Cuttings bed detection

Abstract

A system and method for detecting a cuttings bed that includes a drill bit, a drillstring and a cuttings bed detector. The cuttings bed detector is positioned uphole of the drill bit. The method includes the steps of positioning a drill bit downhole, and positioning a cuttings bed detector uphole of the drill bit.

1 . A system for detecting a cuttings bed, the system comprising:
 a drill string;   a drill bit disposed at a lower end of the drill string; and   a cuttings bed detector attached to the drill string.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cuttings bed remover attached to the drill string.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the cuttings bed detector is operatively coupled to the cuttings bed remover, and configured to transmit a signal indicative of a detection of a cuttings bed. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the drill string comprises a wired drill pipe, and wherein the cuttings bed detector and the cuttings bed remover are operatively connected to the wired drill string. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises an ultrasonic source and ultrasonic sensor. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises a low frequency pressure wave source and low pressure wave sensor. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises an acoustic attenuation sensor. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises a pressure transducer array. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises a mechanical sensor. 
   
   
       10 . A system for detecting a cuttings bed, the system comprising a section of casing having a cuttings bed detector. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a drillstring; and   a cuttings bed remover positioned on the drillstring.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a wired casing system. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises an ultrasonic sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises a sonic sensor. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cuttings bed detector comprises a low frequency pulse echo sensor. 
   
   
       16 . A system for detecting a cuttings bed, the system comprising:
 a section of casing comprising an ultrasonic source;   a drillstring comprising an ultrasonic receiver; and   a cuttings bed detector comprising the ultrasonic source and the ultrasonic receiver.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a cuttings bed remover positioned on the drillstring. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a wired drill pipe system. 
   
   
       19 . A method for detecting a cuttings bed, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a drill bit downhole; and   positioning a cuttings bed detector uphole of the drill bit.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of activating a cuttings bed remover upon detecting the cuttings bed.