Downhole tool protector apparatus and method

Abstract

An oil, gas or water borehole drill bit protector apparatus ( 10, 100, 200, 300, 400 ) comprises one or more protector portions ( 10 A, 10 B; 100 A, 100 B) adapted to be placed around and/or adapted to envelope at least a drilling portion of the drill bit; and the one or more protector portions comprising an aperture ( 16 ) through which a connection portion of the drill bit projects in use. The one or more protector portions are placed around and/or enveloping the drilling portion of the drill bit; and closed around the drilling portion of the drill bit such that the connection portion of the drill bit projects through the aperture of the one or more protector portions.

1 . An oil, gas or water borehole drill bit protector apparatus comprising:—
 one or more protector portions adapted to be placed around and/or adapted to envelope at least a drilling portion of the drill bit; and 
 the one or more protector portions comprising an aperture through which a connection portion of the drill bit projects in use. 
 
     
     
         2 . A protector apparatus for protecting an oil, gas or water borehole downhole tool having connections at each end, the protector apparatus comprising:—
 one or more protector portions adapted to be placed around and/or adapted to envelope at least a middle portion of the downhole tool; and 
 the one or more protector portions comprising an aperture at each end through which a respective end connection portion of the downhole tool projects in use. 
 
     
     
         3 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises two portions. 
     
     
         4 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the portions are semi-circular in internal cross section and when closed around a drill bit or downhole tool provide a generally circular internal diameter. 
     
     
         5 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the two portions are coupled together by a hinge mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the hinge mechanism is integrally formed with the two portions. 
     
     
         7 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the hinge mechanism is formed by a separate hinge member such that the hinge member connects the two portions. 
     
     
         8 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the two portions comprise respective longitudinal axes with the hinge mechanism being provided along one longitudinal edge of the respective two portions. 
     
     
         9 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the protector apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism to lock the two portions together. 
     
     
         10 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the locking mechanism is provided at, on or along the other longitudinal edge of the respective two portions 
     
     
         11 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism is formed on the opposite longitudinal edge of the two portions from the hinge mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the hinge member and/or the locking mechanism are provided by one or more straps. 
     
     
         13 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more straps are embedded within the two portions such that a middle portion of the one or more straps forms the hinge member and the ends of the one or more straps can be connected together to form the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the two portions of the protector apparatus when brought together provide a generally cylindrical inner bore having a closed lowermost in use end and an in use upper most end having a means to prevent movement occurring between the protector apparatus and the drill bit. 
     
     
         15 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the in use uppermost end further comprises the aperture through which the connection portion of the drill bit projects in use. 
     
     
         16 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the means to prevent movement occurring comprise shoulder portions adapted to abut with a portion of the drill bit. 
     
     
         17 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises two portions and wherein the two portions of the protector apparatus when brought together provide a generally cylindrical inner bore having an aperture provided at each of the uppermost and lower most in use ends and further comprising a means to prevent movement occurring between the protector apparatus and the downhole tool. 
     
     
         18 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the uppermost connection portion of the downhole tool projects in use through the uppermost aperture of the protector apparatus and the lowermost connection portion of the downhole tool projects in use through the lowermost aperture of the protector apparatus of the second aspect. 
     
     
         19 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the means to prevent movement occurring comprise shoulder portions adapted to abut with a portion of the downhole tool. 
     
     
         20 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a gap or annulus between the outer surface of the drilling portion of the drill bit or downhole tool and the inner bore of the protector apparatus is filled by a packing material. 
     
     
         21 . A protector apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said packing material is selected from the list comprising foam, rubber, neoprene, injected foam, sponge foam, an inflatable member, air bags, or fluid filled bags. 
     
     
         22 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of protecting a drill bit comprising:—
 providing a protector apparatus according to  claim 1 ; 
 placing the one or more protector portions around and/or enveloping the drilling portion of the drill bit; and 
 closing the protector portions around the drilling portion of the drill bit such that the connection portion of the drill bit projects through the aperture of the one or more protector portions. 
 
     
     
         25 . A method of protecting an oil, gas or water borehole downhole tool having connections at each end, the method comprising:—
 providing a protector apparatus according to  claim 2 ; 
 placing the one or more protector portions around and/or enveloping the middle portion of the downhole tool; and 
 closing the protector portions around the middle portion of the downhole tool such that the pair of connection portion of the downhole tool project through the respective apertures of the one or more protector portions. 
 
     
     
         26 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of transporting an oil gas or water borehole drill bit to a drilling rig comprising the steps of:—
 a) providing a protector apparatus according to  claim 1 ; 
 b) making up a connection between the drill bit and a motor or other portion of a BHA; 
 c) placing the protector apparatus around the drill bit either before step b) or after step b) and performing the method of protecting the drill bit according to the first aspect of the present invention; and 
 d) transporting the drill bit and motor or other portion of BHA made up together and the protector apparatus to the drilling rig. 
 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)