US20150337643A1 - An apparatus, system and method for actuating downhole tools in subsea drilling applications - Google Patents
An apparatus, system and method for actuating downhole tools in subsea drilling applications Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150337643A1 US20150337643A1 US14/410,355 US201314410355A US2015337643A1 US 20150337643 A1 US20150337643 A1 US 20150337643A1 US 201314410355 A US201314410355 A US 201314410355A US 2015337643 A1 US2015337643 A1 US 2015337643A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- logging tool
- downhole logging
- seafloor
- downhole
- drilling rig
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 77
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 23
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000003568 thioethers Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E21B47/0001—
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/0007—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 for underwater installations
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells
- E21B23/02—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/04—Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/001—Survey of boreholes or wells for underwater installation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/01—Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
-
- E21B47/065—
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/06—Measuring temperature or pressure
- E21B47/07—Temperature
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V3/00—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
- G01V3/18—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation specially adapted for well-logging
- G01V3/26—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation specially adapted for well-logging operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified either by the surrounding earth formation or by the detecting device
Definitions
- the invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for deploying and actuating downhole logging tools from a seafloor drilling rig.
- the invention relates, but is not limited, to automatically actuating subsea downhole logging tools that may be used to determine downhole lithology.
- Seafloor drilling particularly in fairly deep bodies of water (e.g. 1,000 m to 3,000 m+), is a relatively complicated, time consuming, and expensive operation.
- Remotely operated seafloor systems typically connected′ to a surface vehicle or platform by an ‘umbilical’ line, with a seafloor drilling rig have been known to be used for such drilling operations.
- a seafloor drilling rig typically includes a frame that provide support for various components such as a drill head support structure which would usually include a drill string capable of drilling a borehole in the seafloor.
- One aspect of seafloor drilling that is identified as being particularly onerous is in determining the lithology of the seafloor deposits.
- the lithology is determined by drilling, obtaining, and analysing core samples.
- a core barrel on the end of a drill string is used to obtain a core sample.
- the core sample from the core barrel must then be retrieved. Typically this involves the retrieval of the entire drill string each time a core sample is recovered. The time and cost associated with recovering the core samples in this manner renders core drilling impractical for deep bores.
- a further problem with core samples in general is that it is not until the core samples have been retrieved and analysed that the lithology of a borehole is known. This time delay can be significant, and introduces a substantial inefficiency in understanding the characteristics of a borehole.
- One result of the time delay is that boreholes are often drilled past an optimum ‘end of hole’ (EOH) depth during drilling operations. This results in wasted drilling time and resources.
- EOH end of hole
- downhole logging tools which are lowered into a borehole to analyse the lithology of the borehole are being considered. It is desired to be able to turn the downhole logging tool on and off so that it is not continually running, which not only increases power usage but can provide interference. The increased power usage is particularly problematic for battery powered downhole logging tools where the tool is required to be recovered to surface in order to recharge the batteries.
- Providing a physically actuated power switch on tools located on the seafloor is not considered to be practical. Not only are moving parts undesirable at such depths, but having means to remotely actuate the switch can be problematic. For example, a robotic arm could potentially be provided on a drilling rig to actuate the switch, but this further increases the cost and complexity of the drilling rig. Furthermore, if an operator forgets to actuate a switch before or after use, significant resources would likely be wasted.
- a downhole logging tool for use in a seafloor borehole of seafloor drilling operations, the downhole logging tool comprising:
- an underwater chassis comprising electronic components including a power system and sensors;
- an automatically actuated switch that selectively provides power from the power system to the electronic components
- the sensors include at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor
- the automatically actuated switch is actuated to remove power from the electronic components when the downhole logging tool is located in a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig of seafloor drilling operations and to provide power to the electronic components when the downhole logging tool is not located in the designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig.
- the automatically actuated switch preferably includes a magnetic switch that is actuated by proximity to a magnetic source.
- the magnetic source is preferably located in the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig. Even more preferably the magnetic source is located adjacent a downhole logging tool storage rack of the drilling rig.
- the magnetic switch is normally open and is closed by the magnetic field of the magnetic source.
- the magnetic switch is preferably a reed sensor.
- the reed sensor is part of an automatically actuated switch circuit that includes at least one transistor.
- the transistor is electrically connected to the power source and the magnetically actuated switch switches the transistor to selectively provide power to the electronic components.
- the electronic components include a data transfer system in communication with the sensors.
- the sensors preferably comprise radial measurement sensors, i.e. sensors that conduct measurements of the walls of the borehole.
- the sensors of the downhole logging tool may further comprise a temperature sensor, a resistivity sensor, and/or a natural gamma sensor.
- the resistivity sensor is an inductive conductivity sensor which may be a dual coil inductive conductivity sensor, a coil-focused inductive conductivity sensor, or some other form of an inductive conductivity sensor.
- the natural gamma sensor is utilised for depth correlation.
- the underwater chassis comprises a mating portion that releasably secures to a corresponding mating portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
- the underwater chassis contains the sensors, the data transfer system, and the power system.
- the automatically actuated switch is preferably located on downhole logging tools where the power system includes batteries.
- the data transfer system may comprise data storage for storing data received from the sensors.
- the data transfer system may store the data for transmission at a requested time.
- the downhole logging tool may further comprise a processor.
- the processor is preferably in communication with the sensors, the data transfer system, and/or the power system.
- the processor may process raw data from the sensors.
- the data transfer system is then preferably in communication with the sensors via the processor; and preferably receives processed sensor data from the processor.
- the power system preferably comprises a battery.
- the power system may also comprise a power transfer system.
- the battery may comprise a plurality of smaller batteries.
- the power transfer system preferably transfers power from an external power source such as a powered portion of the drilling rig of the seafloor drilling operation.
- the battery may be rechargeable and the power system may further comprise a battery charging system.
- the battery charging system may charge the battery from the power transfer system or inductively.
- the battery charging system may also be actuated by the automatically actuated switch. Alternatively, the automatically actuated switch may be actuated when the battery charging system is detected, preferably when an inductive charging field is detected.
- the mating portion of the downhole logging tool secures the downhole logging tool to a wireline system or to a drill string.
- the mating portion includes a latch head.
- the mating portion of the downhole logging tool is secured to a drill string, preferably the mating portion includes an adapter.
- the adapter preferably connects the downhole logging tool as a bottom hole assembly of the drill string.
- the downhole logging tool may have a mating portion for connecting to a wireline system and a mating portion for connecting to a drill string.
- the wireline system may also be used to lower the downhole logging tool through the drill string whilst the drill string is in the borehole, preferably at total depth, and unlatch the logging tool to be received by the a portion of the drill string, preferably a bottom hole assembly portion.
- a sensor portion of the downhole logging tool protrudes from the bottom of the drill string.
- the drill string is recovered from the borehole to the seafloor drill rig as normal, while the downhole logging tool logs data in relation to the bore wall of the borehole from the sensors as it is raised with the drill string.
- the underwater chassis is less than 6 m long and has an outer diameter less than 150 mm. Even more preferably the underwater chassis is less than 3 m long and has an outer diameter less than 75 mm. Forms of the invention are preferably less than 2 m in length and have an outer diameter of 50 mm or less.
- a seafloor drilling rig comprising the hereinbefore described downhole logging tool.
