Gyrodata, Inc.

Other

Gary W Uttecht

Roger Ekseth

Eric Wright

James Frederick Brosnahan

Greg Allen Neubauer

John Lionel Weston

Koen Noy

Stephen W Klopp

Danny E Hoover

Tim Dallas

Han Wei

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 reduces error contributions to gyroscopic measurements from a first gyroscopic sensor and a second gyroscopic sensor. The method includes receiving a first set of measurement signals and a second set of measurement signals indicative of at least one substantially perpendicular component and indicative of a substantially parallel component of the Earth's rotation. The method further includes receiving one or more measurement signals generated by a plurality of accelerometers and calculating a first and second mass unbalance offset error for the first gyroscopic sensor and the second gyroscopic sensor, respectively.

Reducing error contributions to gyroscopic measurements from a wellbore survey system

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 reduces error contributions to gyroscopic measurements from a wellbore survey system having two gyroscopic sensors adapted to generate signals indicative of at least one component of the Earth's rotation substantially perpendicular to the wellbore and indicative of a component of the Earth's rotation substantially parallel to the wellbore. The method includes generating a first signal indicative of the at least one substantially perpendicular component while the first sensor is in a first orientation; generating a second signal indicative of the at least one substantially perpendicular component while the first sensor is in a second orientation; generating a third signal indicative of the substantially parallel component while the second sensor is in a first orientation; and generating a fourth signal indicative of the substantially parallel component while the second sensor is in a second orientation. The method further includes calculating information regarding at least one of a mass unbalance offset error and a quadrature bias error using the first, second, third, and fourth signals.

A system and method for using a survey tool within a borehole is provided. The survey tool includes a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The sensing axes of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally parallel to one another and the directions of least acceleration sensitivity of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally non-parallel to one another.

System and method for using rotation sensors within a borehole

A system and method for determining an orientation of the survey tool within a borehole utilizes a survey tool including a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The plurality of rotation sensors are mounted in a housing with their sensing axes generally parallel to one another and with their directions of least acceleration sensitivity generally non-parallel to one another. The survey tool further includes a controller adapted to calculate a weighted average of the detected angular rotation rates from the plurality of rotation sensors. The weighted average includes the detected angular rotation rate of each rotation sensor about its sensing axis weighted by the detected acceleration along its direction of least acceleration sensitivity.

System and method for using microgyros to measure the orientation of a survey tool within a borehole

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.

Rate gyro wells survey system including nulling system

For seismic exploration, a method and apparatus are set forth wherein geophones, preferably arranged in XYZ relationship to one another fixedly within a hermetically sealed housing, are located in a deviated well. The position of the housing with respect to a reference such as the earth's north axis is determined. This reference enables determination of the geophone location and the direction of propagation of seismic impulse.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Gary W Uttecht