Telemetry Drill Pipe: Enabling Technology for the Downhole Internet

Abstract Drill pipe capable of transmitting high-bandwidth data from downhole sensors and surface control signals back to those sensors has been developed and successfully tested. The system incorporates a high-speed data cable that runs the length of each joint and downhole tool. The cable terminates at induction coils that are installed in protecting grooves machined in the secondary torque shoulders of double-shoulder tool joints at each end of the pipe. The coils are recessed in ferrite troughs that focus the magnetic field. The system is virtually transparent to standard rig procedures and offers robust, reliable operation. The paper provides background data on prior work relating to telemetry drill pipe and contrasts the results of these efforts with the new system. The new system has successfully demonstrated data transmission rates of up to 2,000,000 bits/sec. Current mud pulse telemetry is limited to 8 to 10 bits/sec. Electromagnetic technology provides data rates of up to 100 bits/sec, but suffers from hole depth and formation related electric impedance limitations. Full realization of system benefits requires further development of additional drill stem components with highspeed telemetry capabilities including HWDP, collars, jars and top drive subs. A top drive sub that incorporates the telemetry design has been successfully manufactured and tested and is described in the paper. Development efforts relating to other drill stem components are also detailed. The system has been tested in a laboratory environment and in test wells. Results of these tests along with plans for field-testing in actual drilling environments are presented. Telemetry drill pipe can improve well and field productivity by providing more complete, real-time logging information and reduce drilling time and costs and enhance well control by providing real-time downhole drilling data and early kick detection.