Abstract: An apparatus (100) for determining an azimuth of a drilling tool (304) during drilling of a borehole. The apparatus (100) comprises a rate sensor (102) configured to collect rate sensor data indicative of a component of a rate of rotation of the earth for determining the azimuth by gyrocompassing. The rate sensor (102) is further configured for communication with a surface unit (306). The apparatus (100) also comprises a drill pipe extension detector (104) configured to detect a process associated with extension of a drill pipe (312) connecting the drilling tool (304) to the surface unit (306). The rate sensor (102) is configured to transmit collected rate sensor data to the surface unit (306) based on the detected process associated with extension of the drill pipe (312).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 14, 2021
Date of Patent:
October 10, 2023
Assignee:
GYROTECH LIMITED
Inventors:
Nicholas Peter Wallis, Stuart Alfred Hall