Downhole Cable Fishing Tool With Camera-Guided Wire Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fishing tools for braided cables in oil and gas wells face challenges such as reduced breaking strength due to kinking and lack of sensitivity in tension measurement, especially in deviated wells, leading to costly and inefficient retrieval operations.
Innovation Solution
A fishing tool equipped with a body having wire grabbing elements and downhole camera assemblies for real-time image capture, controlled by a surface system to facilitate precise cable retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fishing tools are used to retrieve braided cable wire, then the cable wire can be retrieved from the well, but the breaking strength of the cable wire is greatly reduced due to kinking at the ball, resulting in multiple failed runs and increased operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a camera assembly to locate and identify the ball of cable wire before the fishing tool reaches it. This allows operators to position the fishing tool precisely at the ball location in advance, preventing excessive balling or running past the ball, which would cause kinking and strength reduction. The camera provides real-time visual feedback to guide the fishing operation proactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a camera assembly that transmits real-time images of the cable wire and ball formation to the surface. This visual feedback allows operators to monitor ball size and position continuously, adjust fishing operations accordingly, and prevent conditions that would lead to kinking and strength loss. The feedback loop enables precise control over the fishing process.
2Measurement precision
If tension measurement is used to detect the top of cable wire in deviated wells, then the fishing operation can be monitored, but the sensitivity is insufficient, leading to excessive balling or running past the ball without detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tension measurement system with an optical detection system (camera assembly). The camera provides direct visual detection of the cable wire and ball position, eliminating the indirect and insensitive tension measurements. This substitution enables precise detection of cable wire position in deviated wells where tension measurements fail to provide sufficient sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual/optical properties (analogous to color changes principle) by employing a camera assembly that captures visual information about the cable wire and ball formation. The camera detects visual characteristics and changes in the cable wire appearance and position, providing sensitive detection that works effectively in deviated well configurations where traditional mechanical sensors fail.
3Loss of substance
If multiple fishing runs are performed to retrieve cable wire sections that have broken at the ball, then more cable can be retrieved, but the operations become costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the camera assembly to identify and locate the ball and surrounding cable wire conditions before the fishing tool engages them. This allows operators to optimize the fishing operation in advance, ensure proper tool positioning, and retrieve longer sections of cable wire in fewer runs, reducing both time and cost while improving retrieval completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through real-time camera imaging that shows operators the condition and position of cable wire and the ball during the fishing operation. This visual feedback enables operators to adjust operations dynamically to maximize the length of cable wire retrieved in each run, reducing the number of runs needed and thereby reducing time and operational costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods presented herein generally relate to advanced fishing of downhole cables, for example, using camera assemblies to monitor the relative position of a fishing tool with respect to cable wire in substantially real time. For example, systems and methods presented herein include a fishing tool that includes a body portion having a plurality of wire grabbing elements extending therefrom. The wire grabbing elements are configured to penetrate and latch onto cable wire disposed within a borehole of an oil and gas well system. The fishing tool also includes one or more camera assemblies configured to capture images downhole with respect to the fishing tool within the borehole.