US3777560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for measuring the rate of penetration in well drilling
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract New and improved methods and apparatus exemplifying the present invention are disclosed herein for measuring at the surface the changes in total elongation of a drill string due to variations in the tensional forces acting thereon during a typical well drilling operation, measuring the changes in the total length of the drill string as it is moved into and out of the borehole at the surface, and uniquely combining these measurements for producing an output signal which is representative of the changes in the borehole depth as well as converting the combined measurements for producing another output signal which is representative of the actual rate of penetration of a drill bit coupled to the drill string.
Inventors
- 👤 J Guignard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:43
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B45/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for determining the rate of advancement into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively measuring the downward incremental displacments of the surface end of said drill string being moved into said borehole while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for producing a series of first electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental increase to the length of said drill string in said borehole; successively measuring the incremental changes in tensional forces acting on said drill string while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations and converting said force changes to correspondiNg increments of length of alternatively producing either a series of second electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental elongation of said drill string or a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental contraction of said drill string; comparing the total of said first and second electrical pulses occurring during a time interval after the occurrence of one of said third electrical pulses with the total of said third electrical pulses occurring during said time interval; once the total of said first and second electrical pulses counted during said time interval equal the total of said third electrical pulses counted during said time interval, successively processing said first and second electrical pulses for producing a series of electrical output pulses respectively corresponding to a net incremental increase in the overall length of said drill string until the occurrence of another one of said third electrical pulses; and successively converting said output pulses to a signal representative of the rate of downward advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations during a selected time interval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for determining the rate of advancement into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively measuring the downward incremental displacments of the surface end of said drill string being moved into said borehole while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for producing a series of first electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental increase to the length of said drill string in said borehole; successively measuring the incremental changes in tensional forces acting on said drill string while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations and converting said force changes to correspondiNg increments of length of alternatively producing either a series of second electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental elongation of said drill string or a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental contraction of said drill string; comparing the total of said first and second electrical pulses occurring during a time interval after the occurrence of one of said third electrical pulses with the total of said third electrical pulses occurring during said time interval; once the total of said first and second electrical pulses counted during said time interval equal the total of said third electrical pulses counted during said time interval, successively processing said first and second electrical pulses for producing a series of electrical output pulses respectively corresponding to a net incremental increase in the overall length of said drill string until the occurrence of another one of said third electrical pulses; and successively converting said output pulses to a signal representative of the rate of downward advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations during a selected time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: totalizing said output pulses for providing an indication of the actual depth of said drill bit in said borehole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
253 words
Apparatus adapted for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating such formations and comprising: displacement-responsive means adapted for producing a series of first electrical pulses respectively corresponding to a downward movement of an incremental length of a drill string into a borehole during a drilling operation; elongation-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either a series of sound electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental elongation of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation or a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental contraction of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation; processing means operatively coupled to said displacement-responsive means and to said elongation-responsive means and adapted to respond to said electrical pulses produced thereby for providing a series of electrical output pulses respectively corresponding to a net incremental increase in the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation so long as the total number of said first and second electrical pulses produced during a selected time interval exceeds the total number of said third electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval; and converting means operatively coupled to said processing means and adapted to respond to said output pulses for providing an output signal representative of the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit while drilling a borehole during said selected time interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
253 words
Apparatus adapted for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating such formations and comprising: displacement-responsive means adapted for producing a series of first electrical pulses respectively corresponding to a downward movement of an incremental length of a drill string into a borehole during a drilling operation; elongation-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either a series of sound electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental elongation of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation or a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental contraction of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation; processing means operatively coupled to said displacement-responsive means and to said elongation-responsive means and adapted to respond to said electrical pulses produced thereby for providing a series of electrical output pulses respectively corresponding to a net incremental increase in the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation so long as the total number of said first and second electrical pulses produced during a selected time interval exceeds the total number of said third electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval; and converting means operatively coupled to said processing means and adapted to respond to said output pulses for providing an output signal representative of the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit while drilling a borehole during said selected time interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said processing means provides said output pulses by directing said first and second electrical pulses to said converting means whenever the total number of said first and second electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval exceeds the total number of said third electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including: totalizing means operatively coupled to said processing means and adapted to respond to said output pulses for providing a signal representative of the actual depth of such a drill bit in a borehole during said selected time interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said processing means include: reversible pulse-counting means having an addition input, a subtraction input, and an output and operatively arranged for alternatively providing a first gate-control signal at said output whenever pulses are received by one of said inputs and providing A second gate-control signal at said output so long as the number of pulses received by said one input exceeds the number of pulses received by the other of said inputs, means adapted for coupling said third electrical pulses to said one pulse-counting means input, and gating means adapted to receive said first and second electrical pulses and having a first output for directing said first and second electrical pulses as said output pulses to said converting means in response to said first gate-control signal and a second output for directing said first and second electrical pulses to said other pulse-counting means input in response to said second gate-control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said processing means include: reversible pulse-counting means having an addition input, a subtraction input, and an output and operatively arranged for alternatively providing a first gate-control signal at said output for a predetermined state of said pulse-counting means and providing a second gate-control signal at said output for another predetermined state of said pulse-counting means, means adapted for coupling said third electrical pulses to one of said inputs of said pulse-counting means, and gating means adapted to receive said first and second electrical pulses and having a first output for directing said first and second electrical pulses as said output pulses to said converting means in response to said first gate-control signal and a second output for directing said first and second electrical pulses to the other of said inputs of said pulse-counting means in response to said second gate-control signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said converting means include circuit means adapted for determining the frequency of said output pulses during said selected time interval to provide said output signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said displacement-responsive means are further adapted for alternatively producing a series of fourth electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental decrease in the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation; and said processing means are adapted for providing said output pulses so long as the total number of said first and second electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval exceeds the total number of said third and fourth electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said elongation-responsive means include: tension-responsive means adapted to be coupled to a drill string and responsive to tension variations therein for producing electrical signals representative of increases and decreases of the overall length of such a drill string; and signal-differentiating means coupled to said tension-responsive means and adapted to receive said electrical signals as well as first and second comparison signals of selected equal magnitude for alternatively producing said second electrical pulses only so long as the magnitude of said electrical signals is greater than the magnitude of said first comparison signal and producing said third electrical pulses only so long as the magnitude of said electrical signals is less than the magnitude of said second comparison signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
271 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrical signals are analog voltages and said signal-differentiating means include: first signal-comparison means having a first input coupled to said tension-responsive means for receiving said electrical signals therefrom, a second input adapted for receiving feedback signals for comparison with said electrical signals, and an output adapted for providing output signals representative of the differences between signals applied to said first and second inputs; second signal-comparison means having a first signal input coupled to said output of said first signal-comparison means for receiving said output signals therefrom, second and third signal inputs respectively adapted for receiving said First and second comparison signals, a first signal output adapted for providing a first output signal so long as signals applied to said first signal input exceed said first comparison signal, and a second signal output adapted for providing a second output signal so long as signals applied to said first signal input are less than said second comparison signal; pulse-generating means coupled to said first and second signal outputs and responsive to said first and second output signals for alternatively producing said second and third electrical pulses; and feedback means coupled between said pulse-generating means and said second input of said first signal-comparison means and adapted for regulating said first signal-comparison means to discontinue the production of said second and third electrical pulses whenever either the total number of either said second pulses or the total number of said third pulses produced during said selected time interval equal the total elongation or contraction during said selected time interval of a drill string coupled to said tension-responsive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
264 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrical signals are analog voltages and said signal-differentiating means include: first signal-comparison means having a first input coupled to said tension-responsive means for receiving said electrical signals therefrom, a second input adapted for receiving feedback signals for comparison with said electrical signals, and an output adapted for providing output signals representative of the differences between signals applied to said first and second inputs; second signal-comparison means having a first signal input coupled to said output of said first signal-comparison means for receiving said output signals therefrom, second and third signal inputs respectively adapted for receiving said first and second comparison signals, a first signal output adapted for providing a first output signal so long as signals applied to said first signal input exceed said first comparison signal, and a second signal output adapted for providing a second output signal so long as signals applied to said first signal input are less than said second comparison signal; pulse-generating means coupled to said first and second signal outputs and responsive to said first and second output signals for alternatively producing said second and third electrical pulses; and feedback means coupled between said pulse-generating means and said second input of said first signal-comparison means and adapted for regulating said first signal-comparison means by producing second analog voltages equal to said first-mentioned analog voltages to discontinue the production of said second and third electrical pulses whenever the total number of said second pulses less the total number of said third pulses produced during said selected time interval represents said analog voltage.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for determining at least one function representative of the penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into said borehole from the surface while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for deriving a first signal proportional to successive increases in the overall length of said drill string in said borehole; successively determining the incremental changes in the overall length of said drill string due to variations in tensional forces acting thereon for alternatively deriving either a second signal proportional to successive elongational increases in the overall length of said drill string or a third signal proportional to successive contractional decreases in the overall length of said drill string; and alternatively combining said first and second signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in the length of said drill string upon further advancement of said drilL bit into said earth formations and combining said first and second signals with said third signal upon each occurrence of said third signal for selectively discontinuing further transmission of said output signal and then algebraically summing said combined signals only so long as the summation of further length increases respectively represented by subsequently-occurring first and second signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third signals.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for determining at least one function representative of the penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into said borehole from the surface while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for deriving a first signal proportional to successive increases in the overall length of said drill string in said borehole; successively determining the incremental changes in the overall length of said drill string due to variations in tensional forces acting thereon for alternatively deriving either a second signal proportional to successive elongational increases in the overall length of said drill string or a third signal proportional to successive contractional decreases in the overall length of said drill string; and alternatively combining said first and second signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in the length of said drill string upon further advancement of said drilL bit into said earth formations and combining said first and second signals with said third signal upon each occurrence of said third signal for selectively discontinuing further transmission of said output signal and then algebraically summing said combined signals only so long as the summation of further length increases respectively represented by subsequently-occurring first and second signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said incremental length changes are determined by measuring incremental changes in tensional forces imposed on said drill string, and multiplying said incremental force changes by a co-efficient representative of the rate of elongation and said overall length of said drill string.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 further including the step of: averaging said output signal over a selected time interval for determining the rate of penetration of said drill bit during said selected time interval.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 further including the step of: totalizing said output signal over a selected time interval for determining the total downward advancement of said drill bit during said selected time interval.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
326 words
A method for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into and out of said borehole from the surface during a selected time interval while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for alternatively deriving either a first signal proportional to successive increases in the overall length of said drill string in said borehole during said selected time interval or a second signal proportional to successive decreases in the overall length in said borehole during said selected time interval; successively determining the incremental changes in the overall length of said drill string due to variations in tensional forces acting thereon during said selected time interval for alternatively deriving either a third signal proportional to successive elongational increases in the overall length of said drill string during said selected time interval or a fourth signal proportional to successive contractional decreases in the overall length of said drill string during said selected time interval; alternatively combining said first and third signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in the length of said drill string upon further advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations during said selected time interval and combining said first and third signals with said second and fourth signals upon each occurrence of either of said second and fourth signals for selectively discontinuing transmission of said output signal and then algebraically summing said combined signals only so long as the summation of further length increases respectively represented by subsequently-occurring first and third signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring second and fourth signals; and averaging said output signal over said selected time interval for determining the rate of penetration of said drill bit during said selected time interval.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
326 words
A method for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into and out of said borehole from the surface during a selected time interval while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for alternatively deriving either a first signal proportional to successive increases in the overall length of said drill string in said borehole during said selected time interval or a second signal proportional to successive decreases in the overall length in said borehole during said selected time interval; successively determining the incremental changes in the overall length of said drill string due to variations in tensional forces acting thereon during said selected time interval for alternatively deriving either a third signal proportional to successive elongational increases in the overall length of said drill string during said selected time interval or a fourth signal proportional to successive contractional decreases in the overall length of said drill string during said selected time interval; alternatively combining said first and third signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in the length of said drill string upon further advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations during said selected time interval and combining said first and third signals with said second and fourth signals upon each occurrence of either of said second and fourth signals for selectively discontinuing transmission of said output signal and then algebraically summing said combined signals only so long as the summation of further length increases respectively represented by subsequently-occurring first and third signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring second and fourth signals; and averaging said output signal over said selected time interval for determining the rate of penetration of said drill bit during said selected time interval.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 further including the step of: totalizing said output signal over said selected time interval for determining the total downward advancement of said drill bit during said selected time interval.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
299 words
A method for determining the rate of advancement into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively measuring the incremental displacements of the surface end of said drill string in relation to said borehole for alternatively producing either a series of first electrical pulses reSpectively corresponding to an incremental increase to the length of said drill string in said borehole or a series of second electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental decrease in the length of said drill string; successively measuring the incremental changes in tensional forces acting on said drill string while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations and converting said force changes to corresponding increments of length for alternatively producing either a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental elongation of said drill string or a series of fourth electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental contraction of said drill string; comparing the total of said first and third electrical pulses occurring during a time interval following the occurrence of one of said second or fourth electrical pulses with the total of said second and fourth electrical pulses occurring during said time interval; once the total of said first and third electrical pulses counted during said time interval equal the total of said second and fourth electrical pulses counted during said time interval, producing a series of output pulses respectively corresponding to a net incremental increase in the overall length of said drill string until another one of said second or fourth electrical pulses occur; and successively converting said output pulses to a signal representative of the rate of downward advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations during a selected time interval.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
299 words
A method for determining the rate of advancement into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating said earth formations and comprising the steps of: successively measuring the incremental displacements of the surface end of said drill string in relation to said borehole for alternatively producing either a series of first electrical pulses reSpectively corresponding to an incremental increase to the length of said drill string in said borehole or a series of second electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental decrease in the length of said drill string; successively measuring the incremental changes in tensional forces acting on said drill string while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations and converting said force changes to corresponding increments of length for alternatively producing either a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental elongation of said drill string or a series of fourth electrical pulses respectively corresponding to an incremental contraction of said drill string; comparing the total of said first and third electrical pulses occurring during a time interval following the occurrence of one of said second or fourth electrical pulses with the total of said second and fourth electrical pulses occurring during said time interval; once the total of said first and third electrical pulses counted during said time interval equal the total of said second and fourth electrical pulses counted during said time interval, producing a series of output pulses respectively corresponding to a net incremental increase in the overall length of said drill string until another one of said second or fourth electrical pulses occur; and successively converting said output pulses to a signal representative of the rate of downward advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations during a selected time interval.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 19 further including the step of: totalizing said output pulses for providing an indication of the actual depth of said drill bit in said borehole.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
269 words
Apparatus adapted for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating such formations and comprising: displacement-responsive means adapted for producing first signals representative of a downward movement of an incremental length of a drill string into a borehole during a drilling operation; elongation-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either second signals representative of incremental elongations of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation or third signals representative of incremental contractions of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation; processing means operatively coupled to said displacement-responsive means and to said elongation-responsive means and adapted to respond to said signals produced thereby for alternatively combining said first and second signals for providing output signals representative of incremental increases in the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation in the absence of said third signals during a selected time interval or combining said first and second signals with said third signals upon each occurrence thereof during said selected time interval for discontinuing further transmission of said output signals until the algebraic summation of further incremental length increases represented by subsequently-occurring first and second signals equals further incremental length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third signals; and converting means operatively coupled to said processing means and adapted to respond to said output signals for providing at least one indication representative of the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit while drilling a borehole during said selected time interval.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
269 words
Apparatus adapted for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string in a borehole penetrating such formations and comprising: displacement-responsive means adapted for producing first signals representative of a downward movement of an incremental length of a drill string into a borehole during a drilling operation; elongation-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either second signals representative of incremental elongations of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation or third signals representative of incremental contractions of the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation; processing means operatively coupled to said displacement-responsive means and to said elongation-responsive means and adapted to respond to said signals produced thereby for alternatively combining said first and second signals for providing output signals representative of incremental increases in the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation in the absence of said third signals during a selected time interval or combining said first and second signals with said third signals upon each occurrence thereof during said selected time interval for discontinuing further transmission of said output signals until the algebraic summation of further incremental length increases represented by subsequently-occurring first and second signals equals further incremental length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third signals; and converting means operatively coupled to said processing means and adapted to respond to said output signals for providing at least one indication representative of the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit while drilling a borehole during said selected time interval.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 21 further including: totalizing means operatively coupled to said processing means and adapted to respond to said output signals for providing signals representative of the actual depth of such a drill bit in a borehole during said selected time interval.
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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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |