Drill bit metamorphism detection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12366158-B2
Application number	US-202218690936-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 2, 2022
Priority date	Dec 2, 2021
Publication date	Jul 22, 2025
Grant date	Jul 22, 2025

Abstract

A bit to detect drill bit metamorphism (DBM) may include a bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include at least one cutting element connected to the bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include a temperature sensor on or in the at least one cutting element. A bit to detect DBM may include an electronics module in communication with the temperature sensor. A bit to detect DBM may include a wiring conduit from the at least one cutting element and through at least a portion of the bit head to the electronics module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A drill bit for at-bit detection of drill bit metamorphism, comprising:
a bit head;
at least one cutting element connected to the bit head;
a temperature sensor coupled to the at least one cutting element;
an electronics module in communication with the temperature sensor, the electronics module configured to use temperature data from the temperature sensor and detect drill bit metamorphism; and
a wiring conduit from the temperature sensor or the at least one cutting element and through at least a portion of the bit head to the electronics module.

2. The drill bit of claim 1 , further comprising a bit pin or a bit box coupled to the bit head.

3. The drill bit of claim 2 , further comprising one or more seals between the bit head and the bit pin or bit box.

4. The drill bit of claim 3 , the one or more seals including a seal around the wiring conduit at an interface between the bit head and the bit pin or bit box.

5. The drill bit of claim 1 , the wiring conduit extending through an integrally formed portion of the bit head and to the electronics module.

6. The drill bit of claim 1 , the electronics module including at least one of a microcontroller, memory, accelerometer, an angular rate sensor, a thermocouple amplifier, a battery, or a power generator.

7. A method for performing at-bit detection of drill bit metamorphism, comprising:
detecting temperature data at a cutting element of a drill bit using a temperature sensor in or on the cutting element;
recovering the temperature data from the drill bit;
producing synchronized data by synchronizing the temperature data with at least one of surface gas data or drilling data; and
identifying drill bit metamorphism from the synchronized data.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein recovering the temperature data includes recovering the temperature data at a surface location after tripping the drill bit to the surface location.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
using a downhole communication tool, sending the temperature data to surface; and
combining the temperature data with surface gas data.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising processing the temperature data downhole, and wherein the temperature data sent to the surface is processed temperature data.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising generating one or more of a flag, a risk rating, or actionable insight from the processed temperature data.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein synchronizing the temperature data includes synchronizing based on one or both of time or depth.

13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising constructing one or more models of bit measurements relative to surface gas measurements.

14. A method for detecting drill bit metamorphism, comprising:
measuring temperature measurements at one or more points of contact between a downhole tool and a rock;
correlating the temperature measurements with a production of gas in drilling fluid; and
identifying drill bit metamorphism based on the correlated temperature measurements.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the drilling fluid includes an oil-based mud.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the gas includes hydrogen gas.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more points of contact include a cutting element on the downhole tool.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising identifying a mitigation action to reduce or slow the drill bit metamorphism.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein correlating the temperature measurements occurs at the downhole tool.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Hird Jonathan Robert
• Robinson Andrew David
• Strapoc Dariusz
• Abolins Nicholas Ivars
• Yarman Can Evren
• Mcalinden Timothy
• Scott David

Classifications

• E21B47/07

  Temperature · CPC title

• E21B47/013 Primary

  Devices specially adapted for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits · CPC title