JP2013545980A - System and method for communicating data between an excavator and a surface device - Google Patents

Abstract

Determining at least one of excavation interruption and seismic measurement; transmitting a trigger signal to the equipment controller; activating an epicenter; receiving a trigger signal; and recording a seismic wave in a data storage medium. A method of synchronizing the operation of the epicenter with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by the seismic exploration instrument.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  Aspects relate to communication between an epicenter and seismic exploration equipment located within a well. More particularly, non-limiting aspects relate to systems and methods for communicating data between an excavator and a surface device.

  Drilling logging (“LWD”) may be performed using one or more remote signal sources and one or more signal receiving modules located on the drill string during a drilling operation. Examples of source / receivers include, for example, acoustic and electromagnetic source / receivers, control source electromagnetic (“CSEM”), and / or well electromagnetic imaging, similar to those used for seismic exploration during excavation. (Depth resistivity imaging) as well as excavation seismic exploration (“SWD”) operations.

  At present, the timing of transmission of seismic signals and reception of those seismic signals is very difficult in the conventional system. Such difficulties result in excessive recording time, loss of a large amount of power from inefficient use, and excessive analysis time for evaluation.

  The presented aspect provides the ability to record seismic signals without the defects of conventional systems. Seismic exploration equipment during drilling ("SWD equipment") may be incorporated into or placed within the drill string and carried to a downhole in the well. Typically, the SWD device is generated by at least one remote seismic source (eg, an air gun located near the sea surface) and used to measure sound waves that have traveled through the sea and / or formation. Includes sensors.

  The SWD device may record an acoustic signal detected during a certain period in the tool memory. During some recorded periods of time, sound waves generated by remote seismic sources may not reach the acoustic sensor of the SWD device. For example, this may occur because a remote source may not have recently been activated. As a result, the tool memory stores data for a certain period even when the epicenter does not generate sound waves.

  In one exemplary embodiment, determining at least one of excavation interruptions and seismic measurements, sending a trigger signal to an equipment controller, activating a seismic source, receiving a trigger signal, and storing seismic data as data A method is provided for synchronizing the operation of the epicenter with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by the seismic survey instrument, including recording in the medium.

  In another exemplary embodiment, including a data storage medium, a seismic source configured to generate an acoustic signal, and an acoustic receiver configured to receive the acoustic signal, the operation of the seismic source is performed by a seismic exploration instrument. A configuration that is synchronized with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves. Also, the configuration is configured to receive a measurement from a rig actuation and to start recording a rig control device configured to transmit a trigger signal and receiving the trigger signal in a data storage medium A device control apparatus may be provided.

  In another exemplary embodiment, determining at least one of the excavation interruptions, transmitting a trigger signal to the epicenter, recording a seismic wave in the data storage medium, receiving the trigger signal, and actuating the epicenter And synchronizing the operation of the epicenter with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by the seismic exploration instrument.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a well site having an epicenter and seismic exploration equipment in an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of communication between a seismic source and a seismic survey instrument in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5 is a flow diagram for a method of triggering an epicenter in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 is a flow diagram for another method of triggering an epicenter in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

  The present disclosure may eliminate or at least reduce the recorded number of time intervals during which there were no sound waves generated by the epicenter or possibly sound waves that could reach the acoustic sensor of the SWD device Systems and methods are provided. Such systems and methods overcome the deficiencies of systems that are not configured to effectively record sound waves. These systems allow for increased functionality and economic benefits to the operator. The provided system and method aspects can ensure that the time interval during which sound waves generated by a remote source reach the acoustic sensor are recorded, thus reducing overall system errors and reducing seismic waves. Record. In addition, the system and method may reduce the duration of the recorded time interval during which sound waves generated by the remote source reached the acoustic sensor.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a well site 100, which may be located on the shore or offshore. The well site 100 shown in FIG. 1 is disposed offshore where the excavation ship 10 is located. The drilling vessel 10 has a drill rig 20 on the drilling vessel 10 that is used to drill a well 50 in the formation with a drill string 30. The drill string 30 may be assembled by joining multiple pieces (“joints”) 22 of the drill pipe by threading together the ends. The drill string 30 may include a drill bit 12 at its lower end. The casing 13 and / or the ejection preventing device 8 may be arranged in the well 50 as shown in FIG. The drill string 30 may be constructed from a conventional drill pipe, or may be a wired drill pipe or a coiled tubing as required and as a non-limiting embodiment. When the drill bit 12 is axially biased into the structure F at the bottom of the well 50, the drill bit 12 is also rotated by equipment on the drilling rig 20 (e.g., top drive or rotary table). In this case, the drill bit 12 extends the well 50 in the axial direction by such biasing and rotation. The drill string 30 in this example is coupled to respective pipe connections of cables, such as conductors and / or light guides (not shown in FIG. 1), to communicate power and signals from the excavator 14 to the surface. It may also be a so-called “wired” drill pipe. The cables are typically communicatively coupled at each end of each coupling 22, such as by use of induction or flux coupling. A non-limiting embodiment of such a wired, threadedly coupled drill pipe is described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0225926 filed by Madhavan et al. Assigned to the assignee of this application. Another example of a wired drill pipe is described in US Pat. No. 6,641,434 issued by Boyle et al. And assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Such drill pipe structures are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

  The excavator 14 may communicate with the logging device 70, which may be located on the ground as a non-limiting embodiment. Logging device 70 sends signals to and from excavator 14, such as mud pulse telemetry, electromagnetic telemetry, acoustic telemetry, wired telemetry and / or wired drill pipe telemetry (discussed above). You may send and receive via telemetry. The logging device may record data acquired from the excavator 14. The excavator 14 may be any device, sensor, or device that can acquire data regarding the structure F, the well 50 and / or the drill string 30. The excavator 14 may obtain measurements or samples of the structure F or the well 50. In one non-limiting embodiment, the excavator 14 may be a drilling logging (“LWD”) instrument or a drilling measurement (“MWD”) instrument. As defined, structure F is one or a set of geological structures that are desired to be evaluated. In an embodiment, the excavator 14 includes one or more devices that measure structural properties, ie, a resistance measurement device, a directional resistance measurement device, a sound wave measurement device, a nuclear measurement device, a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement device, a pressure measurement device, It may be a seismic measuring device, an imaging device, a structural sampling device, a natural gamma ray device, a density and optoelectronic index device, a neutron porosity device, and a drilling caliper device. In an embodiment, the excavator 14 may be one or more devices for measuring the characteristics of the drill string 30 and / or one or more of the following types of measuring devices, i.e., bit loads. Including measuring device, torque measuring device, vibration measuring device, impact measuring device, stick-slip measuring device, direction measuring device, tilt measuring device, natural gamma ray device, direction investigation device, tool face device, hole pressure device, and temperature device Good. The excavator 14 may be a wired configurable instrument, which may be an instrument normally carried by a wired cable, as is known to those skilled in the art. For example, a wire-configurable instrument may be a coring instrument, a sampling instrument, an instrument for obtaining a sample of a structure F, such as a fluid analysis instrument, and / or a gamma radiation measurement, nuclear measurement, density measurement, and porosity. It may be an instrument for measuring characteristics of the structure part F such as measurement. For the disclosed drill string components, power may be provided to the components, as a non-limiting embodiment, through the use of batteries, or through the use of fluid turbines.

  In one embodiment, the excavator 14 includes at least one seismic exploration instrument 60 that may include a seismic receiver, a seismic source, and / or a memory for storing information or data related to the generation or reception of seismic waves. Note also that more than one seismic exploration device 60 may be located within the excavator 14. In addition, one or more seismic survey instruments 60 may be positioned along the drill string 30 at different distances, etc. from the rig 20 and / or the ground surface. For example, the plurality of seismic exploration devices 60 may be disposed along the drill string 30 and may be communicatively coupled to any location along the wired drill pipe string.

  The drilling rig 20 may have an epicenter 40 or may communicate with the epicenter 40. The epicenter 40 may be provided in a separate ship located remotely from the drilling vessel 10 and / or located in a downhole in the well 50. The epicenter 40 may operate to generate sound waves that travel through the structure F, for example, through the ocean, through the formation. Although a “surface” source is shown in FIG. 1, the source may alternatively or additionally be a “downhole” source conveyed into the well via a drill string, eg, US Pat. No. 6,782,970. It may be a type of source similar to that described in the issue.

  The seismic exploration device 60 may detect, record, and process sound waves generated by the seismic source 40. For example, seismic exploration instrument 60 may store seismic / acoustic receivers for receiving sound waves, a processing device for analyzing received sound waves, and data relating to processed or unprocessed sound waves. Memory may be used. The seismic exploration device 60 may transmit data indicative of recorded sound waves, such as filtered / substantially reduced recorded waves. Data indicative of recorded sound waves may be used to control the well trajectory and / or to determine inter alia clearance pressure. Although FIG. 1 shows one seismic survey instrument 60 and one seismic source 40, those skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple seismic survey instruments 60 and / or multiple seismic sources 40 may be used.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram 120 of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In schematic diagram 120, the epicenter communicates with seismic exploration equipment via telemetry system 200, which may include one or more of the above telemetry systems, such as a wired drill pipe. The seismic survey instrument 60 may include a data storage medium 23 and / or an acoustic receiver 25. Data storage medium 23 may be any device or component capable of storing data, such as flash memory, database, read-only memory, and the like. The acoustic receiver 25 may include one or more hydrophones, geophones, or other devices that can receive and / or decode sound waves. The acoustic receiver and data storage medium 23 may be incorporated within the seismic exploration device 60, such as within the seismic exploration device 60, or may be external to and communicate with the seismic exploration device 60. The seismic exploration device 60 may have an internal clock and / or may communicate with the clock to have an accurate and accurate time with respect to the face clock.

  Instrument control device 27 may be incorporated into and / or communicate with seismic survey instrument 60. Instrument control device 27 may communicate with epicenter 40 via telemetry system 200 and / or rig control device 41. The rig control device 41 may be communicatively coupled to the sound source 40. When instructed, the instrument control device 27 acquires a waveform (the waveform may be a sound wave signal) from the acoustic receiver 25. The seismic exploration device may store the acquired sound wave in the data storage medium 23.

  The rig control device 41 may be incorporated into the logging device 70 or may communicate with the logging device 70. The rig control device 41 may communicate with the sound source 40 to activate the epicenter 40. The epicenter 40 may be any device capable of generating sound waves through land, such as air guns, explosives such as dynamite, plasma sources, or seismic vibrators. The rig control device 41 may receive a command signal from the instrument control device 27 in order to activate the epicenter 40. The instrument control device 27 may send a command signal to the rig control device 41 in order to activate the epicenter 40.

  In one embodiment, both lift and down hole components are combined with a high speed telemetry system, eg, a low latency and / or broadband telemetry system, such as a wired drill pipe telemetry. The operation controlled by the rig control device 41 and the operation controlled by the appliance control device 27 may be synchronized.

  The disclosed arrangement may be used in conventional vertical wells, tilt wells, and reach expansion systems as a non-limiting embodiment. The geological conditions may vary depending on the path traveled by the seismic wave that allows the operator to accurately record the signal.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart 300 of a method for operating a seismic source 40 with seismic exploration equipment 60. For example, synchronizing the acquisition and storage of sound waves generated by the seismic source 40 and measured by the acoustic receiver (or sensor) 25 of the seismic survey instrument 60.

  As provided in step 302, excavation and / or tripping interruptions are detected. For example, the instrument controller 27 may determine that excavation may be interrupted for a moment and seismic measurements may be performed. US Pat. No. 6,237,404 describes at least one example of how this can be accomplished. In another example, excavation and / or tripping interruptions may be detected by one of excavators 14 such as logging device 70 and / or seismic exploration equipment 60. Further, the excavation and / or tripping interruption may be detected manually by an operator or the like. In such an example, the instructions may be input and / or transmitted to the logging device 70 and / or the seismic survey instrument 60.

  As indicated at step 304, a trigger signal may be transmitted. For example, the instrument control device 27 may send a trigger signal to the rig control device 41, such as by using a telemetry system. Alternatively or additionally, the rig control device 41 may send a trigger signal to the instrument control device 27.

  Recording the sound wave may begin as indicated in step 306. In this step, recording of the sound wave measured by the acoustic receiver 25 in the data storage medium 23 is started. For example, this can begin immediately after step 304 is performed, or after a period of time that is stored or transmitted to seismic survey instrument 60 as a predetermined time or configuration parameter.

  In step 308, the rig control device 41 may receive the trigger signal transmitted by the instrument control device 27 as shown in FIG. 3. Of course, the instrument control device 27 receives a signal from the source 40, the logging device 70 and / or the rig control device 41 that the trigger of the epicenter 40 has been triggered or is about to be triggered. May be.

  When the rig control device 41 receives the trigger signal as shown in step 310, the rig control device 41 may operate the seismic source 40. The rig control device 41 may have an instruction to wait for a predetermined time after receiving the trigger signal in order to operate the epicenter 40. The trigger signal may require that the epicenter 40 be activated at a predetermined time.

  Sound wave recording by the seismic exploration device 60 may be terminated in step 312. For example, the instrument control device 27 may end the recording of the sound wave after a predetermined time after transmitting the trigger signal to the rig control device 41. The instrument control device 27 may end the recording when receiving the signal from the rig control device 41 and / or the logging device 70.

  In at least one embodiment, by applying this method, it is clear that the seismic source 40 may be systematically activated each time the instrument controller 27 begins recording a waveform. In addition, the start and activation of the recording can be synchronized. Of course, to accomplish this, the telemetry system should provide sufficiently fast (or repeatable) communication of the trigger signal.

  The acoustic waveform obtained by the acoustic receiver 25 may be processed as shown in step 314. The acoustic waveform may be processed through the downhole by the seismic survey instrument 60 and / or processed at the surface in the logging device 70. In addition, a portion of the stored waveform having the signal of interest may be determined. The processed waveform or part of the waveform may be transmitted to the logging device 70 and / or the rig control device 41 as shown in step 316.

  The processed waveform may be utilized for any motivation known to those skilled in the art, as shown in step 318. For example, the processed waveform may be used to adjust a time-depth transformation on a seismic map, to create an excavation decision, or to create a generation decision.

  FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram 400 of an alternative method of synchronizing the operation of the seismic source 40 with the acquisition and storage of sound waves by the seismic exploration instrument 60. A determination that a drilling interruption and / or seismic measurement is desired may be triggered at step 402. For example, a rig control device 41, a “main” control device located on the surface of the ground, such as a logging device 70, or seismic exploration equipment 60 may identify the desire for excavation interruption or seismic measurement. The rig controller 41 may receive measurements from a pump, mud pump, top drive, from an input interface (keyboard) with a surface operator, or from another source as would be understood by one skilled in the art. These measurements or inputs may be used to determine the desire for excavation interruptions and / or seismic measurements.

  The trigger signal may be sent to the epicenter 40 as shown in step 404. For example, the rig control device 41 may transmit a trigger signal to the instrument control device 27. Another device at the surface or in communication with the epicenter 40 may send a trigger signal, such as through the logging device 70. The rig controller 41 may activate the epicenter 40 as shown in step 406. As an example, the rig control device 41 may operate the epicenter for a predetermined time after transmitting the trigger signal. Instrument control device 27 may receive a trigger signal, as shown in step 408.

  The instrument controller 27 may begin recording the seismic wave in the data storage medium 23 as shown in step 410. Recording may be started immediately after receiving the trigger signal, after a predetermined time, and / or at a certain time. The seismic exploration device 60 may end recording a seismic wave at a predetermined time, after a predetermined period, and / or when a signal is received from the rig control device 41 or the logging device 70. The resulting seismic waves may be processed and transmitted to the logging device 70 and / or used for excavation, generation or well service determination as described above.

  In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for synchronizing the operation of a seismic source with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by a seismic exploration instrument. The method determines at least one of excavation interruptions and seismic measurements, sends a trigger signal to the instrument controller, activates the epicenter, receives the trigger signal, and records the seismic wave in the data storage medium May include.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the method may be achieved when actuating the epicenter is accomplished through a rig control device.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the method may be achieved when actuating the epicenter is accomplished by a rig controller that activates the epicenter for a predetermined time after transmitting the trigger signal.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the method may be achieved when activating the epicenter is achieved for a predetermined time after transmitting the trigger signal.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the method may be achieved when the trigger signal is received by the instrument control device.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the method may be achieved when starting to record the seismic wave is accomplished by the instrument controller.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the method is achieved when the recording of the seismic wave in the data storage medium occurs immediately after receiving the trigger signal, after a predetermined time, and at one of the specified times. May be.

  In another exemplary embodiment, a configuration for synchronizing the operation of a seismic source with at least one of sound wave acquisition and storage by a seismic exploration instrument is a data storage medium, a seismic source configured to generate an acoustic signal, an acoustic signal An acoustic receiver configured to receive, a rig controller configured to receive measurements from a rig operation and transmit a trigger signal, and receive the trigger signal and start recording in a data storage medium An instrument control device configured to be provided is provided.

  In another exemplary embodiment, determining at least one of the drilling interruptions, transmitting a trigger signal to the epicenter, recording a seismic wave in the data storage medium, receiving the trigger signal, and actuating the seismic source And synchronizing the operation of the epicenter with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by the seismic exploration instrument.

  In another example, the method may further include ending recording the seismic wave in the data storage medium.

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that other embodiments depart from the scope of the present invention as disclosed herein. It will be understood that it can be devised without it. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims (10)

A method of synchronizing the operation of a hypocenter with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by a seismic exploration instrument, comprising:
Determining at least one of excavation interruption and seismic measurement;
Sending a trigger signal to the device controller;
Activating the epicenter;
Receiving the trigger signal;
Recording seismic waves in a data storage medium.   The method of claim 1, wherein the actuating the hypocenter is accomplished through a rig control device.   The method of claim 2, wherein the actuating the seismic source is accomplished by the rig controller that activates the seismic source for a predetermined time after transmitting the trigger signal.   The method of claim 1, wherein the actuating the hypocenter is accomplished a predetermined time after transmitting the trigger signal.   The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the trigger signal is by a device controller.   The method of claim 1, wherein the initiating the recording of the seismic wave is accomplished by the equipment controller.   The method of claim 1, wherein the recording the seismic wave in the data storage medium occurs immediately after receiving the trigger signal, after a predetermined time, and at one of a specified time. A configuration for synchronizing the operation of the epicenter with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by seismic exploration equipment,
A data storage medium;
An epicenter configured to generate an acoustic signal;
An acoustic receiver configured to receive the acoustic signal;
A rig controller configured to receive measurements from the rig operation and transmit a trigger signal;
An instrument control device configured to receive the trigger signal and initiate recording in the data storage medium. A method of synchronizing the operation of a hypocenter with at least one of acquisition and storage of sound waves by a seismic exploration instrument, comprising:
Determining at least one of the drilling interruptions;
Sending a trigger signal to the epicenter;
Recording seismic waves in a data storage medium;
Receiving the trigger signal;
Activating the epicenter.   The method of claim 9, further comprising terminating the recording the seismic wave in the data storage medium.

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