Adaptive Auto-Drilling Control for Borehole Collaring Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling boreholes is challenging due to equipment stress, malfunctions, and deviations from intended orientations, particularly during the initial collaring phase, leading to difficulties in maintaining accuracy and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A drill system with a drill string, drill bit, hoist control, and drill controller, equipped with sensors and a data repository, uses a machine learning model to adjust drilling parameters in real-time based on measured and reference values, generating an adjustment factor to maintain optimal drilling conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the operator drills slowly and softly during collaring to prepare the borehole contour, then the borehole alignment accuracy is improved, but the drilling productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts drilling parameters (rotation speed, feed rate, torque) in real-time based on the drilling stage and measured conditions. During collaring, the system automatically maintains slower, more controlled parameters to ensure accuracy, then transitions to faster parameters for normal drilling, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity through adaptive parameter changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor drilling parameters and conditions, compares them against reference values, and automatically adjusts operations based on the differences detected. This closed-loop feedback control ensures optimal balance between collaring accuracy and overall drilling productivity by making real-time adjustments without operator intervention
2Productivity
If the full force and speed of the drill are engaged after collaring, then the drilling productivity is improved, but the risk of equipment malfunction and borehole deviation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically transitions from slow collaring parameters to full-speed drilling parameters based on detected conditions such as reaching collaring depth or encountering competent ground. This dynamic parameter adjustment maximizes productivity while preventing equipment overload by only engaging full force when conditions are appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors drilling conditions and automatically reduces or adjusts parameters when abnormal conditions are detected, such as excessive torque, vibration, or rate of penetration changes. This feedback control prevents equipment malfunction and maintains reliability while still allowing high-productivity drilling under normal conditions
3Manufacturing precision
If the operator manually monitors and adjusts drilling parameters to maintain borehole alignment, then the borehole orientation accuracy is improved, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the functions of monitoring drilling parameters, comparing them to reference values, detecting deviations, and adjusting operations to maintain borehole alignment. The drill system serves itself by eliminating the need for continuous manual operator intervention, thereby maintaining orientation accuracy while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated feedback control to continuously monitor borehole orientation parameters and automatically adjust drilling operations to correct any deviations from the intended trajectory, replacing complex manual monitoring and adjustment procedures with automated control
Data Source
AI summary
A method of drilling a borehole into a subsurface region. The method includes identifying, based on a depth of the drill bit in the subsurface region, a collaring stage of drilling the borehole. A sensor a measured parameter of the drill during drilling. The method also includes identifying, based on the collaring stage, a reference value for a drilling parameter of the drill. The method also includes generating a difference between the measured parameter and the reference value. The method also includes determining, from the difference, an adjustment factor to the drilling parameter. The method also includes adjusting the drilling parameter according to the adjustment factor to generate an adjusted drilling parameter. The method also includes modifying, during drilling and with the drill controller, operation of the drill according to the adjusted drilling parameter to change the measured parameter to a new measured parameter.