U.S. patent application number 13/692373 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for modular data acquisition for drilling operations.
The applicant listed for this patent is James Shamburger, Ernest Newton Sumrall. Invention is credited to James Shamburger, Ernest Newton Sumrall.
Application Number | 20130147633 13/692373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48571477 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130147633 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sumrall; Ernest Newton ; et
al. |
June 13, 2013 |
Modular Data Acquisition for Drilling Operations
Abstract
Data associated with drilling operations, downhole components,
wellbores, or well formations can be acquired by providing one or
more data acquisition modules having one or more sensors into one
or more recessed chambers formed within a drill bit, stabilizer
reamer, or other downhole tool, enabling direct rather than
inferential data to be obtained for analysis. The modules can be
programmed with pre-selected trigger thresholds, such that data
acquisition is initiated when certain conditions are met, and can
be interchanged with other types of modules at the surface.
Inventors: |
Sumrall; Ernest Newton;
(Huntsville, TX) ; Shamburger; James; (Spring,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sumrall; Ernest Newton
Shamburger; James |
Huntsville
Spring |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48571477 |
Appl. No.: |
13/692373 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61630293 |
Dec 8, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/854.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/26 20200501;
E21B 47/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/854.4 |
International
Class: |
E21B 47/12 20060101
E21B047/12 |
Claims
1. A data acquisition module comprising: a sensor housing or body
designed to protect and house the sensor electronics and allow
installation into a downhole member; and at least one sensor within
the sensor housing or body configured to acquire local data
associated with the at least one sensor relative to the location of
the at least one sensor body in the drill string and in
communication with a data storage means.
2. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the sensor
housing or body is secured within a recessed chamber designed into
a downhole member such that the positioning of the recessed chamber
does not interfere with tool operation or compromise
functionality.
3. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the sensor
housing or body may be secured to a downhole member using suitable
bolts or other attachment means and in which the downhole member
has been fitted with threaded bolt holes or other attachment means,
the position of which does not interfere with tool operation or
compromise functionality.
4. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the sensor
housing or body may be ring-shaped, and contain one or more sensors
or one or more recessed chambers or other means of attaching one or
more sensors housings or bodies, and attached to the downhole
member via compression and/or bolts or other attachment means and
in which the position of the ring-shaped sensor housing or body
does not interfere with tool operation or compromise
functionality.
5. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the data storage
means further comprises at least one preset value and computer
instructions for a processor associated with the data acquisition
module to actuate the at least one sensor to acquire data
responsive to a condition that deviates from the at least one
preset value.
6. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the data
acquisition module comprises a timer and/or counter circuit, or
combination thereof, for data normalization relative to operations
of the drilling rig associated with the downhole sensor.
7. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sensor disposed within the data acquisition module may include any
type of sensor suitable for downhole applications and which can
physically fit within the space available within the data
acquisition module, including, but not limited to, accelerometers,
strain gauges, temperature sensors, radiation sensors,
anti-collision sensors, sonic sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure
sensors, flow sensor, hydrocarbon detection sensors, vibration
sensors, among others.
8. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the data
acquisition module may include power storage, power generation
and/or battery storage means within the data acquisition module to
provide a power source for the at least one least sensor disposed
within the data acquisition module.
9. The data acquisition module of claim 8, wherein the power
generation means within the data acquisition module uses naturally
occurring conditions, such as temperature and or vibrations, to
generate the power provided by the power generation means.
10. The data acquisition module of claim 8, wherein the power
generation means uses high temperature present proximal to the data
acquisition module further to provide cooling and/or temperature
regulation to the at least one sensor and other electrical
equipment disposed within the data acquisition module.
11. The data acquisition module of claim 1, wherein the sensor
housing or body is manufactured from a high-strength plastic to
allow wireless downloading of data stored within the memory of the
data acquisition module.
12. A system for data acquisition during wellbore operations, the
system comprising: at least one data acquisition module of claim 1,
disposed within or upon a downhole member designed for coupling
within a drill string and adapted to acquire data associated with
the downhole member; geologic formation data proximate to the
downhole member and module, environmental conditions proximal the
downhole member and module, or combinations thereof.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein a plurality of sensors are
disposed in a plurality of locations within a drill string, or a
plurality of downhole members designed for coupling as a drill
string, and adapted to acquire data relative to physical conditions
of the drillstring or its location within the wellbore.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the data collected by the
multiple sensors disposed in a plurality of locations within the
drill string are processed and analyzed to create a profile or
digital "system signature" for the drill string.
15. A method for acquiring data associated with a specific downhole
member during drilling or similar operations, the method comprising
the steps of: providing at least one downhole sensor within a
downhole member; performing an operation affecting at least one
condition associated with the downhole member or its location in
the wellbore; and using the at least one sensor to acquire data
associated with the downhole member or its location in the
wellbore
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of using the at least
one downhole sensor to acquire data using a processor associated
with the at least one sensor to compare the at least one condition
with at least one preset value and actuating the at least one
sensor to acquire data responsive to a condition that deviates from
the at least one preset Value.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the data acquired by the at
least one downhole sensor is used to develop a profile or digital
"system signature" of behaviors of the downhole member within which
it is contained, relative to the type of the downhole sensor data
acquired.
Description
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments usable within the scope of the present
disclosure relate, generally, to downhole tools, such as drill
bits, reamers, stabilizers, drill collars, and similar bottomhole
and/or downhole components, having data acquisition modules in
association therewith for contemporaneously acquiring data
pertaining to conditions at the drill bit and/or throughout the
drill string relative to and during drilling operations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The oil and gas industry has expended many man hours and
dollars in the design of drill bits, downhole tools, and drill
string elements. The drill bit, by interacting with the rock face
and removing formation, is the focus of the majority of the energy
expended during rotary or other drilling operations, with the
design of the drilling rig, the drill string, and many other facets
of drilling being directed to support and enhance the performance
of the drill bit. Many factors affect the performance (e.g., rate
of penetration) of the drill string and the interaction between the
drill bit and the formation, and it is often desirable to measure
and/or record such factors.
[0003] In particular, it is of high utility to identify and
understand vibrations induced on the drill string during
operations. Induced vibrations can affect the drill string in many
ways, including among other things component failures, bent drill
pipes, wellbore deviation, broken drill bits and the loss of entire
drill strings.
[0004] Conventional methods of acquiring data at or proximate to
the drill bit include the use of subs immediately above the bit and
complicated systems designed within the drill bit itself. The use
of a dedicated sub for this purpose adds an additional, often
undesirable element, to the drill string, such as the addition of
another source of vibration or vibrational weakness. Likewise,
systems designed within the drill bit itself involve complex bit
and electronic designs that can compromise the robustness of the
drill bit and add potential avenues for failure, thus reducing
drill string reliability.
[0005] Data acquisition from other portions of the drill string,
such as portions containing stabilizers and reamers, traditionally
requires use of logging-while-drilling (LWD) or
measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tools to gather data and interpret
performance of such elements of the drill string. While useful to a
degree, this data relies heavily on mathematical approximations
which can vary greatly from drill string to drill string and from
formation to formation. These mathematical simulations rely on
multiple layers of inferential models and approximations that do
not have the accuracy needed in the field to pinpoint, for example,
the source of drill string failure. These systems rely on
single-point data acquisition methods ostensibly used to monitor
multiple sources of vibrational damage. Therefore, the ability of
LWD and MWD tools to identify the source of failure in a drill
string is low. Much greater accuracy would be available using a
method which places multiple sensors in multiple locations on a
drill string in such a way as not to reduce or negatively affect
the robustness of the drill string.
[0006] Critically, current efforts to gather vibration data during
drilling operations have reduced the robustness of the drill
strings so as to increase the likelihood of failure.
[0007] A need exists for a robust, flexible method of data
acquisition that is highly reliable and that requires minimal
modifications to existing drill bits and/or other downhole tools,
thus minimizing any potential impact on the durability, performance
or operation of such tools, while gathering data to improve bit
design, vibration control or mitigation, and similar factors to
improve drilling rates and performance. A further need exists for
flexible methods in which sensor elements associated with a drill
bit or other downhole tools can be quickly and conveniently
interchanged to gather other and/or additional types of data, such
as during times when a drill bit is changed after becoming dull. A
further need exists for the data collection in a drill string which
does not rely on inferential mathematical models. A further need
exists for a method to place multiple sensors, including multiple
types of sensors, at multiple points in a drill string to allow the
collection of data from the multiple sensors and multiple types of
sensors so as to create an accurate digital signature for
individual drill strings.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention meet these needs.
SUMMARY
[0009] Embodiments usable within the scope of the present
disclosure relate to downhole tools (e.g., drill bits, reamers,
stabilizers, drill collars), and systems and methods for acquiring
data associated with the downhole tools and/or portions of the
wellbore/formation during operations (e.g., drilling). During
typical use, a downhole tool, adapted for coupling to a drill
string, is positioned within a wellbore for performing an operation
therein, while a data acquisition module (e.g., a sensor unit or
similar device having one or more sensors associated therewith) is
provided in communication with the body of the downhole tool for
acquiring data associated with the tool and/or a portion of the
wellbore or formation proximate to the tool.
[0010] For example, a sensor unit could have components positioned
at the surface of the wellbore and/or within the wellbore at a
position axially separate from the downhole tool. However, in a
preferred embodiment, the body of the downhole tool can include one
or more recessed chambers, within which one or more data
acquisition modules can be positioned (e.g., via threading the
module(s) within the recessed chamber). In another embodiment, one
or more data acquisition modules may be attached using suitable
bolts or other means to attach to an appropriate element or
appropriate elements of a drill string or downhole tool. In a
further embodiment, a data acquisition module may be ring-shaped
and one or more such ring-shaped data acquisition modules may be
affixed to a drill string or downhole toll by compression, bolts,
other attachment means or a combination thereof.
[0011] By way of example, the body of the downhole tool could
include one or more blades, arms, cutters, or combinations thereof
(e.g., a drill bit or reamer), and a recessed chamber for
containing a data acquisition module could be positioned between
two or more blades, arms, cutters, etc., or within one of the
blades, cutters, or arms. Alternatively or additionally, the body
of the downhole tool could include one or more gage pads (e.g., a
drill bit), or one or more wear pads (e.g., a drilling stabilizer),
and a recessed chamber could be positioned between two or more
pads, and/or within a gage pad or wear pad. In further embodiments,
the downhole tool could include a shank or similar
threaded/attachment portion, and a recessed chamber for containing
a data acquisition module could be disposed therein. In a preferred
embodiment, the position of the one or more recessed chambers can
be selected to minimize or prevent the reduction of the robustness
of the downhole tool and/or interference with tool operation and/or
to avoid weakening the body of the downhole tool, thereby
compromising functionality of one or more portions of the downhole
tool, or combinations thereof. By way of further example, the
locations for bolt holes or other attachment means for one or more
attachment points or the placement of one or more ring-shaped data
acquisition modules may be determined so as to avoid or prevent the
reduction of robustness or functionality of the drill string or
downhole tool.
[0012] In an embodiment, the data acquisition module can be small,
e.g., having at least one dimension (length, width, diameter, etc.)
of 6.5 cm. (2.5 inches) or less. For example, the data acquisition
module could be provided with a diameter of 5.1 cm (two inches) and
a length of 6.5 cm. (2.5 inches) or less. Further, the data
acquisition module can be designed to withstand a variety of
downhole conditions, having a pressure rating of 10,300 kPa (1,500
psi) or greater and/or a temperature rating of 40 degrees
Centigrade or higher. In the ring-shape, the data acquisition
module can be small, although the ring-shape of such an embodiment
will allow for additional storage capacity of sensors, batteries or
other equipment to be placed in the ring-shaped data acquisition
module. Alternatively, the ring-shape may simply be a mounting
means onto which one or more data acquisition modules may be
affixed, such as by a threaded, recessed chamber or using suitable
bolts set into bolt holes or other attachment means in the
ring-shaped mounting means.
[0013] In use, the data acquisition module can include data storage
therein, and/or be in direct or remote communication with data
storage that contains at least one preset value and computer
instructions for instructing a processor in association with the
data acquisition module to actuate one or more sensors thereof
responsive to a detected condition that deviates from or exceeds
the one or more preset values. For example, the sensor(s) of the
data acquisition module can be actuated to begin acquiring and/or
recording data responsive to a detected temperature or vibration in
excess of a preset threshold value.
[0014] The data acquisition module can be configured for efficient
removal and replacement thereof, such that when a drill bit or
other downhole tool is removed from a wellbore, one or more data
acquisition modules configured to acquire a first type of data can
be interchanged with one or more data acquisition modules
configured to acquire other types of data. The data acquisition
module can be manufactured using high-strength plastics, such that
data stored within the memory or processing unit of the sensor can
be transferred to another storage means using a wireless
device.
[0015] The types of sensors suitable for use within the one or more
data acquisition modules are limited only by the ability to fit the
sensors within the one or more data acquisition modules. For
example, one or more temperature sensors can be placed in one or
more data acquisition modules in one or more recessed chambers,
affixed by suitable bolts or other attachment means or attached in
one or more ring-shaped data acquisition modules onto or within a
drill string. In another embodiment, one or more vibration sensors
can be placed in one or more data acquisition modules in one or
more recessed chambers, affixed by suitable bolts or other
attachment means or attached in one or more ring-shaped data
acquisition modules onto or within a drill string, either
independently of the one or more temperature sensors of a previous
embodiment or in a progression of data acquisition steps taken to
acquire data from multiple types of data sensors. Types of sensors
may include, but are not limited to, anti-collision sensors, sonic
sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors,
hydrocarbon detection sensors, vibration sensors, and others.
[0016] Further, the one or more data acquisition units may be
fitted with power generation and/or power supply means, including,
but not limited to nuclear power generation units, Peltier
generating devices, vibration energy cells and other energy
generating or conversion devices, in addition to the one or more
sensors placed within the one or more data acquisition modules.
[0017] Embodiments usable within the scope of the present
disclosure thereby provide downhole tools, systems, and methods for
flexibly and reliably acquiring and storing data associated with
downhole tools, wellbores, and/or drilling operations that overcome
the deficiencies of conventional subs, complex drill bit systems,
elements that interfere with the durability and/or functionality of
components, and LWD/MWD tools.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the detailed description of various embodiments of the
present invention presented below, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a
data acquisition module usable within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 1B depicts a side view of the data acquisition module
of FIG. 1A.
[0021] FIG. 2A depicts a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a data acquisition module usable within the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 2B depicts a side view of the data acquisition module
of FIG. 2A.
[0023] FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of
a data acquisition module usable within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 3B depicts a side view of the data acquisition module
of FIG. 3A.
[0025] FIG. 3C depicts a cutaway view of the data acquisition
module depicted in FIG. 3A, showing representative placement of
sensors and other components.
[0026] FIG. 4A depicts a front view of an embodiment of a downhole
tool usable within the scope of the present disclosure, having a
recessed region accommodating a data acquisition module.
[0027] FIG. 4B depicts a side cross-sectional view of the downhole
tool of FIG. 4A.
[0028] Embodiments of the present invention are described below
with reference to the lisle Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Before explaining selected embodiments of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described
herein and that the present invention can be practiced or carried
out in various ways.
[0030] Embodiments usable within the scope of the present
disclosure include drill bits or other drill string components
(e.g., stabilizers, reamers, underreamers, drill collars, etc.)
designed or modified to accept a modular data acquisition module.
