Drilling wellbores with optimal physical drill string conditions
US7730967B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/42
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A drilling system includes a control unit and a bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string. The control unit uses measurements from sensors distributed throughout the drill string and BHA to determine the physical condition of the drill string and BHA and to determine whether drilling can be optimized. The drill string sensors are housed in receiver subs and optionally can be positioned on extensible members. The receiver sub also can include a short-hop telemetry module, a processor module, and a clock module. In one embodiment, the receiver subs include seismic sensors for enabling vertical seismic profiling. During operation, the processor visually presents to the operator via one or more graphical user interfaces a dynamically updated pictorial image representing the drilling system. The image is annotated with an appropriate visual signal to indicate a determined physical condition at a given location or component. The processor can also display recommended adjustments to drilling parameters for increasing drilling rates, improving tool life, and more precise steering.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.