Methods and apparatus for cementing drill strings in place for one pass drilling and completion of oil and gas wells

Abstract

The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Methods of operation are described wherein at least one geophysical parameter is measured with a geophysical parameter sensing member located within the drill string. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.

1 . A method for drilling and casing a wellbore, comprising:
 providing a drill string having an earth removal member operatively connected to the drill string, at least a portion of the drill string comprising casing;   drilling the wellbore using the drill string;   measuring a geophysical parameter from an interior of the drill string;   using the casing portion to line the wellbore; and   pumping cement through the drill string to cement the drill string into place within the wellbore.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cement is pumped through the earth removal member. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the earth removal member is cemented in the wellbore. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the earth removal member comprises a drill bit. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pumping the cement through a valve. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the valve is a one way valve. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising pumping the valve toward the earth removal member. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising circulating drilling fluid through the earth removal member while drilling the wellbore. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stabilizing the drill string while drilling the wellbore. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the casing portion in a substantially centralized position in relation to a diameter of the wellbore after locating the casing portion within the wellbore. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the geophysical parameter is at least one of an electrical resistivity of water, an electrical resistivity of rock, porosity of rock, and combinations thereof.