Steering valve for deactivating steering pad of rotary steering system
By using a steering valve in the rotary guide system to control fluid flow to the steering pad, the problem of premature actuation of the steering pad in the rotary guide system is solved, extending the service life of the system components and reducing the risk of wellbore damage.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202280096493.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-10
AI Technical Summary
In wellbore operation, premature actuation of the steering pad of the rotary guide system results in unnecessary torque and friction, damaging the wellbore and steering pad, thereby reducing system performance and extending service life.
The steering valve is used to control the steering pad of the rotary guide system, and through the design of the cutoff and open portions, fluid flowing to the steering pad is prevented or allowed to be flowed to the steering pad, thereby preventing it from actuating prematurely and reducing wear and damage to system components.
Effectively prevent premature actuation of steering pads, reduce wear to wellbore and system components, extend service life, and reduce the risk of wellbore damage while maintaining the performance of the rotary guide system.
Smart Images

Figure CN119301342A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wellbore operations and, more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a steering valve for deactivating a steering pad of a rotary steerable system. Background Art
[0002] A wellbore may be formed in a subterranean formation for extraction of produced hydrocarbons or other suitable materials. A wellbore may undergo or otherwise be subject to one or more wellbore operations, such as drilling. Drilling or otherwise forming a wellbore may involve the use of a drilling system, which may include a drill bit and other suitable tools or components for forming a wellbore. During the drilling process, the drilling system may use steering pads to change the course of the drill bit by applying pressure to the wellbore wall. Deactivating the steering pads may be difficult. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a well system that may form a wellbore using a rotary steerable system with a diverter valve according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0004] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a wellbore using a rotary steerable system to form a lateral wellbore according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0005] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a rotary steerable system with a steering valve according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0006] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a steering valve and a valve seat according to an example of the present disclosure.
[0007] Figure 5 Detailed Description of the Invention is a series of positions of a diverter valve relative to a valve seat according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0008] Figure 6 Detailed description is provided of a sequence with different views of positions of a steering valve relative to a valve seat according to an example of the present disclosure.
[0009] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a process for deactivating steering pads of a rotary steerable system using a steering valve according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0010] Figure 8 is a perspective view of different steering valves and different valve seats according to one example of the present disclosure.
[0011] Fig. 9 is a series of positions of different diverter valves relative to different valve seats according to one example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate to a steering valve that can be used to deactivate a rotary steerable system of a wellbore. A rotary steerable system can be positioned in a wellbore for drilling or otherwise forming a wellbore that may not be linear. For example, a rotary steerable system may include or otherwise be coupled to a drill bit that can be directed to form a wellbore. Deactivating a rotary steerable system may include preventing a steering pad of the rotary steerable system from being actuated (e.g., outward). When actuated, the steering pad may apply force to the wellbore wall to cause the drill bit to change direction. A steering valve may control a certain steering pad of the rotary steerable system to be actuated. For example, a steering valve can be positioned in a rotary steerable system to allow fluid to flow to one or more steering pads, or to prevent fluid from flowing to a steering pad, etc. Fluid flowing to a steering pad may cause the steering pad to actuate. The steering valve may include a cutoff portion that can be used to prevent fluid from flowing to each steering pad, each steering pad included in the rotary steerable system to deactivate the rotary steerable system. For example, the shutoff portion may be positioned adjacent to a passage of a valve seat adjacent to the steering valve so that the shutoff portion blocks fluid flow to a specific steering pad, while the closing portion of the steering valve is positioned adjacent to the remaining passages of the valve seat to block fluid flow to the remaining steering pads.
[0013] Allowing at least one steering pad to actuate while fluid is flowing through the bottom hole assembly of the wellbore may cause excessive wear on components in the rotary steerable system. For example, the steering pad may experience excessive wear, the wellbore may be damaged, and the like. In some instances, the steering pad may be mechanically coupled to the rotary steerable system via a joint that allows the steering pad to rotate relative to the rotary steerable system. If the steering pad is actuated prematurely, the joint may be subjected to unnecessary torque that may not contribute to any steering or trajectory adjustments associated with the rotary steerable system. Unnecessary torque may reduce hinge performance and compromise the structural integrity of certain components of the rotary steerable system. In addition, allowing the steering pad to actuate prematurely may result in undesirable friction, which may result in excessive wear between the casing of the wellbore and the steering pad. Excessive wear of the steering pad may compromise the ability of the steering pad to steer the rotary steerable system.
[0014] The steering valve can solve the above challenges by disabling the steering pads of the rotary steerable system. For example, the steering valve can constrain or disable the steering pads of the rotary steerable system at the beginning of the drilling operation to form the wellbore. In some examples, the steering valve can be used to disable the steering pads when passing through the multilateral wellbore side rail exit window or in other suitable circumstances. In addition, the steering valve can be used to disable the steering pads or cut off the high-pressure flow to one or more components (e.g., pistons) of the rotary steerable system when not steering to reduce wear or damage to the corresponding components. For example, the steering valve can be used to disable the steering pads to reduce wear or damage to (i) the elastomeric seals of the rotary steerable system, (ii) the metal-to-metal seals of the rotary steerable system, (iii) one or more steering pads, (iv) one or more lateral steering pads or steering pad interfaces, (v) the steering valve, and other suitable components of the rotary steerable system (thereby extending their service life). In addition, the steering valve can be used to disable the steering pads when not steering to reduce the noise detected by the wellbore mud telemetry system.
[0015] The steering valve may include a shutoff portion that is included in an open portion of the steering valve. For example, the closed portion of the steering valve may include an angle of approximately 240° and the open portion of the steering valve may include an angle of approximately 120°, although any other suitable angles may be used for the closed position and the open position of the steering valve. The open portion and the closed portion may be adjacent to each other, and the open portion may allow fluid to flow through the rotary steerable system to activate the at least one steering pad, while the closed portion may prevent fluid from flowing through the rotary steerable system and may prevent the at least one steering pad from actuating.
[0016] The cutoff portion can be positioned in the opening portion of the steering valve. For example, the cutoff portion can be centrally positioned within the opening portion so that the cutoff portion can at least temporarily prevent fluid from flowing through the rotary steerable system during operation of the steering valve, which can prevent actuation of the rotary pads of the rotary steerable system. For example, as an alternative to central positioning, the cutoff portion can be offsetly positioned within the opening portion of the steering valve. In addition, the average steering force of the rotary steerable system using the steering valve may not involve a measurable reduction compared to the average steering force of other rotary steerable systems using other steering valves that do not include the cutoff portion. Therefore, by using a steering valve, the performance of the rotary steerable system can be maintained while extending the service life of the components of the rotary steerable system and reducing the risk of damage to the wellbore.
