The present invention relates generally to drilling wellbores for oil, gas, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to assemblies and methods for improved drill bit and drill string performance.
Due to their size and construction, prior art heavy weight drill collars are unbalanced to some degree and tend to introduce variations. Moreover, even if they were perfectly balanced, the heavy weight drill collars have a buckling point and tend to bend up to this point during the drilling process. The result of imbalanced heavy weight collars and the bending of the overall downhole assembly produces a flywheel effect with an imbalance therein that may easily cause the drill bit to whirl, vibrate, and/or lose contact with the wellbore face in the desired drilling direction. The oil and gas drilling industry has long sought and continues to seek solutions to the above problems.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved drilling assembly and method.
An objective of another possible embodiment is to provide faster drilling ROP (rate of penetration), longer bit life, reduced stress on drill string joints, truer gage borehole, improved circulation, improved cementing, improved lower noise MWD and LWD, improved wireline logging accuracy, improved screen assembly running and installation, fewer bit trips, reduced or elimination of tortuosity, reduced or elimination of drill string buckling, reduced hole washout, improved safety, and/or other benefits.
Another objective of yet another possible embodiment of the present invention is to provide means for transmitting the force from one or a plurality of weight sections which may or may not comprise standard drill collars through threaded connectors to any desired point there below through any number of box/pin connection up to and including placing substantially the entire weight of a plurality of weight sections at the top of the drill bit.
An objective of yet another possible embodiment of the present invention provides a much shorter compression length of the bottom hole assembly with respect to the first order of buckling length to thereby virtually eliminate buckling of the bottom hole assembly and the resulting tortuosity in the hole.
Another objective of yet another possible embodiment of the present invention is to provide an outer steel sleeve for the bottom hole assembly which is held in tension instead of being in compression even at close distances from the drill bit such that buckling of the drill string is eliminated.
Another objective of yet another possible embodiment of the present invention is to apply an increased amount of weight adjacent the bit and to permit increased revolutions per minute (RPM) of the drill string to thereby increase the drilling rate of penetration (ROP) in many formations.
Another objective of yet another possible embodiment of the present invention may comprise combining one or more or several or all of the above objectives with or without one or more additional objectives, features, and advantages.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, the descriptions given herein, and the appended claims. However, it will be understood that the above-listed objectives, features, and advantages of the invention are intended only as an aid in understanding aspects of the invention, and are not intended to limit the invention in any way, and therefore do not form a comprehensive or restrictive list of objectives, and/or features, definitions, and/or advantages of the invention.
Accordingly, a method is provided for drill collars utilized in a bottom hole assembly for drilling oil and gas wells. The drill collars may be standard drill collars commonly utilized in drilling operations for decades and may comprise threaded connections on opposite ends thereof for interconnection to form the bottom hole assembly. The method may comprise installing a plurality of slidable force transfer members within a plurality of drill collars such that the plurality of force transfer members are operable for transferring a force through each of the plurality of threaded connections for applying the force to the drill bit during drilling of the borehole while holding one or more of the plurality of tubulars in tension with the drill pipe string during the drilling of the borehole. The method might further comprise producing the force with a tension inducing sub secured to the bottomhole assembly so that the tension inducing sub producing the force for application to the plurality of force transfer members.
Various embodiments of a tension inducing sub for use with a drilling assembly are also taught. The tension inducing sub may comprise one or more elements such as, for instance, a tubular housing, a threaded connection for the tubular housing for connecting to the plurality of threaded tubulars, a force transfer assembly mounted in the tubular housing for transferring a force through the threaded connection to the plurality of force transfer elements, and a mechanism for creating the force. In one embodiment, the mechanism might further comprise a plurality of gears arranged to provide a mechanical advantage such that a smaller force induced in a first gear is magnified by the mechanical advantage to produce the force.
