Wet connection system for downhole equipment
A wet connection system suitable for use in hydrocarbon wells preferably comprises one or more elongate, small diameter conduits ( 50 ) which extend down the wellbore ( 2 ) and terminate adjacent a locating structure ( 11 ) on the production tubing ( 10 ). Equipment ( 70 ) deployed at the locating structure is connected to one or more self supporting conductors ( 30 ) which extend down the conduits from the wellhead ( 5 ). Preferably the conductors are retractable and the conduits are sealingly connected to the equipment, allowing the equipment and conductors to be deployed and recovered independently of each other and to be flushed with dielectric oil ( 99 ) pumped down the conduits after re-connection.
1. A system for remotely connecting a conductor to equipment deployed down a borehole,
including tubing extending down the borehole from an upper end of the borehole,
the equipment being deployable through the tubing to a deployed position;
a locating structure disposed on the tubing for receiving the equipment and supporting it in the deployed position; and
at least one elongate conductor extending from the upper end of the borehole and including a terminal portion, the terminal portion being remotely connectable to and disconnectable from the equipment when the equipment is in the deployed position;
wherein at least one elongate tubular conduit is arranged in fixed relation to the tubing,
the at least one conduit extending from the upper end of the borehole and including a lower end portion,
the lower end portion of the at least one conduit being fixed proximate the locating structure;
the at least one conductor is disposed inside the conduit, with a clearance gap being defined between the at least one conductor and the at least one conduit; and
the terminal portion of the at least one elongate conductor being received within at least one connector, the at least one connector including a fluid passage, with a plug slidingly received in the fluid passage.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plug is biased to a closed position by a spring.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the plug may be restrained in the closed position against a restoring force exerted by the spring.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the terminal portion of the at least one conductor abuts the plug, and the plug and the terminal portion of the at least one conductor are movable within the fluid passage.
5. The system of claim 4 , including a protective fluid disposed in the fluid passage adjacent the plug and the terminal portion of the at least one conductor, and in fluid communication with the gap between the at least one conductor and the at least one conduit.
6. A system for remotely connecting a conductor to equipment deployed down a borehole,
including tubing extending down the borehole from an upper end of the borehole,
the equipment being deployable through the tubing to a deployed position;
a locating structure disposed on the tubing for receiving the equipment and supporting it in the deployed position; and
at least one elongate conductor extending from the upper end of the borehole and including a terminal portion, the terminal portion being remotely connectable to and disconnectable from the equipment when the equipment is in the deployed position;
wherein at least one elongate tubular conduit is arranged in fixed relation to the tubing,
the at least one conduit extending from the upper end of the borehole and including a lower end portion,
the lower end portion of the at least one conduit being fixed proximate the locating structure;
the at least one conductor is disposed inside the conduit, with a clearance gap being defined between the at least one conductor and the at least one conduit; and
a seal assembly associated with the terminal portion of the at least one conductor, the seal assembly including a first plurality of seals and a second plurality of seals, the first and second plurality of seals being arranged to face in opposite directions to wipe a fluid contained in the borehole from the terminal portion of the at least one conductor, as the at least one conductor is connected to the equipment.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first and second plurality of seals retain a protective fluid in the gap between the at least one conductor and the at least one conduit.