Drill string system for performing measurement while drilling and logging while drilling operations

Abstract

A drill string system for performing measurement while drilling and logging while drilling operations for oil and gas drilling is provided. The drill string system includes a drill string section having a bore defined by an inner length of surface of a pipe wall which has an outer surface. A tool guide is secured in the drill string section and a support is provided for centering the tool guide in said bore. Communication ports extend through the drill pipe wall from the outer pipe surface to the inner surface and through the support to an inner surface of the tool guide, said communication ports being in communication with one another. An elongate cylindrical tool is disposed in the tool guide. A first terminated passageway in the tool is in communication with a pressure sensor within the tool to sense the drill string annular pressure. A second terminated passageway in the tool is in communication with the drill string bore and in communication with a pressure sensor within the tool to sense the drill string bore pressure. A three-dimensional orientation sensor in the tool determines orientation of the tool. An alignment mechanism is provided by the tool and the tool guide to inhibit rotation of the tool relative to the tool guide when the tool is in a desired orientation relative to the tool guide. The first terminated passageway is in communication with the communication port of the tool guide when the tool is in the desired orientation.

1 . A drill string system for performing measurement while drilling and logging while drilling operations for oil and gas drilling, said drill string system comprising:
 a drill string section having a bore defined by an inner length of surface of a pipe wall which also has an outer surface;   a tool guide secured in said drill string section and a support for centering said tool guide in said bore;   communication ports extending through said drill pipe wall from said outer pipe surface to said inner surface and through said support to an inner surface of said tool guide, said communication ports being in communication with one another;   an elongate cylindrical tool disposed in said tool guide;   a first terminated passageway in said tool in communication with a pressure sensor within said tool to sense said drill string annular pressure;   a second terminated passageway in said tool in communication with said drill string bore and in communication with a pressure sensor within said tool to sense said drill string bore pressure;   a three-dimensional orientation sensor in said tool determining orientation of the tool; and   an alignment mechanism provided by said tool and said tool guide for inhibiting rotation of said tool relative to the tool guide when said tool is in a desired orientation relative to said tool guide, said first terminated passageway being in communication with said communication port of said tool guide when said tool is in said desired orientation.   
   
   
       2 . A drill string system of  claim 1 , wherein said alignment mechanism comprises an alignment key and a corresponding key slot. 
   
   
       3 . A drill string system of  claim 2 , wherein said alignment key comprises at least one biasable element. 
   
   
       4 . A drill string system of  claim 2 , wherein said alignment key comprises at least one biasable element wherein said alignment key extends longitudinally along said tool guide. 
   
   
       5 . A drill string system of  claim 2 , wherein said alignment key comprises at least one biasable element wherein said alignment key extends longitudinally along said tool guide wherein said alignment key is tapered at a lower longitudinal end thereof. 
   
   
       6 . A drill string system of  claim 2 , wherein said alignment key comprises at least one biasable element wherein said key slot extends longitudinally along said tool and is tapered at a lower longitudinal end thereof. 
   
   
       7 . A drill string system of  claim 1 , wherein said support comprises a fit ring connected to said tool guide via support legs extending longitudinally along said tool guide, said fit ring being fitted to said inner diameter of said drill string pipe. 
   
   
       8 . A drill string system of  claim 1 , wherein said drill string system comprises ring seals above and below said communication port on said tool guide. 
   
   
       9 . A drill string system of  claim 8 , wherein each ring seal is made of compressible material which permits said tool to slide within said landing shoe assembly. 
   
   
       10 . A drill string system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one seal is provided on said outer surface of said tool. 
   
   
       11 . A drill string system of  claim 1 , wherein said support comprises at least one leg for spacing said tool guide in said drill string pipe. 
   
   
       12 . A drill string system of  claim 11 , wherein said support further comprises a fit ring connected to said at least one leg fitted to the inner surface of said drill string pipe. 
   
   
       13 . A drill string of  claim 1 , wherein said tool comprises at least one spacer at a lower end thereof for spacing the tool from the drill string pipe. 
   
   
       14 . A drill string of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one spacer comprises at least one fin extending generally radially from said tool. 
   
   
       15 . A drill string of  claim 1 , wherein said tool comprises a feature for abutting against said tool guide to limit downward movement of said tool in said drill string pipe. 
   
   
       16 . A drill string of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one seal for sealing said communication port in said tool guide and said first terminated passageway from fluid in said bore. 
   
   
       17 . A drill string of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one seal for sealing said communication port in said tool guide and said communication port in said drill pipe wall from fluid in said bore. 
   
   
       18 . A drill string system of  claim 1 , wherein said tool guide is tubular. 
   
   
       19 . A drill string system for performing measurement while drilling and logging while drilling operations for oil and gas drilling, said drill string system comprising:
 a drill string section having a bore defined by an inner length of surface of a pipe wall which also has an outer surface;   a tool guide secured in said drill string section and a support for centering said tool guide in said bore;   communication ports extending through said drill pipe wall from said outer pipe surface to said inner surface and through said support to an inner surface of said tool guide, said communication ports being in communication with one another;   an elongate cylindrical tool disposed in said tool guide;   a first pressure sensor within said tool to sense said drill string annular pressure;   a second pressure sensor in said tool in communication with said drill string bore to sense said drill string bore pressure;   a three-dimensional orientation sensor in said tool determining orientation of the tool; and   a mechanical retention device connected to said tool guide for inhibiting rotation of said tool relative to the tool guide when said tool is in a desired orientation relative to said tool guide, said first terminated passageway being in communication with said communication port of said tool guide when said tool is in said desired orientation.   
   
   
       20 . A landing assembly for use in a drill string section, said landing sleeve assembly comprising:
 a tool guide for receiving an elongate cylindrical tool;   a support for centering said tool guide in a bore of said drill string section;   a communication port extending through said tool guide and said support for communication with a corresponding communication port in said drill string section and a pressure sensor in said tool when said landing assembly is placed in said drill string section; and   a mechanical retention device connected to said tool guide and said support for inhibiting rotation of said tool relative to the tool guide when said tool is in a desired orientation relative to said tool guide.