- a system of utilising a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations comprising:
- a downhole logging tool for traversing a seafloor borehole with a power system, sensors, and an automatically actuated switch
- the sensors include at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor and the automatically actuated switch selectively provides power from the power system to sensors of the downhole logging tool;
- the automatically actuated switch being configured to activate the downhole logging tool when leaving a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig and deactivate the downhole logging tool when entering the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
- a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations comprising the steps of:
- the method of utilising a downhole logging tool preferably further comprises the steps of:
- the downhole logging tool conducts radial measurements of walls of the borehole.
- the downhole logging tool has sensors including at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor.
- the downhole logging tool in the system and method of utilising a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations is a logging downhole logging tool as previously described.
- the downhole logging tool is secured and unsecured from the seafloor drilling rig of the seafloor drilling operation by a remotely operated mechanism.
- the remotely operated mechanism is operated from a surface vehicle or platform.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of seafloor drilling operations including a drill string located in a borehole;
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a seafloor drilling rig lowering a downhole logging tool into a borehole using a submersible wireline winch;
- FIG. 3 a is a diagrammatic view of a downhole logging tool being lowered into a drill string
- FIG. 3 b is a diagrammatic view of the downhole logging tool of FIG. 3 a in position in the bottom hole assembly of the drill string;
- FIG. 3 c is a diagrammatic view of the downhole logging tool in FIG. 3 a taking measurements as the drill string is removed;
- FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a portion of a seabed drilling rig including a downhole logging tool storage area
- FIG. 5 is an electronic circuit schematic for an automatically actuated switch
- FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a downhole logging tool.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a seafloor drilling operation 10 located on a seafloor 12 below sea level 14 .
- the seafloor drilling operation 10 may be located at various depths below sea level 14 , but typically the seafloor 12 will be greater than 1000 m below sea level 14 and, in many cases, approximately 3000 m below sea level 14 .
- the seafloor drilling operation 10 has a seafloor drilling rig 16 connected to a surface vehicle or platform 18 by an ‘umbilical’ cable 20 .
- the umbilical cable 20 provides the seafloor drilling rig 16 with power, control, and telemetry.
- the drilling rig 16 is powered and operated remotely, via umbilical cable 20 , from the surface vehicle or platform 18 .
- the surface vehicle or platform 18 is illustrated as being located on the surface of the sea level 14 , it will be appreciated that the surface vehicle or platform could also be located elsewhere, such as on land.
- the seafloor drilling rig 16 has a drill head assembly 22 connected to a drill string 24 in a borehole 26 .
- the drill head assembly 22 controls the drill string 24 to drill the borehole 26 .
- a typical drill string 24 has a conduit that transfers drilling fluid to a drill bit (not shown) of a bottom hole assembly at a distal end 24 ′ of the drill string 24 .
- a downhole logging tool 100 (not shown in FIG. 1 ), which will be described in further detail in relation to FIG. 6 , can also be secured as the bottom hole assembly at a distal end 24 ′ of the drill string 24 to determine the lithology of seafloor deposits adjacent the borehole 26 wall.
- FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative method of manoeuvring a downhole logging tool 100 into a borehole 26 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 is secured to a wireline 28 that is raised and lowed by a submersible wireline winch 30 .
- Electrical connection between the wireline 28 and other portions of the drilling rig 16 , such as to the umbilical 20 can be provided by an electric slip ring 32 .
- the wireline may be purely mechanical, used only to raise and lower the downhole logging tool 100 in the borehole 26 .
- FIGS. 3 a to 3 c illustrate yet another method of manoeuvring a downhole logging tool 100 into a borehole 26 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 is connected to a wireline 28 via a mating portion 112 and is lowered into the borehole 26 by a wireline winch 30 .
- the wireline winch 30 lowers the downhole logging tool 100 through the inside of a plurality of drill rods 24 ′′ that make up the drill string 24 . Illustrated in FIGS.
- 3 a to 3 c are three drill rods 24 a to 24 c , with 24 a being the uppermost drill rod 24 ′′ being received by a drill rod footclamp 34 , 24 b being the middle drill rod 24 ′′, and 24 c being the lowermost drill rod 24 ′′ with a downhole logging tool 100 receiving portion 36 at the distal end 24 ′ of the drill string 24 .
- FIG. 3 b illustrates the downhole logging tool 100 in the lowered position where it is received by the receiving portion 36 of the lowermost drill rod 24 c .
- a wireline connector 28 ′ at the end of the wireline 28 is detached from the mating portion 112 of the downhole logging tool 100 and the wireline winch 30 raises the wireline 28 out of the drill string 24 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 is seated in the receiving portion 36 of the lowermost drill rod 24 c with a majority portion, including the sensors, protruding from the end of the downhole string 24 . This allows the sensors in the downhole logging tool 100 to take measurements in relation to the walls of the borehole 26 without being obstructed or interfered with by the drill string 24 .
- FIG. 3 c illustrates the drill string 24 being removed from the borehole 26 once the wireline winch 30 has raised the wireline 28 completely out of the drill string 24 .
- individual drill rods 24 ′′ are removed from the string for storage.
- uppermost drill rod 24 a has already been removed from the drill string and is stored on the seabed drilling rig 16 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 is active and obtains radial measurements of the bore hole 26 wall.
- the downhole logging tool 100 can then be retrieved and, at an appropriate time, the sensor data can be downloaded.
- FIG. 4 A portion of a seabed drilling rig 16 is illustrated in FIG. 4 , showing a designated storage portion of the drilling rig 16 in the form of downhole logging tool storage rack 200 .
- FIG. 4 also illustrates a drill head 22 having a spindle 202 .
- Tool arms 204 are provided which can manoeuvre tools, such as downhole logging tools, from the rack 200 and thread them onto the drill string 24 , which is attached to the spindle 202 .
- the drill head 22 can be moved vertically to controllable rates and forces in order to control the drill string 24 and logging tool within a borehole 26 .
- the tool Arms 204 may also be used to manoeuvre the downhole logging tool 100 into position for mating with the wireline 30 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 is battery powered and has a switch 152 . That switch 152 is an automatically actuated switch.
- the automatically actuated switch 152 of the downhole logging tool 100 is actuated such that the downhole logging tools 100 are deactivated (i.e. using substantially no power) when in storage in the tool rack 200 and are then activated when taken from the tool rack 200 for use.
- the automatically actuated switch is actuated magnetically by a magnet 206 located adjacent the tool rack 200 , preferably directly adjacent the location of the switch of the downhole logging tool 100 when the downhole logging tool 100 is located in the tool rack 200 .
- the switch 152 is proximal the magnet adjacent the tool rack 200 , the switch 152 is actuated, thereby automatically deactivating the tool 100 .
- the downhole logging tool may be charged when located in the tool rack 200 .
- An inductive charging device (not shown) may be provided on or adjacent the tool rack 200 . Using power from the seafloor drill rig 16 , the inductive charging device creates an electromagnetic field by way of an induction coil.
- a second induction coil in, or at least electrically connected to, the battery of the downhole tool 100 converts the electromagnetic field into electrical charge to charge the battery.
- the detection of the induction charging field may instead be used to actuate the automatically actuated switch.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred automatically actuated switch circuit layout 500 .
- the circuit 500 includes four resistors (R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 ), a reed switch 510 , and two transistors in the form of MOSFETs 512 and 514 .
