IP Library Granted Patent US 12,366,158
Granted Patent B2
US 12,366,158 · App. 18/690,936 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Drill bit metamorphism detection

Inventors: Jonathan Robert Hird (Cambridge, GB); Andrew David Robinson (Cambridge, GB); Dariusz Strapoc (Plessis-Robinson, FR); Nicholas Ivars Abolins (Paris, FR); Can Evren Yarman (Paris, FR); Timothy McAlinden (Cambridge, GB); David Scott (Huntingdon, GB)
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
E21B47/013E21B47/07
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,366,158
App. No.
18/690,936
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bit to detect drill bit metamorphism (DBM) may include a bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include at least one cutting element connected to the bit head. A bit to detect DBM may include a temperature sensor on or in the at least one cutting element. A bit to detect DBM may include an electronics module in communication with the temperature sensor. A bit to detect DBM may include a wiring conduit from the at least one cutting element and through at least a portion of the bit head to the electronics module.

Claims (33)

1. A drill bit for at-bit detection of drill bit metamorphism, comprising:

a bit head;

at least one cutting element connected to the bit head;

a temperature sensor coupled to the at least one cutting element;

an electronics module in communication with the temperature sensor, the electronics module configured to use temperature data from the temperature sensor and detect drill bit metamorphism; and

a wiring conduit from the temperature sensor or the at least one cutting element and through at least a portion of the bit head to the electronics module.

2. The drill bit of claim 1 , further comprising a bit pin or a bit box coupled to the bit head.

3. The drill bit of claim 2 , further comprising one or more seals between the bit head and the bit pin or bit box.

4. The drill bit of claim 3 , the one or more seals including a seal around the wiring conduit at an interface between the bit head and the bit pin or bit box.

5. The drill bit of claim 1 , the wiring conduit extending through an integrally formed portion of the bit head and to the electronics module.

6. The drill bit of claim 1 , the electronics module including at least one of a microcontroller, memory, accelerometer, an angular rate sensor, a thermocouple amplifier, a battery, or a power generator.

7. A method for performing at-bit detection of drill bit metamorphism, comprising:

detecting temperature data at a cutting element of a drill bit using a temperature sensor in or on the cutting element;

recovering the temperature data from the drill bit;

producing synchronized data by synchronizing the temperature data with at least one of surface gas data or drilling data; and

identifying drill bit metamorphism from the synchronized data.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein recovering the temperature data includes recovering the temperature data at a surface location after tripping the drill bit to the surface location.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

using a downhole communication tool, sending the temperature data to surface; and

combining the temperature data with surface gas data.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising processing the temperature data downhole, and wherein the temperature data sent to the surface is processed temperature data.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising generating one or more of a flag, a risk rating, or actionable insight from the processed temperature data.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein synchronizing the temperature data includes synchronizing based on one or both of time or depth.

13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising constructing one or more models of bit measurements relative to surface gas measurements.

14. A method for detecting drill bit metamorphism, comprising:

measuring temperature measurements at one or more points of contact between a downhole tool and a rock;

correlating the temperature measurements with a production of gas in drilling fluid; and

identifying drill bit metamorphism based on the correlated temperature measurements.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the drilling fluid includes an oil-based mud.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the gas includes hydrogen gas.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more points of contact include a cutting element on the downhole tool.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising identifying a mitigation action to reduce or slow the drill bit metamorphism.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein correlating the temperature measurements occurs at the downhole tool.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2024
From: HIRD, JONATHAN ROBERT; ROBINSON, ANDREW DAVID; STRAPOC, DARIUSZ; ABOLINS, NICHOLAS IVARS; YARMAN, CAN EVREN; MCALINDEN, TIMOTHY; SCOTT, DAVID
To: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 066804/0350 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63264790 · Dec 2, 2021
Related Publication 20240401466A1 · Dec 5, 2024
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