hollow rigid rod 3, without however connecting the tool to a cable. transmission of energy and / or information. Thus, the tool is in an inert state where it does not risk being triggered inadvertently, by false operations or by parasitic signals. This constitutes safety, in particular for tools comprising explosive charges which must only come into action when the tool is at a determined location in the well. In addition, it should be noted that the absence of a transmission cable facilitates the handling of the elements connected end to end which form column 3.

By means of column 3, the tool 1 protected by its casing 2 is introduced and moved into the well (Fig. 2) to the desired position which is substantially the exact position where the tool must operate, in the case of a tool carrying out only a punctual operation or which is the end furthest from the surface of a portion of length A along which the tool must work (Fig. 6). The length of the portion A is preferably, but not limited to, at most equal to the length of the portion L of the well which is generally vertical and extends from the surface.

To connect the tool to an energy and / or information transmission cable, an electrical plug-in connector is used in a fluid medium. This connection can be of any known type and for example as described in United States patent 4,039,242.

This connection essentially consists of a socket and a plug, complementary to each other and which fit together. One of them, for example plug 4, is connected to the tool. The other part (socket 5) is fixed to the end of a transmission cable 6.

When the tool has been placed in the well as indicated above, the socket 5 and the cable 6 are introduced into the hollow rod 3 (Fig. 3). A heavy element or load bar 7 overcomes the socket 5 and facilitates its progression in column 3 under the action of gravity. Then, by pumping the fluid in column 3, the outlet 5 is moved until its connection with the plug 4 is effective. This connection can be easily controlled, for example by means of contacts which close an electrical circuit when the plug 4 is in the correct position in the socket 5. A locking device of any known type keeps the socket and the plug in their assembly position. .

In the case where the tool must only operate at a determined location in the well, the introduction of the outlet 5 and the cable 6 into the column 3 and the pumping operation can be carried out by using a well sealing block (BCP) well known in the field of drilling and shown diagrammatically at 8 in FIG. 4. This BOP comprises jaws 9 and 10 which can be moved radially and which maintain the seal around the cable 6. The circulation of the fluid is ensured by a pump 11 communicating through a valve 12 with the interior of the rigid column 3.

In the case where the tool must operate along a portion of the well, the cable 6 is preferably introduced into the column 3 through the opening of a special connector 13 with side window generally called "side entry sub This connection is fixed to the top of column 3 as shown in Figure 5 when the probe enters the area to be explored (Fig. 2). It is preferably provided with cable tightening means making it possible to immobilize the latter at the level of the connector after having connected the plug 4 and the socket 5.

Once the electrical connection of the tool has been made by the plug-in connectors 4 and 5, the displacement of the tool 1 to the end of the zone to be explored is ensured by adding rigid elements above the connector 13 ( Fig. 6) over a length equal to the length A of the area to be explored.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5A, rubber centering devices 3a fixed to the rigid column guide the cable 6 over a certain distance along the drilling column 3 above the side window connector 13.

The use of such centralizers is particularly recommended, but not compulsory when the first portion of the well is inclined or horizontal (Fig. 5B).

These centralizers can be of any known type and in particular of the type of those sold by the company WEATHERFORD-STABILIA under the name of "Control line".

The tool 1 is operated by remote control through the transmission cable 6, this operation being obtained on the portion A of the well by gradually raising the operating column 3. This raising operation of the column 3 is facilitated by the fact that the cable is, on the surface, outside the column 3, which makes it easier to unscrew the tubular elements of the column.

The connector 13 can be of any known type and in particular of the type described in US Pat. No. 4,062,551.

When in use, some tools need to be properly centered in the well. This can be obtained by centralizers 14 fixed on the casing 2 and possibly on the column 3 as schematically shown in FIG. 7. These centralizers are, for example of the type with blades well known in soil drilling techniques. Other types of centralizers can also be used, for example rubber centralizers with mud passage.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the tool 1 and its casing are connected to the end of the rigid column 3 by a portion of deformable tube 15 constituted for example by tubular rings hinged to each other. Such portions of deformable rod are well known in the art and marketed for example by the company ARCO DRILLING under the name of "KNUCKLE JOINT".

In this case, only the casing 2 is provided with centralizers 14 holding the tool substantially in the axis of the well.

To work in good conditions, certain tools need to be released from their protective casing 2. This is the case, for example, of electrical measurement probes of the type marketed under the name of laterolog or "dual" laterolog, probes of acoustic measurement, etc ...

The tool can be released from its housing by any known device such as for example a piston integral with the tool and sliding in the housing. By injecting a hydraulic fluid such as mud, the piston is moved to disengage the active part of the tool from the casing or reintegrate the tool in its protective casing.

Figures 10A and 10B schematically illustrate such an embodiment and the principle of its operation.

In the example illustrated by these figures, the reference 16 designates the active part of the tool electrically connected to the male connector 4 by an extendable electrical cable 17 and secured to a piston 18 slidably mounted inside the casing 2. The sliding of the assembly 16-18 can be carried out between the retracted position of the member 16 shown in FIG. 10A and its position illustrated in FIG. 10B in which the active part 16 of the tool is released from the casing 2 by the end of the latter, under the effect of an overpressure of the fluid injected into the drill string, by compressing a return spring 19. The piston 18 is provided with a member 20 ensuring its locking in one or the other of its two limit positions by cooperating with grooves 21 and 22 formed in the wall of the casing 2. In the piston 18 are formed channels allowing the flow of drilling fluid.

In the position of FIG. 10A, this fluid escapes through orifices 24 formed at the end of the casing 2, while lateral orifices 25 are closed by a ring 23. The member 20 could be, for example, mechanical or electromechanical type.

When passing to the position illustrated in FIG. 10B, this ring 23 is pushed to the right by the piston 18, revealing the orifices 25 through which the fluid can also escape (this results in a drop in pressure of this fluid allowing to detect on the surface that the active member 16 has reached its working position).

Certain tools, such as tools with pads of the density, microresistivity, micro-acoustic type and certain perforators with explosive charges, need to be oriented in the well before they are put into operation in order to improve their performance. In addition, the orientation of the tool constitutes a data added to that of the measurement. The combination of these two pieces of information in highly deviated and horizontal wells improves the interpretation of the results. This may be the case for the detection of formation fractures and the determination of casing cementation.

For this, the casing 2 may contain an orientation detection member, such as at least an accelerometer or a gyrocompass.

For example, the use of a single accelerometer, the axis of rotation of which coincides with that of the tool, makes it possible to place a generator previously identified by the tool in a vertical plane passing through the axis of the tool.

The combined use of two accelerometers whose axes of rotation are perpendicular to each other and to the axis of the tool, makes it possible to measure the angle formed between the vertical and the plane containing the generator previously identified and the axis of the probe.

Thus, the rotation of the rod 3 can be obtained from the surface according to the indications provided by these members, and makes it possible to correctly position the tool in the well.

• - la difficulté de contrôler avec précision l'angle de rotation en raison des forces de frottement s'exerçant tout au long du train de tiges, ces forces nécessitant l'application d'un couple élevé depuis la surface,
• - la nécessité de faire plusieurs rotations complètes du train de tiges autour de son axe en surface avant de produire la rotation de l'outil,
• - lorsque la rotation de l'outil se produit, elle est souvent brutale et ne peut être contrôlée avec précision.

This method has drawbacks, among which:

• - the difficulty of precisely controlling the angle of rotation due to the friction forces exerted throughout the drill string, these forces requiring the application of a high torque from the surface,
• - the need to make several complete rotations of the drill string around its surface axis before producing the rotation of the tool,
• - when the rotation of the tool occurs, it is often brutal and cannot be precisely controlled.

In addition, it is difficult to rotate the drill string from the surface due to the presence of the electric cable outside of this drill string. This makes the square rod and the rotation table unusable.

Furthermore, the rotation of the entire drill string from the surface is an insecure and dangerous operation when it must be carried out manually, which is generally the case.

In FIG. 7, the reference 36 designates means for driving the tool in rotation, arranged beyond a deformable tubular part 38.

In FIG. 8, the rotation drive means are located above the deformable tube 15. It would be possible to change the positions of the rotation drive means between FIGS. 7 and 8.

It will not depart from the scope of the present invention to implement a tool of which a generator is identified and which comprises an accelerometer whose axis of rotation coincides with that of the tool, whether before or during the operation of the tool the tool is caused to rotate without rotating the entire drill string until the signal supplied by the accelerometer indicates that the generator identified by the tool is in the vertical plane passing through the axis of the drill string.

Likewise, it will not depart from the scope of the present invention by implementing a tool whose generator is identified and comprising two accelerometers whose axes of rotation are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the axis of the tool, if determines from the indications of the accelerometers, the angle formed between the vertical plane passing through the axis of the tool and the plane containing the axis of the tool and the identified generator of the tool and in that causes the tool to rotate without rotating the entire drill string until the determined angle reaches a value chosen in advance.

Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, in particular as shown in FIG. 9.

