Patent Abstract:
A system comprising a piece of oilfield equipment, an identifier assembly and a reader. The piece of oilfield equipment has an exterior surface. The identifier assembly comprises an identification tag storing a unique identifier. The identification tag is capable of outputting a signal indicative of the unique identifier. The identification tag is mounted to the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment beyond an external surface perimeter of the piece of oilfield equipment such that the identification tag is isolated from the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment. The reader has an antenna receiving the signal indicative of the unique identifier from the identification tag.

Full Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/449,776 filed on Apr. 18, 2012 which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/036,609 filed on Feb. 29, 2011; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/566,333, filed on Sep. 24, 2009; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/156,610, filed on Jun. 3, 2008; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/435,170, filed on May 16, 2006; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/269,465, filed on Nov. 8, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,413; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/634,061, filed on Aug. 4, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,416; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/261,551, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,063; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/994,304, filed on Nov. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,811; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/252,045, filed on Feb. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,292. The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,062,413, 6,973,416, 6,604,063, 6,480,811 and 6,347,292 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The exploration, development and completion of an oil or gas field requires numerous pieces of oilfield equipment, such as but not limited to casing, drill pipe, packers, oilfield valves and other equipment. The cost of this equipment is relatively high. Accordingly, it is desirable to optimally use and/or reuse many pieces of oilfield equipment for subsequent drilling and development operations. However, equipment undergoes considerable stress during drilling and completion operations. For example, pieces of oilfield equipment, such as drill pipe, may suffer from material fatigue which may ultimately result in failure of the drill pipe. The failure of downhole equipment will require a suspension of drilling operations to recover the remainder of the drill string and other related equipment. It will be appreciated that the recovery of a drill string can be an expensive and time-consuming operation, which should be avoided, if possible. Accordingly, it is desirable to maintain complete service records relating to various pieces of oilfield equipment, such as, but not limited to, drill pipe, for the purposes of determining fatigue and other factors relating to the use of the equipment. By maintaining an accurate, detailed record of the use, inspections, repair and maintenance for each piece of oilfield equipment, the fatigue and other factors relating to the use of the piece of oilfield equipment can be monitored. Thus, the piece of oilfield equipment can be taken out of use before such piece of oilfield equipment fails. 
         [0003]    It is to such a method and apparatus for accurately maintaining service records for various pieces of oilfield equipment that the present invention is directed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is an oilfield equipment identifying apparatus for tracking selected parameters for each of a plurality of pieces of oilfield equipment adapted to be inserted into a drill string supported by a drilling rig. The drilling rig supports a drilling device, which selectively rotates the drill string, or a drill bit connected to the drill string. The apparatus comprises a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database. A reader is provided for inputting into the computer a unique identification code for each piece of oilfield equipment added to the drill string so as to build a grid including a reference to each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string. 
         [0005]    The computer further includes a pipe utilization and identification program and associated hardware for continuously and automatically monitoring the location in the drill string of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the grid and the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the grid so as to provide an accurate representation of the historical data for the user to calculate the fatigue of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the grid. 
         [0006]    Real time reports can be generated from the pipe utilization and identification program at any time by actuating a string report function so that rig personnel can monitor the usage of each piece in the drill string and take appropriate corrective action before a costly unexpected event occurs. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the automatic updating of the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage provides an accurate record of the rotating and non-rotating hours of each piece, thereby substantially reducing the number of costly inspections needed for determining the level of fatigue of each piece. 
         [0007]    In other embodiments, various assemblies are provided to enhance the reliability of the pipe utilization and identification program. For example, in one embodiment, the oilfield equipment identifying apparatus includes a fixed mount reader. The fixed mount reader is mounted on the rig floor in a fixed position so that it is possible for the fixed mount reader to read an identification tag included in an identifier assembly mounted onto respective pieces of oilfield equipment without any manual intervention. Thus, the fixed mount reader makes the reading of the identification assemblies more reliable and safe. 
         [0008]    In addition, various mounting assemblies for efficiently, reliably and inexpensively attaching the identification assemblies to the pieces of oilfield equipment are disclosed. 
         [0009]    Other advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, diagrammatic view of an oilfield equipment identifying apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, exploded view of an identifier assembly that is utilized in the oilfield equipment identifying apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial, cross-sectional view of a piece of oilfield equipment, taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 4 , illustrating a system for mounting the identifier assembly shown in  FIG. 2  into a piece of oilfield equipment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the piece of oilfield equipment having the identifier assembly recessed therein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view depicting another system for securely mounting the identifier assembly of the present invention onto the piece of oilfield equipment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of yet another system for securely mounting the identifier assembly of the present invention onto the piece of oilfield equipment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of still another system for securely mounting the identifier assembly of the present invention onto the piece of oilfield equipment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an identifier assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, which is securely mounted on an exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the identifier assembly and the piece of oilfield equipment, taken along the lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the identifier assembly and the piece of oilfield equipment, taken along the lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a schematic, diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of an oilfield equipment identifying apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is front elevational view of a typical screen on a monitor of a central computer when the central computer is running a pipe utilization and identification program constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a fixed mount reader constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein the fixed mount reader is mounted onto an apparatus for turning the piece of oilfield equipment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of the fixed mount reader depicted in  FIG. 13  wherein the fixed mount reader is positioned to read the identifier assembly mounted onto the piece of oilfield equipment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of the fixed mount reader depicted in  FIG. 13  wherein the piece of oilfield equipment is being positioned against the fixed mount reader. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a side-elevational, partial cross-sectional view of the fixed mount reader. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral  10  is an oilfield equipment identifying apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  10  includes a plurality of identifier assemblies  12  which are mounted on respective pieces  14  of oilfield equipment. The pieces  14  of oilfield equipment can be casing, drill pipe, packers, or the like. The respective identifier assemblies  12  and pieces  14  of oilfield equipment are designated in  FIG. 1  by the reference numerals  12   a  and  12   b,  and  14   a  and  14   b,  for purposes of clarity. 
         [0027]    Each of the identifier assemblies  12  is capable of transmitting a unique identification code for each piece  14  of oilfield equipment. Thus, the identifier assembly  12   a  includes a unique identification code to uniquely identify the piece  14   a  of oilfield equipment, and the identifier assembly  12   b  includes a unique identification code to uniquely identify the piece  14   b  of oilfield equipment. 
         [0028]    As previously stated, the oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  10  includes a plurality of identifier assemblies  12 . For purposes of clarity, however, only one such identifier assembly  12  will be described hereinafter, it being understood that each of the identifier assemblies contained in each oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  10  is substantially identical in its construction and arrangement of parts and function. 
         [0029]    Still with reference to  FIG. 1 , the oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  10  also includes a reader  18 . The reader  18  is capable of reading each of the identifier assemblies  12  in the plurality of identifier assemblies. The reader  18  includes a hand-held wand  20  which communicates with a portable computer  22  via a signal path  24 . In one embodiment, each identifier assembly  12  includes a passive circuit as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,128, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. When each identifier assembly  12  includes a passive circuit, the reader  18  can be constructed and operated in a manner as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,128. 
         [0030]    In use, the wand  20  of the reader  18  is positioned near a particular one of the identifier assemblies  12  located on the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. The unique identification code is transmitted from the identifier assembly  12  to the wand  20  via a signal path  26 . Signal path  26  can be an airwave communication system. Upon receipt of the unique identification code, the wand  20  transmits such unique identification code to the portable computer  22  via the signal path  24 . The portable computer  22  receives the unique identification code transmitted by the wand  20  and then decodes such unique identification code. The identification code identifying a particular one of the identifier assemblies  12  is then transmitted to a central computer  32  via a signal path  34 . The signal path  34  can be cable or airwave transmission systems. 
         [0031]    The information transmitted to the central computer  32  from the portable computer  22  can either be done in real time, whereby each unique identification code received by the wand  20  is immediately transmitted to the central computer  32 , or in batch mode, wherein each unique identification code is not transmitted to the central computer  32  until after a number of identifier assemblies  12  have been scanned by the wand  20 . Further, the decoded output from the portable computer  22  may be directly displayed on the portable computer  22  for verification purposes. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a perspective, exploded view of one of the identifier assemblies  12 . For purposes of clarity, the identifier assembly  12  is shown in  FIG. 3  in an assembled condition. The identifier assembly  12  includes a cup member  36 , an identification tag  38 , and a lid  40 . The cup member  36  and lid  40  may be constructed of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic or other durable, electrically isolating materials, so as to isolate the identification tag  38  from the piece  14  of oil field equipment. The identification tag  38  can be a passive circuit identification tag obtainable from Motorola or Texas Instruments, for example. In general, the identification tag  38  has stored therein a unique identification code. The construction and function of the identification tag  38  is discussed in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,128, referred to previously, the disclosure of which has been expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0033]    In general, the cup member  36  includes a bottom  42  and a substantially continuous sidewall  44 , extending from the bottom  42  so as to define a cavity  46 . The bottom  42  and the sidewall  44  are sized and adapted so that the identification tag  38  and the lid  40  can be disposed in the cavity  46 . 
         [0034]    Once the identification tag  38  and the lid  40  are disposed within the cavity  46  of the cup member  36 , the cup member  36  and the lid  40  protect the identification tag  38  from taking any direct hits from rigid materials. The interior surface of the sidewall  44  is substantially smooth so that the identification tag  38  and the lid  40  can be disposed directly in the cavity  46  without any twisting or other manipulation of the identification tag  38  and lid  40 . In addition, the lid  40  and the identification tag  38  are sized so as to have a loose fit within the cavity  46 . As a result, the identification tag  38  is not sealed within the cup member  36 . Thus, fluids, very small materials, and gases can pass around the lid  40  to engage the identification tag  38  when the identification tag  38  and the lid  40  are disposed within the cavity  46  of the cup member  36 . 
         [0035]    As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, respective aligned openings  48 ,  50  and  52  are formed through the bottom  42 , the identification tag  38 , and the lid  40 . The aligned openings  48 ,  50  and  52  are sized to receive a removable retainer, such as a screw, therethrough, if desired. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the identification tag  38  may not have the opening  50  formed therethrough. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one method of installing the identifier assembly  12  into one of the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment (depicted for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation as a tool joint pin connection of a section of drill pipe) is shown. A hole  56  is drilled or milled into the piece  14  of oilfield equipment to provide for the mounting therein of the identifier assembly  12 . The hole  56  has a predetermined depth so that the identifier assembly  12  can be disposed in the hole  56  below a maximum wear diameter  57  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. Once the identifier assembly  12  is disposed in the hole  56 , the identifier assembly  12  is maintained in the hole  56  by a suitable retainer, such as a friction grip retainer  58 , which is pressed into the hole  56 . The openings  48  and  52  formed through the bottom  42  and the lid  40  serve to relieve pressure behind the identifier assembly  12  so that such pressure does not build up behind the identifier assembly  12  and push the identifier assembly  12  out of the hole  56  formed in the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. More specifically, the openings  48  and  52  serve to relieve pressure from behind the bottom  42  of the cup member  36 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the friction grip retainer  58  includes a ring-shaped support portion  60  and a plurality of lugs  62  extending therefrom. Only two of the lugs  62  have been numbered in  FIG. 4  for purposes of clarity. The lugs  62  of the friction grip retainer  58  are sized such that the lugs  62  frictionally engage the piece  14  of oilfield equipment when the friction grip retainer  58  is being pressed into the hole  56  to prevent the inadvertent removal of the identifier assembly  12  and the retainer  58  from the hole  56 . 
         [0037]    The before-mentioned method of mounting the identifier assemblies  12  on the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment, whereby the identifier assemblies  12  are recessed in the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment, is especially useful in applications where it is likely that the identifier assembly  12  could be wiped off the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. However, in certain instances, such as when the piece  14  of oilfield equipment is a pump, a valve, an engine or other piece of oilfield equipment where the likelihood of the identifier assembly  12  being wiped off the exterior surface  66  is decreased, it has been found to be more economical to mount the identifier assembly  12  to the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , three systems for mounting the identification assembly  12  to the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment are disclosed. As shown in  FIG. 5 , an opening  68  is formed through the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14 . The opening  68  has a threaded interior surface  70 . The bottom  42  of the cup member  36  is disposed adjacent the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment such that the openings  48 ,  50  and  52  are aligned with the opening  68  formed in the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. The identifier assembly  12  is held in this position while a threaded member  72 , such as a screw, is disposed through the aligned openings  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  68 . The threaded member  72  is then rotated so as to threadingly engage the threaded interior surface  70  of the opening  68  to rigidly maintain the identifier assembly  12  on the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. In this position, the identification tag  38  is compressed between the lid  40  and the bottom  42  of the cup member  36  by the threaded member  72 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , yet another system for mounting the identifier assembly  12  to the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment is shown. In this embodiment, a first bonding material  74 , such as an epoxy, is disposed between the exterior surface  66  and the bottom  42  of the cup member  36  so as to bondingly connect the bottom  42  of the cup member  36  to the exterior surface  66 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , a second bonding material  76 , such as a layer of epoxy, is disposed between the lid  40  and the cup member  36  so as to bondingly connect the lid  40  to the cup member  36 , thereby retaining the identification tag  38  within the cup member  36 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a third embodiment of a system for securing the identifier assembly  12  to the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment is shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , a flexible retainer  80 , such as a strap, string or a wire, is disposed about the exterior surface  66  and threaded through a pair of aligned slots  81   a  and  81   b  formed through the cup member  36  of the identifier assembly  12 . The flexible retainer  80  extends across the lid  40  so as to retain the lid  40  within the cavity  46  of the cup member  36 . To retain the identifier assembly  12  on the piece  14  of oilfield equipment, the ends of the flexible retainer  80  can be secured together by any suitable connector means so as to tightly dispose the flexible retainer  80  about the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. 
         [0041]    Shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , and designated by the general reference numeral  90 , is another embodiment of an identifier assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. The identifier assembly  90  is substantially identical in function to the identifier assembly  12 , except that the identifier assembly  90  has been adapted and constructed to be resiliently and removably disposed about the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment for use in situations where it may be likely that the mounting systems depicted in  FIGS. 5-7  for the identifier assembly  12  could be wiped off the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment or the piece  14  is a shoulderless drill pipe. 
         [0042]    In  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , the piece  14  of oilfield equipment is depicted for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation as a tool joint pin connection of a section of drill pipe. In general, the identifier assembly  90  is shaped to matingly conform to the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. In one embodiment, the identifier assembly  90  includes a first member  92  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) and a second member  94 . The first member  92  includes a layer of resilient material  92   a  supported on an underlying frame member  92   b.  The second member  94  includes a layer of resilient material  94   a  supported on an underlying frame member  94   b.  The first member  92 , and the second member  94  are shaped so as to matingly conform about the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment, as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . The layers of resilient materials  92   a  and  94   a  included in the first and second members  92  and  94  can be constructed of a material which is substantially impervious to hydrocarbons or oilfield chemicals, such as molded or vulcanized rubber. The frame members  92   b  and  94   b  included in the first and second members  92  and  94  can be constructed of a strong, durable material which is substantially impervious to hydrocarbons or oilfield chemicals, such as stainless steel. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first member  92  has a first end  96  and a second end  98 , and the second member  94  has a first end  100  and a second end  102 . The first end  96  of the first member  92  is disposed substantially adjacent the first end  100  of the second member  94 . In this position, the first end  96  of the first member  92  is connected, either removably or permanently, to the first end  100  of the second member  94  via any suitable retainer  104 , such as a pair of screws (shown) or a hinge. The second end  98  of the first member  92  is disposed substantially adjacent the second end  102  of the second member  94 . In this position, the second end  98  of the first member  92  and the second end  102  of the second member  94  are removably connected via any suitable retainer, such as a pair of screws  106 . To prevent the identifier assembly  90  from rotating about the exterior surface  66 , an opening  108  can be provided through the first member  92  so that a corresponding retainer, such as a screw  110 , can be disposed in the opening  108  and tightened against the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. As best shown in  FIG. 8 , the second member  94  has a first side  112  and a second side  114 . To securely maintain the identification tag  38  on the piece  14  of oilfield equipment, a slot  116  is formed through the first side  112  such that the slot  116  extends a distance toward the second side  114 . The slot  116  is sized and dimensioned to receive the identification tag  38  therein. To maintain the identification tag  38  securely within the slot  116 , an opening  118 , which communicates with the slot  116 , is formed through the second member  94 . In use, the identification tag  38  is placed in the slot  116  such that the opening  50  formed through the identification tag  38  is aligned with the opening  118  formed through the second member  94 . In this position, a retainer, such as a screw  120 , is disposed through the openings  118  and  50  formed through the second member  94  and the identification tag  38 , such that the screw  120  securely retains the identification tag  38  within the slot  116 . 
         [0044]    Thus, it can be seen that the identifier assembly  90  provides a relatively inexpensive, secure method for removably mounting the identification tag  38  on the exterior surface  66  of the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. The layer of resilient material  94   a  of the second member  94  is constructed of an electrical insulating material, so as to isolate the identification tag  38  from the piece  14  of oilfield equipment. Any of the screws  104 ,  106 , and  120  can be used in combination with an appropriate lock washer (not shown) so as to more securely maintain such screws  104 ,  106 , and  120  in their respective openings. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral  150  is a second embodiment of an oilfield equipment identifying apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  150  includes a plurality of the identifier assemblies  12  and/or  90  which are mounted on respective pieces  14  of oilfield equipment as described above. The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  150  includes a reader  152 , which communicates with the central computer  32 . 
         [0046]    The central computer  32  contains an oilfield equipment database which functions the same as the oilfield equipment database set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,128, which disclosure has been incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the oilfield equipment database contained in the central computer  32  is provided with additional functionality, as will be described hereinafter. The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  150  has been constructed and adapted to be utilized in reading the identifier assemblies  12  on various pieces  14  of oilfield equipment located on the rig floor  151  of an oil drilling rig. 
         [0047]    The reader  152  includes a hand-held wand  156 . The hand-held wand  156  is constructed in a similar manner as the hand-held wand  20 , which was described hereinbefore with reference to  FIG. 1 . The wand  156  is generally adapted to be carried by an individual working on the rig floor  151  so that the individual can position the hand-held wand  156  near various identifier assemblies  12  and download the unique identification code stored in the identifier assemblies  12  so that the various pieces  14  of oilfield equipment can be identified. The hand-held wand  156  is attached to a storage box  158  via a signal path  160 , which is typically a cable having a length of about forty feet, for example. Storage box  158  is positioned on the rig floor  151  and serves as a receptacle to receive the hand-held wand  156  and the signal path  160  when the hand-held wand  156  is not in use. 
         [0048]    An electronic conversion package  162  communicates with a connector on the storage box  158  via signal path  164 , which may be an airway or a cable communication system so that the electronic conversion package  162  receives the signals indicative of the identification code stored in the identifier assemblies  12 , which is read by the hand-held wand  156 . In response to receiving such signal, the electronic conversion package  162  converts the signal into a format which can be communicated an appreciable distance therefrom. For example, the electronic conversion package  162  may convert the signal received from the hand-held wand  156  into or from RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, or RS-530 format. The converted signal is then output by the electronic conversion package  162  to a profibuss  166  via a signal path  168 . The profibuss  166 , which is connected to the drilling rig local area network and/or the programmable logic controller (not shown) in a well-known manner, receives the converted signal output by the electronic conversion package  162 . 
         [0049]    The central computer  32  includes an interface unit  170 . The interface  170  communicates with the central computer  32  via a signal path  172 , which may be an RS-232 communication port, or other serial device, or a parallel port. The interface unit  170  may also communicates with the profibuss  166  via a signal path  173 . The interface unit  170  receives the signal, which is indicative of the unique identification codes read by the hand-held wand  156 , from the profibuss  166 , and a signal from a drilling monitoring device  174  via a signal path  176 . The drilling monitoring device  174  communicates with at least a portion of a drilling device  178  via a signal path  179 . The drilling device  178  can be supported by the rig floor  151 , or by the drilling rig. The drilling device  178  can be any drilling device which is utilized to turn pieces  14  of oilfield equipment, such as drill pipe or a drill bit to drill a well bore. For example, but not by way of limitation, the drilling device  178  can be a rotary table supported by the rig floor  151 , or a top mounted drive supported by the drilling rig, or a downhole mud motor suspended by the drill string and supported by the drilling rig. 
         [0050]    The drilling monitoring device  174  monitors the drilling device  178  so as to determine when the piece  14  or pieces  14  of oilfield equipment in the drill string are in a rotating condition or a non-rotating condition. The drilling monitoring device  174  outputs a signal to the interface unit  170  via the signal path  176 , the signal being indicative of whether the piece(s)  14  of oilfield equipment are in the rotating or the non-rotating condition. As will be explained hereinafter, the central computer  32  is loaded with a pipe utilization and identification program in its oilfield equipment database which receives and automatically utilizes the signal received by the interface unit  170  from the signal path  176  to monitor, on an individualized basis, the rotating and non-rotating hours of each piece  14  of oilfield equipment in the drill string. In one embodiment, the drilling monitoring device  174  is a tachometer communicating with the drilling device  178 . 
         [0051]    For example, when the drilling device  178  is the downhole mud motor (which selectively rotates the drill string&#39;s drill bit while the drill string&#39;s pipe remains stationary), the central computer  32  logs the non-rotating usage of each piece  14  of the drill string&#39;s pipe. In the case where the drilling device  178  is the downhole mud motor, the central computer  32  has stored therein a reference indicating that the drilling device  178  is the downhole mud motor so that the central computer  32  can accurately log the non-rotating usage of each piece  14  of oilfield equipment included in the drill string that suspends the drilling device  178 . 
         [0052]    Shown in  FIG. 12  is a typical screen  182  on a monitor  184  of the central computer  32 , when the central computer  32  is running the pipe utilization and identification program included in the oilfield equipment database. The screen  182  includes a grid  186  for organizing the information displayed by the pipe utilization and identification program on the screen  182 . The grid  186  is comprised of a plurality of columns of data and the data is descriptive of particular features of each piece  14  of oilfield equipment included in a drill string. The data columns may be, but are not limited to, a position in the drill string column  188 , a unique identification code column  190 , a serial number column  192 , a description column  194 , a strap length column  196 , an owner column  198 , a rotating hour column  200 , a non-rotating hour column  202 , and a total footage drilled column  204 . 
         [0053]    The screen  182  also displays three fields, designated in  FIG. 12  as a “Tube” field  206 , a “BHA” field  208 , and a “Total” field  210 . The Tube field  206  displays the length of the pipe that is currently being used in the drill string for drilling the oil well. The BHA field  208  displays the length of the bottom hole assembly that is currently being utilized in the drill string. The Total field  210  displays the sum of the lengths of the tube assembly and the bottom hole assembly. 
         [0054]    The screen  182  is provided with a trip function  212 , which is used when all pieces  14  of oilfield equipment are pulled out of the hole, or a bit or other piece  14  of oilfield equipment is changed. The trip function  212  will update the total footage of each joint of pipe in the drill string as far as total footage is concerned. When one of the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment, such as a joint of pipe, is scanned by the wand  156 , such piece is added to the top of the drill string, the length of that piece  14  is added to the previous amount of footage in the drill string and displayed in the total footage column  204 . 
         [0055]    The pipe utilization and identification program is also provided with a TD function  214 , as indicated on the screen  182 . When actuated, the TD function  214  will clear the grid  186  and store the data in a historical database for future reference. The TD function  214  must be error protected with an &lt;ARE YOU SURE?&gt; function to stop inadvertent erasure of the grid  186 . 
         [0056]    The pipe utilization and identification program also includes a “remove function”  216 , which permits an individual to remove the indication in the database of one of the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment in any position in the drill string by merely highlighting the piece  14  and actuating the “remove function”  216 . When the piece  14  is removed, a record is added to the historical database to indicate where the piece  14  was in the drill string, and when the piece  14  was removed from the drill string. 
         [0057]    The pipe utilization and identification program is also provided with an “add function”  218 , to permit an individual to add a new record indicative of the historical information of a particular one of the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment, when a piece  14  is added to the top of the drill string while drilling. If the identifier assembly  12  on the piece  14  is scanned from the rig floor  151 , the piece  14  will go directly to the top of the drill string, and a reference in the pipe utilization and identification program will be created in the grid  186  to indicate that such piece  14  has been added to the drill string. Historical (or cumulative) information regarding such piece  14  will be retrieved from the historical database and added to the grid  186  so that cumulative data for the piece  14  is monitored. 
         [0058]    The pipe utilization and identification program also includes a “replace function”  220 , which is used when a specific piece  14  of oilfield equipment is to be replaced in the drill string. The identification assembly  12  on the piece  14  can be scanned with the wand  156  from the rig floor  151 , thereby automatically highlighting the piece  14  on the screen  182  (by the pipe utilization and identification program matching the identification code stored in the column  190  with the scanned identification code). Alternatively, the piece  14  to be replaced can be highlighted manually via a mouse (not shown) connected to the central computer  32 . The “replace function”  220  is then actuated and the new piece  14  is added to the grid  186  of the pipe utilization and identification program in a similar manner as described above with reference to the “add function”  218 . Information about the removed piece  14  is then recorded in the historical database. 
         [0059]    The pipe utilization and identification program is also provided with a bottom hole assembly function  222 . The bottom hole assembly function  222 , when actuated, displays only the pieces  14  that are in the bottom hole assembly on the grid  186 . 
         [0060]    The pipe utilization and identification program also includes a string report function  224 . The string report function  224  generates a report to screen or printer of all pieces  14  currently being used in a drill string. Included in the report can be all of the information set forth in the grid  186 . 
         [0061]    A rental function  226  is also included in the pipe utilization and identification program. The rental function  226  is utilized when a particular piece  14  of oilfield equipment is rented from another company. The rental function  226  may include fields for historical or descriptive data, such as item description, owner, serial number, optional rotating hours, optional non-rotating hours, and required shoulder-to-shoulder length, for example. The records in the rental function  226  can be saved to a file, retrieved from a file, removed from a file, and/or added to the grid  186  via various buttons on the screen  182 . 
         [0062]    Thus, it can be seen that when the identifier assemblies  12  on the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment, such as a joint of pipe, drill collar, heavyweight drill pipe or the like, is scanned via the reader  152  on the rig floor  151 , data regarding that particular piece  14  is obtained from the historical database by the central computer  32  and displayed in the grid  186  on the screen  182 . As each piece  14  of the drill string is added to the drill string for drilling, an indication of each such component is displayed in succession on the monitor  184  in the grid  186 , exactly as such piece is being used in the drill string to give an indication of the piece&#39;s location in the drill string. 
         [0063]    Therefore, it can be seen that displayed in the grid  186  is identification information such as identification code, serial number, description, length, cumulative rotating hours, cumulative non-rotating hours, total footage, stand number and stand placement regarding the specific pieces  14  being used. 
         [0064]    Various functions are also provided to allow the user to review data on each individual piece  14  in the grid  186  by selecting such piece  14  by double-clicking on it, for example. Various current data can be reviewed for each piece  14 , such as inspections, repairs, logistics, purchasing, applications and spare parts, if required, as indicated by the functions  228 ,  230  and  232 . 
         [0065]    In addition, the central computer  32  automatically and continuously monitors the signal path  172  so as to determine whether the drilling device  178  is in the rotating condition or the non-rotating condition. If the signal received by the central computer  32  on the signal path  172  indicates that one or more of the pieces  14  in the drill string are rotating, the pipe utilization and identification program included in the oilfield equipment database automatically and continuously updates the information in the rotating hour column  200  for each of the pieces  14  in the grid  18  that are rotating, and the information in the non-rotating hour column  202  for each of the pieces  14  that are not rotating so as to monitor the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage for each piece  14  in the grid  186 . If the signal received by the central computer  32  on the signal path  172  from the interface unit  170  indicates that all of the pieces  14  of oilfield equipment in the drill string are in the non-rotating condition, the pipe utilization and identification program included in the oilfield equipment database automatically updates the information in the non-rotating hour column  202  for each of the pieces  14  in the grid  186 , so as to monitor the cumulative non-rotating usage for each piece  14  in the grid  186 . 
         [0066]    In one embodiment, the pipe utilization and identification program may update either the rotating hour column  200  or the non-rotating hour column  202  at least ten times per minute. This allows real time storage of rotating hours for each piece  14  being used in the drill string. Real time reports can be generated from the pipe utilization and identification program at any time by actuating the string report function  224  so that rig personnel can monitor the usage of each piece  14  in the drill string and take appropriate corrective action before a costly unexpected event occurs. Furthermore, the loading of the historical information and the automatic and continuous updating of the information in the rotating hour column  200  and the non-rotating hour column  202  provides an accurate record of the historical or cumulative rotating and non-rotating hours of each piece  14 , thereby substantially reducing the number of costly inspections needed for determining the level of fatigue of each piece  14 . 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , shown therein is a prior art apparatus  250  for turning the piece  14  of oilfield equipment (in this case a piece of oilfield pipe) to connect a pin connection  252  of the piece  14  to a box connection  254  of an adjacently disposed piece  14  in a well-known manner. The apparatus  250  can be, for example but not by way of limitation, a Model MH 1178 hydraulically operated ROUGHNECK obtainable from Maritime Hydraulics. 
         [0068]    The apparatus  250  is supported on wheels  256  which engage tracks (not shown) positioned on the rig floor  151  for moving the apparatus  250  towards and away from the well bore. Formed on an upper end of the apparatus  250  is a pipe spinner assembly  258  (or rotating device) for selectively engaging and turning the piece  14  to connect the pin connection  252  to the box connection  254 . A funnel-shaped mudguard  260  can be disposed below the pipe spinner assembly  258 . The mudguard  260  defines a mudguard bore  262 , which is sized and adapted so as to receive the piece  14  of oilfield equipment therethrough. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the apparatus  250  is not provided with the mudguard  260 . The apparatus  250  also includes a torque assembly or torque wrench  263  which (in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 13 ) is disposed below the pipe spinner assembly  258 . 
         [0069]    In accordance with the present invention, an opening  264  is formed through the mudguard  260  (when the mudguard  260  is present on the apparatus  250 ) such that the opening  264  communicates with the mudguard bore  262 . In one embodiment, the oilfield equipment identifying apparatus  150  includes a fixed mount reader  266  for automating the reading of the identifier assemblies  12 , rather than the hand-held wand  156 . The fixed mount reader  266  constructed in accordance with the present invention is mounted onto a flange  268 . The flange  268  is located on the apparatus  250  and extends substantially adjacent to the piece  14  of oilfield equipment when the piece  14  of oilfield equipment is being spun by the pipe spinner assembly  258 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 13 , the flange  268  is located substantially adjacent to the opening  264  so as to position the fixed mount reader  266  through the opening  264  whereby the fixed mount reader  266  is located adjacent to the piece  14  of oilfield equipment when the piece  14  of oilfield equipment is being spun by the pipe spinner assembly  258 . In general, the fixed mount reader  266  can be located on the apparatus  250  below the pipe spinner assembly  258  and above the torque assembly or torque wrench  263 . 
         [0070]    As best shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , a pipe-engaging portion  272  of the fixed mount reader  266  extends through the opening  264  into the mudguard bore  262  whereby the pipe-engaging portion  272  is positioned to engage the piece  14  of oilfield equipment when the piece  14  is disposed within the mudguard  260 . Thus, the pipe-engaging portion  272  has access to the identification assemblies  12 , which are disposed on or near the pin connection of the respective pieces  14  during the operation of the apparatus  250 . When the fixed mount reader  266  is mounted on the apparatus  250 , it is possible for the fixed mount reader  266  to read the identification tags  38  (not shown in  FIGS. 14-16 ) within the identifier assemblies  12  without any manual intervention, thus making the reading of the identification assemblies  12  more reliable and safe. 
         [0071]    When the apparatus  250  comes into contact with the piece  14  (to either spin it into position or torque it to specification), the pipe engaging portion  272  of the fixed mount reader  266  on the apparatus  250  also comes into contact with the piece  14 . As the piece  14  is spun into place, the fixed mount reader  266  reads the identification tag  38  located in the identifier assembly  12 , and transmits the unique identification code stored in the identification tag  38  to the electronics conversion package  162  via a signal path  274 , whereby the signal including the unique identification code is ultimately transmitted to the central computer  32  via the signal paths  168 ,  172  and  173 , and the profibuss  166  and the interface unit  170  as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0072]    One embodiment of the fixed mount reader  266  will now be described in more detail. The fixed mount reader  266  includes a housing  280 . The housing  280  is adapted to be connected to the flange  268  (as best shown in  FIG. 16 ) via any suitable connector assembly, such as a plurality of bolts  281  which are disposed through corresponding openings  282  formed through the housing  280 . 
         [0073]    As best shown in  FIG. 16 , the housing  280  is provided with a first end  284 , a second end  286 , an upper end  288 , and a lower end  290 . An antenna receiving opening  292  is formed through the second end  286  of the housing  280  and extends a distance therefrom towards the first end  284 . The antenna receiving opening  292  is sized and adapted to receive an antenna  294  (which may have a rectangular cross-section) therethrough such that the antenna  294  can be slidably movable in the antenna receiving opening  292  generally toward the piece  14  and away from the piece  14 . 
         [0074]    The antenna  294  reads the unique identification code stored in the identification tag  38  provided in the identifier assemblies  12  (which are mounted on the pieces  14  as discussed above), and transmits the unique identification code stored in the identification tag  38  to the electronics conversion package  162  via the signal path  274 , whereby the signal including the unique identification code is ultimately transmitted to the central computer  32  via the signal paths  168 ,  172  and  173 , and the profibuss  166  and the interface unit  170 . When the identification tag  38  is provided with the passive circuit (as discussed hereinbefore), the antenna  294  is tuned to read the unique identification code stored in the identification tag  38 . 
         [0075]    The housing  280  of the fixed mount reader  266  supports the pipe engaging portion  272  such that the pipe engaging portion  272  extends a distance past the second end  286  of the housing  280 . The pipe engaging portion  272  is provided with a rod  296  which is disposed in a corresponding opening  298  formed in the housing  280 . The rod  296  is sized and dimensioned to be slidably movable in the opening  298  such that the pipe engaging portion  272  is movable generally away from and towards the second end  286  of the housing  280  and is thereby movable away from and towards the piece  14 . 
         [0076]    A bias assembly  300  is disposed in the opening  298  and supported by the housing  280 . The bias assembly  300  engages the housing  280  and the rod  296  so as to bias the rod  296  in a direction  302  generally towards the piece  14 . Thus, the bias assembly  300  maintains the pipe engaging portion  272  securely engaged with the piece  14  as the apparatus  250  is spinning or torquing the piece  14  into its proper position. Furthermore, the bias assembly  300  absorbs any impact from the piece  14  with the apparatus  250  when the piece  14  is moved against the pipe engaging portion  272 . In one embodiment, the bias assembly  300  can be a spring. 
         [0077]    As best shown in  FIG. 16 , the pipe engaging portion  272  of the fixed mount reader includes a housing  304 . The housing  304  is connected to the rod  296  and is thereby supported by the rod  296 . 
         [0078]    The housing  304  of the pipe engaging portion  272  is provided with an antenna receiving opening  306 , which is aligned with the antenna receiving opening  292  formed in the housing  280  of the fixed mount reader  266 . The antenna  294  extends into the antenna receiving opening  306  and is secured to the housing  304  via any suitable connector assembly, such as bolts. 
         [0079]    The housing  304  of the pipe engaging portion  272  includes a first side  308 , a second side  310 , an upper end  312  and a lower end  314 . The pipe engaging portion  272  includes a pair of fixed roller assemblies  316 , and a pair of movable roller assemblies  317  for maintaining the antenna  294  at a preselected distance from the piece  14  while the antenna  294  is reading the identification tags  38  mounted on the piece  14 . 
         [0080]    The fixed roller assemblies  316  include a roller mount  318  and a roller  320 . For purposes of clarity, the fixed roller assemblies  316 , the movable roller assemblies  317 , the roller mounts  318  and the rollers  320  are designated in  FIGS. 14-16  with the same numeral prefix, i.e., “ 316 ”, “ 317 ”, “ 318 ” and “ 320 ”, but with different alphabetic suffixes “a” and “b.” The roller mount  318   a  of the fixed roller assembly  316   a  is connected to the upper end  312  of the housing  304  such that at least a portion of the roller  320   a  extends past the housing  304  to engage the piece  14 . The roller mount  318   b  of the fixed roller assembly  316   b  is connected to the lower end  314  of the housing  304  such that at least a portion of the roller  320   b  extends past the housing  304  to engage the piece  14 . 
         [0081]    Each of the movable roller assemblies  317   a  and  317   b  includes a leg  324 , a roller  326  and a bias assembly  328 . The leg  324  includes a first end  330  and a second end  332 . The bias assembly  328  is mounted on the first end  330  of the leg  324 , and the roller  326  is mounted on the second end  332  of the leg  324 . 
         [0082]    The movable roller assembly  317   a  is pivotally connected to the first side  308  of the housing  304  such that the roller  326   a  extends past the housing  304  to engage the piece  14 , and the bias assembly  328   a  engages the housing  304  to force the roller  326   a  against the piece  14  thereby maintaining the roller  326   a  securely engaged with the piece  14  during reading of the identification tag  38 . The movable roller assembly  317   b  is pivotally connected to the second side  310  of the housing  304  such that the roller  326   b  extends past the housing  304  to engage the piece  14 , and the bias assembly  328   b  engages the housing  304  to force the roller  326   b  against the piece  14  thereby maintaining the roller  326   b  securely engaged with the piece  14  during reading of the identification tag  38 . 
         [0083]    Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein, or in the parts or the elements of the embodiments described herein, or in the steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein, without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8