High power umbilicals for subterranean electric drilling machines and remotely operated vehicles

• US 8,353,348 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
• Inventors: Chitwood, James E., Vail, William Banning III, Skerl, Damir S., Dekle, Robert L., Crossland, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beach, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAYRE, JAMES G
• Application Number:
  US12/583,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20090308656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 166/302, 166/272, 166/272.1, 166/367, 166/352, 166/60, 702/2
• US Class Current: 166/302
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/04 using electrical heaters
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/04 Electric drives E21B4/12 takes precedence

Abstract

Method and required apparatus to provide the closed-loop feedback control of a remote electric motor that has specific required operating parameters which is used to turn a rotary drill bit to drill a borehole in the earth that receives electrical energy through a long umbilical possessing insulated electrical conduits that includes the steps of measuring a set of electrical parameters with a multiplicity of sensors located near the electric motor, sending that measured information to a computer on the surface of the earth, comparing the measured information with the required operating parameters within the computer, adjusting an uphole power generator system to adjust its electrical output parameters to provide electrical energy to a portion of the umbilical located on the surface of the earth, repeating the measurements and adjustments to provide the closed-loop feedback control of the electric motor having specific required operating parameters.

Claims

1. A method of providing the closed-loop feedback control of a remote AC electric motor means that has specific required operating parameters including the required operating frequency, the required operating voltage, and the required operating current, said AC electric motor means disposed below the surface of the earth and located within in a borehole in the earth that receives electrical energy through a long umbilical means which receives power from an uphole AC generator means that comprises at least the steps of:

(a) measuring a first set of electrical parameters including the first measured frequency, first measured voltage and first measured current provided to said remote AC electric motor means using a multiplicity of sensors located below the surface of the earth;

(b) sending information related to said first set of measured parameters through a bidirectional communications means to a computer means located on the surface of the earth;

(c) comparing said first set of measured parameters with the required operating parameters within said computer means;

(d) determining within said computer means any first set of adjustments that need to be made to the first set of measured parameters to provide the required operating parameters to said AC electric motor means;

(e) sending information related to any first set of said adjustments through bidirectional communications means to the uphole AC generator means to adjust its output parameters to provide a second output frequency, second output voltage, and second output current provided by said AC generator means;

(f) suppressing any inductive reactance associated with the long umbilical that may be partially wound on a drum using an inductive suppression means;

(g) providing a second set of operating parameters, to said AC electric motor means;

(h) repeating said measurements and said adjustments a plurality of successive times, thereby providing the closed-loop feedback control to provide the required operating frequency, the required operating voltage, and the operating current to said AC electric motor means.

2. The method in claim 1 wherein said AC electric motor means provides the rotational energy of a rotary drill bit located within said borehole.

3. The method in claim 2 wherein said AC electric motor means is provided the required operating frequency, the required operating voltage, and the required operating current while power and data is also simultaneously sent to at least one other electrical component located within said borehole.

4. The method in claim 1 wherein said AC electric motor means provides the rotational energy of a submersible electric pump located within said borehole.

5. The method as in claim 1 wherein said AC electric motor means is a stepper motor means.

6. The method in claim 1 wherein said AC electric motor, means is any electric motor requiring varying voltage and currents.

7. A method of providing the closed-loop feedback control of a remote AC electric motor means that has specific required operating parameters including the required operating frequency, the required operating voltage, and the required operating current, said AC electric motor means disposed below the surface of the earth and located within in a borehole in the earth that receives electrical energy through a long umbilical means which receives power from an uphole AC to DC converter means that comprises at least the steps of:

(a) measuring a first set of electrical parameters including the first measured frequency, first measured voltage and first measured current provided to said remote AC electric motor means using a multiplicity of sensors located below the surface of the earth;

(b) sending information related to said first set of measured parameters through a bidirectional communications means to a computer means located on the surface of the earth;

(c) comparing said first set of measured parameters with the required operating parameters within said computer means;

(d) determining within said computer means any first set of adjustments that need to be made to the first set of measured parameters to provide the required operating parameters to said AC electric motor means;

(e) sending information related to any first set of said adjustments through the bidirectional communications means to the AC to DC converter means to adjust its output parameters to provide a second output voltage, and second output current provided by said AC to DC converter means;

(f) sending information related to any first set of said adjustments through bidirectional communication means to the DC to Ac converter located within said borehole to adjust its output parameters to provide third output frequency, third output voltage, and third output current;

(g) providing said third output frequency, third output voltage, and third output current to said AC electric motor means; and

(h) repeating said measurements and said adjustments a plurality of successive times, thereby providing the closed-loop feedback control to provide the required operating frequency, the required operating voltage, and the operating current to said AC electric motor means.

8. The method in claim 7 wherein said AC electric motor means provides the rotational energy of a rotary drill bit located within said borehole.

9. The method in claim 8 wherein said AC electric motor means is provided the required operating frequency, the required operating voltage, and the required operating current while power and data is also simultaneously sent to at least one other electrical component located within said borehole.

10. The method in claim 7 wherein said AC electric motor means provides the rotational energy of a submersible electric pump located within said borehole.

11. The method in claim 7 wherein said AC electric motor means is a stepper motor means.

12. The method in claim 7 wherein said AC electric motor means is any electric motor requiring varying voltage and currents.