Patent ID: 8204691
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: E21B,G01V

Abstract:
1. A method for providing downhole measurement-while-drilling event diagnostic data from a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool comprising the steps of: a. providing advanced printed circuit boards to the MWD tool with additional expanded build-in memory, shock, vibration, and temperature sensors, and firmware protocol controls; b. measuring and storing in said expanded memory time-stamped MWD directional sensor data during a downhole drilling run; c. measuring and storing in said expanded memory time-stamped event diagnostic data during a downhole drilling run; d. returning the MWD tool to the surface; e. transferring both MWD directional sensor data and event diagnostic data to a software analysis program using said firmware protocol controls upon return of the MWD tool to the surface.