Method and apparatus for releasably connecting a wireline to a downhole tool

摘要

Method and apparatus for releasably connecting a wireline (12) to a downhole tool (18). The apparatus is a cable head (10) comprising a connector adapted to connect the downhole tool (18) to the wireline (12), the connector having a connected position connecting the wireline (12) to the downhole tool (18) and an unconnected position releasing the wireline (12) from the downhole tool (18). The cable head (10) further comprises a fusible material (160). When the fusible material (160) is in the solid state it maintains the connector in said connected position. When fusible material (160) is melted in response to an electrical signal from the wireline, the connector is actuated to said unconnected position, thereby releasing the wireline (12) from the downhole too! (18). <IMAGE> <IMAGE>