Oilfield equipment identification method and apparatus

• US 20040030501A1
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward E. Patterson, Lawrence A. Denny
• Original Assignee: Edward E. Patterson, Lawrence A. Denny
• Inventors: Denny, Lawrence A., Patterson, Edward E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,973,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/6
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 13/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices covered by groups G01V1/00 – G01V11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus comprising a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database. A unique identification code is input into the computer for each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string to form a reference in the oilfield equipment database to each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string. A drilling monitoring device receives input signals indicative of at least one of rotating and non-rotating usage of the drill string and output signals to the computer wherein the computer continuously and automatically monitors the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the drill string.

Claims

1. An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus comprising:

a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database;

means for inputting into the computer a unique identification code for each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string to form a reference in the oilfield equipment database to each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string; and

a drilling monitoring device receiving input signals indicative of at least one of rotating and non-rotating usage of the drill string and outputting signals to the computer wherein the computer continuously and automatically monitors the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the drill string.

2. An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus comprising:

a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database;

means for inputting into the computer a unique identification code for each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string to form a reference in the oilfield equipment database to each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string; and

means for outputting signals to the computer wherein the computer continuously and automatically monitors the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the drill string.

3. A fixed mount reader for reading unique identification codes stored in passive identification tags mounted to respective pieces of oilfield equipment in a drill string such that the pieces of oilfield equipment are identified by the passive identification tags, the drill string being supported by a drilling rig having a rig floor, the fixed mount reader comprising:

an antenna positioned in close proximity to the drill string, the antenna tuned to read the unique identification codes stored in the passive identification tags when the passive identification tags are positioned adjacent to the antenna; and

a pipe-engaging portion engaging the respective pieces of oilfield equipment and maintaining the antenna a distance from the respective pieces of oilfield equipment while the antenna is reading the passive identification tags mounted on the respective pieces of oilfield equipment.