US3566979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Formation marking system
Assignee: Sunoco Inc
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Filing: 1968-12-26
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1988-12-26
Abstract
Abstract The particular embodiment described herein as illustrative of one form of the invention utilizes, in a drilling system, capsules which are moved at high velocities out the eye of the drill bit to be impacted with the formation being drilled. Marking materials in the capsules are thereby embedded within the formation. In one embodiment, explosive charges fracture rock formations while the drilling operation is taking place. A radioactive substance is included in the charge for marking the formation to identify and correlate the formation material at drilling depth.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Bennett
- 👤 Stanley B Mccaleb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:03
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/007; G; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/04; G01V5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of marking and identifying earth formation materials while a drilling operation is taking place, comprising the steps of: placing an explosive device within a drill string at the surface of the well being drilled, such explosive device having a marker material therein; circulating a drilling fluid through the drill string to move the explosive device through the drill String and out the eye of a drill bit attached thereto; impacting the explosive device onto the formation being drilled to initiate and explosion; implanting exploding particles including the marking materials into the earth formation for marking the formation, such marking material having identifiable features; recording the depth at which such explosion takes place; continuing the circulation of drilling fluid to move chips of earth formation implanted with marking material to the surface; detecting at the surface, such marking material; identifying the earth formation carrying the marking material; and correlating the type of formation with the depth at which the marking material was implanted therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of marking and identifying earth formation materials while a drilling operation is taking place, comprising the steps of: placing an explosive device within a drill string at the surface of the well being drilled, such explosive device having a marker material therein; circulating a drilling fluid through the drill string to move the explosive device through the drill String and out the eye of a drill bit attached thereto; impacting the explosive device onto the formation being drilled to initiate and explosion; implanting exploding particles including the marking materials into the earth formation for marking the formation, such marking material having identifiable features; recording the depth at which such explosion takes place; continuing the circulation of drilling fluid to move chips of earth formation implanted with marking material to the surface; detecting at the surface, such marking material; identifying the earth formation carrying the marking material; and correlating the type of formation with the depth at which the marking material was implanted therein.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of identifying earth formations during a drilling operation, comprising the steps of: placing a device within a drill string at the surface of a well being drilled, applying fluid pressure to the interior of the drill string to move the device through and out the lower end of the drill string; impacting the device onto the formation being drilled; implanting particles into the earth formation for marking the formation, such particles having identifiable features; continuing the application of fluid pressure to the drill string to move the material implanted with such particles to the surface; and detecting and identifying at the surface the formation materials implanted with such particles.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of identifying earth formations during a drilling operation, comprising the steps of: placing a device within a drill string at the surface of a well being drilled, applying fluid pressure to the interior of the drill string to move the device through and out the lower end of the drill string; impacting the device onto the formation being drilled; implanting particles into the earth formation for marking the formation, such particles having identifiable features; continuing the application of fluid pressure to the drill string to move the material implanted with such particles to the surface; and detecting and identifying at the surface the formation materials implanted with such particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said device utilizes an explosive charge, and further includes the step of detonating said explosive charge at the bottom of the well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the implanted particles are a radioactive material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2868506A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |