IP Library Granted Patent US 12669048
Granted Patent B1
US 12669048 · App. 19/298,507 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Systems and methods for downhole measurements

Inventor: Didier Fouillou (Saint Martin en Biere, FR)
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
E21B47/017E21B17/1078E21B49/00G01V5/125
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12669048
App. No.
19/298,507
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

A tool may include a body having a rotational axis oriented in an axial direction. A tool may include a sensor positioned proximate to a window in a radially outward surface of the body, wherein the window defines a window outer diameter relative to the rotational axis. A tool may include a plurality of stabilizer pads positioned on the outward surface of the body in a downhole direction of the axial direction relative to the window, wherein the plurality of stabilizer pads defines a pad outer diameter relative to the rotational axis that is greater than the window outer diameter.

Claims (37)

1 . A logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool configured to connect to a drill bit, the LWD tool comprising:

a body having a rotational axis oriented in an axial direction;

a sensor positioned proximate to a window in a radially outward surface of the body, wherein the window defines a window outer diameter relative to the rotational axis;

a first plurality of stabilizer pads positioned on the outward surface of the body in a downhole direction of the axial direction relative to the window, wherein the first plurality of stabilizer pads defines a pad outer diameter relative to the rotational axis that is less than a bit diameter of the drill bit and greater than the window outer diameter; and

a second plurality of stabilizer pads positioned uphole from the first plurality of stabilizer pads.

2 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , wherein the radially outward surface of the body includes a mud excluder portion and a base portion, wherein:

the mud excluder portion has an outer diameter that is the window outer diameter; and

the base portion has a base outer diameter that is less than the window outer diameter.

3 . The LWD tool of claim 2 , wherein the mud excluder portion of the outward surface of the body includes tungsten carbide.

4 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , wherein the pad outer diameter is no more than ⅛″ greater than the window outer diameter.

5 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , wherein the pad outer diameter is no more than 5% greater than the window outer diameter.

6 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a radiation detector.

7 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , further comprising a radiation source in the body.

8 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , wherein a stabilizer pad of the first plurality of stabilizer pads includes at least one of a thermally stable polycrystalline diamond (TSPD) insert and tungsten carbide insert (TCI).

9 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , wherein a stabilizer pad of the first plurality of stabilizer pads includes is selectively coupled to the body with one or more mechanical fasteners.

10 . The LWD tool of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of stabilizer pads includes at least a first stabilizer pad having an uphole end of the first stabilizer pad that is aligned with the window.

11 . The LWD tool of claim 10 , wherein the first stabilizer pad is oriented at an angle relative to the axial direction.

12 . The LWD tool of claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of stabilizer pads defines a substantially continuous circumferential stabilizer surface.

13 . A system for drilling a borehole, the system comprising:

a drill bit having a rotational axis and a bit diameter relative to the rotational axis; and

a logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool connected to the drill bit, the LWD tool including:

a body having a rotational axis oriented in an axial direction;

a sensor positioned proximate to a window in a radially outward surface of the body, wherein the window defines a window outer diameter relative to the rotational axis;

a first plurality of stabilizer pads positioned on the outward surface of the body in a downhole direction of the axial direction relative to the window, wherein the first plurality of stabilizer pads defines a pad outer diameter relative to the rotational axis that is less than the bit diameter and greater than the window outer diameter; and

a second plurality of stabilizer pads positioned uphole from the first plurality of stabilizer pads.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the pad outer diameter is no more than ⅛″ less than the bit diameter.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the pad outer diameter is no more than ⅛″ greater than the window outer diameter.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the second plurality of stabilizer pads is located on the outward surface of the body in an uphole direction of the axial direction relative to the window.

17 . A system for drilling a borehole, the system comprising:

a drill bit having a rotational axis and a drill bit diameter relative to the rotational axis;

a rotary steerable system (RSS) connected to the drill bit, and

a logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool connected to the drill bit, the LWD tool including:

a body having a rotational axis oriented in an axial direction;

a sensor positioned proximate to a window in a radially outward surface of the body, wherein the window defines a window outer diameter relative to the rotational axis;

a first plurality of stabilizer pads positioned on the outward surface of the body in a downhole direction of the axial direction relative to the window, wherein the first plurality of stabilizer pads defines a pad outer diameter relative to the rotational axis that is less than the drill bit diameter and greater than the window outer diameter; and

a second plurality of stabilizer pads positioned uphole from the first plurality of stabilizer pads.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the first plurality of stabilizer pads defines a substantially continuous circumferential stabilizer surface, and the RSS is configured to apply a radially outward force axially between the drill bit and the circumferential stabilizer surface.