US3825078A - Method of mounting and maintaining electric conductor in a drill string - Google Patents

Method of mounting and maintaining electric conductor in a drill string Download PDF

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Publication number
US3825078A
US3825078A US00350459A US35045973A US3825078A US 3825078 A US3825078 A US 3825078A US 00350459 A US00350459 A US 00350459A US 35045973 A US35045973 A US 35045973A US 3825078 A US3825078 A US 3825078A
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United States
Prior art keywords
conductor
pipe
length
string
pipe string
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00350459A
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English (en)
Inventor
K Heintz
J Heilhecker
D Wood
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ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Exxon Production Research Co
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Priority to US00350459A priority Critical patent/US3825078A/en
Priority to CA170,543A priority patent/CA980332A/en
Priority to DE2325161A priority patent/DE2325161A1/de
Priority to NO2398/73A priority patent/NO137515C/no
Priority to NL7308629A priority patent/NL7308629A/xx
Priority to GB2969273A priority patent/GB1418209A/en
Priority to AU57224/73A priority patent/AU490227B2/en
Priority to FR7322961A priority patent/FR2191013B1/fr
Priority to DK346973A priority patent/DK146769C/da
Priority to JP7372153A priority patent/JPS5220001B2/ja
Priority to BE132860A priority patent/BE801612A/fr
Priority to US449787A priority patent/US3913688A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3825078A publication Critical patent/US3825078A/en
Priority to CA231,124A priority patent/CA1001149A/en
Priority to AU33621/78A priority patent/AU520465B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/14—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells
    • 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
    • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
    • 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
    • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
    • E21B19/22—Handling reeled pipe or rod units, e.g. flexible drilling pipes

Definitions

  • the convoluted configuration provides an excess length of conductor stored within 5 References Cited the drill string which enables the conductor to be ex- UNITED-STATES PATENTS tended as the drill string is lengthened. 2,096,279 10/1937 Karcher 339/16 x 25 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PMENTED 2 3 I974 SHEEI 1 BF 3 FIG. 2
  • Fieldof the Invention relates to an improved method for establishing and maintaining electric continuity through a drill string using an insulated-electric conductor.
  • the invention can be employed in wellbore telemetry operations and other operations whereinit is desired to transmit electric energy between the surface and a subsurface location in a well.
  • Lengths of drill pipe are individually added to the drill string as the borehole is advanced.
  • the means for transmitting an electric signal between subsurface and surface locations must be such as to permit the connection of additional pipe lengths to the drill string.
  • An early approach to the problem involved the use of a continuous electrical cable which was adapted to be lowered insidethe drill string and to make contact with a subsurface terminal. This tech-' nique, however, required withdrawing the cable each time an additional length was connected to the drill string.
  • a more recent approach involves the use of special drill pipe equipped with an electric conductor.
  • Each pipe section is provided with connectors that mate with connectors of an adjacent pipe section and thereby provide an electrical circuit across the joint (See US. Pat. Nos. 3,518,608 and 3,518,609).
  • Disadvantages of this'system include the high cost of special pipe'sections, the use of a large number of electric connectors (one at each joint), and the difficulty of maintaining insulation of the electric connectors at each oint.
  • the method of the present invention is adapted for use in a well drilling operation wherein an insulated electric conductor disposed in a pipe string used to drill a well is employed to transmit electric energy between a subsurface location within the pipe string and the surface.
  • a novel feature of the invention resides in placing the electric conductor in the pipe string in a configuration such that the length of the conductor is substantially longer than the distance between the subsurface and surface locations.
  • This configuration provides an excess length of conductor stored within the drill string.
  • the conductor can be extended through the additional length of pipe by withdrawing a portion of the excess length of conductor from within the pipe string and threading it through the additional length of pipe.
  • the conductor can be arranged within the pipe string in a varietyfof convoluted configurations to provide the excess length
  • the preferred configuration is such that the conductor has overlapped longitudinal portions which preferably ar'edisposed in parallel relation and extend axially with respect to the pipe string.
  • Another novel aspect of the present invention involves a method of lengthening a pipe string and electric conductor within the pipe string as drilling pro-
  • the method of the present invention permits the use of a continuous conductor from the subsurface location substantially to the surface.
  • only one connector, located near the surface, is exposed to the drilling fluid.
  • the method can be employed in rotary drilling operations using conventional drill pipe. I
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of well drilling equipment provided with an electric conductor arranged within the pipe string in a preferred configuration.
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 1 illustrating the disposition of the electric conductor at a time subsequent to that illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 3-6 are schematic views illustrating a preferred sequence of steps for adding a length of pipe into the pipe string.
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view, shown partially in longitudinal section, of an improved apparatus useful in the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the upper guide of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the lower guide of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • Conventional rotary drilling equipment as schematically illustrated in F IG. 1, includes swivel l0, kelly 11, Y tubular drill string 12, and bit 13. These components,
  • the drill string 12 normally is composed of drill pipe with a lower portion being composed of drill collars.
  • the drill string 12 consists of individual pipe sections connected together in end-to-end relation. In the lower three sections of FIG. 1, the diameters of the borehole and the drill string 12 have been expanded in relation to the upper section to reveal further details.
  • the borehole 17 is advanced by rotating thedrill string 12 and bit 13 while at the same time drilling fluid is pumped through the drill string 12 and up the bore hole annulus.
  • the drilling fluid is delivered to swivel through a hose attached to connection 18 and is returned to the surface fluid system through pipe 19.
  • kelly bushing 20 couples the rotary table 16 to the kelly 11 and provides means fortransmittingpower from the rotary table 16 to the drill string 12 and bit- 13. (The use of a power swivel eliminates the need for the kelly and rotary table. The present-invention can be used with either system; for purposes of illustration, however, the invention will be described with reference to the kelly and rotary table system.)
  • Typical situations where telemetry is applicable in drilling operations include drilling through abnormal pressure zones, drilling through zones where hole deviation is likely to be a problem, directional drilling, exploratory drilling, and the like.
  • the present invention may be employed in most any drilling operation wherein an electric conductor isused in pipe string to transmit electric energy between a subsurface location and a surface location, it finds particularly advantageous application in a wellbore telemetry system such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 comprising an instrument 21, an insulated electric conductor 22, and receiver 23.
  • the instrument 21 capable of measuring a subsurface condition and generating an electric signal indicative or I representative of that condition is provided within the drill string 12.
  • a variety of devices capable of sensing a physical condition are available. These include transducers for measuring pressure, temperature, strain and the like; surveying instruments for measuring hole deviation; and logging instruments for measuring resistivity or other properties of subsurface formations.
  • the instrument 21 may be powered by batteries or by energy transmitted through conductor 22. Alternatively, a subsurface generator driven by fluid flowing through the drill string 12 may be used to power instrument 21.
  • the method of the present invention relates primarily to the electric conductor 22employed within the drill string to transmit electric energy between surface and subsurface locations.
  • the energy may be a signal generated by the subsurface instrument 21 and transmitted to the receiver 23 at the surface.
  • the energy may be electric power transmitted from the surface to actuate or drive a subsurface instrument or motor.
  • energy may be transmitted down the conductor 22 to power the instrument 21, and simultaneously intelligence may be transmitted up the same conductor.
  • the energy being transmitted be in the form of a pulsating signal.
  • More than one transducer or other device may be employedin the instrument 21 if desired, in which case a multiplexer may be used for sending the various signals over a single conductor.
  • the instrument2l may be mounted directly in the drill string 12 or,'as illustrated in FIG. 1, it may be a separate tool that is lowered into the drill string 12 on the conductor 22.
  • the conductor 22 extends froma terminal on the subsurface instrument 21 substantially through the drill string 12, and connects to a suitable surface terminal which is electrically connected to receiver 23.'-In this preferred embodiment the conductor extends through the kelly and connects; to a terminal at device 25 located at the upper end of the kelly 11.
  • Kelly conductor 24 serves to interconnect conductor 22 and device 25. It should be observed, however, that conductor 24 may be embedded in the kelly 11, in which case the conductor 22 will extend to the upper end of the drill string 12 and connect to conductor 24 at that location. In order to facilitate the addition of pipe sections to the drill string 12, however, it is preferred that conductor 24 be disposed within kelly 11 as illustrated and extend slightly more than the length of one pipe section below the kelly 11.
  • Device 25 capable of transmitting electric energy from a rotating member to a stationary member.
  • Device 25 may be a rotary transformer having a rotor secured to the kelly 11 and a stator secured to the stationary portion of the swivel 10, or it may be a slip ring and brush assembly.
  • Device 25 and electric conductor 38 provides means for transmitting signals from the conductor within the pipe string to receiver 23.
  • the return path for the electric circuit may be provided by a variety of grounding circuits but preferably is through the'pipe string or conductor armor.
  • Conductor 39 of the return path interconnects stationary portion of device 35 and receiver 23.
  • the conductors 38 and 39 may be connected directly to conductor 24 through a suitable connector. In this situation, conductors 38 and 39 will be disconnected when the kelly 11 and drill string 12 are rotated.
  • Other means for transmitting the signal to the receiver 23 include a wireless transmitter connected to conductor 22 and located on a rotating member, e.g. kelly 11.
  • the receiver 23 is an instrument capable of receiving the signal generated by instrument 21 and reducing it to useful form.
  • the conductor 22 is arranged within the drill string 12 in a configuration such that the length of the conductor22 is substantially longer than the distance between the subsurface location of instrument 21 and a surface location.
  • the excess length of conductor 22 stored in the drill string 12 permits the conductorv 22 to be extended as the drill string 12 is lengthened.
  • a portion of the conductor 22 is arranged in a wound, coiled, helical, folded, looped or other convoluted configuration that provides the excess length. It is preferred, however, that the conductor 22 be arranged in an overlapped configuration .such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7.
  • This configuration provides the conductor 22 with longitudinal portions 26, 27, and 28 which are disposed in parallel relation and extend axially with respect to the drill string 12.
  • Theoverlapped configuration permits the excess length of conductor to be almost double the distance between the subsurface location of the instrument 21 and the surface.
  • the apparatus for installing and maintaining the conductor 22 in the overlapped configuration comprises an upper guide 29 secured to the drill string 12, and a lower movable guide 30.
  • the conductor 22 extends upwardly from the instrument 21-, around the upper guide 29, downwardly from the upper guide 29, around the lower guide 30 and upwardly from the lower guide 30 to the upper end of the drill string where it connects to conductor 24.
  • the guides 29 and 30 are shown schematically in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIGS. 7-9.
  • conductor 24 has a lower tail section 33 which extends slightly more than the length of one pipe section below kelly 11.
  • the lower end of tail section 33 is provided with connector 32 which is adapted to mate with connector 31 attached to the upper end of conductor 22.
  • the conductor 22 is thus joined to conductor 24 at a point slightly below the top pipe section 34 of the drill string 12 (see FIG. 3).
  • the electric conductor thusextends from a terminal on. instrument 21 to a surface terminal within kelly 11 and comprises conductor 22 and conductor 24 connected together by connectors 31 and 32.
  • the connectors 31 and 32 in addition to providing a water tight connection, should have sufficient mechanical strength to support the conductor 22 and associated subsurface equipment.
  • this connection may be provided by a threaded housing or it may be provided by an assembly which includes latching dogs to impart sufficient mechanical strength to the connectors.
  • the excess conductor e.g. overlapped portions 27 and 28,- permitthe conductor 22 to be extended as the drill string 12 is lengthened.
  • the drill string 12 is normally composed of individual pipe sections approximately 30 feet in length. A length of pipe will be added to the drill string l2for each incremental advance of the borehole 17. Normally the additional length of pipe is one pipe section-However, the additional length may include two or more pipe sections connected together. In any event, the borehole advancement is sufficient to permit the addition of a length of pipe.
  • Each additional length of pipe, one pipe section in this example may be connected into the pipe string by the procedure described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. The procedure for installing the equipment as depicted in FIG. 3 will be described later.
  • Pipe section 36 is disposed in a shallow borehole 37 (commonly referred to as a mouse hole) below the derrick fioor.
  • a shallow borehole 37 commonly referred to as a mouse hole
  • the kelly 11 and drill string 12 are elevated and the drill string 12 is suspended in the rotary table 16.
  • the kelly 11 is then disconnected from the drill string 12 and is elevated sufficiently to pull the tail section 33 of kelly conductor 24 completely out of the drill string 12.
  • the kelly 11 is elevated slightly more than the length of one pipe section.
  • the mated connectors 31 and 32'and a portion of conductor 22 are pulled through the top pipe section 34 of the drill string 12.
  • the kelly 11 is then swung over into alignment with the pipe section .36.
  • the tail section 33 of conductor 24 is threaded through the pipe section 36 and the kelly 11 is joined to the upper end of pipe section 3 6 (see FIG. 5).
  • the kelly 11 and pipe section 36 are then raised and aligned with the drill string 12.
  • the tail portion 33 extends a short distance, e.g. 1-3 feet, below pipe section 36 permitting the connector 32 to be mated with connector 31 reestablishing electric continuity from the subsurface terminal at instrument 21 to the surface terminal at device 25.
  • the support plate 35 is removed.
  • the lower guide 30 draws the connectors 31 and 32 a short distance downwardly into the drill string 12.
  • the tail portion 33 preferably should be sufficiently long to permit the connectors 31 and 32 to move downwardly within the drill string 12 to clear the upset restriction at the pipe joint.
  • the lower end of pipe section 36 is then connected to the drill string 12 (see FIG. 6).
  • Section 36 thus is inserted or added into the pipe string by connecting one end to the drill string 12 and the other end to kelly 11.
  • the kelly 11 and drill string 12 are then lowered until the kelly bushing 20 engages the rotary table 16. Drilling will then continue until another pipe section must be added.
  • the upper end of conductor 22 is threaded upwardly through the additional pipe section 36, and another pipe section is added into the pipe string by the procedure described above and depicted in FIGS. 3-6. This operation may continue until the excess length of conductor 22 is used up. This occurs when the lower guide 30 engages or approaches upper guide 29 (see FIG. 2).
