Gyrodata, Inc.

Other

Eric Wright

James Frederick Brosnahan

Greg Allen Neubauer

Gary W Uttecht

John Lionel Weston

Roger Ekseth

Adrián Guillermo Ledroz

Koen Noy

Tim Dallas

Han Wei

Gary William Uttecht

Graham Arthur Mcelhinney

A method and an apparatus are provided for determining an orientation of a tool with respect to a reference direction. The tool is configured to be moved along a wellbore and to generate information usable to determine an orientation of the tool. At least one first signal is indicative of an orientation of a directional reference system with respect to the reference direction. Information regarding a relative orientation of the tool with respect to the directional reference system is used to determine the orientation of the tool with respect to the reference direction in response at least in part to the at least one first signal.

Method and apparatus for initialization of a wellbore survey tool

A method and an apparatus are provided for determining an orientation of a tool with respect to a reference direction. At least one first signal is indicative of an orientation of a directional reference system with respect to the reference direction. The directional reference system is positioned spaced from the tool. At least one second signal is indicative of a relative orientation of the tool with respect to the directional reference system. The orientation of the tool at the first position is determined in response at least in part to the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal.

Method and apparatus for initialization of a tool via a remote reference source

A method and an apparatus are provided for determining an orientation of a wellbore survey tool at a first position with respect to a reference direction. At least one first signal is indicative of an orientation of a directional reference system with respect to the reference direction. The directional reference system is positioned at a second position spaced from the first position. At least one second signal is indicative of a relative orientation of the wellbore survey tool with respect to the directional reference system. The orientation of the wellbore survey tool at the first position is determined in response at least in part to the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal.

Method and apparatus for initialization of a wellbore survey tool via a remote reference source

A method of using a survey system comprising at least one sensor. The method comprises operating the survey system to provide information regarding the orientation of the sensor relative to the Earth at a first resolution level while the sensor is a first distance relative to the Earth's surface and operating the survey system to provide information regarding the orientation of the sensor relative to the Earth at a second resolution level while the sensor is a second distance relative to the Earth's surface. The second distance is larger than the first distance. The second resolution level is higher than the first resolution level.

Method and apparatus for rescaling measurements while drilling in different environments

A method and apparatus are provided for determining an orientation of a drilling tool of a drilling system configured to drill a borehole into the Earth's surface. The method includes providing a survey system including at least one sensor within the drilling system. The sensor is configured to provide orientation information. The survey system is operable at a plurality of resolution levels. The method further includes operating the survey system at a first resolution level while the drilling tool is a first distance relative to the surface. The method further includes operating the survey system at a second resolution level while the drilling tool is a second distance relative to the surface. The second distance is larger than the first distance. The second resolution level is higher than the first resolution level.

Wellbore survey methods and apparatus for wireline and measurement-while-drilling operations are disclosed which include a gyroscope, wherein the gyroscope has a spin axis, aligned with the instrument axis, and further having two sensitive axis orthogonally related to the spin axis and to each other. In addition, the wellbore survey apparatus contains a drive means, functionally connected with the gyroscope, to rotate the gyro about the instrument axis. The wellbore survey apparatus also contains a set of accelerometers, wherein the sensitive axis are aligned orthogonally to each other, and said drive means is functionally connected to the accelerometers to rotate the accelerometers about the instrument axis. Sensors determine the azimuthal direction of inclination of the wellbore at a first location therein and while traversing from said first location. Attitude references of the wellbore with regard to said first location are determined while the tool is continuously traversing through the wellbore on a wireline. Station measurements are automatically initiated by vibration measurements when configured as a measurement-while drilling system.

Survey apparatus and methods for directional wellbore surveying

A method of drilling under barriers (rivers, highways and the like) is set out. The horizontal drilling system mounts a guidance tool on the end of the drill string just behind the drill bit. The guidance tool includes a pair of right angle accelero meters and a 3-axis mounted gyro. The gyro furnishes data in a plane at right angles to the z-axis. This defines four data streams to the CPU enabling determination of drill bit location and pathway.

Method for drilling under rivers and other obstacles

A wellbore survey method and apparatus which includes a gyroscope, wherein the gyroscope has a spin axis, aligned with the instrument axis, and further having two sensitive axis orthogonally related to the spin axis and to each other. In addition, the wellbore survey apparatus contains a drive means, functionally connected with the gyroscope, to rotate the gyro about the instrument axis. The wellbore survey apparatus also contains a set of accelerometers, wherein the sensitive axis are aligned orthogonally to each other, and said drive means is functionally connected to the accelerometers to rotate the accelerometers about the instrument axis. Sensors determine the azimuthal direction of inclination of the wellbore at a first location therein and while traversing from said first location. Attitude references of the wellbore with regard to said first location are determined while the tool is continuously traversing through the wellbore.

Survey apparatus and methods for directional wellbore wireline surveying

A method for well borehole survey is set out. A sonde supports X and Y accelerometers and X and & sensors on a rate gyro having a Z axis aligned with the sonde. On a slickline, or within a drill string, the sonde is used to measure four variables, these being G.sub.x and G.sub.y, A.sub.x and A.sub.z. This enables well azimuth and inclination to determined. Measuring depth enables a survey to be made.

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Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

Eric Wright