Magnetometer Drill Pipe Joint Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling technologies face challenges in accurately locating drill pipe connections in the vicinity of blind shear rams and casing shear rams during offshore drilling operations, leading to difficulties in sealing the well and preventing blowouts, especially due to the increased wall thickness of drill pipe connections which conventional shear rams cannot cut.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing magnetometers deployed in the drilling riser to detect and determine the axial and lateral positions of drill pipe joints relative to the blind shear rams and casing shear rams, allowing for precise positioning to avoid connections during sealing operations, thereby enhancing operational safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shear rams are used to cut the drill pipe, then the well can be sealed, but the drill pipe connection cannot be cut due to increased wall thickness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell sealing capabilityVSAvoiddrill pipe connection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic detection system performs preliminary identification of drill pipe connection locations before the well control operation. By detecting the magnetic signature of connections in advance, the system enables operators to position the drill string such that connections are located away from the shear ram cutting zone, preventing the harmful effect of inability to cut connections while maintaining the ability to seal the well

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If drill pipe connections are located in the path of blind shear rams, then sealing is compromised, but locating connections accurately is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidconnection location detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical detection methods with magnetic field-based detection. Magnetic detectors sense the magnetic signature of drill pipe connections without mechanical contact, enabling accurate location determination of connections relative to the shear ram position. This substitution provides the measurement precision needed to ensure connections are positioned safely away from the cutting zone while maintaining sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system effectively improves operational safety by accurately locating drill pipe joints, enabling safer and more reliable well control by ensuring that drill pipe connections are not in the path of shear rams, thus preventing blowouts and enhancing the accuracy of well sealing.

Implementation Method 1

At least one magnetometer is deployed on the bore. A processor is in electronic communication with the magnetometer and is configured to process magnetic field measurements made by the magnetometer to determine at least one of an axial position and a lateral position of the drill pipe joint.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10100633B2Magnetic detection of drill pipe connections

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A system for determining a location of a drill pipe joint deployed in a bore includes at least one magnetometer deployed on the bore. A processor is in electronic communication with the magnetometer and is configured to process magnetic field measurements made by the magnetometer to determine at least one of an axial position and a lateral position of the drill pipe joint.