- the reed switch 510 is normally open and is closed when subjected to a magnetic field, such as by the magnet 206 adjacent the tool rack 200 .
- the circuit 500 connects directly to a power source in the form of an 18 cell battery pack 502 .
- reed switches allow a limited amount of current to pass through (e.g. 0.1 A).
- the circuit 500 allows the reed switch 510 , which has good sensitivity to a magnetic field, to be used without unduly limiting current from the battery pack 502 .
- the circuit 500 allows a current of approximately 7.5 A to pass when the reed switch 510 is open.
- the resistance measured between V in and V out is 0.0226 ⁇ to 0.028 ⁇ .
- the resistance measured between V in and V out is 4.8M ⁇ to 24M ⁇ . The high resistance when the reed switch 510 is closed results in minimal, if any, current flowing through V out .
- FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred downhole logging tool 100 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 has an underwater chassis 110 in the form of a high pressure housing shaped to traverse the borehole 26 .
- the chassis 110 has a mating portion 112 and contains: one or more sensors, a data transfer system in communication with the sensors, and a power system that provides power to the sensors and data transfer system.
- the downhole logging tool 100 has a battery pack 150 , a power switch 152 , an electronics portion 170 , a natural gamma sensor 172 , a conductivity sensor 174 , a magnetic susceptibility sensor 176 , and an external temperature sensor 178 .
- the electronics portion 170 includes a processor and data storage memory.
- the mating portion 112 of the downhole logging tool 100 is connectable to both a drill string 24 and wireline 28 . This allows the downhole logging tool 100 to traverse and conduct measurements in borehole 26 using any of the methods described in relation to FIG. 1 , 2 , or 3 a to 3 c . Most preferably, the downhole logging tool 100 is used in the method described in relation to FIGS. 3 a to 3 c , where the downhole logging tool 100 is lowered through the drill string 24 using a wireline 28 and is then raised with the drill string 24 while conducting measurements of the walls of the borehole 26 .
- downhole logging tools 100 Prior to use, downhole logging tools 100 are located in the tool storage rack 200 of the drilling rig 12 .
- the automatically actuated switches 152 are held open (i.e. in circuit 500 the reed switch is closed and the downhole logging tools 100 are turned off, conserving power) by one or more magnets adjacent the tool rack 200 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 is selected and removed from the tool rack 200 .
- the switch 152 is removed from the magnetic field adjacent the tool rack 200 and the switch 152 is automatically actuated to the closed position (i.e. in circuit 500 the reed switch is opened and the downhole logging tool 100 is turned on).
- the downhole logging tool is then automatically activated by the switch 152 for use in the borehole 26 .
- the automatically activated downhole logging tool 100 may then be lowered into the borehole 26 to provide measurements which can be used to determine the lithology of seafloor deposits.
- the tool arm 204 connects the mating portion 112 of the downhole logging tool 100 to distal end 24 ′ of a drill string 24 such that the downhole logging tool 100 is deployed as a bottom hole assembly.
- the wireline winch 30 is positioned above the borehole 26 and the downhole logging tool 100 is lowered down the borehole 26 .
- the wireline winch 30 lowers the downhole logging tool 100 into the receiving portion 36 , detaches from the mating portion 112 of the downhole logging tool 100 and retracts the wireline 28 back out of the drill string 24 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 then conducts measurements and logs data as it traverses up the borehole 26 during normal drill string retrieval operations.
- the wireline 28 can be utilised to connect to the downhole logging tool 100 and manoeuvre it back to the tool storage area 200 , where the downhole logging tool 100 is automatically powered down by the automatically actuated switch 152 in the presence of the magnetic field of the magnet 206 .
- the sensors of the downhole logging tool 100 measure characteristics of the walls of the borehole 26 and communicate the data, typically via a processor, to a data transfer system.
- the data transfer system stores the data for transmission at a later date (e.g. upon retrieval).
- the data from the sensors provide down hole geophysical properties which can be used to determine lithology of the analysed section of the borehole.
- Data from magnetic susceptibility sensors can be used to determine areas of seabed massive sulphides and non-mineralised basement volcanic rocks. Altered volcanics and sulphides have magnetic susceptibility destroyed by high temperature and, accordingly, magnetic susceptibility sensors can be used to discriminate areas of interest and determine ‘end of hole’ when non-mineralised basement volcanic rocks are reached.
- the downhole logging tool 100 of FIG. 6 does not have a dedicated power or communication line to the drilling rig 16 . It is therefore powered by rechargeable batteries, which may be recharged inductively when stored in the drilling rig 16 . Alternatively, the downhole logging tool 100 may be recharged at the surface. Typically the downhole logging tool 100 stores data locally in on-board memory, but it is envisaged that it could transmit the data using existing data transmission techniques such as acoustic transmission or via an umbilical cable.
- the downhole logging tool 100 provides quick and relatively easy lithology analysis of a borehole 26 .
- the downhole logging tool 100 can be used in areas of interest and also where there has been core loss. Retrieving data from the downhole logging tool 100 is significantly less burdensome than having to retrieve and analyse core samples.
- the decreased time to receive borehole lithology data further provides increased confidence in terminating drilling operations, i.e. calling ‘end of hole’, which improves efficiency and thereby reduces operational costs.
- Use of the downhole logging tool 100 may be used in conjunction with core samples or, if sufficient information is provided, instead of core samples altogether.
- an automatically actuated switch that automatically activates and deactivates downhole logging tools as they are removed and replaced (respectively) from a tool rack advantageously reduces power consumption of the downhole logging tools.
- the automatically actuated switch only activates a downhole logging tool when it is in use, or about to be used. This improves longevity of batteries in the downhole logging tool as well as reducing overall power consumption.
- the magnetic switching circuit 500 advantageously allows a magnetically sensitive reed switch 510 to be used without unduly limiting the current that can be supplied from the battery pack 502 . Furthermore, the circuit 500 avoids burn out of the reed switch 510 during start-up.
- seafloor drilling rig is referred to herein, it will be appreciated that this may not necessarily be a stationary drilling rig but may be a manoeuvrable drill rig in the form of, for example, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
- ROV remotely operated vehicle
- seafloor seabed, subsea, or the like are for convenience only and could equally be applied to other bodies of water such as, for example, a lake with a lakebed, etc.
- adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order.
- reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.
- the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
Abstract
A downhole logging tool and method of use for analysing portions of a seafloor borehole in seafloor drilling operations are provided. The downhole logging tool h an underwater chassis housing a power system and sensors including at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor which, preferably, analyse the walls of the borehole. An automatically actuated switch, preferably actuated magnetically, provides power to the sensors from the power system when the downhole logging tool is not located in a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig (e.g. when the tool is in use traversing a borehole) and removes power when the downhole logging tool is located in the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig (e.g. when the downhole tool is not in use).
Description
- The invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for deploying and actuating downhole logging tools from a seafloor drilling rig. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to automatically actuating subsea downhole logging tools that may be used to determine downhole lithology.
- Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.
- Seafloor drilling, particularly in fairly deep bodies of water (e.g. 1,000 m to 3,000 m+), is a relatively complicated, time consuming, and expensive operation. Remotely operated seafloor systems, typically connected′ to a surface vehicle or platform by an ‘umbilical’ line, with a seafloor drilling rig have been known to be used for such drilling operations. A seafloor drilling rig typically includes a frame that provide support for various components such as a drill head support structure which would usually include a drill string capable of drilling a borehole in the seafloor.
- One aspect of seafloor drilling that is identified as being particularly onerous is in determining the lithology of the seafloor deposits. Typically the lithology is determined by drilling, obtaining, and analysing core samples. Typically a core barrel on the end of a drill string is used to obtain a core sample.
- Once the core barrel is filled, however, the core sample from the core barrel must then be retrieved. Typically this involves the retrieval of the entire drill string each time a core sample is recovered. The time and cost associated with recovering the core samples in this manner renders core drilling impractical for deep bores.
- Some efforts have been made to reduce the problems, such as by providing a storage area for drill rods and core barrels, and a process for exchanging full core barrels with empty ones during drilling. Multiple core samples over a greater depth bore can then be obtained without the entire drill string being retrieved to obtain each sore sample. Although the process is quicker it is still considered to be complex, time consuming, and expensive. Furthermore, if a core sample is lost (e.g. broken, damaged, or even physically lost) then the lithology of at least a portion of the borehole will be unclear.
- A further problem with core samples in general is that it is not until the core samples have been retrieved and analysed that the lithology of a borehole is known. This time delay can be significant, and introduces a substantial inefficiency in understanding the characteristics of a borehole. One result of the time delay is that boreholes are often drilled past an optimum ‘end of hole’ (EOH) depth during drilling operations. This results in wasted drilling time and resources.
- Having downhole logging tools which are lowered into a borehole to analyse the lithology of the borehole are being considered. It is desired to be able to turn the downhole logging tool on and off so that it is not continually running, which not only increases power usage but can provide interference. The increased power usage is particularly problematic for battery powered downhole logging tools where the tool is required to be recovered to surface in order to recharge the batteries.
- Providing a physically actuated power switch on tools located on the seafloor is not considered to be practical. Not only are moving parts undesirable at such depths, but having means to remotely actuate the switch can be problematic. For example, a robotic arm could potentially be provided on a drilling rig to actuate the switch, but this further increases the cost and complexity of the drilling rig. Furthermore, if an operator forgets to actuate a switch before or after use, significant resources would likely be wasted.
- It is an aim of this invention to provide an apparatus, system and method for deploying and actuating downhole logging tools from a seafloor drill rig assembly which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.
- Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
- According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a downhole logging tool for use in a seafloor borehole of seafloor drilling operations, the downhole logging tool comprising:
- an underwater chassis comprising electronic components including a power system and sensors; and
- an automatically actuated switch that selectively provides power from the power system to the electronic components;
- wherein the sensors include at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor, and the automatically actuated switch is actuated to remove power from the electronic components when the downhole logging tool is located in a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig of seafloor drilling operations and to provide power to the electronic components when the downhole logging tool is not located in the designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig.
- The automatically actuated switch preferably includes a magnetic switch that is actuated by proximity to a magnetic source. The magnetic source is preferably located in the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig. Even more preferably the magnetic source is located adjacent a downhole logging tool storage rack of the drilling rig.
- Preferably the magnetic switch is normally open and is closed by the magnetic field of the magnetic source. The magnetic switch is preferably a reed sensor. Preferably the reed sensor is part of an automatically actuated switch circuit that includes at least one transistor. Preferably the transistor is electrically connected to the power source and the magnetically actuated switch switches the transistor to selectively provide power to the electronic components.
- Preferably the electronic components include a data transfer system in communication with the sensors. The sensors preferably comprise radial measurement sensors, i.e. sensors that conduct measurements of the walls of the borehole.
- The sensors of the downhole logging tool may further comprise a temperature sensor, a resistivity sensor, and/or a natural gamma sensor. Preferably the resistivity sensor is an inductive conductivity sensor which may be a dual coil inductive conductivity sensor, a coil-focused inductive conductivity sensor, or some other form of an inductive conductivity sensor. Preferably the natural gamma sensor is utilised for depth correlation.
- Preferably the underwater chassis comprises a mating portion that releasably secures to a corresponding mating portion of the seafloor drilling rig. Preferably the underwater chassis contains the sensors, the data transfer system, and the power system. The automatically actuated switch is preferably located on downhole logging tools where the power system includes batteries.
- The data transfer system may comprise data storage for storing data received from the sensors. The data transfer system may store the data for transmission at a requested time.
- The downhole logging tool may further comprise a processor. The processor is preferably in communication with the sensors, the data transfer system, and/or the power system. The processor may process raw data from the sensors. The data transfer system is then preferably in communication with the sensors via the processor; and preferably receives processed sensor data from the processor.
- The power system preferably comprises a battery. The power system may also comprise a power transfer system. The battery may comprise a plurality of smaller batteries. The power transfer system preferably transfers power from an external power source such as a powered portion of the drilling rig of the seafloor drilling operation.
- The battery may be rechargeable and the power system may further comprise a battery charging system. The battery charging system may charge the battery from the power transfer system or inductively. The battery charging system may also be actuated by the automatically actuated switch. Alternatively, the automatically actuated switch may be actuated when the battery charging system is detected, preferably when an inductive charging field is detected.
- Preferably the mating portion of the downhole logging tool secures the downhole logging tool to a wireline system or to a drill string. Where the mating portion of the downhole logging tool is secured to a wireline system, preferably the mating portion includes a latch head. Where the mating portion of the downhole logging tool is secured to a drill string, preferably the mating portion includes an adapter. The adapter preferably connects the downhole logging tool as a bottom hole assembly of the drill string. The downhole logging tool may have a mating portion for connecting to a wireline system and a mating portion for connecting to a drill string.
- The wireline system may also be used to lower the downhole logging tool through the drill string whilst the drill string is in the borehole, preferably at total depth, and unlatch the logging tool to be received by the a portion of the drill string, preferably a bottom hole assembly portion. Preferably at least a sensor portion of the downhole logging tool protrudes from the bottom of the drill string. In this instance the drill string is recovered from the borehole to the seafloor drill rig as normal, while the downhole logging tool logs data in relation to the bore wall of the borehole from the sensors as it is raised with the drill string.
- Preferably the underwater chassis is less than 6 m long and has an outer diameter less than 150 mm. Even more preferably the underwater chassis is less than 3 m long and has an outer diameter less than 75 mm. Forms of the invention are preferably less than 2 m in length and have an outer diameter of 50 mm or less.
- According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a seafloor drilling rig comprising the hereinbefore described downhole logging tool.
- According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a system of utilising a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations comprising:
- a downhole logging tool for traversing a seafloor borehole with a power system, sensors, and an automatically actuated switch, wherein the sensors include at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor and the automatically actuated switch selectively provides power from the power system to sensors of the downhole logging tool;
- the automatically actuated switch being configured to activate the downhole logging tool when leaving a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig and deactivate the downhole logging tool when entering the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
- According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of utilising a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations comprising the steps of:
- selecting a downhole logging tool to traverse a seafloor borehole;
- manoeuvring the downhole logging tool from a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig; and
- automatically actuating an automatically actuated switch of the downhole logging tool to activate the downhole logging tool when leaving a designated portion of a drilling rig and to deactivate the downhole logging tool when entering the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
- The method of utilising a downhole logging tool preferably further comprises the steps of:
- connecting the downhole logging tool to a wireline;
- lowering the downhole logging tool down the seafloor borehole through a drill string;
- seating the downhole logging tool in a receiving portion of the lowermost drill string;
- disconnecting and retracting the wireline; and/or
- conducting measurements on the downhole tool as the drill string is removed from the borehole.
