US1841790A

US1841790A - Device for recording dips in formation of well bores

Info

Publication number: US1841790A
Application number: US409279A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard B Culbertson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-11-23
Filing date: 1929-11-23
Publication date: 1932-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1949-01-19

Description

Jan. 19, 1932. R. B. CULBERTSON DEVICE FOR RECORDING DIPS IN FORMATION OF WELL BORES Filed Nov. 23, 1929 Federated fi M332 RICHARD IB. CULBERTSON, DE LOS MTG-BEES, CALIEUENLQ.

BET/KGB F0183 RECGEDENG' DIES IN FORMATION OF WELL BURKS Application filed November 23, 1929. Serial No. 409,279.

This invention relates to a device for use in a well and relates more particularly to a device for indicating or determining the direction of the dip in the strata or formation of a well bore.

This application is filed as a continuation in part of and in substitution for my application entitled Formation dip register, filed July 27, 1925, Serial Number 46,361.

it is a general object of the invention to provide a practical and effective device for determining the direction of the dip in the formation of a well bore.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the character mentioned that does not embody any clock works or delicate mechanisms subject to becoming mudded up or inoperative.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the character mentioned that is operable to record the direction of the dip in the formation at the time the core is taken, or immediately before or after the core is taken.

it is a further object of the invention provided .by' the device of the character mentioned in which the indicating or recording mechanism is under ntrol of an operator at the surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned in which the direction indicating mechanism does not have to be positioned, adjusted, or set before the device is lowered into the well and is not rendered inoperative or inaccurate by rotation of the drilling string such as usually occurs during lowering of the drilling string into the hole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned in which the recording or direction indicating means is set by fluid pressure means and more particularly by fluid pressure imparted to the circulation fluid in the drilling string which may be controlled at the surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that embodies but few parts and is simple and inexpensive of manufacture.

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention,, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of a typical well bore illustrating the device provided by this invention in operative position therein. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional View of the device provided by this invention. Fig. 639

3 is an enlarged detailed view of the direction indicating portion of'the device, being a view taken substantialy as indicated by line 8-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 35

3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the direction indicating means removed from the other parts of the device. Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation taken substantially as indicated by line 6-6 7 on Fig. 5.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings 1 have illustrated a typical well bore and have shown a drilling :string 10 extending into the bore. A swivel 11 is shown at the upper end of the drilling engaging core barrel or core taker 13, a

plunger or piston 14 slidably carried within the body 12 and operable downwardly in the body upon pressure being applied to the fluid in the drilling string 10, a direction indicating device 15 carried by the piston 14;, and means 16 for setting or holding the indicating device 15 against operation upon the piston 14 being operated.

The body 12 is provided to carry the various other parts of the device and may be mounted on-or attached to any common or usual part of a drilling string, such as a section of drill pipe. a tool joint section, sub. etc. The body is preferably formed of brass, aluminum, or other suitable non-magnetic maingmeans 15 and the means 16 terial. The body 12 is larger in diameter than the sub 17 and has a central longitudinal opening 18, eXtending into it from its upper end. The outer or upper portion of the opening 18 is screw-threaded to receive the lower end portion of the sub 17. The lower or inner portion 19 of the opening may be slightly reduced in diameter and is in the form of a cylinder to carry the piston 14. The cylinder 19 is preferably comparatively long and is larger in diameter than the interior of the sub 17 so that the lower end of the sub forms a downwardly facing stop shoulder 20 for the piston 14. The lower end of the body 12 is .provided with a screw threaded socket 21.

The core taker 13 is provided to take a core or sample of the formation at the bottom of the bore and is adapted to be forced downwardly into the formation. The core taker 13 is mounted at the lower end of the string 10 and in the particular case illustrated, is directly connected with the body 12. The core taker 13 is an elongated tubular part and its upper end is screw threaded into the socket 21. The lower end portion of the exterior of the core taker is tapered inwardly and downwardly, and the lower end portion of the opening 22 of the core taker may be tapered downwardly and outwardly. Suitable means may be provided in the opening 22 for retaining a core or sample of the formation. A plurality of circumferentially extending serrations or teeth 22 may be provided in the lower portion of the opening. The teeth 22 have upwardly and inwardly extending lower sides to allow the core to freely enter the opening, and may be pro vided with sharp upwardly extending edges to prevent the core from becoming displaced from the opening 22. in accordance with the invention, means is provided for preventing the core from rotating or turning within the opening 22. I have shown a plurality of longitudinally extendin. projections or gpiines 24 on the walls of I oper I. iuid passage or opening 25 n y b in the upper portion of the co-e ta through the lower portion or the body to allow the fluid within the opening 22 to be displaced and discharged the well bore when the core enters the open The piston is carries the direction indicatable vertically in the c ton 14 is preferably cor long and fits the cylinder 1 so tl considerable force or pressure to the cylinder. Rings ma n ovided on the piston to frictional the cylinder. The vented from snifting in with a downwardly extending socket or opening 27. Means is provided for preventing the piston 14 from rotating in the cylinder. I have shown a plurality of upwardly extending projections 28 on the bottom of the cylinder 19 fitting openings 29 in the lower portion of the piston. In practice, the projections 28 may be in the form of guide pins and are preferably long enough so that their upper ends extend into the openings 29 when the piston 14: is in the up or unactuated position.

The piston 14 is normally positioned in the cylinder 19 to prevent the passage or discharge of fluid from the lower end of the drill pipe 10. The invention provides means for admitting fluid from the well bore into the lower portion of the cylinder 19 under the piston so that it can be displaced or discharged from the cylinder upon the piston being moved downwardly, and provides means whereby fluid is allowed to freely circulate downwardly from the lower end of the drilling string 10 after the piston 14 has been operated downwardly. An opening or fluid passage 30 is provided laterally through the walls of the body 12 to colmnunicate with the lower end of the cylinder 19. The opening 30 is provided to allow the fluid normally in the bottom or lower portion of the cylinder 19 to be discharged into the well bore upon the piston 14 being operated downwardly. The opening 30 also allows the pressure head of fluid in the well bore to act on the lower side of the piston. "When the drilling string is being lowered into the well bore and before pressure is applied to the fluid in the string, the pressure in the well bore is greater than that in the drill pipe and holds the piston in the up position. A plurality of lateral openings or fluid passages 31 are provided in the body and communicate with the upper portion of the cylinder 19.

passages 31 are nornia ly closed by the when it is in the tin-actuated posihe piston 1 iis moved downward to the actuated position, the passages 31 are uncovered. and the fluid within the drilling string 19 is allowed to circulate into the well b in accordance with the invention, means may be provided tending to equalize the pressures in the well bore and the drlling string it) the device is lowered into the checl: valve 32 is provided to allow the drilling string upon the the well bore becoming greater sure in the drilling string. in

"lve 32 controls the passage *1 opening 33 though the the well and until held against operation by the means 16 when the piston 14 is depressed. The means 15 may include a magnetic needle 34 pivotally mounted on a pin 35 carried within a case 36 in the opening 27 of the piston. The case 36 is horizontally arranged in the lower end of the opening 27 and may be clamped in position by

removable plugs

37 and 38 screw threaded into the upper portion of the opening. The plug 38 is arranged to engage the upper side of the case 36 and clamp it against the bottom of the opening 27. The case may include a cylindrical shell 39 and a top 40 of transparent material and a bottom 41. It is preferred that the case 36 be positively held against rotation. I have shown a set screw 42 screw threaded into an opening in the piston and engaging the shell 39.

The pin 35 projects upwardly from the center of the bottom 41 of the case and is provided at its upper end with a sharpened point. The needle 34 may be provided at its center with a hub having a tapered socket into which the pointed end of the pin 35 extends. The

plugs

37 and 38 act to prevent fluid from entering the case 36 and the set screw 42 may be set or fitted in the opening so as to prevent fluid from passing through the opening into the case or theopening 27.

The means 16 for setting the indicating device, or the needle 34. in position to record the direction of the dip of the core taken within the core taker 13, operates to set the needle 34 against operation or movement when the piston 14 is operated downwardly in the cylinder. The operation of the means 16 is controlled by an operator at the surface who applies pressure to the iiuid within the drilling string 10. The means 16 includes a lever arranged within the case 36 and operable to-engage the needle 34, and a rod 51 which engages the bottom of the cylinder 13 and is shifted upward relative to the piston 14 when the piston is moved downward, and

" 35. The arm 53 exte a cam connection between the lever 50 and the rod 51. The lever 50 consists of two angularly related arms 52 and 53. The arms 52 and 53 extend upwardly and outwardly in opposite directions from a fulcrum or pivot point. The lever 50 is arranged within the case to rock or pivot about the po the arms 52 and 53 join. The is the inner arm, is provided at 1 with an opening 54 i i wardly to a point ad 39 of the case. The ranged in vertical o 14. The rod 51 is c normally piston 14 o os e opening. The upper end or the rod 51 is made flat and is provided with an obliquely extending cam opening 57.

The connection between the rod 51 and the lever 50 operates to impart downward movement to the outer end of the arm 53 upon the rod 51 being shifted upward relative to'the piston. A member 58 is slidably'arranged against the inner side of the shell 39 of the case. The member 58 is curved to conform to the curvature of the shell 39 so as to be readily operated along the shell. The member 58 is provided with an outwardly extendin pin 60 which projects through an elongate slot 61 in the shell 39 and extends into the cam opening 57 of the rod 51. An enlargement or head 61 may be provided on the pin 60 to retain the pin within the cam opening 57. The member 58, is provided with an inclined cam slot 62 which receives the outer end of arm 53 and operates to move the arm vertically upon the member 58 being moved horizontally by the cooperation of the pin 60 and the opening 57.

With the construction just described, upward movement of the rod 51 causes horizontal or circumferential movement of the member 58 due to the cooperation of the pin 60 with the cam opening 57, and the end of the arm 53 cooperates with the cam slot 62 to shift the end of the arm 53 downwardly.

Upon downward movement of the arm 53 the arm 52 is moved upward and engages the needle 34 to force is against the top 40 of the case.

in accordance with my invention, the parts related to the magnetic needle so that they would influence-the action of the needle are made of non-magnetic material. In practice the device may be effectually separated magnetically from the drill pipe by using a suitable sub 17 of non-magnetic material.

In operating the device provided by this invention, the drilling string 10 is lowered within the well bore, which is usually filled with circulation fluid, until the core taker engages or strikes the bottom of the bore. the inoperative position, the piston 14 is in the upper portion of the cylinder 19, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the compass needle 34 is free to pivot on the pin The drilling string 10 carries circulation fluid, fluid having entered it from the bore through the check valve 32. it is preferred that the drilling string 10 be held against roi a 'on when it is run into well bore, but l the event that the drilling string 10 be irned or rotated, the nee le 14 is free to roand return to its normal position. lVhen but v2 is desired to operate the device, the weight or the drilling string 10 is released to force the core tak r 13 into the formation at the bottom 1 e well. The means 16 be iediately rely .ltaneously i the core taker into the formation, To open ,ate the means 16, increased pressure 15 applied to the fluid Within the drilling string and the piston 14 is shifted downwardly in the cylinder. If the drilling string is not full of fluid, the necessary fluid may be pumped into it and When it is full of Fluid any desired pressure can be put upon the fluid. Upon downward movement of the piston, the rod 51 is forced upward relative to the piston and the member 58 is rotated or shifted horizontally as above described.

With this movement of the member 58, the outer end of the lever arm 53 is operated downwardly and the arm 52 is shifted upward and forces the compass needle 53 against the cover 40. The member 58 and lever avill remain in this position so that the needle is set and its position the time of operation of the device determined when the device is removed from the Well and the

plugs

37 and 38 are rcmovec. Notation of the retative position of the core taken with reference to the body (and therefore the compass) relates "the direction of the inclination of the strata and the pitch of the strata. lhe direction of the core taken by the core taker i3 is indicated and recorded by the needle "While the pitch or inclination of he core can be determined by the manner in which it is held in the core taker.

Having descriloed only a oical, pre ferred form of n nvention, L c not Wish to limit myself LO tne specific d but Wish to reserve myself 7 changes or variations that may appear o skilled in the art or fall within the seepv of the folloWing claims:

Having described my i -on, I claim:

1. A device of the character described including, a body acap d to be carried by an operatin string in v l bore, core taker at the lower end oi be body, piston slidable in. the body, a co needle pivotall mounted in the pist d means operable by movement the needle against movement.

2. A device out eluding, a body ad operating string i s set forth,

at the lower on of l.

needle, and fluid. e

operable to set the nerdle against movement, said means includ a piston body and encasi 3. A device eluding, a body ads operating string 1n cylinder opening cor operating string, a i of the body, a piston. slid opening, a nragneti ed in the piston, needle set s ton opei seem 9o 4. A device of the character described including, a body adapted to be attached to an operating string in a Well bore and having acylinder opening communicating with the operating string, a core taker at the lower cnd of the body, a piston slidable in the cylinder opening, a magnetic needle pivotally mounted in the piston, and means whereby the needle is set against movement upon the piston being operated in the cylinder, said means including a part slidably carried by the piston and normally projecting from the piston.

5. A device of the character described ineluding, a body adapted to be attached to an (operating string in a Well here and having a cylinder opening communicating with the operating string, a core taker at the lower end oi": the body, a piston slidablc in the cylinder opening, a compass needle pivotally mounted in the piston, and means whereby the needle is set against movement upon the piston being operated in the cylinder, said means including a part slidably carried by the piston and normally projecting from the piston, a lever adapted to engage the needle, and a connection between the said part and lever.

6. A device of the character described including, a body adapted to be attached to an operating string in a Well bore and having a cylinder opening communicating with the operating string, a core taker at the lower end of the body, piston slidable in the cylinder opening, a compass needle pivotally mounted in the piston, and Vans whereby the needle is against i upon the piston bennder, said means incarried by the piston from the piston, a e the needle, and a cam .ic part and lover.

' c aracter described in to be attached to an bore and having a eating with the opcluding and norm lever ad n slidable in the cylinder i eedle pivotally mounted sans whereby the needle upon the piston being "ed der, said means including, a re r ied by the piston om the piston, a

and normall needle, a member lever adapts operable by -nd a cam connection between the lever and the member.

device the character described in body adapted to be connected with operating string in a well bore and a cylinder opening communicating the string and having a all the interior {)3 the cylinder opening in comn With the well bore, a core taker y the body, direction-indiesting means, a piston in the cylinder opening, means releasably holding the piston against movement in a position where it closes the operating string and the said port, the piston being operable downwardly by fluid under pressure to uncover the port whereby the' port puts the interior of the operating string in communication with the well bore, and means operable by downward movement of the piston to set the direction-indicating means in indicating position.

9. A device of the character described including, a body adapted to be attached to an operating string in a well bore and having a cylinder o pening communicating with the operating string, a core taker at the lower end of the body, a piston in the opening and operable by fluid pressure delivered by the operating string, one end of the cylinder opening being in communication with the well bore, means for equalizing the pressures of the fluids in the operating string. and well bore upon the pressure in the well bore becoming greater than'the pressure in the operating string, direction indicating means, and

means for setting the indicating means. upon the piston being actuated.

10. A device of the character described including, a body adapted .to be carried by an operating string in a well bore, a core taker at the lower end of the body, a compass needle, and fluid pressure actuated means operable to set the needle against movement, said means including, a piston enca'sing the needle and slidable in the body, and meansholding the piston against rotation.

11. A device of the characterdescribed including, abody adapted to be carried by an operating string in a well bore and having a cylinder opening communicating 'with the operating string, a core taker at the lower end of the body, a piston in the opening and operable by fluid pressure delivered by the operating string, the piston normally preventing the discharge of fluid from the operating string, direction indicating means, and means operable by movement of the piston for setting the indicating means. I

12. A device of the characterdescribed including, a body adapted to be attached to an operating string in a well bore and having a cylinder opening communicating with the operating string, a core taker at the lower end of the body, a piston in the opening and operable by fluid pressure delivered by the operating string, the piston normallypreventing the discharge of fluid from the operating string, direction indicating means,

- means operable upon movement of the piston to set the direction indicating means and means whereby operation of the piston allows the discharge of fluid from the operatmg string.

13. A device of the character described including, a bodyadapted to be attached to an operating string in a well bore, the body being formed of a non-magnetic material, a nonmagnetic core taker at the lower end of the body, a pivotally. mounted magnetic needle,

and fluid pressure actuated means for setting the needle against movement, including a piston of non-magnetic material in the body string, the lower end of the cylinder opening being in communication with the well bore, means for equalizing the pressures in the operating string and well bore upon the pressure in well bore becoming greater than the pressure in the operating string, direction indicating means, and means operable by the piston for setting the indicating means.

15. A device of the character described including, a body adapted to be mounted on the lower end of a tubular operating string for use in a well bore, the body having a cylinder opening communicating with the interior of the operating string, a normally free pivotally mounted compass needle, a piston in the cylinder opening normallyclosing the lower end of the operating string operable by fluid pressure in the operating string and means actuated by the piston for setting the needle against movement.

16. A device of the character described including, a body adapted to be carried by a tubular operating string in a well bore, a core taker carried by the body, a pivotally mounted magnetic needle carried by the body, and fluid pressure actuated means for setting the needle against movement including a pis-. ton operable in the body and normally closmg the lower end, of the operating string, the piston being operable downwardly by fluid pressure in the operating string, and means for setting the needle against movement upon downward movement of the piston.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 5th day of November, 1929.

RICHARD B. CULBERTSON.