The present invention may also be embodied within a reamer assembly for enlarging a borehole which may comprise a housing, one or more reamer blades extendable radially outwardly to engage the borehole to be enlarged, one or more force transfer members slidably mounted within the tubular housing, at least one threaded connection for the housing, one or more force creation members for connection to the threaded connection, the one or more force creation members comprising one or more force transfer members operable for transferring a force through the at least one threaded connection to the one or more force transfer members slidably mounted within the tubular housing. The reamer might further comprise a plurality of weight sections as the force creation members, i.e., the force of weight. The plurality of weight sections comprise weight sections threadably mounted above and below the reamer. The reamer might further comprise a bit wherein the force is transferred to the bit through the one or more force transfer members so as to be operable for stiffening the reamer housing by placing the reamer housing in tension while the borehole is being enlarged.
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements may be given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
While the present invention will be described in connection with presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit of the invention.
Now referring to the drawings, and more particularly to
In general operation of assembly 12 shown in
In upper assembly 12, high density section 16 is slidably mounted with respect to outside tube 17. In a preferred embodiment high density section 16 may comprise tungsten alloy as discussed hereinafter. Some benefits of the present invention may also be obtained using other high density materials such as, for example only, heavy metals, steel, depleted uranium, lead, molybdenum, osmium, and/or other dense materials. If desired, section 16 may utilize lighter weight materials to transfer force through assembly 12. However, in a preferred embodiment significant force on the bit is created by weight of multiple high density sections 16 as taught herein.
Because the weight or force associated with high density section 16 is preferably transferred to a lower sub rather than to outside tube 17, outside tube 17 and/or other outside tubes are not necessarily compressed by the weight of high density section 16. Instead tube 17 is more likely to be placed into tension depending on its relative position in the bottom hole assembly, thereby stiffening the bottom hole assembly. As discussed in more detail hereinafter, the present invention permits that a large percentage of the compression length of the bottom hole assembly (that portion of the bottom hole assembly in compression) may be reduced, as indicated graphically in
In another embodiment of the invention, as discussed in
Drilling assemblies 12 and 14 of the present invention may comprise smaller, shorter, components than the standard 31 foot long steel heavy weight collars. Therefore, assembly section 12 and 14 can be machined or adjusted or weighted to be dynamically and statically balanced as discussed hereinafter to further reduce or eliminate all flywheel effects. The stiff, balanced bottom hole assembly will drill smoother and straighter with reduced bit whirl. As will be discussed hereinafter, a bottom hole assembly built utilizing the balanced, stiff, concentric, high weight subassemblies thereof such as drilling assembly 12 and 14, can be rotated faster. The greater balance, concentricity, increased vibration characteristics, and possibly decreased surface volume for contacting the borehole wall decreases drill string torque or resistance to the rotation of the drill string as compared to standard bottom hole drilling assemblies. ROP is often directly related to the RPM of the drill string so that doubling the drilling RPM may also double the rate of drilling penetration.
In many oil and gas fields that the rate of penetration (ROP) is also directly proportional to the weight on the bit, so that doubling the actual weight on the bit after buoyancy effects are taken into consideration may double the drilling rate of penetration.
In a preferred embodiment for a bottom hole assembly in accord with the present invention, the concentration of weight or force applied to the bit at a position near the bit significantly prevents lateral vibrational movement of the bit due to the increased force required to overcome the greatly increased inertia of the concentrated mass at the bit. Thus, bit whirling is significantly dampened or prevented resulting in a truer bore hole and faster ROP. Other vibrational effects such as bit bounce are also reduced by the elasticity and noise dampening effects of the preferred high density material utilized as discussed hereinafter. While the prior art has concentrated largely on bit design to eliminate bit whirling, bit bounce, and tortuosity, it is submitted by the present inventors that these problems are much better eliminated by the design of the bottom hole assembly tubulars as taught herein.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
In the above described designs, wash pipes or inner tubulars 22 and 24 are preferably utilized on the inside of high density sections 16 and 18 to protect and preserve high density sections 16 and 18. Thus, high density sections 16 and 18 are preferably contained between inner and outer tubulars such as steel tubulars rather than exposed to circulation flow through bore 26. In a preferred embodiment, high density sections 16 and 18 are also sealed therein to prevent any contact with the circulation fluid. If desired, inner tubulars 22 and/or 24 could also or alternatively be affixed to high density sections 16 and 18 by assembling when there is a significant temperature difference that provides just enough clearance for assembly whereby after the temperatures of the components are approximately the same, the components are affixed together.
