US 10,329,856 B2 · Logging-while-tripping system and methods

Abstract

A downhole communication system has a plurality of repeaters adapted to store segments of logging-while-tripping (LWT) data during tripping. The LWT data are transmitted to the repeaters during tripping and then read out from the repeaters at the surface. The segments and repeaters are read using one or more surface communication devices, such as a rack board, a stand verifier, a box cap, or a pin cap, each adapted to access and test segments of wired drill pipe each having one or more repeaters. The rack board includes an array of communication couplers that are each adapted to exchange signals with a pin coupler of a pipe segment. In turn, each communication coupler is connected with communication equipment adapted to process and display data stored in the one or more repeaters of the pipe segments during tripping. The stand verifier includes a communication coupler and is connected to communication equipment adapted to (1) verify the functionality of communication circuitry of the pipe segment before run-in and/or after trip-out, and/or (2) download after trip-out logging-while-tripping data stored in the one or more repeaters of the pipe segment during tripping, and/or (3) download parameters stored in the one or more repeaters of the pipe segment.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A downhole communication system to provide logging-while-tripping data during tripping operations, comprising:

surface communication equipment and downhole communication equipment that are not in communication with each other during said tripping operations;
a plurality of repeaters, each of the plurality of repeaters to store data segments of the logging-while-tripping data, comprising a first group of the plurality of repeaters receiving the logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment and storing first data segments in their respective memories while deployed along a drill string in a well;
wherein the surface communication equipment comprising one or more surface communication devices that concurrently with said tripping operations read out second data segments of the logging-while-tripping data from a second group of said repeaters that are cut off from the downhole communication equipment;
and
wherein said surface communication equipment arranges said second data segments read out from said second group of repeaters to provide said logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment concurrently with said tripping operations;
wherein a logging-while-tripping memory in the plurality of repeaters is periodically overwritten to store a new data segment of said logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment.

3 more elements

A method of collecting logging-while-tripping data from a downhole communication system during tripping operations, comprising:

transmitting with downhole communication equipment the logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment;
receiving and storing, with each of a plurality of repeaters, wherein a first group of the plurality of repeaters receiving and storing first data segments of said logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment;
and
reading out second data segments of said logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment from a second group of said plurality of repeaters that are cut off from the downhole communication equipment with one or more surface communication devices that are not in communication with said downhole communication equipment during said tripping operations;
and
arranging said second data segments read out from said second group of repeaters and providing said logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment concurrently with said tripping operations with surface communications equipment comprising said one or more surface communication devices;
storing and periodically overwriting the logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment in logging-while-tripping memories in the plurality of repeaters to store a new data segment of said logging-while-tripping data generated by said downhole communication equipment.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Logging-while-tripping system and methods

Life of this patent

Logging-while-tripping system and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32