Well drilling system

Abstract

A well drilling system includes a torque drive system; a tubular string positioned below and rotated by the torque drive system; a pipe handler and back-up clamp assembly positioned between the torque drive system and the tubular string for coupling with and supporting one end of the tubular string; at least one internal blow-out preventer (IBOP) valve positioned between the torque drive system and the back-up clamp assembly; and a measurement device for measuring parameters of drilling, casing running or tubular make-up and break-out operations. The measurement device measures parameters below the IBOP valve so that parameters such as internal fluid pressures may be monitored even when the IBOP valve is closed. The measurement device is separate from the IBOP valve and is connected above the back-up clamp assembly and tubular string.

1 . A well drilling system comprising:
 a torque drive system including a rotatable output shaft;   a tubular string positioned below the torque drive system and rotated by the output shaft;   a back-up clamp assembly positioned between the torque drive system and the tubular string for coupling with and supporting one end of the tubular string;   a first blow-out preventer valve removably connected between the torque drive system and the back-up clamp assembly; and   a measurement device removably connected below the first blow-out preventer valve and above the back-up clamp assembly for measuring parameters during drilling operations, casing running operations, or tubular make-up and break-out operations.   
     
     
         2 . The well drilling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second blow-out preventer valve removably connected between the first blow-out preventer valve and the back-up clamp assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The well drilling system of  claim 2 , wherein the measurement device is removably connected below both the first blow-out preventer valve and the second blow-out preventer valve and above the back-up clamp assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The well drilling system of  claim 2 , wherein the measurement device is removably connected below the first blow-out preventer valve and above the second blow-out preventer valve. 
     
     
         5 . The well drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the measurement device includes one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of a torque sensor, a tension/compression sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a drilling fluid pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a displacement sensor, a rotational speed sensor, a drilling fluid flow sensor, a rotational alignment sensor, and a turns counter. 
     
     
         6 . The well drilling system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second blow-out preventer valves are integrated in a single unitary multi-valve body. 
     
     
         7 . The well drilling system of  claim 6 , wherein the measurement device is removably connected between the multi-valve body and the back-up clamp assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The well drilling system of  claim 6 , wherein the measurement device is integrated in the multi-valve body below the second blow-out preventer valve. 
     
     
         9 . The well drilling system of  claim 6 , wherein the measurement device is integrated in the multi-valve body between the first and second blow-out preventer valves. 
     
     
         10 . The well drilling system of  claim 3 , wherein the measurement device includes a tubular section joined by a protective housing and one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of a torque sensor, a tension/compression sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a drilling fluid pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a displacement sensor, a rotational speed sensor, a drilling fluid flow sensor, a rotational alignment sensor, and a turns counter. 
     
     
         11 . The well drilling system of  claim 10 , wherein the upper tubular section is removably connected for engaging complimentary connection on a lower end of the second blow-out preventer valve. 
     
     
         12 . The well drilling system of  claim 11 , wherein the lower tubular section is removably connected for engaging complimentary connection on a saver sub or tubular string. 
     
     
         13 . A well drilling system comprising:
 a torque drive system including a rotatable output shaft;   a tubular string positioned below the torque drive system and rotated by the output shaft;   a back-up clamp assembly positioned between the torque drive system and the tubular string for coupling with and supporting one end of the tubular string;   a multi-valve body positioned between the torque drive system and the back-up clamp assembly, the multi-valve body incorporating both a first blow-out preventer valve and a second blow-out preventer valve in a single unitary housing; and   a measurement device connected below the multi-valve body and above the back-up clamp assembly for measuring drilling parameters during a drilling operations, casing running operations, or tubular make-up and break-out operations.   
     
     
         14 . The well drilling system of  claim 13 , wherein the measurement device includes one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of a torque sensor, a tension/compression sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a drilling fluid pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a displacement sensor, a rotational speed sensor, a drilling fluid flow sensor, a rotational alignment sensor, and a turns counter. 
     
     
         15 . The well drilling system of  claim 13 , wherein the measurement device is removably connected below the multi-valve body. 
     
     
         16 . The well drilling system of  claim 13 , wherein the measurement device includes a tubular section joined by a protective housing and one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of a torque sensor, a tension/compression sensor, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a drilling fluid pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a displacement sensor, a rotational speed sensor, a drilling fluid flow sensor, a rotational alignment sensor, and a turns counter. 
     
     
         17 . The well drilling system of  claim 13 , wherein the upper tubular section is removably connected for engaging complimentary connection on a lower end of the multi-valve body. 
     
     
         18 . The well drilling system of  claim 17 , wherein the lower tubular section is removably connected for engaging complimentary connection on a saver sub or tubular string.