[0017] In some examples, a steering valve can be used with an existing valve seat of a rotary steerable system. For example, an existing valve seat can include four openings (e.g., channels): (i) three similarly sized and shaped openings that correspond to steering pads and are equidistant from each other on a common radius from the center of the valve seat, and (ii) a central opening that allows fluid to return from the rotary steerable system. Other suitable configurations for the valve seat are possible, including configurations in which the openings corresponding to the steering pads are not equidistant, are not on a common radius, etc. In addition, the valve seat can include other suitable numbers (e.g., less than four or more than four) of openings. The steering valve can be positioned on (e.g., adjacent or otherwise adjacent to) one side of the valve seat, and the steering valve can be rotated to select one or more, or zero, steering pad openings of the valve seat to allow fluid to pass through the steering pad openings to enable the corresponding steering pads. In some examples, the steering valve can be positioned relative to the valve seat so that each steering pad opening is blocked. For example, the closing portion of the steering valve can be positioned to prevent fluid from flowing through a first steering pad opening and a second steering pad opening, and the shutoff portion can be positioned to prevent fluid from flowing through a third steering pad opening. In such instances, the steering pads of the rotary steerable system may be deactivated or may otherwise not be actuated.
[0018] The illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following section describes various additional features and examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers represent like elements and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but similar to the illustrative aspects, they should not be used to limit the present disclosure.
[0019] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a well system 100 according to an example of the present disclosure that can use a rotary steerable system 109 with a steering valve to steer a drilling rig in a wellbore 118. The well system 100 may include a wellbore 118 that can be used to extract hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation 102, although the wellbore 118 may alternatively be positioned in a subsea formation or any other suitable location. The wellbore 118 may be drilled or otherwise formed using the well system 100. For example, the well system 100 may drive a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 104 that is positioned or otherwise disposed at the bottom of a drill string 106 that extends from a derrick 108 disposed at the surface 110 into the subterranean formation 102. The derrick 108 may include a kelly 112 that can be used to lower and raise the drill string 106.
[0020] The BHA 104 may include a drill bit 114, a rotary steerable system 109, other suitable components, or any suitable combination thereof. The drill bit 114 may be operably coupled to a tool string 116, and the drill bit 114 may be axially movable within a wellbore 118 being drilled and may be attached to the drill string 106. In operation, the drill bit 114 may penetrate the subterranean formation 102 to form the wellbore 118. The BHA 104 may control the drill bit 114 as the drill bit 114 advances into the subterranean formation 102. For example, the rotary steerable system 109 may control the direction of drilling by applying steering pressure or other suitable forces to the wall of the wellbore 118. The steering pressure, such as the amount of pressure, the direction of the pressure, etc., may be controlled using a steering valve included in the rotary steerable system 109.
[0021] Fluid or "mud" from the mud tank 120 may be pumped downhole using a mud pump 122, which may be powered by an adjacent power source, such as a prime mover or motor 124. The mud may be pumped from the mud tank 120 through a riser 126, which may feed the mud into the drill string 106, the rotary steerable system 109, or other suitable components of the well system 100, and may deliver the mud to the drill bit 114. The mud may be discharged from one or more nozzles (not shown) disposed in the drill bit 114 and may thereby cool the drill bit 114. Additionally or alternatively, the mud may be directed (e.g., as pressurized mud) into the rotary steerable system 109 to adjust the direction of the drill bit 114. In some examples, a steering valve may control, for example, the amount, direction, etc. of the mud directed into the rotary steerable system 109. After being discharged from the drill bit 114 or other suitable components, the mud may be circulated back to the surface 110 via an annulus defined between the wellbore 118 and the drill string 106. The cuttings and mud mixture that may pass through flow line 128 may be processed so that clean mud is returned downhole through riser 126 .
[0022] The rotary steerable system 109 may include a steering collar, an actuating cylinder, a seal, a steering valve, and any other suitable components. The steering collar may provide a rigid frame for the rotary steerable system 109, and the actuating cylinder may include a piston that can be used to apply a steering pressure or other suitable force to cause the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109 to actuate outward. A seal can be positioned between the steering collar and the actuating cylinder to form a pressure seal or other suitable type of seal in the rotary steerable system 109. For example, a seal can allow the rotary steerable system 109 to receive a pressure (e.g., via pressurized mud, etc.) that can be used to apply a steering force. A steering valve can be used to control the pressure received to actuate the steering pads. For example, a steering valve can be positioned in the rotary steerable system 109 to actuate zero, one, two, or any other suitable number of steering pads.
[0023] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a wellbore 118 according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein a rotary steerable system 109 guides a drilling rig 202 to form a lateral wellbore 204. The rotary steerable system 109 may be operably coupled to a drill bit 114, a drill string 106, a measurement device 206, any other suitable component of a drilling operation, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, and as shown, the rotary steerable system 109 is coupled to a drilling rig 202 that includes a drill bit 114, a drill string 106, and a measurement device 206, which is described as a measurement while drilling (MWD) device.
[0024] The rotary steerable system 109 can be used to change the direction of the drilling rig 202. For example, the steering valve can actuate (e.g., outwardly) one or more steering pads (e.g., steering pads 208). Upon actuation, the steering pads 208 can apply a steering force to the wall of the wellbore 118. For example, the rotary steerable system 109 can actuate the steering pads 208 to cause the drilling rig 202 to change trajectory, e.g., away from the wellbore 118 to form a lateral wellbore 204. In some examples, the rotary steerable system 109 can be advanced through the aluminum housing outlet sub 210.
[0025] When rotary steerable system 109 passes through aluminum shell outlet fitting 210, rotary steerable system 109 may prevent steering pad 208 and other steering pads included in rotary steerable system 109 from actuating. Aluminum shell outlet fitting 210 may be fragile or may be susceptible to damage, such as from an actuated steering pad of rotary steerable system 109. Rotary steerable system 109 may cause a steering valve to prevent fluid flow to the steering pads of rotary steerable system 109 to prevent the steering pads from actuating. Thus, when rotary steerable system 109 passes through aluminum shell outlet fitting 210, the steering pads of rotary steerable system 109 may be deactivated by the steering valve and no damage may occur to the aluminum shell outlet fitting 210.
[0026] Figure 3 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a rotary steerable system 109 with a steering valve according to an example of the present disclosure. The rotary steerable system 109 may include a steering valve actuation unit 302 having a steering valve 304 engaged with a valve seat 306. When the steering valve 304 is rotated relative to the valve seat 306 by a motor 310, an end 308 of the steering valve 304 engages the valve seat 306. The motor 310 may be any suitable device capable of controlling the rotation of the steering valve 304, such as a mud motor, an electric motor, a turbine motor, an actuator, etc. As shown, the motor 310 is connected to a drive shaft 312, which is connected to the steering valve 304 via a spline hub 314, which is mated with a spline shaft 316. The spline shaft 316 may be attached to a support structure 318, on which the steering valve 304 is mounted. Thus, rotating the drive shaft 312 may cause the steering valve 304 to rotate relative to the valve seat 306.
