Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ORIENTING HANGER ASSEMBLY
FOR DEPLOYING MWD TOOLS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
None.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure is directed generally to the deployment of measurement-while-
drilling tools in subsurface drilling applications, and more specifically to
an orienting
hanger assembly for improved deployment of such measurement-while-drilling
tools in
such applications.
BACKGROUND
Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) systems are well-known in drilling
technology. The term "measurement-while-drilling" encompasses a wide array of
different tools and instruments having a corresponding wide array of
functions. For
purposes of example in this disclosure, however, MWD refers to navigational
tools (or
"directional tools") that monitor the direction and rate of travel of the tool
face during
directional drilling operations. Such MWD tools typically include
magnetometers and/or
accelerometers (colloquially known collectively as a "directional package")
for
measuring travel and direction of the tool face in relation to vectors of
known directional
forces such as the Earth's magnetic and gravitational forces. It will be
appreciated
throughout this disclosure, however, that even though such directional MWD
tools are
used by way of illustration, this disclosure is not limited to such
directional MWD tools
in the application of the orienting hanger device also disclosed herein.
MWD tools typically take the form of a substantially uniform cylinder,
including
a cylindrical sonde containing the directional package, plus other cylindrical
components
containing items such as batteries and related electronics. The tools'
cylindrical shape
generally facilitates deployment in a specially-configured section of drill
collar to form a
"sub" that may be inserted into a conventional drill string. MWD tools may be
retrievable or non-retrievable, as described further on in this background.
Where
retrievable, their cylindrical shape enhances such retrievable deployment.
Directional sensitivity is enabled on the MWD tool, at least in part, by
identifying
a "high side" on the outside of the tool. More precisely, the "high side" is a
radial
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orientation (or radial azimuth) marked on the outside of the tool that the
directional
sensors deployed on the inside of the tool will recognize as "top dead center"
or "zero
degrees tool face". Part of the job of "making up" a bottom hole assembly
(BHA) prior
to directional drilling includes orienting the MWD tool, within its
corresponding sub, so
that the high side of the tool is directionally aligned with the intended zero
degrees on
the tool face. Advantageously the high side of the tool is exactly
directionally aligned
with zero degrees on the BHA tool face. If not exactly directionally aligned,
the
misalignment must be precisely known so that appropriate corrections may be
made by
software in the directional package.
In directional drilling operations using a bent sub, a scribe line on the bent
sub
will indicate zero degrees tool face. Similarly, in directional drilling
operations using a
steering tool, the steering tool will have some external physical reference
mark indicating
its intended zero degrees tool face during use. Conventionally, the scribe
line or other
reference mark is transferred externally to the collar housing the directional
package
using, for example, a chalk line, a laser, visual alignment, or similar
method. The MWD
tool is then oriented within its collar so that its high side aligns with the
scribe line or
other reference mark as transferred onto the collar.
As noted above, MWD tools come in both retrievable and non-retrievable
varieties. "Retrievable" refers to the MWD tool being specially configured to
be
retrievable from the drill string without tripping the drill string out of the
well. The most
common retrievable deployment is to locate the MWD tool sub at the very top of
the tool
string in the BHA, just below the bottom of the drill pipe string, where the
top of the
MWD tool can be accessed by a wireline run through the hollow drill pipe
string from
the surface. The end of the wireline provides a hook device which can be
attached to a
latching device provided on the top of the MWD tool. Once hooked on, the MWD
tool
can be pulled up and retrieved from inside its collar.
Also as noted above, such a retrievable MWD tool is conventionally cylindrical
so that it may be more easily withdrawn from within its collar.
Conventionally, external
bow springs are provided on the outside of the cylindrical MWD tool, which
compress as
the MWD tool is inserted into a hole-like receptacle within the collar. The
bow springs
hold the MWD tool in place in its receptacle, advantageously without rotation
with
respect to the collar, so to preserve alignment with zero degree tool face of
the BHA as
described above. External rubber fins on the tool exterior can also be used to
position
and stabilize an MWD tool (see, e.g., The Pathfinder HDSR). However, if fins
are used,
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a separate internal collar contact is needed to complete the electrical
connection of the
EM tool. Regardless of the method used, to retrieve conventional tools, the
pull on the
MWD tool must be sufficient to withdraw the MWD tool longitudinally from its
receptacle against the urge of the bow springs.
A primary advantage of retrievable MWD tools is that they are, as noted,
retrievable from the drill string without tripping the drill string out of the
well. Tripping
is a time-consuming process, and to be avoided during drilling operations
whenever
possible. MWD tools may need to be brought back to the surface before drilling
operations are complete for any one of a number of reasons. These reasons
include the
MWD tool requiring service, or perhaps running out of battery power, or
requiring a
download of locally-stored data, or even malfunctioning. All of the above
tasks may be
accomplished without tripping by using a retrievable MWD tool. Furthermore, in
situations where the BHA has become stuck in the borehole, it will be
appreciated that
retrievable MWD tools may be more easily salvaged.
Retrievable MWD tools have a number of disadvantages, however, as compared
to non-retrievable MWD tools. In order to promote retrievability, retrievable
MWD
tools are not easily linked to other downhole measurement devices that may
also be
located in the tool string in the BHA, such as Logging-While-Drilling (LWD)
tools or
other MWD tools. Thus, telemetry capability as conventionally found on MWD
tools
may not also be used in conjunction with such other downhole tools. Further,
the
conventional bow spring deployment of retrievable tools, as described above,
causes the
MWD tool to be rotationally immobilized with respect to its surrounding collar
only by
the force reacting to compression of the bow springs. The potential for
differential radial
movement between MWD tool and the surrounding collar thus exists, potentially
brought
about by vibrations caused during drilling operations. In particular, the high
vibrations
caused by air drilling have an increased potential to undermine the alignment
of a
conventionally-deployed retrievable MWD tool.
Of course, the disadvantages of conventional retrievable MWD tool deployments
as described immediately above may be addressed by deploying a conventional
non-
retrievable MWD tool. Non-retrievable MWD tools may be mounted more robustly
and
integratedly in the tool string in the BHA without concern for retrievability.
It will therefore be appreciated from the foregoing background disclosure that
there are some drilling applications in which a retrievable MWD tool may be
preferable,
and other applications in which a non-retrievable MWD may be preferable. From
a tool
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supplier's point of view, it is not always optimal to keep a large inventory
of both
retrievable and non-retrievable MWD tools. Inventory and manufacturing
efficiency can
be enhanced when retrievable MWD tools can be optionally converted to non-
retrievable
MWD tools, thereby enabling use of the same tools in both retrievable and non-
retrievable MWD drilling applications.
Techniques are currently known for converting retrievable MWD tools into non-
retrievable MWD tools. However, these current techniques tend to be rather
cumbersome and unreliable. The conversion is typically accomplished first by
threading
and torquing one or more orientation devices to the top and/or bottom of a
retrievable
MWD tool. The orientation devices are generally cylindrical transition pieces
which (1)
re-dimension the MWD tool assembly to be suitable for being received into a
non-
retrievable MWD tool mounting device (such as a suitably-configured length of
drill
collar), and (2) transfer the orientation reference line on the MWD tool onto
a
corresponding reference line on the mounting device, which can then be used
for
alignment with the scribe line on the bent sub during make-up of the tool
string in the
BHA. Adding the orientation devices(s) and the mounting device to the MWD tool
thus
requires addition of at least two (2) threaded/torqued connections. It will be
appreciated
that making these additional connections up is inefficient and cumbersome in
many
applications. Further, it will be appreciated that loss of torque and
loosening of the
threaded joints during drilling operations will likely cause a misalignment of
the MWD
tool's directional sensors with the tool face of the BHA.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a conversion device that quickly and
nimbly
converts a retrievable tool (including a retrievable directional MWD tool)
into a
corresponding non-retrievable MWD tool that may be mounted in a section of
drill
collar. The section of drill collar may then be placed in any desired position
in the tool
string in the BHA. The conversion device should avoid threaded/torqued
connections
that may loosen during drilling operations and possibly cause a misalignment
in
orientation of a directional MWD tool.
Advantageously the improved conversion device will accommodate EM MWD
tools that include EM telemetry transceivers (and associated architecture and
circuitry)
on board. In such EM MWD deployments, the conversion device will enable
optional
mounting of the retrievable EM MWD tool in a gap sub.
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SUMMARY AND TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
This disclosure describes an orienting hanger assembly that addresses at least
some of the needs in the art described above in the Background section. This
disclosure
describes embodiments of an inventive orienting hanger assembly that may be
deployed
as, for example, a sub in a conventional drill string, and further discloses
methods of its
use in such exemplary deployments.
The described orienting hanger allows a retrievable MWD tool to be easily
converted to a top hanging fixed (non-retrievable) MWD tool without
reconfiguring the
basic components of the MWD tool. This disclosure describes an assembly that
can (1)
easily be threaded onto the top of an MWD tool, and (2) hold its orientation
with respect
to the MWD tool even though the threaded connection between tool and assembly
is not
necessarily tight. The orientation is maintained via a threaded fastener
(nominally, a
shear bolt) inserted through a window in the assembly and into a threaded hole
in the
MWD tool (or into a threaded hole in a tool adapter threaded onto the top of
the tool).
The shear bolt acting through the window holds the alignment between the MWD
tool
and the orienting hanger assembly, notwithstanding any radial torque applied
to MWD
tool or orienting hanger assembly.
Currently preferred embodiments of the orienting hanger assembly further
provide an alignment notch that facilitates the hanger (and therefore the MWD
tool) to be
aligned to reference orientations (such as zero degrees tool face) on the
drilling
assembly. A key or orientating tool may be engaged in the notch as a physical
means for
aligning the hanger assembly (and therefore the MWD tool) to the BHA. Once the
hanger assembly is rotated with the key to a desired selectable orientation
with respect to
the BHA, the assembly is locked into such orientation via, for example,
external locking
screws inserted from the outer diameter of the drill string, or an expandable
split ring
assembly.
The disclosed orienting hanger assembly thus advantageously deploys a
retrievable MWD tool in a non-retrievable environment, while avoiding some of
the
disadvantages associated with conventional ones of such deployments. Disclosed
features, described in greater detail below, enable the high side of the tool
to be
transferred quickly, reliably and accurately to a scribe line or other
directional reference
mark transferred conventionally onto the outer collar of the orienting hanger
assembly.
Further disclosed features, described in greater detail below, enable the
selected tool
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orientation to be locked down quickly and reliably with respect the outer
collar, with
greater confidence that high vibration during drilling operations will not
disturb the
selected orientation. Yet further, the MWD tool as deployed in the disclosed
orienting
hanger is suspended from above during drilling operations and thus "hanging"
in space
provided below. This "hanging" aspect allows different types of MWD tools of
different
overall length to be deployed in the orienting hanger assembly without the
need for
spacers. Data or power connectivity between the MWD tool and other tooling in
the
BHA is thus further enhanced since there are no spacers causing obstruction.
In a first embodiment, this disclosure describes an orienting hanger assembly
comprising a hollow cylindrical outer collar, a hollow cylindrical inner
hanger, and a
cylindrical MWD tool adapter. The outer collar has first and second ends with
a box-end
threaded connection at the first end and a pin-end threaded connection at the
second end.
The outer collar has a substantially constant outer diameter, but there is an
annular
shoulder on its inner diameter. The internal shoulder separates the inner
collar wall into
first and second sections, corresponding to the first and second collar ends,
in which the
second section (pin end) has a smaller diameter than the first section (box
end) At least
one threaded locking hole extends through the collar wall through to the first
inner collar
wall section.
The cylindrical inner hanger is disposed to be inserted into the outer collar
so that
the longitudinal axes of the collar and hanger are aligned. The inner hanger
has first and
second hanger ends that correspond generally to the first and second collar
ends when
the hanger is received into the outer collar. The inner hanger has an external
.annular
shoulder that separates the first and second hanger ends and the corresponding
first and
second outer hanger wall sections. The first outer hanger wall section has a
greater
diameter than the second outer hanger wall section. The exterior of the first
outer hanger
wall section includes an annular knurled portion that is located so that it is
visible
=
through each of the at least one locking holes when the inner hanger is fully
received
inside the outer collar. The external shoulder on the hanger is disposed to
abut the
internal shoulder on the collar when the inner hanger is fully received inside
the outer
collar (thus, when the collar and inserted hanger are oriented vertically,
with their first
ends pointing up, the hanger actually "hangs" on the collar shoulder):
The first hanger end also includes an alignment notch provided in the inner
wall.
