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Methods and systems for determining angular orientation of a drill string

  • US 7,681,663 B2
  • Filed: 05/01/2006
  • Issued: 03/23/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:

  • causing a drill string to rotate within an earthen formation;

    monitoring the magnetic field of the earthed formation as the drill string rotates;

    generating an electrical signal in response to a periodically-varying characteristic of the magnetic field;

    sending the electrical signal to a component of the drill string that is responsive to the electrical signal;

    determining gravity tool face and magnetic tool face of the component of the drill while the component of the drill string is not rotating;

    calculating a difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component of the drill string is not rotating;

    calculating a first angular position of the component corresponding to a difference between an angular position at which an action of the component of the drill string will be initiated, and the difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component of the drill string is not rotating; and

    timing the generation of the electrical signal based on the difference between the angular position at which a response of the component of the drill string will be initiated, and the difference between the gravity tool face and magnetic tool face determined while the component of the drill string is not rotating.

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