[0027] The motor 310 may be mounted in a valve housing 320 via a support 322, wherein the valve housing 320 is mounted in a tool housing 324, as shown. Thus, the motor 310 may be coupled to the valve seat 306 via the valve housing 320, as a manifold (not shown) may be attached to the valve housing 320 and the tool housing 324. The valve seat 306 may be fixedly attached or otherwise coupled to the manifold, which may permanently align the ports in the valve seat 306 with the flow paths in the manifold. Thus, the tool housing 324, the valve housing 320, the motor 310, the valve seat 306, the manifold, etc. rotate with the drill bit 114. The motor 310 may rotate the drive shaft 312 relative to the valve housing 320, thereby rotating the steering valve 304 relative to the valve seat 306. It should be noted that the steering valve 304 and the valve seat 306 may be held in engagement with each other by an engagement force.
[0028] The seals 326a-b and the compensating piston 328 can seal a volume 330 within the valve housing 320, which can contain clean oil 332 for lubricating the moving parts of the steering valve actuation unit 302 included in the volume. The clean oil 332 can be separated from the drilling mud 334 by the seals 326a-b and the compensating piston 328 to prevent damage to the drive components, such as the motor 310, the spline hub 314, and the shaft 316, due to deterioration of components, abrasive particles in the drilling mud, corrosive agents, and corrosive chemicals. The seal 326a can be a fixed seal that seals between the motor 310 and the valve housing 320. The compensating piston 328 can seal between the valve housing 320 and the spline hub 314 that rotates relative to the valve housing 320. However, the compensating piston 328 can also rotate with the spline hub 314 while maintaining a seal with the valve housing 320, which does not rotate with the spline hub 314. The compensating piston 328 may also provide pressure equalization between the space 330 and the drilling mud 334 by providing pressure communication between the space 330 and the drilling mud 334. When the drive shaft 312 rotates, the seal 326b may rotate with the spline hub 314 and the spline shaft 316 and may seal between the spline hub 314 and the spline shaft 316. The seals 326a-b and the compensating piston 328 may form a space 330 that may contain a cleaning oil 332.
[0029] The fluid flow 336 of the drilling mud 334 may flow through the turbine 338, which causes the turbine 338 to rotate. The rotation of the turbine 338 may generate electricity to power an electric drive for rotating the drive shaft 312. The turbine 338 may also provide rotation of the drive shaft 312 directly or through various other motor configurations to control the steering valve actuation unit 302. When the drive shaft 312 rotates, the spline hub 314 coupled to the spline shaft 316 may transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft 312 to the rotational motion of the steering valve 304. When the steering valve 304 rotates relative to the valve seat 306, the gap 340 and the recess 342 are selectively aligned with the flow paths 344a-b or more flow paths (if applicable). As shown, the gap 340 can be aligned with the flow path 344a, which can allow the pressurized drilling mud 334 to enter the flow path 344a via a port or channel in the valve seat 306, which can pressurize the first actuator (e.g., piston 346a) to extend the extendable pad 348a. The second flow path 344b can be aligned with the recess 342, which can guide the fluid flow 350 from the second flow path 344b to be released to the annulus 352 or other low-pressure space, and the fluid flow flows through the flow path 354 as a fluid flow 356, which can deactivate the second actuator shown as piston 346b and retract the pad 348b. When the steering valve 304 rotates, the gap 340 can be misaligned with the flow path 344a and aligned with the second flow path 344b, thereby pressurizing the piston 346b to extend the pad 348b, and allowing the piston 346a to decompress via the recess 342 and the flow path 354 leading to the annulus 352. Thus, the extendable pad 348a may be retracted.Selective activation of the pistons 346a-b or more pistons (if applicable) may selectively extend and retract the pads 348a-b or more pads (if applicable).
[0030] Figure 43 is a perspective view of a steering valve 304 and a valve seat 306 according to an example of the present disclosure. As shown, the steering valve 304 includes an opening portion 402, a closing portion 404, a cut-off portion 406, and a central passage 408. The opening portion 402 may include a first side 410a and a second side 410b. The closing portion 404 may include a third side 412a and a fourth side 412b. In some examples, the opening portion 402 and the closing portion 404 may be adjacent to each other or otherwise adjacent. For example, the first side 410a may be adjacent to or adjacent to the third side 412a, the second side 410b may be adjacent to or adjacent to the fourth side 412b, and so on. The opening portion 402 may generally allow fluid to flow through the corresponding channel of the valve seat 306, while the closing portion 404 may prevent fluid from flowing through the corresponding channel of the valve seat 306. For example, the first radius 413 (or the range of radii), which is measured from the center 414 of the diverter valve 304 to the circumference 416 of the diverter valve 304 associated with the closing portion 404, can be greater than the second radius 418, which is measured from the center 414 of the diverter valve 304 to the circumference 420 of the diverter valve 304 associated with the opening portion 402. When the opening portion 402 having the second radius 418 is positioned over the corresponding channel, the second radius 418 (or the range of radii) can expose the corresponding channel of the valve seat 306 and allow fluid to flow through the corresponding channel.
[0031] The opening portion 402 may further include a cut-off portion 406. In some examples, the cut-off portion 406 may separate the opening portion 402 into a first flow portion 422a and a second flow portion 422b. The first flow portion 422a may extend from the first side 410a of the opening portion 402 to the fifth side 424a of the cut-off portion 406, and the second flow portion 422b may extend from the sixth side 424b of the cut-off portion 406 to the second side 410b of the opening portion 402. The first flow portion 422a and the second flow portion 422b may allow fluid to flow through the corresponding channels of the valve seat 306. For example, when positioned above the corresponding channels, the first flow portion 422a, the second flow portion 422b, or a combination thereof exposes the corresponding channels and allows fluid to flow to activate one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109. However, positioning the cut-off portion 406 above one or more channels of the valve seat 306 may not expose the one or more channels, and may prevent fluid flow to deactivate the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109. The opening portion 402 , the closing portion 404 , the shutoff portion 406 , other suitable components of the steering valve 304 , or any suitable combination thereof may be otherwise suitably arranged to allow the steering valve 304 to deactivate the steering pads of the rotary steering system 109 .
[0032] In some examples, the cutoff portion 406 can be sized to correspond to one or more channels 430a-c of the valve seat 306. For example, a distance, such as a straight-line distance, an arc length, etc., of the cutoff portion 406 measured from the fifth side 424a to the sixth side 424b can be approximately equal to a length (e.g., a straight-line or arc length) of the one or more channels 430a-c. The cutoff portion 406 can be otherwise sized, shaped, or a combination thereof to cover one or more of the channels 430a-c, thereby preventing fluid flow and deactivating the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109.
