The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 10, 2009
Filed:
May. 03, 2007
Graham Mcelhinney, Inverarie, GB;
Herbert M. J. Illfelder, Houston, TX (US);
Graham McElhinney, Inverarie, GB;
Herbert M. J. Illfelder, Houston, TX (US);
Smith International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
Methods for determining the distance and relative axial position between twin and target wells are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment the magnitude and direction of the interference magnetic field vector are processed to determine the distance and the axial position. In another exemplary embodiment, a change in direction of the interference magnetic field vector between first and second longitudinally spaced magnetic field measurements may be processed to determine the distance and axial position. In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a component of the magnetic field vector aligned with the tool axis may be measured in substantially real time during drilling and utilized to determine the distance between the two wells. Embodiments of this invention improve the accuracy and/or the frequency of distance determination between twin and target wells.