Bidirectional Drill String Telemetry for High-Rate Drilling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mud pulse telemetry in drilling operations is limited by slow communication, low data rates, and marginal reliability, particularly in extended reach boreholes and underbalanced drilling conditions, and lacks bidirectional control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional drill string telemetry system using inductively coupled wired drill pipes with repeaters and wireless coupling, enabling high-data-rate transmission of measurement and control signals between downhole and surface equipment, including a hybrid telemetry system combining wired, electrical, and wireless media for real-time communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mud pulse telemetry is used for communication while drilling, then the system can transmit data between downhole equipment and surface, but the communication speed is slow and data rate is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mud pulse telemetry system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. The downhole tool includes a transmitter that converts measurement signals into electromagnetic waves, which are then transmitted through the drill string and received by a surface receiver. This substitution of mechanical pressure pulses with electromagnetic waves enables significantly higher data rates and communication speeds while maintaining reliability through digital signal processing and error correction techniques.
2Productivity
If mud pulse telemetry is used, then data can be transmitted at about 12 bits per second, but this rate is insufficient to send all data gathered by LWD tool string
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the low-speed mud pulse mechanical system with a high-speed electromagnetic wireless transmission system capable of transmitting data at rates sufficient to handle all measurements from comprehensive LWD tool strings. The electromagnetic system allows for multi-bit per second transmission, enabling the system to accommodate multiple sensors and measurement parameters simultaneously without increasing tool string complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless electromagnetic communication system provides universal compatibility with various LWD tool configurations. The system can transmit multiple types of data (formation measurements, tool status, drilling parameters) simultaneously through multiplexing techniques, making it adaptable to different tool string configurations without requiring separate communication channels for each measurement type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mud pulse telemetry is used, then communication can occur in extended reach boreholes, but the system fails underbalanced drilling employing gases or foamed drilling fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mud pulse mechanical system that relies on drilling fluid pressure transmission with an electromagnetic field-based wireless system. This substitution eliminates dependence on drilling fluid properties, allowing the telemetry system to function reliably in challenging conditions including extended reach boreholes, underbalanced drilling with gases, and foamed drilling fluids where mud pulse transmission would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental transmission parameter from mechanical pressure pulses (dependent on fluid density and pressure) to electromagnetic wave frequency and amplitude. This parameter change enables the system to operate independently of drilling fluid composition, allowing adaptive function across diverse drilling conditions including gaseous and foamed fluids where traditional mud pulse telemetry cannot operate.
4Productivity
If acoustic telemetry is used, then data rates are about an order of magnitude higher than mud pulse, but noise is a problem and it has not become commercially available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic wave transmission through the drill string with electromagnetic field transmission. This substitution eliminates the noise interference problems inherent in acoustic telemetry, as electromagnetic signals are not susceptible to the same types of acoustic interference and attenuation. The wireless electromagnetic system provides higher data rates while maintaining signal integrity in the noisy drilling environment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides substantially real-time, high-data-rate bidirectional communication, enhancing measurement and control operations during drilling, enabling improved decision-making and optimizing drilling parameters, even in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
inductively coupled wired drill pipes
Implementation Method 2
wireless coupling
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure has application for use in conjunction with an operation of drilling an earth borehole using: a drilling rig, a drill string having its generally upper end mechanically coupleable with and suspendable from the drilling rig, and a bottom hole assembly adjacent the lower end the drill string, the bottom hole assembly including a drill bit at its lower end. A method is set forth for obtaining information about at least one parameter sensed at the bottom hole assembly, including the following steps: providing at least one measuring device in the bottom hole assembly, the at least one measuring device producing measurement data representative of a measured condition at the bottom hole assembly; providing an uphole processor system at the earth's surface; providing a drill string telemetry system coupled with the at least one measuring device and coupled with the uphole processor system; and transmitting the data from the measuring device to the uphole processor system via the drill string telemetry system.