[0033] The steering valve 304 can be positioned in the rotary steerable system 109 adjacent to or otherwise abutting the valve seat 306. For example, a first face 435 of the steering valve 304 can be positioned against a second face 440 of the valve seat 306. The first face 435 can physically contact the second face 440. In some examples, the first face 435 can be positioned adjacent to the second face 440 (e.g., such that the cutoff 406 can block flow to one or more of the channels 430a-c) but not physically contact the second face. The first face 435 can be otherwise positioned relative to the second face 440 to allow the steering valve 304 to rotate, thereby selectively activating or deactivating the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109.
[0034] In some examples, the steering valve 304 may be positioned relative to the valve seat 306 so that the central passage 408 is positioned corresponding to the central passage 432 of the valve seat 306. Although described as the central passage 408 and the central passage 432, either or both of the central passage 408 and the central passage 432 may be positioned non-centrally relative to the steering valve 304, the valve seat 306, or a combination thereof. The central passage 408 may receive fluid flowing from the steering pad via the central passage 432. For example, when the steering valve 304 is positioned to deactivate each steering pad of the rotary steering system 109, the fluid from the steering pad may be returned to the ground or otherwise removed from the steering pad to allow the steering pad to be deactivated. The fluid may be removed from the steering pad and directed to the central passage 408 of the steering valve 304 through the central passage 432 of the valve seat 306. The fluid may remain in the steering valve 304, may be returned to the ground, or may be otherwise processed after the fluid is removed from the steering pad.
[0035] Figure 5306. FIG. 306 is a series of positions 500a-d of a steering valve 304 relative to a valve seat 306 according to an example of the present disclosure. As shown, position 500a involves a steering valve 304 positioned on the valve seat 306 such that a cutoff portion 406 of the steering valve 304 partially covers a passage 430c of the valve seat 306. Thus, the steering valve 304 may allow fluid to flow through the passage 430c while the passage 430c is at least partially exposed. Additionally, although the cutoff portion 406 partially covers the passage 430c, the steering valve 304 may allow a steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109 corresponding to the passage 430c to receive fluid to enable and actuate outwardly, such that the rotary steerable system 109 adjusts the direction of the drilling rig 202 in the wellbore 118.
[0036] In some examples, the opening portion 402 of the steering valve 304 may allow for 180° opening relative to the passage. In other words, once the steering valve 304 is rotated to begin to expose the passage 430c (or other suitable passage of the valve seat 306), the steering valve 304 may be rotated approximately 180° in the same initial direction before the passage 430c is covered by the closing portion 404 of the steering valve 304. The cut-off portion 406 can be positioned within 180° of the opening portion 402, but the cut-off portion 406 may allow for at least partial exposure of one or more passages 430 of the valve seat 306. For example, the size, shape, or combination thereof of the cut-off portion 406 may be designed to cover a corresponding passage 430 of the valve seat 306 in a particular orientation configuration of the steering valve 304. In one such example, the cut-off portion 406 may completely cover a particular passage of the valve seat 306 at an angle measure (or an angle range) of the steering valve 304. The angle measure of the diverter valve 304 may be small enough to allow one or more passages of the valve seat 306 to be at least partially exposed when the diverter valve 304 is rotated in either direction.
[0037] As shown, position 500b relates to the steering valve 304 positioned on the valve seat 306, so that the cut-off portion 406 of the steering valve 304 partially covers the channel 430a of the valve seat 306. Therefore, the steering valve 304 can allow fluid to flow through the channel 430a, while the channel 430a is at least partially exposed. In some examples, the azimuth orientation of the steering valve 304 can be adjusted so that two or more channels (e.g., channel 430a and channel 430c, etc.) are partially exposed to allow fluid to flow through the two or more channels. In addition, although the cut-off portion 406 partially covers the channel 430a, the steering valve 304 can allow the steering pad of the rotary steering system 109 and corresponding to the channel 430a to receive fluid to enable, and actuate outward to allow the rotary steering system 109 to adjust the direction of the drilling rig 202 in the wellbore 118.
[0038] Position 500c may involve the shutoff portion 406 completely covering the corresponding channel (e.g., channel 430a) of the valve seat 306. The steering valve 304 may be rotated, for example, from position 500a, position 500b, etc. to be oriented in position 500c. The shutoff portion 406 in position 500c may prevent fluid from flowing through the corresponding channel. Thus, the shutoff portion 406 at position 500c may deactivate the steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109 corresponding to the corresponding channel. In some examples, the closing portion 404 of the steering valve 304 in position 500c may cover the remaining channel of the valve seat 306. Thus, by positioning the shutoff portion 406 to prevent fluid from flowing to the corresponding channel, the steering valve 304 may deactivate each steering pad included in the rotary steerable system 109.
[0039] As shown, position 500d relates to the steering valve 304 positioned on the valve seat 306, so that the cut-off portion 406 of the steering valve 304 partially covers the channel 430b of the valve seat 306. Therefore, the steering valve 304 can allow fluid to flow through the channel 430b, while the channel 430b is at least partially exposed. In some examples, the orientation of the steering valve 304 can be adjusted so that two or more channels (e.g., channels 430a-b, etc.) are partially exposed to allow fluid to flow through the two or more channels. In addition, although the cut-off portion 406 partially covers the channel 430b, the steering valve 304 can allow the steering pad corresponding to the channel 430b of the rotary steering system 109 to receive fluid to enable and actuate outward, so that the rotary steering system 109 adjusts the direction of the drilling rig 202 in the wellbore 118. Other suitable locations for the diverter valve 304 are possible, and the diverter valve 304 may partially or completely cover zero, one, two, three, or more passages that may be included in the valve seat 306 positioned adjacent to the diverter valve 304 .
[0040] Figure 6 is a sequence with different views 601a-c of the position 600a-c of the diverter valve 304 relative to the valve seat 306 according to one example of the present disclosure. As shown, Figure 6 The positions 600a-c are arranged horizontally in rows and the different views 601a-c are arranged vertically in columns. Figure 6 The portions of the same row in (e.g., corresponding to position 600a, etc.) relate to different views of similar positions, and Figure 6 Portions of the same column (e.g., corresponding to one or more views included in view 601a, etc.) refer to similar views at different locations. Figure 6 It is shown with respect to passage 430a, but similar locations and views are possible for other passages of valve seat 306, such as passages 430b-c, etc.
[0041] As shown, position 600a involves the steering valve 304 positioned on the valve seat 306 so that the cutoff portion 406 of the steering valve 304 partially covers the passage 430a of the valve seat 306. View 601a includes a top view of position 600a, view 601b includes a transparent top view of position 600a, and view 601c includes a bottom view of position 600a. In position 600a, the steering valve 304 can allow fluid to flow through the passage 430a while the passage 430a is at least partially exposed. In addition, although the cutoff portion 406 partially covers the passage 430a, the steering valve 304 can allow the steering pad of the rotary steering system 109 and corresponding to the passage 430a to receive fluid to enable and actuate outward to allow the rotary steering system 109 to adjust the direction of the drilling rig 202 in the wellbore 118. The closure portion 404 or any other suitable component of the steering valve 304 may cover or otherwise block the remaining passages 430b - c and may deactivate the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109 and corresponding to the remaining passages 430b - c .
