Centralizer for downhole probes

Abstract

An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.

Claims

1. A downhole assembly comprising: a drill string section having a bore extending longitudinally through the drill string section, the bore having a bore diameter; a downhole probe located in the bore of the section; and a centralizer in the bore, the centralizer comprising a plurality of tubular members arranged end to end, each of the tubular members having a wall extending around the downhole probe, the wall of each of the tubular members formed to, along a length of each of the tubular members, alternatingly contact an inside wall surface of the bore at a first plurality of locations spaced apart around a circumference of the bore and an outside surface of the downhole probe at a second plurality of locations spaced apart around a circumference of the probe, a cross-section of each of the tubular member walls following a path around the downhole probe that zig zags back and forth between the outside surface of the downhole probe and the inside wall surface of the bore; wherein each of the tubular members in an uninstalled configuration has outermost points lying on a circle, the circle having a diameter that is larger than the bore diameter.

2. The downhole assembly of claim 1 wherein an end of a first tubular member of the centralizer abuts an opposing end of a second tubular member that is adjacent to the first tubular member.

3. The downhole assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of tubular members support the probe substantially continuously along an otherwise unsupported portion of the probe.

4. The downhole assembly of claim 3 wherein the plurality of tubular members support the probe substantially continuously along at least 60% of the otherwise unsupported portion of the probe.

5. The downhole assembly of claim 3 wherein the plurality of tubular members support the probe substantially continuously along at least 95% of the otherwise unsupported portion of the probe.

6. The downhole assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of tubular members support the probe for at least 6 meters of an otherwise unsupported portion of the probe.

7. The downhole assembly of claim 1 wherein lengths of the plurality of tubular members are equal to one another.

8. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 wherein the tubular members are resiliently deformable to accommodate the probe.

9. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 wherein the tubular members are resiliently deformable to fit inside the bore.

10. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 wherein the tubular members exert a compressive force on the probe to hold the probe concentric within the bore.

11. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 wherein the tubular members and the probe form an interference fit.

12. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 wherein the probe is slidable longitudinally into the tubular members of the centralizer.

13. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 comprising a layer of a vibration damping material between a housing of the downhole probe and the tubular members of the centralizer.

14. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cross-section of each of the tubular member walls provides: first outwardly-convex and inwardly-concave lobes, the first lobes contacting the inside wall surface of the bore of the drill string section at the first plurality of locations spaced apart around the circumference of the bore; and a plurality of inwardly-projecting portions, each of the plurality of inwardly-projecting portions arranged between two adjacent ones of the plurality of first lobes.

15. The downhole assembly according to claim 14 wherein the inwardly-projecting portions are shaped to conform to the outside surface of the probe.

16. The downhole assembly according to claim 14 wherein the first lobes are shaped to conform to the inside wall surface of the bore.

17. The downhole assembly according to claim 14 wherein the inwardly-projecting lobes are mirror symmetrical about an axis passing through a longitudinal centerline of the tubular members.

18. The downhole assembly according to claim 14 wherein a thickness of the wall of each of the tubular members of the centralizer is substantially uniform.

19. The downhole assembly according to claim 14 wherein in cross-section each of the tubular members has 4-fold rotational symmetry.

20. The downhole assembly according to claim 14 wherein the cross-section provides four first lobes.

21. The downhole assembly according to claim 14 wherein the cross-section provides two to eight first lobes.

22. The downhole assembly according to claim 1 wherein the wall of each of the tubular members comprises PEEK or PET.

23. A downhole assembly comprising: a drill string section having a bore extending longitudinally through the drill string section, the bore having a diameter; a downhole probe located in the bore of the section; and a centralizer in the bore, the centralizer comprising a plurality of centralizer members arranged end to end, each of the centralizer members formed to alternatingly contact an inner wall of the bore along a length of the centralizer member at a plurality of locations spaced apart around a circumference of the bore and the probe along the length of the centralizer member at a plurality of locations spaced apart around a circumference of the probe; wherein each of the centralizer members in an uninstalled configuration has outermost points lying on a circle, the circle having a diameter that is larger than the bore diameter.

24. The downhole assembly of claim 23 wherein each of the centralizer members comprises a tubular member having a wall extending around the downhole probe, the wall formed to contact the inner wall of the bore and an outside surface of the downhole probe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate non-limiting example embodiments of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drilling operation according to one embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a drilling operation according to another embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 2 is a perspective cutaway view of a downhole assembly containing an electronics package.

(5) FIG. 2A is a view taken in section along the line 2A-2A of FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 2B is a perspective cutaway view of a downhole assembly not containing an electronics package.

(7) FIG. 2C is a view taken in section along the line 2C-2C of FIG. 2B.

(8) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the invention where an electronics package is supported between two spiders.

(9) FIG. 3A is a detail showing one assembly for anchoring a downhole probe against longitudinal movement.

(10) FIG. 3B is an exploded view showing one way to anchor a centralizer against rotation in the bore of a drill string.

(11) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a centralizer according to one embodiment of the invention.

(12) FIG. 4A is a view taken in section along the line 4A-4A of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION

(13) Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. The following description of examples of the technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the system to the precise forms of any example embodiment. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

(14) FIG. 1 shows schematically an example drilling operation. A drill rig 10 drives a drill string 12 which includes sections of drill pipe that extend to a drill bit 14. The illustrated drill rig 10 includes a derrick 10A, a rig floor 10B and draw works 10C for supporting the drill string. Drill bit 14 is larger in diameter than the drill string above the drill bit. An annular region 15 surrounding the drill string is typically filled with drilling fluid. The drilling fluid is pumped by a pump 15A through a bore in the drill string to the drill bit and returns to the surface through annular region 15 carrying cuttings from the drilling operation. As the well is drilled, a casing 16 may be made in the well bore. A blow out preventer 17 is supported at a top end of the casing. The drill rig illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example only. The methods and apparatus described herein are not specific to any particular type of drill rig.

(15) Drill string 12 includes a downhole probe. Here the term ‘probe’ encompasses any active mechanical, electronic, and/or electromechanical system. A probe may provide any of a wide range of functions including, without limitation, data acquisition, sensing, data telemetry, control of downhole equipment, status monitoring for downhole equipment, collecting data by way of sensors that may include one or more of vibration sensors, magnetometers, nuclear particle detectors, electromagnetic detectors, acoustic detectors, and others, emitting signals, particles or fields for detection by other devices, etc. Some downhole probes are highly specialized and expensive. Downhole conditions can be harsh. Exposure to these harsh conditions, which can include high temperatures, vibrations, shocks, and immersion in various drilling fluids can shorten the lifespan of downhole probes.

(16) The following description describes an electronics package 22 which is one example of a downhole probe. However, the probe is not limited to electronics packages and, in some embodiments, could comprise mechanical or other non-electronic systems. Electronics package 22 comprises a housing enclosing electric circuits and components providing desired functions.

(17) Electronics package 22 typically has an elongated cylindrical body. The body may, for example, comprise a metal tube designed to withstand downhole conditions. The body may, for example, have a length in the range of 1 to 20 meters.

(18) Downhole electronics package 22 may optionally include a telemetry system for communicating information to the surface in any suitable manner. In some example embodiments a telemetry system is an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry system however other modes of telemetry may be provided instead of or in addition.

(19) FIG. 1A shows an example EM telemetry system, where electronics package 22 comprises an EM telemetry signal generator 18 that is electrically connected across the electrically-insulating gap of a gap sub 20. The signals from the EM signal generator result in electrical currents 19A and electric fields 19B that are detectable at the surface. In the illustrated embodiment a signal receiver 13 is connected by signal cables 13A to measure potential differences between electrical grounding stakes 13B and the top end of drill string 12. A display 11 may be connected to display data received by the signal receiver 13.

(20) FIGS. 2 and 2A show a downhole assembly 25 comprising an electronics package 22 supported within a bore 27 in a section 26 of drill string. Section 26 may, for example, comprise a drill collar, a gap sub or the like. Electronics package 22 is smaller in diameter than bore 27. Electronics package is centralized within bore 27 by a tubular centralizer 28. FIGS. 2B and 2C show the downhole assembly 25 without the electronics package 22.