  • the conductor 22, guides 29 and 3t) and instrument 21 are then withdrawn from the drill string 12. It should be observed, however, that the excess length of conductor can be restored within the drill string 12 after it has been completely or partially used up. This may be achieved by merely connecting a conductor of the desired length'to the upper terminal end 31 of conductor 22 and introducing an additional length of conductor into the drill string 12. The lower guide 30 is thus lowered within the drill string 12, increasing the lengths of overlapped portions 27 and 28.
  • the amount of conductor that can be added in this provided with a groove 62, the radius of which is approximately equal to the radius of conductor 22.
  • Each of the arms 43 fits into a longitudinal slot 46 formed in the body 41 and is pivotable about a pin 47.
  • the length of each slot 46 is such. that an arm 43 mounted therein can be pivoted about pin 47 to a fully retracted position within slot 46.
  • An upper,- flat surface 49 of each arm 43 engages a downwardly facing surface formed in body 41.
  • the arms 43 extend radially outwardly beyond the internal diameter of the drill string 12 and are adapted to rest on an annular notched shoulder 50 formed in the box end of a pipe section.
  • Shoulder '50 may be provided by milling the box end of the pipe section in which guide 29 is to be retained, or alternatively may be provided by a special sub.
  • Each arm may also be secured to body 46 by a shear pin 48 to prevent the upper guide 29 from being jarred out of the mounting notch.
  • the lower guide 30 includes a body 51, a sheave 52, and a weight 53.
  • the body 51 has an upper nose section 54 provided with a side opening slot 55.
  • the width of slot 55 is slightly larger than the diameter of conductor 22.
  • the sheave 52 is journalled in body 51 by bolt 57 and bearing 58.
  • the weight 53 attached to the lower end of body 51 may beprovided by a plurality of cylindrical sections connected together in end-to-end relation and may include a centralizer 60 secured thereto.
  • the weight 53 should be sufficiently large to maintain a downward biasing force on the conductor to remove or reduce slack in at least a portion of the conductor.
  • the weight should maintain the conductor in tension.
  • slack cable can be damaged by drilling fluid flowing through the drill string 12.
  • a 40-pound'weight has served satisfactorily for a three-sixteenth inch armored cable.
  • the surface equipment for lowering or raising the conductor 22 and associated equipment within the drill string 12 can be similar to cablehandling equipment used in well logging operations.
  • Such equipment normally includes a power winch containing a conductor wound thereon and a sheave suspended from the rig drawworks for guiding the conductor into or out of the drill string 12.
  • the conductor 22 andassociated equipment may be installed in the drill string 12 by the following procedure. With the kelly 11 disconnected from the drill string 12, instrument 21 is lowered into the drill string 12 on conductor 22. The conductor 22 is unreeled from a power winch and fed into the drill string 12 until the instrument 21 reaches the desired subsurface location.
  • the drill string 12 normally will be provided with 8 a suitable releasable latching means for receiving and engaging the instrument 21.
  • the conductor 22 With the instrument 21 properly located, the conductor 22 extends to the surface. On the rig floor, the conductor 22 is wound about the upper and lower guides 29 and 30 in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, except that the guides 29 and 30 will be positioned in end-toend abutting engagement.
  • the sheave 52 In installing the conductor 22 on guide 30, the sheave 52 is first removed from body 51 by disconnecting'bolt 57, and with the conductor 22 wound thereon is reinstalled on body 51.
  • the guides 29 and 30 with conductor wound thereon is then inserted into the upper end of the drill string 12. Arms 43 of the upper guide 29 fit into the notches of shoulder 50.
  • the conductor. 22 extends from instrument 21 upwardly to the upper guide 29, around semiconductor member 42, downwardly to the lower guide 30, around sheave 52, and upwardly through slot of guide 30 and opening 44 of guide 29.
  • This arrangement provides the conductor 22 with a convoluted configuration comprising overlapped portions 26, 27, and 28.
  • the lower guide 30 is suspended on a loopedportion of the conductor 22. Additional length of conductor 22 is then unreeled from the winch and fed through opening 44 of the upper guide 29 lowering the lower guide 30 in the drill string 12. Overlapped portions 27 and 28 are lengthened as the lower guide 30 descends within the drill string 12.
  • the conductor 22 which extends from the instrument 21 to the upper guide 29 passes between adjacent bow springs of centralizer (if used) and through a guide member 61 strapped to the weight 53. Member 61 and centralizer 60 prevent the lower guide 30 from twisting with respect to the upper guide 29.
  • the conductor 22 is fed into the drill string 12 until its upper terminal end provided with connector 31 engages the upper guide 29.
  • connector 31 a short distance above the upper guide 29. This may be achieved by adding a pipe section, preferably a short pipe section, to the drill string 12 and pulling the connector 31 and a portion of conductor 22 through the short pipe section. A second pipe section is then added to the drill string 12 in the manner described above with reference to FIGS. 3-6.
  • the short pipe section permits the mated connectors 31 and 32 to be lowered a short distance below the top pipe section'of the drill string without engaging guide 29 and the second pipe section is needed to accommodate the tail section 33 of conductor 24.
  • conductor 22 connects to a conductor embedded in kelly 11 and no tail section is employed, it will not be necessary to use the short pipe section or to add the second pipe section.
  • Connector 32 is disconnected from connecf Th d ill i h d an t id di m f 4 5 o and conductor 22 is Withdrawn r drill inches, an inside diameter of 3.64 inches, and an upset string 12 by reeling it on a power winch. The excess inside diameter of 2.81 inches.
  • the upper and lower portions 27 and 28 are shortened until the lower guide id assembly with the cable properly arranged I thereon was then placed in the upper end of the drill tension 15 then pulled on the conductor 22 to shear the i Ab t 600 f t f c bl were i t d d i t th shear P 48 used) holding the arms 0f h pp r drill pipe forming overlapped portions having lengths guide 29 iflplace- This Permits the arms to Pivot free I 15 'of about 300 feet each.
  • This arrangement provided of shoulder 50 and toretractwithin body 41 which reb t 1,000 f t f bl di d i the d ill i 163565 the pp guide 29 from the drill String The about 600 feet of which was excess'cable. Drilling mud assembly is then retrieved from the drill string 12. The was flowed through the drill pipe for about 2 hours. apparatus is disconnected from the conductor 22 and Th bl and g id w th n withd f o th the remaining conductor 22 with the instrument 21 is ldrill pipe without difficulty. g retrieved. The drill string 12 is then; withdrawn in the A variation of the invention involves use of a separate usual manner.
  • the drill string 12 with a new bit 13 is retriever cable for pulling the conductor 22 through a lowered into the borehole.
  • the retriever cable which can bela 'wireline is hole, the conductor 22 which was withdrawn from the 25 threaded through the length of pipe to be added to the drill string.
  • the retriever With the additional length of pipe suspended in elevators above the drill string, the retriever a longer conductor must be employed.
