Method and apparatus for conducting wireline operations in a borehole

Claim 1

Apparatus for use in conjunction with pipe such as drill pipe for logging or perforating earth formations surrounding a borehole, comprising: (a) a hollow length of stinger tubing having upper and lower ends and an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the intended drill pipe, (b) first docking means on the upper end of said stinger tubing adapted for receiving a locomotive thereon, (c) second docking means mounted on the lower end of said stinger tubing adapted for receiving and coupling a locomotive thereto through said stinger tubing, and for making at least one electrical connection therewith, (d) means for attaching a wireline tool to the lower end of said second docking means, (e) releasable latching means mounted at least in part on said second docking means, for cooperatively latching said second docking means to a length of adjacent drill pipe when said second docking means is not coupled to a locomotive, and for releasing said second docking means from such drill pipe when coupled to a locomotive, (f) a first locomotive having a seal portion with an effective outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the intended drill pipe and adapted for engaging said first docking means, (g) a second locomotive including means for moving with and being propelled at least in part by said first locomotive, and being movable beneath and independently of said first locomotive, and having a seal portion with an effective outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said stinger tubing and adapted for pulling a logging cable through the drill pipe, through said first locomotive, and through said tubing, and for coupling to said second docking means, (h) fluid passage means through said first locomotive which is closed when said second locomotive is moving therewith and which otherwise fluidly couples through said first locomotive from each side of said seal portion thereof when received upon said first docking means, and (i) means below said first docking means for sealing the outside of said stinger tubing movably to the inside of the drill pipe, such that fluid pumped into the drill pipe will propel both locomotives so as to substantially pull the stinger out from the bottom of the drill pipe without buckling said stinger, and retrieval of a cable attached to said second locomotive will retract said stinger back into the drill pipe substantially without buckling said stinger.

Claim 6

A method for performing wireline operations, such as logging and/or perforating, in boreholes penetrating earth formations, comprising: (a) disposing a length of hollow pipe, such as drill string, in such a borehole, (b) releasably attaching a wireline tool to the bottom of the hollow pipe, the tool being engaged with a hollow extension member subject to movement within the hollow pipe, and (c) moving a two-stage locomotive down through the pipe, (d) upon reaching the hollow extension member, having the first stage locomotive engaging, (e) equalizing the pressure in the hollow pipe across the first stage locomotive, and (f) having the second stage, following engagement of the downwardly moving first stage with the extension member, continuing moving downwardly through the hollow extension member to the tool.

Claim 7

A method for performing wireline operations, such as logging and/or perforating, in boreholes penetrating earth formations, comprising: (a) disposing a length of hollow pipe, such as drill string, in such a borehole, (b) releasably attaching a wireline tool to the bottom of the hollow pipe, the tool being engaged with a hollow extension member subject to movement within the hollow pipe, and (c) moving a two-stage locomotive down through the pipe, (d) upon reaching the hollow extension member, having the first stage locomotive engaging, (e) equalizing the pressure in the hollow pipe across the first stage locomotive, and (f) having the second stage, following engagement of the downwardly moving first stage with the extension member, continuing moving downwardly through the hollow extension member to the tool.