Method and apparatus for determining downhole pressures during a drilling operation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for collecting downhole data during a drilling operation via a downhole drilling tool positioned in a wellbore, the wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a pore pressure therein, the downhole tool adapted to pass a drilling mud flowing therethrough such that an internal pressure is created therein, the internal pressure and annular pressure generating a differential pressure therebetween, the apparatus comprising:
- a drill collar operatively connectable to a drill string of the drilling tool, the drill collar having a passage therein for passing the drilling mud therethrough, the drill collar having a collar opening therein extending into a pressure chamber, the pressure chamber in fluid communication with one of the passage, the wellbore and combinations thereof;
a piston slidably positioned in the pressure chamber and having a rod extending therefrom into the collar opening, the piston movable to a closed position in response to an increase in differential pressure and to an open position in response to a decrease in differential pressure such that in the closed position the rod fills the opening and in the open position at least a portion of the rod is drawn into the chamber such that a cavity is formed in the opening for receiving downhole fluid; and
a sensor positioned in the rod for collecting data from the downhole fluid in the cavity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided to collect downhole data during a drilling operation via a downhole tool. A differential pressure is created by the difference between internal pressure of fluid passing through the downhole tool and the annular pressure in the wellbore. The apparatus includes a drill collar connectable to the downhole drilling, and has an opening extending into a chamber therein. A piston is positioned in the chamber and has a rod extending into the opening. The piston is movable between a closed position with the rod filling the opening, and an open position with the rod retracted into the chamber to form a cavity for receiving downhole fluid. A sensor is positioned in the rod for collecting data from fluid in the cavity. The apparatus may also be provided with a probe and/or hydraulic circuitry to facilitate the collection of data.
115 Citations
58 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for collecting downhole data during a drilling operation via a downhole drilling tool positioned in a wellbore, the wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a pore pressure therein, the downhole tool adapted to pass a drilling mud flowing therethrough such that an internal pressure is created therein, the internal pressure and annular pressure generating a differential pressure therebetween, the apparatus comprising:
-
a drill collar operatively connectable to a drill string of the drilling tool, the drill collar having a passage therein for passing the drilling mud therethrough, the drill collar having a collar opening therein extending into a pressure chamber, the pressure chamber in fluid communication with one of the passage, the wellbore and combinations thereof;
a piston slidably positioned in the pressure chamber and having a rod extending therefrom into the collar opening, the piston movable to a closed position in response to an increase in differential pressure and to an open position in response to a decrease in differential pressure such that in the closed position the rod fills the opening and in the open position at least a portion of the rod is drawn into the chamber such that a cavity is formed in the opening for receiving downhole fluid; and
a sensor positioned in the rod for collecting data from the downhole fluid in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. An apparatus for collecting downhole data during a drilling operation via a downhole drilling tool positioned in a wellbore, the wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a pore pressure therein, the downhole tool adapted to pass a drilling mud flowing therethrough such that an internal pressure is created therein, the internal pressure and annular pressure generating a differential pressure therebetween, the apparatus comprising:
-
a drill collar operatively connectable to a drill string of the drilling tool, the drill collar having a passage therein for passing the drilling mud therethrough, the drill collar having a collar opening therein extending into a pressure chamber, the pressure chamber in fluid communication with one of the passage, the wellbore and combinations thereof;
a probe slidably positioned in the pressure chamber, the probe movable between a retracted position in the pressure chamber and an extended position extending from the drill collar through the collar opening, the probe positionable adjacent the sidewall of the wellbore for sealing engagement therewith, the probe having a probe opening therethrough extending into a probe chamber therein;
a piston slidably positioned in the probe chamber and having a rod extending therefrom into the probe opening, the piston movable to a closed position in response to an increase in differential pressure and to an open position in response to a decrease in differential pressure such that in the closed position the rod fills the opening and in the open position at least a portion of the rod is drawn into the chamber such that a cavity is formed in the probe opening for receiving downhole fluid; and
a sensor positioned in the rod for collecting data from the downhole fluid in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
-
49. A method of collecting downhole data during a drilling operation via a downhole drilling tool positioned in a wellbore, the wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a pore pressure therein, a differential pressure being generated between the internal pressure and the annular pressure, the method comprising:
-
providing a downhole drilling tool with a drill collar having a passage therethrough, the drill collar having an opening therein extending into a chamber and a piston slidably positioned in the chamber and having a rod extending therefrom into the opening, the piston movable between a closed and an open position;
positioning the downhole drilling tool into a wellbore;
selectively changing the differential pressure such that the piston is moved between the open and closed position;
sensing data from the downhole fluid in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
-
Specification