For example, for certain tools such as a tool for taking samples of liquid in the well or a tool for perforating a casing fixed to the wall of the well, this tool being of a type that technicians designate by the terms "cannon or" scallop •, the casing can be integrated into the tool itself, or be removed. In this case, the tool 1 will be directly fixed to the end of the column 3 by means of an intermediate connector 3b preferably provided with orifices 3c for the passage of the fluid.

The tool used in the device according to the invention could obviously include a member for measuring the force or stress exerted on this tool, which is particularly useful when the tool is not housed in a protective casing.

This member can be actuated when the electrical connection is made.

FIGS. 11A and 11B respectively represent the upper part and the lower part of the assembly constituted by the load bar 7 and the female connector 5, in the position of connection of this assembly to the male connector 4 housed at the base of the train of rods 3, above the tool 1. The arrows show the flow of the injected fluid from the surface which escapes through the orifices 3c above the casing 2 (Fig. 11 B) or from the tool 1 (Fig. 9).

A connector 26 ensures the electrical connection of the conductors 27 of the cable 6 with the female connector 5.

The assembly 5-7, mechanically linked to the connector 26 comprises two centering members 7a and 7b and a sleeve 28 carrying annular cups 29 (for example made of elastomer), of diameter less than the internal diameter of the drill string 3, which constitute a set of pistons allowing the propulsion of the set 5-7 by the pressurized fluid in the inclined portions of the well.

• 1) une portée conique 30 du connecteur femelle coopérant avec une butée correspondante 31 ménagée sur la paroi interne de l'élément du train de tiges dans lequel vient se loger la prise 5.
• 2) un système d'accrochage situé au-dessus de l'ensemble 30-31, ce système comportant de préférence au moins une rondelle d'accrochage cisaillable 33 rendue solidaire de la prise femelle 5 et une pluralité de doigts ou lames élastiques d'accrochage et de retenue 32, agencés à l'intérieur de l'élément de tain de tiges et solidaires de cet élément (dans l'exemple représenté, les lames sont au nombre de trois et séparées par 120°).

Rigorous and reliable positioning of the female connector 5 on the male plug is ensured by combining:

• 1) a conical surface 30 of the female connector cooperating with a corresponding stop 31 formed on the internal wall of the element of the drill string in which the socket 5 is housed.
• 2) a fastening system located above the assembly 30-31, this system preferably comprising at least one shearable fastening washer 33 made integral with the female socket 5 and a plurality of elastic fingers or blades of hooking and retaining 32, arranged inside the tain rod element and integral with this element (in the example shown, the blades are three in number and separated by 120 °).

The locking washer 33 being engaged under the retaining faces 32a of the fingers 32 by a latching pulse produced by the pressure of the fluid (the way in which this pulse is produced will be specified below), the socket 5 is strictly positioned between a low stop 31 (the level of which corresponds to a perfect electrical connection between elements 4 and 5) and the high stop formed by the faces of retainer 32a of fingers 32.

By exerting on the cable 6 from the surface a moderate traction (of value less than that causing the shearing of the washer 33), it can be verified that the attachment is well achieved (in this case, in fact, the traction on the cable results in increased blood pressure).

The socket 5 can be disconnected from the plug 4 by a higher tensile force causing the shearing of the washer 33 at the level of the knives 32. This tensile force must have a value greater than the shearing force increased by the friction forces of the cable 6 all along the drill string 3. Experience has shown that with such a device, it is possible to make several successive connections and disconnections without the need to reassemble the washer 33 on the surface each time to change it, the notches 33a created by shearing during a disconnection not being found opposite the knives 32 during a new connection.

The washer 33 can however be easily changed at the surface after the plug 5 has been raised and it is possible to have sets of washers with different shear strengths, depending on the tensile strength of the cable 6.

The fluid pressure pulse causing the engagement of the washer 33 with the retaining blades 32 and, consequently, of the socket 4 on the plug 5, is produced by placing in the drill string, at a slightly higher level. to that occupied by the cups 29 in the connection position of the elements 4 and 5, a tubular jacket 34 of reduced internal diameter, little greater than the external diameter of the cups 29, so as to produce a sudden increase in the axial thrust directed downwards acting on the cups, when the latter pass through the tubular jacket 34, shortly before the connection.

This impulse is sufficient to produce the engagement of the washer 33 with the blades 32.

At the outlet of the tubular jacket 34, the cups 29 enter a chamber of larger diameter, allowing an easy flow of the fluid around the cups.

The respective diameters of the cups 29 and of the tubular jacket 34 can be modified at will.