- Preferably the downhole logging tool conducts radial measurements of walls of the borehole. Preferably the downhole logging tool has sensors including at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor. Preferably the downhole logging tool in the system and method of utilising a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations is a logging downhole logging tool as previously described.
- Preferably the downhole logging tool is secured and unsecured from the seafloor drilling rig of the seafloor drilling operation by a remotely operated mechanism. Preferably the remotely operated mechanism is operated from a surface vehicle or platform.
- Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.
- By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of seafloor drilling operations including a drill string located in a borehole; -
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a seafloor drilling rig lowering a downhole logging tool into a borehole using a submersible wireline winch; -
FIG. 3 a is a diagrammatic view of a downhole logging tool being lowered into a drill string; -
FIG. 3 b is a diagrammatic view of the downhole logging tool ofFIG. 3 a in position in the bottom hole assembly of the drill string; -
FIG. 3 c is a diagrammatic view of the downhole logging tool inFIG. 3 a taking measurements as the drill string is removed; -
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a portion of a seabed drilling rig including a downhole logging tool storage area -
FIG. 5 is an electronic circuit schematic for an automatically actuated switch; and -
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a downhole logging tool. -
FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of aseafloor drilling operation 10 located on aseafloor 12 belowsea level 14. Theseafloor drilling operation 10 may be located at various depths belowsea level 14, but typically theseafloor 12 will be greater than 1000 m belowsea level 14 and, in many cases, approximately 3000 m belowsea level 14. - The
seafloor drilling operation 10 has aseafloor drilling rig 16 connected to a surface vehicle orplatform 18 by an ‘umbilical’cable 20. Theumbilical cable 20 provides theseafloor drilling rig 16 with power, control, and telemetry. Typically thedrilling rig 16 is powered and operated remotely, viaumbilical cable 20, from the surface vehicle orplatform 18. Although the surface vehicle orplatform 18 is illustrated as being located on the surface of thesea level 14, it will be appreciated that the surface vehicle or platform could also be located elsewhere, such as on land. - The
seafloor drilling rig 16 has adrill head assembly 22 connected to adrill string 24 in aborehole 26. During drilling operations, thedrill head assembly 22 controls thedrill string 24 to drill theborehole 26. Atypical drill string 24 has a conduit that transfers drilling fluid to a drill bit (not shown) of a bottom hole assembly at adistal end 24′ of thedrill string 24. A downhole logging tool 100 (not shown inFIG. 1 ), which will be described in further detail in relation toFIG. 6 , can also be secured as the bottom hole assembly at adistal end 24′ of thedrill string 24 to determine the lithology of seafloor deposits adjacent the borehole 26 wall. -
FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative method of manoeuvring adownhole logging tool 100 into aborehole 26. Instead of securing thedownhole logging tool 100 as the bottom hole assembly of adrill string 24, thedownhole logging tool 100 is secured to awireline 28 that is raised and lowed by asubmersible wireline winch 30. Electrical connection between thewireline 28 and other portions of thedrilling rig 16, such as to the umbilical 20, can be provided by anelectric slip ring 32. Alternatively, the wireline may be purely mechanical, used only to raise and lower thedownhole logging tool 100 in theborehole 26. -
FIGS. 3 a to 3 c illustrate yet another method of manoeuvring adownhole logging tool 100 into aborehole 26. As shown inFIG. 3 a, thedownhole logging tool 100 is connected to awireline 28 via amating portion 112 and is lowered into theborehole 26 by awireline winch 30. Thewireline winch 30 lowers thedownhole logging tool 100 through the inside of a plurality ofdrill rods 24″ that make up thedrill string 24. Illustrated inFIGS. 3 a to 3 c are threedrill rods 24 a to 24 c, with 24 a being theuppermost drill rod 24″ being received by adrill rod footclamp middle drill rod 24″, and 24 c being thelowermost drill rod 24″ with adownhole logging tool 100 receivingportion 36 at thedistal end 24′ of thedrill string 24. -
FIG. 3 b illustrates thedownhole logging tool 100 in the lowered position where it is received by the receivingportion 36 of thelowermost drill rod 24 c. Awireline connector 28′ at the end of thewireline 28 is detached from themating portion 112 of thedownhole logging tool 100 and thewireline winch 30 raises thewireline 28 out of thedrill string 24. Thedownhole logging tool 100 is seated in the receivingportion 36 of thelowermost drill rod 24 c with a majority portion, including the sensors, protruding from the end of thedownhole string 24. This allows the sensors in thedownhole logging tool 100 to take measurements in relation to the walls of theborehole 26 without being obstructed or interfered with by thedrill string 24. -
FIG. 3 c illustrates thedrill string 24 being removed from the borehole 26 once thewireline winch 30 has raised thewireline 28 completely out of thedrill string 24. As thedrill string 24 is raised,individual drill rods 24″ are removed from the string for storage. As shown inFIG. 3 c,uppermost drill rod 24 a has already been removed from the drill string and is stored on theseabed drilling rig 16. During raising of the drill string thedownhole logging tool 100 is active and obtains radial measurements of thebore hole 26 wall. When thedrill string 24 is fully removed from theborehole 26, thedownhole logging tool 100 can then be retrieved and, at an appropriate time, the sensor data can be downloaded. - A portion of a
seabed drilling rig 16 is illustrated inFIG. 4 , showing a designated storage portion of thedrilling rig 16 in the form of downhole loggingtool storage rack 200.FIG. 4 also illustrates adrill head 22 having aspindle 202.Tool arms 204 are provided which can manoeuvre tools, such as downhole logging tools, from therack 200 and thread them onto thedrill string 24, which is attached to thespindle 202. Thedrill head 22 can be moved vertically to controllable rates and forces in order to control thedrill string 24 and logging tool within aborehole 26. Thetool Arms 204 may also be used to manoeuvre thedownhole logging tool 100 into position for mating with thewireline 30. - As will be discussed in more detail in relation to
FIG. 6 , thedownhole logging tool 100 is battery powered and has aswitch 152. Thatswitch 152 is an automatically actuated switch. The automatically actuatedswitch 152 of thedownhole logging tool 100 is actuated such that thedownhole logging tools 100 are deactivated (i.e. using substantially no power) when in storage in thetool rack 200 and are then activated when taken from thetool rack 200 for use. - In a preferred embodiment the automatically actuated switch is actuated magnetically by a
magnet 206 located adjacent thetool rack 200, preferably directly adjacent the location of the switch of thedownhole logging tool 100 when thedownhole logging tool 100 is located in thetool rack 200. When theswitch 152 is proximal the magnet adjacent thetool rack 200, theswitch 152 is actuated, thereby automatically deactivating thetool 100. - The downhole logging tool may be charged when located in the
tool rack 200. An inductive charging device (not shown) may be provided on or adjacent thetool rack 200. Using power from theseafloor drill rig 16, the inductive charging device creates an electromagnetic field by way of an induction coil. When thedownhole logging tool 100 is located in proximity to the inductive charging device, a second induction coil in, or at least electrically connected to, the battery of thedownhole tool 100 converts the electromagnetic field into electrical charge to charge the battery. As an alternative to the magnetic switch, the detection of the induction charging field may instead be used to actuate the automatically actuated switch. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred automatically actuatedswitch circuit layout 500. Thecircuit 500 includes four resistors (R1, R2, R3, and R4), areed switch 510, and two transistors in the form ofMOSFETs reed switch 510 is normally open and is closed when subjected to a magnetic field, such as by themagnet 206 adjacent thetool rack 200. Thecircuit 500 connects directly to a power source in the form of an 18cell battery pack 502. - Typically reed switches allow a limited amount of current to pass through (e.g. 0.1 A). The