It is highly advantageous during directional drilling to be able to take a magnetic survey as close to the bit as possible. Typically, one to three hundred feet may need to be drilled before the effects of actions taken by the directional driller can be seen due to the need to keep the compass away from the magnetic bottom hole assembly. This results in sometimes getting off target and makes corrections to get back on target difficult. In one embodiment of the present invention, a nonmagnetic tungsten alloy may be utilized. In this case, inner and outer tubulars, such as 22 and 20 may comprise a nonmagnetic metal such as Monel. Because the amount of Monel required is significantly reduced as compared to prior art Monel tubulars which are typically utilized for the purpose of making magnetic surveys, the cost for Monel material is also significantly reduced. Moreover, Monel heavyweight drill collars are not normally utilized so that the compass survey data is generally not available adjacent or within the heavy weight drilling collar portion of the drill string. By permitting compass measurements closer to the bit, the drilling accuracy can be significantly improved.
Other constructions of the high density assembly for directional drilling may comprise use of tungsten powder or slurry to provide a readily bendable weight section for use in direction drilling where a stiff bottom hole assembly may cause sticking problems or even be incapable of bending the necessary number of degrees per depth required by the drilling projection. The greater flexibility and heavier weight of a bottom hole assembly in accord with this embodiment of the present invention permits greater weight to be applied to the bit even when using a bent sub with considerable angle. The ability to apply more weight on the bit during directional drilling in accord with the present invention is likely to increase the ROP of directional drilling operations thereby significantly reducing the higher cost of directional drilling. Directional drilling bottom hole assemblies may comprise mud motors, bent subs, and the like. The use of a flexible heavyweight section with this type of directional drilling assembly provides means for improved and faster directional drilling. Moreover, the use of nonmagnetic material within the bottom hole assembly itself gives rise to the potential of placing the compass much closer to the bit than is now possible thereby permitting much more accurate drilling, fewer doglegs, and better producing wells that accurately go through the drilling target or targets along an optimal drilling path with a faster ROP.
In one preferred embodiment, the tensile strength and elasticity of a preferred tungsten alloy are adjusted to be similar to that of steel. One preferred embodiment of the present invention completely avoids use of cobalt within the tungsten alloy to provide greater elasticity of the tungsten alloy. Cobalt has in the past been utilized within a tungsten alloy to increase the tensile strength thereof. However, increasing the tensile strength reduces the elasticity making the tungsten compound brittle. In accord with one embodiment of the present invention, a cobalt tungsten alloy is avoided as being unsuitable for general use in a bottom hole assembly environment when it will be subjected to many different types of stress, e.g., torsional, bending, compressive, and the like, which bottom hole drilling assemblies encounter. A presently preferred embodiment tungsten alloy in accord with the present invention comprises 93-95% W (tungsten), 2.1% NI, 0.9% Fe, and 2-4% MO. This alloy has greater plasticity than prior art tungsten alloys utilized in bottom hole assemblies and is therefore better suited to withstand the stresses created thereby. The components are preferably adjusted to provide mechanical properties similar to that of steel whereby the above formulation is believed to be optimal such that the assembly reacts in many ways as a standard steel collar.
The tungsten alloy has a high mechanical vibration impedance approximately twice that of steel which also limits vibrations in the drill string thereby reducing tool joint failure in the drill string. In one embodiment of the present invention as also discussed in connection with
Drilling assembly 50 maybe utilized to transfer force such as the force of the weight of heavy metal, steel, tungsten, depleted uranium, lead, and/or other dense materials from upper positions in bottom hole assembly to lower positions in the bottom hole assembly.