It is obvious that other means can be used to lock the plug 4 to the socket 5 for example, electrical, mechanical or electro-hydraulic means which can be remotely controlled from the surface.

The devices according to the invention described above make it possible to carry out, if desired, a continuous or periodic circulation of fluid around the tool during operation.

This circulation is particularly advantageous for the safety of the well, for cleaning it, to facilitate the movement of the drill string in this well and / or to cool the tool if it is used in a geological temperature formation. high and / or to cool the formation itself.

The technique according to the invention is therefore particularly advantageous for implementing a television camera intended for the observation of the wall of a well, for example through a porthole arranged in the wall of the casing 2. In this case, indeed, one can easily circulate through the drill string of clear water which clears the field of the lens of the camera and ensures the cooling of the latter during operation.

The means for driving the tool in rotation may be of the type described in patent US Pat. No. 4,321,951 or US Pat. No. 4,286,676 but being limited to the production of an angle of 180 ° between the two tubular elements illustrated in this patent. According to the present invention, one of these tubular elements will then be made integral in rotation with the drill string and the other integral in rotation with the tool or instrument.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment in which a first part 39 is secured to the drill string, at least in rotation and a second piece 40 is secured to the tool 41 by a link 42.

Inside the parts 39 and 40 are housed two coaxial tubular elements 43 and 44. The first element 43 is integral with the part 39 via the link 45 and carries a rotating connector 46 making the electrical connection between the tool and the first end of an electric cable 47. The other end of this cable is connected to the end of the transmission cable 6 via the socket 5. Thus, the plug 4 is located away from the tool. The second tubular element 44 which surrounds the first comprises at one of its ends a groove 48 cooperating with at least one finger 49 secured to the part 40.

This groove can be of the type described in US Patent 4,286,676. At least part of this groove can be inclined relative to the axis of said second part 44. Preferably, the groove is arranged so that the tool 41 rotates when the second tubular element 44 is lowered, for example by increasing fluid pressure from the surface.

This fluid exerts a force on a piston 50 integral with the second tubular element 44 at the second end thereof. Said second element 44 may comprise a second piston 52 and an orifice 51 allowing the circulation of said fluid through a second orifice 65 formed in said first element 43. The pistons 50 and 52 cooperate successively with a bore 53 formed inside the Exhibit 39.

At rest, the piston 52 is located inside said bore. When the fluid flow is less than a certain value determined by the stiffness and the initial compression of a spring 54 which cooperates with a stop 55 and tends to return the second element 44, there is no displacement.

When the fluid flow rate increases, the fluid exerts a sufficient force on the piston 52 to move the second element 44 downwards. Then the first piston 50 cooperates with the bore 53. At this instant, the orifice 51 is no longer in communication. tion with the fluid and the force exerted on the first piston 50 increases sufficiently to cause the rotation of the part 40 and the tool.

When the second element is in its lowest position, the orifice 51 communicates again with the fluid whose circulation it allows. When the fluid flow is interrupted, the spring 54 returns the second element to its rest position.

The first element 43 has an orifice allowing the circulation of the fluid through the orifice 51.

In addition, the second element comprises a groove 56 which cooperates with a guide finger 57, these two parts mentioned lastly preventing the rotation of the second element relative to the part 39.

Figures 14 and 14A illustrate another embodiment. According to this embodiment, a part 58 is integral in rotation and in translation with the drill string 3. This part 58 has grooves 59 such as those described above, but which are arranged in opposite directions, that is to say that is to say in order to drive the tool in rotation when it is removed. These grooves cooperate with at least one finger secured to a second part 61 which can rotate around the first part 58 and can also move in translation relative to the first part.

The tool 62 is integral at least in rotation with said second part. The first part 58 is integral in rotation, but not in translation with a first element 63 of a rotary electrical connector. This can be obtained by means of a finger 66 integral with said first element of the rotary connector, this finger cooperating with an axial groove 67 formed in the first part 58.

The first element 63 of the rotary connector cooperates with a second element 64 of said connector, located on the tool 62.

These two elements can rotate relative to each other. An extendable electrical cable 65 electrically connects the first element 63 of the rotary connector to an electrical outlet, this outlet cooperating with the socket 5.

To rotate the second part 61 and consequently the tool, the drill string is raised from the surface and the parts 58 and 61 are moved from their position in FIG. 14 to the position illustrated in FIG. 14A, this which causes the part 61 to rotate.

The drill string can then be lowered. It is obvious that the embodiments according to FIGS. 10A and 10B can be combined with those of FIGS. 13, 14 and 14A.

It is also obvious that other means can be used to drive the tool in rotation, for example an electric motor 68 coupled to the tool (FIG. 10B) either directly or by means of gears 69 and 70 (FIG. 10A), or else coupled to a pump so as to actuate a part such as the second element 44 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13.

There are also other devices which can be used to convert a translational movement into rotation, for example a part driven by an alternative translational movement, this part comprising at least one helical groove cooperating with the fingers of an intermediate part which only moves in rotation. Thus the intermediate piece has an alternating rotational movement. This part can be fitted with pawls cooperating with a drive mechanism. Thus the reciprocating translational movement of said piece having at least one helical groove is converted into reciprocating rotational movement of the intermediate piece, which in turn causes a succession of rotational movements of the ratchet drive mechanism, which is integral of the tool.

Claims (7)

1. A device for effecting well-logging operations or interventions with the aid of a specialised tool (1) in a predetermined zone of a drilled well comprising in combination a hollow rigid pipe to which is fixed the tool (1), a first electrical connector (4) connected to the tool (1), a string of pipes (3) connecting to the upper part of said rigid pipe, and an electrical cable (6) provided at its end with a second electrical connector (5) complementing the first connector (4), a side- entry sealing element (13) through which the cable (6) can slide, this element (13) being surmounted by pipe string elements of a length corresponding to the desired movement (A) of the tool (1) in said predetermined zone of the well, characterised in that it also comprises means for rotating the tool (36 ; 68, 69, 70 ; 68 ; 48, 49 ; 59, 60) without rotating the pipe string assembly (3), in that said rotating means comprise a first part (39) locked to the pipe string, a second part (40) locked in rotation to the tool, a first tubular element (43) locked to said first part (39), a second tubular element (44) coaxial with said first tubular element (43) and comprising a slot (48) cooperating with a least one finger (49) locked to the second part (40), and in that said second element (44) comprises two pistons (50, 52) between which there is an orifice (51) formed in said second element, said orifice (51) cooperating with a second orifice (65) formed in said first element (43).

2. A method which can be used to effect well-logging operations or interventions in a predetermined zone of a drilled well which, from the surface of the ground, exhibits an initial portion which is substantially vertical or barely inclined, followed by an inclined or horizontal portion, said predetermined zone being located beyond said initial portion of the well, this method comprising the following stages :

a) on the surface a well-logging or intervention tool body is fixed to the lower part of a first pipe of a string of pipes, said tool body being connected electrically to a first electrical connector locked to said first pipe and accessible from the upper part of the latter,

b) the string of pipes is assembled by connecting new drilling pipes end to end above said first pipe and the assembly comprising the tool body and the string of pipes is progressively lowered into the well as it is assembled,

c) a second electrical connector which can be connected in a liquid medium to said first connector is introduced into the string of pipes from the surface, this second connector being fixed mechanicially to the lower end of an electrical transmission cable and connected electrically to the surface through the intermediary of this cable,

d) when the tool body has essentially reached said predetermined zone of the well, said second connector fixed to the cable is lowered into the string of pipes by sliding said cable through a special coupling and this second connector is moved through said inclined or horizontal portion of the well by pumping a fluid through the string of pipes from the surface until said second electrical connector connects with said first connector,

e) said tool body is moved into said predetermined zone of the well by adding tubular elements to the string of pipes above said special coupling (13), said tool body (2) remaining locked to said first pipe of the string of pipes, and

f) at least one well-logging operation or an intervention is effected, characterised in that the tool body is rotated without turning the assembly of the string of pipes with the aid of the device as in claim 1.

3. A method as in claim 2, characterised in that said rotation is effected after having positioned the tool in said predetermined zone.

4. A method as in claim 2, characterised in that said rotation is effected before effecting the well-logging or intervention operation.

5. A method as in claim 2, characterised in that said rotation is effected during the well-logging or intervention operation.

6. A method as in claim 2, implementing a tool one generating line of which is marked and comprising an accelerometer the axis of rotation of which is the same as that of the tool, characterised in that before the tool is brought into operation, the tool is made to rotate without turning the assembly of the string of pipes until the signal supplied by the accelerometer indicates that the marked generating line of the tool is in the vertical plane passing through the axis of the drilling string.

7. A method as in claim 2, implementing a tool one generating line of which is marked and comprising two accelerometers the axes of rotation of which are perpendicular to one another and perpendicular to the axis of the tool, characterised in that the indications of the accelerometers are used to determine the angle formed between the vertical plane passing through the axis of the tool and the plane containing the axis of the tool and the marked generating line of the tool and in that the tool is made to rotate without turning the assembly of the string of pipes until the determined angle reaches a pre-selected value.

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