Measurement-while-drilling device and method

Abstract

A measurement-while-drilling device comprises a base ( 21 ) to be connected between the drill pipe and the drill bit, the base having first and second end surfaces ( 212, 213 ) at the two axial ends thereof, at least one sensing chamber ( 22 ) which has an opening at at least one of the end surfaces, and a passage ( 23 ) for circulation of drilling fluid, at least one sensor disposed within the sensing chamber, and a sealing member ( 26 ) for sealing the sensing chamber on the at least one end surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A measurement-while-drilling device, comprising:
 a base having a rotation axis and configured to be axially coupled between a drill pipe and a drill bit, the base having a first and second peripheral end surface at each axial end thereof and a cylindrical peripheral side surface extending between the first and second peripheral end surfaces, the base defining at least one sensing chamber which opens onto at least one of the peripheral end surfaces, and a passage which is configured to allow fluid communication between the drill pipe and the drill bit;   at least one sensor disposed within the sensing chamber; and   a sealing member configured to hermetically seal the sensing chamber on the least one of the peripheral end surfaces; wherein   the sensor and the sensing chamber are configured to obtain and transmit drilling data to a surface drill control unit.   
     
     
         2 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the peripheral end surfaces is a planar surface at an angle to the cylindrical peripheral side surface. 
     
     
         3 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member comprises a cover on the at least one of the peripheral end surfaces, and a sealing gasket disposed between the cover and the at least one of the peripheral end surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 1 , wherein dimensions of the sensing chamber substantially conform to a radius of curvature of the cylindrical peripheral side surface. 
     
     
         5 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base has a first connecting portion adjacent to the first peripheral end surface and a second connecting portion adjacent to the second peripheral end surface, for coupling with the drill pipe and the drill bit, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 5 , wherein the first connecting portion comprises a convex portion with outer threads, protruding from the first peripheral end surface, and the second connecting portion comprises a concave portion with inner threads, inwardly concaved from the second peripheral end surface. 
     
     
         7 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a strain gauge, a 3D accelerometer or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 7 , wherein the strain gauge comprises a first, second and third strain component mounted on an inner wall of the sensing chamber along three different directions, respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 8 , wherein the first, second and third strain components are mounted on aside of the inner wall of the chamber which is close to the cylindrical peripheral side surface. 
     
     
         10 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second strain components are disposed symmetrically about the third strain component. 
     
     
         11 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 10 , wherein an angle between the first strain component and third strain component is about 45 degree. 
     
     
         12 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 1 , comprising one or more pairs of sensors, each comprising a 3D accelerometer, wherein the 3D accelerometers of each pair of sensors disposed symmetrically about the rotation axis. 
     
     
         13 . The measurement-while-drilling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling data is transmitted via cable, ultrasound, sonic signal, or radio frequency signal. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 designing a predetermined drilling trajectory which leads to hydrocarbon to be produced;   drilling a well bore with a drilling device comprising a measurement-while-drilling device based on the predetermined drilling trajectory, comprising:   obtaining drilling data with the measurement-while-drilling device,   transmitting the drilling data to a surface drill control unit, and   calibrating a drilling direction of the drilling device based on the drilling data and the predetermined drilling trajectory;   removing the drilling device from the well bore; and   obtaining the hydrocarbon from the well bore;   wherein the measurement-while-drilling device comprises a base having a rotation axis configured to be axially coupled between a drill pipe and a drill bit, the base having a first and second peripheral end surface at each axial end thereof and a cylindrical peripheral side surface extending between the first and second peripheral end surfaces, the base defining at least one sensing chamber which opens onto at least one of the peripheral end surfaces, and a passage which is configured to allow fluid communication between the drill pipe and the drill bit, at least one sensor disposed within the sensing chamber, and a sealing member configured to hermetically seal the sensing chamber on the least one of the peripheral end surfaces.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein transmitting the drilling data comprises transmitting the drilling data via cable, ultrasound, sonic signal, or radio frequency signal. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising coding the drilling data before transmitting the drilling data. 
     
     
         17 . A method for producing a measurement-while-drilling device, comprising:
 providing a base having a first and second peripheral end surface at each axial end thereof and a cylindrical peripheral side surface extending between the first and second peripheral end surfaces;   forming at least one sensing chamber in the base which opens onto at least one of the peripheral end surfaces, and a passage which is configured to allow fluid communication between the drill pipe and the drill bit;   disposing at least one sensor in the sensing chamber; and   hermetically sealing the sensing chamber on the least one of the peripheral end surfaces.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising forming a first connecting portion adjacent to the first peripheral end surface and a second connecting portion adjacent to the second peripheral end surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the first connecting portion comprises a convex portion with outer threads, protruding from the first peripheral end surface, and the second connecting portion comprises a concave portion with inner threads, inwardly concaved from the second peripheral end surface.