The ability to hold the bit face in contact with the bottom of the bore greatly increases the rate of drilling penetration especially for modern PDC bits. The PDC cutting elements of bits have a very short length and, ideally, must be held in constant contact with the surface to be cut for maximum cutting effects. Thus, a bottom hole assembly in accord with the present invention is ideally suited for maximizing the drilling potential of modern PDC bits.
Weight packs 54A and 54B may comprise a plurality of tungsten compound elements 32, an example of which is shown in
Due to the flexibility of the tungsten compound of the present invention, the relative thickness of tungsten can be made relatively large as compared to the thickness of the outer tubulars such as outer tubular 20, 40, 54A, and so forth in one of the embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the present invention will have a higher density per volume as compared to some prior art devices discussed hereinbefore. For instance, in one presently preferred embodiment it is desirable that the wall thickness of body 38 be at least 25% to 50% greater than the wall thickness of the outer tubular as compared with prior art designs which utilize a thick steel jacket. For the 10.0 inch diameter assembly, which may be utilized for drilling bore holes where a prior art 9.5 inch diameter drill collar was previously utilized, and assuming a 3.5 inch bore through weight section 32 (which may be reduced closer to 2.875 for some situations as per other prior art downhole assemblies), the wall thickness is 2.25 inches as compared to a 1.0 inch wall thickness of the outer tubular. Thus, for this situation the wall thickness of weight section 32 is 125% greater than the wall thickness of the outer tubular.
In a preferred embodiment, pin 34 and box 36 may have a taper of about three to four inches per foot. This structure provides a strong connection between the weight sections 32 that has significant bending resistance thereby producing a stiffer assembly.
Weight sections 32 are stacked together and may be mounted in a shrink fit manner, by compression, or may be moveable axially. In any case, it is presently not considered necessary to provide any threads on the weight sections to interconnect with outer structural tubulars, as has been attempted in the prior art with brittle weighting material.
As shown in
Located inside hollow tubular housings 54A and 54B are weight packs 56A and 56B. As discussed hereinbefore, weight packs 56A and 56B maybe made from any suitable material such as heavy metal, steel, depleted uranium, lead, or other dense materials, but are preferably formed of tungsten alloy. Weight packs 56A and 56B may be made in solid form in the form of liquids or powders, e.g., tungsten powder or a tungsten slurry. Preferably, any liquids and powders are placed inside sealed containers to prevent any possible leakage. Weight packs 56A and 56B maybe mounted in different ways. When used as part of a weight transfer system as illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment, weight packs 56A and 56B are preferably centered within housings 54A and 54B. In one possible embodiment, this may be accomplished by means of centering rings 92. Centering rings 92 are preferably designed to adjust to temperature and pressure changes, allowing diameter compensation for weight packs 56A and 56B in downhole applications. Centering rings 92 permit axial movement of weight packs 56A and 56B. In another embodiment, tabs, fins, grooves, tubulars, or the like could be utilized.
It is not necessary that the centering elements be positioned between the outer surface of the weight packs and the inner surface of the outer tubular. For instance, as shown in
However, weight packs 56A and 56B could also be restrained by shrink fit or placed in the compression between pin and box bodies, if desired. In this case, the drilling assembly would operate more like drilling assembly 14 as discussed hereinbefore.
Preferably, weight packs 56A and 56B are sealed between tubular housings 54A and 54B by wash pipes such as wash pipes 58 (See
In a preferred embodiment, upper transfer tube 78 and lower weight transfer tube 80 are split into two sections and engage each other at connection 87. Other arrangements could also be utilized to connect or avoid the need to connect the weight transfer element, but may require the operators to add components during installation. Thus, this construction allows operators to interconnect the components of the bottom hole assembly in substantially the way that the standard steel heavyweight bottom hole assembly is connected.
Upper weight transfer tube 78 and lower weight transfer tube 80 also utilize seals to prevent fluid leakage to weight packs 56A and 56B. Seal 62 is utilized for sealing the upper end of upper weight transfer tube 78 and seal 76 is utilized for sealing the lower end of upper weight transfer tube 78 with respect to weight packs 56A and 56B. Seal 84 and seal 88 are utilized by lower weight transfer tube 80 for the same purpose.
