JPS6376632A - Underground communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely attain the data transmission with high S/N by converting a signal to be transmitted to an ultrasonic wave, and propagating and transmitting it in a fluid in an underground cavity. CONSTITUTION:In the internal cavity of a tip-most drill pipe 45 in which a transmitting part 90 and a storage container 8 where a measuring instrument 80 for logging is housed are loaded, an ultrasonic wave oscillating means 50 is provided. At a ground side, an ultrasonic wave receiving means 60 is provided at a mud supplying pipe 61 connected to the upper edge of the upper-most drill pipe 45. The cavity in many linked drill pipes 4, 4... is filled with the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic wave oscillating means 50, the wave is propagated in an upper-most drill pipe 45 direction, namely, to the ground side with the circulated mud as propagation media and received to the ultrasonic wave receiving means 60.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to, for example, a measuring device for well logging, that is, a vertical shaft for mining oil or natural gas, that is, when drilling an oil well, a gas well, etc. The present invention relates to a device attached to the tip of a drill pipe to measure the properties of the bottom of a pit, or a communication device for transmitting data from various measuring devices buried underground to the surface.

[Prior art]

For example, conventionally, when drilling a vertical shaft such as an oil well for oil drilling, in order to obtain various information about the geology near the bottom of the pit or the drilling bit, the drill pipe was first raised above the ground and inspected, or well logging was performed. Either by lowering a measuring device into the shaft to take measurements, or by mant logging, which analyzes the state and components of the mud that circulates upward in the shaft from the top of the drill pipe through the tip of the bit during drilling. logging)
A method called ``is used.

However, each of the above-mentioned methods requires a relatively long time to measure;
Furthermore, it was difficult to measure the bottom of the hole in real time during excavation. Due to these circumstances, in recent years MWD
(MeasureIIIent While Drill
A method called ling has been developed. This MW
Simply put, D is achieved by attaching a well logging measurement device equipped with a sensor to the tip of a drill pipe near the bottom, and transmitting the various data obtained to the ground via electromagnetic waves, etc., in real time. The objective is to measure the properties of the bottom of the pit (including the condition of the bit) and obtain data.

Figure 4 shows, as an example, OGJ Report Feb.
21. In 1983 “5econd-Generation”
n MWD Tool Pa5ses FieldTe
In the schematic diagram showing the configuration of the equipment announced under the title "S T", ■ is a drilling rig, 2 is a geological formation, 3 is a vertical shaft being excavated, that is, an oil well, and 4 is a shaft rotated by a power source (not shown). These are drill pipes for transmitting force to the bit 5, and a large number of them are connected to form a drill string depending on the drilling depth.

5 is a bit for drilling the stratum as described above, and 6 is an insulating collar for dividing the most advanced drill pipe 40 directly above the pinto 5 into a bottom portion 41 and an upper portion 42 and electrically insulating the two. It is.

Note that each drill pipe 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and pressurized mud water is injected from the upper end surface of the uppermost drill pipe 4 by a mud water pump (not shown).

This muddy water is used to protect the wall of the oil well 3, that is, to prevent it from collapsing due to the pressure of the muddy water.

It is injected for the purpose of facilitating bottom hole excavation by Specifically, muddy water reaches the bit 5 from the most advanced drill pipe 40 through the internal cavity of each drill pipe 4, is discharged from the tip of the bit 5, and fills the gap between the drill string consisting of a large number of drill pipes 4 and the oil well 3. It rises upwards, reaches the surface of the earth, and is collected, forming a cycle. The aforementioned mud logging is a method of analyzing the muddy water that returns to the surface and obtaining data on the bottom of the mine.

Furthermore, in the figure, a range 7 surrounded by a broken line indicates a dipole antenna formed by the bottom 41 and top 42 of the most advanced drill pipe 40 and the respective drill pipes 4 and the insulating collar 6 at positions above that. . 8 is a containment vessel attached to the internal cavity on the bottom 41 side of the most advanced drill pipe 40.

This storage container 8 houses a well logging measuring device 80 and a transmitter 90 of a communication device for communicating data obtained by the well logging measuring device 80.

The well logging measurement device 80 measures various properties, such as temperature, regarding the bottom of the oil well 3 and the bit 5 during drilling.

It consists of sensors that measure pressure, vibration, 9-rotation torque, etc. Further, the transmitter 90 of the communication device is connected to a transmitter circuit or the like that modulates and amplifies the data obtained by the well logging measurement device 80 and outputs it as an electromagnetic wave as shown by the dotted line from the above-mentioned dipole antenna 7. It is composed of

On the other hand, on the ground is an antenna 1 that constitutes a receiving section of a communication device.
0. Amplifier 11. A signal processing section 12 and the like are provided.

Specifically, a linear antenna 10 is extended approximately centered on the oil well 3, and electromagnetic waves received by this antenna 10 are output to an amplifier 11.

This amplifier 11 amplifies the signal given from the antenna 10 and outputs it to the signal processing section 12. The signal processing unit 12
The output signal of the amplifier 11 is demodulated to reproduce the data at the bottom of the pit, that is, the data measured by the well logging measuring device 80 housed in the containment vessel 8.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the most advanced drill pipe 4o showing an enlarged view of the above-mentioned dipole antenna 7.
A dipole antenna 7 is constructed by connecting conductive wires CI and C2 from a transmitter 90 housed in the containment vessel 8 to the bottom 41 and top 42 of the most advanced drill pipe 4, which are electrically insulated by the insulating collar 6, respectively. ing.

Such conventional devices operate as follows.

When the drilling rig 1 rotates the drill string consisting of drill pipes 4, 4..., the most advanced drill pipe 40
Since the bit 5 attached to the tip of the oil well 3 also rotates, the stratum 2 at the bottom of the oil well 3 is excavated by the bit 5. At this time, the well logging measurement device ff80 in the containment vessel 8 attached to the bottom 41 of the most advanced drill pipe 40 measures the properties of the stratum 2 at the bottom of the well or the state of the bit 5 using a sensor, and the results are obtained. The transmitted data is modulated and amplified by the transmitter 90,
An alternating current signal of 5 to 60 Hz is applied to a dipole antenna 7 electrically insulated from the drill pipe 4 by an insulating collar 6. As a result, electromagnetic waves are radiated from the dipole antenna 7 as shown by dotted lines in the figure.

Note that the frequency applied to the dipole antenna 7 is 60
In the case of Hz, when converted to a wavelength in the air, it is an extremely long wavelength of 50,001 cm.

On the ground, on the other hand, the electromagnetic waves radiated from the dipole antenna 7 and propagated through the stratum 2 are received by the linear antenna 10, amplified by the amplifier 11, and then sent to the signal processing unit 12.
It is played back as data.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

By the way, in the conventional communication device having the above-mentioned configuration, from the viewpoint of underground communication, electromagnetic waves with extremely long wavelengths are used as a data transmission medium, so it is difficult to obtain highly efficient A-wavelength transmission and reception antennas. is difficult. Therefore, the S/N of the received signal becomes extremely low, making it difficult to accurately transmit data.

Furthermore, if there is a stratum with high water content intervening during the propagation of electromagnetic waves, there is a problem that the electromagnetic waves will be significantly attenuated and the S/N will further decrease. Since there is muddy water, electromagnetic waves are first attenuated here.

Furthermore, since the most advanced drill pipe is divided into two by an insulating collar and used as a dipole antenna, there are problems such as a decrease in the mechanical strength of the drill pipe at the insulating collar.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and converts a signal to be transmitted into an ultrasonic wave, and converts the signal to an ultrasonic wave into an ultrasonic wave to transmit a fluid, such as muddy water, that is filled inside the drill pipe 4 as an underground cavity. By propagating as a medium, high S/
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an underground communication device that can reliably transmit data over N and does not impair the mechanical strength of a drill pipe.

[Means for solving problems]

The underground communication device of the present invention locates an ultrasonic oscillating means and a receiving means in an underground cavity filled with fluid, such as a drill pipe in which muddy water is circulated,
The configuration is such that a signal to be transmitted between the two is converted into an ultrasonic wave and then transmitted.

[Effect]

In the underground communication device of the present invention, the signal to be transmitted is transmitted by being converted into an ultrasonic wave and propagated through the fluid in the underground cavity, so data can be reliably transmitted with high S/N. will be held.

(Examples) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing examples thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an underground communication device according to the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members or corresponding members as in the explanatory diagram of the conventional example described above.

Numeral 4 in the figure is a drill pipe, and a large number of drill pipes are connected to form a drill string as in the prior art described above, and a bit 5 attached to the tip of the most advanced drill pipe 40 is used to drill the ground N2. Oil well 3, which is a vertical shaft, is being drilled.

In the present invention, for example, the inner cavity of the drill pipe 40 at the tip end directly above the bit 5, that is, where the containment vessel 8 in which the transmitter 90 of the device of the present invention and the logging measuring device 80 are installed, is provided. Ultrasonic oscillation means 50 is provided.

Further, on the ground side, an ultrasonic receiving means 60 is provided in a mud water supply pipe 61 connected to the upper end of the uppermost drill pipe 45. Note that the other configurations are basically the same as those of the prior art example described above.

FIG. 2 shows a drill pipe 40 showing the configuration of an ultrasonic oscillation means 50 provided in the most advanced drill pipe 40.
FIG.

In the most advanced drill pipe 40, a logging measurement device 80 and a transmitting unit 90 of the underground communication device of the present invention are housed in a containment vessel 8 built into the internal cavity, similar to the conventional example described above. has been done. An ultrasonic oscillation means 50 is provided on the inner surface of the most advanced drill vibe 40 at a position slightly above the upper end of the containment vessel 8 in which the logging measuring device 80 and the transmitter 90 are housed. This ultrasonic oscillation means 50
A pair of insulating supports 51 and 51 are opposed to each other and protrude from the inner wall of the most advanced drill pipe 40 toward the center.
and electrodes 52 and 52 attached to the tips of both insulating supports 51 and 51 so as to face each other with a suitable gap in between;
It consists of conducting wires 53 and 53 connecting each.

On the other hand, as the configuration of the ultrasonic receiving means 60 is shown in FIG. For example, a piezoelectric element or the like is fixed inside the device at a position close to the device.