  • I Icable is connected to the upper terminal end of con-
  • the conductor '22 usable in the preferred embodiductor; one end of the additional pipe length is conment of the present invention should have the following necteclto the drill string; the retriever cable is pulled properties. it should have a breaking strength suffi- Lthrough the additional pipe length threading conductor cientlyhigh to support the guides 29 and 30 and instru- 22 upwardly through the additional pipe length.
  • the ment 21 and to permit shearing'of pins 48 (if used); it conductor 22 is reconnected to conductor 24' and should have an operating temperature at least equal to added pipe is connected .to kelly 11.
  • the step of extending the conductor was performed after the additional length of pipe was connected into the pipe string.
  • the present invention also contemplates an improved method for lengthening a pipe string while at the-same time lengthening an electric conductor provided therein.
  • the method involves lowering an insulated conductor 22, preferably an arlows: mored cable free of connectors, to a subsurface terminal near the lower end of a pipe string used to drill a U H Guide 29 I well; threading a conductor section, e.g., section 33, R do Tai 50 through a length of pipe to be added to the pipe string;
  • the conductor section 33 preferably is con- Member (42) i nected to a surface terminal; it may also be initially disy M I S connected from the surface terminal and connected to i ffl Q 1018. tee the surface terminal during the operation for lengthenlitch diameter, inches 2 ing the pipe string and conductor.
  • inches 1 Lower Guide 30 equipment including turbo drills and positive displace- Y ment hydraulic motors. These devices normally include Mmmal Ems a motor or turbine mounted on the lower end of the gg f n h ,drill string and adapted to connect to and drive a bit. sheave (52) e es 5 The motor or turbine powered by the drilling fluid drives the drill bit while the drill string remains stationmfggafl inches g' BT91? ary. When this type subsurface drilling device is used W dth... indies.
  • an improved method for extending said electric conductor through lengths of pipe which are individually added to said pipe stringas the drilling progresses which comprises storing alength of conductor within said pipe string which is in excess of the distance between said locations; extending a portion of said electric conductor through a length, of pipe to be added into said pipe string; connecting said length of pipe into said pipe string.
  • the step of storing a length of conductor in the pipe string provides an. excess length of conductor atleast equal to said length of pipe to be added into said pipe string.
  • a method of installing an insulated electric conductor in a tubular drill string in a well which comprises placing said conductor internally of said drill string; ar-
  • step of extendingsaid conductor includes withdrawing a portion of said conductor from said pipe string and threading said portion through each length of pipe as saidjength of pipe is added tosaid pipe string.
  • a method of establishing and maintaining electric continuity between a subsurface location and surface locationin a pipe string used to drill a well which comprises placing an electric conductor in said pipe string which extends between said subsurface and surface '10- cations and which has a length substantially in excess of the distance between said subsurface and surface locations; advancing said well sufficiently to require lengthening said pipe string; adding a length of pipe into said pipe string; and extending a portion of said electric conductor through said length of pipe.
  • a method of establishing electric continuity within a pipe string in a well'between a subsurface location and a location substantially at the surface which comprises placing an insulated electric conductor in said pipe string to extend from said subsurface location to said surface location; convoluting atleast a portion of said conductor within saidpipe string such that the length of said conductor in said pipe string exceeds the distance between said subsurface and surface locations; and tensioning at least a portion of said conductor to reduce slack in said conductor.
  • the method of providing electric continuity 4 between a subsurface location in the pipe string and a location substantially at the surface of the well which comprises placing an insulated'electric conductor in the well within the pipev string to extend from said subsurface location near the lower end of said pipe string to said surface location, said conductor having a length substantially in excess of the distance between said subsurface and surface locations; breaking said electric continuity by separating said conductor substantially at the surfacewhen the addition of said length of pipe is to be made into the pipe string; and reconnecting'said electric conductor before both ends of the additional length of pipe are connected into said pipe string to include a length of electric conductor extending through 50 said additional length of pipe.
  • a method as defined in claim 15 which includes the step-of removing slack from at least a portion of the conductor in the pipe string.
  • a method as defined in claim 15 in which a por- 55 tion of the conductor in the pipe string is withdrawn therefrom after the conductor is separated and is extended through said additional length of pipe.
  • an improved method of establishing and maintaining electric continuity through said pipe string between a subsurface location in the well-and a surface location which comprises lowering in said pipe string an insulated electric conductor to extend between said locations and having a substantially length in excess of the distance between said locations; advancing said well sufficiently to require the insertion of an additional length of pipe into said pipe string; disconnecting said pipe string and separating said electric conductor at the surface; threading electric conductor through an additional length of pipe; reconnecting said electric coni ductor to reestablish electric continuity between said locations through said pipe string including said additional length of pipe; and inserting said additional length of pipe into said pipe string.
  • a method of establishing and maintaining electric continuity in a drill string in a well as said well is being drilled which comprises lowering an insulated electric conductor in said drill string to extend from a subsurface location near the lower end of said drill string substantially to the surface; convoluting a portion of said conductor such that the length of conductor in said drill string is in excess of the distance between said subsurface location and the surface; threading an electric conductor section through a length of pipe to be added to said drill string; connecting said conductor section to said electric conductor; and connecting said length of P E9ld drill w s n 0 near the surface; withdrawing a conductor section from said pipe string; separating said conductor section from 24.
  • a method for establishing and maintainingelec tric continuity between a subsurface terminal within a pipe string used to drill a well and a surface terminal which comprises placing an insulated electric conductor in said pipe string to extend between said terminals and which has a length substantially in excess of the distance between said terminals; advancing said well sufficiently to require an additional length of pipe in said pipe string; disconnecting said pipe string at a point the remainder of said conductor; threading said conductor section through a length of pipe; reconnecting said conductor section to the remainder of said conductor; and connecting said length of pipe into said pipe string.

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  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Communication Control (AREA)
US00350459A 1972-06-29 1973-04-12 Method of mounting and maintaining electric conductor in a drill string Expired - Lifetime US3825078A (en)

Priority Applications (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00350459A US3825078A (en) 1972-06-29 1973-04-12 Method of mounting and maintaining electric conductor in a drill string
CA170,543A CA980332A (en) 1972-06-29 1973-05-07 Method of mounting and maintaining an electric conductor in a drill string
DE2325161A DE2325161A1 (de) 1972-06-29 1973-05-18 Verfahren und vorrichtung zum montieren einer elektrischen leitung in einem bohrloch
NO2398/73A NO137515C (no) 1972-06-29 1973-06-07 Fremgangsmaate til etablering og opprettholdelse av elektrise sk forbindelse samt anordning til fremgangsmaatens utfoerel
NL7308629A NL7308629A (fr) 1972-06-29 1973-06-21
AU57224/73A AU490227B2 (en) 1972-06-29 1973-06-22 Method and apparatus for mounting an electric conductor ina drill string
GB2969273A GB1418209A (en) 1972-06-29 1973-06-22 Method and apparatus for mounting an electric conductor in a drill string
FR7322961A FR2191013B1 (fr) 1972-06-29 1973-06-22
DK346973A DK146769C (da) 1972-06-29 1973-06-22 Fremgangsmaade til etablering og opretholdelse af elektrisk forbindelse mellem et sted paa jordoverfladen og et ikke-stationaert, underjordisk sted i en roerstreng samt apparat til udoevelse af fremgangsmaaden
JP7372153A JPS5220001B2 (fr) 1972-06-29 1973-06-26
BE132860A BE801612A (fr) 1972-06-29 1973-06-28 Procede et appareil pour etablir et entretenir la continuite electrique dans une colonne de forage
US449787A US3913688A (en) 1972-06-29 1974-03-11 Apparatus for mounting electric conductor in a drill string
CA231,124A CA1001149A (en) 1972-06-29 1975-07-09 Apparatus for mounting an electric conductor in a drill string
AU33621/78A AU520465B2 (en) 1972-06-29 1978-02-24 Electrical conductor in drill string

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US26772972A 1972-06-29 1972-06-29
US00350459A US3825078A (en) 1972-06-29 1973-04-12 Method of mounting and maintaining electric conductor in a drill string
US449787A US3913688A (en) 1972-06-29 1974-03-11 Apparatus for mounting electric conductor in a drill string

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3825078A true US3825078A (en) 1974-07-23

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00350459A Expired - Lifetime US3825078A (en) 1972-06-29 1973-04-12 Method of mounting and maintaining electric conductor in a drill string
US449787A Expired - Lifetime US3913688A (en) 1972-06-29 1974-03-11 Apparatus for mounting electric conductor in a drill string

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US449787A Expired - Lifetime US3913688A (en) 1972-06-29 1974-03-11 Apparatus for mounting electric conductor in a drill string

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (2) US3825078A (fr)
JP (1) JPS5220001B2 (fr)
AU (1) AU520465B2 (fr)
BE (1) BE801612A (fr)
CA (2) CA980332A (fr)
DE (1) DE2325161A1 (fr)
DK (1) DK146769C (fr)
FR (1) FR2191013B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1418209A (fr)
NL (1) NL7308629A (fr)
NO (1) NO137515C (fr)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3918537A (en) * 1973-07-30 1975-11-11 Exxon Production Research Co Apparatus for maintaining an electric conductor in a drill string
US3926269A (en) * 1974-03-07 1975-12-16 Cullen Res Roy H Method and apparatus for earth boring
US3957118A (en) * 1974-09-18 1976-05-18 Exxon Production Research Company Cable system for use in a pipe string and method for installing and using the same
US4016943A (en) * 1975-03-07 1977-04-12 Roy H. Cullen Method for connecting electrical conductors for electric earth boring means
US4098342A (en) * 1977-05-25 1978-07-04 Exxon Production Research Company Method and apparatus for maintaining electric cable inside drill pipe
US4143721A (en) * 1977-10-03 1979-03-13 Scientific Drilling Controls Change in length of drill string containing an instrument
DE2852575A1 (de) * 1977-12-05 1979-06-07 Serge Alexander Scherbatskoy System und verfahren zur aufzeichnung bzw. protokollierung von daten, die beim bohren in der erde gewonnen werden
US4271908A (en) * 1980-01-29 1981-06-09 Exxon Production Research Company Tracked cable guide assembly and method for storing conductor cable inside a drill pipe
US4325438A (en) * 1980-03-24 1982-04-20 Scientific Drilling Controls Lengthening drill string containing an instrument
US4379493A (en) * 1981-05-22 1983-04-12 Gene Thibodeaux Method and apparatus for preventing wireline kinking in a directional drilling system
US4862426A (en) * 1987-12-08 1989-08-29 Cameron Iron Works Usa, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating equipment in a remote location
US5105878A (en) * 1990-02-09 1992-04-21 Sharewell, Inc. Electrical system including a connector, cable and cartridge for slant hole drilling
EP0553732A1 (fr) * 1992-01-31 1993-08-04 Baker Hughes Incorporated Procédé et appareil pour la transmission de données souterraines à la surface
US5275038A (en) * 1991-05-20 1994-01-04 Otis Engineering Corporation Downhole reeled tubing inspection system with fiberoptic cable
US5419188A (en) * 1991-05-20 1995-05-30 Otis Engineering Corporation Reeled tubing support for downhole equipment module
EP0760899A1 (fr) * 1995-03-27 1997-03-12 Charles M. Helms Dispositif et procede d'entree dans la partie superieure d'un ensemble de forage
US6655453B2 (en) * 2000-11-30 2003-12-02 Xl Technology Ltd Telemetering system
US20080000689A1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-01-03 Baker Hughes Incorporated System and method for hard line communication with mwd/lwd
US8049506B2 (en) 2009-02-26 2011-11-01 Aquatic Company Wired pipe with wireless joint transceiver
US20140090836A1 (en) * 2011-05-27 2014-04-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Safety Valve System for Cable Deployed Electric Submersible Pump

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4126848A (en) * 1976-12-23 1978-11-21 Shell Oil Company Drill string telemeter system
US4121193A (en) * 1977-06-23 1978-10-17 Shell Oil Company Kelly and kelly cock assembly for hard-wired telemetry system
US4153120A (en) * 1977-10-03 1979-05-08 Scientific Drilling Controls Change in length of drill string while instrument remains therein
FR2409610A1 (fr) * 1977-11-21 1979-06-15 Petroles Cie Francaise Connecteur electrique pour raccordement sous-marin
US4399877A (en) * 1981-04-17 1983-08-23 Nl Sperry Sun, Inc. Continuous borehole telemetry system and method
US4437515A (en) * 1981-12-21 1984-03-20 Varco International, Inc. Positioning of well pipe jack in a rig
US4534424A (en) * 1984-03-29 1985-08-13 Exxon Production Research Co. Retrievable telemetry system
GB2190410B (en) * 1986-05-16 1989-12-06 Coal Ind Telemetry system for borehole drilling
GB2231900A (en) * 1989-05-25 1990-11-28 Coal Ind Improved method and apparatus for borehole drilling
GB2377951B (en) * 2001-07-25 2004-02-04 Schlumberger Holdings Method and system for drilling a wellbore having cable based telemetry
US7589640B2 (en) * 2005-01-28 2009-09-15 Dennis Lee Bell Utility pole and tower safety and protection device

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US806516A (en) * 1905-07-20 1905-12-05 Hugh R Berry Electric-light hanger.
US1104202A (en) * 1914-01-02 1914-07-21 Martinis J Lindahl Adjustable electric-light chandelier.
US2607863A (en) * 1947-04-26 1952-08-19 Scott & Fetzer Co Extensible cord for electrical appliance
US2706616A (en) * 1951-01-12 1955-04-19 Dean W Osmun Conductor line jar
US2748358A (en) * 1952-01-08 1956-05-29 Signal Oil & Gas Co Combination oil well tubing and electrical cable construction
US3007534A (en) * 1958-07-16 1961-11-07 Jersey Prod Res Co Electric cable drum for rotary drilling
FR1244440A (fr) * 1959-09-18 1960-10-28 Câble de transmission utilisable lors du forage de puits
US3285629A (en) * 1963-12-11 1966-11-15 Roy H Cullen Methods and apparatus for mounting electrical cable in flexible drilling hose
US3253245A (en) * 1965-03-05 1966-05-24 Chevron Res Electrical signal transmission for well drilling

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3918537A (en) * 1973-07-30 1975-11-11 Exxon Production Research Co Apparatus for maintaining an electric conductor in a drill string
US3926269A (en) * 1974-03-07 1975-12-16 Cullen Res Roy H Method and apparatus for earth boring
US3957118A (en) * 1974-09-18 1976-05-18 Exxon Production Research Company Cable system for use in a pipe string and method for installing and using the same
US4016943A (en) * 1975-03-07 1977-04-12 Roy H. Cullen Method for connecting electrical conductors for electric earth boring means
US4098342A (en) * 1977-05-25 1978-07-04 Exxon Production Research Company Method and apparatus for maintaining electric cable inside drill pipe
US4143721A (en) * 1977-10-03 1979-03-13 Scientific Drilling Controls Change in length of drill string containing an instrument
DE2852575A1 (de) * 1977-12-05 1979-06-07 Serge Alexander Scherbatskoy System und verfahren zur aufzeichnung bzw. protokollierung von daten, die beim bohren in der erde gewonnen werden
US4271908A (en) * 1980-01-29 1981-06-09 Exxon Production Research Company Tracked cable guide assembly and method for storing conductor cable inside a drill pipe
WO1981002181A1 (fr) * 1980-01-29 1981-08-06 Exxon Production Research Co Guide de cable servant a stocker un cable conducteur a l'interieur d'une conduite de forage
US4325438A (en) * 1980-03-24 1982-04-20 Scientific Drilling Controls Lengthening drill string containing an instrument
US4379493A (en) * 1981-05-22 1983-04-12 Gene Thibodeaux Method and apparatus for preventing wireline kinking in a directional drilling system
US4862426A (en) * 1987-12-08 1989-08-29 Cameron Iron Works Usa, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating equipment in a remote location
US5105878A (en) * 1990-02-09 1992-04-21 Sharewell, Inc. Electrical system including a connector, cable and cartridge for slant hole drilling
US5275038A (en) * 1991-05-20 1994-01-04 Otis Engineering Corporation Downhole reeled tubing inspection system with fiberoptic cable
US5419188A (en) * 1991-05-20 1995-05-30 Otis Engineering Corporation Reeled tubing support for downhole equipment module
EP0553732A1 (fr) * 1992-01-31 1993-08-04 Baker Hughes Incorporated Procédé et appareil pour la transmission de données souterraines à la surface
US5294923A (en) * 1992-01-31 1994-03-15 Baker Hughes Incorporated Method and apparatus for relaying downhole data to the surface
EP0760899A1 (fr) * 1995-03-27 1997-03-12 Charles M. Helms Dispositif et procede d'entree dans la partie superieure d'un ensemble de forage
EP0760899A4 (fr) * 1995-03-27 1999-11-17 Specialty Rental Tools & Suppl Dispositif et procede d'entree dans la partie superieure d'un ensemble de forage
US6655453B2 (en) * 2000-11-30 2003-12-02 Xl Technology Ltd Telemetering system
US20080000689A1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-01-03 Baker Hughes Incorporated System and method for hard line communication with mwd/lwd
US8149132B2 (en) * 2006-06-30 2012-04-03 Baker Hughes Incorporated System and method for hard line communication with MWD/LWD
US8049506B2 (en) 2009-02-26 2011-11-01 Aquatic Company Wired pipe with wireless joint transceiver
US20140090836A1 (en) * 2011-05-27 2014-04-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Safety Valve System for Cable Deployed Electric Submersible Pump
US9650863B2 (en) * 2011-05-27 2017-05-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Safety valve system for cable deployed electric submersible pump

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1001149A (en) 1976-12-07
NL7308629A (fr) 1974-01-02
DK146769C (da) 1984-06-25
GB1418209A (en) 1975-12-17
DE2325161A1 (de) 1974-01-17
AU3362178A (en) 1978-06-22
JPS4952702A (fr) 1974-05-22
AU520465B2 (en) 1982-02-04
US3913688A (en) 1975-10-21
FR2191013B1 (fr) 1978-02-17
FR2191013A1 (fr) 1974-02-01
JPS5220001B2 (fr) 1977-06-01
BE801612A (fr) 1973-12-28
CA980332A (en) 1975-12-23
DK146769B (da) 1983-12-27
AU5722473A (en) 1975-01-09
NO137515C (no) 1978-03-08
NO137515B (no) 1977-11-28

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