Upper weight transfer tube 78 and lower weight transfer tube 80 are also axially movable with weight packs 56A and 56B. Upper weight transfer tube 78 and lower weight transfer tube 80 are thereby able to transfer the weight of upper weight pack 56A onto lower weight pack 56B. Upper weight transfer tube 78 comprises upper platform 79, which engages and supports the weight of upper weight pack 56A. The force applied to upper platform 79 is applied to lower platform 81 and the top of weight pack 56B. The weight of each high density section is thereby transmitted downwardly and may even be applied through a bit sub directly to the top of the bit. The outer tubes, such as outer tubes 54A and 54B are held in tension by the relatively axially moveable weight of the weight sections to provide a stiff bottom hole assembly which effectively eliminates buckling. The truer drilling resulting therefrom may eliminate the need for stabilizers in many circumstances to avoid the cost, friction, and torsional forces created due to such use.
While one or more weight transfer tubulars, such as upper transfer tube 78 and lower weight transfer tube 80 are shown in this preferred embodiment as the weight or force transmitting element in this embodiment, other weight or force transmitting elements such as rods or the like may be utilized. As well, the weight or force transmitting elements may extend through apertures other than center bore 75 to connect the weight sections. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to utilizing split tubular force or weight transmission elements as illustrated, although this is a presently preferred embodiment. Force or transfer tubes 78 and 80 provide a relatively simple construction that permits connecting a plurality of heavyweight sections in a typical manner utilizing standard equipment for this purpose.
It will be noted that the transfer of weight or force is made through a standard threaded pin-box connection 83 which is of the type typically utilized in drilling strings. In accord with the present invention, the force or weight can be transferred through any drill string component as may be desired. For instance,
In one preferred embodiment, an enlarged or bored out aperture through a standard stabilizer permits a weight transmitting tubular to be inserted therein. The bending strength ratio for the pin-box connection has a BSR in the range of approximately 2.5 which is often a desired value to permit equal bending of the box elements and the pin so that neither element is subject to excessive bending stress. Various portions of the pin-box connection can be altered to thereby obtain a desired BSR, e.g., boring out the passageway through the joint. It is often possible to modify many standard drill string components by simply boring out the passageway and still be well within the desired BSR range so that specialized equipment is not required. Thus, the weight transmitting tubular construction may also be utilized to transmit weight or force through any type of drilling element such as stabilizers, bit connection sections, and the like. The straight, unperturbed, continuous wall flow path through tubular weight transfer elements 78 and 80 produces a more continuous bore through the bottom hole assembly to reduce fluid turbulence and associated wear at the pin-box connections, as occurs in prior art heavy weight collar sections. The fluid turbulence and wear reduces the life of prior art heavy weight collar sections as drilling fluid is circulated through the drill string as per standard drilling operation procedures. Thus, the transfer tubular elements 78 and 80 also have the advantageous purpose of actually increasing the reliability pin-box connections as compared to prior art pin-box bottom hole assembly connections.
Using multiple weight transfer packs, extremely heavy weight can be applied in a very short distance close to the actual bit or working area.
The use of the present invention eliminates or significantly reduces most of the current problems associated with heavy weight drilling requirements such as bending of the bottom hole assembly, buckling of the bottom hole assembly, pressure differential sticking, broken or damaged thread connections, crooked hole boring or drilling, hole washouts, bent drill pipe, down hole vibrations, bit whirl, drill string whip, drill string wrap (wind-up), drill bit slap-stick, bit wear, bit bounce, and others. With the reduction or elimination of these problems, it is anticipated that increased rates of penetration can be achieved and overall costs significantly reduced.
As discussed above, a shortened compression length for the down hole drilling assembly has many advantages, e.g., reduced buckling for truer drilling. It will be noted that above each compression length is a respective neutral zone 122, 124, 126. Above each neutral zone 122, 124, and 126, the drill string is in tension and therefore not subject to buckling. By utilizing the drilling assembly of the present invention, a much larger percentage of the bottom hole assembly is in tension to thereby provide a stiffer bottom hole assembly that will drill a truer gage hole at higher ROP as explained hereinbefore.
1.94{square root over ((E*144*I*P2)}÷P=First Order of Buckling
3.75{square root over ((E*144*I*P2)}÷P=Second Order of Buckling
where:
In the situation of
In the situation of
In the situation of
A review of the above description shows that the present invention may be utilized to either greatly increase the stiffness of the bottom hole assembly or greatly increase the flexibility thereof, depending on the desired function.
Force transfer section 200 shown in
As discussed hereinbefore, another aspect of the present invention is a statically and dynamically balanced drilling assembly. The tolerances on the relatively small components are quite tight and preferably require that the components, such as weight packs and outer tubular be machined round within 0.005 inches and may be less than 0.003 inches. In this way, the rotation axis coincides with one of the principal axis of inertia of the body. The condition of unbalance of a rotating body maybe classified as static or dynamic unbalance. For instance, the assembly may be tested to verify that it does not rotate to a “heavy side” when free to turn. Thus, the center of gravity is on the axis of rotation. An idler roll may be in perfect static balance and not be in a balanced state when rotating at high speeds. A dynamic unbalance may occur when the body is in static balance and is effectively a twisting force in two separate planes, 180 degrees opposite each other. Because these forces are in separate planes, they cause a rocking motion from end to end. In the prior art, due to the buckling and bending of the downhole assembly, there is little motivation to attempt to provide a balanced bottom hole assembly because the buckling and bending will cause significant imbalance regardless. For dynamic balancing, the drilling assembly is first statically balanced. After rotating to the operating speed, if necessary, any dynamic unbalance out of tolerance is eliminated by adding or subtracting weight as indicated by a balancing machine. The determination of the magnitude and angular position of the unbalance is the task of the balancing machine and its operator. As discussed hereinbefore, any imbalance out of tolerance can be corrected because the weight pack is provided in sections, any one of which can be rotatably adjusted as necessary and axially positioned. If desired, grooves, pins, or the like may be utilized on pin 34 and socket 36 for weight elements 32 such that each weight element can be affixed in a particular rotational position. A permissible imbalance tolerance is determined based on the mass of the downhole assembly and the anticipated rotational speed.
In summary, the present invention provides a much higher average weight per cubic inch for a downhole assembly. For instance a weight/per unit volume or average density of standard steel heavyweight collar may be about 0.283 pounds per cubic inch wherein an average weight per unit volume of a drilling assembly of the present invention is significantly greater and may be about 0.461 pounds per cubic inch. The vibration dampening characteristics of tungsten reduce bit vibrations for smoother drilling. A heavier average weight per unit volume permits use of a shorter compression length of the bottom hole assembly. The concentration of weight closer to the drill bit reduces bit whirl and bit vibration and bit bounce. In a preferred embodiment, the drilling assemblies of the present invention are much more highly balanced than prior art bottom hole assembly elements due to much tighter control of overall tool concentricity and straightness. Increased rate of penetration occur due to reduced bit wear, vibration dampening, reduced bit whirl, and reduced bit bounce. Because of decreased vibration, fewer trips are required because the bit life is lengthened and the tool joints are less subject to vibration stress. Lower torque stress is applied to the drilling string because of less wall contact by the bottom hole assembly due to decreased surface area and more concentric rotation thereof. The compression length of a bottom hole assembly in accord with the present invention is much reduced as compared to the first or second order of tubular buckling (see attached calculation sheets) so that the bottom hole assembly in accord with the present invention is straighter. It should also be noted that a more highly balanced, vibration dampened, bottom hole assembly built utilizing weighting assemblies such as drilling assembly 10, 12, 14, 30, or 50, or variations thereof can be rotated faster with less vibration and harmonics to thereby increase drilling rates of penetration.
The weight transfer assembly is operable to transfer the inner weight of several drill collars through the tool joints from the upper collar to a lower or lowest point in the drill string while keeping the entire BHA (bottom hole assembly) in tension. There are no bending or buckling moments in the string and all of the weight maybe placed directly above the bit. The collars maybe the same length as standard drill collars and there is no difference in make-up or break-out. The near bit assembly may have a tungsten matrix weight while the assemblies above may have tungsten/lead weights. The tungsten matrix reduces vibration, bounce, and chatter and provides more power in a compact area directly above the bit. By transferring the weight for drilling to a point very near the drill bit, the neutral point is also lowered to that point. Additionally putting the weight directly above the bit increases the force of restitution (force required to move a pendulum from its vertical position) and increases the centripetal force that cause a body to seek a true concentric axis of rotation. Placing the weight near the bit increases the inertia or impact of the bit against the formation and holds the bit steadier against the formation as may be especially desirable for certain types of drill bits. The resistance to drag is also increased due to the greater inertia resulting in a more stable drilling speed of the bit.
The present invention provides a means for producing a stiffer drilling assembly that has many benefits, some of which are discussed above, by applying a force to force transfer tubes. The force may be produced by weights or by other means. As noted above, bronze expansion tabs shown in
In another embodiment,
In operation, an embodiment of the invention such as shown in
In the example of
Subsequent figures show various other embodiments of tension inducing subs also in accord with the present invention. However, the invention is not limited by the particular embodiments of the invention shown herein, which may be selected based on the particular requirements. Once the concept of the present invention is understood by those of skill in the art, it will be understood that the tension inducing sub of the present invention maybe implemented I many various types of devices that may be used to apply a desired amount of force on the force transfer tubes including, but not limited to, pressurized nitrogen acting on a piston, gases produced by relatively slow burning explosives, springs, temperature expansion, and the like. Moreover, multiple downhole tension inducing subs may be stacked together to thereby multiply the force created thereby which acts on the force transfer tubes. The operation might also be controlled with downhole sensors depending on the type of tension inducing sub construction. For instance, tension inducing sub 1000 might utilize downhole valving and feedback control sensors to maintain a desired tension due to variations in the downhole hydraulics.
It will be understood that various downhole tools may utilize force transfer tubes 1004 for stiffening their construction utilizing the principles disclosed herein. For instance, a reamer is subject to bending forces wherein in a stiffer reamer may operate with greatly improved performance. As one example of a stiffer reamer assembly,
Referring to
In operation, tension inducing sub 1000 or 1100, or other tension inducing subs or means discussed hereinbefore, may be used to produce a desired tension in attached weight sections which include force transfer tubes. Tension inducing sub produces a force on the force transfer tubes which stretch or place the outer walls of the weight sections in tension. The weight of the entire string may then be applied to the top of the bit while the bottom hole assembly is held in tension.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is therefore illustrative and explanatory of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and variations thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that various changes in the design, manufacture, layout, organization, order of operation, means of operation, equipment structures and location, methodology, the use of mechanical equivalents, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction or combinations of features of the various elements may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the present invention may also be effectively utilized in coring, reaming, milling and/or other operations as well as standard drilling. The present invention may be used with relatively inexpensive drill collars modified to include force transfer tubes.
In general, it will be understood that such terms as “up,” “down,” “vertical,” and the like, are made with reference to the drawings and/or the earth and that the devices may not be arranged in such positions at all times depending on variations in operation, transportation, mounting, and the like. As well, the drawings are intended to describe the concepts of the invention so that the presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be plainly disclosed to one of skill in the art but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views as desired for easier and quicker understanding or explanation of the invention. Thus, various changes and alternatives may be used that are contained within the spirit of the invention. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative of a presently preferred embodiments and not in a limiting sense.
The benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/442,737, filed Jan. 27, 2003, and U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/761,892, filed Jan. 21, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/721,406, filed Sep. 28, 2005, is hereby claimed, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60721406 | Sep 2005 | US |