Method and device for transmitting data by cable and mud waves

• US 4,945,761 A
• Filed: 02/22/1989
• Issued: 08/07/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
• Original Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
• Inventors: Morin, Pierre, Lessi, Jacques
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): O'Shea, Kevin D.
• Application Number:
  US07/313,437
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 73/151, 73/152, 166/250, 175/40, 175/45, 175/50, 324/323, 324/356, 324/369, 340/853, 340/854, 340/856, 340/857, 340/861, 367/81, 367/82, 367/83
• US Class Current: 73/152.47
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/18 through the well fluid , e.g. mud pressure pulse telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/26 Storing data down-hole, e.g. in a memory or on a record carrier

Abstract

A device and method for transferring data between a bottom of a well and a surface, wherein a transfer of data is provided either by a mud wave generator or by a cable simultaneously or successively.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting to a surface data generated by at least one of detection means and measurement means, the method comprising the steps of placing at least one of the measuring means and detecting means in a well, transmitting data from the at least one of the detection means and measuring means by cable means and one of mud waves and electromagnetic waves, wherein said transmitting of data occurs simultaneously or successively.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitting of data is carried out without withdrawing the at least one of the detection means and measurement means from said well.

3. Method as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said transmitting of data is carried out intermittently by the cable means.

4. Method as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said transmitting of data is carried out during a drill of the well.

5. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the drilling of the well is carried out by the downhole motor means fixed to an end of a drill string means, and wherein the transmitting of data is carried out by the cable means when it is not necessary to rotate said drilling string.

6. Method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transmitting of data by one of mud waves and electromagnetic waves is used at least during drilling periods when transmitting of data by the cable means is not used.

8. Method as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the transmitting of data by the cable means is stored in a storage means situated in the well, and wherein said cable means may be lowered periodically into the well so as to bring up data stored in the data storage means.

9. A method as claimed in one claims 1 or 2, wherein the drilling of the well is carried out by a downhole motor means fixed to an end of a drill string means, and wherein the transmitting of data is carried out by the cable means when it is not necessary to rotate said drill string means.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein transmitting of data by one of the mud waves and electromagnetic waves is used at least during drilling periods when transmitting of data by the cable means is not used.

11. A method as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the transmitting of data by one of mud waves and electromagnetic waves is carried out permanently during drilling.

12. A method as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the step of placing the at least one of detection means and measurement means includes placing the same in a drill string means substantially in a vicinity of a lower end of the drill string means.

13. A method as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the data transmitted by one of said mud waves and electromagnetic waves is transmitted in several monitorable channels.

7. Method as claimed in 5, wherein the transmitting of data by one of mud waves and electromagnetic waves is carried out permanently during drilling.

14. A device for transmitting data relevant to a well drilling operation generated by at least one of detection means and measurement means for generating the data placed in a well, the device comprising transmission means including cable transmission means and at least one of mud wave transmission means and electromagnetic wave transmission means.

15. The device claimed in claim 14, further comprising means for remote connection of said cable means with said at least one of detection means and measurement means.

16. The device claimed in claim 15, wherein said transmission means includes means for storing the data.

17. The device claimed in one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein said at least one of detection means and measurement means are placed in a drill string means substantially in a vicinity of a lower end of said drill string means.

18. The device claimed in claim 17, wherein the lower end of the drill string means, comprises a drilling tool means.

19. The device claimed in claim 18, wherein each of the at least one of detection means and measurement means comprise several channels capable of being transmitted by one of mud waves and electromagnetic waves, further, comprising means for monitoring the channels effectively transmitted, said monitoring means being adapted for receiving a reference relative to the channels to be transmitted from transmission means including said cable means.

20. The device claimed in claim 19 comprising side entry sub means.

21. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said drilling tool means is driven by a downhole motor means.

22. A device according to one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein each of the at least one of detection means end measurement means comprises several channels capable of being transmitted by one of mud waves and electromagnetic waves, further, comprising means for monitoring the channels effectively transmitted, said monitoring means being adapted for receiving a reference relative to the channels to be transmitted from said transmission means including said cable means.