Drill Pipe Communication Assembly for Directional Drilling Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drilling is slower and more costly than vertical drilling due to the need for electrical connections for data acquisition in directional drilling operations, which increases the completion costs of wells.
Innovation Solution
A drill-pipe communication assembly that includes a conductor extending along a drill pipe segment, with an antenna for wireless signal transmission between adjacent segments, and insulated tubes and inserts for electrical signal transmission, allowing for continuous data transmission from down-hole tools to surface equipment without obstructing the drill pipe's central space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electrical conductors are embedded into drill rods for data acquisition, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds electrical conductors and communication devices within the interior of the drill rod, nesting the data transmission system inside the existing drill rod structure. This allows the drill rod to serve dual purposes: mechanical drilling function and electrical data transmission function, thereby improving data transmission capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drill rod is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical drilling, fluid transport, and electrical data transmission. By integrating the electrical conductor and communication device within the drill rod, the system eliminates the need for separate data acquisition equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining improved data transmission capability
2Loss of information
If electrical connections are established for data acquisition in directional drilling, then data transmission is enabled, but ease of operation and drilling speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor and communication device are pre-installed within the drill rod before drilling operations begin. This preliminary setup eliminates the need to establish electrical connections during or after drilling, allowing directional drilling to proceed at normal speeds while maintaining continuous data acquisition capability throughout the operation
Solution Approach 2:
The drill rod itself serves as the data transmission medium through the embedded electrical conductor. The system is self-sufficient, requiring no external electrical connection setup during drilling operations. The communication device automatically transmits data through the pre-installed conductor, maintaining ease of operation and drilling speed while enabling continuous data acquisition
3Loss of information
If conductors are embedded in drill pipes, then data transmission continuity is improved, but manufacturing precision and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is divided into multiple drill rod segments, each containing the electrical conductor and communication device. This segmentation allows the conductor to be installed in standardized sections that can be easily assembled together, maintaining data transmission continuity across the entire drill string while reducing the precision requirements for any single segment's manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductor and communication device are integrated into specific locations within the drill rod structure where they can be easily installed and maintained. By localizing the complex electrical components to specific regions rather than requiring uniform precision throughout the entire drill rod, the system achieves continuous data transmission while reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements
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
Facilitates faster and more cost-effective data transmission during directional drilling by enabling continuous electrical signal transmission along the drill pipe, reducing overall completion costs and allowing for real-time data acquisition without interfering with the passage of fluids and tools.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna facilitates wireless transmission of signals from the first drill pipe segment to an adjacent second drill pipe segment
Implementation Method 2
The conductor facilitates transmission of electrical signals from the first end of the first drill pipe to the second end of the first drill pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A drill-pipe communication assembly includes a first drill pipe segment. A conductor extends at least partially along a length of the first drill pipe segment. An antenna is electrically coupled to the first drill pipe segment. The antenna facilitates wireless transmission of signals from the first drill pipe segment to an adjacent second drill pipe segment.