US 7,921,937 B2Granted

Drilling components and systems to dynamically control drilling dysfunctions and methods of drilling a well with same

AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated

InventorsVan J. Brackin, Paul E. Pastusek

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Drilling tools that may detect and dynamically adjust drilling parameters to enhance the drilling performance of a drilling system used to drill a well. The tools may include sensors, such as RPM, axial force for measuring the weight on a drill bit, torque, vibration, and other sensors known in the art. A processor may compare the data measured by the sensors against various drilling models to determine whether a drilling dysfunction is occurring and what remedial actions, if any, ought to be taken. The processor may command various tools within the bottom hole assembly (BHA), including a bypass valve assembly and/or a hydraulic thruster to take actions that may eliminate drilling dysfunctions or improve overall drilling performance. The processor may communicate with a measurement while drilling (MWD) assembly, which may transmit the data measured by the sensors, the present status of the tools, and any remedial actions taken to the surface.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A downhole drilling assembly for controlling a manner of engagement of a drill bit with a subterranean formation, comprising:

a bottom hole assembly comprising:
a drill bit including at least one cutting structure thereon;
a downhole motor having a power section adapted to convert energy from drilling fluid passing through the bottom hole assembly to rotate the drill bit, the downhole motor including a rotor;
and
a bypass valve assembly configured to adjust at least one aspect of operation of the downhole drilling assembly that affects at least one of a force and a speed with which the at least one cutting structure may engage a subterranean formation being drilled by the drill bit, wherein the bypass valve assembly is configured to divert at least a portion of a drilling fluid flowing through the bottom hole assembly through an interior bore of the rotor and wherein the bypass valve assembly is configured to divert at least another portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the bottom hole assembly through the bypass valve assembly into the power section of the downhole motor;
at least one sensor configured to measure at least one downhole drilling parameter;
and a processor operably coupled to the at least one sensor and the bypass valve assembly to cause the bypass valve assembly to adjust the at least one aspect of operation of the downhole drilling assembly responsive to input from the at least one sensor.

4 more elements

A method of drilling a well, comprising:

measuring a value of at least one downhole drilling performance parameter associated with operation of a downhole drilling assembly, the downhole drilling assembly comprising:
a bottom hole assembly comprising:
a drill bit including at least one cutting structure thereon;
a downhole motor having a power section adapted to convert energy from drilling fluid passing through the bottom hole assembly to rotate the drill bit, the downhole motor including a rotor;
and
a bypass valve assembly configured to adjust at least one aspect of operation of the downhole drilling assembly that affects at least one of a force and a speed with which the at least one cutting structure may engage a subterranean formation being drilled by the drill bit, wherein the bypass valve assembly is configured to divert at least a portion of a drilling fluid flowing through the bottom hole assembly through an interior bore of the rotor and wherein the bypass valve assembly is configured to divert at least another portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the bottom hole assembly through the bypass valve assembly into the power section of the downhole motor;
at least one sensor configured to measure at least one downhole drilling parameter;
and
a processor operably coupled to the at least one sensor and the bypass valve assembly to cause the bypass valve assembly to adjust the at least one aspect of operation of the downhole drilling assembly responsive to input from the at least one sensor;
and
analyzing the at least one downhole drilling performance parameter value;
adjusting the bypass valve assembly in response to the analyzed at least one downhole drilling parameter value to alter at least one aspect of operation of the bottom hole assembly;
and
repeating the measuring, analyzing, and adjusting until a desired downhole drilling performance parameter value is achieved.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/970,103Filed 7 Jan 2008 · us provisional application
Priority: 8 Jan 2007
Published: US 2008/0164062 A110 Jul 2008
Granted: 12 Apr 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

E21B 44/005
Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a…
E21B 21/103
Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems: down-hole by-pass valve arrangements, i.e. between the inside of the drill string and…
E21B
Earth or rock drilling