Air hammer optimization using acoustic telemetry

Abstract

A system and method of optimizing air hammer performance in a well drilling rig whereby an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) is used to monitor the effects of changing any of the operating parameters under his or her control. The signals are visually presented to the drill operator based on an EAR's output, along with current settings, allowing the drill operator to dial in the parameters of his or her choice until the optimal frequency of the air hammer is regained. The visual output displays the amplitude response of acoustic waves being detected and decoded at the surface by the EAR. The drill operator can observe and use this information to determine the changes necessary in the operating parameters to return the hammer to optimal frequency, and thus optimal performance.

1 . A system for optimizing air hammer performance in a well drilling rig including a drillstring, which comprises:
 an air compressor connected to the drillstring;   a bit connected to the drillstring;   a controller connected to the compressor and the drillstring;   an air hammer attached to a downhole end of the drillstring, said air hammer having performance parameters including a percussive rate corresponding to an air flow from said compressor and bit weight, a penetration rate, and a frequency response;   an acoustic telemetry subsystem associated with the air hammer and adapted for transmitting said frequency response via acoustic waves along the drillstring; and   said controller programmed to adjust an operating parameter of said air hammer in response to said frequency response, said operating parameters including air flow from said compressor and said bit weight.   
     
     
         2 . The according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) connected to the drillstring and the controller, said EAR being adapted for receiving acoustic waves therefrom and detecting the air hammer frequency response.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display device connected to said controller and adapted for displaying a real-time graphic display of the frequency response of said air hammer.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said controller being adapted to adjust said air flow to said air hammer, said air flow comprising an operating parameter of said air hammer.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said controller being adapted to adjust said bit weight on said air hammer, said bit weight comprising an operating parameter of said air hammer.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator, connected to said compressor;   said controller adapted for operating said actuator; and   said controller including a manually selectable input for selecting parameters such as bit weight, air flow, and hammer rate, and a feedback input, the feedback input being responsive to said frequency response.   
     
     
         7 . A system for optimizing air hammer performance in a well drilling rig including a drillstring, which comprises:
 an air compressor connected to the drillstring;   a bit connected to the drillstring;   a controller connected to the compressor and the drillstring;   an air hammer attached to a downhole end of the drillstring, said air hammer having performance parameters including a percussive rate corresponding to an air flow from said compressor and bit weight, a penetration rate, and a frequency response;   an acoustic telemetry subsystem associated with the air hammer and adapted for transmitting said frequency response via acoustic waves along the drillstring; and   said controller programmed to adjust an operating parameter of said air hammer in response to said frequency response, said operating parameters including air flow from said compressor and said bit weight,   an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) connected to the drillstring and the controller, said EAR being adapted for receiving acoustic waves therefrom and detecting the air hammer frequency response,   a display device connected to said controller and adapted for displaying a real-time graphic display of the frequency response of said hammer,   said controller adapted to adjust said air flow to said air hammer, said air flow comprising an operating parameter of said air hammer,   said controller adapted to adjust said bit weight on said air hammer, said-bit weight comprising an operating parameter of said air hammer,   an actuator, connected to said compressor;   said controller adapted for operating said actuator; and   said controller including a manually selectable input for selecting parameters such as bit weight, air flow, and hammer rate, and a feedback input, the feedback input being responsive to said frequency response.   
     
     
         8 . A method of optimizing air hammer performance in a drilling rig including a wellhead and a drillstring, which method includes the steps of:
 providing a compressor at the wellhead;   providing an air hammer;   providing a bit connected to said drillstring;   mounting said air hammer on a downhole end of said drillstring;   pumping compressed air from said compressor to said air hammer via said drillstring;   producing a frequency response with said air hammer in operation;   transmitting said frequency response with acoustic telemetry to the wellhead via said drillstring;   providing a controller at said wellhead;   connecting the controller to the compressor;   providing a feedback signal from said air hammer via said drillstring to said controller; and   adjusting an operating parameter with said controller for optimizing performance of said air hammer, said operating parameters including air flow from said compressor and said bit weight.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , including the additional steps of:
 providing an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) at the wellhead;   connecting the EAR to the drillstring and the controller; and   detecting with the EAR an air hammer frequency response in the form of acoustic waves.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , including the additional steps of:
 displaying as visual output on said display device an amplitude response of said acoustic waves being detected and decoded;   processing said amplitude to show a Fourier transform of said amplitude response; and   selecting other information relevant to the operation of the air hammer drill system on said display device.   
     
     
         11 . A method of optimizing air hammer performance in a drilling rig including a wellhead and a drillstring, which method includes the steps of:
 providing a compressor at the wellhead;   providing an air hammer;   providing a bit connected to said drillstring;   mounting said air hammer on a downhole end of said drillstring;   pumping compressed air from said compressor to said air hammer via said drillstring;   producing a frequency response with said air hammer in operation;   transmitting said frequency response with acoustic telemetry to the wellhead via said drillstring;   providing a controller at said wellhead;   connecting the controller to the compressor;   providing a feedback signal from said air hammer via said drillstring to said controller; and   providing an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) at the wellhead;   connecting the EAR to the drillstring and the controller;   detecting with the EAR an air hammer frequency response in the form of acoustic waves,   displaying as visual output on said display device an amplitude response of said acoustic waves being detected and decoded;   processing said amplitude to show a Fourier transform of said amplitude response; and   selecting other information relevant to the operation of the air hammer drill system on said display device; and   adjusting the operating parameters with said controller for optimizing performance of said air hammer, said operating parameters including air flow from said compressor and said bit weight.