The output of the ultrasonic receiving means 60 installed in the muddy water supply pipe 61 is given to an amplifier 11 constituting the input section of the receiving section of the apparatus of the present invention.

Note that 65 in the figure directly refers to the drill pipe 45 at the top end.
This is a drive mechanism for rotating all the drill pipes 4, that is, the entire drill string 5. By the way, the drill pipe 45 at the top end is rotated by this drive mechanism 65, but the drill pipe 45 at the top end and the muddy water supply pipe 6 are connected by a joint 62 that allows relative rotation between the two. ing. Therefore, the muddy water supply pipe 61 does not rotate relative to the ground surface.

Further, the flowing direction of muddy water is indicated by a dotted line in the figure, and the muddy water that has returned to the upper end of the oil well 3 is discharged from the drainage vibro 3.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention having the above configuration will be explained below.

A measurement signal from a sensor (not shown) obtained by a well logging measuring device 80 housed in the most advanced drill pipe 40 is converted into a digital quantity, for example, and further converted into a binary numerical value string. Based on this numerical value sequence, the transmitter 90 of the apparatus of the present invention outputs a pulse-like signal to the ultrasonic oscillation means 50. As a result, the ultrasonic oscillation means 50
．． A voltage is applied in pulses between 52 to generate sparks and generate ultrasonic waves.

The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic oscillating means 50 in this manner fill the cavities within the drill pipes 4, 4, which are connected in large numbers, and circulate muddy water as shown by the dotted line. the uppermost drill pipe 45 as a propagation medium.
direction, that is, to the ground side, and is received by the ultrasonic receiving means 60.

The ultrasonic receiving means 60 composed of a piezoelectric element outputs the received ultrasonic wave as a voltage change, so this voltage signal is amplified by the amplifier 11 which constitutes the receiving section of the device of the present invention, and an appropriate signal is generated. By processing with a processing device, it becomes possible to obtain various information on the bottom of the oil well 3 on the ground surface.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic oscillation means 50.

In this embodiment, two horn-shaped electrode rods 55 are attached to the upper end of the containment vessel 8, which houses the logging measurement device 80 and the transmitter 90 of the device of the present invention, that is, the portion on the ground surface side. A spark gap as the ultrasonic oscillation means 50 is constructed by protruding the electrode rods 55 and 55 and attaching the electrodes 52 and 52 to each other so that an appropriate gap is created at the tips of the electrode rods 55 and 55. It goes without saying that both electrode rods 55 and 55 are connected to an oscillator within the transmitter 90.

The operation of this embodiment is exactly the same as the previous embodiment. However, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ultrasonic oscillation means 50 is separately attached by attaching an insulating support 51, 51 to the internal cavity of the most advanced drill pipe 40, and this and the present invention housed in the containment vessel 8. A conductor 53.5 is connected between the transmitter 90 of the device and
3, whereas in this embodiment the entire ultrasonic oscillation means 50 is integrally attached to the containment vessel 8, the containment vessel 8 is connected to the most advanced drill pipe 40.
Easy to install.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown for the equipment for excavating a vertical shaft for drilling oil wells, gas wells, etc. However, if the equipment is filled with underground water, etc., it can be used for laying sewer pipes, etc. It can also be applied to equipment for horizontal hole drilling, equipment for transmitting data from seismic needles, etc. buried underground.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example is explained in which a signal is transmitted from the underground side to the earth surface side, but it goes without saying that signal transmission from the earth surface side to the underground side, or bidirectional signal transmission is also possible.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a large number of drill pipes 4.4...
Although the ultrasonic waves are propagated using muddy water as a medium that fills the space within the drill string, it goes without saying that ordinary liquid such as water or gas such as air may also be used.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, signals are propagated in the form of ultrasonic waves using the fluid filled in the underground cavity as a medium. Compared to conventional devices that use electromagnetic waves as a medium, the receiving sensitivity on the ground is high, the S/N is high, and there is no risk of damaging the mechanical strength of the drill pipe as a conductor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an underground communication device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of its ultrasonic oscillation means, and FIG. 3 is an ultrasonic oscillation means of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4.5 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art. 2... Geological formation 3... Oil well 4... Drill pipe 5... Pinto 11... Amplifier 5o... Ultrasonic oscillation means 60... Ultrasonic reception means 9o...
- Transmitter unit Note that the same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An underground communication device that transmits a signal from a transmitter to a receiver via a fluid filled in an underground cavity, wherein the underground communication device is located in the fluid in the cavity, and the transmission an ultrasonic oscillator that converts and outputs a signal output from the ultrasonic oscillator into an ultrasonic wave; and an ultrasonic oscillator positioned in the fluid in the cavity that receives the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic oscillator and converts it into an electrical signal. What is claimed is: 1. An underground communication device characterized by comprising: ultrasonic receiving means for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the user. 2. The underground communication device according to claim 1, wherein the underground cavity is an internal cavity of a drill pipe for excavating earth, and the fluid is muddy water filling the internal cavity of the drill pipe. 3. The underground communication device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic oscillation means is a spark gap.