Method and apparatus for determining downhole pressures during a drilling operation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring downhole pressure, the apparatus disposed in a downhole drilling tool positionable in a wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a pore pressure therein, the apparatus comprising:
- a drill collar having at least one opening extending through an outer surface thereof and defining a cavity therein, the cavity receiving downhole fluids without actuation, the drill collar positionable adjacent a sidewall of the wellbore such that the cavity is in fluid communication with one of the wellbore and the formation whereby fluid flows therethrough and pressure is equalized therebetween; and
a gauge for measuring pressure in the cavity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided to determine downhole pressures, such as annular pressure and/or pore pressure, during a drilling operation. A downhole drilling tool includes at least one conduit and a corresponding gauge. The conduit is positioned in the downhole tool and has an opening adapted to receive downhole fluids. The conduit is positionable in fluid communication with one of the wellbore and the formation whereby pressure is equalized therebetween. The gauge is provided for measuring the pressure in the conduit.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring downhole pressure, the apparatus disposed in a downhole drilling tool positionable in a wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a pore pressure therein, the apparatus comprising:
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a drill collar having at least one opening extending through an outer surface thereof and defining a cavity therein, the cavity receiving downhole fluids without actuation, the drill collar positionable adjacent a sidewall of the wellbore such that the cavity is in fluid communication with one of the wellbore and the formation whereby fluid flows therethrough and pressure is equalized therebetween; and a gauge for measuring pressure in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A downhole drilling tool capable of measuring downhole pressures during a drilling operation, the downhole drilling tool positionable in a wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a pore pressure therein, comprising:
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a bit; a drill string; at least one drill collar connected to the drill string, the at least one drill collar having at least one opening through an outer surface thereof extending into a cavity therein to receive downhole fluids without actuation, the drill collar positionable within the wellbore such that the cavity is in fluid communication with one of the formation and the wellbore whereby pressure is equalized therebetween; and a gauge for measuring pressure of the fluid in the cavity whereby the one of the annular and the pore pressure is determined. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of measuring downhole pressures during a drilling operation in a wellbore having an annular pressure therein, the wellbore penetrating a formation having a pore pressure therein, the method comprising:
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positioning a downhole drilling tool in a wellbore, the downhole tool having a drill collar with at least one opening therethrough extending into a cavity therein, the cavity receiving downhole fluids without actuation, the gauge operatively connected to the cavity; positioning the cavity in fluid communication with one of the formation and the wellbore such that pressure is equalized therebetween; and measuring the pressure in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. An apparatus for measuring downhole pressure, the apparatus comprising:
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a first conduit in a protruding portion of the drilling tool, the conduit receiving downhole fluids without actuation, the protruding portion positionable adjacent a sidewall of the wellbore such that fluid communication is established between the first conduit and one of the formation and the wellbore and pressure equalization occurs therebetween; a second conduit in a non-protruding portion of the drilling tool, the non-protruding portion positionable in non-engagement with the sidewall of the wellbore such that fluid communication is established between the second conduit and the wellbore and pressure equalization occurs therebetween; and at least one gauge for measuring the pressure in the conduits. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. An apparatus for determining downhole pressures, the apparatus positionable in a downhole tool disposable in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
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a drill collar having a cavity therein, the cavity receiving downhole fluid without actuation, the drill collar having an outer surface positionable in one of engagement and non-engagement with the wellbore wall, the cavity having an opening extending through the outer surface; and a gauge operatively connected to the cavity for measuring pressure therein. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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Specification