Formation resistivity measurement sensor contained onboard a drill bit (resistivity in bit)

• US 6,850,068 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Makohl, Friedhelm, Evans, Martin Townley, Hewitt, Stanley T., Ritter, René N., Chemali, Roland E., Pastusek, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): LEDYNH, BOT L
• Application Number:
  US10/462,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20040104726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 324366-367, 324/347, 324354-356, 175/50, 340/853.1, 340/853.2, 340/853.6
• US Class Current: 324/369
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/013 Devices specially adapted for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/024 of devices in the borehole determining slope or direction of the borehole E21B47/022
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/24 using ac
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/28 using induction coils
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/30 Assessment of water resources

Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining a resistivity measurement of an earth formation surrounding a borehole in an MWD device uses an electrode for injecting current into the earth formation and an electrode for obtaining a responsive signal from the borehole. The electrodes are located on the drill bit arm or blade. Measured resistivity values are obtained at the location of the drill bit. Measurements can be taken in both oil-based mud and water-based mud environments. Maximum or minimum resistivity can be used to best represent the resistivity of the surrounding formation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making measurements of a parameter of interest of an earth formation during the drilling of a borehole therein, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a drill bit conveyed on a bottom hole assembly for drilling the borehole;

(b) a first electrode carried on an exterior surface of the drillbit for conveying a measure current into the formation; and

(c) a measuring device set in a cavity on the drillbit responsive to (i) the measure current in the first electrode, and, (ii) a voltage of a second electrode with respect to a remote reference.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a source of current coupled to the at least one electrode, said source of current located within said cavity on the drillbit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drillbit has a profile for providing a standoff from a borehole wall based at least in part on a fluid type in said borehole.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said borehole includes a substantially nonconducting fluid, and wherein said measure current has a frequency selected to capacitively couple said measure electrode to said earth formation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processor for determining said signal based on one of (i) a maximum value of said current, and, (ii) a minimum value of said current.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional sensor on said drillbit for providing a measurement of an additional parameter of interest of the earth formation, said at least one additional sensor selected from the group consisting of (i) a temperature sensor, and, (ii) a pressure sensor.

7. A method determining a resistivity of an earth formation during the drilling of a borehole, the method comprising:

(a) conveying a drill bit on a bottom hole assembly into a borehole;

(b) using a first electrode on an outer surface of said drill bit to inject a measure current into the formation;

(c) measuring a voltage of a second electrode on said drill bit; and

(d) determining said resistivity from a value of said measure current and said measured voltage of said second electrode.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising selecting said drillbit to provide a standoff from a wall of the borehole based on a type of fluid in said borehole.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein determining said resistivity further comprises using a value of the measure current selected from the group consisting of (i) a minimum value of said measure current, and, (ii) a maximum value of said measure current during rotation of said drill bit.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said borehole includes a substantially non-conducting fluid, and wherein said measure current has a frequency selected to capacitively couple said measure electrode to said earthy formation.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising obtaining an additional measurement by using an additional sensor selected from the group consisting of(i) a temperature sensor, and, (ii) a pressure sensor on the drill bit, as an early kick indicator.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising using said additional measurement as a kick indicator.