Abstract: A device for processing and interpreting drilling data is mounted at the lower end of a drill-pipe string located in a drilling well and provided with a drill bit and, measuring assembly. The device is arranged to transmit data from the bottom to the surface, but transmits only abbreviated messages to the surface after interpreting the measurements made by the measuring assembly. A method for implementing the device while transmitting data from the bottom of a drilling well to the surface in the form of abbreviated messages after interpreting the measurements made by the measuring assembly.

Abstract: System for transmitting information between at least two units of a drilling assembly by means of an electrical link along the drill string. The system of the invention provides for multidirectional transmission between the units.

Abstract: A device for measuring the movement of a drill pipe string, the end of which is held during drilling by an attachment assembly (12) movably along at least one guide rail (16), comprises a sensor assembly (38) mounted on the attachment assembly with a roller (42) designed to run on the rail as the attachment assembly moves.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from the bottom of a well to the surface is disclosed. The method includes measuring data indicative of at least one drilling condition at the bottom of a well, transmitting into a stream of drilling mud injected into a well pipe string a series of encoded pressure pulses representative of the data measurement, and detecting the encoded pulses at the surface using a pressure sensor which is in communication with the stream of drilling mud as it is being injected into an inlet of the pipe string. The method also includes, as a way of improving data detection, using a surface sensor to measure vibrations in the pipe string which are generated as a result of the propogation of the encoded pulses through the drilling mud.

Abstract: A method for automatically monitoring the vibrational condition of a drill string fitted with detectors comprises the following steps: obtaining a reference spectrum for each detector; obtaining a spectrum for each detector representing the actual situation; comparing the two spectra to detect possible instabilities in the values measured by the detectors; indication of said instabilities by means of audio and/or visual devices.

Abstract: A motorised rotary swivel for driving drill pipe in rotation is disclosed. The swivel includes a measuring unit for measuring a dynamometric behavior of the drill pipe which is mounted adjacent to the output of the motor between the motor and a torque wench assembly.

Abstract: Method for conducting an oil drilling operation, during which a drill-stem produces the rotation of a tool in an oil well. The method consists of the following steps: continually measuring the rotational speed of the upper end of the drill-stem; continuously measuring the torque applied to that end of the drill-stem; determining the torque applied to that end of the drill-stem; determining the torque variation; establishing the period of torque variation if the amplitude of the variation exceeds a predefined threshold; verifying the stability of this period; comparing the latter, if stable, with at least one predefined theoretical period; and reporting the results obtained to the user in order to control the drilling operation.

Abstract: Dynamometric measuring assembly for a drill pipe, formed by a measuring device comprising, firmly attached to the rotating pipe, sensors and a first electronic circuit for conditioning the signals supplied by these sensors, a radiotransmitter mounted in a fixed manner on the rotating pipe and an acquisition unit. According to the invention, the measuring assembly furthermore comprises a radio receiver mounted on the rotating pipe and intended to allow the remote control of the measuring device.

Abstract: Device for the auditory and/or visual representation of mechanical phenomena in the interaction between a drilling tool and rock being drilled, characterized by the fact that it includes a mechanism for picking up a vibratory signal representing the vibration of the tool at the cutting face using an accelerometric sensor at a specific point on the drilling stem and processing equipment (45, 31, 31) for filtering the signal in the frequency band of 10 to 200 Hz.