US 7,681,663 B2 · Methods and systems for determining angular orientation of a drill string

Abstract

Preferred methods and systems generate a control input based on a periodically-varying characteristic associated with the rotation of a drill string. The periodically varying characteristic can be correlated with the magnetic tool face and gravity tool face of a rotating component of the drill string, so that the control input can be used to initiate a response in the rotating component as a function of gravity tool face.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims36

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

causing a drill string to rotate within an earthen formation;
monitoring the magnetic field of the earthed formation as the drill string rotates;
generating an electrical signal in response to a periodically-varying characteristic of the magnetic field;
sending the electrical signal to a component of the drill string that is responsive to the electrical signal;
determining gravity tool face and magnetic tool face of the component of the drill while the component of the drill string is not rotating;
calculating a difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component of the drill string is not rotating;
calculating a first angular position of the component corresponding to a difference between an angular position at which an action of the component of the drill string will be initiated, and the difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component of the drill string is not rotating;
and
timing the generation of the electrical signal based on the difference between the angular position at which a response of the component of the drill string will be initiated, and the difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component of the drill string is not rotating.

6 more elements

A method, comprising:

drilling a subsurface bore using a rotating drill string;
calculating a time required for a rotating component of the drill string to rotate through an angular displacement approximately equal to an angular distance between a first angular position of the rotating component, and a second angular position of the rotating component at which a predetermined action of the rotating component will be initiated;
determining when the rotating component reaches the first angular position by measuring a quantity that varies with the angular position of the rotating component, wherein the quantity that varies with the rotation of the rotating component varies periodically with the rotation of the drill string;
monitoring the time that elapses after the rotating component reaches the first angular position until at least the time that it reaches approximately the second angular position;
determining gravity tool face and magnetic tool face of the component while the rotating component is not rotating;
calculating a difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the rotating component is not rotating;
and
determining the second angular position by calculating a difference between an angular position at which a response of the rotating component is to be initiated, and the difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the rotating component is not rotating.

5 more elements

A system, comprising:

at least two accelerometers that measure components of a gravitational field around a rotatable component of a drill string;
a two or three-axis magnetometer that measures components of a magnetic field around the rotatable component;
a first controller communicatively coupled to the accelerometers and the magnetometer, wherein the controller generates an electrical signal in response to a periodically-varying characteristic of the magnetic field, and sends the electrical signal to a component of the drill string that is responsive to the electrical signal;
and
a second controller communicatively coupled to the accelerometers, and a telemetry system that communicatively couples the first and second controllers, the second controller mounted up hole of the telemetry system,
wherein the first controller determines gravity tool face and magnetic tool face of the component while the component is not rotating;
calculates a difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component is not rotating;
and calculates a first angular position corresponding to a difference between an angular position at which an action of the component will be initiated, and the difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component is not rotating.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description6,436 words

Summary1,887 words

#The present invention relates to underground drilling. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and systems for initiating an action in a rotating component of a drill string based on the angular position of the rotating component.

#Underground drilling, such as gas, oil, or geothermal drilling, generally involves drilling a bore through a formation deep in the earth. Such bores are formed by connecting a drill bit to long sections of pipe, referred to as “drill collars” and “drill pipe,” so as to form an assembly commonly referred to as a “drill string.” The drill string extends from the surface to the bottom of the bore.

#The drill bit is rotated so that the drill bit advances into the earth, thereby forming the bore. In a drilling technique commonly referred to as rotary drilling, the drill bit is rotated by rotating the drill string at the surface. In other words, the torque required to rotate the drill bit is generated above ground, and is transferred to the drill bit by way of the drill string.

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, are better understood when read in conjunction with the appended diagrammatic drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show an embodiment that is presently preferred. The invention is not limited, however, to the specific instrumentalities disclosed in the drawings. In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a side view of a drill string incorporating a preferred system for determining the angular orientation of a drill string;

#FIG. 2 is a side view of a rotary steerable tool of the drill string shown in FIG. 1, and various components of the system shown in FIG. 1;

Detailed description4,341 words

#The figures depict a preferred system 10 for determining the angular position of a rotating component of a drill string. The system 10 can be configured to generate an output when the rotating component is in a particular angular position. The output, when received by the rotating component, can initiate a response in the rotating component. The system 10 can be used as part of a drill string 100, depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The drill string 100 is formed from interconnected sections of drill pipe 101, and a bottom hole assembly 102. The bottom hole assembly 102 comprises a drill bit 104, and a drill collar 106. The drill collar 106 couples the drill bit 104 and the lowermost section of drill pipe 101, and weights the drill bit 104 to improve the performance thereof.

#The drill string 100 may be rotated by a motor 107 of a drilling rig 108 located on the surface, as shown in FIG. 1. Drilling torque can be transmitted from the motor 107 to the drill string 100 through a turntable or rotary table 109, and a square or hexagonal section of drill pipe commonly referred to as a “kelly” (not shown). Drilling torque is transmitted to the drill bit 104 by way of the drill pipe 101 and the drill collar 106. The rotating drill bit 104 advances into an earth formation 110, thereby forming a bore 112.

#Drilling mud is pumped at high pressure from the surface, through the sections of drill pipe 101 and the drill collar 106, and out of the drill bit 104. The drilling mud is circulated by a pump 116 located on the surface. The drilling mud, upon exiting the drill bit 104, returns to the surface by way of an annular passage formed between the sections of drill pipe 101 and the surface of the bore 112, as depicted in FIG. 1.

Facts

Application

11/416,009Filed 1 May 2006 · us provisional application

Priority

29 Apr 2005

Published

US 2006/0260843 A123 Nov 2006

Granted

23 Mar 2010

Term ends

19 Nov 2027

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 567 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

E21B 47/024
Determining slope or direction: of devices in the borehole
E21B
Earth or rock drilling

Timeline

29 Apr 2005Priority claimedParent application 60/676,072
1 May 2006Application filedUS 11/416,009
31 Jul 2006Assigned to Aps Technology, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
23 Nov 2006PublishedUS 2006/0260843 A1
1 Sep 2009Assigned to Energy, United States Department ofconfirmatory license
23 Mar 2010GrantedUS 7,681,663 B2
17 Dec 2010Assigned to Td Bank, N.A.security agreement
20 Apr 2012Assigned to Enhanced Capital Connecticut Fund I, LLC, Enhanced Capital Connecticut Fund II, LLC, Enhanced Capital Connecticut Fund III, LLCsecurity agreement
6 Jun 2014Assigned to Rbs Citizens, National Associationsecurity interest
14 Mar 2016Assigned to Enhanced Capital Connecticut Fund I, LLC, Enhanced Capital Connecticut Fund II, LLC, Enhanced Capital Connecticut Fund III, LLCrelease of security interest
24 Mar 2016Assigned to Td Banknorth Narelease of security interest
4 Oct 2017Assigned to Aps Technology, Inc.release of security interest
10 Oct 2017Assigned to Balance Point Capital Partners III, LPsecurity interest
21 Dec 2017Assigned to Aps Technologycorrective assignment to correct the conveying party name previously recorded on reel 038077 frame 0218. assignor(s) hereby confirms the terminates security agreement.
21 Dec 2017Assigned to Aps Technologycorrective assignment to correct the receiving party name previously recorded on reel 038088 frame 0615. assignor(s) hereby confirms the trademark security agreement.
7 Feb 2019Assigned to Keybank National Associationsecurity interest
7 Feb 2019Assigned to Balance Point Capital Partners III, LPamended and restated intellectual property security agreement
17 Jan 2024Assigned to Balance Point Capital Partners III, LP, AS Agentsecurity interest
1 Feb 2024Assigned to Aps Technology Inc, Aps Industries Inc, Apst International Increlease of security interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
19 Nov 2027Term endsEstimated, includes 567 days of adjustment

Methods and systems for determining angular orientation of a drill string

Life of this patent

Methods and systems for determining angular orientation of a drill string

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims36

Description6,436 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description6,436 words