Mud Pulse Telemetry Continuous Circulation Drilling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drilling systems experience communication disruptions during the process of adding or removing equipment from the drill string, which interrupts fluid circulation and hampers real-time data transmission between the surface and downhole locations.

Innovation Solution

A mud pulse telemetry system integrated with a continuous circulation system that maintains fluid circulation and enables continuous signal communication by using pressure pulses transmitted through the drilling fluid, employing flow diverters and signal relay devices to ensure uninterrupted data exchange even when the drill string is broken.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the drill string is broken to add or remove equipment, then the drill string can be maintained and modified, but communication links are interrupted and fluid circulation is stopped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add or remove equipmentVSAvoidcommunication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flow diverter device is introduced as an intermediary component that redirects drilling fluid from the drill string to an alternative flow path during connections. This mediator allows the drill string to be broken for equipment modification while maintaining continuous fluid circulation through the alternative path, thereby preserving communication continuity without interrupting the drilling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drill string is broken to add or remove equipment, then the drill string can be maintained and modified, but fluid circulation is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add or remove equipmentVSAvoidfluid circulation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid circulation system is segmented into multiple independent paths: the primary path through the drill string and an alternative bypass path. When the drill string is broken for equipment modification, the flow diverter redirects fluid through the bypass path, ensuring that fluid circulation continues uninterrupted while allowing the drill string to be modified

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If conventional drilling systems are used, then the system is simple to operate, but communication disruptions occur during equipment changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoiddata transmission interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that both fluid circulation and data transmission continue uninterrupted during equipment changes. The flow diverter enables continuous fluid flow through the alternative path, and since mud pulse telemetry relies on this fluid flow for data transmission, communication continuity is preserved throughout the entire operation including during drill string modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 allows for real-time communication and pressure management during drilling operations, enabling efficient control of wellbore conditions and reducing the risk of pressure-related issues like kicks, while maintaining fluid circulation and data transmission integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a valve adjusts pressure in a drill pipe to cause pressure transitions within the drilling fluid within the drill pipe to transmit data over the drilling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure pulse transmission: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The valve includes a voice coil actuator for developing the pressure transitions within the drilling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3387221B1Mud pulse telemetry with continuous circulation drilling

Publication Date: 2023.02.22 BAKER HUGHES CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

A system for performing a wellbore operation while a fluid circulates in a wellbore may include a string, a fluid circulation system, a control device, The string may include at least a first tubular section and a second tubular section. Thea fluid circulating system has a first fluid path and a second fluid path, wherein only one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path circulate the fluid into the string at a specified time. The control device selects one of the first or second fluid path through which to convey the fluid into the string, at least one signal generator in hydraulic communication with the circulating fluid, the at least one signal generator configured to impart at least one pressure signal into the circulating fluid, and at least one pressure transducer in pressure communication with the circulating fluid and configured to detect the imparted at least one pressure signal, wherein the at least one signal generator and the at least one pressure transducer form a communication link, the communication link configured to convey information between at least two locations along a flow path of the circulating drilling fluid, irrespective of the fluid path selected by the control device to convey the fluid into the drill string.