# US 12,110,780 B2 · Method and apparatus for magnetic ranging while drilling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,780 B2 - Document ID: US12110780B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/457,139 - Filed: 2023-08-28 - Published: 2024-01-04 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-22 - Assignees: Gunnar LLLP - Applicants: Gunnar LLLP - Inventors: Clinton Moss - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110780B2 ## CPC - E21B 47/0228: using electromagnetic energy or detectors therefor - E21B 7/04: Directional drilling - E21B 17/00: Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; {Cables;} Casings; Tubings - E21B 44/00: Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions - E21B 47/00: Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) - G01D 5/14: influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for magnetically ranging while drilling with a coiled tubing unit or drill pipe by way of a an electrically conducive but environmentally electrically insulated wire installed through a coiled tubing spool or drill pipe complete with electrically insulative subs in the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly or drill pipe. The method and systems allow for the injection of excitation current into the formation by way of selectively electrifying various drill stem components, thereby facilitating current collection on a target tubular which radially emanates a magnetic field about the target well tubular(s). The method and devices allow for the construction of complex downhole current injection configurations which allow for modification of the bottom hole assembly to maximize target well signal generation in the presence of adverse environmental conditions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for magnetic ranging comprising: a power supply; at least one section of drill pipe configured to be operatively connected to the power supply; at least one wire inside the at least one section of drill pipe that connects the power supply and the at least one section of drill pipe, wherein the connection between the wire and the drill pipe is a rigid connection that maintains its rigid connection as the at least one section of drill pipe is drilling; a first electrically insulated member electrically connected with the at least one section of drill pipe and that is capable of causing electrical energy to exit a section of drill pipe; and a sensor for detecting a magnetic ranging signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second electrically insulated member located further downhole from the first electrically insulated member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor is part of the bottom hole assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor is part of the drill pipe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drill pipe is coiled tubing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drill pipe is a section of threaded drill pipe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power supply is connected to the drill pipe using at least one wire of a multiribbon wire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power supply is connected to the drill pipe using one or more conductors. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for magnetic ranging comprising: a power supply; at least one section of drill pipe operatively connected to the power supply; at least one wire inside the at least one section of drill pipe that connects the power supply and the at least one section of drill pipe, wherein the connection between the wire and the drill pipe is a rigid connection and is not spring loaded; a first electrically insulated member electrically connected with the at least one section of drill pipe and that is capable of causing electrical energy to exit a section of drill pipe; and a sensor for detecting a magnetic ranging signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a second electrically insulated member located further downhole from the first electrically insulated member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the sensor is part of the bottom hole assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the sensor is part of the drill pipe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the drill pipe is coiled tubing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the drill pipe is a section of threaded drill pipe. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a second electrically insulated member located further downhole from the first electrically insulated member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the power supply is connected to the drill pipe using at least one wire of a multiribbon wire. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the power supply is connected to the drill pipe using one or more conductors. ### Claim 18 An apparatus for magnetic ranging comprising: a power supply; at least one section of drill pipe configured to be operatively connected to the power supply; at least one wire inside the at least one section of drill pipe that connects the power supply and the at least one section of drill pipe, wherein the connection between the wire and the drill pipe maintains a continuous electrical connection while the at least one section of drill pipe is drilling; a first electrically insulated member electrically connected with the at least one section of drill pipe and that is capable of causing electrical energy to exit a section of drill pipe; and a sensor for detecting a magnetic ranging signal. ### Claim 19 A method of magnetic ranging comprising: installing a sensor that senses a magnetic ranging signal in a wellbore; installing a first electrically insulative gap sub in a wellbore; installing at least one section of drill pipe in a wellbore that is connected to the electrically insulative gap sub; connecting a power supply to at least one section of drill pipe using at least one wire that is located inside the at least one section of drill pipet, wherein the connection from the at least one wire to the at least one section of drill pipe is made at surface and is a rigid connection; energizing the power supply to cause current to flow down the drill pipe and inject into a wellbore formation and travel to a target well to create a magnetic ranging signal; sampling the magnetic ranging signal; and adjusting the drilling operations to alter a characteristic of the drilling operations. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising adjusting the drilling operations to alter a second characteristic of the drilling operations. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising installing a second electrically insulative gap sub downhole from the first electrically insulative gap sub. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the step of sampling the magnetic ranging signal occurs while drilling is taking place.