Memory Logging Drill Bit With Connectable Pulser

Abstract

The present invention discloses a novel drill bit system 100 having sealed chambers 330 located on the bit body 300. Batteries 350 and an electrical circuit board 352 are located in the chambers 330, including electronic data storage and sensors 354. An internal network of passages 332 connects the chambers 330. Data from the sensors 354 is stored on the data storage unit 352. A removable compact pulser 500 is locatable inside the bit body 300. The motor 522 of the pulser 500 is connectable to the circuit board 352 and batteries 350 through a portal 532 that passes through a centralizer fin 530 and aligns with an internal portal 334 connecting the interior of the bit body 300 to the interior of a sealed chamber 330. Drill bit 100 may be configured as a conventional drill bit, as a memory logging drill bit, or as an MWD drill bit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a new tool for use in subterranean exploration. In particular, the invention relates to a drill bit having an integral downhole data collection system having selectable on-board sensors and a centralized compact and removable pulser locatable internal to the drill bit. The new system has unique capabilities, functions and operations which are improvements over the known measurement-while-drilling (MWD) and logging-while-drilling (LWD) systems. The present invention provides rapid at the drill bit data collection and communication.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the exploration of oil, gas, and geothermal energy, drilling operations are used to create boreholes, or wells, in the earth. In many locations, the law requires creation of a log, or record, indicating the precise disposition of the descending wellbore. For vertical wellbores, inclination is usually the only required measurement of the path of the wellbor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Previous field tests have shown it is possible to acquire data that can help determine equivalent circulating density o

Problems solved by technology

Technological and economic barriers have prevented the development of an acceptable tool for measuring and recording this data at positions near to the bit.

Likewise, there is no commercially available means for real time transmission of such data to the rig floor, where it could be used to optimize the parameters of the well being drilled and potentially avoid catastrophic failure of the drill bit and well.

A principal disadvantage of conventional logging-while-drilling and measurement-while-drilling systems is that they must be mounted away from the drill bit.

This reduces the accuracy of the measurements taken and fails to provide near bit data for analysis.

Prior art tool configurations that attempt to do this have failed to meet the economic and reliability requirements necessary to achieve commercial application.

The harsh drilling environment, length and complexity of logging, and pulsing equipment have prevented efforts to accomplish this goal in the past.

In particular, it has proven impractical to separate the drill bit from the mud motor by more than approximately 36 inches, and thus not possible to accommodate a lengthy MWD tool section below the mud motor.

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