Apparatus and methods for estimating tool inclination using bit-based gamma ray sensors
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsTu Tien Trinh, Eric Sullivan, Xiaomin C. Cheng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drill bit made according to one embodiment may include a bit body having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of gamma sensors placed in the bit body, at least two gamma ray sensors in the plurality of sensors are spaced-apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the bit body, wherein each such sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to detect gamma rays from the formation during drilling of the wellbore and to provide signals representative of the detected gamma rays, and a circuit configured to process at least partially the signals from each of the at least two gamma ray sensors for estimating an inclination of the bit body relative to the longitudinal axis.
Claims25
A drill bit, comprising:
- a longitudinal axis;
- and
- a plurality of gamma ray sensors placed spaced apart in the drill bit in a common plane at an angle to the longitudinal axis, the plurality of gamma ray sensors including at least a first gamma ray sensor proximate a center of a cone of the drill bit and a second gamma ray sensor placed on a first side of the cone, wherein each gamma ray sensor is configured to detect gamma rays from a formation during drilling of a wellbore and provide signals representative of the detected gamma rays for use in estimating inclination of the drill bit relative to a formation boundary during drilling of the wellbore.
An apparatus for use in drilling a wellbore in a formation, comprising:
- a drill bit having a cone and a longitudinal axis;
- at least two gamma ray sensors placed spaced-apart in the cone of the drill bit in a plane at an angle to the longitudinal axis, the at least two gamma ray sensors including at least a first gamma ray sensor proximate a center of a cone of the drill bit and a second gamma ray sensor placed on a first side of the cone, wherein each gamma ray sensor is configured to detect gamma rays from the formation in front of such sensor during drilling of the wellbore and to provide signals corresponding to the detected gamma rays;
- and
- a circuit configured to process the signals from the at least two gamma ray sensors to estimate an inclination of the drill bit relative to a formation boundary.
A method of drilling a wellbore, comprising:
- drilling a wellbore in a formation using a drill bit having a plurality of gamma ray sensors in the drill bit, the plurality of gamma ray sensors including at least a first gamma ray sensor proximate a center of a cone of the drill bit and a second gamma ray sensor placed on a first side of the cone;
- obtaining measurements from each of the plurality of gamma ray sensors relating to detection of gamma rays from the formation;
- and
- estimating an inclination of the drill bit using the measurements from the plurality of gamma ray sensors.
A method of providing a drill bit for use in determining inclination of the drill bit during drilling of a wellbore, comprising:
- providing the drill bit having a cone and a longitudinal axis;
- and
- placing a plurality of gamma ray sensors in the cone in a in a common plane that is at a selected angle to the longitudinal axis, the plurality of gamma ray sensors including at least a first gamma ray sensor proximate a center of a cone of the drill bit and a second gamma ray sensor placed on a first side of the cone, wherein each gamma ray sensor is configured to detect gamma rays from a formation during drilling of the wellbore and provide signals representative of the detected gamma rays for use in estimating the inclination of the drill bit relative to a formation boundary during drilling of the wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.