circuit 500 allows thereed switch 510, which has good sensitivity to a magnetic field, to be used without unduly limiting current from thebattery pack 502. In a preferred embodiment thecircuit 500 allows a current of approximately 7.5 A to pass when thereed switch 510 is open. - In a preferred embodiment, when the
reed switch 510 is open, i.e. when it is not subject to a magnetic field, the resistance measured between Vin and Vout is 0.0226Ω to 0.028Ω. When thereed switch 510 is closed, i.e. when it is subject to a magnetic field, the resistance measured between Vin and Vout is 4.8MΩ to 24MΩ. The high resistance when thereed switch 510 is closed results in minimal, if any, current flowing through Vout. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a preferreddownhole logging tool 100. Thedownhole logging tool 100 has anunderwater chassis 110 in the form of a high pressure housing shaped to traverse theborehole 26. Thechassis 110 has amating portion 112 and contains: one or more sensors, a data transfer system in communication with the sensors, and a power system that provides power to the sensors and data transfer system. Specifically, thedownhole logging tool 100 has abattery pack 150, apower switch 152, anelectronics portion 170, anatural gamma sensor 172, aconductivity sensor 174, amagnetic susceptibility sensor 176, and anexternal temperature sensor 178. Theelectronics portion 170 includes a processor and data storage memory. - The
mating portion 112 of thedownhole logging tool 100 is connectable to both adrill string 24 andwireline 28. This allows thedownhole logging tool 100 to traverse and conduct measurements inborehole 26 using any of the methods described in relation toFIG. 1 , 2, or 3 a to 3 c. Most preferably, thedownhole logging tool 100 is used in the method described in relation toFIGS. 3 a to 3 c, where thedownhole logging tool 100 is lowered through thedrill string 24 using awireline 28 and is then raised with thedrill string 24 while conducting measurements of the walls of theborehole 26. - Prior to use,
downhole logging tools 100 are located in thetool storage rack 200 of thedrilling rig 12. The automatically actuatedswitches 152 are held open (i.e. incircuit 500 the reed switch is closed and thedownhole logging tools 100 are turned off, conserving power) by one or more magnets adjacent thetool rack 200. When it is desired to use adownhole logging tool 100, thedownhole logging tool 100 is selected and removed from thetool rack 200. As thedownhole logging tool 100 is removed from the rack theswitch 152 is removed from the magnetic field adjacent thetool rack 200 and theswitch 152 is automatically actuated to the closed position (i.e. incircuit 500 the reed switch is opened and thedownhole logging tool 100 is turned on). The downhole logging tool is then automatically activated by theswitch 152 for use in theborehole 26. - The automatically activated
downhole logging tool 100 may then be lowered into the borehole 26 to provide measurements which can be used to determine the lithology of seafloor deposits. - Where the
downhole logging tool 100 is connected to adrill string 24 as illustrated inFIG. 1 , thetool arm 204 connects themating portion 112 of thedownhole logging tool 100 todistal end 24′ of adrill string 24 such that thedownhole logging tool 100 is deployed as a bottom hole assembly. Where thedownhole logging tool 100 is connected to a wireline 28 (as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 a) then thewireline winch 30 is positioned above theborehole 26 and thedownhole logging tool 100 is lowered down theborehole 26. - Where the
downhole logging tool 100 to is to be seated in a receivingportion 36 of adrillstring 24 as illustrated inFIGS. 3 a to 3 c, thewireline winch 30 lowers thedownhole logging tool 100 into the receivingportion 36, detaches from themating portion 112 of thedownhole logging tool 100 and retracts thewireline 28 back out of thedrill string 24. Thedownhole logging tool 100 then conducts measurements and logs data as it traverses up the borehole 26 during normal drill string retrieval operations. Once thelowermost drill rod 24 c is situated in thedrill rod footclamp 34 thewireline 28 can be utilised to connect to thedownhole logging tool 100 and manoeuvre it back to thetool storage area 200, where thedownhole logging tool 100 is automatically powered down by the automatically actuatedswitch 152 in the presence of the magnetic field of themagnet 206. - The sensors of the
downhole logging tool 100 measure characteristics of the walls of theborehole 26 and communicate the data, typically via a processor, to a data transfer system. The data transfer system stores the data for transmission at a later date (e.g. upon retrieval). The data from the sensors provide down hole geophysical properties which can be used to determine lithology of the analysed section of the borehole. - Data from magnetic susceptibility sensors can be used to determine areas of seabed massive sulphides and non-mineralised basement volcanic rocks. Altered volcanics and sulphides have magnetic susceptibility destroyed by high temperature and, accordingly, magnetic susceptibility sensors can be used to discriminate areas of interest and determine ‘end of hole’ when non-mineralised basement volcanic rocks are reached.
- The
downhole logging tool 100 ofFIG. 6 does not have a dedicated power or communication line to thedrilling rig 16. It is therefore powered by rechargeable batteries, which may be recharged inductively when stored in thedrilling rig 16. Alternatively, thedownhole logging tool 100 may be recharged at the surface. Typically thedownhole logging tool 100 stores data locally in on-board memory, but it is envisaged that it could transmit the data using existing data transmission techniques such as acoustic transmission or via an umbilical cable. - When finished with a
downhole logging tool 100, it is retracted from theborehole 26 and placed back in thetool rack 200 of thedrilling rig 12. As the tool is placed back in the tool rack the automatically actuatedswitch 152 is actuated open (i.e. thereed switch 510 incircuit 500 is closed) by the presence of the magnetic field frommagnet 206 adjacent thetool rack 200. This process automatically deactivates thedownhole logging tool 100 to conserve battery power and also to prevent any interference that the downhole logging tool may create. - Advantageously, the
downhole logging tool 100 provides quick and relatively easy lithology analysis of aborehole 26. Thedownhole logging tool 100 can be used in areas of interest and also where there has been core loss. Retrieving data from thedownhole logging tool 100 is significantly less burdensome than having to retrieve and analyse core samples. The decreased time to receive borehole lithology data further provides increased confidence in terminating drilling operations, i.e. calling ‘end of hole’, which improves efficiency and thereby reduces operational costs. Use of thedownhole logging tool 100 may be used in conjunction with core samples or, if sufficient information is provided, instead of core samples altogether. - The use of an automatically actuated switch that automatically activates and deactivates downhole logging tools as they are removed and replaced (respectively) from a tool rack advantageously reduces power consumption of the downhole logging tools. As the downhole logging tools are typically only removed from the tool rack for use, the automatically actuated switch only activates a downhole logging tool when it is in use, or about to be used. This improves longevity of batteries in the downhole logging tool as well as reducing overall power consumption.
- The
magnetic switching circuit 500 advantageously allows a magneticallysensitive reed switch 510 to be used without unduly limiting the current that can be supplied from thebattery pack 502. Furthermore, thecircuit 500 avoids burn out of thereed switch 510 during start-up. - A specific combination of components of a downhole logging tool has been described, including a specific combination of sensors and mating portions. These specific combinations are preferred embodiments of the invention, but it will be appreciated that other combinations of sensors and/or mating portions may also be utilised.
- Although a seafloor drilling rig is referred to herein, it will be appreciated that this may not necessarily be a stationary drilling rig but may be a manoeuvrable drill rig in the form of, for example, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
- References herein to the seafloor, seabed, subsea, or the like are for convenience only and could equally be applied to other bodies of water such as, for example, a lake with a lakebed, etc.
- In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.
- The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.
- In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
Claims (25)
1. A downhole logging tool for use in a seafloor borehole of seafloor drilling operations, the downhole logging tool comprising:
an underwater chassis comprising electronic components and a power system, the electronic components including sensors; and
an automatically actuated switch that selectively provides power from the power system to the electronic components;
wherein the sensors include at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor, and the automatically actuated switch is actuated to remove power from the electronic components when the downhole logging tool is located in a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig of seafloor drilling operations and to provide power to the electronic components when the downhole logging tool is not located in the designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig.
2. The downhole logging tool of claim 1 , wherein the automatically actuated switch includes a magnetic switch that is actuated by proximity to a magnetic source.
3. The downhole logging tool of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic source is located in the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
4. The downhole logging tool of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic source is located adjacent a downhole logging tool storage rack of the drilling rig.
5. The downhole logging tool of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic switch is normally open and is closed by the magnetic field of the magnetic source.
6. The downhole logging tool of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic switch is a reed sensor that is part of an automatically actuated switch circuit that includes at least one transistor.
7. The downhole logging tool of claim 6 , wherein the transistor is electrically connected to the power source and the reed sensor switches the transistor to selectively provide power to the electronic components.
8. The downhole logging tool of claim 1 , wherein the electronic components include a data transfer system in communication with the sensors.
9. The downhole logging tool of claim 1 , wherein the sensors comprise radial measurement sensors that conduct measurements of the walls of the borehole.
10. The downhole logging tool of claim 1 , wherein the sensors of the downhole logging tool further comprise a temperature sensor, a resistivity sensor, and/or a natural gamma sensor.
11. The downhole logging tool of claim 10 , wherein the resistivity sensor is an inductive conductivity sensor.
12. The downhole logging tool of claim 11 , wherein the inductive conductivity sensor is a dual coil inductive conductivity sensor or a coil-focused inductive conductivity sensor.
13. The downhole logging tool of claim 1 , wherein the underwater chassis comprises a mating portion that releasably secures to a corresponding mating portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
14. The downhole logging tool of claim 13 , wherein the mating portion includes a latch head to mate the downhole logging tool to a wireline system.
15. The downhole logging tool of claim 13 , wherein the mating portion includes an adapter to mate the downhole logging tool to a drill string.
16. The downhole logging tool of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises a battery.
17. The downhole logging tool of claim 16 , wherein the battery is rechargeable and the power system further comprise a battery charging system.
18. The downhole logging tool of claim 17 , wherein the battery charging system charges the batteries inductively from the seafloor drilling rig.
19. A seafloor drilling rig comprising a downhole logging tool as claimed in claim 1 .
20. A system of utilising a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations comprising:
a downhole logging tool, for traversing a seafloor borehole, with a power system, sensors, and an automatically actuated switch, wherein the sensors include at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor and wherein the automatically actuated switch selectively provides power from the power system to sensors of the downhole logging tool;
the automatically actuated switch being configured to activate the downhole logging tool when leaving a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig and deactivate the downhole logging tool when entering the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
21. A method of utilising a downhole logging tool in seafloor drilling operations comprising the steps of:
selecting a downhole logging tool to traverse a seafloor borehole;
manoeuvring the selected downhole logging tool from a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig; and
automatically actuating an automatically actuated switch of the downhole logging tool to activate the downhole logging tool when leaving the designated portion of a drilling rig and to deactivate the downhole logging tool when entering the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
connecting the downhole logging tool to a wireline;
lowering the downhole logging tool down the seafloor borehole through a drill string;
seating the downhole logging tool in a receiving portion of the lowermost drill string;
disconnecting and retracting the wireline; and
conducting measurements on the downhole tool as the drill string is removed from the borehole.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the downhole logging tool has sensors including at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor.
24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the downhole logging tool conducts radial measurements of walls of the borehole.
25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the downhole logging tool is a downhole logging tool as claimed in claim 1 .
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2012902644A AU2012902644A0 (en) | 2012-06-22 | An apparatus, system and method for actuating downhole tools in subsea drilling operations | |
AU2012902644 | 2012-06-22 | ||
PCT/AU2013/000625 WO2013188903A1 (en) | 2012-06-22 | 2013-06-12 | An apparatus, system and method for actuating downhole tools in subsea drilling operations |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150337643A1 true US20150337643A1 (en) | 2015-11-26 |
Family
ID=49767927
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/410,355 Abandoned US20150337643A1 (en) | 2012-06-22 | 2013-06-12 | An apparatus, system and method for actuating downhole tools in subsea drilling applications |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20150337643A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2864589A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2015520313A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20150031412A (en) |
CN (1) | CN104334830A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2013277920A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013188903A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150068737A1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-12 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Logging tool and method of use |
US20170108616A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Borehole logging sensor and related methods |
US10287834B2 (en) | 2014-12-24 | 2019-05-14 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Logging tool |
US10400530B2 (en) * | 2013-04-19 | 2019-09-03 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Fluid flow during landing of logging tools in bottom hole assembly |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES2729345T3 (en) | 2014-05-13 | 2019-10-31 | Bauer Maschinen Gmbh | Underwater drilling device and procedure for obtaining and analyzing background samples of a water body |
US9595833B2 (en) | 2014-07-24 | 2017-03-14 | Seabed Geosolutions B.V. | Inductive power for seismic sensor node |
NO342043B1 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2018-03-19 | Aker Solutions As | Workover Safety System |
