Downhole To Surface Communications Platform For Drilling Applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024068363-A1
Application number	US-202318387160-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 6, 2023
Priority date	Nov 3, 2020
Publication date	Feb 29, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A drilling assembly for downhole to surface communications is provided. The drilling assembly includes a series of pipe segments coupled in fluid communication between a slip ring assembly and an end pipe portion. The slip ring assembly is coupled in data and fluid communication with the pipe segments. A surface communications link is in data communication with the drilling assembly via the slip ring assembly. An end pipe portion is coupled with the drilling assembly that includes an electronics assembly with electronic components for transferring data to the slip ring assembly via the drilling assembly. A drill bit is operably coupled with the end pipe portion for drilling a borehole. Each pipe segment includes an outer conductor portion, a hollow inner conductor portion, and a dielectric portion for electrical isolation between the outer conductor portion and the inner conductor portion.

First claim

1 . A drilling assembly for downhole to surface communications, comprising:
a plurality of pipe segments coupled in serial fluid communication, a slip ring assembly, and an end pipe portion; the slip ring assembly coupled in data communication and in fluid communication with the plurality of pipe segments; a communications link disposed at the surface in data communication with drilling assembly through slip ring assembly; end pipe portion coupled with a pipe segment of the drilling assembly, the end pipe portion comprising an electronics assembly, the electronics assembly comprising at least one electronic component for transferring data between the slip ring assembly via the drilling assembly; and a drill bit operably coupled with the end pipe portion for drilling a borehole; each pipe segment comprising an outer conductor portion, a hollow inner conductor portion, and a dielectric portion disposed between said outer conductor portion and said inner conductor portion; the dielectric portion insulating inner conductor portion from electrical contact with the outer conductor portion.

2 . The drilling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the slip ring comprising:
a stationary sleeve portion supporting a rotatable internal mandrel; the internal mandrel connected with the pipe segment; a dielectric portion and a waveguide; the waveguide in data communication with a data port disposed on the sleeve portion; the data port comprising one or more conductors to transmit and receive electronic communication signals between a communications link and the electronics assembly; and the internal mandrel coupled to the drilling assembly drill segments to generate torque to the drill bit.

3 . The drilling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer conductor portion comprises a conductive material.

4 . The drilling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electronics assembly comprises a data link between the electronics assembly, the electronics assembly further comprising a radio frequency transceiver, a specialty drill pipe, and a radio frequency receiving means for extracting the a data signal.

5 . The drilling assembly of claim 4 , wherein the electronics assembly further comprises one or more electronic components for generating data to a communications link; the electronic components selected from a navigation sensor, a force sensor, a torque sensor, an accelerometers, and surface equipment used to process data.

6 . The drilling assembly of claim 5 , wherein radio frequency communications are configured from about a few MHz/MBit to about 500 m with a range of attenuation between 10 dB to 20 dB.

7 . The drilling assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of drill segments extend up to 5 kilometers, and transmit frequencies in the range of 100 kHz/kBit to 500 kHz/kBit with attenuation between 13 dB to 32 dB.

8 . The drilling assembly of claim 1 , wherein each pipe segment comprises a first end having a male coupler portion, and a second end opposite the first end, the second end comprising a female coupler portion, wherein adjacent pipe segments being connected in a continuous drilling assembly for fluid and data communication.

9 . The drilling assembly of claim 8 , wherein a female interface portion is configured at the first end and a male interface portion is configured at the second end; the female interface portion having a first tapered end co-operable with a second tapered end of the male interface portion to align the inner conductor portions or respective connected drill segments.

10 . The drilling assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a compliant contact arrangement disposed between adjacent pipe segments of the drilling assembly, the compliant contact arrangement configured to seal a fluid path and conduct electrical signals between adjacent pipe segments; wherein a first contact portion mateable with an adjoining inner conductor portion second contact portion; the first contact portion comprising a first center contact and a first insulator cooperative with a second center contact and a second insulator of the adjacent second contact portion when coupled.

11 . The drilling assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a spherical interface having a ball and a first spring at a first end and a socket and a second spring at a second end, wherein the ball and the socket are positively engaged between respective adjoining inner conductor portions.

12 . A pipe segment for a drilling assembly comprising:
an outer conductor portion, a hollow inner conductor portion, and a dielectric portion disposed between said outer conductor portion and said inner conductor portion; the dielectric portion insulating inner conductor portion from electrical contact with the outer conductor portion; the inner conductor portion defining a sealed fluid passage therethrough.

13 . The pipe segment of claim 12 , each pipe segment comprising:
a first end having a male coupler portion, and a second end opposite the first end; the second end comprising a female coupler portion co-operable with an adjacent pipe segment for connecting a continuous drilling assembly with a sealed fluid passage and data communication.

14 . The pipe segment of claim 12 , further comprising:
a female interface portion disposed at a first end and a male interface portion disposed at a second end; the female interface portion having a first tapered end co-operable with a second tapered end of the male interface portion to align the inner conductor portions to connect the drill segment in sealed fluid communication and data communication with an adjacent drill segment.

15 . The pipe segment of claim 12 , further comprising:
a compliant contact arrangement disposed between adjacent pipe segments of the drilling assembly; the compliant contact arrangement configured to seal a fluid path and conduct electrical signals between adjacent pipe segments; wherein a first contact portion being mateable with an adjoining inner conductor portion second contact portion; the first contact portion comprising a first center contact and a first insulator cooperative with a second center contact and a second insulator of the adjacent second contact portion when coupled.

16 . The pipe segment of claim 15 , further comprising:
a spherical interface having a ball and a first spring at a first end and a socket and a second spring at a second end, wherein the ball and the socket are positively engaged by the first and second springs disposed between respective adjoining inner conductor portions.

17 . An electronics assembly for a downhole to surface communications system for a drilling assembly, the electronics assembly comprising:
a first end configured for connection to a pipe segment of the drilling assembly, and a second end configured for connection to a drill bit; and a data link between the electronics assembly and a surface communications link, a radio frequency transceiver, a specialty drill pipe, and a radio frequency receiving means for extracting the a data signal.

18 . The electronics assembly of claim 17 , further comprising one or more electronic components for generating data to a communications link; the electronic components selected from a navigation sensor, a force sensor, a torque sensor, an accelerometers, and surface equipment used to process data.

19 . The electronics assembly of claim 18 , wherein radio frequency communications parameters are configured from about a few MHz/MBit to about 500 m with a range of attenuation between 10 dB to 20 dB.

Assignees

• Nat Tech & Eng Solutions Sandia Llc

Inventors

• Su Jiann-Cherng
• Krein Jason P
• Borchardt John Joseph
• Robey Richard Ellis
• Wright Andrew Alexander
• Pope Joseph Samuel
• Myers Taylor Anthony
• Grubelich Mark C
• Blankenship Douglas A

Classifications

• E21B47/13 Primary

  by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency · CPC title

• E21B17/0285

  characterised by electrically insulating elements · CPC title

• E21B17/028 Primary

  Electrical or electro-magnetic connections · CPC title