The notch is located so that it is visible when the hanger is fully received
into the outer
collar. At least two opposing radial wings extend outward from the exterior of
the
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second hanger end. The wings terminate with a distal wing face and extend from
the
surface so that when the inner hanger is received into the outer collar, the
distal wing
faces are located proximate to and substantially flush with an inner surface
of the second
inner collar wall section. At least one of the radial wings includes an open
wing passage
from its distal wing face through to the inner cylindrical surface of the
hanger. The
alignment notch and the wing providing the wing passage are separated by a
predetermined radial offset about the longitudinal hanger axis so that the
location of the
alignment notch on the circumference of the hanger corresponds (by the
predetermined
offset) to the location of the wing passage.
The cylindrical MWD tool adapter has first and second adapter ends that
correspond to the first and second ends of the collar and hanger. Threads on
the outer
surface of the first adapter end are disposed to mate with threads on the
inner surface of
the second hanger end. The tool adapter also has threads on the inner surface
of its
second end disposed to mate with the external threads on one end of an MWD
tool.
Additionally, the tool adapter has a radial threaded tool-orienting hole
located so that it is
visible through the wing passage on the inner hanger when the tool adapter is
threaded
into the second hanger end.
Once a tool is threaded into the tool adapter, an orienting screw is received
through a selected wing passage and tightened into the tool-orienting hole so
that a
portion of the orienting screw prevents relative rotation of the tool adapter
and the inner
hanger via contact engagement with the selected wing passage. When the tool
and
hanger are threaded together by the adapter and fully received into the outer
collar, one
locking screw is received through each locking hole in the collar. The locking
screws are
tightened so that they frictionally engage the knurled portion of the hanger
and secure it
into the outer collar.
In a second embodiment, this disclosure describes an orienting hanger
assembly,
comprising a generally tubular inner hanger disposed to be received snugly
into a
generally tubular outer collar and a cylindrical MWD tool adapter. The hanger
and
collar are configured so that when the inner hanger is fully received into the
outer collar
(1) the longitudinal axes of the hanger and collar are aligned, (2) an annular
internal
shoulder provided on the outer collar abuts an annular external shoulder on
the inner
hanger, and (3) first and second ends of the of the inner hanger generally
correspond with
first and second ends of the outer collar.
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The cylindrical MWD tool adapter has first and second adapter ends. The first
adapter end is disposed to threadably engage the second end of the inner
hanger, and the
second adapter end is disposed to threadably engage an MWD tool. Further, the
tool
adapter includes a radial threaded tool-orienting hole.
The outer collar has a tubular collar wall, and the first end of the outer
collar
provides at least one threaded locking hole extending through the collar wall.
The inner
hanger has a tubular hanger wall, and the first end of the inner hanger
provides an
annular external knurled portion formed on the hanger wall. The knurled
portion and the
at least one locking hole are located so that a locking screw can be received
through each
locking hole and frictionally engage the knurled portion when the inner hanger
is fully
received into the outer collar. The first end of the inner hanger also
includes an interior
alignment notch in the inner surface of the hanger wall.
At least two opposing radial wings extend outward from the second end of the
inner hanger. Each radial wing terminates at a distal wing face, and the wings
have a
common radial length such that when the inner hanger is received into the
outer collar,
the distal wing faces are located snugly next to an inner surface of the
second end of the
outer collar. At least one of the radial wings includes an open wing passage
from its
distal wing face through to an inner surface of the inner hanger at its second
end. The
alignment notch and the radial wing that provides the wing passage are
separated by a
predetermined radial offset about the longitudinal axis of the inner hanger.
Threadably engaging the tool adapter onto the second end of the inner hanger
enables an orienting screw to be received through a selected wing passage and
into the
tool-orienting hole on the adapter so that a portion of the orienting screw
prevents
relative rotation of the tool adapter and the inner hanger via contact
engagement with the
selected wing passage. Box and pin connections are provided on corresponding
ones of
the first and second ends of the outer collar, suitable to threadably insert
the outer collar
into a drill string.
In some embodiments of the outer collar, the threaded locking hole in the
outer
collar may be counter-sunk so that when the locking screws are tightened, they
are flush
with the outer wall of the collar. Additionally, there may be embodiments of
the inner
hanger in which the knurled portion is located in an annular recess.
In other embodiments, the threaded locking hole(s) in the outer collar, the
locking
screw(s) and the knurled portion, may be substituted as an orientation locking
assembly
for an expandable split ring assembly.
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Further embodiments of the inner hanger may provide at least one annular
recess
on the exterior surface of the hanger which is disposed to receive an o-ring
configured to
prevent fluid flow in the annular spaces between the inner collar wall outer
hanger wall.
Other embodiments of the inner hanger may also provide at least one fluid
window through the second hanger wall section to enable fluid flow from inside
the
inner hanger into the annular space between the hanger and the outer collar
when the
inner hanger is fully received into the outer collar. These embodiments may
further
include a surface, on the interior of the inner hanger, shaped to encourage
fluid flow
from inside the inner hanger through each fluid window.
Additional embodiments of the tool adapter may provide at least one annular
recess disposed to receive an o-ring configured to prevent annular fluid flow
between the
tool adapter and the inner cylindrical surface of the second hanger end when
the tool
adapter is fully received into the inner hanger.
In a third embodiment, this disclosure describes an orienting hanger assembly
as
previously described, except that instead of providing threaded locking holes
in the collar
wall, locking screws, and a knurled portion on the hanger wall, the assembly
provides an
expandable split ring assembly rigidly affixed to the first end of the inner
hanger, the
split ring assembly configured, when engaged, to prevent relative rotational
displacement
between the inner hanger and the outer collar when the inner hanger is fully
received into
the outer collar.
It will therefore be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure that the
orienting
hanger assembly, in use, gives rise to inventive methods for deploying a
retrievable
MWD tool in a non-retrievable environment. One embodiment of the method
comprises
the steps of: (a) providing an orienting hanger assembly, the orienting hanger
assembly
including (A) a generally tubular inner hanger disposed to be received snugly
into (B) a
generally tubular outer collar such that when the inner hanger is fully
received into the
outer collar (1) a longitudinal axis of the inner hanger coincides with a
longitudinal axis
of the outer collar, (2) an annular internal shoulder provided on the outer
collar abuts an
annular external shoulder on the inner hanger, and (3) first and second ends
of the of the
inner hanger generally correspond with first and second ends of the outer
collar, and (C)
a cylindrical MWD tool adapter having first and second adapter ends, the tool
adapter
further including a radial threaded tool-orienting hole; (b) threading and
tightening an
MWD tool onto the second adapter end of the tool adapter; (c) measuring, if
any, a radial
offset about a longitudinal MWD tool axis between a high side of the MWD tool
and the
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tool-orienting hole; (d) threading the first adapter end of the tool adapter
onto the second
end of the inner hanger until the tool-orienting hole is visible through a
wing passage in
one of at least two opposing radial wings provided on the second end of the
inner hanger;
(e) receiving an orienting screw through the wing passage; (f) threading and
tightening
the orienting screw into the tool-orienting hole such that a portion of the
orienting screw
prevents relative rotation of the tool adapter and the inner hanger via
contact engagement
with the wing passage; (g) providing an alignment notch in a hanger wall at
the first end
of the inner hanger such that the wing passage and the alignment notch are
separated by a
predetermined radial offset about the longitudinal axis of the inner hanger;
(h) inserting
the outer collar into a bottom hole assembly (BHA) at a pre-desired position
therein; (i)
transferring a selected degrees tool face orientation of the BHA onto the
outer collar; (j)
receiving the inner hanger (with the tool adapter and MWD tool attached
thereto) into the
outer collar such that the MWD tool is suspended from the second end of the
inner
hanger via abutment and resting of the annular external shoulder on the inner
hanger
against the annular internal shoulder on the outer collar; (k) rotating the
inner hanger
with respect to the outer collar such that the alignment notch is
orientationally aligned
with the selected tool face orientation of the BHA as transferred onto the
outer collar in
step (i); (1) locking the inner hanger to the outer collar so as to prevent
further relative
rotation thereof; and (m) if required, correcting directional measurements by
the MWD
tool for any radial misalignment between the high side of the MWD tool and the
alignment notch.
In currently preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, step (1) may be
completed by threading one or more locking screw through a corresponding
radial
threaded locking hole in the outer collar and frictionally engaging each
locking screw on
the annular external knurled portion formed on the first end of the internal
hanger. For
example, the illustrations included with this disclosure show the completion
of step (1) by
threading three locking screws through three corresponding radial threaded
locking holes
in the outer collar and frictionally engaging each locking screw on the
annular external
knurled portion formed on the first end of the internal hanger. It should be
noted that
this disclosure is not limited to the use of locking screws threaded through
the outer
collar to lock the inner hanger to the outer collar. Further, the scope of
this disclosure is
not limited to use of three locking screws, and any suitable number may be
used ,as
required to obtain serviceable locking. Other embodiments of the disclosed
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may provide for the completion of step (1) via the use of other locking
mechanisms, such
as an expandable split ring assembly.
Other embodiments of the disclosed methods may include additional variations.
For example, the MWD tool may be an EM MWD tool, and in those embodiments, the
outer collar may be an external gap sub. In other cases, the MWD tool may be a
retrievable MWD tool. Additionally, in some embodiments, step (i) may be the
transferring zero degrees tool face orientation of the BHA onto the outer
collar.
Correspondingly, in those embodiments, step (k) is rotating the inner hanger
with respect
to the outer collar such that the alignment notch is orientationally aligned
with the zero
degreee tool face orientation of the BHA as transferred onto the outer collar
in step (i).
Further, in other embodiments, the predetermined radial offset in step (g) is
zero degrees.
Likewise, in particular embodiments of the disclosed methods, step (m) may be
accomplished by pre-programmed instructions in the MWD tool, which are
embodied in
the selected tool's software or firmware. Further, an additional step ¨ step
(n) ¨ may be
performed in some embodiments of the disclosed methods. Step (n) comprises:
connecting the selected MWD tool to at least one other downhole tool, in which
the
connection enables power communication, data communication, or both, between
the
selected MWD tool and such other downhole tools.
It is therefore a technical advantage of the disclosed orienting hanger
assembly
(and its disclosed methods of use) to quickly and robustly align the high side
of a
directional MWD tool to zero degrees tool face on the bottom hole assembly, or
to
another user-selected tool face orientation. It will be appreciated from the
disclosed
design that the MWD tool (with tool adapter attached) need not be threaded
down tightly
to the second end of the inner hanger. Threading needs to be sufficient to
secure the
MWD tool adapter from "falling off' the inner hanger, at which point the
orienting screw
may be located through the radial wing passage in the inner hanger and screwed
tightly
into the tool-orienting hole in the tool adapter. At this point the tool
adapter is restrained
from relative rotation with respect to the inner hanger via contact by the
orienting screw
against the wing passage. Thus, the tool adapter cannot now become unthreaded
from
the inner hanger, even though there may be a less-than-tight threaded
connection
between the tool adapter and the inner hanger. A tightened or torqued threaded
connection between the tool adapter and the inner hanger is thus obviated.
Further, since
the tool adapter is now restrained from relative rotation with respect to the
inner hanger
(via contact by the orienting screw against the wing passage), the tool
adapter, and
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therefore the high side of the MWD tool, retains its radial orientation with
respect to the
radial wing through which the orienting screw is located. Moreover, the length
of the
orienting screw may be selected so that when the inner hanger (with MWD tool
and tool
adapter attached) is received into the outer collar, the inner surface of the
outer collar
prevents the orienting screw (as located in the radial wing passage) from
becoming
completely unthreaded from the tool adapter.
A first end of the inner hanger is provided with an alignment notch such that
the
wing passage and the alignment notch share a common radial orientation about
the
longitudinal axis of the inner hanger. Alternatively, the wing passage and
alignment
notch may share a known radial orientation misalignment. The scribe line (or
other BHA
reference point for zero degrees tool face) may then be transferred onto the
outer collar
via conventional procedure. When inner hanger (with MWD tool and tool adapter
attached) is received into the outer collar, a commonly used conventional hand
tool may
be used to rotate the inner hanger within the outer collar such that the
alignment notch
becomes rotationally aligned with the scribe line as transferred onto the
outer collar. The
high side of the MWD tool is thus rotationally aligned with the scribe line
via transfer of
the MWD tool's rotational alignment through the assembled orienting hanger up
to the
scribe line, plus or minus any known rotational misalignment between high side
and
radial wing, between radial wing and alignment notch, and between alignment
notch and
scribe line.
It will be appreciated that software or firmware, for example, in the MWD tool
may correct the tool's directional measurements for known rotational
misalignment in
operation of the MWD tool in the orienting hanger assembly as deployed in the
BHA. In
other words, software or firmware enables the correction of any misalignment
between
the MWD internal directional sensors and the alignment notch as aligned to the
BHA.
It should be noted that the scope of this disclosure contemplates that any or
all of
the radial wings may provided wing passages through which the orienting screw
may be
located. However, some embodiments of the hanger assembly may provide radial
wings
in which only one wing includes a wing passage, namely the radial wing (and
wing
passage) that is separated from the alignment notch by a predetermined radial
offset.
These embodiments are advantageous to minimize the chance for alignment errors
during make-up of the orienting hanger assembly and MWD tool in the drill
string. It
will be appreciated that when only one wing passage is provided on the hanger
assembly,
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the orienting screw cannot be inserted through the "wrong wing passage" during
normal
tool alignment operations.
Once the inner hanger has been rotated within the outer collar so that the
alignment notch is rotationally aligned with the scribe line that was
transferred onto the
outer collar, the locking screws are inserted through the locking holes and
torqued
against the knurled portion on the inner hanger. The torque applied to the
locking screws
secures the orientation of the collar, hanger, and tool, relative to each
other. Typically,
torque may be applied using conventional hand tools (e.g., a standard alien
wrench).
However, in some embodiments for use in high-vibration operations, relatively
high
torque is necessary and a powered tool may be required.
Further, as noted previously, some embodiments of the disclosed orienting
hanger assembly may substitute the locking screw arrangement for an expandable
split
ring assembly as a feature for locking down a desired orientation.
The above-described summary of alignment of an MWD tool in conjunction with
the disclosed orienting hanger assembly improves upon the current art in
several regards.
Currently, MWD tools are conventionally deployed in a non-retrievable
environment via
a "landed" approach, rather than a "hanging" approach. Conventionally, a
Uniform
Bottom Hole Orientation (UBHO) device (also colloquially known as a "mule
shoe")
receives an MWD tool into a tight-fit receptacle. The MWD tool is oriented
within the
receptacle so that in normal vertical drilling operations, the tool "drops"
vertically all the
way into the receptacle. Once received within the receptacle, the high side of
the MWD
tool may be rotationally aligned with the scribe line transferred onto the
UBHO device.
Spacer bars are then selected, according to the overall length of the
particular MWD tool,
to fill up space and hold the "top" end of the tool within the UBHO device.
The
presence of spacer bars makes it difficult to connect other MWD or LWD tools
located
elsewhere in the BHA to the MWD tool as deployed in the UBHO device. For EM
MWD tools, use of a UBHO device makes the co-location of the tool with
internal or
external gaps difficult, potentially degrading the quality of EM
transmissions.
A further technical advantage of the disclosed orienting hanger assembly (and
its
disclosed methods of use) is thus to enable directional MWD tools to be more
reliably
deployed in a hanging environment. As noted earlier in this Summary section,
the
"hanging" aspect allows different types of MWD tools of different overall
length to be
deployed in the orienting hanger assembly without the need for spacers. Data
or power
connectivity between the MWD tool and other tooling in the BHA is thus further
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enhanced since there are no spacers causing obstruction below the tool. Use of
the
orienting hanger assembly may further obviate threaded/torqued connections
associated
with use of a conventional UBHO device.
A further technical advantage of the disclosed orienting hanger assembly (and
its
disclosed methods of use) arises when an EM MWD tool is used in conjunction
with the
orienting hanger assembly. It will be understood that improved EM telemetry
performance occurs when internal and external gaps are substantially co-
located on the
BHA. As noted above, such co-location is made difficult by use of a
conventional
UBHO device. However, in contrast, embodiments of the orienting hanger
assembly
may provide an external gap on the outer collar. An EM MWD tool having an
internal
gap on board may be then threaded onto the tool adapter, or a separate
internal gap may
be concatenated onto the tool adapter with the EM MWD tool. When received into
the
outer collar, the location of the internal gap thus comes close to co-location
with the
external gap on the outer collar. However, the orienting hanger assembly can
incorporate the gap sub all in one piece or in multiple pieces for easy
replacement and
service, and this disclosure is not limited in this regard. Further, because
of the
"hanging" nature of the EM MWD tool inside the outer collar, the actual
measured
separation between internal and external gaps may be repeatably ordained in
sequential
deployments of EM MWD tools in the orienting hanger assembly during drilling
operations over time.
A further technical advantage of the orienting hanger is that alignment may be
preserved in harsh environments for orientation, such as high vibration
drilling
environments. As previously noted, in embodiments providing locking screws,
torque
may typically be applied to the locking screws with conventional hand tools
(e.g., via a
standard allen wrench). This is advantageous because it enables easy
replacement of the
locking screws. In embodiments providing an expandable split ring assembly as
an
alternative to locking screws, it will be understood that such split ring
assemblies provide
tight, robust locking via conventional, straightforward actuation of threaded
mechanisms
on the assemblies.
A further technical advantage of the disclosed orienting hanger assembly (and
its
disclosed methods of use) is to enable a more flexible and cost-effective MWD
tool asset
utilization. As noted above, the orienting hanger enables retrievable MWD
tools to be
used in non-retrievable environments without many of the disadvantages
conventionally
associated with such deployments. Thus, with the orienting hanger assembly
available, a
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fleet of retrievable MWD tools has a potentially wider utilization platform,
both in
conventional retrievable deployments, and further in novel non-retrievable
deployments
as disclosed herein.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical
advantages
of the inventive disclosure of this application, in order that the detailed
description of the
embodiments that follows may be better understood. It will be appreciated by
those
skilled in the art that the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily
utilized as a
basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same
general
purposes of the inventive material set forth in this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the embodiments described in this
disclosure, and their advantages, reference is made to the following detailed
description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 illustrates, in disassembled form, perspective views of one
embodiment of an orienting hanger assembly 100, including an outer collar 105,
an inner
hanger 120, and a tool adapter 150 for attachment to MWD tool 160 (it being
understood
that MWD tool 160 is not part of orienting hanger assembly 100);
FIGURE 2 shows, in cutaway view, the orienting hanger assembly 100 of
FIGURE 1 in assembled form;
FIGURE 3 is a section view of the orienting hanger assembly 100 as shown on
FIGURE 2; and
FIGURE 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method of deploying
an MWD tool in an orienting hanger assembly such as orienting hanger assembly
100
illustrated with reference to FIGURES 1-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
flush with the inner surface of second inner collar wall section 113 when
inner
hanger 120 is received into, outer collar 105. As will be described in greater
detail
further below, at least one radial wing 131 provides a wing passage 133
through which
an orienting screw 171 is situated. While this disclosure is not specific to
any specific
separation between distal wing faces 132 and the inner surface of second inner
collar
wall section 113, it will be understood from FIGURE 2 to be close enough so
that the
inner surface of second inner collar wall section 113 retains orienting screw
171 within
wing passage 133 when inner hanger 120 is received into outer collar 105.