WO2019237127A2 (en) * | 2018-06-08 | 2019-12-12 | Ion Geophysical Corporation | Sensor node attachment mechanism and cable retrieval system |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3690166A (en) * | 1969-05-09 | 1972-09-12 | C Fitzhugh Grice | Apparatus for measuring subsurface soil characteristics |
US3758847A (en) * | 1971-12-23 | 1973-09-11 | Texaco Inc | Method and system with voltage cancellation for measuring the magnetic susceptibility of a subsurface earth formation |
US4551681A (en) * | 1983-05-02 | 1985-11-05 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Interior | Magnetic susceptibility well-logging unit with single power supply thermoregulation system |
US6526818B1 (en) * | 1999-04-23 | 2003-03-04 | Xl Technology Limited | Seabed analysis |
US7036598B2 (en) * | 2000-08-21 | 2006-05-02 | Offshore & Marine As | Intervention module for a well |
WO2006076758A1 (en) * | 2005-01-18 | 2006-07-27 | Benthic Geotech Pty Ltd | Instrumentation probe for in situ measurement and testing of seabed |
US20100096187A1 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2010-04-22 | Storm Jr Bruce H | Through drillstring logging systems and methods |
US7735564B2 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2010-06-15 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Logging tool deployment systems and methods with pressure compensation |
US20100194588A1 (en) * | 2007-10-09 | 2010-08-05 | Menezes Clive D | Telemetry System for Slickline Enabling Real Time Logging |
US20120298355A1 (en) * | 2011-05-27 | 2012-11-29 | Adrian John Digby | Logging While Pulling |
US9091153B2 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2015-07-28 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Wireless two-way communication for downhole tools |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2625583A (en) * | 1950-10-28 | 1953-01-13 | Schlumberger Well Surv Corp | Magnetic induction well-logging instrument |
US3388323A (en) * | 1965-09-30 | 1968-06-11 | Mobil Oil Corp | Borehole system including three angularly spaced coil means for measuring subsurface dip |
GB2156527A (en) * | 1984-03-30 | 1985-10-09 | Nl Industries Inc | Aperture antenna system for measurement of formation parameters |
US4570718A (en) * | 1984-12-21 | 1986-02-18 | Adams Jr Harold P | Oil level sensor system and method for oil wells |
US6064210A (en) * | 1997-11-14 | 2000-05-16 | Cedar Bluff Group Corporation | Retrievable resistivity logging system for use in measurement while drilling |
US6269891B1 (en) * | 1998-09-21 | 2001-08-07 | Shell Oil Company | Through-drill string conveyed logging system |
US6808021B2 (en) * | 2000-08-14 | 2004-10-26 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Subsea intervention system |
JP2002318116A (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2002-10-31 | Nagoya Industrial Science Research Inst | Direction measuring device |
FR2848363B1 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2005-03-11 | Geoservices | DATA TRANSMISSION DEVICE FOR AN OPERATING FACILITY FOR FLUIDS CONTAINED IN A BASEMENT. |
US20050236161A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-10-27 | Michael Gay | Optical fiber equipped tubing and methods of making and using |
NO323508B1 (en) * | 2005-07-05 | 2007-05-29 | Seabed Rig As | Drilling rig located on the seabed and equipped for drilling of oil and gas wells |
JP2009503306A (en) * | 2005-08-04 | 2009-01-29 | シュルンベルジェ ホールディングス リミテッド | Interface for well telemetry system and interface method |
US7748466B2 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2010-07-06 | Thrubit B.V. | Coiled tubing wellbore drilling and surveying using a through the drill bit apparatus |
EP2415961A1 (en) * | 2010-08-03 | 2012-02-08 | Vetco Gray Controls Limited | Supplying power to underwater devices |
-
2013
- 2013-06-12 CN CN201380026842.8A patent/CN104334830A/en active Pending
- 2013-06-12 US US14/410,355 patent/US20150337643A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-06-12 WO PCT/AU2013/000625 patent/WO2013188903A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-06-12 KR KR20147032234A patent/KR20150031412A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2013-06-12 JP JP2015517554A patent/JP2015520313A/en active Pending
- 2013-06-12 AU AU2013277920A patent/AU2013277920A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-06-12 EP EP13807163.4A patent/EP2864589A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3690166A (en) * | 1969-05-09 | 1972-09-12 | C Fitzhugh Grice | Apparatus for measuring subsurface soil characteristics |
US3758847A (en) * | 1971-12-23 | 1973-09-11 | Texaco Inc | Method and system with voltage cancellation for measuring the magnetic susceptibility of a subsurface earth formation |
US4551681A (en) * | 1983-05-02 | 1985-11-05 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Interior | Magnetic susceptibility well-logging unit with single power supply thermoregulation system |
US6526818B1 (en) * | 1999-04-23 | 2003-03-04 | Xl Technology Limited | Seabed analysis |
US7036598B2 (en) * | 2000-08-21 | 2006-05-02 | Offshore & Marine As | Intervention module for a well |
WO2006076758A1 (en) * | 2005-01-18 | 2006-07-27 | Benthic Geotech Pty Ltd | Instrumentation probe for in situ measurement and testing of seabed |
US20100096187A1 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2010-04-22 | Storm Jr Bruce H | Through drillstring logging systems and methods |
US20100194588A1 (en) * | 2007-10-09 | 2010-08-05 | Menezes Clive D | Telemetry System for Slickline Enabling Real Time Logging |
US7735564B2 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2010-06-15 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Logging tool deployment systems and methods with pressure compensation |
US20120298355A1 (en) * | 2011-05-27 | 2012-11-29 | Adrian John Digby | Logging While Pulling |
US9091153B2 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2015-07-28 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Wireless two-way communication for downhole tools |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10400530B2 (en) * | 2013-04-19 | 2019-09-03 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Fluid flow during landing of logging tools in bottom hole assembly |
US20150068737A1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-12 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Logging tool and method of use |
US9976407B2 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2018-05-22 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Logging tool and method of use |
US10287834B2 (en) | 2014-12-24 | 2019-05-14 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Logging tool |
US20170108616A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Borehole logging sensor and related methods |
US9995845B2 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2018-06-12 | Reeves Wireline Technologies Limited | Borehole logging sensor and related methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2013277920A1 (en) | 2014-11-13 |
KR20150031412A (en) | 2015-03-24 |
JP2015520313A (en) | 2015-07-16 |
WO2013188903A1 (en) | 2013-12-27 |
CN104334830A (en) | 2015-02-04 |
EP2864589A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 |
EP2864589A4 (en) | 2016-03-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20150337643A1 (en) | An apparatus, system and method for actuating downhole tools in subsea drilling applications | |
US8544534B2 (en) | Power systems for wireline well service using wired pipe string | |
US7913775B2 (en) | Subsurface formation core acquisition system using high speed data and control telemetry | |
US8120508B2 (en) | Cable link for a wellbore telemetry system | |
US9347277B2 (en) | System and method for communicating between a drill string and a logging instrument | |
CN101517191B (en) | Method of and system for determining the free point in a drill pipe | |
US8689867B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for pipe-conveyed well logging | |
US20150090444A1 (en) | Power systems for wireline well service using wired pipe string | |
US11149500B2 (en) | Contact module for communicating with a downhole device | |
MX2014010757A (en) | Method for communicating with logging tools. | |
US8631867B2 (en) | Methods for cooling measuring devices in high temperature wells | |
US20110174543A1 (en) | Detecting and measuring a coring sample | |
BR112015010634B1 (en) | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING LAND FORMATION PROPERTY | |
NO325847B1 (en) | System and method of data transfer between a logging tool and a computer using portable memory module | |
WO2018195010A1 (en) | Method for movement measurement of an instrument in a wellbore | |
US9249658B2 (en) | Downhole data communication and logging system | |
US10358907B2 (en) | Self retracting wall contact well logging sensor | |
US9464489B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for pipe-conveyed well logging | |
US10837246B2 (en) | System for acquisition of wellbore parameters and short distance data transfer | |
US8272260B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for formation evaluation after drilling |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: EDA KOPA (SOLWARA) LIMITED, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NAUTILUS MINERALS PACIFIC PTY LTD;REEL/FRAME:035865/0476 Effective date: 20141211 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |