US3931735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for measuring the rate of penetration in well drilling from floating platforms
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1974-12-09
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Granted: 1976-01-13
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Expires: 1994-12-09
Abstract
Abstract New and improved methods and apparatus exemplifying the present invention are disclosed herein for measuring the changes in total elongation of a drill string due to variations in the tensional forces acting thereon during a typical well drilling operation on a floating platform, measuring the changes in the total length of the drill string as it is moved into and out of the borehole from the platform, and measuring the changes in the position of the platform in relation to the upper end of the drill string which are caused by wave motion. Thereafter, these measurments are uniquely combined for producing an output signal which is representative of the changes in the borehole depth. The combined measurements are also converted for producing another output signal which is representative of the actual rate of penetration of a drill bit coupled to the drill string.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Hubert Guigmard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:51
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B45/00; E21B19/00; E21B19/08; E21B19/09; E21B47/00; E21B47/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
A method for determining at least one function representative of the penetration into earth formations of a drill bit suspended from a drill string carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole, comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into said borehole from said platform 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 relation to said platform; 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 or a third signal respectively proportional to successive elongational increases or contractional decreases in said overall drill string length; successively determining the positional changes of said platform in relation to the earth for alternatively deriving either a fourth signal or a fifth signal respectively representative of incremental upward and downward movements of said platform; and alternatively combining said first, second and fifth signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in said overall drill string length upon further advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations and combining said first, second and fifth signals with said third and fourth signals upon each occurrence of either said third signals or said fourth signals 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, second and fifth signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third and fourth signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
284 words
A method for determining at least one function representative of the penetration into earth formations of a drill bit suspended from a drill string carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole, comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into said borehole from said platform 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 relation to said platform; 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 or a third signal respectively proportional to successive elongational increases or contractional decreases in said overall drill string length; successively determining the positional changes of said platform in relation to the earth for alternatively deriving either a fourth signal or a fifth signal respectively representative of incremental upward and downward movements of said platform; and alternatively combining said first, second and fifth signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in said overall drill string length upon further advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations and combining said first, second and fifth signals with said third and fourth signals upon each occurrence of either said third signals or said fourth signals 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, second and fifth signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third and fourth signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 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 coefficient representative of the rate of elongation and said overall drill string length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: averaging said output signal over a selected time interval for determining the actual rate of penetration of said drill bit during said selected time interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: totalizing said output signal over a selected time interval for determining the total downward advancement of said drill bit in relation to the earth during said selected time interval.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
341 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 carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole, comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into said borehole from said platform 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 relation to said platform; 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 or a third signal respectively proportional to successive elongational increases or contractional decreases in said overall drill string length; successively determining the positional changes of said platform in relation to the earth for alternatively deriving either a fourth signal or a fifth signal respectively representative of incremental upward and downward movements of said platform; successively determining the positional changes of the upper end of said drill string in relation to said platform caused by operation of a heave compensator supporting said drill string for alternatively deriving either a sixth signal or a seventh signal respectively representative of incremental upward or downward movements of said upper end of said drill string caused by said heave compensator; and alternatively combining said first, second fifth and seventh signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in said overall drill string length upon further advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations and combining said first, second, fifth and seventh signals upon each occurrence of said third, fourth and sixth signals 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, second, fifth or seventh signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third, fourth or sixth signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
341 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 carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole, comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into said borehole from said platform 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 relation to said platform; 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 or a third signal respectively proportional to successive elongational increases or contractional decreases in said overall drill string length; successively determining the positional changes of said platform in relation to the earth for alternatively deriving either a fourth signal or a fifth signal respectively representative of incremental upward and downward movements of said platform; successively determining the positional changes of the upper end of said drill string in relation to said platform caused by operation of a heave compensator supporting said drill string for alternatively deriving either a sixth signal or a seventh signal respectively representative of incremental upward or downward movements of said upper end of said drill string caused by said heave compensator; and alternatively combining said first, second fifth and seventh signals with one another for deriving an output signal representative of overall increases in said overall drill string length upon further advancement of said drill bit into said earth formations and combining said first, second, fifth and seventh signals upon each occurrence of said third, fourth and sixth signals 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, second, fifth or seventh signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring third, fourth or sixth signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 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 coefficient representative of the rate of elongation and said overall drill string length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 5 further including the step of: averaging said output signal over a selected time interval for determining the actual rate of penetration of said drill bit during said selected time interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 5 further including the step of: totalizing said output signal over a selected time interval for determining the total downward advancement of said drill bit in relation to the earth during said selected time interval.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
367 words
A method for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole, comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into and out of said borehole from said platform during a selected time interval while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for alternatively deriving either a first signal or a second signal respectively proportional to successive increases or decreases in the overall length of said drill string with respect to said platform 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 or a fourth signal respectively proportional to successive elongational increases or contractional decreases in the overall length of said drill string in said borehole during said selected time interval; successively determining the incremental changes in the position of said platform with respect to a fixed datum for alternatively deriving either a fifth signal or a sixth signal respectively proportional to successive movements of said platform toward or away from said fixed datum during said selected time interval; alternatively combining said first, third and fifth 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, third and fifth signals with said second, fourth and sixth signals upon each occurrence of either of said second, fourth or sixth 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, third or fifth signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring second, fourth or sixth signals; and averaging said output signal over said selected time interval for determining the actual rate of penetration of said drill bit in relation to said fixed datum during said selected time interval.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
367 words
A method for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole, comprising the steps of: successively determining the incremental lengths of said drill string moved into and out of said borehole from said platform during a selected time interval while said drill bit is drilling into said earth formations for alternatively deriving either a first signal or a second signal respectively proportional to successive increases or decreases in the overall length of said drill string with respect to said platform 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 or a fourth signal respectively proportional to successive elongational increases or contractional decreases in the overall length of said drill string in said borehole during said selected time interval; successively determining the incremental changes in the position of said platform with respect to a fixed datum for alternatively deriving either a fifth signal or a sixth signal respectively proportional to successive movements of said platform toward or away from said fixed datum during said selected time interval; alternatively combining said first, third and fifth 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, third and fifth signals with said second, fourth and sixth signals upon each occurrence of either of said second, fourth or sixth 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, third or fifth signals is less than the summation of further length decreases represented by subsequently-occurring second, fourth or sixth signals; and averaging said output signal over said selected time interval for determining the actual rate of penetration of said drill bit in relation to said fixed datum during said selected time interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said fixed datum is the surface of the earth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of: totalizing said output signal over said selected time interval for determining the total downward advancement of said drill bit in relation to said fixed datum during said selected time interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said fixed datum is the surface of the earth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
147 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said drill string is coupled to said platform by way of a heave compensator adapted to expand and contract for moving the upper end of said drill string independently of the movements of said platform and further including the steps of: successively determining the incremental changes in the position of said upper end of said drill string with relation to said platform due to movement of said heave compensator during said selected time interval for alternatively deriving either a seventh signal or an eighth signal respectively proportional to successive expansions or contractions of said heave compensator; and alternatively combining said seventh and eighth signals with said output signal and said combined signals respectively for correspondingly modifying said output signal and said combined signals to produce a more-accurate determination of said actual rate of penetration upon averaging of said modified output signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 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 18
Dependent Claim
307 words
Apparatus adapted for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole penetrating such formations and comprising: first displacement-responsive means adapted for producing a series of first electrical pulses respectively corresponding to a downward movement in relation to such a platform of an incremental length of a drill string into a borehole during a drilling operation from such a platform; elongation-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either a series of second electrical pulses or a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to incremental elongational and contractional changes in the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation from such a platform; second displacement-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either a series of fourth electrical pulses or a series of fifth electrical pulses respectively corresponding to incremental upward and downward movements of such a platform during a drilling operation therefrom; 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 relation to the surface of the earth during a drilling operation so long as the total number of said first, second and fifth electrical pulses produced during a selected time interval exceeds the total number of said third and fourth 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 actual rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit while drilling a borehole from such a platform during said selected time interval.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
307 words
Apparatus adapted for determining the rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit suspended from a drill string carried by a floating platform and disposed in a borehole penetrating such formations and comprising: first displacement-responsive means adapted for producing a series of first electrical pulses respectively corresponding to a downward movement in relation to such a platform of an incremental length of a drill string into a borehole during a drilling operation from such a platform; elongation-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either a series of second electrical pulses or a series of third electrical pulses respectively corresponding to incremental elongational and contractional changes in the overall length of a drill string in a borehole during a drilling operation from such a platform; second displacement-responsive means adapted for alternatively producing either a series of fourth electrical pulses or a series of fifth electrical pulses respectively corresponding to incremental upward and downward movements of such a platform during a drilling operation therefrom; 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 relation to the surface of the earth during a drilling operation so long as the total number of said first, second and fifth electrical pulses produced during a selected time interval exceeds the total number of said third and fourth 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 actual rate of penetration into earth formations by a drill bit while drilling a borehole from such a platform during said selected time interval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said processing means provides said output pulses by directing said first, second and fifth electrical pulses to said converting means whenever the total number of said first, second and fifth 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 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 15 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 22
Dependent Claim
163 words
The apparatus of claim 15 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 no 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 and fourth electrical pulses to said one pulse-counting means input, and gating means adapted to receive said first, second and fifth electrical pulses and having a first output for directing said first, second and fifth 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, second and fifth electrical pulses to said other pulse-counting means input in response to said second gate-control signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
The apparatus of claim 15 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 and fourth electrical pulses to one of said inputs of said pulse-counting means, and gating means adapted to receive said first, second and fifth electrical pulses and having a first output for directing said first, second and fifth electrical pulses as said output pulses to said converting means in response to said first gate-control signal and second output for directing said first, second and fifth electrical pulses to the other of said inputs of said pulse-counting means in response to said second gate-control signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 15 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 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first displacement-responsive means are further adapted for alternatively producing a series of sixth 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, second and fifth electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval exceeds the total number of said third, fourth and sixth electrical pulses produced during said selected time interval.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 15 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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3853004A
Cited
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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) | 1979-01-12 | 1979-07-14 | 1980-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-12 | 1983-07-14 | 1984-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-12 | 1987-07-14 | 1988-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |