Abstract The rate of penetration of a drill bit and associated drill string used in drilling oil and gas wells is monitored and the resulting output signal activates an alarm whenever the rate of penetration exceeds a predetermined level. The depth of penetration is also monitored during the time that the rate of penetration is excessive and when the depth interval during such time exceeds a given number of feet, a second alarm is sounded. When the depth interval during the excessive rate of penetration is greater than a second predetermined number of feet, a signal is sent to the drawworks which takes the weight off the bit. Means are also provided for resetting the depth counting mechanisms whenever either of the depth interval circuits have counted to less than their predetermined capacity whenever the rate of penetration has diminished to a point which is less than the predetermined excessive level. In an alternative embodiment, predetermined time intervals are used instead of depth intervals.
Inventors
👤 P Griffin
👤 M Sharki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-24 21:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B45/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for monitoring the rate of penetration of a drill bit in drilling an oil and gas well and for manipulating the drawworks associated with said drill bit in a manner functionally related to said monitored rate of penetration, comprising: means for monitoring the rate of penetration of a drill bit in an earth formation and for generating a signal functionally related to said rate of penetration; and means responsive to said signal for manipulating the drawworks associated with said drill bit to reduce the weight on said drill bit as a function of said rate of penetration being higher than a predetermined level during a first predetermined interval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for monitoring the rate of penetration of a drill bit in drilling an oil and gas well and for manipulating the drawworks associated with said drill bit in a manner functionally related to said monitored rate of penetration, comprising: means for monitoring the rate of penetration of a drill bit in an earth formation and for generating a signal functionally related to said rate of penetration; and means responsive to said signal for manipulating the drawworks associated with said drill bit to reduce the weight on said drill bit as a function of said rate of penetration being higher than a predetermined level during a first predetermined interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined interval comprises a time interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined interval comprises a depth interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 1 including in addition thereto means for activating a first alarm in response to said rate of penetration being higher than said predetermined level during a second predetermined interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 4, including in addition thereto, means for activating a second alarm in response to said rate of penetration being higher than said predetermined level during said first predetermined interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said second interval precedes said first interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said first predetermined interval is greater than said second predetermined interval.