Oilfield equipment identification method and apparatus

• US 9,534,451 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2014
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Den-Con Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Den-Con Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Denny, Lawrence A., Patterson, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US14/470,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20140365129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702182-185
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 13/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices covered by groups G01V1/00 – G01V11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A system comprising a piece of oilfield equipment, an identifier assembly and a reader. The piece of oilfield equipment has an exterior surface. The identifier assembly comprises an identification tag storing a unique identifier. The identification tag is capable of outputting a signal indicative of the unique identifier. The identification tag is mounted to the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment beyond an external surface perimeter of the piece of oilfield equipment such that the identification tag is isolated from the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment. The reader has an antenna receiving the signal indicative of the unique identifier from the identification tag.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

positioning a fixed mount reader adjacent to a drill string being supported by a drilling rig, the fixed mount reader comprising an antenna supported by the drilling rig and extending proximate to a portion of a circumference of the drill string, the drill string comprising at least one piece of oilfield equipment having an identification tag mounted to the piece of oilfield equipment, the identification tag carrying information indicative of a unique identity of the piece of oilfield equipment;

reading, via the antenna of the fixed mount reader, from the identification tag the information indicative of the unique identity of the piece of oilfield equipment of the drill string as the piece of oilfield equipment passes by the fixed mount reader;

monitoring location in the drill string of the piece of oilfield equipment based on the information from the identification tag; and

monitoring, with a drilling monitoring device, cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of the piece of oilfield equipment based at least in part on the information from the identification tag, so as to provide an accurate representation of historical data of the at least one piece of oilfield equipment of the drill string.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the fixed mount reader, a first signal indicative of the unique identity of the at least one piece of oilfield equipment of the drill string as the piece of oilfield equipment passes by the fixed mount reader, in the form of a unique identification code;

transmitting, by the fixed mount reader, a second signal containing the unique identification code to a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database;

transmitting, with the drilling monitoring device, a third signal indicative of the rotating and non-rotating usage of the piece of oilfield equipment of the drill string; and

updating, in the oilfield equipment database, information of cumulative rotating and non-rotating usage of the piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving, with the computer, an actuation of a string report function; and

generating, with the computer, a real time report indicative of the cumulative rotating and non-rotating usage for the piece of oilfield equipment in the oilfield equipment database and within the drill string.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

storing, in the oilfield equipment database, current data for the piece of oilfield equipment in the oilfield equipment database and within the drill string including inspection data; and

generating, with the computer, a real time report indicative of the inspection data.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

storing, in the oilfield equipment database, current data for the piece of oilfield equipment in the oilfield equipment database and within the drill string including logistics data; and

generating, with the computer, a real time report indicative of the logistics data.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

storing, in the oilfield equipment database, current data for the piece of oilfield equipment in the oilfield equipment database and within the drill string including purchasing data; and

generating, with the computer, a real time report indicative of the purchasing data.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

storing, in the oilfield equipment database, current data for the piece of oilfield equipment in the oilfield equipment database and within the drill string including repair data; and

generating, with the computer, a real time report indicative of the repair data.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring, with the drilling monitoring device, the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of the piece of oilfield equipment based at least in part on the information from the identification tag further comprises continuously and automatically monitoring the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of the piece of oilfield equipment.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

updating, in the oilfield equipment database, the location in the drill string of the piece of oilfield equipment.