Method and apparatus for transmitting information between equipment at the bottom of a drilling or production operation and the surface
US5394141A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/125
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Information can be transmitted between equipment at the bottom of a drilling operation and the surface. A transceiver is provided at the surface, and is connected to both the earth, or the bottom of the ocean in an offshore operation, spaced from the drilling operation, and metal pipework used in the drilling operation. A transmitter/receiver is used for applying and receiving electric signals between two points on the metal pipework. The two points are separated at a substantial distance along the metal pipework such that the resistance of the metal pipework connecting the two points is relatively low but greater than zero. No insulating junction is then needed to be interposed between the two points in the metal pipework connecting the two points. Preferably, the transmitter/receiver has upper and lower conductors with first and second polar ends at the two points, thus forming a dipole of substantial length across the metal pipework.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.