Drill Bit Assembly with a Probe

• US 20070114061A1
• Filed: 04/06/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: NovaDrill, Inc. (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Leany, Francis, Turner, Paula, Hall, David, Wise, Daryl, Lundgreen, David, Durrand, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,426,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/40
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/62 characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable E21B10/64 takes precedence; for roller bits E21B10/20; for augers E21B10/44
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/633 independently detachable
• CPC Class Codes: F24T 2010/53 Methods for installation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/10 Geothermal energy

Abstract

The current invention discloses a drill bit assembly with a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion may have at least one cutting element. The drill bit assembly may also have a shaft with a first end disposed within the assembly, a second end of the shaft may protrude from the working portion and at least one probe may be disposed within the shaft.

Claims

1. A drill bit assembly, comprising:

a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion;

the working portion comprising at least one cutting element;

a shaft, with a distal end protruding from the working portion; and

at least one probe disposed within the shaft.

2. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the probe is extendable from the shaft.

3. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the probe engages a subsurface formation.

4. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein a proximate end of the probe is attached to an actuator.

5. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator excites the probe to produce an acoustic wave, seismic wave, sonic wave, or combinations thereof

6. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sonic receiver, acoustic receiver, seismic receiver or combinations thereof

7. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a fluid channel

8. The drill bit assembly of claim 7, further comprising a sensor disposed proximate the fluid channel and in fluid communication with a subsurface formation.

9. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the probe is substantially coaxial with the shaft.

10. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the probe is electrically isolated from the shaft, body portion, working portion, and/or a resistivity sensor.

11. A method of downhole data acquisition comprising the steps of:

providing a drill bit assembly having a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion;

providing a shaft comprising an end protruding from the working portion and the shaft also having at least one probe; and

using the probe to determine downhole parameters.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a proximate end of the probe is attached to an actuator.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the actuator sends acoustic, seismic, and/or sonic signals into the formation through the probe.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein acoustic, sonic, and/or seismic reflections are received from the formation by a sensor.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the probe contacts the subsurface formation within a mechanical seal formed between the subsurface formation and the shaft.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the probe is adapted to draw fluid from the subsurface formation.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the probe is adapted to measure a pressure of an annulus within a borehole.

18. A system, comprising:

a drill bit assembly attached to a string of downhole components;

the drill bit assembly comprising a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion;

the working portion comprising at least on cutting element;

a shaft with a distal end protruding from the working portion; and

at least one probe disposed within the shaft.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the probe is extendable from the shaft.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the probe engages a subsurface formation.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the probe is adapted to generate acoustic waves and/or senses formation pressure.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the probe is electrically isolated from the shaft, body portion, working portion, and/or a resistivity sensor.