System and method of using a saver sub in a drilling system

• US 8,899,347 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sarhad, Shardul, Ross, Michael, Sakach, Michael, Mitchell, Michael, Lai, Ming, Sherman, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Sayre, James G
• Application Number:
  US12/397,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20100224409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,099 Days
• Field of Search: 175/40, 175/50, 340/853.9, 340/854.4, 340/854.9, 340/855.1, 340/855.2, 340/855.8
• US Class Current: 175/40
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/003 with electrically conducting or insulating means E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/106 Valve arrangements outside the borehole, e.g. kelly valves valves specifically for maintaining circulation of drilling fluid while connecting or disconnecting tubular joints E21B21/019
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A technique facilitates the drilling of a wellbore by enhancing the ability to relay data. The system comprises a saver sub designed to connect a top drive unit with a wired drill pipe without requiring modification of the top drive unit. The saver sub comprises an electronics package, a battery, and an antenna coupled to a saver sub mandrel.

Claims

1. A system for use during drilling of a wellbore, comprising:

a top drive unit;

a drill string wherein at least a portion of the drill string comprises a plurality of wired drill pipes; and

a saver sub to connect the drill string to the top drive unit, wherein the saver sub is positioned at the surface between the drill string and the top drive unit and further wherein the saver sub comprises a mandrel having a recessed region therein, electronics, a battery to power the electronics, and an antenna to relay and receive data; and

a shell removably mounted in the recessed region of the mandrel, the shell comprising an attachment mechanism for quick installation and removal from the mandrel, the electronics and the battery positioned in the shell whereby the electronics and battery are removably mounted to at least a portion of the mandrel.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the saver sub is directly connected to the top drive unit and one of the wired drill pipes.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the antenna is positioned within an outer diameter of the saver sub.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mandrel comprises conductors that electrically connect the electronics to one of the wired drill pipes of the drill string.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronics and the battery in the shell are disposed in pockets located in the mandrel.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the antenna is disposed in the shell.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronics and the battery are mounted to a chassis removably received in the saver sub.

8. A method to facilitate communication during drilling, comprising:

forming a saver sub mandrel having a recessed region therein and an antenna for wireless communication of data and electronics to facilitate data flow with respect to the antenna;

removably mounting the electronics and a battery to the saver sub mandrel by placing the electronics and the battery in a shell, the shell removably disposed in the recessed region of the saver sub mandrel, the shell comprising an attachment mechanism for quick installation and removal from the mandrel, the battery providing power to the electronics;

coupling a wired drill pipe to a top drive unit via the saver sub mandrel at the surface; and

electrically connecting the electronics to the wired drill pipe.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising communicating data between the antenna and a surface processor system.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of patch antennas joined with one or more micro-strips.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the removal shell has sections, the method further comprising connecting sections of the removable shell by a hinge.

12. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein removably mounting comprises placing the electronics and the battery in at least one pocket formed in the saver sub;

and enclosing the electronics and the battery with a cover.

13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein removably mounting comprises mounting the electronics and the battery in a chassis;

and selectively placing the chassis in the saver sub.

14. A system, comprising:

a saver sub connectable between a top drive unit and a wired drill pipe at the surface, the saver sub comprising;

a mandrel having a recessed region;

an antenna mounted to the mandrel;

a battery mounted to the mandrel;

a shell removably disposed in the recessed region, the shell comprising an attachment mechanism for quick installation and removal from the mandrel; and

electronics mounted to the mandrel within the shell, wherein at least one of the antenna, the battery, and the electronics is removably coupled to the mandrel, and wherein the electronics and battery are mounted in the shell.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the removable shell comprises electrical contacts that engage the mandrel to enable communication with the antenna and the wired drill pipe.

16. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the antenna is mounted on the removable shell.