EP1549820B1 - Appareil et procede de transmission d'un signal dans un puits de forage - Google Patents

Appareil et procede de transmission d'un signal dans un puits de forage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1549820B1
EP1549820B1 EP03758307A EP03758307A EP1549820B1 EP 1549820 B1 EP1549820 B1 EP 1549820B1 EP 03758307 A EP03758307 A EP 03758307A EP 03758307 A EP03758307 A EP 03758307A EP 1549820 B1 EP1549820 B1 EP 1549820B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
tubular
transmitter
receiver
drill pipe
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP03758307A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1549820A1 (fr
Inventor
George Boyadjieff
Barry Williams
Bruce Pontius
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Varco IP Inc
Original Assignee
Varco International Inc
Varco IP Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1549820A1 publication Critical patent/EP1549820A1/fr
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/003—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings with electrically conducting or insulating means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/028—Electrical or electro-magnetic connections
    • E21B17/0285—Electrical or electro-magnetic connections characterised by electrically insulating elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/0085—Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
    • E21B47/13—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting a signal from deep in a wellbore through a string of tubulars.
  • the invention particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting communication data from deep in a wellbore through a string of tubulars, such as a tool string or a string of drill pipe to the surface during the exploration, construction and production phases.
  • the transmission of data through a drill string has been performed by several methods in the past. The first of these was through the use of a wire line dropped through the inside of the drill pipe. This wire line would include a mechanical cable for placement and retrieval of the sensors or controls as well as a protected data pathway such as a wire or a fibre optic cable.
  • This expense of this system along with the problems caused by damage to either the line or the pipe and the pressure loss caused by this system led to the development of other systems using communications methods including the transmission of acoustic pulses caused by pressure changes in the drilling fluids or the acoustic transmission of the data to the surface.
  • the primary limitation of acoustic or pressure methods in the transfer of data has been the very low data transfer rate, in the order of a few bits per second. Further attempts have been made in accomplishing the data transfer by the use of loose wire or fibre optic cables within the pipe, but none of these systems has proven to be reliable.
  • the system includes a plurality of downhole components, such as sections of pipe in a drill string.
  • Each downhole component includes a pin end and a box end, with the pin end of one downhole component being adapted to be connected to the box end of an other.
  • Each pin end includes external threads and an internal pin face distal to the external threads.
  • Each box end includes an internal shoulder face with internal threads distal to the internal shoulder face.
  • the internal pin face and the internal shoulder face are aligned with and proximate each other when the pin end of the one component is threaded into a box end of the other component.
  • the system also includes a first communication element located within a first recess formed in each internal pin face and a second communication element located within a second recess formed in each internal shoulder face.
  • the first and second communication elements are inductive coils.
  • the inductive coils each lie within a magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element, which take the form of a U-shaped trough.
  • the system also includes a conductor in communication with and running between each first and second communication element in each component.
  • US-A-4.220.381 discloses a drill string telemetry system comprising a wire running along an interior wall of each section of drill pipe, and at each end of the drill, pipe entering the wall of the drill and as electrodes in an insulative conductive ring and a single point or ring in the box end.
  • a gap may be present between the ring and the point or ring of an adjacent section of drill pipe.
  • mud fills the gap and allows a sufficient electrical connection to be made to pass signals between wires of adjacent section of drill string.
  • WO 92/04525 discloses apparatus for communication along a drill string.
  • the apparatus comprises conductors running along the interior wall of each section of drill pipe within grooves within a mud liner. At the pin end each conductor is connected to a ring embedded in an insulative material on the mud liner and at the box end each conductor is connected to a ring embedded in an insulative material on the mud liner, such that when adjacent drill pipe sections are connected, the rings of the pin are concentrically arranged within the rings of the box and in physical contact to provide electrical connection between adjacent drill pipe sections.
  • US-A-4.730.234 discloses an apparatus for powering a fan by a battery.
  • a pipe string has electrically conductive strips such as foil rods arranged on a layer of insulating material on the interior wall of the pipe string.
  • a connection between adjacent sections of pipe is made by exact alignment with a strip in an adjacent pipe section such that an electrical connection can be made to power the fan.
  • US-A-2002/0113716 discloses an apparatus for transmitting information along a drill string.
  • Each section comprises an electrically conductive cylindrical wall insulated both from the wall and the interior of the drill string. The ends of the conductive cylindrical wall terminating in rings.
  • the rings of adjacent sections are spaced by a sealing ring and a gap. In use, the gap fills with mud which provides enough of a conductive path to electrically connect the rings of adjacent sections.
  • US-A-6.098.727 discloses an electrically insulating subassembly. This also discloses an electromagnetic transmitter on a distal end of a drill string and a repeater at an intermediate point on the drill string to transmit radiating electromagnetic wave fronts up the drill string. The signal is then transmitted from the seabed to the platform through a wire. It is suggested that the repeaters are spaced approximately 610 metre (2,000 feet) to 1520 metre (5,000 feet) apart.
  • US-A-4.001.774 discloses a system for communicating along a drill string, the system comprising a wire connected from the bottom of the drill string terminating in a ring support arranged between the box and pin of adjacent sections.
  • the system further comprises a wireline dropped overlapping the wire from the bottom of the drill string, such that signals are passed from said wire to said wireline through induction.
  • US-A-6.392.317 discloses a pair of annular rings having a plurality of wires arranged therebetween.
  • the annular are arranged in recesses in the pin and box of a section of drill pipe.
  • the plurality of wires are insulated and hang internally of the drill pipe wall. Contact between the plurality of wires in an adjacent section of drill pipe is made by electromagnetic inductive coil or coupling.
  • a method for transmitting a signal from deep in a wellbore through a string of tubulars to a destination point wherein said string of tubulars comprises at least a first and second tubulars connected end to end, each tubular having a signal conductor located adjacent an interior surface of each of said two tubulars, the method comprising the steps of transmitting a signal through the conductors characterised in that the first tubular has a first transmitter-receiver located at at least one end thereof and the second tubular has a second transmitter-receiver located at at least one end thereof, the first transmitter-receiver to transmit the signal through the tubular without the need for a conductor to the second transmitter-receiver, such that in the event of a failure in one of said signal conductors, the signal will reach the destination point.
  • each transmitter-receiver transmits said signal to enable the signal to travel at a distance substantially equal to between one and ten lengths of said tubular.
  • each transmitter-receiver transmits said signal to enable the signal to travel at a distance substantially equal to two lengths of said tubular.
  • a third tubular connected to said two tubulars, the third tubular having a third transmitter-receiver located at at least one end thereof wherein said signal is transmitted by said first transmitter-receiver to enable the signal to travel at a distance substantially equal to two lengths of said tubular to said third transmitter-receiver, such that in the event of a failure in the second transmitter-receiver, the signal sent by the first transmitter-receiver will reach the third transmitter-receiver.
  • a further transmitter-receiver is arranged on the end of the first tubular in parallel with the first transmitter-receiver and have communication means between them to provide further redundancy.
  • each tubular is a section of drill pipe.
  • the transmitter-receiver is powered by a piezoelectric device.
  • the present invention also provides an apparatus for transmitting a signal from deep in a wellbore through a string of tubulars to a destination point along the string of tubulars
  • said apparatus comprises at least a first and second tubulars connected end to end, each tubular having a signal conductor located adjacent an interior surface of each of said two tubulars
  • the method comprising the steps of transmitting a signal through the signal conductors characterised in that the first tubular has a first transmitter-receiver located at at least one end thereof and the second tubular has a second transmitter-receiver located at at least one end thereof, the first transmitter-receiver to transmit the signal through the tubular without the need for a conductor to the second transmitter-receiver, such that in the event of a failure in one of said signal conductors, the signal will reach the destination point.
  • the signal conductor is an electrical conductor. Most logging tools and downhole data acquisition tools produce an electric signal. It is preferred to retain the signal in electrical form.
  • the electrical conductor is isolated from the interior surface of the tubular by a layer of electrically insulative material.
  • the insulative material may be a plastics material which is applied to the electrical conductor or preferably, the interior surface of the tubular is coated in the insulative layer.
  • the insulative layer adheres itself to the interior wall of the tubular.
  • the electrical conductor is a wire.
  • the wire is preferably of round cross-section or most preferably of rectangular cross-section, such that the cross sectional area of the electrical conductor is sufficient to carry the signal along a predetermined length with an acceptable line loss and to minimise impingement on the free internal diameter of the tubular. It is important that tools, darts, bombs, plugs, wire line tools, logging tools and any other objects or instruments etc will not get stuck by a reduced diameter bore in the tubular and also so that flow of mud will not be affected.
  • the wire is embedded in a protective layer. A thin layer over the top of the wire preferably coats the conductor and provides a electrically insulative layer and gives some damage protection.
  • the electrical conductor is a piece of foil.
  • the piece or sheet of foil may be a single sheet lining the entire surface of the interior wall of the tubular. However, it is preferred that the sheet of foil is split into a plurality, preferably four strips separated by an electrically insulative gap or protective layer.
  • a protective layer covers the sheet of foil.
  • the electrical conductor comprises a micro strip line.
  • the micro strip comprises a conductive core and an insulating layer encasing the conductive core.
  • the core is in the form of a rectangular section strip.
  • the core is between 0.048mm (0.0019") and 0.05mm (0.002") thick.
  • the width of the core may be in the order of 1mm.
  • the micro strip line has an overall thickness of less than 1mm and preferably less than 0.65mm, so that it does not significantly impinge on the bore of the tubular.
  • the insulating layer is encased in an outer conductive layer, preferably to form a coaxial conductive path.
  • the outer conductive layer is earthed, which preferably reduces interference and reduces line losses by acting as an electrical shield.
  • the signal conductor extends substantially the entire length of the tubular.
  • the tubular comprises a plurality of signal conductors. Preferably, to provide redundancy by passing the same signal through each cable or to increase the bandwidth of the apparatus.
  • one of the plurality of signal conductors carries the signal and another of the signal conductors carries substantially the same signal.
  • the signal conductor is provided with means for transferring the signal from the signal conductor to another signal conductor in an adjacent tubular.
  • the means may comprise a coupling.
  • the coupling may be a conductive coupling, an inductive coupling, an acoustic coupling, or a digital repeater may be used.
  • the signal conductor is provided with an antenna at at least one end of the tubular, to transmit or receive the signal from an adjacent tubular or an amplifier-receiver.
  • a receiving antenna is provided at one end of the tubular and a transmitting antenna is provided at the other end of the tubular, the signal conductor arranged therebetween.
  • the antenna comprises the electrical conductor following the interior perimeter of the tubular.
  • the apparatus further comprises an transmitter-receiver.
  • the transmitter-receiver may be place at the end of every tubular.
  • the transmission apparatus is the transmission apparatus as set out in the following statements and the amplifier receiver is of the type set out in those statements.
  • the signal conductor may be arranged in a recess in the interior wall of the tubular.
  • tubular is drill pipe.
  • Drill pipe of the type used in drilling and in tool strings.
  • the transmitter-repeater comprises a signal amplifier and a power source.
  • the power source comprises a piezoelectric device.
  • the electric charge is obtained from vibration in the tubular caused by flow of mud, action of a mud motor and/or by a drill bit on the end of a pipe string. It is also within the scope of this invention use this effect to create electrical charge by any other means.
  • the power source comprises a battery.
  • the battery or a capacitor may be rechargeable and may have a piezoelectric device charging the battery or capacitor.
  • the apparatus further comprises a receiver antenna.
  • a receiver antenna for receiving an RF/induced signal from an antenna hard wired to the end of an electrical conductor in an adjacent tubular, the received signal is then amplified by the amplifier-receiver.
  • the electrical conductor comprises a transmitter antenna.
  • the transmitter antenna may simply be a length of the conductor arranged in close, preferably parallel proximity to a corresponding receiver antenna, which may be a similar length of conductor which preferably has similar impedance characteristics.
  • the apparatus further comprises a transmitter antenna.
  • a transmitter antenna for transmitting an the amplified signal by RF/induction to an antenna hard wired on the end of an adjacent tubular.
  • the electrical conductor comprises a receiver antenna.
  • the receiver antenna may simply be a length of the conductor arranged in close, preferably parallel proximity to a corresponding transmitter antenna, which may be of a similar length of conductor which preferably has similar impedance characteristics.
  • the apparatus further comprises a second electrical conductor and a second amplifier-repeater, which may be used to carry the same signal, or a additional signal.
  • the transmission apparatus further comprises communication means between the first and second amplifier repeaters. Preferably such that, if one line is cut, both amplifiers can transmit the signal through the next tubular or if one of the amplifier repeaters fails, the signal from the one is automatically forwarded to the other amplifier-repeater for transmission through the next tubular.
  • the apparatus further comprises a third electrical conductor and a third amplifier-repeater.
  • the transmission apparatus further comprises communication means between the first, second and third amplifier repeaters. Preferably such that, if one or two lines is cut, all three amplifiers can transmit the signal through the next tubular or if one or two of the amplifier repeaters fails, the signal from the one is automatically forwarded to the other amplifier-repeater for transmission through the next tubular.
  • the apparatus further comprises a fourth electrical conductor and a fourth amplifier-repeater.
  • a fourth electrical conductor Preferably, for carrying the same signal, or advantageously the second signal.
  • the apparatus further comprises communication means between the first, second, third and fourth amplifier repeaters.
  • the apparatus a further comprises communication means between the first, second, third and fourth amplifier repeaters.
  • the apparatus a further comprises communication means between the first, second, third and fourth amplifier repeaters.
  • all four amplifiers can transmit the signal through the next tubular or if one, two or three of the amplifier repeaters fails, the signal from the one working amplifier repeater is automatically forwarded to the other amplifier-repeaters in the next tubular.
  • the amplifier repeater is located in a ring.
  • the ring may form an integral parts of the tubular, or may be insertable, removable and replacable between adjacent tubulars.
  • the communication between the electrical conductor and the amplifier-repeater in the ring may be through conductive contact or by inductive antennae.
  • the tubular is a drill pipe having a threaded pin at one end and a threaded box at the other wherein the ring is insertable in the box of one drill pipe section and fixed in position by the pin of an adjacent drill pipe section.
  • the ring comprises a plurality of receiver-amplifiers.
  • Each length of this drill pipe contains one or more thin conductive wires (for example, 36 gauge wire) or conductive layers of material between the pipe and one or more insulating layers of nonconductive coating.
  • Communication between drill pipe sections of data through these conductive materials between drill pipe sections is performed either by the coupling between drill pipe sections through transmitter-receiver rings, mechanical connections, inductive coupling, or the use of digital repeaters within the collection of pipes.
  • These repeaters can be RF receiver-transmitters coupled either mechanically or through the electromagnetic field produced by these repeaters between the conductive members within the pipes.
  • a transmitter receiver ring (T-Ring) amplifier-repeater is provided at each end of a drill pipe section.
  • the T-Ring amplifier repeater picks up signals from one or more wires embedded in an adjacent pipe section above the T-Ring, receives and amplifies the signals, and transmits the signals through wires embedded in the pipe section below the connection.
  • the preferred embodiment comprises four wires embedded in a protective coating inside the drill pipe. These four wires are brought to the face of each end of the drill pipe section and embedded in a coating and extended on the face as four quadrants of a circle, each section occupying slightly less than 90 degrees, so that the wires are insulated from each other through each drill pipe section.
  • a micro strip line communication path is provided on the inside of the drill pipe.
  • a ring-shape Transmission element or "T-Ring” is provided between drill pipe sections.
  • the ring-shaped T-Ring volume can be fitted easily between drill pipe sections.
  • the T-Ring is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install between existing drill pipe sections fitted with the transmission path of the present invention.
  • the signal received by each T-Ring is amplified and electrically transmitted through the wires in each succeeding drill pipe section to each successive T-Ring.
  • the T-Ring receives the signal, amplifies it, and retransmits it to the adjacent wire through the next pipe. Additional features include detecting failed T-Ring sections and only retransmitting signals associated with functional T-Ring sections.
  • the T-Ring provides its own power from a piezoelectric power generator powered by drilling vibrations and mud flow turbulence through the tool and T-Ring.
  • the T-Ring provides intelligent checksums cyclic redundancy checking and digital packet hand shaking.
  • the dynamic range of each T-Ring is sufficient transmit a signal posting several (e.g. 2-10) drill pipe sections to enable transmitting past failed T-Rings.
  • T-Rings can be active or passive and intermixed so that only every N (e.g., 5) T-Rings are amplifiers placed in the drill string to boost the signal through passive T-Rings between amplifier T-Rings.
  • T-Rings can also be alternately fired so that amplifying T-Rings take turns amplifying and retransmitting the signal while others rest and store energy to capacitively charge up electric energy to amplify and retransmit when it is their turn.
  • the present invention enables high speed, real-time data acquisition of formation evaluation data, e.g., resistivity and seismic data.
  • coatings are applied to the inside of the drill pipe section via several methods. Internal coating must protect the interior of the drill pipe and wires from damage and corrosion in temperatures up to 260°C (500°F).
  • Sophisticated thermo plastics such as Halar TM are applied in coating thickness from 0.127mm to 0.76mm (5-30 1000th of an inch (mils)).
  • Pipes can be drill pipe, log pipe or tubing pipes which are thermally pre-cleaned to remove oils and other contaminants that may cause problems with reuse of the abrasive during blasting the inside of the pipe. The blasting also loosens scale inside the drill pipe. The internal surface is then abrasive blasted to take the metal to SAE white metal specification so nothing is left on the internal pipe surface but steel.
  • a phenolic, epoxy or themoplastic primer is then applied to the interior surface 0.05mm (2 mils) thick to account for the 0.038mm (1 1/2) rough pattern and provides a smooth surface on top of the rough surface.
  • multiple coatings are applied with an intermediate bake cycle between each coating. The bake cycle hardens the applied coating so that an application lance running through the pipe does not score or harm a previously applied coating layer.
  • a final bake cycle is performed to consolidate all the layers.
  • the intermediate bake cycle is approximately 177°C (350°F) and the final bake cycle 232°C to 246°C (450°F to 475°F).
  • powder coating In powder coating, however, a single coat is applied.
  • Two methods are used to apply the powder coating.
  • One method is to run a lance down the centre of a heated pipe, spraying the powder on the interior of the pipe while the pipe is rotating. The lance is inserted fully into the pipe and drawn along the pipe at a standardized rate to achieve the desired thickness coating the inside of the pipe.
  • Another method is to rotate the pipe, pull a vacuum on the pipe and place a charge of powder into one end of the pipe and purge air behind the charge so that the vacuum pulls the charge of powder along the pipe.
  • the pipe is preferably preheated to facilitate adhesion of powder to the pipe.
  • Still another method of coating the internal wall of the pipe is to place a fibreglass liner in the pipe and epoxy the liner to the interior surface of the drill pipe. Epoxy or grout is used to hold the liner in place. A wire or fibre optic cable can be placed between the interior pipe surface and the liner.
  • Another method of coating is centrifugal casting. A wire is placed on the interior surface of the pipe and a fibreglass cloth placed over the wire and spun to generate 9 g's of force at the interior surface of the pipe. Epoxy is flowed into one end of the pipe. The epoxy is smoothed out and the pipe heated to cure the epoxy.
  • Each coating method can be used to place a wire or conductive path on the inside of the pipe beneath the surface of the coating.
  • wires or conductive paths are laid down and coated.
  • Teflon coated wires are laid down on the surface of the pipe. Teflon is able to withstand 260°C (500°F), which is above the range of the application of the coating so the Teflon wire survives the coating.
  • 36 gauge wire can be used with as little as 0.5mm (20 mils) of coating and fully cover the wire. The coated wire in the pipe can then be tested under high pressure and high temperature.
  • the thin coating is important so that the interior diameter of the pipe is not reduced to the extent that it adversely affects the hydrodynamic or pressure carrying properties of the pipe. Initially the thin coating smoothes and improves the hydraulic and hydrodynamic properties of the pipe, however, further restriction or reduction of the drill pipe interior diameter by increasing the layer too much reduces fluid carrying ability of the pipe.
  • Thicker coatings are also less flexible and reduce the flexibility of the coating.
  • the thinner coating is used (0.75mm (30 mils) maximum, preferably, 2mm (80 mils) for Halar TM an other thermoplastics in special cases) to make the coating flexible so that it does not crack or break during use downhole.
  • coating thickness abrasion resistance may be a problem.
  • mud flow at a velocity that causes turbulent flow may cause erosion in the coating that may prematurely reduce the life of a coating due to erosion and/or penetration of the coating.
  • the coating is preferably between 0.127mm and 0.762mm (5 and 30 mils). Flexibility is extremely desirable in highly deviated well bore. Thus, a 0.762mm (30 mils) coating has been successfully tested in the field with a 36 to 40 gauge wires (approximately equivalent to 0.127mm to 0.0787mm diameter wire) under the 0.762mm (30 mils) coating.
  • the thin wire embedded in pipe there is capacitance and inductance between the wire and the pipe metal surface that forms a tuned circuit.
  • the tuned circuit is variable down the length of the pipe. That is, one section of a pipe is tuned at one frequency and another section of the pipe is tuned at a different frequency.
  • Increasing the resistance of the wire by using a smaller wire reduces the height of the peak to obtain a more gradual peak (the Q of the circuit).
  • T-Ring repeaters are provided.
  • a first insulating layer is applied to the interior of the drill pipe, then a conductive second coating and an insulating top coat. This forms a layer of conductive coating. A single breach in the insulating layer may cause the conductive mud to short out the conductive layer. The coating protects the conductive wires from turbulent mud flow abrasion.
  • the conductive layer can be divided into longitudinal strips so that the entirety of the conductive paths are not shorted by a breach at a single point in the insulating layer adjacent the mud.
  • Multiple wires also serve to provide multiple conductive paths that are not subject to a single point of failure.
  • electrical signals are converted to an acoustic signal that travels down the interior of the pipe or the body of the pipe. Travelling down the body of the pipe of each drill pipe section and bridging the juncture of drill pipe section with an acoustic to electric conversion to overcome the difference of acoustic impedance at the drill pipe connections between sections.
  • the inside of the T-Ring is exposed to turbulent mud flow which provides pressure variations on the piezoelectric device formed on the interior surface of the T-Ring adjacent the mud flow to generate power to the T-Ring. Drilling vibrations can also be used to generate power via the piezoelectric device.
  • the processor in each of the four receiver sections, in each T-Ring preferably performs a check sum. The check sums are compared and only the received signals with a matching check sum are retransmitted by the T-Ring.
  • the T-Ring provides processor with memory provide a store and forward digital packet communication scheme wherein a digital packet is received and stored until a signal is received from another device or T-Ring to retransmit the packet.
  • each T-Ring and each individual T-Ring section has a unique digital address so that a T-Ring or T-Ring section can be reprogrammed, commanded or shut down by commands directed to the address via the communication path.
  • Specific transmission and operations modes for the T-Rings can be commanded by commands sent to the T-Rings and T-Ring segments via the communication path.
  • a lithographic technique can be used to form the antennae in the T-Rings.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a MWD (Measurement Whilst Drilling) system 10 with a drill string 20 carrying a drilling assembly 90 (also referred to as the Bottom Hole Assembly, or "BHA”) conveyed in a "well bore” or “borehole” 26 for drilling the well bore.
  • the drilling system 10 includes a conventional derrick 11 erected on a floor 12 which supports a rotary table 14 that is rotated by a prime mover such as an electric motor (not shown) at a desired rotational speed.
  • the drill string 20 includes tubing such as a drill pipe 22 extending downward from the surface into the borehole 26.
  • the drill bit 50 attached to the end of the drill string breaks up the geological formations when it is rotated to drill the borehole 26.
  • the drill string 20 is coupled to a draw works 30 via a Kelly joint 21, swivel 28 and line 29 through a pulley 23.
  • the draw works 30 is operated to control the weight on the drill bit 50, which is an important parameter that affects the rate of penetration.
  • the operation of the draw works is well known in the art and is thus not described in detail herein.
  • a suitable drilling fluid 31 from a mud pit (source) 32 is circulated under pressure through a channel in the drill string 20 by a mud pump 34.
  • the drilling fluid passes from the mud pump 34 into the drill string 20 via a desurger 36, fluid line 38 and Kelly joint 21.
  • the drilling fluid 31 is discharged through an opening in the drill bit 50 at the bottom of the borehole.
  • the drilling fluid 31 circulates up hole through the annular space 27 between the drill string 20 and the borehole 26 and returns to the mud pit 32 via a return line 35.
  • the drilling fluid acts to lubricate the drill bit 50 and to carry borehole cutting or chips away from the drill bit 50.
  • a sensor S1 preferably placed in the line 38 provides information about the fluid flow rate.
  • a surface torque sensor S2 and a sensor S3 associated with the drill string 20 respectively provide information about the torque and rotational speed of the drill string.
  • a sensor (not shown) associated with line 29 is used to provide the hook load of the drill string 20.
  • a downhole motor 55 (mud motor) is disposed in the drilling assembly 90 to rotate the drill bit 50 and the drill pipe 22 is rotated usually to supplement the rotational power, if required, and to effect changes in the drilling direction.
  • the mud motor 55 is coupled to the drill bit 50 via a drive shaft (not shown) disposed in a bearing assembly 57.
  • the mud motor rotates the drill bit 50 when the drilling fluid 31 passes through the mud motor 55 under pressure.
  • the bearing assembly 57 supports the radial and axial forces of the drill bit.
  • a stabilizer 58 coupled to the bearing assembly 57 acts as a centralizer for the lowermost portion of the mud motor assembly.
  • a drilling sensor module 59 is placed near the drill bit 50.
  • the drilling sensor module 59 contains sensors, circuitry and processing software and algorithms relating to the dynamic drilling parameters. Such parameters preferably include bit bounce, stick-slip of the drilling assembly, backward rotation, torque, shocks, borehole and annulus pressure, acceleration measurements and other measurements of the drill bit condition.
  • a suitable communication sub 72 sends data to the surface and receives data from the surface a communication path conductive path provided by the present invention.
  • the drilling sensor module 59 processes the sensor information and transmits it to the surface control unit 40 via the communication path provided by the present invention.
  • the communication sub 72, a power unit 78 and an Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) tool 79 are all connected in tandem with the drill string 20. Flex subs, for example, are used in connecting the NMR tool 79 in the drilling assembly 90. Such subs and tools form the bottom hole drilling assembly (BHA) 90 between the drill string 20 and the drill bit 50.
  • the drilling assembly 90 makes various measurements including the pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance measurements while the borehole 26 is being drilled.
  • the communication sub 72 obtains the signals and measurements and transfers the signals via the communication path provided by the present invention to the surface to be processed. Alternatively, the signals can be processed using a downhole processor in the drilling assembly 90.
  • the BHA 90 may be on the bottom end of a drill string, which may be from 100m to 20,000m or more in length.
  • the surface control unit or processor 40 also receives signals from other downhole sensors and devices and signals from sensors S1-S3 and other sensors used in the system 10 and processes such signals according to programmed instructions provided to the surface control unit 40.
  • the surface control unit 40 displays desired drilling parameters and other information on a display/monitor 42 utilized by an operator to control the drilling operations.
  • the surface control unit 40 preferably includes a computer or a microprocessor-based processing system, memory for storing programs or models and data, a recorder for recording data, and other peripherals.
  • the control unit 40 is preferably adapted to activate alarms 44 when certain unsafe or undesirable operating conditions occur.
  • FIG. 2 a schematic illustration of a tubular with one or more conductive wires 204 preferably paths, comprising 36 gauge wire or conductive strips are provided.
  • the conductive strips have an equivalent cross sectional conductive area to 36 gauge wire.
  • the conductive wires 204 are insulated from the interior surface 210 of the wall 202 of the tubular by the use of non-conductive material coating 208 bonded to the pipe, preferably by the application of one or more thin layers of non-conductive materials.
  • Data is transferred along a communication path between the tubular 200 via the conductive path or conduit 204.
  • the communication path, preferably wire(s) 204 is then coated by thin protective and/or insulating layer 206 to protect communication path 204 from abrasion.
  • the layers are preferably approximately 0.05mm to 1mm (2 to 40 mils) thick. Thicker wires and layers can be utilized, however, the thin wires and coating layers are preferred for enhanced drill pipe flexibility during drilling operations. A coating thinner than 0.127mm (5 mils), preferably 5 millimetres is too thin to protect against abrasion properly.
  • the tubular shown may take the form of a drill pipe, which additionally comprises a box at one end and a pin thread at the other.. It should be noted that the relative dimensions of the wall of the tubular, the wires 204, the insulative coating 208 and the protective coating 206 are not to scale and are simply for illustrative purposes only.
  • FIG. 3 a cross-section of the wire provided in Figure 2 is illustrated taken along line III-III.
  • communication path 204 lies between interior surface 210 of the wall 202 of the tubular 200 and the interior surface 211 of coating 206.
  • the coating 206 may have a thickness which reaches the top of the wire, as indicated by the dashed line, or may cover the wire completely and may advantageously provide a thickness above the top of the wire for protecting the wire.
  • An additional coating may be applied to the interior surface 210 to insulate communication path 204 from the interior surface 210 of tubular 200.
  • a method and apparatus comprises the use of one or more layers 260 of a non-conductive material applied to coat the interior surface 210 of a tubular 200, such as a section of drill pipe.
  • the application of the non-conductive material is followed by the application of one or more layers of conductive material 250 and the further application of non-conductive materials over the conductive material 240.
  • the conductive material 250 forms a communication path for data from one end of a drill pipe section to the other. This alternation of application of conductive and nonconductive layers can be repeated allowing multiple separate conductive layers and communication.
  • the present invention comprises repeaters 212 located at points within the communication path or conduit. These repeaters can be located between the internal upset on the back end of the box connection of the drill pipe and the end of the pin connection made up into it. It is also possible to temperature stabilize the electronics by boiling a coolant into the pipe ID at the high pressures normally encountered.
  • the repeaters or T-Rings can be powered by piezoelectric, magneto hydrodynamic or other methods or generating power down hole. A battery may also be used to provide power.
  • the advantages provided by the addition of a layer of non-conductive material over the conductive materials include the protection of the conductive materials from abrasion damage and the intrusion of partially conductive materials as well as the reduced pressure loss allowed by the location of the conductive materials on the pipe surface.
  • the addition of the internal coating preferably also provides improved hydrodynamics for flow within the drill pipe.
  • the communication path coating is preferably non-conductive to insulate the conductive communication path from the interior of the drill pipe section, or from other conductive paths formed inside the drill pipe section.
  • Each section of drill pipe is preferably abrasive blasted and coated with a plastic (or other non conductive) coating having a high resistivity as known in the state of the art.
  • This drill pipe section is then tested to insure that the high resistance coating is not breached by metal shavings, or pinholes in the coating.
  • a conductive material is applied.
  • This can be a metal filled plastic coating, a thin layer of conductive foil treated to adhere to the plastic coating, or one or more wire conductors treated to adhere to the coating.
  • This conductive layer is then covered by one or more additional layers of non-conductive coating.
  • This drill pipe section is again tested to insure that the conductive layer is intact and that it has a high resistance to the pipe body or to a conductive fluid held within the pipe.
  • the conductive layer is then connected to either an electrical connector, or to an inductive coupling ring, or to an electronic repeater.
  • the system is then further sealed by a non-conductive coating and tested.
  • the drill pipe sections are connected to form a drill string having a communication path.
  • the communication path enables data to be transmitted through the conductive layer from one end of the connected drill pipe section to the other end.
  • the conductive path may also be formed as conductive longitudinal strips rather than a continuous layer.
  • a suitable wire for the present invention There are many methods of installing a suitable wire for the present invention. These include centrifugal casting of a coating, preferably plastic over the wire, preheating the pipe and depositing the coating using a vacuum system, or applying the coating by flocking the coating over the wire or conductive path.
  • the apparatus and method comprises using Teflon coated wire pairs. These Teflon coated wire pairs are applied over a non-conductive primer coat giving dual insulation. The finish coat is applied over the wire. On a section through the wire one would find the substrate, a thin phenolic primer, teflon, copper, teflon, and the finish coat of epoxy-phenolic.
  • T-Ring a communication coupling ring
  • a major difficulty in communication through wire inside drill pipe is the connection problem between drill pipe sections.
  • the coefficient of coupling between sections would have to be at least 99% on each of the 700 connections possible on a deep well string to enable communications through the drill string within the dynamic range of present electronics.
  • An electronic device such as a sensor/transducer produces an electrical signal which is generally amplified and transmitted through a wire to a processing unit such as a computer. Due to line losses in the wire, the signal can only travel a specified distance through a wire.
  • An amplifier-repeater is inserted at a point equal or less than the recommended distance along the wire that the signal can be sent. The amplifier-repeater boosts the signal at those points so that the signal can travel through the following section of wire.
  • a problem with known amplifier-repeaters is that they require a source of power and are often the weak point in reliability.
  • the environment in the drill string may include pressures above 700 bar (10,000 psi) absolute pressures and temperatures above 200 degrees Centigrade with possible excursions up to 250 degrees Centigrade.
  • a T-Ring amplifier-repeater is preferably provided at each drill pipe connection between drill pipe sections.
  • the T-Ring amplifier repeaters pick up signals from the conductive path, e.g., one or more conductive paths, wires or strips are embedded in a drill pipe section above the T-Ring, amplifies the signals, and transmits the signals through wires or conductive paths embedded in the pipe below the T-Ring connection.
  • a preferred embodiment comprises four wires embedded in a protective coating inside the drill pipe.
  • These four wires are brought to the face of the drill pipe connection on each end of a drill pipe section and embedded in the coating as four sections or quadrants of a circle, each section occupying slightly less than 90 degrees, so that the wires are insulated from each other through each drill pipe section.
  • the connection between the drill pipe is provided by a T-Ring with a ring-shaped volume which is fitted with the transmitter/receiver amplifier-repeater.
  • the signal is electrically transmitted through the conductive path, e.g., wire in a drill pipe section to each T-Ring.
  • the T-Ring receives the signal from the wire in the drill pipe, amplifies the signal, and transmits the amplified signal to the adjacent wire through the next drill pipe section.
  • the T-Ring comprises of (one or more of each) a power source, preferably utilizing mechanical energy available from the drill pipe to create electrical power, a receiver that senses the signal from the wire in the transmitting pipe, an amplifier to increase the signal power, and a transmitter which couples the amplified signal to wire in the next pipe.
  • This unit is totally sealed and easily replaceable while the drill pipe sections are being connected.
  • the electronics in the T-Ring preferably provide signal conditioning devices, dedicated logic circuits for fault detection, and self-repair by eliminating the signal conduits which are damaged.
  • the T-Ring provides sufficient dynamic range so that the complete failure of one or more T-Ring amplifier-repeaters can be tolerated by amplification of surrounding rings that enable a T-Ring to transmit past a failed T-Ring to the next drill pipe section or T-Ring.
  • the T-Rings simply receive and retransmit between each other without the benefit of a conductive path in the drill pipe section between the T-Rings.
  • the drill pipe wires terminate in a passive antenna at both ends of the drill section pipe and the T-Ring amplifier-repeater acts as an active receiver and transmitter without any connection between the drill pipe wires and the ring.
  • the ring is a drop in part that fits loosely between the gap between the bottom of the pin and the bore of the box much like corrosion rings inserted in drill strings today.
  • T-Ring 300 is shown installed between two adjacent drill pipe sections 200. As shown in Figure 5, T-Ring 300 drops in between drill pipe sections 200 during connection and assembly of a series of drill pipe sections to form a drill string.
  • FIG. 6 the drill pipe end 302 of a drill pipe section 200 is illustrated showing four conductive paths 308, 310, 312, and 314, terminating at the drill pipe end 302 of drill pipe section 200.
  • Each conductive path is extended in a quadrant of approximately 85 degrees forming an arc along the circular cross section 302 of the drill pipe section end.
  • Conductive paths 308, 310, 312, and 314 are extended along the drill pipe section end face 302 in arcs 309, 311, 313, and 315 respectively.
  • the centre 318 of the drill pipe section is hollow to allow flow through the drill pipe.
  • the conductive path arcs 309, 311, 313 and 315 are covered with a coating or washer to insulate and/or protect the conductive path arcs 309, 311, 313 and 315 forming the communication path end.
  • the arcs are separated by a space 301 to prevent the conductive paths from touching.
  • T-Ring 400 a cross section of a preferred T-Ring 400 is shown.
  • the face of T-Ring 400 comprises four T-ring segments 409, 411, 413, and 415 receiver-transmitter antennae of the cylindrical T-Ring 400.
  • each T-Ring has a power supply 420 and an amplifier 422.
  • the power supply 420 can be a heat resistant battery, either long life or disposable or rechargeable or a power generating device such as a piezoelectric element that generates electric power from the mechanical vibration of drilling or turbulent flow and pressure fluctuations of mud flow through centre opening 418 of T-Ring 400.
  • a mud motor may also generate power transferred to the T-Rings via inductive coupling or through the conductive paths.
  • the data signal is super imposed over the power on the data path 308, 310, 312, or 314.
  • Amplifier 422 contains signal conditioning circuitry and a processor to perform cyclic redundancy checking, fault detection and digital packet reception and retransmission.
  • the T-Rings take turns storing power for operation and alternately receiving and retransmitting data signals.
  • a T-Ring has sufficient dynamic range to transmit past a failed T-Ring.
  • each T-Ring takes 1 of 5 turns receiving and transmitting. If one of the five T-Rings fails it is skipped over by adjacent T-Rings. For example if T-Ring 3 fails T-Ring 2 would communicate with T-Ring 4 instead of the normal T-Ring 2 to 3 and T-Ring 3 to 4 T-Ring communication.
  • FIG 8 is a cross section AA of Figure 7.
  • T-ring segment 409 comprises a receiver antenna (not referenced) located on face 401 and a transmitter antenna (not shown) located on face 402.
  • T-ring segment 411 comprises a receiver antenna (not referenced) located on face 401 and a transmitter antenna (not shown) located on face 402.
  • T-ring segment 413 comprises a receiver antenna 413a located on face 401 and a transmitter antenna 413b located on face 402.
  • T-ring segment 415 comprises a receiver antenna 415a located on face 401 and a transmitter antenna 415b located on face 402.
  • the receiving and transmitter antennae are covered with a protective coating 421.
  • the receiver antennae are located on T-Ring face 401 and each receives signals from an antenna 309, 311, 313 and 315 on the end 302 of an adjacent drill pipe section 200.
  • the signal received by receiver antenna is amplified by its own amplifier 420 powered by its own power supplies 422 and retransmitted by the transmitter antenna to antennae in the pin of a connected drill pipe.
  • Processor/Amplifiers 420 are interconnected by data path 423 for status and reporting between the four T-Ring segments 409; 411; 413; and 415.
  • Figure 9 is a cross section of a preferred T-Ring shown with a piezoelectric material coated on the interior surface for power generation.
  • each T-Ring comprises four sections 409; 411; 413; and 415 each comprising receiver and transmitter antennas, power supplies 422 and process/amplifiers 420.
  • the processor can detect when a section 409, 411, 413, or 415 has failed and will retransmit only the sections that are functional. Thus if T-ring section 409 fails, only signals received by sections 411, 413 and 415 will be retransmitted.
  • wire 309 If wire 309 is damaged and unable to carry a signal along the length of the drill pipe, the other three 311, 313 and 315 of the four wires will be able to carry the signal and received by receiver antennae 411a, 413a and 415a.
  • the signal will then be passed between all four processor units 420 and transmitted through all four transmitter antennae 409b, 411b, 413b and 415b and received by all four wires (conductors) in the pin end of the adjacent drill pipe.
  • two or three wires may fail in each drill pipe section whilst still maintaining data integrity through the entire drill string.
  • a transmission line using number 26 enameled wire, 0.4mm (0.0159") diameter copper, enamel coated (standard magnet wire) can be utilized for the transmission path.
  • the wires are preferably placed a few mils apart, side-by-side, to act as an RF line.
  • the wires can be coated into position very loosely twisted the wires together or laid out side-by-side. In a test, at 730 MHz the loss in a 3.15m (10' 4") section is about 6 dB for this configuration of the communication path.
  • the wires were tested in a balanced configuration, driven and loaded by a 50 ⁇ coaxial system. In the test no baluns or any form of matching was used.
  • the wire ends were soldered to some SMA coax connectors.
  • VSWR in a 50 ⁇ system and the transmission losses were measured. Squeezing and manipulating the wire pair at various points where there might have been gaps resulted in a return loss of about 20dB at which time the transmission loss was minimized and was about 6 dB for the section.
  • the same length of RG-174 was measured at 3.1 to 3.2dB loss at 730 MHz using the same connectors. Building RF transmission lines with parallel ribbon conductors, which could be wider than the #26 wires, form an assembly thin enough to fit desired maximum overall thickness of less than 1mm (40 mils) for the coating inside of a drill pipe section.
  • FIG 10 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment wherein a micro strip line is provided inside of a drill pipe section as a transmission path.
  • Figure 11 is a cross section of a preferred micro strip line provided as a communication path inside of a drill pipe.
  • Figure 12 is a table illustrating characteristic impedance for a full-section strip transmission line and line widths.
  • Figure 13 is an illustration of a quarter wave impedance matching section.
  • a preferred micro strip line communication path is illustrated.
  • dielectric-supported strip lines such as parallel ribbon conductors, can be used, thereby maximizing the conductor widths while keeping within the desired overall thickness limitations of the approximately 0.635mm (0.025”) coating thickness.
  • Figure 10 illustrates a thin, full-section micro strip line transmission line or communication path inside of a drill pipe section to maintain 50 ⁇ impedance levels with convenient line widths.
  • a thin, full-section micro strip line as shown in Figure 10 works well.
  • er is ⁇ r, the relative dielectric constant, of the material inside of the full-section strip line transmission line assembly.
  • the edges of the assembly are preferably rounded as shown in the Figure 11 diagram below, as long as the width of the ground plane portions is 3 or 4 times the width of the centre conductor, w.
  • the centre conductor width is maximized in order to minimize losses, since the centre conduct is where most of the losses manifest. The wider the centre conductor, the lower the losses in the centre conductor.
  • the characteristic impedance, Z 0 of the micro strip line transmission path shown in Figure 10 and 11 decreases with increasing width, however, so there is a compromising process.
  • a foil package is fabricated with a center conductor suspended in a material with a dielectric constant, with ⁇ r, as low as possible having a low loss tangent.
  • TFE or Teflon is a suitable material, with an ⁇ r of 2.1 and dissipation factor between 0.0003 and 0.0004, although Teflon filled with hollow silica micro-spheres or a similar material is preferred, with an ⁇ r of 1.2 and substantially the same dissipation factor.
  • the table shown in Figure 12 shows some representative characteristic impedance values for Teflon in various center conductor widths "w" 1010 and thickness "t" 1012 and material thickness "b" 1014 and coating thickness 1002.
  • RF current flows on both sides of the center strip 1108 so the area to support current is comparable to a coaxial line with a round center conductor of a diameter substantially less than the width w.
  • the predicted losses for the micro strip lines shown in Figure 10 and 11 above using TFE dielectric are less than for miniature coaxial lines. It is expected that less than the 8 dB per 9.1m (30 feet) will be typical for a preferred embodiment.
  • the preferred full-section strip line transmission lines should be more efficient than the RG-174 coaxial cable.
  • the circumference of the # 26 centre conductor in the RG-174 coax is about 0.127mm (0.050") whereas the effective width of the 25 ohm line below (third up from the bottom) is 1.3mm (0.051") and the solid, smooth ground planes should be slightly better than the single-thickness braid used on the coax outside conductor.
  • the dielectric material in the strip line is preferably better than the polyethylene used in the coax.
  • W/b and Z 0 data is from the Microwave Engineers' Handbook, Vol 1, Artech House.
  • the last column in the chart is the total thickness of the coatings and the transmission line assembly.
  • a quarter wavelength (about 10cm) impedance matching section 1302 matches (step-up) the line to the effective impedance (resistance at resonance) of the coupling loops 1304 at the passive ends of the pipe length.
  • the amplifier assembly is used for matching to the intermediate loops. In this way, most of the line length (9m (29 feet)) can be lower loss.
  • a preferred embodiment comprises strips of 0.05mm (0.002") copper foil about 0.635mm (0.025") wide.
  • Standard 1 oz. Cu PCB foil is 0.0356 (0.0014") thick and 2 oz.
  • Cu clad is 0.0711mm (0.0028”) thick.
  • Skin depth is about 0.006mm (1 ⁇ 4 mil) enabling use of 1 oz.
  • the Cu stock is preferably glued to a strip of Teflon and a line fabricated. Since we can measure the impedance characteristics accurately with the UNR network analyzer, we can separate matching losses from I 2 R losses. Therefore, a 3.05m (10 feet) length should be enough to determine possibilities.
  • the dielectric material 1116 in the transmission line holds the centre conductor strip in place between the ground planes and preferably, the dielectric material does not have to uniformly surround the centre strip 1118. All dimensions are non-critical, with 10% tolerances. Once the preferred embodiment is manufactured it can be characterized and used however it comes out. The preferred communication path assembly then stays relatively constant.
  • the dielectric preferably comprises two separate strips of Teflon-like material, one below the center strip 1118 and one above 1114, and the whole positioned in between the outer conductors 1104 and 1106.
  • the outer conductors 1104 and 1106, or ground planes are preferably one piece of copper foil, wrapped around the insides, folded and crimped, or cold-welded, on the open side to form a surrounding structure enveloping the dielectric material 1116 and centre conductor 1108.
  • one of the dielectric strips could be extruded with a 0.05mm x 0.0635mm (0.002" x 0.025") channel extruded into it to hold the centre strip.
  • the dielectric strip can be run through a machine to cut a grove along its length. There numerous manufacturing techniques to fabricate the preferred communication path assembly.
  • the invention provides a drill pipe communication path comprising: a drill pipe section having a conducting member located adjacent an interior surface of the drill pipe; and a coupling for connecting a plurality of the drill pipe sections so that data can be transferred from one end of the drill pipe section to the next.
  • the apparatus further comprises a thin coating for covering the conducting member.
  • the conducting member further comprises a micro strip line.
  • the coupling comprises a repeater-amplifier.
  • an inductive coupling, an acoustic coupling, or a digital repeater may be used.
  • the invention also provides a method for manufacturing a drill pipe communication path comprising: positioning a conductive member adjacent an interior surface of a drill pipe section; and connecting a plurality of drill pipe sections so that data can be transferred along the communication path from one end of the drill pipe section to the next.
  • the method further comprises covering the conductive member with a thin coating.
  • the method further comprises depositing a micro strip line inside of the drill pipe.

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Claims (37)

  1. Procédé de transmission d'un signal depuis le fond d'un trou de forage à travers un train de tubulures jusqu'à un point de destination, dans lequel ledit train de tubulures comprend au moins des première et deuxième tubulures reliées par leurs extrémités, chaque tubulure ayant un conducteur de signal adjacent à une surface interne de chacune desdites deux tubulures, le procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à transmettre un signal à travers les conducteurs, caractérisé en ce que la première tubulure comprend un premier émetteur-récepteur situé au niveau d'au moins une de ses extrémités et la deuxième tubulure comprend un deuxième émetteur-récepteur situé au niveau d'au moins une de ses extrémités, le premier émetteur-récepteur transmettant le signal à travers la tubulure, sans la nécessité d'un conducteur, jusqu'au deuxième émetteur-récepteur, de sorte qu'en cas de défaillance dans l'un desdits conducteurs de signal, le signal atteint le point de destination.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque émetteur-récepteur transmet ledit signal pour permettre au signal de parcourir une distance essentiellement comprise entre une et dix longueurs de ladite tubulure.
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque émetteur-récepteur transmet ledit signal pour permettre au signal de parcourir une distance essentiellement égale à deux longueurs de ladite tubulure.
  4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre une troisième tubulure reliée auxdites deux tubulures, la troisième tubulure ayant un troisième émetteur-récepteur situé au niveau d'au moins une de ses extrémités, dans lequel ledit signal est transmis par ledit premier émetteur-récepteur pour permettre au signal de parcourir une distance essentiellement égale à deux longueurs de ladite tubulure jusqu'au dit troisième émetteur-récepteur, de sorte qu'en cas de défaillance dans le deuxième émetteur-récepteur, le signal émis par le premier émetteur-récepteur atteint le troisième émetteur-récepteur.
  5. Procédé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel un autre émetteur-récepteur est placé sur l'extrémité de la première tubulure en parallèle avec le premier émetteur-récepteur, des moyens de communication se trouvant entre eux pour fournir une redondance supplémentaire.
  6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chaque tubulure est une section de tige de forage.
  7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit émetteur-récepteur est alimenté par un dispositif piézoélectrique.
  8. Appareil de transmission d'un signal depuis le fond d'un trou de forage à travers un train de tubulures jusqu'à un point de destination le long du train de tubulures, dans lequel ledit appareil comprend au moins des première et deuxième tubulures reliées par leurs extrémités, chaque tubulure ayant un conducteur de signal adjacent à une surface interne de chacune desdites deux tubulures, dans lequel un signal est transmis à travers les conducteurs de signal, caractérisé en ce que la première tubulure comprend un premier émetteur-récepteur situé au niveau d'au moins une de ses extrémités et la deuxième tubulure comprend un deuxième émetteur-récepteur situé au niveau d'au moins une de ses extrémités, le premier émetteur-récepteur transmettant le signal, à travers la tubulure, sans la nécessité d'un conducteur, au deuxième émetteur-récepteur, de sorte qu'en cas de défaillance dans l'un desdits conducteurs de signal, le signal atteint le point de destination.
  9. Appareil selon la revendication 8, dans lequel ledit conducteur de signal est un conducteur électrique.
  10. Appareil selon la revendication 9, dans lequel ledit conducteur électrique est isolé de ladite surface interne de ladite tubulure par une couche de matière électriquement isolante.
  11. Appareil selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ladite surface interne de ladite tubulure est revêtue de ladite couche isolante.
  12. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 11, dans lequel ledit conducteur électrique est un fil.
  13. Appareil selon la revendication 12, dans lequel ledit fil est enfoui dans une couche de protection.
  14. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 11, dans lequel ledit conducteur électrique est une pièce de feuille métallique.
  15. Appareil selon la revendication 14, dans lequel une couche de protection recouvre ladite feuille métallique.
  16. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 15, dans lequel ledit conducteur électrique est constitué par une ligne microruban.
  17. Appareil selon la revendication 16, dans lequel ledit microruban comprend un coeur conducteur et une couche isolante enfermant ledit coeur conducteur.
  18. Appareil selon la revendication 17, dans lequel ledit coeur est sous la forme d'une bande de section rectangulaire.
  19. Appareil selon la revendication 17 ou 18, dans lequel ledit coeur mesure entre 0,048 mm (0,0019") et 0,05 mm (0,002") d'épaisseur.
  20. Appareil selon la revendication 17, 18 ou 19, dans lequel ladite ligne microruban a une épaisseur totale inférieure à 1 mm.
  21. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 20, dans lequel ladite couche isolante est enfermée dans une couche conductrice externe.
  22. Appareil selon la revendication 21, dans lequel ladite couche conductrice externe est reliée à la terre.
  23. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 22, dans lequel ledit conducteur de signal s'étend essentiellement sur toute la longueur de ladite tubulure.
  24. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 23, dans lequel ladite tubulure comprend une pluralité de conducteurs de signal.
  25. Appareil selon la revendication 24, dans lequel l'un de ladite pluralité de conducteurs de signal transporte ledit signal et un autre desdits conducteurs de signal transporte essentiellement le même signal.
  26. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 25, dans lequel ledit conducteur de signal comprend des moyens pour transférer ledit signal dudit conducteur de signal vers un autre conducteur de signal dans une tubulure adjacente.
  27. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 26, dans lequel ledit émetteur-récepteur comprend une antenne au niveau d'au moins une extrémité de ladite tubulure.
  28. Appareil selon la revendication 26 ou 27, dans lequel ladite antenne comprend le conducteur électrique suivant le périmètre intérieur de ladite tubulure.
  29. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 28, dans lequel ledit conducteur de signal est situé dans un évidement dans ladite paroi interne de ladite tubulure.
  30. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 29, dans lequel ladite tubulure est une tige de forage.
  31. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 30, dans lequel ledit émetteur-récepteur est sous la forme d'une bague.
  32. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 31, dans lequel ledit émetteur-récepteur se trouve dans un évidement dans l'extrémité de ladite tubulure.
  33. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 32, dans lequel ledit émetteur-récepteur comprend un amplificateur pour amplifier le signal.
  34. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 33, dans lequel ladite source d'énergie est constituée par une pile.
  35. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 34, comprenant en outre une antenne réceptrice.
  36. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 35, dans lequel ledit conducteur électrique comprend une antenne émettrice.
  37. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 36, dans lequel ladite tubulure est une tige de forage ayant un filetage mâle à une extrémité et un filetage femelle à l'autre dans lequel ladite bague peut être insérée dans le filetage femelle d'une section de tige de forage et maintenue en place par le filetage mâle d'une section de tige de forage adjacente.
EP03758307A 2002-10-10 2003-10-10 Appareil et procede de transmission d'un signal dans un puits de forage Expired - Fee Related EP1549820B1 (fr)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41752502P 2002-10-10 2002-10-10
US417525P 2002-10-10
US42005202P 2002-10-21 2002-10-21
US420052P 2002-10-21
US42038102P 2002-10-22 2002-10-22
US420381P 2002-10-22
US44299203P 2003-01-28 2003-01-28
US442992P 2003-01-28
PCT/GB2003/004417 WO2004033847A1 (fr) 2002-10-10 2003-10-10 Appareil et procede de transmission d'un signal dans un puits de forage

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EP1549820A1 EP1549820A1 (fr) 2005-07-06
EP1549820B1 true EP1549820B1 (fr) 2006-11-08

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EP (1) EP1549820B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2003274318A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2499331A1 (fr)
NO (1) NO20051943L (fr)
WO (1) WO2004033847A1 (fr)

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Publication number Publication date
WO2004033847A1 (fr) 2004-04-22
CA2499331A1 (fr) 2004-04-22
US20060151179A1 (en) 2006-07-13
AU2003274318A8 (en) 2004-05-04
NO20051943L (no) 2005-07-04
AU2003274318A1 (en) 2004-05-04
NO20051943D0 (no) 2005-04-21
EP1549820A1 (fr) 2005-07-06

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