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As just noted, and as shown on FIGURES 1 and 2, at least one radial wing 131
includes an open wing passage 133 from its distal wing face 132 through to the
inner
surface of second hanger portion 128. FIGURES 1 and 2 also show that alignment
notch
130 and the radial axis of the radial wing 131 that includes wing passage 133
share a
common radial orientation about longitudinal hanger axis 121. In alternative
embodiments (not illustrated), alignment notch 130 and the radial axis of the
radial wing
131 that includes wing passage 133 may be offset by a pre-determined radial
misalignment, which, if present, must be accounted for in aligning the high
side of MWD
tool 160 to alignment notch 130.
Tool adapter 150, as shown on FIGURES 1 and 2, is a cylindrical member having
first adapter end 151 and second adapter end 152. The outer surface of first
adapter end
151 provides threads disposed to mate with threads on the inner surface of
second hanger
portion 128, as illustrated on FIGURE 2. The inner surface of second adapter
end 152
provides threads (not visible on FIGURES 1 and 2) disposed to mate with
threads
provided on one end of an MWD tool. In preferred embodiments, the MWD tool is
a
retrievable MWD tool such as, by way of example, one of the Electro-Trac EM
system
of EM telemetry tools available from GE Oil & Gas (http://www.ge-
energy.com/products_and services/products/drilling measurements/electro
trac eni mwd_ For the purposes of the following disclosure, FIGURES 1, 2, and
3
should be viewed together. Any part, item, or feature that is identified by
part number on
one of FIGURES 1-3 has the same part number when illustrated on another of
FIGURES
1-3.
FIGURE 1 illustrates, in disassembled form, perspective views of one
embodiment of an orienting hanger assembly 100. As shown on FIGURE 1, the
orienting hanger assembly 100 includes a hollow cylindrical outer collar 105,
a hollow
cylindrical inner hanger 120, and a cylindrical tool adapter 150. Tool adapter
150 is
suitable to receive one end of a threaded MWD tool 160, examples of which are
described further on in this disclosure. All of outer collar 105, inner hanger
120, and tool
adapter 150 can be made from a material such as stainless steel. However, this
disclosure is not limited in this regard.
Fully assembled, orienting hanger 100 is disposed to be inserted into a
conventional drill string. To enable this insertion, outer collar 105, as
shown on
FIGURE 1, includes a first collar end 108 that provides a threaded box
connection 106
and a second collar end 109 that provides a threaded pin connection 107.
Consistent
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with drill string connections known in the art, such conventional pin and box
connections
enable an assembled orienting hanger 100 to be inserted into a concatenated
string of ,
drill collar tubulars. For clarity, threaded pin connection 107 is omitted
from outer collar
105 on FIGURE 2.
Outer collar 105 has a substantially constant outer diameter about a
longitudinal
collar axis 110. Outer collar 105, as shown on FIGURE 2, includes annular
inner collar
shoulder 111 that separates the interior of outer collar 105 into a first
cylindrical inner
collar wall section 112 at first collar end 108 and a second cylindrical inner
collar wall
section 113 at second collar end 109. The diameter of the second inner collar
wall 113
section is less than that of the first inner collar wall section 112, as
illustrated on
FIGURE 2. Outer collar 105, as depicted on FIGURES 1 and 2, also provides at
least
one radial threaded locking hole 114 (and, as illustrated on FIGURE 3, three
locking
holes 114) extending from the outer wall through to the first inner collar
wall section
112.
Inner hanger 120, as shown on FIGURE 1, comprises a cylindrical member
having a unitary longitudinal hanger axis 121. Inner hanger 120 is disposed to
be
received inside outer collar 105 so that longitudinal collar axis 110 and
longitudinal
hanger axis 121 become substantially common, as shown on FIGURE 2.
As illustrated on FIGURE 2, inner hanger 120 includes first hanger end 122
aligned at first collar end 108 and second hanger end 123 aligned at second
collar end
109 when inner hanger 120 is received into outer collar 105. Additionally,
FIGURE 1
depicts inner hanger 120 including first outer cylindrical hanger wall section
124 at first
hanger end 122 and second outer cylindrical hanger wall section 125 at second
hanger
end 123.
The diameter of first Outer hanger wall section 124 is greater than the
diameter of
second outer hanger wall section 125 and, as depicted on FIGURES 1 and 2, is
separated
from second outer hanger wall section 125 by an annular outer hanger shoulder
126.
Outer hanger shoulder 126 is disposed to abut inner collar shoulder 111 when
inner
hanger 120 is fully received inside outer collar 105, as shown on FIGURE 2.
As shown on FIGURE 1, inner hanger 120 is further divided into first hanger
portion 127 and second hanger portion 128, which correspond to first outer
hanger wall
section 124 and second outer hanger wall section 125, respectively. First
outer hanger
wall section 124 includes an annular knurled portion 129, shown on FIGURES 1,
2, and
3. As illustrated on FIGURE 2, knurled portion 129 and locking holes 114 (on
outer
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collar 105) are located so that knurled portion 129 is visible through each
locking hole
114 when inner hanger 120 is fully received inside outer collar 105.
Orienting hanger 100 also includes one locking screw 170 disposed to be
received through each locking hole 114 and frictionally engage knurled portion
129
when inner hanger 120 is fully received into outer collar 105. As shown on
FIGURES 2
and 3, three locking screws 170 are provided, one for each of the three
locking holes 114
also provided. This disclosure is not limited, however, to any particular
number of
locking screws 170 and corresponding locking holes 114. Also, as further
described in
more detail below, this disclosure is not limited to locking screws 170 as the
only
manner by which inner hanger 120 may be orientationally locked to outer collar
105.
Other embodiments, not illustrated, may instead provide an expandable split
ring
assembly for orientationally locking inner hanger 120 to outer collar 105.
As shown on FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, the inner surface of first hanger portion 127
also includes an alignment notch 130 at first hanger end 122. Application of a
conventional hand tool on alignment notch 130 enables inner hanger 120 to be
rotated
about longitudinal hanger axis 121 relative to outer collar 105, and thus to
be oriented to
a selected position relative io outer collar 105 after inner hanger 120 has
been fully
received into outer collar 105. Any of a number of conventional tools are
commercially
available to engage alignment notch 130 (e.g., Beefy Alignment Wrench #30-
6669B,
available from Hunting Specialty Supply of Houston, Texas at:
http://www.hunting-
intl.com/hunting-specialty-supply/handling-equipment).
While FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 depict a cube-shaped alignment notch 130, nothing
in this disclosure is intended to limit the location or geometry of alignment
notch 130 so
long as it is effective to engage a tool to orient inner hanger 120 within
outer collar 105.
FIGURES 1 and 2 further illustrate inner hanger 120 with a pair of opposing
radial wings 131 extending outward from second outer hanger wall section 125
and
terminating at a distal wing face 132. Although FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate two
opposing radial wings 131, other embodiments (not illustrated) may provide
more than
two radial wings 131 in an opposing arrangement around second outer hanger
wall
section= 125. As depicted on FIGURE 2, radial wings 131 advantageously have a
common radial wing length such that distal wing faces 132 are located
proximate to and
substantially systemjsp). However, it will be appreciated that this disclosure
is not
limited in this regard and that any suitable MWD or LWD tool may be used.
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Tool adapter 150 also includes a radial threaded tool-orienting hole 155,
located
on the tool adapter to be visible through wing passage 133 when tool adapter
150 is
threaded into second hanger end 123, as shown on FIGURE 2. As noted above, =
FIGURE 2 also illustrates orienting screw 171 disposed to be received through
a selected
wing passage 133 and into tool-orienting hole 155. As shown on FIGURE 2, a
portion
of orienting screw 171, when received into tool-orienting hole 155, prevents
relative
rotation of tool adapter 150 and inner hanger 120 via contact engagement with
selected
wing passage 133.
In preferred embodiments, orienting screw 171 engages selected wing passage
133 such that negligible relative rotation, and in any case no more than one
degree of
relative rotation, is possible. However, it will be appreciated that this
disclosure is not
limited in this regard and that any desired range of relative rotation between
tool adapter
150 and inner hanger 120 may be achieved by selecting different geometries for
wing
passage 133 and orienting screw 171.
The common radial orientation of alignment notch 130 and the radial axis of
the
radial wing 131 that includes wing passage 133 enables an MWD tool with a
known high
side to be threaded into orienting hanger assembly 100 via the use of tool
adapter 150
and to have its high side oriented to a known reference point on the exterior
of orienting
hanger assembly 100. To accomplish this orientation, the MWD tool is threaded
into
tool adapter 150. The adapter is then threaded into inner hanger and secured
with
orienting screw 171. The high point of the MWD tool is thereby oriented to
alignment
notch 130 because wing passage 133 (and therefore the high side of the MWD
tool,
including any known offset) and alignment notch 130 are radially aligned.
Alignment
notch 130 can then be aligned (oriented) with the scribe line transferred up
from a bent
sub or motor steering tool with which orienting hanger 100 is associated.
Thus, the high
side of the MWD tool may be aligned to the scribe line on the bent sub or
motor steering
tool. This orientation process is more filly described below with reference to
disclosed
methods.
The following paragraphs describe farther alternative embodiments of the
orienting hanger assembly 100 that are considered within the scope of this
disclosure.
As shown on FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, the locking holes 114 may be countersunk so
that locking screws 170 are flush with the outside of outer collar 105, which
protects
them while the orienting hanger assembly 100 is deployed in drilling
operations. Also,
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as shown on FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, knurled portion 129 may be located in an
annular
recess 134 in first hanger portion 127.
As has been noted in several places in this disclosure, the scope of the
disclosed
orienting hanger assembly is not limited to the use of locking screws 170,
locking holes
114 and knurled portion 129 as shown on FIGURES 1-3 as a cooperating structure
to
lock inner hanger 120 to outer collar 105 when inner hanger 120 is full
received into
outer collar 105. A conventional expandable split ring assembly (not
illustrated) may be
used instead of locking screws 170, locking holes 114 and knurled portion 129
to lock
,inner hanger 120 to outer collar, 105. It will be understood that such a
split ring assembly
may be rigidly affixed to first hanger end 122 with opposing C-shaped members
disposed to circumferentially engage first inner collar wall section 112. As
is known
conventionally, a threaded mechanism on the split ring assembly may be
actuated so as
to cause the C-shaped members to extend (i.e. to separate apart) or to retract
back
together. It will be appreciated that actuation of the threaded mechanism will
cause split
ring assembly to rotationally lock and unlock inner hanger 120 and outer
collar 105 as
desired. Thus, when inner hanger 120 has been aligned with outer collar 105 in
accordance with this disclosure, actuation of the threaded mechanism on the
split ring
assembly will case inner hanger 120 and outer collar 105 to become
orientationally
locked. It is understood in the applicable art that such split ring locks are
tight and
robust, even in high vibration environments.
It should be noted that if used, the split ring assembly should be selected
and
,installed on first hanger end 122 so as not to impede engagement and
operation of a
suitable hand tool on alignment notch 130.
Additionally, as illustrated on FIGURES 1 and 2, first hanger portion 127 may
include at least one annular recess 135 disposed to receive an o-ring
configured to
prevent annular fluid flow between first inner collar wall section 112 and
first outer
hanger wall section 124 when the inner hanger is received into the outer
collar. While
FIGURES 1 and 2 depict four annular recesses 135 (two above annular recess 134
and
two more below it), nothing in this disclosure should be interpreted to limit
the number,
geometry, or location of any annular recess 134 or 135.
In some embodiments, orienting hanger assembly 100 may include at least one
fluid window 136 cut through second hanger portion 128 to enable fluid flow
from inside
inner hanger 120 to inside outer collar 105 when inner hanger 120 is fully
received into
outer collar 105, as shown by arrow F on FIGURE 2. While FIGURES 1 and 2
depict
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two fluid windows 136, nothing in this disclosure should be interpreted to
limit the
'number, geometry, or location of any fluid window 136.
Additionally, embodiments of orienting hanger assembly 100 that include a
fluid
window 136 may also include a flow enhancer 137 on the inner surface of second
hanger
portion 128. Flow enhancer 137 may be shaped to encourage fluid flow from
inside
inner hanger 105 through each fluid window 136 when inner hanger 120 is fully
received
into outer collar 105.
As shown on FIGURES 1 and 2, flow enhancer 137 is a symmetrical convex
surface rising axially toward first hanger end 122. Nonetheless, it should be
understood
that this disclosure is not limited to the geometry shown on FIGURES 1 and 2
and other
corresponding geometries effective to enhance fluid flow F are also within the
scope of
this disclosure.
Other embodiments of tool adapter 150 include at least one annular recess 153
disposed to receive an o-ring configured to prevent annular fluid flow between
tool
adapter 150 and the inner surface of second hanger portion 128 when, tool
adapter 150 is
fully received into inner hanger 120.
The scope of this disclosure further includes methods for using an orienting
hanger assembly in a bottom hole assembly (BHA). Advantageously, the
previously
described embodiments of the orienting hanger may be used in such methods
although
the methods disclosed are not limited solely to use of the embodiments of the
orienting
hanger disclosed in FIGURES 1 ¨ 3 and the associated description. Further,
although the
disclosed methods contemplate embodiments in which a retrievable MWD tool is
deployed in a non-retrievable environment, the methods are again not limited
in this
regard. FIGURE 4 is a flow chart in which blocks 401 through 410 represent
steps of the
method in summary form, and as described in greater detail in the written
disclosure
immediately below.
The following detailed description refers generally to FIGURE 4 and describes
a
method of using orienting hanger assembly 100 such as described with reference
to
FIGURES 1 ¨ 3. In summary, orienting hanger assembly 100 is described above
with
reference to FIGURES 1 ¨ 3 as comprising a generally tubular inner hanger 120,
a
generally tubular outer collar 105, and a generally cylindrical MWD tool
adapter 150.
Inner hanger 120 is disposed to be received snugly into outer collar 105 such
that when it
is fully received into outer collar 105, the longitudinal axes of inner hanger
120 and outer
collar 105 coincide. Additionally, an annular external shoulder 126 on inner
hanger 120
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abuts an annular internal shoulder 111 provided on outer collar 105 so that
first hanger
end 122 and second end 123 generally correspond with first collar 108 and
second collar
end 109. Tool adapter 150 has first adapter end 151, second adapter end 152,
and radial
threaded tool-orienting hole 155 that enables an MWD tool to be attached in a
pre-
selected orientation, as described further below.
Moving on now to a first embodiment of the disclosed methods, and with
reference to FIGURE 4, block 401 on FIGURE 4 refers to the step of threading
and
tightening MWD tool 160 onto tool adapter 150 via threads on the internal
surface of
second adapter end 152. Generally, MWD tool 160 may be a retrievable EM MWD
tool
(an example is described above), but this disclosure is not limited in this
regard.
Once MWD tool 160 is tightened onto tool adapter 150, the next step is to
measure and record any radial offset about the longitudinal MWD tool axis that
exists
between the high side of MWD tool 160 and tool-orienting hole 155 on tool
adapter 150
(block 402). First adapter end 151 is then threaded onto inner hanger 120 at
second
hanger end 123 until tool-orienting hole 155 is visible through wing passage
133 in one
of at least two opposing radial wings 131 provided on second hanger end 123
(block
403).
Block 404 on FIGURE 4 refers to the step of threading orienting screw 171
through wing passage 133 and tightening it into tool-orienting hole 155 on
tool adapter
150 such that a portion of orienting screw 171 prevents relative rotation of
tool adapter
150 and inner hanger 120 via contact engagement with wing passage 133.
Block 405 refers the step of inserting outer collar 105 into a bottom hole
assembly (BHA), via pin end connection 107 on outer collar 105. In some
embodiments,
outer collar 105 may be an external electrical isolation gap sub, but this
disclosure is not
limited in this regard.
The next step is to transfer a selected tool face orientation of the BHA onto
outer
collar 105 (block 406). Conventional methodology may be used accomplish this
step.
The selected orientation may be ordained by the scribe line on a bent sub or
by a suitable
reference mark on a steering tool. In the embodiment of the disclosed methods
illustrated
on FIGURE 4, the user-selected tool face orientation transferred onto outer
collar 105 is
the zero degrees orientation, but this disclosure is not limited in this
regard.
In the next step, inner hanger 120, with tool adapter 150 and MWD tool 160
attached, is received into outer collar 105, through first collar end 108,
such that MWD
tool 160 is suspended from second hanger end 123 via abutment and resting of
outer
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hanger shoulder 126 against inner collar shoulder 111 (block 407). At this
point, it is
advantageous to make data or power connections between MWD tool 160 and any
additional downhole tools elsewhere in the BHA, if so desired.
Block 408 refers to the step of using a conventional hand tool (such as
described
above) on alignment notch 130 to rotate inner hanger 120 within outer collar
105 such
that alignment notch 130 is rotationally aligned with the BHA scribe line as
transferred
onto outer collar 105 in the step described in block 406. Inner hanger 120 is
then
rotationally locked to outer collar 105 (block 409) by threading at least one
locking
screw 170 through a corresponding radial threaded locking hole 114 in outer
collar 105
and frictionally engaging each locking screw 170 on annular knurled portion
129 formed
on the exterior of first hanger end 122. In the embodiment of orienting hanger
assembly
100 depicted on FIGURE 3, this step is accomplished by using three locking
screws 170,
but this disclosure is not limited in this regard. As described above, in
other
embodiments, an expandable split ring assembly (not illustrated) may be
provided on
orienting hanger assembly 100 instead of the functional locking combination of
locking
screws 170, knurled portion 129 and locking holes 114. The split ring assembly
will be
understood to be rigidly attached to first hanger end 122 and configured, when
engaged,
to prevent relative rotational displacement between inner hanger 120 and outer
collar 105
when inner hanger 120 is fully received into outer collar 105.
The next step, as illustrated in block 410, and only if necessary, is to
correct the
directional measurements made by MWD tool 160 for the radial offset measured
in block
402. This may be completed by software or firmware native to MWD tool 160, but
again
this disclosure is not limited in this regard. Further, although not
illustrated on FIGURE
4, this correcting step also includes, if required, correcting for any radial
misalignment
between the high side of MWD tool 160 and alignment notch 130 (including
correcting
for any radial misalignment between wing passage 133 and alignment notch 130).
Although the inventive material in this disclosure has been described in
detail
along with some of its technical advantages, it will be understood that
various changes,
substitutions and alternations may be made to the detailed embodiments without
departing from the broader spirit and scope of such inventive material as set
forth in the
following claims.
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