(21) Centralizer 28 comprises a tubular body 29 having a bore 30 for receiving electronics package 22 and formed to provide axially-extending inner support surfaces 32 for supporting electronics package 22 and outer support surfaces 33 for bearing against the wall of bore 27 of section 26. As shown in FIG. 2A, centralizer 28 divides the annular space surrounding electronics package 22 into a number of axial channels. The axial channels include inner channels 34 defined between centralizer 28 and electronics package 22 and outer channels 36 defined between centralizer 28 and the wall of section 26.

(22) Centralizer 28 may be provided in one or more sections and may extend substantially continuously for any desired length along electronics package 22. In some embodiments, centralizer 28 extends substantially the full length of electronics package 22. In some embodiments, centralizer 28 extends to support electronics package 22 substantially continuously along at least 60% or 70% or 80% of an unsupported portion of electronics package 22 (e.g. a portion of electronics package 22 extending from a point at which electronics package 22 is coupled to section 26 to an end of electronics package 22). In some embodiments centralizer 28 engages substantially all of the unsupported portion of electronics package 22. Here, ‘substantially all’ means at least 95%.

(23) In the illustrated embodiment, inner support surfaces 32 are provided by the ends of inwardly-directed longitudinally-extending lobes 37 and outer support surfaces 33 are provided by the ends of outwardly-directed longitudinally-extending lobes 38. The number of lobes may be varied. The illustrated embodiment has four lobes 37 and four lobes 38. However, other embodiments may have more or fewer lobes. For example, some alternative embodiments have 3 to 8 lobes 38.

(24) It is convenient but not mandatory to make the lobes of centralizer 28 symmetrical to one another. It is also convenient but not mandatory to make the cross-section of centralizer 28 mirror symmetrical about an axis passing through one of the lobes. It is convenient but not mandatory for lobes 37 and 38 to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of centralizer 28. In the alternative, centralizer 28 may be formed so that lobes 37 and 38 are helical in form.

(25) Centralizer 28 may be made from a range of materials from metals to plastics suitable for exposure to downhole conditions. Some non-limiting examples are suitable thermoplastics, elastomeric polymers, rubber, copper or copper alloy, alloy steel, and aluminum. For example centralizer 28 may be made from a suitable grade of PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) or PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic. Where centralizer 28 is made of plastic the plastic may be fiber-filled (e.g. with glass fibers) for enhanced erosion resistance, structural stability and strength.

(26) The material of centralizer 28 should be capable of withstanding downhole conditions without degradation. The ideal material can withstand temperature of up to at least 150 C (preferably 175 C or 200 C or more), is chemically resistant or inert to any drilling fluid to which it will be exposed, does not absorb fluid to any significant degree and resists erosion by drilling fluid. In cases where centralizer 28 contacts metal of electronics package 22 and/or bore 27 (e.g. where one or both of electronics package 22 and bore 27 is uncoated) the material of centralizer 28 is preferably not harder than the metal of electronics package 22 and/or section 26 that it contacts. Centralizer 28 should be stiff against deformations so that electronics package 22 is kept concentric within bore 27. The material characteristics of centralizer 28 may be uniform.

(27) The material of centralizer 28 may also be selected for compatibility with sensors associated with electronics package 22. For example, where electronics package 22 includes a magnetometer, it is desirable that centralizer 28 be made of a non-magnetic material such as copper, beryllium copper, or a suitable thermoplastic.

(28) In cases where centralizer 28 is made of a relatively unyielding material, a layer of a vibration damping material such as rubber, an elastomer, a thermoplastic or the like may be provided between electronics package 22 and centralizer 28 and/or between centralizer 28 and bore 27. The vibration damping material may assist in preventing ‘pinging’ (high frequency vibrations of electronics package 22 resulting from shocks).

(29) Centralizer 28 may be formed by extrusion, injection molding, casting, machining, or any other suitable process. Advantageously the wall thickness of centralizer 28 can be substantially constant. This facilitates manufacture by extrusion. In the illustrated embodiment the lack of sharp corners reduces the likelihood of stress cracking, especially when centralizer 28 has a constant or only slowly changing wall thickness. In an example embodiment, the wall of centralizer 28 has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 inches (2½ to 7½ mm). In a more specific example embodiment, the wall of centralizer 28 is made of a thermoplastic material (e.g. PET or PEEK) and has a thickness of about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm).

(30) Since centralizer 28 may cooperate with drilling fluid within bore 27 to damp undesired motions of electronics package 22, centralizer 28 may be designed with reference to the type of fluid that will be used in drilling. For air drilling, centralizer 28 may be made with thicker walls and/or made of a stiffer material so that it can hold electronics package 22 against motions in the absence of an incompressible drilling fluid. Conversely, the presence of drilling fluid in channels 34 and 36 tends to dampen high-frequency vibrations and to cushion transverse motions of electronics package 22. Consequently, a centralizer 28 for use with drilling fluids may have thinner walls than a centralizer 28 designed for use while air drilling.

(31) Centralizer 28 is preferably sized to snuggly grip electronics package 22. Preferably insertion of electronics package 22 into centralizer 28 resiliently deforms the material of centralizer 28 such that centralizer 28 grips the outside of electronics package 22 firmly. Electronics package 22 may be somewhat larger in diameter than the space between the innermost parts of centralizer 28 to provide an interference fit between the electronics package and centralizer 28. The size of the interference fit is an engineering detail but may be ½ mm or so (a few hundredths of an inch).

(32) In some applications it is advantageous for the material of centralizer 28 to be electrically insulating. For example, where electronics package 22 comprises an EM telemetry system, providing an electrically-insulating centralizer 28 can prevent the possibility of short circuits between section 26 and the outside of electronics package 22 as well as increase the impedance of current paths through drilling fluid between electronics package 22 and section 26.

(33) Electronics package 22 may be locked against axial movement within bore 27 in any suitable manner. For example, by way of pins, bolts, clamps, or other suitable fasteners. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a spider 40 having a rim 40A supported by arms 40B is attached to electronics package 22. Rim 40A engages a ledge 41 formed at the end of a counterbore within bore 27. Rim 40A is clamped tightly against ledge 41 by a nut 44 (see FIGS. 3 and 3A) that engages internal threads on surface 42.

(34) In some embodiments, centralizer 28 extends from spider 40 or other longitudinal support system for electronics package 22 continuously to the opposing end of electronics package 22. In other embodiments one or more sections of centralizer 28 extend to grip electronics package 22 over at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% or at least 95% of a distance from the longitudinal support to the opposing end of electronics package 22.

(35) In some embodiments electronics package 22 has a fixed rotational orientation relative to section 26. For example, in some embodiments spider 40 is keyed, splined, has a shaped bore that engages a shaped shaft on the electronics package 22 or is otherwise non-rotationally mounted to electronics package 22. Spider 40 may also be non-rotationally mounted to section 26, for example by way of a key, splines, shaping of the face or edge of rim 40A that engages corresponding shaping within bore 27 or the like.

(36) In some embodiments electronics package 22 has two or more spiders, electrodes, or other elements that directly engage section 26. For example, electronics package 22 may include an EM telemetry system that has two spaced apart electrical contacts that engage section 26. In such embodiments, centralizer 28 may extend for a substantial portion of (e.g. at least 50% or at least 65% or at least 75% or at least 80% or substantially the full length of) electronics package 22 between two elements that engage section 26.

(37) In an example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, electronics package 22 is supported between two spiders 40 and 43. Each spider 40 and 43 engages a corresponding landing ledge within bore 27. Each spider 40 and 43 may be non-rotationally coupled to both electronics package 22 and bore 27. Centralizer 28 may be provided between spiders 40 and 43. Optionally spiders 40 and 43 are each spaced longitudinally apart from the ends of centralizer 28 by a short distance (e.g. up to about ½ meter (18 inches) or so) to encourage laminar flow of drilling fluid past electronics package 22.

(38) It can be seen from FIG. 2A that, in cross section, the wall 29 of centralizer 28 extends around electronics package 22. Wall 29 is shaped to provide outwardly projecting lobes 38 that are outwardly convex and inwardly concave as well as inwardly-projecting lobes 37 that are inwardly convex and outwardly concave. In the illustrated embodiment, each outwardly projecting lobe 38 is between two neighbouring inwardly projecting lobes 37 and each inwardly projecting lobe 37 is between two neighbouring outwardly projecting lobes 38. The wall of centralizer 28 is sinuous and may be constant in thickness to form both inwardly projecting lobes 37 and outwardly projecting lobes 38.

(39) In the illustrated embodiment, portions of the wall 29 of centralizer 28 bear against the outside of the electronics package 22 and other portions of the wall 29 of centralizer 28 bear against the inner wall of the bore 27 of section 26. As one travels around the circumference of centralizer 28, centralizer 28 makes alternate contact with electronics package 22 on the internal aspect of wall 29 of centralizer 28 and with section 26 on the external aspect of centralizer 28. Wall 29 of centralizer 28 zig zags back and forth between electronics package 22 and the wall of bore 27 of section 26. In the illustrated embodiment the parts of the wall 29 of centralizer 28 that extend between an area of the wall that contacts electronics package 22 and a part of wall 29 that contacts section 26 are curved. These curved wall parts are preloaded such that centralizer 28 exerts a compressive force on electronics package 22 and holds electronics package 22 centralized in bore 27.

(40) When section 26 experiences a lateral shock, centralizer 28 cushions the effect of the shock on electronics package 22 and also prevents electronics package 22 from moving too much away from the center of bore 27. After the shock has passed, centralizer 28 urges the electronics package 22 back to a central location within bore 27. The parts of the wall 29 of centralizer 28 that extend between an area of the wall that contacts electronics package 22 and an area of the wall that contacts section 26 can dissipate energy from shocks and vibrations into the drilling fluid that surrounds them. Furthermore, these wall sections are pre-loaded and exert restorative forces that act to return electronics package 22 to its centralized location after it has been displaced.

(41) As shown in FIG. 2A, centralizer 28 divides the annular space within bore 27 surrounding electronics package 22 into a first plurality of inner channels 34 inside the wall 29 of centralizer 28 and a second plurality of outer channels 36 outside the wall 29 of centralizer 28. Each of inner channels 34 lies between two of outer channels 36 and is separated from the outer channels 36 by a part of the wall of centralizer 28. One advantage of this configuration is that the curved, pre-tensioned flexed parts of the wall tend to exert a restoring force that urges electronics package 22 back to its equilibrium (centralized) position if, for any reason, electronics package 22 is moved out of its equilibrium position. The presence of drilling fluid in channels 34 and 36 tends to damp motions of electronics package 22 since transverse motion of electronics package 22 results in motions of portions of the wall of centralizer 28 and these motions transfer energy into the fluid in channels 34 and 36. In addition, dynamics of the flow of fluid through channels 34 and 36 may assist in stabilizing centralizer 28 by carrying off energy dissipated into the fluid by centralizer 28.

(42) The preloaded parts of wall 29 provide good mechanical coupling of the electronics package 22 to the drill string section 26 in which the electronics package 22 is supported. Centralizer 28 may provide such coupling along the length of the electronics package 22. This good coupling to the drill string section 26, which is typically very rigid, can increase the resonant frequencies of the electronics package 22, thereby making the electronics package 22 more resistant to being damaged by high amplitude low frequency vibrations that typically accompany drilling operations.

(43) FIGS. 4 and 4A show an example centralizer 60 formed with a wall 62 configured to provide longitudinal ridges 64 that twist around the longitudinal centerline of centralizer 60 to form helixes. In the illustrated embodiment, centralizer 60 has a cross-sectional shape in which wall 62 forms two outwardly projecting lobes 66, which are each outwardly convex and inwardly concave and two inwardly projecting lobes 68. Centralizers configured to have other numbers of lobes may also be made to have a helical twist. For example, centralizers that, in cross section, provide 3 to 8 lobes may be constructed so that the lobes extend along helical paths.

(44) Inwardly-projecting lobes 68 are configured to grip an electronics package by spiralling around the outer surface of the electronics package. The tubular body of centralizer 60 is subject to a twist so that the lobes become displaced in a rotated or angular fashion as one traverses along the length of centralizer 60. At each point along the electronics package 22 the electronics package 22 is held between two opposing lobes 68. The orientation of lobes 68 is different for different positions along the electronics package so that the electronics package is held against radial movement within the bore of centralizer 60. Each lobe 64 makes at least a half twist over the length of centralizer 60. In some embodiments, each lobe 64 makes at least one full twist around the longitudinal axis of centralizer 60 over the length of centralizer 60.

(45) A centralizer as described herein may be anchored against longitudinal movement and/or rotational movement within bore 27 if desired. For example the centralizer may be keyed onto a landing shoulder in bore 27 and held axially in place by a threaded feature that locks it down. For example, the centralizer may be gripped between the end of one drill collar and a landing shoulder. FIG. 3B illustrates an example embodiment wherein a centralizer 28 engages features of a ring 50 that is held against a landing 41 within bore 27 of section 26. In the illustrated embodiment, notches 54 on an end of centralizer 28 engage corresponding teeth on ring 50. Ring 50 may be held in place against landing 41 by means of a suitable nut, the end of an adjoining drill string section, a spider or other part of a probe or the like. In some embodiments, ring 50 is attached to or is part of a spider that supports a downhole probe in bore 27.

(46) A centralizer as described herein may optionally interface non-rotationally to an electronics package 22 (for example, the electronics package 22 may have features that project to engage between inwardly-projecting lobes of a centralizer) so that the centralizer provides enhanced damping of torsional vibrations of the electronics package 22.

(47) One method of use of a centralizer as described herein is to insert the centralizer into a section of a drill string such as a gap sub, drill collar or the like. The section has a bore having a diameter D1. The centralizer, in an uninstalled configuration free of external stresses prior to installation, has outermost points lying on a circle of diameter D2 with D2>D1. The method involves inserting the centralizer into the section. In doing so, the outermost points of the centralizer bear against the wall of the bore of the section and are therefore compressed inwardly. The configuration of centralizer 28 allows this to occur so that centralizer 28 may be easily inserted into the section. Insertion of centralizer 28 into the section moves the innermost points of centralizer 28 inwardly.

(48) In some embodiments, centralizer 28 is inserted into the section until the end being inserted into the section abuts a landing step in the bore of the section. The centralizer may then be constrained against longitudinal motion by providing a member that bears against the other end of the centralizer. For example, the section may comprise a number of parts (e.g. a number of collars) that can be coupled together. The centralizer may be held between the end of one collar or other part of the section and a landing step.

(49) After installation of the centralizer into the section, the innermost points on the centralizer lie on a central circle having a diameter D3. An electronics package or other elongated object to be centralized having a diameter D4 with D4>D3 may then be introduced longitudinally into the centralizer. This forces the innermost portions of the centralizer outwardly and preloads the sections of the wall of the centralizer that extend between the innermost points and the outermost points of the centralizer. After the electronics package has been inserted, the electronics package may be anchored against longitudinal motion.

(50) In some applications, as drilling progresses, the outer diameter of components of the drill string may change. For example, a well bore may be stepped such that the wellbore is larger in diameter near the surface than it is in its deeper portions. At different stages of drilling a single hole, it may be desirable to install the same electronics package in drill string sections having different dimensions. Centralizers as described herein may be made in different sizes to support an electronics package within bores of different sizes. Centralizers as described herein may be provided at a well site in a set comprising centralizers of a plurality of different sizes. The centralizers may be provided already inserted into drill string sections or not yet inserted into drill string sections.

(51) Moving a downhole probe or other electronics package into a drill string section of a different size may be easily performed at a well site by removing the electronics package from one drill string section, changing a spider or other longitudinal holding device to a size appropriate for the new drill string section and inserting the electronics package into the centralizer in the new drill string section.

(52) For example, a set comprising: spiders or other longitudinal holding devices of different sizes and centralizers of different sizes may be provided. The set may, by way of non-limiting example, comprise spiders and centralizers dimensioned for use with drill collars having bores of a plurality of different sizes. For example, the spiders and centralizers may be dimensioned to support a given probe in the bores of drill collars of any of a number of different standard sizes. The set of centralizers may, for example include centralizers sufficient to support a given probe in any of a defined plurality of differently-sized drill collars. For example, the set may comprise a selection of centralizers that facilitate supporting the probe in drill collars having outside diameters such as two or more of: 4¾ inches, 6½ inches, 8 inches, 9½ inches and 11 inches. The drill collars may have industry-standard sizes. The drill collars may collectively include drill collars of two, three or more different bore diameters. The centralizers may, by way of non-limiting example, be dimensioned in length to support probes having lengths in the range of 2 to 20 meters.

(53) In some embodiments the set comprises, for each of a plurality of different sizes of drill string section, a plurality of different sections of centralizer that may be used together to support a downhole probe of a desired length. By way of non-limiting example, two 3 meter long sections of centralizer may be provided for each of a plurality of different bore sizes. The centralizers may be used to support 6 meters of a downhole probe.

(54) Embodiments as described above may provide one or more of the following advantages. Centralizer 28 may extend for the full length of the electronics package 22 or any desired part of that length. Centralizer 28 positively prevents electronics package 22 from contacting the inside of bore 27 even under severe shock and vibration. The cross-sectional area occupied by centralizer 28 can be relatively small, thereby allowing a greater area for the flow of fluid past electronics package 22 than would be provided by some other centralizers that occupy greater cross-sectional areas. Centralizer 28 can dissipate energy from shocks and vibration into the fluid within bore 27. The geometry of centralizer 28 is self-correcting under certain displacements. For example, restriction of flow through one channel tends to cause forces directed so as to open the restricted channel. Especially where centralizer 28 has four or more inward lobes, electronics package 22 is mechanically coupled to section 26 in all directions, thereby reducing the possibility for localized bending of the electronics package 22 under severe shock and vibration. Reducing local bending of electronics package 22 can facilitate longevity of mechanical and electrical components and reduce the possibility of catastrophic failure of the housing of electronics assembly 22 or components internal to electronics package 22 due to fatigue. Centralizer 28 can accommodate deviations in the sizing of electronics package 22 and/or the bore 27 of section 26. Centralizer 28 can accommodate slick electronics packages 22 and can allow an electronics package 22 to be removable while downhole (since a centralizer 28 can be made so that it does not interfere with withdrawal of an electronics package 22 in a longitudinal direction). Centralizer 28 can counteract gravitational sag and maintain electronics package 22 central in bore 27 during directional drilling or other applications where bore 27 is horizontal or otherwise non-vertical.

(55) Apparatus as described herein may be applied in a wide range of subsurface drilling applications. For example, the apparatus may be applied to support downhole electronics that provide telemetry in logging while drilling (‘LWD’) and/or measuring while drilling (‘MWD’) telemetry applications. The described apparatus is not limited to use in these contexts, however.

(56) One example application of apparatus as described herein is directional drilling. In directional drilling the section of a drill string containing a downhole probe may be non-vertical. A centralizer as described herein can maintain the downhole probe centered in the drill string against gravitational sag, thereby maintaining sensors in the downhole probe true to the bore of the drill string.

(57) A wide range of alternatives are possible. For example, it is not mandatory that section 26 be a single component. In some embodiments section 26 comprises a plurality of components that are assembled together into the drill string (e.g. a plurality of drill collars). Centralizer 28 is not necessarily entirely formed in one piece. In some embodiments, additional layers are added to the wall of centralizer 28 to enhance stiffness, resistance to abrasion or other mechanical properties. The wall thickness of centralizer 28 may be varied to adjust mechanical properties of centralizer 28. Apertures or holes may be formed in the wall of the centralizer to allow fluid flow or to provide for other components to pass through the wall of the centralizer.

Interpretation of Terms

(58) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims: “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used to describe this specification shall refer to this specification as a whole and not to any particular portions of this specification. “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” also include the meaning of any appropriate plural forms.

(59) Words that indicate directions such as “vertical”, “transverse”, “horizontal”, “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “backward”, “inward”, “outward”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”, “above”, “under”, and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present) depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly.

(60) Where a component (e.g. a circuit, module, assembly, device, drill string component, drill rig system, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

(61) Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.

(62) It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, omissions and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.