System and method for acquiring information during underground drilling operations
First Claim
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1. A method for forming a bore in an earth formation, comprising:
- drilling on a straight-hole basis using a drill string comprising a sensing device configured to generate tool-face readings on a selective basis, and a telemetry system for transmitting the tool face readings to the surface, so that the drill string advances in to the earth formation, while the sensing device is in an inactive mode in which the sensing device does not generate the tool-face readings;
performing a static survey to determine drift of the bore after drilling on a straight-hole basis; and
if the drift of the bore exceeds a predetermined limit, drilling in the earth formation on a directional basis using the drill string, while the sensing device is in an active mode in which the sensing device generates the tool-face readings.
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Abstract
A preferred method for acquiring information during an underground drilling operation includes providing a sensing device capable of acquiring information concerning the underground drilling operation from a down-hole location on a selective basis in response to an input from the surface, and drilling for a first period of time. The preferred method also includes sending the input to the sensing device after drilling for the first period of time, and drilling during a second period of time while acquiring the information using the sensing device.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for forming a bore in an earth formation, comprising:
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drilling on a straight-hole basis using a drill string comprising a sensing device configured to generate tool-face readings on a selective basis, and a telemetry system for transmitting the tool face readings to the surface, so that the drill string advances in to the earth formation, while the sensing device is in an inactive mode in which the sensing device does not generate the tool-face readings;
performing a static survey to determine drift of the bore after drilling on a straight-hole basis; and
if the drift of the bore exceeds a predetermined limit, drilling in the earth formation on a directional basis using the drill string, while the sensing device is in an active mode in which the sensing device generates the tool-face readings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for acquiring information during an underground drilling operation, comprising:
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providing a sensing device capable of acquiring information concerning the underground drilling operation from a down-hole location on a selective basis in response to an input from the surface;
drilling for a first period of time;
sending the input to the sensing device after drilling for the first period of time; and
drilling for a second period of time while acquiring the information using the sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for allocating costs associated with the use of a system capable of generating and transmitting information concerning an underground drilling operation on a selective basis, the method comprising:
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providing the system to a user; and
charging a usage rate based on an amount of the information acquired by the sensing device during the underground drilling operation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for providing information during an underground drilling operation, comprising:
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a sensing device comprising a sensor, and a signal processor communicatively coupled to the sensor, the sensing device generating static survey information concerning the underground drilling operation in response to a first predetermined criterion, and the sensing device generating tool face readings concerning the underground drilling operation on a substantially continuous basis in response to a second predetermined criterion; and
a telemetry system communicatively coupled to the sensing device for transmitting the static survey information and the tool face readings to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system for providing information during an underground drilling operation that forms a subsurface bore, comprising:
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a sensing device capable of generating information at a location within the bore;
a telemetry system communicatively coupled to the sensing device for transmitting the information from the sensing device the surface; and
an output device communicatively coupled to the telemetry system for at least one of recording and displaying the information at a location on the surface, wherein at least one of the sensing device, the telemetry system, and the output device are configured to facilitate access to the information only upon at least one of entry of a password and insertion of a dongle.
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Specification