Copyright 2006, Offshore Technology Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2006 Offshore Technology Conference held in
Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 14 May 2006.

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Abstract
The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) has developed
an 8-1/4 instrumented drill collar with a 4-1/8 I.D. for
routine use in the programs global coring program. An
inductive data link to an instrumented core barrel has been
added to acquire coring data in both core barrel and drill collar
simultaneously while coring. The project consists of two
independently engineered systems that interface downhole to
exchange data and provide near real-time measurements made
at the bit. The first component is the instrumented drill collar
that measures weight-on-bit (WOB), torque-on-bit (TOB),
annulus pressure, bore pressure, and annulus temperature at 1
Hz. The second component is the retrievable memory module
which includes pressure and acceleration measurements and
the data link system required to retrieve and store the data
from the instrumented drill collar. The memory module can be
fastened to the top of all standard IODP core barrels and will
record the drilling dynamic data, while coring, via the
inductive data link. The memory module and core barrel are
returned to the rig floor using conventional wireline coring
techniques which do not consume any additional rig time.
Field testing has demonstrated that the concept is viable and
that data can be reliably transmitted through the data link
while coring.
Introduction
The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program has made a
concerted effort over the last 10 years to collect more
information from the BHA to quantify the dynamics at the
drill bit while coring and drilling. This endeavor is critical to
the retrieval of high quality core and to ensuring the highest
recovery of core in a wide range of water depths and
lithologies. Continuous coring in IODP holes is performed by
recovering the core barrel at regular intervals, typically every
9.5 m. The procedure is the same for advanced piston coring
(APC) in soft sediments, and for the rotary coring bit (RCB) in
harder formations. An empty core barrel is deployed to the
bottom hole assembly (BHA), latched into the BHA, then
advanced 9.5 m during coring. The core barrel is then
retrieved by a wireline retrieval system which latches to the
top of the core barrel. After reaching the rig floor, the core is
removed for analysis and an empty core barrel is dropped in
the drill string to continue the coring process.
IODP coring, drilling and logging operations occur
without the use of riser and typically use sea water for
circulation. Without a riser, measuring true depth between the
kelly bushing and sea floor is complicated as there is no fixed
reference to the sea floor. Accelerometers have historically
been used to measure the ship motion, and through a double
integration of the acceleration data, position could be
estimated. The position data is critical in understanding ships
position relative to the bottom of the hole for maximum core
recovery and core quality. The ODP and IODP have long
utilized drill string heave compensation to counter the effects
of ship heave on the cutting of core and the deploying of
seafloor instruments. Improving coring results in the
extremely difficult environments explored by the riserless
drilling vessel of the IODP requires determining the
effectiveness of the drill string heave compensator and also
quantifying the dynamic conditions downhole using drilling
dynamics data parameters such as drill pipe acceleration (Fig.
1) and hydrostatic pressure. The JOIDES Resolution routinely
encounters waves on the sea surface that generate both vertical
heave and torsional motions of the ship. Downhole
observations of this motion in deep and shallow waters have
been well documented (Goldberg, et al 2000). The effect of
variations in weighton-bit and drill string accelerations on the
coring process has long been of concern to DSDP and ODP
scientists (e.g. Kidd, 1979; Francis, 1981). Only within the last
several years, however, has technology been developed that
allows for the dynamic parameters of a drill string to be
recorded both at the rig floor and at the drill bit while coring.
The intent of this paper is to provide insight into how IODP
has initially used simple devices and later developed more
complicated devices to measure the forces acting on the BHA
and borehole which affect the recovery of vital scientific data
from the depths of the world's oceans.

OTC 17920
Coring Dynamics: Data Acquisition While Coring
Greg Myers, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Derryl Schroeder, Texas A&M University, Will Keogh, Lamont-Doherty
Earth Observatory, Kevin Grigar, Texas A&M University, Walt Masterson, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
2 OTC 17920
Progression of Technology
The long road to achieving routine measurement of drilling
dynamics data while coring continuously in deep water began
in 1997 with the construction of a modified logging tool that
simply attached to the top of a core barrel and stored
acceleration and pressure data in memory. This device, known
as the drill string acceleration tool, (DSA) was designed to
minimize any impact on coring operations. The tool is
initialized before a core barrel is prepared for deployment. The
DSA is then attached to the top of the core barrel (Fig. 2) and
the DSA/core barrel assembly is let free-fall to the bottom of
the drill string. Once the core is cut the entire assembly is
recovered.
In 2000, a concept for an instrumented drill collar to
acquire even more downhole measurements such as downhole
weight on bit (WOB), downhole torque on bit (TOB) and
annular pressure was developed. This Drilling Sensor Sub
(DSS) was to have the same inside diameter as IODP drill pipe
(4.125) to accommodate a standard IODP core barrel. The
DSS would be added to the BHA and data was to be acquired
and returned to the surface following the return of the bit to
the rig floor. The DSS was fabricated and then tested on Leg
208 of the Ocean Drilling Program in April 2003.

In J anuary 2003, a method of transmitting data between
the DSS and an instrumented core barrel was conceived (Fig.
3). This allowed more rapid retrieval of the stored drilling
dynamics data. This approach required the addition of an
inductive coil on both the DSS and the Retrievable Memory
Module (RMM) core barrel and some modified electronics
and software. This concept was developed and deployed on
Leg 210 of ODP in August 2003. A diagram illustrating the
data flow between drill collar and core barrel is seen below.

The drill collar is represented by the Tx Coil and the
retrievable memory module is represented by the Rx Coil.
System Concept
The Downhole Sensor Sub (DSS) project consists of two
independently engineered systems that communicate
downhole to exchange data and provide near real-time
measurements made at the bit. Texas A&M University
developed the instrumented drill collar known as the DSS and
the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) developed
the retrieval data link system to convey data between the at-bit
sensors and the rig floor known as the RMM. Using LDEOs
proven corebarrel measurement design, an inductive coupling
loop "modem" was packaged in the existing pressure case and
chassis. The LDEO data link is fastened to the top of a APC,
XCB, RCB or HYACE core barrel and will record the DSS
data as coring occurs though the inductive coupling loop. The
data link and corebarrel will be returned to the rig floor using
conventional wireline coring techniques for removal of core
and retrieval of the data. This system will not consume any
additional rig time while acquiring downhole data.

The Drilling Sensor Sub (DSS) is an MWD type tool for
measuring drilling dynamic properties near the bit. The first
model of the DSS is a memory-only tool, which is 10 feet long
with an 8-1/4 inch OD and a 4-1/8 inch through-bore to allow
for core retrieval. It is made of non-magnetic drill collar
material and is positioned in the BHA above the outer core
barrel. The sensors, electronics and batteries are packaged in
the collar wall. The tool measures weight-on-bit (WOB),
torque-on-bit (TOB), annulus pressure, bore pressure, and
annulus temperature. Since the battery packs were designed to
provide a minimum of 4 days of operation and the memory
capacity was designed to hold 4-1/2 days of data, the tool was
expected to stop functioning at some time during deployments
longer than 4 days.
Testing
Prior to deployment at sea, the DSS was tested at the
manufacturers facility under operating or near operating
conditions. The electronics were tested in three orthogonal
directions on a vibration table. The boards passed the random
vibration specification:

30 to 40 Hz @ +6dB/octave
40 to 800 Hz @ 0.60 g
2
/Hz
800 to 2000 Hz @ -6dB/octave
Overall g rms Level:27.54
3 axis test, 5 minute sweep per axis

The electronics were also tested in three orthogonal
directions on a shock table. The boards passed the shock
specification:
500 g @ 0.5 millisecond
100 shocks per axis

The DSS weight on bit measurement (WOB) was tested
over the operating range of +/-50,000 lbs against the specified
+/-250 lbs accuracy. The results were +/-110 lbs rms in
compression and +/-89 lbs in tension. There was no observed
crosstalk between the applied WOB and the measured torque
on bit (TOB).

The DSS TOB measurement was tested over a test range
from -20,000 to +33,000 ft-lbs against the specified +/-200 ft-
lbs accuracy. Mechanical restrictions on the equipment
required testing at less than the operating range of +/-40,000
ft-lbs. The results over the limited range were +/-50 ft-lbs.
The DSS WOB and TOB response to changes in pressure up
to 13,000 psi was tested. The WOB response to annulus and
differential pressure was highly linear. Correction for pressure
induced WOB readings was implemented in the software. No
significant effect was seen on the TOB readings.
OTC 17920 3
Sea Trials
The first deployment of the DSS on a drillship was ODP
Leg 208, in April 2003. The initial run was only partially
successful as the data recorded was limited to down hole
temperature and tool diagnostics. During the deployment, the
tool flooded due to an o-ring failure. WOB, TOB and pressure
data were not acquired. In spite of flooded electronics
temperature and tool diagnostics data was recorded for 2 days.
The second deployment of the DSS was on ODP Leg 210,
J uly 2003. On the first run good pressure and temperature data
were recorded, but WOB and TOB were erratic for much of
the deployment. The tool was below the rotary for over seven
days, but collected 107 hours (4.45 days) of data (expected
battery life is 100 hours).

Leg 210, August 2003: DSS-2 was deployed along with
RMM. The WOB and TOB readings were at full scale and the
problem was not resolved. The RMM was deployed four times
(free fall with the core barrel). Though the RMM worked well
during the deck testing, it did not established lasting
communication with the DSS on any of the deployments. The
batteries had shifted after each landing. Pressure and
temperature recordings were good for most of the run then at
2-1/2 days these readings became meaningless. The diagnostic
data continued to function.
Following Leg 210, DSS-1 and DSS-2 were returned to the
manufacturer for diagnosis, repair, and recalibration. The o-
ring seal failure on DSS-1 was obvious, but it was not
definitive that it was the sole source of the tool flooding. DSS-
2 had minor seal leakages in the WOB/TOB strain gage
pockets that caused a failure in the circuit. Both tools were
repaired and re-calibrated.
Land Tests
Following improvements to the DSS seals and the RMM
battery holder, land tests of the DSS were performed in
Houston, TX, in September 2004: The land test included a
series of pressure tests (up to 10,000 psi), and a drilling test on
a land rig. DSS-1 passed the pressure test without leaks, but
the WOB and TOB readings were continually at full scale and
the temperature sensor failed. The drilling test for DSS-1 was
cancelled. DSS-2 went through the 8 hour drilling test. WOB,
TOB and the pressure measurements failed during the test.
DSS-2 was run through the pressure test without leaks, even
though it had sensor failures. The manufacturer
repaired/replaced the failed sensors on the DSS tools.
The second land test occurred at the same test facility in
Houston, TX, in June 2005: Both DSS tools and an RMM
were deployed for full system testing. DSS-2 was set up for
RCB coring and the RMM was attached to the top of the RCB
core barrel. The RCB BHA with DSS-2 was run to bottom of
the hole. The RMM/core barrel was allowed to free fall
through drilling mud, and coring commenced. The full string
was tripped out after coring 5 m. The RMM successfully
collected the coring data from the DSS. Pressure and
temperature data acquired by the DSS and transmitted to the
RMM were acceptable, however, WOB and TOB data were
out of scale throughout the test. Data transmitted inductively
during the land test can be seen in Figure 4. This figure
illustrates the milestone of successful drill collar to core barrel
data transfer. Following the testing, both DSS tools were
shipped back to the manufacturer to correct calibration
coefficients.
Discussion and Summary
IODP has utilized numerous data telemetry techniques to
retrieve data from the bottom hole assembly. In IODP terms,
they are:

1. Memory mode
2. Near-real-time mode
3. Real-time mode

In memory mode, data are acquired downhole and returned
to the surface following a pipe trip which can be anywhere
from 8 hours to 4 days. In this case it is impossible to get a
sense for what is occurring at the bit during the drilling
operation. This technique is useful for conducting post mortem
analysis or for determining long term trends in drilling
dynamics due to operational techniques, type of drilling
equipment in use or drill crew idiosyncrasies.

Near-real-time is similar to memory mode in that data
stored downhole and returned to surface by pulling a recording
device back to the surface. The difference is that data are
returned to the surface with each core barrel trip, which is
typically once per hour. With the significantly increased
frequency of data retrieval, near real time data can begin to
serve as a tool for ascertaining the conditions and dynamics at
the bit during the bit run. For instance, comparisons of heave
response between uphole and downhole sensors approximately
every hour can assist the drill crew in tuning the drill string
heave compensator settings. This approach can also give
indication about fluid dynamic conditions downhole which
provides needed data for altering the drilling fluid program.

The third mode is real-time data transmission and to date
IODP has only achieved real-time telemetry when commercial
mud pulse systems have been deployed with MWD/LWD
tools. Due to the slow data rate offered by standard mud pulse
systems, heave signals are difficult to resolve in the downhole
data. The frequency of data sampling required to adequately
measure parameters such as weight on bit and torque on bit at
the heave period (6s-12s) is between 0.5Hz and 1Hz.
Commercially available systems used to date do not provide
this relatively high sampling rate, especially through a drill
collar that can be continuously cored through. Thus the next
proposed phase of this project is to add a mud pulse system
that is tailored to send drilling dynamics data for several key
parameters at the 0.5Hz to 1Hz rate.

With the collection of high resolution drilling dynamics data
acquired routinely at the bit in memory (Guerin and Goldberg
2000) or on the drillstring in real time (Myers, Goldberg
1999), it is apparent that this data has utility beyond improving
core quality and recovery. The vibration data acquired near the
bit has been used as a proxy for estimating petrophysical
parameters. Several works have been completed to show that
4 OTC 17920
the drill bit noise and vibration signals generated at the BHA
can be used to distinguish significant lithologic boundaries.
An example of the work conducted by Guerin and Goldberg in
2002 demonstrates that when drilling parameters such as
revolutions per minute and rate of penetration are kept as near
constant as possible, the vibrations generated by the cutting
action of the bit can show lithology variations. In figure 6, the
drill bit accelerations are processed in the frequency domain
and the resultant power spectrum is seen to decrease with
increases in material hardness in frequencies below 2Hz.

Continued development of the DSS and RMM systems are
proposed until the hardware is reliable and the system is being
deployed regularly during IODP expeditions. A logical
technological advancement for this system will be to add a
mud pulse telemetry system to the existing retrievable
memory module. By adding this feature the driller would then
have the information to make drilling decisions while
advancing the bit or at least while pumps are on.
References

Francis, T. J . G., 1981, Effect of drill string movement on shape of
the hole and on cored rocks at Hole 459B. Init. Reports DSDP,
60, 835-840.

Guerin, G.,Goldberg, D., Heave compensation and formation strength
evaluation from downhole acceleration measurements while
coring. Geo-Marine Letters, Published J uly 2002. pages 133-
141

Goldberg, D., Myers, G., G. Guerin, G., Schroeder, D., 2000, Ship
Heave Effects While Drilling: Observations from Legs 185 and
188. J OIDES J ournal, Volume 26, no. 2 pages 26-29

Kidd, R. B., 1979, Core discing and other drilling effects in DSDP
Leg 42A Mediterranean Sediment cores, Init. Reports DSDP,
42, 1143-1149.

Myers G, Goldberg D, Meltser A, Scholz E, ODP Leg 179 Scientific
Party (1999) Petro-physical applications of new seismic-while-
drilling technology in deep water. In: Proc 40th SPWLA Annual
Logging Symp, Oslo, 30 May3 J une 1999, paper VV

Myers, G., Goldberg, D., Rector, J . 2002. Drilling Vibration: A Proxy
for Identifying Lithologic Boundaries While Drilling. Ocean
Drilling Program, Scientific Results Volume 179.

















Figure 1. Acceleration data acquired near the bit in a core
barrel has been utilized to evaluate the drill string heave
compensator. In this example, the blue line is ship heave
measured on the drill ship and the red line indicates vertical
downhole BHA movement. Note the significant amplitude
increase of the downhole vertical displacement where the
heave compensator stops (Goldberg et al 2000).



Figure 2. Early instrumented core barrel systems used in
the ODP (Ocean Drilling Program) were capable of measuring
pressure and high resolution acceleration and attached to core
barrel in a standard ODP coring bottom hole assembly. These
were used primarily to measure drill pipe motion in efforts to
quantify heave compensation system effectiveness. (Guerin,
Goldberg 2002)


OTC 17920 5


Figure 3. The DSS and RMM are two independently
engineered systems that are used together to acquire drilling
dynamics data near the bit. Data is transferred inductively
between drill collar and core barrel and the core barrel
retrieved every 9.5 meters.




























17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20
0
500
1000
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ANP
Time of day (decimal hours)
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
(
p
s
i
)
PRT from RMM
ANP from DSS via RMM
ANP direct from DSS
17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
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2200
BOP
Time of day (decimal hours)
P
r
e
s
s
u
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(
p
s
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)
PRT msd by RMM
BOP msd by DSS, via RMM
BOP direct from DSS
17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20
-6000
-5500
-5000
-4500
-4000
-3500
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TOB
Time of day (decimal hours)
PRT-4000, from RMM
TOB, from DSS via RMM
TOB/2, direct from DSS
17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20
-3.5
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
x 10
4
WOB
Time of day (decimal hours)
PRT*10-3e4, from RMM
WOB, from DSS via RMM
WOB/2, direct from DSS

Figure 4. Data collected by the Drillstring Sensor Sub
(DSS) and then transmitted to the Retrievable Memory
Module (RMM) via the inductive link. The red and dark blue
lines match, indicating that the data was transmitted perfectly
from drill collar to core barrel. For all 4 plots, data transfer via
the link is perfect from core barrel touchdown to retrieval of
the core barrel. The light blue line is an independent pressure
measurement made in the core barrel.




Figure 5. Petrophysical analysis of drilling dynamics data
in the 2Hz and lower range can yield formation information.
In this figure, increasing material hardness can be inferred
from a simple frequency analysis of vibration data collected
on the core barrel. (Guerin, Goldberg 2002)