WO1999014524A2

WO1999014524A2 - Identification system

Info

Publication number: WO1999014524A2
Application number: PCT/NO1998/000277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Styrk Egil Andersen
Original assignee: Genius Maritim Bergen As
Priority date: 1997-09-18
Filing date: 1998-09-16
Publication date: 1999-03-25
Also published as: WO1999014524A3; NO974314L; NO974314D0; AU9192198A; NO306963B1

Abstract

The invention concerns an identification system, especially for drillpipes, casings and other objects for use in potentially explosive surroundings, where the system includes a label, and a sensor for automatically reading the label and characterized in that the label comprises a collar totally surrounding the object, containing a bar code readable in an axial direction in relation to the collar, and that extends over the whole collar, so that the object can be identified by the sensor in any rotational position of the collar.

Description

Identification system

The present invention concerns an identification system, especially for drillpipes, casings and other pipes for use in potentially explosive surroundings, the system comprising a label and a sensor for automatically reading the label. It is also related to an identification method, especially for drillpipes and casings, where a label is attached to a pipe and the label is read by means of a sensor.

In the oil industry drills or tubing strings are used to physically enter a bore hole and enable performance of desired work functions down hole. During offshore operations, bit depth (the depth of the string in the hole) is normally calculated by monitoring the hook position and hook weight and then adding or subtracting depth when the hook load indicates that pipe is held in the hook and the hook position changes. These systems tend to be inaccurate and require manual adjustment. Stand counting and control of string composition are generally done manually. There is no available method that can guarantee that stand counting will work in every situation.

Moving of pipe around the drill floor with remotely controlled pipe handling machines is hazardous both to personnel and to other equipment. To overcome collision problems with other equipment, safety limits are set. As the present length of pipe and the weight of casings are unknown these anti- collision limits lead to unnecessarily high reductions in the pipe handling equipment's performance. The mentioned safety limits require that over- compensated safety features be added to the machines.

Fatigue in drill pipe is a major cause of concern, because down hole failures in drill pipe are very costly occurrences. Manual inspection of pipe is currently the only available method to check and test this fatigue. Replacement of drill pipe is dependent on the type of drilling operation undertaken and the type of pipe used, but the decision to replace pipe is based on length of service and not on any concrete data, and it's object is to avoid problems such as "washout", leaking of drill fluid out of the pipe or "twist off, where the tool joint connection breaks and the joint parts.

Placement of casing into the borehole is at present totally manual. There is no automatic system for checking on site the characteristics of each joint placed in the hole when a casing string is completed. Currently measurements of each single joint are taken by the crew offshore and each joint is numbered with a non permanent marker. A list of the final string composition is generated and is given to the crew, who are responsible for that the next joint in the list is delivered up to the drill floor. The joints are then made-up with a casing tong and the record of this make-up saved for later retrieval if a problem should occur. The progress of the joints into the hole is recorded either by highlighting or crossing out the joint number on the list. Rejection of a joint or removal and replacement of bushings leads very often to registration errors. The Blow Out Preventor (B.O.P) safety system is the last line of defense under drilling operations and this system must thus operate every time at the first try. The B.O.P. operates by closing flexible seals around the pipe and in the worst case cutting the pipe. It is therefore of great importance that the actual position of the tool joint is known so that it does not lie in the B.O.P. Currently the tool joint height over the drill floor is measured and checked against a reference sheet to indicate its position relative to the B.O.P. This procedure relies on the operator's awareness and on a manual calculation during an event which is very dangerous and very seldom and therefore is extremely stressful and open to error. Pipe marking by means of labels is a known technique. The simplest version of this technique consists in painting a non-permanent strip around the pipe and identifying the pipe by way of different colors.

US-A-5, 621,647 describes a method of determining the number of a plurality of pipe joints that can be shipped on a transportation means without exceeding a predetermined weight. The method employs a bar code reader coupled to a computer and involves initially determining the weight of each pipe joint. After this determination, a bar code label, which includes the weight of the pipe joint, is affixed to the pipe joint. The predetermined weight for the transportation means is then entered in the computer and the bar code for each pipe is scanned as it is placed on the transportation means. The computer calculates the running total of the weight of the pipe joints which have been scanned and compares that calculated weight to the predetermined weight. When the predetermined weight for the transportation means has been exceeded, the operator is notified. Use of bar code systems for pipe identification has been suggested in several publications none of which refer to drill pipe or casing.

US-A-5491637 describes a method for creating a historical record of the manufacturing, transportation and location history of steel pipe joints including predetermined characteristics of the pipe joints. During manufacture, the heat number and coil number of the steel used to make each pipe joint is recorded. Each pipe joint is assigned a unique joint number, which is also recorded. A label containing the heat number, coil number and joint number is created and attached to the corresponding pipe joint. The pipe joints are then transported to a final destination. The exact location of the final destination is compiled into a historical record in which the location of the final destination is associated with the heat number, coil number and joint number for each pipe joint. Finally, the labels are removed from the pipe joints to prevent damage to sensitive components in the completed pipeline. None of the above mentioned methods is suitable for use where pipes are stacked up over each other for later use in a specific order. The labels must be read in special orientation of the pipe. The labels are in addition not designed to be permanent, so they will not tolerate rough handling (this is especially true in relation to casings). Several systems and methods are known for pipe identification associated with pipe handling.

US-A-5, 142, 128 describes an apparatus for identifying oilfield equipment, including the maintenance of usage histories for the equipment and recommending whether the equipment is to be used in a prospective application based on prospective application and usage history. A portable encapsulated passive circuit capable of transmitting an identification code is affixed to a piece of oilfield equipment. The circuit is activated by a portable reader which receives and decodes the identification code and transmits it to a central computer. The central computer verifies the reader and the existence of the equipment in a database and retrieves the usage history for the equipment. Based on the usage history, the prospective application and guidelines for usage of equipment, the computer determines the advisability of using the equipment in the prospective application and transmits the recommendation back to the portable reader. US-A-4, 698,631 describes a drill pipe identification system that automatically provides an identification number for each drill pipe as the drill pipe is being lowered into or withdrawn from the well. The system has a SAW (surface acoustic wave) identification device which is mounted in a cylindrical cavity within a tool joint of each section of drill pipe. The cavity has an aperture leading to the exterior of the tool joint to allow radio frequency signals to be received and reradiated. The SAW device receives signals from a transmitter and receiver, modulates the signals and reradiates them in a manner that corresponds to an encoded number in the SAW device.

SAW devices mounted in specially modified drill pipe are at present being tested. The device is read by means of a handheld scanners, and it contains a unique number. The information is then transferred to a disc. The system is used purely for stock taking so that registration of the pipe's serial number is automatic. The reader must not be further away from the SAW than 2 cm, this makes the system dependent on the pipe's orientation, access to the tool joint and will be subject to the permit to work system on offshore installations.

US-A-4, 202,490 describes a drill pipe identification method and system where numbers in binary form comprising apertures filled with non-magnetic material are formed in the outer periphery of drill pipe sections for identification purposes. The numbers are read by a sensor and recorded as the drill pipe sections are lowered into a well bore in order to keep track of the position of the pipe sections in the drill string and to obtain a cumulative record of the service time of each drill pipe section for the purpose of determining fatigue damage. The sensor comprises an encircling electrical coil which generates a magnetic field in the walls of the drill pipe sections as they are moved through the coil and a second electrical coil which is rotated around the drill pipe section in the vicinity of the encircling coil for detecting the magnetic field next to the filled encoding apertures of the identification numbers.

US-A-4, 578, 991 describes a system for identifying individual drill pipes by means of a group of non-ferrous rings on the outside surface of an individual drill pipe. The rings are arranged in a predetermined order and spacing to represent an individual identification. There is a means for sensing the non- ferrous rings, and means for determining the individual identification as the pipe is translated longitudinally relative to the sensing means.

None of the above systems employ standard drill pipe following industry standard specifications. All the above mentioned systems require installation of electrical devices in a hazardous area, this is only possible if the devices are certified with the correct electrical clasification and none of the devices used in the above mentioned systems fulfills this requirement. Implementation of the systems implies modification of the pipe and this requires re-tooling by manufacturers. Any damage to the passive elements into the pipe cannot be repaired in-situ, so the drill pipe must be returned to a safe area for repair. This decreases the reliability of the pipe significantly and increases maintenance costs.

Another publication illustrating the state of the art is US-A-4, 533, 823, that describes a coding system for elements of machine tools, particularly of the numerically controlled type, consisting of a bar code applied to the element to be identified, and read by a reading head provided with a code detecting sensor connected to a circuit for transforming the code into signals fed to utilization circuits which operate by comparing the read message with a set signal. This system uses a mounting bracket to fix a label to the item. It is not possible to fix such a bracket to a drill pipe or other down hole tools as it will be scraped off immediately.

The above mentioned problems are solved by an identification system, especially for drillpipes, casings and other objects for use in potentially explosive surroundings, where the system includes a label, and a sensor for automatically reading the label, characterized in that the label comprises a collar attached to and totally surrounding the object, containing a bar code readable in an axial direction in relation to the collar, and that extends over the whole collar, so that the object can be identified by the sensor in any rotational position of the collar. The invention concerns further an identification method, especially for drillpipes, casings and other objects for use in potentially explosive surroundings and where a label is attached to an object and the label is read by means of a sensor characterized in that the label comprises a collar containing a bar code and that the method comprises the following steps: attaching the collar to the whole periphery of the object and reading the bar code in an axial direction in relation to the object and thus independently of the collar's rotational position.

The system according to the invention provides detailed information about pipe length, size and weight at all times. The systems further provides a maintenance free automatic method for stand counting and accurate bit depth calculations and it provides accurate position data for pipe handling.

In relation to fatigue control, the invention provides an overall picture of the drill string and makes it possible to build up a history for each individual joint including full torque history, amount of time the joint is run in and out of the hole. This gives a basis for decision of whether to replace pipes.

The invention can be adapted to indicate which joints require inspection, making routine inspections easier.

The system according to the invention will always identify drill pipes which has been over-torqued compared to the pipes specifications.

When used for casing composition control, the system according to the invention can include means for pre-recording information about the casings exact length and physical size, and hand held scanners for logging the casings from position to position, means for connecting to the casing record the torque curve details and the actual joint number. The system will thus be able to calculate depth in real time. The system eliminates size errors and gives automatic control as with the logging of each torque curve.

The system according to the invention gives the possibility to dynamically calculate the position of tool joints in relation to the B.O.P. to ensure safe operation of the B.O.P.

A collar according to the invention is made of a heat, acid and solvent resistant material. This material is expandable so that the collar will remain in place and stand the treatment that the pipe can be subjected to without being fully destroyed. The collar is attached to the pipe by means of an adhesive. Both the adhesive and the collar are chosen among materials that upon scraping will disintegrate in small soft crumbs. This has some advantages. Firstly, there is no risk that particles of a significant size will enter the bore hole and secondly, and as a consequence of the bar-code's relative position in relation to the collar and consequently to the pipe, it is possible to identify the pipe although some of the collars periphery is missing.

Used drill pipe will require polishing before the collar can be fitted (this is normal practise for drill pipe inspection companies). Intrinsically safe equipment for carrying out this polishing in hazardous areas is available in the market.

In a first embodiment of the invention, specially designed for identification of drill pipes, two collars are fitted at small distance from the pipes tool joints, so that the collars are not touched by an elevator or other tools designed to grip on to or lift the drill pipe at the pipes "box" end. This distance is specified for each type of drill pipe by the American Petroleum Institute. The space from the tool joint at the "pin" end of the drill pipe would be in the center of the area between the torque wrench and the spinning tongs of an industry standard Iron Roughneck tool. Generally this distance is about 1.5 m. When the drill string is in the hole the tool joint will protect the collar from scraping damage.

In a second embodiment of the invention, specially designed for identification of casings, two collars are attached to the casing at similar distances as mentioned for the drillpipe collar but this time allowing space for elevators and back up tongs at the casings "box" end and for casing torque wrench at the casings "pin" end. In this case the collars will disintegrate as they enter the formation into the "crumbs" mentioned earlier. Since down hole tools rely on the flow of liquids through small apertures to function, any foreign material entering the well has to fulfill special waste size requirements. This is the case with the "crumbs" resulting from disintegration of the label in the present invention.

The system further comprises one or several sensors for reading the bar code. Use of several sensors is preferred, for built in redundancy and comparison error checking. Besides, this provides several signals that can be compared to avoid errors in case of damage to the collar. Before reading of the code, it is recommended that the pipe is washed to facilitate a better detection. The system comprises in addition means for automatic acquisition and retrieving of pipe related data. In general these means will be implemented as a computer including a data base with information about the pipe.

In the above mentioned embodiments of the invention, two sensors are used for identification of the drill pipe/casing, a first sensor for identification of the drillpipes/casings "box" end and a second sensor for identification of the drillpipes/casings "pin" end. The first sensor is a CCTV camera mounted in the derrick at a height of approximately 10m above the drillfloor. This is a standard CCTV camera as used offshore with an explosion proof housing. The camera is motorized and has manual and automatic control for positioning, focus and zoom. The camera output is linked to a data acquisition system which can recognize and analyze bar codes. This system can also control positioning, zooming and focus so that the system is independent of operator adjustment. This camera is positioned to read the collar mounted at the "box" and of the drill pipe. When the bar code is read, the pipe information is automatically made available to the operator. This information can be changed manually by the operator. The second sensor is a standard bar code laser scanner with an intrinsically safe certificate, mounted on the machine used for make-up / break-out of the pipe. The connection between the scanner and the data acquisition system can be wireless or via electric cables dependent on the machine characteristics. The scanner reads the bar code on the "pin" end of the drill pipe.

In a third embodiment of the invention, an intrinsically safe hand held scanner (e.g. an infra-red scanner), is available for use during stock taking, shipping etc. This scanner will have a small programmable screen so that the bar code information detailing the physical size of the tubular and the unique number can be read and stored if required for later transfer to a central unit or to the data acquisition system.

The invention may also be used in order to establish the location of the hook position to automatic close the elevator around the pipe. An average stand height is ca. 28 m from the drill floor plus any stick-up height (stick-up height is the height of the box above the drill floor). The area allowed for closing the elevator around the pipe is approximately 0.75 m. When running pipe down the bore hole the driller must pull up to this height (the trip height) so that the driller is able to close the elevator around the pipe to begin to run in the next stand. This height can vary by around 1.5m. On some of the more modern rigs, a fixed trip height function is available so that the drawworks stops automatically at a fixed height, but because of the variations of stand height in the derrick, the driller may have to make final corrections so as not to close the elevator around the collar. With a dynamic trip height the drawworks are stopped at exactly the correct height to close the elevator thus increasing trpping speed and ensuring no damage to the collar. Floor saving calculations are also possible by means of a system according to the invention, and they can provide information about a floor collision when the pipe is held in the elevator or screwed into the top drive, this not being possible with other floor saving systems.

Other features of the invention are stated in the patent claims.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail by means of the following drawings, where: Fig. 1 shows the label according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of the system according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a possible sensor in relation to the drilling equipment.

Fig. 1 shows a label 2 comprising a collar, the collar's axis 2' and the direction in which a reading device can read the bar code in the collar. The bar code extends over the whole collar, and can thus be read in any rotational position around the collar's axis 2'.

Fig. 2 shows a pipe 1, the labels 2 and two sensors 3 and 4 for reading the bar code on the labels. The relative position between the spinning tong, the torque wrench and the label is shown in the same figure. Fig. 3 shows a bore hole and one possible position for the sensor 5. In this case the sensor is a handhold scanner and it is used to register drill string composition.

The identification bar code be brought upon the label in any suitable manner, e.g. by printing or by use of special hardening techniques with the purpose of preventing scratching. The collar can be attached to the pipe at the production plant, at a special workshop, or at the place where it will be used.

Although the invention is illustrated here with relation to drillpipes and casings, it is clear that it can be used in any case where it is necessary to perform an identification of objects independently of the object's rotational position, these objects being all kinds of pipes, glass bottles, dive bottles, telephone and lighting parts, cable sections, buckets, barrels, valves, seismic equipment, and so on.

Claims

1. Identification system, especially for drillpipes, casings and other objects for use in potentially explosive surroundings, where the system includes a label, and a sensor for automatically reading the label, characterized in that the label comprises a collar attached to and totally surrounding the object, containing a bar code readable in an axial direction in relation to the collar, and that extends over the whole collar, so that the object can be identified by the sensor in any rotational position of the collar.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that several collars are provided on the object.

3. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar is made of a heat, acid and solvent resistant material.

4. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar is attached to the object by means of an adhesive.

5. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the collar and the adhesive are chosen among materials that upon scraping will disintegrate in small soft crumbs.

6. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar is expandable so that the collar remains in place while the pipe is subject to a heat treatment.

7. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor is a CCTV camera.

8. System according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the sensor is a bar code laser scanner.

9. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means for automatic acquisition and retrieval of object related data.

10. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor is connected to the data acquisition and retrieval means.

11. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the object has a cylindrical form and that the collar's axis corresponds to the cylinder's axis.

12. Identification method, especially for drillpipes, casings and other objects for use in potentially explosive surroundings and where a label is attached to an object and the label is read by means of a sensor characterized in that the label comprises a collar containing a bar code and that the method comprises the following steps: attaching the collar to the whole periphery of the object and reading the bar code in an axial direction in relation to the object and thus independently of the collar's rotational position.

13. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the collar is attached to the object by means of an adhesive.

14. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that prior to attaching the collar to the object, the object is subject to polishing in the zone where the collar will be attached.

15. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that several collars are attached to the object.

16. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises automatically retrieving information related to the object.

17. Method according to any of the preceding claims 10-13, characterized in that it comprises automatically carrying out calculation of parameters indicating position, stress and maintenance needs based on the information readings.

18. Method according to any of the preceding claims 10-13, characterized in that the object has a cylindrical form and that the collar's axis corresponds to the cylinder's axis.

19. Use of the system according to any of claims 1- 1 1 and or the method according to any of claims 12-18, for identification of pipes, bottles, dive bottles, telephone posts, lighting posts, cable sections, buckets, barrels, valves, seismic equipment, or any object that is to be identified independently of the object's rotational position.