Baker Hughes Corporation

Precision Energy Services, Inc.

Weatherford Canada Partnership

Precision Drilling Technology Services Group, Inc.

Other

Aps Technology, Inc.

Teleco Oilfield Services Inc.

Macmillan M Wisler

Larry Wayne Thompson

Jian-Qun Wu

Lance Pate

Michael Louis Larronde

Christopher Walter Konschuh

Denis Weisbeck

Wallace Harold Meyer

Hugh E Hall, Jr

David M Schneider

Wallace H Meyer, Jr

Terry A Seyler

Bryan L Gonsoulin

Jian-Quan Wu

Hugh E Hall

James V Leggett, Iii

Herbert W Beimgraben

Holger Stibbe

John D Martin

Hatem N Nasr

Joachim F Oppelt

Hallvard S Hatloy

Robert Anthony Aiello

Daniel C Minette

Carlos Haramboure

Ronald Deady

Bernard G Hubner

Paul J Seaton

Ronald J Deady

Tommy L Binford, Jr

William C Paluch

LucVan Puymbroeck

Harry M Collins

James D Elmore

William Thomas Balogh

Michael S Spencer

Wu Jian-Qun

Jian-gun Wu

Michael L Larronde

A steerable, magnetic dipole antenna for Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) or Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) applications. The antenna elements use a hole arrangement in addition to grooves in a steel tool body, which is typically a drill collar. This antenna embodiment is extremely robust, meaning that does not significantly reduce the structural integrity of the tool body in which it is disposed. The antenna embodiment is also relatively wear resistant. The resultant magnetic dipole generated by this antenna is also electrically steerable in inclination angle from a common origin. A variable dipole moment inclination angle combined with independently measured tool rotation orientation during normal drilling allows the antenna to generate a magnetic dipole moment that may be directed at any three dimensional angle and from a common origin point at the centroid of the antenna.

Steerable magnetic dipole antenna for measurement while drilling applications

This disclosure includes a current sensor configured to detect a signal current in a drilling system component of a drilling system, a telemetry system, and a method for detecting a signal current. The current sensor includes a magnetic body, at least one field coil positioned on the magnetic body, and at least one drive coil positioned on the magnetic body. The at least one field coil configured to detect a first magnetic field that passes within the magnetic body that is induced by the signal current carried by the drill system component when the current sensor is positioned in proximity to the drilling system component. The at least one drive coil configured to generate a second magnetic field. The current sensor is configured to modulate the second magnetic field such the at least one field coil detects the modulated magnetic field.

Telemetry system, current sensor, and related methods for a drilling system

A resistivity imager uses discrete energy pulsing to determine resistivity of a borehole. The imager has pulse generation circuitry that generates discrete energy pulses. An electrode array exposed to the borehole emits or discharges the discrete energy pulses into the formation. The variations of the formation subject the electrode to impedance levels in response to the discrete energy pulses, and measurement circuitry measures the discharge of the pulsed energy subjected to the impedances. From the measurements, control circuitry determines resistivity parameters of the formation around the borehole. These resistivity parameters can be stored in memory downhole or can be telemetered to the surface. When analyzed, the resistivity measurements can produce an image of the borehole's features, indicate borehole structures, direct geosteering of drilling, or the like.

Borehole resistivity imager using discrete energy pulsing

A steerable or non-steerable, magnetic dipole antenna for Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) or Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) applications. The antenna elements use a hole arrangement in addition to grooves in a steel tool body, which is typically a drill collar. This antenna embodiment is extremely robust, meaning that does not significantly reduce the structural integrity of the tool body in which it is disposed. The antenna embodiment is also relatively wear resistant. The resultant magnetic dipole generated by this antenna is also electrically steerable in inclination angle from a common origin. A variable dipole moment inclination angle combined with independently measured tool rotation orientation during normal drilling allows the antenna to generate a magnetic dipole moment that may be directed at any three dimensional angle and from a common origin point at the centroid of the antenna. The antenna can also be embodied to be more sensitive to resistivity in a particular azimuthal direction.

Steerable magnetic dipole antenna for measurement-while-drilling applications

A method and system is provided for minimizing delays in a magnetic ranging method. Delays are minimized by establishing synchronicity between triggering of a three-axis magnetometer and energization of a solenoid assembly deployed in the borehole being drilled and the first borehole, respectively. Synchronicity enables measuring various components of the alternating magnetic field created by energization of the solenoid assembly by the magnetometer, the moment the solenoid assembly is energized. The recorded components are used for computation of steering data for drilling the second borehole relative to the first borehole. The steering data can be determined at the surface or downhole.

Method for minimizing delays while drilling using a magnetic ranging apparatus

A steerable, magnetic dipole antenna for Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) or Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) applications. The antenna elements use a hole arrangement in addition to grooves in a steel tool body, which is typically a drill collar. This antenna embodiment is extremely robust, meaning that does not significantly reduce the structural integrity of the tool body in which it is disposed. The antenna embodiment is also relatively wear resistant. The resultant magnetic dipole generated by this antenna is also electrically steerable in inclination angle from a common origin. A variable dipole moment inclination angle combined with independently measured tool rotation orientation during normal drilling allows the antenna to generate a magnetic dipole moment that may be directed at any three dimensional angle and from a common origin point at the centroid of the antenna. The antenna can also be embodied to be more sensitive to resitivity in a particular azimuthal direction.

An electromagnetic antenna for Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) applications is disclosed. The antenna can include several array elements that can act alone or together in various measurement modes. The antenna elements can be disposed in tool body recesses to be protected from damage. The antenna elements can include a ferrite plate crossed or looped by independent current carrying conductors in two or more directions forming a bi-directional or crossed magnetic dipole. Although disclosed as a MWD system conveyed by a drill string, basic concepts of the system are applicable to other types of borehole conveyance.

Array antenna for measurement-while-drilling

Apparatus and methods for establishing electrical communication between an instrument subsection disposed below a mud motor and an electronics sonde disposed above the mud motor in a drill string conveyed borehole logging system. Electrical communication is established via at least one conductor disposed within the mud motor and connecting the instrument sub section to a link disposed between the mud motor and the electronics sonde. The link can be embodied as a current coupling link, a magnetic coupling ling, an electromagnetic telemetry ling and a direct electrical contact link. Two way data transfer is established in all link embodiments. Power transfer is also established in all but the electromagnetic telemetry link.

Method and apparatus for transmitting sensor response data and power through a mud motor

Transmitting sensor response data and power through a mud motor

A telemetry system involving a shear-type mud pulser valve as the preferred embodiment is described. The control system includes a motor driver for the mud pulser which, in essence, moves one movable plate with respect to a stationary plate to create openings of various sizes. Pressure is sensed uphole of the pulser valve and is compared in real time to the desired pressure pulse amplitude. By allowing different relative rotational positions of the rotatable plate with respect to the stationary plate, different amplitudes can be achieved to further enhance the transmission of data to the surface. The control system compensates for wear in the mud pulser valve itself as well as drastic changes in mud flow and pressure. The configuration is simple and not prone to fouling from grit or other particles in the mud. The system is capable of creating an initial baseline array of a variety of pulse amplitudes, and thereafter providing the required relative rotation between the stationary and rotatable plates so as to be able to duplicate the baseline pulse amplitudes despite changes in the valve condition or in the flowing conditions of the mud.

Adjustable shear valve mud pulser and controls therefor

An electromagnetic telemetry system for transmitting data from a downhole assembly, which is operationally attached to a drill string, to a telemetry receiver system. The data are typically responses of one or more sensors disposed within the downhole assembly. A downhole transmitter induces a signal current within the drill string. The signal current is modulated to represent the transmitted data. Induced signal current is measured directly with the telemetry receiver system. The telemetry receiver system includes a transformer that surrounds the path of the current, and an electromagnetic current receiver. The transformer preferably comprises a toroid that responds directly to the induced signal current. Output from the transformer is input to an electromagnetic current receiver located remote from the downhole assembly and typically at the surface of the earth. Alternately, voltage resulting from the induced signal current can be measured with a rig voltage receiver and combined with the direct current measurements to enhance signal to noise ratio.

Electromagnetic MWD telemetry system incorporating a current sensing transformer

A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging system for measuring fluid properties of formation penetrated by a well borehole. The system uses a conductive permanent magnet to generate a field H. The conductive permanent magnet is disposed within a logging tool so that the Hfield is perpendicular to the axis of the borehole. Soft ferrite elements are disposed on each pole of the permanent conductive magnet and a RF coil is disposed about both the permanent magnet and the ferrite. The resulting Hfield induced by the RF coil is perpendicular to both the Hand the axis of the borehole. The soft ferrite elements focus the conductive permanent magnetic field and increase the effectiveness of the RF antenna. A two coil embodiment is disclosed that produces a combined RF field which is substantially perpendicular to the static magnetic field external to the conductive permanent magnet, and is contained within the soft ferrite elements in the vicinity of said conductive permanent magnet. Fluid properties of interest are determined from NMR relaxation times measured by the logging system.

Nuclear magnetic resonance tool with conductive and non-conductive magnet assembly

Growing community of inventors

Kingwood, TX, United States of America

Macmillan M Wisler