US5475309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor in bit for measuring formation properties while drilling including a drilling fluid ejection nozzle for ejecting a uniform layer of fluid over the sensor
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
•
Filing: 1994-01-21
•
Granted: 1995-12-12
•
Expires: 2014-01-21
Abstract
Abstract Earth formation evaluation for detection of hydrocarbon fluids is carried out by a microwave frequency range sensor (antenna or wave guide) disposed in the face of a diamond or PDC drill bit configured to minimize invasion of drilling fluid into the formation ahead of the bit. The sensor is connected to an instrument disposed in a sub interposed in the drill stem for generating and measuring the alteration of microwave energy. In particular, the dielectric constant of the earth formation in a zone which is substantially uninvaded by drilling fluid may be detected and compared with density and/or porosity logs to determine the presence of hydrocarbons in relatively thin layers of formation material.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry T. Hong
- 👤 Keith W. Katahara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/18; G01V3/30; E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/60; E21B47/00; E21B47/01; E21B47/013; E21B49/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a drill stem including a bit for penetrating an earth formation, said bit including a bit body having a transverse face adjacent a zone of said earth formation which is substantially uninvaded by drilling fluid, the improvement characterized by: a sensor mounted in said bit body and adjacent said transverse face; an instrument operably connected to said sensor for causing at least one of the emission and receipt of signals with respect to said zone for measuring a selected property of said zone; and, a fluid ejection nozzle positioned on said bit to eject drilling fluid across said sensor to maintain a uniform layer of drilling fluid between said sensor and said zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a drill stem including a bit for penetrating an earth formation, said bit including a bit body having a transverse face adjacent a zone of said earth formation which is substantially uninvaded by drilling fluid, the improvement characterized by: a sensor mounted in said bit body and adjacent said transverse face; an instrument operably connected to said sensor for causing at least one of the emission and receipt of signals with respect to said zone for measuring a selected property of said zone; and, a fluid ejection nozzle positioned on said bit to eject drilling fluid across said sensor to maintain a uniform layer of drilling fluid between said sensor and said zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said sensor comprises an antenna for at least one of emitting and receiving electromagnetic wave energy with respect to said zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said sensor is a wave guide for transmitting electromagnetic wave energy into said zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention set forth in claims 2 or 3 wherein: said electromagnetic wave energy is in the microwave frequency range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein: the frequency of said electromagnetic wave energy is about 0.10 GHz to 3.0 GHz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said drill stem includes an instrument for measuring the density of said formation including said zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said drill stem includes an instrument for measuring the porosity of said formation including said zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said body includes a sloping outer sidewall having a generally parabolic shape in a plane which includes the axis of rotation of said bit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for determining the presence of hydrocarbons in a relatively thin layer of an earth formation comprising the steps of: drilling into said earth formation using a drill stem having a bit, said bit including a bit body having a transverse face adjacent a zone of said earth formation which is substantially uninvaded by drilling fluid and including a sensor mounted thereon and adjacent to said transverse face of said bit to emit electromagnetic wave energy into said substantially uninvaded zone of said earth formation during the drilling thereof; ejecting drilling fluid across said sensor to maintain a uniform layer of drilling fluid between said sensor and said substantially uninvaded zone.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for determining the presence of hydrocarbons in a relatively thin layer of an earth formation comprising the steps of: drilling into said earth formation using a drill stem having a bit, said bit including a bit body having a transverse face adjacent a zone of said earth formation which is substantially uninvaded by drilling fluid and including a sensor mounted thereon and adjacent to said transverse face of said bit to emit electromagnetic wave energy into said substantially uninvaded zone of said earth formation during the drilling thereof; ejecting drilling fluid across said sensor to maintain a uniform layer of drilling fluid between said sensor and said substantially uninvaded zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2316611A
Cited
US2354887A
Cited
US3293542A
Cited
US3412321A
Cited
US3412815A
Cited
US4884071A
Cited
US4940943A
Cited
US4933690A
Cited
US5325714A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-11 | 1999-06-12 | 1999-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-11 | 2003-06-12 | 2003-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-11 | 2007-06-12 | 2007-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |