WO2005071224A2

WO2005071224A2 - Measuring device and drilling device for deep drillings

Info

Publication number: WO2005071224A2
Application number: PCT/EP2004/014877
Authority: WO
Inventors: Magdalena Rotthäuser
Original assignee: Dtb Patente Gmbh
Priority date: 2004-01-22
Filing date: 2004-12-31
Publication date: 2005-08-04
Also published as: TNSN06230A1; BRPI0418436A; RS20060313A; DE102004003481A1; JP2007518905A; CA2544711A1; MA28297A1; EP1706584A2; DE102004003481B4; WO2005071224A3; ECSP066719A; EA200601342A1; US20070175663A1; ZA200605652B; NO20061988L; CN1906379A; AU2004314380A1; AP2006003680A0; MXPA06007946A

Abstract

The invention aims at providing fast and exact information from the drilling site during deep drillings. To this aim, a measuring device (6) having an electrically operated measuring unit is used to measure relevant data of the rock, the drilling fluid and/or the raw material to be extracted, wherein the measuring device (6) is configured to supply electric energy by means of the drill stems (3) and to transfer data to the surface equally by means of the drill stems (3).

Description

Measuring device and drilling device for deep drilling

The present invention relates to a measuring device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a drilling device according to claim 16.

EP 0 102 672 B1 discloses a measuring device for connection to a pipe string for deep drilling, with an electrically operated measuring unit for measuring relevant data, the measuring device being designed to supply electrical energy via the pipe string. The measuring device converts soil properties into electrical signals and is driven into the soil for soil investigations. Due to the arrangement of the measuring device provided at the end of the drill pipe, only known measurement data can be recorded with the known measuring device which relate to the bottom area surrounding the measuring head at the end of the drill pipe. With the known measuring device it is not possible to record measurement data above the bottom of the borehole.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a measuring device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The above object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The measuring device can in principle be provided at any point in the drill string. The measuring device can be arranged immediately after the chisel unit, so that measured values can be taken from the bottom of the borehole. The arrangement of several measuring devices in a drill string is also readily possible. To measure relevant data, the measuring device is supplied with electrical energy via the drill pipe. In the same way, the data or signal transfer from the measuring device to the surface takes place. An evaluation device is then provided above ground, the measuring device being electrically coupled to the evaluation device. The electrical coupling serves on the one hand for data or signal transfer from the measuring device to Above ground and can also be used to transfer control commands.

The measuring device has a stable outer housing for receiving and thus for protecting the individual functional units. In order to be integrated into the drill string or the drill string or to be connected to parts of the drill string, the housing has screw connections at both ends. The screw connections should preferably have an internal thread, so that the housing corresponds to a sleeve from the connection.

The functional units of the measuring device can include a converter, in particular a voltage converter, which converts the measuring signals received by the measuring unit, so that the converted signals, which may have a different frequency than the electrical energy supplied, are correctly recognized by the evaluation device. In addition, the evaluation device can also be designed such that the measurement signals are derived from the energy consumption of the measurement unit.

Depending on the application, the measuring unit can have a plurality of measuring devices for recording different data. In principle, all known methods for measurement and / or analysis can be used here, it being understood that a correspondingly robust design is provided with regard to the conditions in the borehole. In addition, the structure of the individual measuring devices can be modular, so that, if necessary, one type of measuring device can be exchanged for another type of measuring device if the measuring device is used for another application.

In principle, it is possible to provide the sensor system of the measuring unit on the outside of the housing, so that the measured values are taken from the medium flowing past the outside of the housing. However, to protect the measuring unit and in particular the sensor system or sensor, it is advisable to provide the sensor system in a flow path within the housing. In order to guide the medium to be examined past the sensor system of the measuring unit, at least one electrically operated, in flow connection with the measuring unit standing pump provided. In this context, it is then advantageous to provide an electrically operated two-way valve in connection with the measuring unit, in order to discharge the examined medium either into the annular space or into the drill pipe if necessary.

In connection with the pump described above, it makes sense to provide at least one filter and / or valves. An upstream filter can largely prevent damage to the pump and / or the sensor system. The flow path to the pump can be closed by upstream valves, which is important if, for certain reasons, no measurement is to be carried out and no medium is to get into the measuring device.

While the invention makes it possible to take measured values during drilling, it is also possible in principle to interrupt the drilling process briefly and to test the medium in the area of the bottom of the borehole d oh. For this purpose, the measuring device has an electrically, in particular electrohydraulically operated, packer. The packer is intended for dividing the annular space into a section above the packer and a section below the packer. The two sections are effectively sealed. When the packer is retracted, it does not protrude beyond the housing, or only slightly. In the extended state, the packer lies against the borehole wall. In order to achieve a quasi-sealing function, the packer has a plurality of packer segments which at least partially overlap at least in the retracted state.

In order to take a sample after the packer has been extended, it is necessary to interrupt the circulation of the drilling fluid. When the rinsing stops, floating particles that are part of the rinsing can sink and lie on the top of the packer. This can cause difficulties when the packer is retracted. To eliminate this problem, a particularly electrically operated lubricant supply device is provided above the packer, through which a layer of lubricant is applied to the top of the packer segments in the extended state or when the packer segments are extended. The lubricant layer serves on the one hand as a protective layer and on the other hand as a sliding layer, which promotes the re-entry of the packer into the housing.

If the drill hole flushing is lowered in the upper part when the packer is extended, the packer can be subjected to considerable stress. For this reason, it is provided according to the invention that the pump is designed to lower the annular space level below the packer when the packer is in the extended state. In this context, the inflow opening of the housing into the measuring device is provided below the packer, while the outflow opening in the housing is above the packer.

Because of the various control options, it is advisable to provide an electrically operated control unit for controlling the functional units as required. If necessary, the control unit is controlled from above ground via the evaluation device in which the measured values are displayed, evaluated and processed.

A generator provided above ground is usually used to supply energy to the measuring device. In order to ensure the functioning of the measuring device even in the event of malfunctions of the generator, the measuring device has an energy store for an emergency power supply. Ultimately, this is an accumulator provided in the housing.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawing. It shows

1 is a schematic view of a drill pipe placed in a borehole,

2 is a schematic view of the pipe end of a drill pipe,

3 is a schematic view of part of a sleeve,

4 is a cross-sectional view of part of a drill pipe; 5 is a detailed view of part of a drill pipe,

6 is a detailed view of a sleeve,

Fig. 7 is a schematic partial view of a drill pipe screwed into a sleeve and

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a measuring device according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, a drilling device 1 is shown schematically. The drilling device 1 has a drilling head 2 arranged above ground and a drill pipe 3, which is located in a borehole 4 in the drilling state. At the lower end of the drill pipe 3 there is a chisel unit 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown, there is a measuring device 6 directly above the chisel unit 5, which is connected via a conductor 7 to an evaluation device 8 located above ground. The measuring device 6 makes it possible to record measured values during drilling, which can then be evaluated directly via the evaluation device 8.

In the present case, the drill pipe 3 itself is composed of a large number of alternately arranged drill pipes 10 and sleeves 11. Drill pipes 10 of the type in question can have a length of up to 10 m and longer, while drill pipes 3 for deep drilling can have a length of several thousand meters.

A part of a drill pipe 10 is shown in FIG. 2 and in a detailed representation according to FIG. 4. The drill pipe 10 has a drill pipe body 12 made of electrically conductive material. It is now provided that at least one electrical pipe conductor 7a is passed through the drill pipe body 12 and is connected at the end, at both ends, to a pipe contact connection 13 provided on the drill pipe body 12, the pipe conductor 7a and the pipe contact connection 13 opposite the pipe pipe body 12 are electrically isolated. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, the pipe conductor 7a is fixed on the inside 14 of the pipe. For this purpose, a longitudinal groove 15 for the pipe conductor 7a is provided on the inside of the pipe 14. In the present case, the groove 15 is dovetailed tail-shaped. In principle, however, any other groove shape is also possible. The groove 15 runs parallel to the central axis of the drill pipe 10. In the present case, the depth of the groove 15 is greater than the outer diameter of the pipe 7a. The pipe conductor 7a is held in the groove 15 via an insulation 16. In addition to its fastening function, the insulation 16 also has an electrically insulating function. In addition to the insulation 16, the pipe conductor 7a has a conductor insulation 17 which extends over the entire length of the pipe conductor 7a. As can further be seen from FIG. 4, an electrical insulation layer 18 is vapor-deposited on the entire inside of the pipe 14, which also covers the groove 15 and thus the pipe conductor 7a. The insulation layer 18 is applied to the entire inside of the pipe 14.

The pipe contact connection 13 is provided on the end face 19 of the pipe end of the drill pipe 10. It goes without saying that a corresponding pipe contact connection 13 is provided at both ends of the drill pipe body 12, even if this is not dealt with in more detail below. The pipe contact connection 13 is circumferential and has the shape of a contact ring. Otherwise, the pipe contact connection 13 is arranged on an insulation ring 20 resting on the end face 19. The insulation ring 20, which consists of an elastic material, has an annular groove 21 for receiving the pipe contact connection 13. The annular groove 21 is deeper than the height of the pipe contact connection 13.

Otherwise, the pipe contact connection 13 is spring-loaded in the direction away from the end face 19, namely in the direction of the sleeve 11 to be connected to the drill pipe 10.

At both pipe ends of the drill pipe 10 there is a pin 22 on which an external thread 23 is provided. Between the pin 22 with the external thread 23 there is a step 24, which at its end merges into the tube outside 25. At the transition from step 24 to external thread 23 there is a circumferential seal 26, which in the present case is an O-ring. Instead of the seal 26 or in addition to this, an annular seal can be arranged on the step 24. A part of a sleeve 11 is shown in FIG. 4 and in the detailed representation according to FIG. 6. The sleeve 11 has a sleeve body 27 made of electrically conductive material. An electrical sleeve conductor 7b is passed through the sleeve body 27 and is connected at the end, at both ends of the sleeve body 27, to sleeve contact connections 28, even if this is not shown in detail. The socket conductor 7b and the socket contact connections 28 are electrically insulated from the socket body 27.

The socket conductor 7b is fixed on the inside of the socket 29. For this purpose, a longitudinal groove 30 is provided on the inside of the sleeve 29 of the sleeve body 27. The groove 30 is formed in the same way as the groove 15. Otherwise, the groove 30 runs parallel to the central axis of the sleeve 11. It is not shown that the sleeve conductor 7b is cast into the groove 30 via insulation and is otherwise covered by a conductor insulation , Furthermore, an electrical insulation layer 31, which also covers the socket conductor 7b, is vapor-deposited on the inside of the socket 29 as well as on the inside of the pipe 14.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 6, the socket contact connection 28 is provided on an end shoulder 32. The shoulder 32 is located between the internal thread 33 and the inside of the socket 29. The socket contact connection 28 is formed all the way round and is arranged on an insulation ring 20 resting on the shoulder 32. The type and structure of the insulation ring 20 corresponds to the insulation ring 20 provided on the drill pipe 10, that is to say it has an annular groove 21 for receiving the socket contact connection 28, the annular groove 21 being deeper than the height of the socket contact connection 28. Otherwise, the socket contact connection 28 is in the direction of the shoulder 32 spring loaded away. The spring loading can be designed with respect to the contact connections 13, 28 such that one or a plurality of springs, for example small helical compression springs, act on the respective underside of the contact connection. Furthermore, spring tongues can be provided on the respective contact connection. The spring tongues can in principle be directed inwards and / or outwards, spring tongues pointing outwards then projecting beyond the actual contact connection and being able to effect the electrical contact. In the present case, there is a circumferential seal 35 on the outer end face 34 of the sleeve body 27. The outer end face 34 is located between the internal thread 33 and the sleeve outside 36.

The drill pipes 10 and sleeves 11 described in the previously formed manner in connection with the pipe conductors 7a and sleeve conductors 7b result in a two-pole energy and data transmission system via the drill pipe 3. The one pole is formed by the drill pipe body, which consists of the drill pipe bodies 12 and the sleeve bodies 27, while the other pole is formed by the conductor 7, which is composed of the pipe conductors 7a and the sleeve conductors 7b and the contact connections 13 and 28. The system according to the invention also has the advantage that the drill pipe 3 and thus the two poles can be extended as desired, since the electrical connection via the contact connections 13, 28 on the one hand and the material of the drill pipe body can be achieved by screwing a drill pipe 10 with a sleeve 11 12 and the sleeve body 27 on the other hand results.

The energy is fed in or data is taken from the conductor 7 via a slip ring collector (not shown), which is provided on the first drill pipe 10. The slip ring collector is connected to the pipe conductor 7a and insulated from the drill pipe body 12. The slip ring collector is in turn connected to the evaluation device 8, while the drill rod body forms the ground connection.

8 shows a schematic illustration of the measuring device 6. In the present case, the measuring device 6 is connected to the last drill pipe 10 of the drill pipe 3. In the present case, the measuring device 6 has an electrically operated measuring unit 40 with which it is possible to measure relevant data about the state of the rock, the drilling fluid or the raw material to be extracted. The measuring device 6 is supplied with electrical energy via the conductor 7 described above. It goes without saying that the measuring device 6 has a contact connection corresponding to the contact connections 13, 28 and a continuation of the conductor 7, even if this is not shown in detail. The measuring device 6 has an outer housing 41 in which the measuring unit 40 and further functional units, which will be discussed in more detail below, are accommodated. For connection to the drill string and the chisel unit 5, the housing 41 has screw connections 42, 43 at both ends thereof. The screw connections 42, 43 correspond to those of the sleeve 11. However, it should be pointed out that it is in principle also possible to provide other screw connections, in particular also those with an external thread. Ultimately, it is only crucial that the measuring device 6 can be integrated into the drill pipe 3.

The measuring device 6 has a converter 44 for converting measurement signals received via the measuring unit 40 for subsequent transfer to the evaluation device 8. It is not shown that the measuring unit 40 can have a plurality of different measuring devices for recording the most varied data of the medium in question. The individual measuring devices should have a modular structure, so that it is possible to replace measuring devices if necessary. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensors or the measurement sensors are provided in the flow path 45 within the housing 41. In principle, however, it is also possible for the measured value recorders to be directed outward into the annular space via external openings in the housing 41.

Furthermore, an electrically operated pump 46 is provided, which supplies the medium to be examined via the flow path 45 to the measuring unit 40. An electrically operated valve unit 47 with at least one two-way valve is provided above the measuring unit 40 in order to discharge the examined medium into the annular space or via the drill pipe 3, if necessary. For this purpose, corresponding outflow openings 48 are provided in the housing 41. In the present case, at least one filter 49 and one valve unit 50 are connected upstream of the pump 46. The valve unit 50 serves to close the inflow openings 51 provided in the housing 41.

An electrohydraulic packer 52 is also provided. The packer 52 has a plurality of packer segments, not shown in detail. In the retracted state of the packer 52, which is shown in FIG. 8, the packer segments overlap at least partially. The packer 52 as a whole is constructed in such a way that it separates the annular space in an upper and lower part in the extended state and at least essentially seals these sections. Immediately above the packer 52 is a lubricant supply device 53 which serves to apply a layer of lubricant to the top of the packer segments in the extended state. The lubricant supply device 53 can be operated electrically or else mechanically. The mechanically operated lubricant supply is preferably mechanically coupled to the packer 52 in that the lubricant supply is actuated when the packer segments are extended.

Furthermore, the measuring device 6 in the present case has a control unit 54 for controlling the individual functional units as required and an energy store 55.

Moreover, it goes without saying that the aforementioned functional units do not necessarily have to be arranged in the order shown. If the function of the measuring device 6 is not called into question, other arrangements can also be selected. It should be noted, however, that the packer 52 is located between the lower inlet openings 51 and the upper outflow openings 48, so that it is possible to lower the annular space level below the extended packer 52 by means of the pump 46.

Otherwise, there is a strand section forming the flow path 45 in the housing 41, which has a passage opening which communicates with the drill pipe 3 or the opening therein and the chisel unit 5. The outflow openings 48 and the inflow openings 51 also communicate with the line section forming the flow path 45. At the end of the line section there is a non-return flap 56 closing the through opening. This has an electric drive (not shown).

It is not shown in detail that the individual functional units of the

Measuring device 6 are electrically connected to the two poles described above, so that an electrical power supply and, insofar as Measuring unit 40 or the control unit 54 are affected, data exchange with the evaluation device 8 is possible.

Instead of the previously described embodiment, in which the drill string in the housing 41 of the measuring device 6 is open, it is in principle also possible for the measuring device 6 to have a through-tube section which is either on both sides or at one end with the drill pipe and at the other end with the Chisel unit 5 is connected. For the analysis, the medium is then led through corresponding flow paths through the housing and also past the measuring unit 40. In this case too, it can be provided that the medium that has already been measured is either released into a drill string or into the annular space. A corresponding valve unit opening into the drill string is required in this case.

The invention makes it possible to continuously measure the state of the medium in the borehole before, during and after drilling. The data can be evaluated in the evaluation device 8 immediately. For example, hydrological changes during drilling are recognized immediately and testing is also possible immediately. For this purpose, in the embodiment shown, the non-return flap 56 closes off the drill pipe while the packer 52 is being extended. The pump 46 then requests the medium after the outflow openings 48 have been closed by means of the valve unit 47 through the drill string to the surface.

Claims

claims:

1. Measuring device (6) for connection to a drill pipe (3) for deep drilling, with an electrically operated measuring unit (40) for measuring relevant data relating to the mountains, the drilling fluid and or the raw material to be extracted, the measuring device (6) for supplying electrical energy via the drill pipe (3) and for data transfer to the surface also via the drill pipe (3), characterized in that an outer housing (41) of the measuring device (6) with at least one inflow opening (51) and at least one outflow opening (48) is provided and that the housing (41) has screw connections at both ends for connection to the drill pipe (3) and / or the chisel device (5).

2. Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device (6) is assigned a surface-mounted evaluation device (8) and that the measuring device (6) with the evaluation device (8) is electrically coupled.

3. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a converter (44), in particular a voltage converter, is provided for converting measurement signals for subsequent transmission to the evaluation device (8) and / or that the evaluation device (8) is designed in such a way that the measurement signals are derived from the energy consumption of the measuring unit (40).

4. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring unit (40) if necessary has a plurality of in particular modular measuring devices for recording different data.

5. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transducers of the measuring unit (40) are directed into a flow path (45) within the housing (41).

6. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrically operated, in flow connection with the measuring unit (40) standing pump (46) is provided to supply the medium to be examined to the measuring unit (40).

7. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically operated valve unit is provided in order to discharge the examined medium, if necessary, into the annular space or the drill pipe.

8. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump (46) at least one filter (49) and / or valves (50) are connected upstream.

9. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically operated, in particular electrohydraulic packer (52) is provided.

10. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packer (52) has a plurality of packer segments which at least partially overlap at least in the retracted state.

11. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an in particular electrically operated lubricant supply device (53) is provided for applying a lubricant layer to the top of the packer in the extended state or when the packer is extended.

12. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically operated control unit (44) is provided for controlling the functional units as required.

13. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an energy store (55) is provided in the housing (41).

14. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflow opening (51) of the housing (41) below the packer (52) and the outflow opening (48) above the packer (52) is provided.

15. Measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the housing (41) with the drill pipe (3) communicating strand section with through opening is provided and that, preferably, the strand section is assigned a check valve (56) closing the through opening ,

16. Drilling device (1) for deep drilling, with a drill pipe (3), with at least one measuring device (6) according to one of the preceding claims and with an evaluation device (8) which is electrically coupled to the measuring device (6) and is arranged above the surface.

17. Drilling device according to claim 16, characterized in that a chisel unit (5) is provided and that the measuring device (6) is connected at its lower end to the chisel unit (5).