Tool health evaluation system and methodology

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9260943-B2
Application number	US-201314061717-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2013
Priority date	Oct 23, 2013
Publication date	Feb 16, 2016
Grant date	Feb 16, 2016

Abstract

A technique facilitates evaluation of a tool, such as a drill tool. The technique comprises collecting tool data via a sensor on a given tool during use of that tool in a given operation, e.g. drilling operation. Additional data related to the tool is accumulated from a plurality of sources external to the tool. For example, data may be collected from both downhole sources and surface sources. Upon completion of the operation, the tool data is transmitted to the surface for processing on a processor system in combination with the data cumulated from sources external to the tool. The processing may be performed in real time as the tool data is received from downhole to enable a comprehensive diagnosis of tool health prior to retrieval of the tool to the surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for evaluating a well tool, comprising:
operating a tool in a drilling operation in a downhole environment;
accumulating tool data on the tool via a sensor located on the tool;
accumulating corresponding data via an additional sensor located downhole;
obtaining additional data related to the tool from a remote location and transmitting the additional data to a surface processor system;
transmitting the tool data and the corresponding data uphole to the surface processor system prior to pulling the tool out of hole, wherein the data is transmitted after completing drilling;
processing the tool data, the corresponding data, and the additional data in real time on the surface processor system as the tool data and the corresponding data is transmitted uphole;
pulling the drilling tool out of the hole after transmitting tool data up hole; and
diagnosing whether the tool has sufficient health for use in a subsequent operation, the diagnosis being completed prior to the tool reaching the surface location when pulled out of hole after drilling is complete and based on processing the transmitted data.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein accumulating tool data and accumulating corresponding data comprises accumulating the tool data and the corresponding data with a plurality of sensors and a plurality of corresponding sensors.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein accumulating corresponding data comprises accumulating data from other tools located in a drill string.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein accumulating corresponding data comprises accumulating data on a surrounding formation.

5. The method as recited in 1 , wherein obtaining additional data comprises maintaining stored data on the tool acquired from previous jobs utilizing the tool and obtaining engineering data on the tool from a remote, surface database.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein obtaining additional data comprises sending surface sensor data downhole for processing on a downhole processing system.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the tool data and corresponding data uphole after drilling has stopped and during a circulating bottoms up procedure immediately prior to pulling out of hole.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the tool data and the corresponding data uphole via telemetry frames.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the tool data and the corresponding data uphole via mud pulse telemetry.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the tool data and the corresponding data uphole via electromagnetic telemetry.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the tool data and the corresponding data uphole via wired drill pipe telemetry.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein diagnosing comprises determining the tool is ready for a subsequent drilling job; and further comprising using the tool in the subsequent drilling job based on the determination.

13. A system for efficient use of well tools, comprising:
a well string deployed in a wellbore and comprising a tool employed for a drilling operation;
a plurality of sensors obtaining tool data related to the tool and corresponding data related to other equipment in the well string;
a telemetry system to relay the data from the plurality of sensors for processing;
a processing system which receives the tool data and the corresponding data prior to pulling the tool out of hole and after stopping drilling, wherein the processing system processes the tool data and the corresponding data in real time as the tool data and the corresponding data is transmitted up hole; and
a plurality of databases having corresponding data related to the tool, the data and the corresponding data being processed on an algorithmic engine of the processor system to determine a health of the tool prior to withdrawal of the tool to the surface to facilitate a diagnosis while the tool is pulled out of the hole and after transmitting the tool data and the corresponding data up hole.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the tool comprises at least one of a drilling tool, a packer, monitoring equipment, and a submersible pump.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Eriksson Staffan Kari
• Morley Jan Stefan
• Liland Eimund

Classifications

• E21B44/00

  Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions · CPC title

• E21B47/008

  Monitoring of down-hole pump systems, e.g. for the detection of "pumped-off" conditions · CPC title

• E21B41/00 Primary

  Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 · CPC title

• E21B47/12

  Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling · CPC title

• E21B47/0007

  Fixed Constructions · mapped topic