Method and device for in situ detection of a mineral deposit fluid within a borehole
AssigneeSociete Nationale Elf Aquitaine (Production)
InventorsPhilippe Bres, Christian Berge, Gerard Sassus-Bourda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The amplitude variation of an acoustic wave propagated within drilling mud mixed with a mineral-deposit fluid is measured and compared with the amplitude of a reference wave obtained from the drilling mud alone. The method and the device are primarily applied to the detection of an inflow of oil or gas during a well-drilling operation.
Claims10
A device for in situ detection and measurement of a mineral deposit fluid, of the type comprising an acoustic wave emitter and an acoustic wave receiver which are mounted on a drill collar substantially in the proximity of the drilling bit, means connected to the emitter and capable of generating at least one acoustic wave, means mounted partly on the drill collar and partly at the surface, said means being connected to the receiver and capable of processing the signals received by said receiver, wherein the emitter and the receiver are placed in oppositely-facing relation at a short distance from each other and are mounted on a part of the drill collar which is constituted by an external groove, said emitter and receiver being housed within said groove.
A device for in situ detection and measurement of the mineral deposit fluid in proximity to a drilling bit comprising in combination:
- a coupling member adjacent to the drill bit and forming part of a drill string supporting the drill bit,
- said coupling member being provided with an external recess in communication with space through which upflow of drilling fluid passes in the well hole;
- an acoustic wave emitter and an acoustic wave receiver mounted in spaced relation within said external recess for flow of drilling fluid therebetween;
- means connected to said wave emitter for generating an acoustic wave signal;
- and means connected to said wave receiver for processing acoustic wave signals received by said receiver and transmitting said signals to the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.