[0042] Position 600b may involve a cutoff portion 406 that completely covers a channel 430a of the valve seat 306. View 601a includes a top view of position 600b, view 601b includes a transparent top view of position 600b, and view 601c includes a bottom view of position 600b. The steering valve 304 may be rotated, for example, from position 600a to position 600b. The cutoff portion 406 located at position 600b may block fluid flow through channel 430a. Thus, the cutoff portion 406 at position 600b may deactivate the steering pad of the rotary steering system 109 corresponding to channel 430a. In some examples, the closing portion 404 of the steering valve 304 in position 600b may cover the remaining channels 430b-c of the valve seat 306. Thus, by positioning the cutoff portion 406 to block fluid flow to channel 430a, the steering valve 304 may deactivate each steering pad included in the rotary steering system 109.
[0043] As shown, position 600c involves the steering valve 304 being positioned on the valve seat 306 such that the cutoff portion 406 of the steering valve 304 partially covers the passage 430a of the valve seat 306 (e.g., a different side of the passage 430a compared to position 600a). View 601a includes a top view of position 600c, view 601b includes a transparent top view of position 600c, and view 601c includes a bottom view of position 600c. In position 600c, the steering valve 304 can allow fluid to flow through the passage 430a while the passage 430a is at least partially exposed. In addition, although the cutoff portion 406 partially covers the passage 430a, the steering valve 304 can allow the steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109 and corresponding to the passage 430a to receive fluid to enable and actuate outwardly to allow the rotary steerable system 109 to adjust the direction of the drilling rig 202 in the wellbore 118. The closure portion 404 or any other suitable component of the steering valve 304 may cover or otherwise block the remaining passages 430b - c and may deactivate the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109 and corresponding to the remaining passages 430b - c .
[0044] Figure 7 7 is a flow chart of a process 700 according to an example of the present disclosure, which is used to deactivate the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109 using the steering valve 304. At box 702, the rotary steerable system 109 is positioned in a subterranean formation. The rotary steerable system 109 can be coupled to the drilling rig 202 and other suitable components of the drilling operation. The rotary steerable system 109 can be used to form a wellbore 118. For example, the rotary steerable system 109 can control the direction of the drilling rig 202 to control the shape, depth or other parameters associated with the wellbore 118 being formed. The rotary steerable system 109 may include one or more steering pads that can be activated or deactivated. For example, a fluid may be injected into the subterranean formation or wellbore 118 so that the fluid is directed to one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109. The steering pads receiving the fluid may be actuated outward to apply a steering force to the wall of the wellbore 118 or other suitable structure. The steering force may cause the direction of the drilling rig 202 to change.
[0045] At box 704, the orientation of the steering valve 304 can be adjusted to deactivate at least one steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109. The steering valve 304 can be rotated or otherwise positioned so that the orientation of the steering valve 304 causes each channel of the valve seat 306 to be covered by the steering valve 304. For example, a continuous closure portion of the steering valve 304 can be positioned to cover each channel of the valve seat 306 to deactivate each steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109. In other examples, the shutoff portion 406 of the steering valve 304 can be positioned above at least one channel of the valve seat 306 positioned adjacent to the steering valve 304, while the closure portion 404 covers the remaining channels of the valve seat 306. The at least one channel can correspond to at least one steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109. For example, fluid flowing through the at least one channel can be directed to the at least one steering pad to activate the steering pad. However, the shutoff portion 406 can prevent the fluid from flowing through the at least one channel. In addition, the orientation of the steering valve 304 can involve the closure portion 404 of the steering valve 304 covering the remaining channels of the valve seat 306. Thus, the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109 may be deactivated by the steering valve 304 in the current orientation.
[0046] In some examples, the steering valve 304 can be used as a non-steering valve. For example, the steering valve 304 can be coupled to a drill string or other suitable component of a drilling operation that can rotate to rotate the drilling rig 202. The steering valve 304 can be positioned to deactivate the steering pads and to keep the steering valve 304 stationary relative to the drill string or other suitable component. Thus, the cutoff portion 406 of the steering valve 304 can remain stationary to deactivate one or more steering pads for a longer period of time, which can be pre-set.
[0047] In some examples, downhole electronics can control the steering valve 304. For example, the rotary steerable system 109 or other suitable component communicatively coupled to the rotary steerable system 109 can include a sensor that can indicate one or more positions of the rotary steerable system 109 or any suitable component thereof (e.g., a steering pad). Based on the sensor signal, a motor capable of controlling the steering valve 304 can control the steering valve 304 to adjust the orientation. For example, the sensor can indicate that the tool face angle of the drilling rig 202 should be adjusted, and the motor can be controlled to cause the steering valve 304 to rotate or otherwise change direction to deactivate or activate the corresponding steering pad to achieve the tool face angle adjustment.
[0048] In some examples, the valve seat 306 may include passages that are radially offset, azimuthally offset, or a combination thereof. For example, the passages of the valve seat 306 may be equally distributed or unequally distributed around the valve seat 306 on similar radii. In other examples, the passages may have similar shapes or sizes and may be positioned on different radii of the valve seat 306. In yet other examples, the radial and azimuth positions of the passages of the valve seat 306 may be different between each passage of the valve seat 306. In any of the foregoing examples, the steering valve 304 or any one or more of its components, such as the opening portion 402, the closing portion 404, the shutoff portion 406, etc., may be designed or otherwise arranged to deactivate the steering pads of the rotary steering system 109 using a corresponding design of the passages of the valve seat 306. In some of these examples, the steering valve 304 may include more (e.g., more than three portions relative to the steering valve 304) or fewer portions (e.g., one or more of the opening portion 402, the closing portion 404, or the shutoff portion 406 may be omitted).
[0049] At box 706, the orientation of the steering valve 304 may be adjusted to activate at least one steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109. The steering valve 304 may be rotated or otherwise positioned such that the orientation of the steering valve 304 causes the opening portion 402 of the steering valve 304 to at least partially expose at least one channel of the valve seat 306. In other examples, the orientation of the shutoff portion 406 of the steering valve 304 may be partially positioned above (or partially not above) at least one channel of the valve seat 306 positioned adjacent to the steering valve 304. The at least one channel may correspond to at least one steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109. For example, fluid flowing through the at least one channel may be directed to the at least one steering pad to activate the steering pad. Also, the orientation of the steering valve 304 may allow fluid to flow through the at least one channel. Thus, at least one steering pad of the rotary steerable system 109 may be activated by the steering valve 304 at the current orientation and may be actuated to control the direction of the drilling rig 202.
[0050] Figure 8 801 and a third side 810b. The third side 810b is a perspective view of a different steering valve 800 and a different valve seat 801 according to an example of the present disclosure. As shown, the steering valve 800 includes an open portion 802, a closed portion 804, and a central channel 806. The open portion 802 may include a first side 808a and a second side 808b. The closed portion 804 may include a third side 810a and a fourth side 810b. In some examples, the open portion 802 and the closed portion 804 may be adjacent to each other or otherwise adjacent. For example, the first side 808a may be adjacent to or adjacent to the third side 810a, the second side 808b may be adjacent to or adjacent to the fourth side 810b, and so on. The open portion 802 may generally allow fluid to flow through the corresponding channel of the valve seat 801, while the closed portion 804 may prevent fluid from flowing through the corresponding channel of the valve seat 801.
[0051] In some examples, the opening 802 can be sized to correspond to one or more outer channels 812a-c and one or more inner channels 814a-c of the valve seat 801. For example, a distance, such as a straight-line distance, an arc length, etc., of the opening 802 measured from the first side 808a to the second side 808b can be approximately equal to the length (e.g., a straight-line or arc length) between the respective outer channels 812a-c and the inner channels 814a-c. The opening 802 can be otherwise sized, shaped, or a combination thereof to allow the closing portion 804 to cover one or more of the outer channels 812a-c and the inner channels 814a-c for blocking fluid flow and thereby deactivating the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109.
[0052] The steering valve 800 can be positioned in the rotary steerable system 109 adjacent to or otherwise abutting the valve seat 801. For example, a first face 825 of the steering valve 800 can be positioned against a second face 830 of the valve seat 801. The first face 825 can physically contact the second face 830. In some examples, the first face 825 can be positioned adjacent to the second face (e.g., such that the closure 804 can block flow to one or more of the exterior passages 812a-c and the interior passages 814a-c) but not physically contact the second face 830. The first face 825 can be otherwise positioned relative to the second face 830 to allow the steering valve 800 to rotate to selectively activate or deactivate the steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109.
[0053] In some examples, the steering valve 800 can be positioned relative to the valve seat 801 so that the central channel 806 is positioned corresponding to the central channel 816 of the valve seat 801. Although described as the central channel 806 and the central channel 816, either or both of the central channel 806 and the central channel 816 can be positioned non-centrally relative to the steering valve 800, the valve seat 801, or a combination thereof. The central channel 806 can receive fluid flowing from the steering pad via the central channel 816. For example, when the steering valve 800 is positioned to deactivate each steering pad of the rotary steering system 109 (e.g., when the closure 804 covers each outer channel 812a-c and each inner channel 814a-c), the fluid from the steering pad can be returned to the surface or otherwise removed from the steering pad to allow the steering pad to be deactivated. The fluid can be removed from the steering pad and directed through the central channel 816 of the valve seat 801 to the central channel 806 of the steering valve 800, etc. The fluid may remain in the diverter valve 800, may be returned to the surface, or may be otherwise appropriately disposed of after the fluid is removed.
[0054] In some examples, one or more of the outer channels 812a-c may correspond to one or more of the inner channels 814a-c. As shown, outer channel 812a corresponds to inner channel 814a, such that fluid flowing through outer channel 812a or inner channel 814a may actuate a first steering pad of rotary steerable system 109. Additionally, outer channel 812b may correspond to inner channel 814b, such that fluid flowing through outer channel 812b or inner channel 814b may actuate a second steering pad of rotary steerable system 109. Additionally, outer channel 812c may correspond to inner channel 814c, such that fluid flowing through outer channel 812c or inner channel 814c may actuate a third steering pad of rotary steerable system 109, and so on.
[0055] Fig. 9 812a. The embodiment of the present disclosure is a series of positions 900a-c of different steering valves 800 relative to different valve seats 801 according to an example of the present disclosure. As shown, position 900a involves the steering valve 800 positioned on the valve seat 801 so that the opening 802 of the steering valve 800 partially exposes the internal passage 814c and the external passage 812a of the valve seat 801. Therefore, the steering valve 800 can allow fluid to flow through the internal passage 814c and the external passage 812a while the corresponding passages are at least partially exposed. In addition, the steering valve 800 can allow one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system 109 corresponding to the internal passage 814c and the external passage 812a to receive fluid to enable and actuate outward, thereby allowing the rotary steerable system 109 to adjust the direction of the drilling rig 202 in the wellbore 118.
[0056] Position 900b may involve an opening 802 that does not expose any passages (e.g., external passages 812a-c or internal passages 814a-c) of the valve seat 801. In other words, the closing portion 804 may cover each of the external passages 812a-c and each of the internal passages 814a-c. The steering valve 800 may be rotated, for example, from position 900a to be oriented in position 900b. The opening 802 in position 900b may not allow fluid to flow through any passages of the valve seat 801. Thus, by positioning the closing portion 804 to block fluid flow to the passages of the valve seat 801, the steering valve 800 may deactivate each steering pad included in the rotary steerable system 109.
[0057] As shown, position 900c involves the steering valve 800 positioned on the valve seat 801 so that the opening portion 802 of the steering valve 800 at least partially exposes the outer channel 812b and the inner channel 814a of the valve seat 801. Therefore, the steering valve 800 can allow fluid to flow through the outer channel 812b and the inner channel 814a while the corresponding channels are at least partially exposed. In some examples, the orientation of the steering valve 800 can be adjusted so that two or more channels corresponding to different steering pads are at least partially exposed to allow fluid to flow through the two or more channels to the corresponding different steering pads. In addition, although the closing portion 804 partially covers the outer channel 812b and the inner channel 814a, the steering valve 800 can allow one or more steering pads of the rotary steering system 109 corresponding to the outer channel 812b and the inner channel 814a to receive fluid to enable and actuate outwardly so that the rotary steering system 109 adjusts the direction of the drilling rig 202 in the wellbore 118. Other suitable positions for the steering valve 800 are possible, and the steering valve 800 can partially or completely cover zero, one, two, three, four, five, six or more channels (in some instances, all channels), which channels can be included in the valve seat 801 positioned adjacent to the steering valve 800.
[0058] In some aspects, methods for deactivating a rotary steerable system, a steering valve, and a system for a steering valve are provided according to one or more of the following examples:
[0059] As used below, any reference to a series of examples should be understood as a reference to each of those examples individually (eg, "Examples 1 to 4" should be understood as "Example 1, 2, 3, or 4").
[0060] Example 1 is a method comprising: positioning a rotary steerable drilling system in an underground formation to guide a drilling rig to form a wellbore in the underground formation; adjusting the orientation of a steering valve positioned in the rotary steerable drilling system to cover each of one or more channels of a valve seat adjacent to the steering valve, thereby deactivating each of one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system; and adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to enable at least one of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system.
[0061] Example 2 is a method according to Example 1, wherein: adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to deactivate each steering pad includes adjusting the orientation of a cut-off portion of the steering valve to cover at least one of one or more channels of a valve seat, thereby deactivating at least one steering pad of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system; the cut-off portion is positioned within an open portion of the steering valve; and adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to enable at least one steering pad includes adjusting the orientation of the cut-off portion to enable at least one steering pad.
[0062] Example 3 is a method according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein adjusting the orientation of the cutoff portion includes adjusting the orientation of the closing portion of the steering valve so that the closing portion covers the remaining channels in one or more channels of the valve seat, wherein a first radius of the closing portion and a second radius of the cutoff portion are substantially the same.
[0063] Example 4 is a method according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein: the opening portion further includes a first radial range, the first radial range extending from the center of the steering valve to a first outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the closing portion; the closing portion further includes a second radial range, the second radial range extending from the center of the steering valve to a second outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the second radial range is larger than the first radial range; adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to cover each channel includes adjusting the orientation of the closing portion so that the second radial range covers each of the one or more channels of the valve seat.
[0064] Example 5 is a method according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein: the first end of the closing portion of the steering valve is adjacent to the second end of the opening portion; the third end of the closing portion is positioned opposite to the first end and adjacent to the fourth end of the opening portion; and the cut-off portion is positioned between the second end and the fourth end.
[0065] Example 6 is the method of example 1, wherein adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to deactivate each steering pad includes rotating the continuously open portion of the steering valve such that none of the one or more passages of the valve seat is exposed.
[0066] Example 7 is a method according to any one of Examples 1 and 6, wherein adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to deactivate each steering pad includes rotating a continuously closing portion of the steering valve so that each of the one or more channels of the valve seat is covered by the continuously closing portion, wherein the continuously opening portion and the continuously closing portion are adjacent to each other in the steering valve.
[0067] Example 8 is a steering valve comprising: an opening portion capable of being positioned in a rotary steering system to allow fluid to flow to one or more steering pads of the rotary steering system via one or more channels of a valve seat positioned adjacent to the steering valve; and a continuous closing portion, which is positioned adjacent to the opening portion in the rotary steering system and capable of adjusting the orientation of the continuous closing portion to cover each of the one or more channels of the valve seat, thereby deactivating each of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steering system.
[0068] Example 9 is a steering valve according to Example 8, wherein: the continuous closing portion includes: a first end, adjacent to the second end of the opening portion; a third end, positioned opposite to the first end and adjacent to the fourth end of the opening portion; and the opening portion includes: a second end, adjacent to the first end of the continuous closing portion; a fourth end, opposite to the third end and adjacent to the third end of the continuous closing portion; and a cut-off portion positioned between the second end and the fourth end, the cut-off portion being capable of being positioned to cover at least one of the one or more channels of the valve seat to deactivate at least one steering pad of the rotary steerable drilling system.
[0069] Example 10 is a steering valve according to any one of Examples 8 to 9, wherein the orientation of the continuous closing portion can be adjusted to cover a first subset of one or more channels, and the orientation of the cut-off portion can be adjusted to cover a second subset, and wherein the union of the first subset and the second subset is one or more channels.
[0070] Example 11 is a steering valve according to any one of Examples 8 to 9, wherein the opening portion further includes: a first flow portion extending between a second end of the opening portion and a fifth end of the cut-off portion; and a second flow portion extending between a sixth end of the cut-off portion and a fourth end of the opening portion, wherein the sixth end is positioned opposite to the fifth end relative to the cut-off portion.
[0071] Example 12 is a steering valve according to any one of Examples 8 and 11, wherein the orientation of the cut-off portion can be adjusted to cover a specific channel in one or more channels of the valve seat, thereby deactivating a specific steering pad of one or more steering pads of a rotary steerable drilling system, wherein the orientation of the cut-off portion can be positioned in a specific orientation such that each steering pad of the rotary steerable drilling system is deactivated.
[0072] Example 13 is a steering valve according to Example 8, wherein the opening portion further includes a first radius range, the first radius range extending from the center of the steering valve to a first outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the continuous closing portion; and the continuous closing portion further includes a second radius range, the second radius range extending from the center of the steering valve to a second outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the second radius range is larger than the first radius range, and wherein the second radius range can be used to cover one or more channels of the valve seat.
[0073] Example 14 is a steering valve according to any one of Examples 8 and 13, wherein: the cut-off portion of the opening portion of the steering valve includes a third radial range that is substantially the same as the second radial range; and the second radial range extends from at least a first side of one or more channels to a second side of at least one or more channels by positioning the continuous closing portion and the cut-off portion to cover one or more channels.
[0074] Example 15 is a system comprising: a valve seat capable of being positioned in a rotary steerable drilling system, the valve seat including one or more channels; a steering valve capable of being positioned in the rotary steerable drilling system adjacent to the valve seat, the steering valve comprising: an opening portion capable of being positioned in the rotary steerable system to allow fluid to flow through the one or more channels to one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system; and a continuous closing portion positioned adjacent to the opening portion in the rotary steerable system, the orientation of the continuous closing portion being capable of being adjusted to cover each of the one or more channels of the valve seat, thereby deactivating each of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system.
[0075] Example 16 is a system according to Example 15, wherein: the continuous closing portion includes: a first end, adjacent to the second end of the opening portion; a third end, positioned opposite to the first end and adjacent to the fourth end of the opening portion; and the opening portion includes: a second end, adjacent to the first end of the continuous closing portion; a fourth end, opposite to the third end and adjacent to the third end of the continuous closing portion; and a cut-off portion positioned between the second end and the fourth end, the cut-off portion being capable of being positioned to cover at least one of the one or more channels of the valve seat to deactivate at least one steering pad of the rotary steerable drilling system.
[0076] Example 17 is a system according to any of Examples 15 to 16, wherein the orientation of the continuous closure portion can be adjusted to cover a first subset of one or more channels, and the orientation of the cutoff portion can be adjusted to cover a second subset of one or more channels, and wherein the union of the first subset and the second subset is one or more channels.
[0077] Example 18 is a system according to any one of Examples 15 to 16, wherein the opening portion further includes: a first flow portion extending between a second end of the opening portion and a fifth end of the cut-off portion; and a second flow portion extending between a sixth end of the cut-off portion and a fourth end of the opening portion, wherein the sixth end is positioned opposite to the fifth end relative to the cut-off portion.
[0078] Example 19 is a system according to any one of Examples 15 and 18, wherein the orientation of the cutoff portion can be adjusted to cover a specific channel among one or more channels of the valve seat to deactivate a specific steering pad among one or more steering pads of a rotary steerable drilling system, wherein the orientation of the cutoff portion can be positioned at a specific orientation that deactivates each steering pad of the rotary steerable drilling system.
[0079] Example 20 is a system according to Example 15, wherein: the opening portion further includes a first radius range, the first radius range extending from the center of the steering valve to a first outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the continuous closing portion; and the continuous closing portion further includes a second radius range, the second radius range extending from the center of the steering valve to a second outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the second radius range is larger than the first radius range, and wherein the second radius range can be used to cover one or more channels of the valve seat.
[0080] The foregoing description of certain examples (including illustrated examples) is presented for purposes of illustration and description only, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A method comprising: positioning a rotary steerable drilling system in a subterranean formation to guide a drill string to form a wellbore in the subterranean formation; adjusting an orientation of a steering valve positioned in the rotary steerable drilling system to cover each of one or more passages of a valve seat adjacent to the steering valve, thereby deactivating each of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system; as well as The orientation of the steering valve is adjusted to actuate at least one steering pad of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to deactivate each steering pad includes adjusting an orientation of a shutoff portion of the steering valve to cover at least one of the one or more passages of the valve seat, thereby deactivating the at least one steering pad of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system; The cutoff portion is positioned within an open portion of the steering valve; and adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to actuate the at least one steering pad includes adjusting the orientation of the cutoff portion to actuate the at least one steering pad.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the orientation of the cutoff portion comprises adjusting the orientation of a closing portion of the steering valve so that the closing portion covers the remaining channels of the one or more channels of the valve seat, wherein a first radius of the closing portion and a second radius of the cutoff portion are substantially the same.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The opening portion further includes a first radial range extending from a center of the steering valve to a first outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the closing portion; The closing portion further includes a second radius range extending from the center of the steering valve to a second outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the second radius range is greater than the first radius range; and Adjusting the orientation of the diverter valve to cover each passage includes adjusting the orientation of the closure portion such that the second radial range covers each of the one or more passages of the valve seat.
5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: A first end of the closing portion of the diverter valve is adjacent to a second end of the opening portion; The third end of the closed portion is positioned opposite the first end and adjacent to the fourth end of the open portion; and The cutoff portion is positioned between the second end and the fourth end. 6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to deactivate each steering pad comprises orienting a continuous opening of the steering valve such that none of the one or more passages of the valve seat are exposed.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting the orientation of the steering valve to deactivate each steering pad comprises orienting a continuously closed portion of the steering valve such that each of the one or more channels of the valve seat is covered by the continuously closed portion, wherein in the steering valve, the continuously open portion and the continuously closed portion are adjacent to each other.
8. A steering valve, comprising: an opening positionable in a rotary steerable system to allow fluid to flow to one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system via one or more passages of a valve seat positionable adjacent to the steering valve; as well as A continuous closure portion, positioned adjacent to an opening in the rotary steerable system, is capable of adjusting the orientation of the continuous closure portion to cover each of the one or more channels of the valve seat, thereby deactivating each of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system.
9. The diverter valve according to claim 8, wherein: The continuous closure portion comprises: a first end adjacent to the second end of the open portion; a third end positioned opposite the first end and adjacent to a fourth end of the open portion; and The opening portion comprises: the second end being adjacent to the first end of the continuous closure; the fourth end being positioned opposite the third end and adjacent the third end of the continuous closure portion; and A cutoff portion is positioned between the second end and the fourth end, the cutoff portion being positionable to cover at least one of the one or more passages of the valve seat to deactivate at least one steering pad of a rotary steerable drilling system.
10. The steering valve of claim 9, wherein the orientation of the continuous closure portion is adjustable to cover a first subset of the one or more channels, while the orientation of the cutoff portion is adjustable to cover a second subset of the one or more channels, and wherein the union of the first subset and the second subset is the one or more channels.
11. The diverter valve according to claim 9, wherein the opening portion further comprises: a first flow portion extending between the second end of the opening portion and the fifth end of the cutoff portion; as well as A second flow portion extends between a sixth end of the cutoff portion and the fourth end of the open portion, wherein the sixth end is positioned opposite to the fifth end relative to the cutoff portion.
12. A steering valve according to claim 11, wherein the orientation of the cut-off portion is capable of being adjusted to cover a specific channel among the one or more channels of the valve seat, thereby deactivating a specific steering pad among the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system, wherein the orientation of the cut-off portion is capable of being positioned at a specific orientation such that each steering pad of the rotary steerable drilling system is deactivated.
13. The diverter valve according to claim 8, wherein: The opening portion further includes a first radial range extending from a center of the diverter valve to a first outer surface of the diverter valve corresponding to the continuous closing portion; and The continuous closure portion further includes a second radial range extending from the center of the steering valve to a second outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the second radial range is larger than the first radial range, and wherein the second radial range can be used to cover the one or more channels of the valve seat.
14. The diverter valve according to claim 13, wherein: The cut-off portion of the opening portion of the steering valve includes a third radial range that is substantially the same as the second radial range; and By positioning the continuous closure and the cutoff to cover the one or more channels such that the second radius extends from at least a first side of the one or more channels to at least a second side of the one or more channels, fluid can be prevented from flowing through the one or more channels.
15. A system comprising: a valve seat positionable in a rotary steerable drilling system, the valve seat comprising one or more passages; as well as A steering valve capable of being positioned adjacent to the valve seat in the rotary steerable drilling system, the steering valve comprising: an opening positionable in a rotary steerable system to allow fluid to flow through the one or more passages to one or more turning pads of the rotary steerable system; as well as A continuous closure portion, positioned adjacent to an opening in the rotary steerable system, is capable of adjusting the orientation of the continuous closure portion to cover each of the one or more channels of the valve seat, thereby deactivating each of the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable system.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein: The continuous closure portion comprises: a first end adjacent to the second end of the open portion; a third end positioned opposite the first end and adjacent to a fourth end of the open portion; and The opening portion comprises: the second end being adjacent to the first end of the continuous closure; the fourth end being positioned opposite the third end and adjacent the third end of the continuous closure portion; and A cutoff portion is positioned between the second end and the fourth end, the cutoff portion being positionable to cover at least one of the one or more passages of the valve seat to deactivate at least one steering pad of a rotary steerable drilling system.
17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the orientation of the continuous closure portion can be adjusted to cover a first subset of the one or more channels, and the orientation of the cutoff portion can be adjusted to cover a second subset of the one or more channels, and wherein the union of the first subset and the second subset is the one or more channels.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the opening further comprises: a first flow portion extending between the second end of the opening portion and the fifth end of the cutoff portion; as well as A second flow portion extends between a sixth end of the cutoff portion and the fourth end of the open portion, wherein the sixth end is positioned opposite to the fifth end relative to the cutoff portion.
19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the orientation of the cutoff portion is capable of being adjusted to cover a specific channel among the one or more channels of the valve seat, thereby deactivating a specific steering pad among the one or more steering pads of the rotary steerable drilling system, wherein the orientation of the cutoff portion is capable of being positioned at a specific orientation such that each steering pad of the rotary steerable drilling system is deactivated.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein: The opening portion further includes a first radial range extending from a center of the diverter valve to a first outer surface of the diverter valve corresponding to the continuous closing portion; and The continuous closure portion further includes a second radial range extending from the center of the steering valve to a second outer surface of the steering valve corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the second radial range is larger than the first radial range, and wherein the second radial range can be used to cover the one or more channels of the valve seat.