As described previously, usable data acquisition modules can be
designed to meet specific operational parameters to enable
functionality during oil and gas drilling operations (e.g.,
expected pressure, temperature, and vibration) such that the drill
bit or other downhole tool will not require a separate sealed
chamber that maintains atmospheric pressure at a depth within a
wellbore to retain the module. Typically, a drill bit or other
downhole tool can simply include a recessed region into which a
data acquisition module can be secured (e.g., threaded), bolt holes
or other attachment means, by which the data acquisition module can
be attached or a suitable other location at which the data
acquisition module can otherwise be secured, such as by a ring
containing one or more data acquisition modules and secured by
compression.
[0031] FIGS. 1A through 3B depict various, non-limiting embodiments
of data acquisition modules (10A, 10B, 10C) usable within the scope
of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A, and 3B
depict data acquisition modules (10A, 10C) having a generally
cylindrical body (12A) with a beveled edge (13) at an end thereof,
while FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a data acquisition module having a
rounded body (12B). However, it should be understood that the
depicted data acquisition modules (10A, 10B, 10C) are exemplary,
and that modules having any desired shape and/or dimensions can be
used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 1C, 2C and 3C depict various, non-limiting embodiments of
cavities within the data acquisition modules (10A, 10B and 10C)
within which sensors, data storage, batteries and/or power
generation means may be placed.
[0032] Each of the data acquisition modules (10A, 10B, 10C) is
further shown having threads (14) along a partial length thereof,
e.g., for engagement with complementary threads within a recessed
chamber of a drill bit or other downhole tool, and a head (15),
which in an embodiment, can fit closely within the recessed chamber
of a downhole tool. The data acquisition modules (10A, 10B) of
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B are shown having a hex member (18A)
disposed on the heads (16) thereof, to enable torquing and/or
rotation of the data acquisition modules (10A, 10B) for engagement
(or disengagement) of the depicted threads (14) with (or from)
complementary threads, while the data acquisition module (10C) of
FIGS. 3A and 3B is shown having a hex member (18C) with a rounded
top (19), similarly able to be rotated using a tool adapted for
engagement therewith.
[0033] FIG. 3C depicts a cutaway side view of data acquisition
module 10C. Within data acquisition module 10C is a cavity (15)
into which can be placed a variety of sensors (17A, 17B or 17C) for
example, as well as battery or other power generating means (11).
In this example, sensor 17A is an x-axis accelerometer, sensor 17B
is a y-axis accelerometer and sensor 17C is a z-axis accelerometer.
Data acquisition modules 10A and 10B, as well as modules not shown
in the figures, will have similar cavities for placement of sensors
and other devices.
[0034] Each of the data acquisition modules (10A, 10B or 10C) may
be manufactured from any suitable metal or metal alloy or any
suitable high-strength plastic known in the art. When the material
used is a high-strength plastic, data retrieval means may include
wireless methods of data retrieval which do not require the removal
of the data acquisition module from the downhole tool nor the
sensors from the data acquisition module. Data may be downloaded
from the data acquisition module wirelessly into a computer memory
or other second data storage unit.
[0035] Suitable data acquisition modules can be fitted with any
types of sensors as needed, including accelerometers (17A, 17B,
17C), strain gauges, temperature sensors, radiation sensors,
anti-collision sensors, sonic sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure
sensors, flow sensors, hydrocarbon detection sensors, vibration
sensors, etc., which can be positioned internally or externally,
depending on the capabilities of the sensors and/or expected
characteristics of the downhole tool, the body of the module, the
wellbore environment, or other similar factors. In an embodiment,
the data acquisition modules can include a power source (e.g., one
or more batteries (11), nuclear energy source or otherwise and/or
internal data storage, and can be pre-programmed to record data
only when certain detected conditions are met, reducing the amount
of power used and the amount of data stored. For example, a data
acquisition module can be triggered to begin recording when a
certain pressure, temperature, or acceleration, or any other type
of data, is detected by the sensors. In a further embodiment, power
generation may be provided by a vibration energy cell or a
temperature differential power generator, such as a Peltier device
to power one or more sensors placed in the data acquisition module.
The use of such power generators takes advantage of otherwise
undesirable conditions in the borehole during drilling, such as
high levels of vibration and high temperature. The use of Peltier
devices includes the additional benefit of providing a cooling
source for sensors in the data acquisition module.
[0036] Data triggers can be preset at the surface, prior to running
a downhole tool associated with the data acquisition module,
eliminating the need for the sensors and other circuitry placed in
the module to perform complex computations or analysis. For
example, by pre-programming data triggers at the surface, a data
acquisition module downhole need only compare a currently detected
condition with a pre-set threshold value. As such, embodiments
usable within the scope of the present disclosure enable a sensor
to be designed that records data, of a specific type, when certain
conditions are met, and only when those certain conditions are met.
This setting of surface recording triggers is possible due to the
large amount of data currently existing regarding drill string,
downhole tool, and drill bit performance. By pre-programming data
acquisition modules at the surface, the circuitry within the data
acquisition modules can be simple, thereby reducing power
consumption and improving survivability and reliability under
downhole conditions. Very little logic is necessary in such an
embodiment, enabling the data acquisition module to be designed
primarily to gather condition-specific data for later analysis.
After removal of a drill bit or other downhole tool from a
wellbore, a data acquisition module can be removed or downloaded
and the data therein analyzed, while an additional data acquisition
module, using the same type or a different type of sensor,
depending on need, can be provided in the downhole tool for
continued use.
[0037] In an embodiment, a data acquisition module can be placed in
a blind recess between the blades of a polycrystalline diamond
cutter (PDC) drill bit. For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a PDC
drill bit (20) having a body (21) with multiple blades formed
thereon, of which two blades (22A, 22B) are labeled for reference,
multiple jets, of which jet (24) is labeled for reference, and a
shank region (25) for engagement with a drill string and/or other
adjacent components. Each blade includes multiple PDC cutting
elements thereon, of which a cutter (23) is labeled for reference.
The form and operation of a PDC drill bit is well known in the art,
and as such, will not be described in detail.
[0038] The depicted drill bit (20) is shown having a recessed
chamber (26) formed therein, between blade (22A) and blade (22B). A
data acquisition module (10B), substantially similar to that shown
in FIGS. 2A and 25, is shown secured within the recessed chamber
(26) via threads (28) disposed at the proximal end of the recessed
chamber (26). The data acquisition module (10B) can be designed to
conform to the recessed chamber (26), having dimensions and threads
suitable for placement therein, and can be set to record a variety
of data associated with the drill bit (20), responsive to the
detection of pre-selected conditions.
[0039] In an embodiment, the data acquisition module (10B) could be
set to record vibration, and the pre-selected trigger threshold for
initiating recording of data may be detection of a force of 5G or
greater. Thus, vibration data would only be recorded once a
threshold force of 5G occurs, or when the 5G threshold value or
higher is breached. When combined with a timer or counter circuit
data, this information can be compared to other rig operations for
discrimination. It should be noted that the trigger mechanism and
actuation thereof can be varied, but would be relevant to the types
of sensors included in the data acquisition module (10B). It should
further be understood that the threshold for data acquisition can
be set prior to the use of the drill bit (20), for a very specific
or very broad data regime.
[0040] While FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a drill bit, it should be
understood that this is simply an exemplary use of a data
acquisition module in association with a downhole tool. Embodiments
of the present disclosure can include other types of tools and
uses, such as a cylindrical data acquisition module (e.g., similar
to those depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A, and 3B), shaped and designed
to fit into a recess within the blade of a drill string stabilizer,
or within the blade of a PDC drill bit or underreamer or hole
opener. Such a data acquisition module could include a temperature
sensor to act as a trigger, and/or accelerometers, which type of
sensors may also be set with a threshold trigger. Most oil and gas
wells have an approximate temperature gradient relative to depth,
thus a temperature trigger can be used to initiate recordation of
data only when the temperature is above or below a particular value
corresponding to a desired depth. For example, lower temperature
values would correspond to shallower depth while higher values
would correspond to deeper conditions.
[0041] In an embodiment, a data acquisition module may be attached
other than by using a recessed chamber configured in an element of
a drill string or downhole tool. Other attachment means may include
bolting or otherwise attachment of a data acquisition module to a
suitable location on a drill string or downhole tool by means of
suitable, threaded bolt holes or other attachment means placed in
the element of a drill string or downhole tool.
[0042] In an embodiment, attachment of the data acquisition module
may be made by use of a ring-shaped data acquisition module which
is secured via compression onto a suitable location of a drill
string or downhole tool. Alternatively, the attachable ring may
contain one or more sites for placing one or more data acquisition
modules, such as the placement of one or more recessed chambers
disposed within the ring or one or more sites having bolt holes or
other attachment means by which to attach one or more data
acquisition modules.
[0043] In yet another embodiment, the data acquisition module can
be designed into the body of an underreamer or stabilizer, such
that definitive and direct data is gathered by discrete, modular
data acquisition modules. This data can be similar or dissimilar,
but directly related to the immediate position and function of the
drill string component into which the module is affixed, as by, for
example, the above--described threading means In this embodiment,
the data collected is directly associated with the underreamer or
stabilizer and is not inferred, such as occurs in LWD, MDW or
similar data collection systems. Direct data capture allows for
computer vibration models or other computer models to be tuned to
match the true physical interactions between the drill string
components or drill bit and the formation, creating a "system
signature" for a set of downhole and/or bottom hole assembly
components that can be pre-selected in the future for a particular
drilling need.
[0044] In another embodiment, the data acquisition module can be
designed into an expandable underreamer, allowing sensors to record
data at a drilling interface away from the drill bit, produced by
the underreaming tool. Such a configuration allows spatial
discrimination of the effects of the underreamer drilling action,
drill string components, and the drill bit drilling effects by
analyzing the timing of events and the sensor data collected.
[0045] In another embodiment, a plurality of data acquisition
modules can be placed in separate and discrete locations in a drill
string or in a downhole tool. Placement may include close proximity
between data acquisition modules, such as the placement of more
than one data acquisition modules in a drill bit, for example, and
in which the more than one data acquisition modules each contain
different types of sensor units, such as, for example, pressure
sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, etc. Placement of the
more than one data acquisition modules in a single drill string or
downhole tool may include placement of data acquisition modules in
different elements of the drill string or downhole tool. For
example, in such an embodiment, one data acquisition module can be
placed in the drill bit, one data acquisition module can be placed
in a stabilizer, with additional data acquisition modules placed in
other suitable parts of a drill string or bottom hole apparatus.
Where more than one data acquisition module is placed in a single
drill string or downhole tool, a single type of sensor may be used
such that the data of the same nature is captured across the drill
string or downhole tool or different types of sensors may be used
in each data acquisition module, allowing different data to be
captured from the different elements of the drill string or
downhole tool depending on need.
[0046] In another embodiment one or more data acquisition modules
can be used with one or more sensor types in conjunction with
LWD/MWD tools to aid in the assessment of the accuracy of
mathematical models and inferential analyses used in the LWD/MWD
tools. The real-time, multi-point data collected from the one or
more data acquisition modules using one or more types of sensors
can be directly compared to the real-time, single-point data
collection of the LWD/MWD tools to verify the interpolation methods
used in the LWD/MDW tools.
[0047] In another embodiment, the placement of one or more data
acquisition modules to be used in a drill string or downhole tool
may be determined by the characteristics of an individual drill
string or downhole tool and/or the components thereof and/or the
need for robustness in a specific drilling application. For
example, one or more data acquisition module can be used in a drill
string with the specific intention of maintaining the full strength
of the drill string during operation, despite the inclusion of data
acquisition modules. Embodiments usable within the scope of the
present disclosure thereby provide robust and flexible methods for
data acquisition that are highly reliable, require minimal
modification to existing downhole took, do not significantly impact
durability or performance of such tools, and can interchangeably
gather a wide variety of data, triggered by desired pre-set
threshold conditions.
[0048] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described with emphasis, it should be understood that within the
scope of the appended claims, the present invention might be
practiced other than as specifically described herein.
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