Wireline Cable Sealing Termination for Wellhead Pressure Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireline cables often experience insufficient sealing at the termination points, allowing pressurized well fluids and gases to come into contact with the armor wires and wiring connections, potentially causing damage as these fluids travel along the cable.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a sealing termination system that includes an upper compression seal assembly with O-rings and gaskets, a gripper cone with a tapered end, and a breakout chamber filled with expandable filler material, which uses a piston to manage pressure and prevent cross-contamination, along with a pressure seal that allows fluid exit but prevents re-entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rope socket with concentric cones is used to terminate the cable, then the cable can be securely connected to the downhole tool, but insufficient sealing allows pressurized well fluids and gases to penetrate and damage the armor wires and wiring connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidfluid penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing termination assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the downhole tool. This assembly includes O-rings, gaskets, and a breakout chamber with filler material that act as mediators to block fluid penetration while allowing the cable connection to function. The sealing termination prevents direct contact between pressurized well fluids and the cable's armor wires and wiring connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful function of fluid penetration is extracted and isolated into a separate breakout chamber filled with expandable filler material. By containing the potential fluid intrusion within this isolated chamber, the system protects the cable and downhole tool from direct exposure to pressurized well fluids while maintaining the necessary mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the cable termination is left open for wiring connections, then electrical connections can be made, but pressurized fluids can travel up the cable and cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring connection accessibilityVSAvoidfluid damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing termination assembly serves as a protective intermediary that allows wiring connections to be made while blocking fluid ingress. The O-rings and gaskets in the sealing termination create sealed pathways that permit electrical connections but prevent pressurized fluids from reaching the cable's internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Expandable filler material is placed in advance within the breakout chamber to cushion and block potential fluid intrusion before pressure differential can cause damage. This pre-positioned filler material provides immediate protection when the cable is subjected to downhole pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If sealing components are added to the cable termination, then fluid protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid protectionVSAvoidtermination assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing termination assembly uses a nested structure where O-rings, gaskets, and filler material are contained within a breakout chamber that is itself part of the cable termination assembly. This nested arrangement provides multiple levels of protection while organizing the complexity into a compact, manageable structure that integrates with the existing cable and tool head design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively seals the wireline cable termination, preventing damage from pressurized fluids and gases, ensuring the integrity of the cable and its components by managing pressure and preventing fluid contamination.

Implementation Method 1

an upper compression seal assembly with O-rings and gaskets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

a breakout chamber filled with expandable filler material, which uses a piston to manage pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion:

Implementation Method 3

a pressure seal that allows fluid exit but prevents re-entry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sealing:

Data Source

PatentUS10689916B2Methods and systems for deploying cable into a well

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

An apparatus or system comprising, or a method utilizing, a pressure-tight head assembly coupling a multi-conductor wireline cable operable for downhole operations within a borehole extending into a subterranean formation. The head assembly comprises: an upper head attachment; a lower head attachment; an upper compression seal assembly; a gripper cone; and a rope socket. The upper compression seal assembly is threaded into and/or otherwise coupled to the upper head attachment in a manner causing the gripper cone to tighten onto the cable jacket.