US4747303A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method determining formation dip
Assignee: Baroid Technology Inc
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Filing: 1986-01-30
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Granted: 1988-05-31
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Expires: 2006-01-30
Abstract
Abstract The inclination and slope of a bedding plane are determined from oriented measurements of the bending moment generated as a bit encounters and passes completely through the interface between two dissimilar formations. These moments are distinguishable from moments generated by gravity, interaction of the bit and the formation, and interaction of the drill string with the borehole. Preferably, determination of the bedding slope and direction is accomplished by downhole data processing.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Fontenot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:57
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/02; E21B47/026; E21B44/00; E21B47/007; E21B47/022; E21B49/00; E21B49/003; E21B7/00; E21B7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for determining the magnitude (angle) and direction of the dip of a formation interface encountered by a bit while drilling and without interrupting the drilling operations, said method comprising the steps of: measuring near bit bending moments generated when said bit encounters said formation interface until said bit passes completely therethrough; measuring the direction of said bit bending moments while said near bit moments are being generated; measuring the inclination and direction of the wellbore at the location of the formation interface; and determining from said measurements the magnitude (angle) and direction of the formation dip.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for determining the magnitude (angle) and direction of the dip of a formation interface encountered by a bit while drilling and without interrupting the drilling operations, said method comprising the steps of: measuring near bit bending moments generated when said bit encounters said formation interface until said bit passes completely therethrough; measuring the direction of said bit bending moments while said near bit moments are being generated; measuring the inclination and direction of the wellbore at the location of the formation interface; and determining from said measurements the magnitude (angle) and direction of the formation dip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: detecting the presence of the interface by use of a downhole accelerometer whose readings are indicative of a change in formation character.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said near bit moments are measured using a bit mechanics sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said direction of said bit bending moments are measured by oriented magnetometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said determination of magnitude and direction of a formation interface is done by a microprocessor located downhole in an equipment sub of a drill string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said microprocessor stores formation dip information downhole and causes it to be transmitted to the surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: filtering out near bit moments caused by gravity, a drill string mechanics, and interaction of the drill string with the borehole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: measuring the depth of said bit and inclination and direction of the wellbore where said interface is detected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: comparing said determination with known geological survey information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: determining the presence of the interface by use of a downhole measurement-while-drilling formation evaluation sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said formation evaluation sensor is a gamma ray sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said formation evaluation sensor is a neutron porosity sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said formation evaluation sensor is a gamma-gamma density sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said formation evaluation sensor is a formation resistivity sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said formation evaluation sensor includes a combination of sensor devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: determining the presence of the interface wherein said interface is detected through a normalized drilling rate measured at the surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for determining the dip of a formation interface encountered in a drilling operation comprising: means to measure a near bit bending moment generated by a bit encountering and passing through said interface; means to measure the orientation of said bit bending moment while said moment is present; means to measure the inclination and orientation of the wellbore at the location of the interface; and means to determine the dip of a formation interface from said near bit bending moment measurements and said orientation and inclination measurements.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for determining the dip of a formation interface encountered in a drilling operation comprising: means to measure a near bit bending moment generated by a bit encountering and passing through said interface; means to measure the orientation of said bit bending moment while said moment is present; means to measure the inclination and orientation of the wellbore at the location of the interface; and means to determine the dip of a formation interface from said near bit bending moment measurements and said orientation and inclination measurements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 17 further comprising: means to filter out near bit moments caused by gravity, drill string mechanics and interfaction of the drill string with the borehole.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 17 further comprising: means to detect the presence of the formation interface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 19 wherein said means to detect the presence of the formation interface is a downhole accelerometer sensitive to the formation characteristics.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 19 wherein said means to detect the presence of the formation interface is a downhole formation evaluation sensor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein said downhole formation evaluation sensor is a gamma ray sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein said downhole formation evaluation sensor is a neutron porosity sensor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein said downhole formation evaluation sensor is a gamma-gamma density sensor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein said downhole formation evaluation sensor is a formation resistivity sensor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein said downhole formation evalutation sensor is formed by a combination of sensor devices.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 17 wherein said means to measure the orientation of said bit bending moments comprise oriented magnetometers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 17 wherein said means to determine presence and dip of a formation interface comprises a microprocessor located downhole in an equipment sub.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 28 wherein said microprocessor further comprises memory storage means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 28 wherein said microprocessor further controls means to transmit to the surface information about the formation interface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 19 wherein said means to detect the presence of the formation interface utilizes a measurement system that provides a normalized drilling rate.
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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) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-11-30 | 1992-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-31 | 1995-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |