Angular Offset Detection in Drilling Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for calculating the angular offset between directional and downhole tools in oil and gas drilling rely on human estimations, leading to inaccuracies and safety concerns due to the need for employees to be in hazardous positions, resulting in costly delays and potential injuries.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a sensing component and a target component with sensors and imaging technology to calculate the angular offset in real-time, providing accurate data to computing devices for precise drilling operations, reducing the need for human estimation and improving safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If human employees use line of sight to estimate the angular offset, then the method is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the measurement precision is poor and human error is significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular offset measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical human visual estimation system with an optical sensing system. Sensors capture images of high-side markings on drilling tools, and computing devices automatically calculate angular offsets from these images, eliminating the need for human employees to physically position themselves and visually estimate angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates visual copies (images) of the high-side markings on drilling tools using sensors. These images are then processed by computing devices to determine angular offsets, allowing multiple measurements and calculations without requiring additional physical marking or complex mechanical measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If employees stand at a distance of seventy feet or longer below the directional tool to estimate the offset, then the employee can obtain a view of both high-side markings, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to distance and the employee faces safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular offset measurement precisionVSAvoidemployee safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the human employee's physical positioning and visual estimation with automated sensors and computing devices. The sensors can be positioned safely away from hazardous areas while capturing images of the high-side markings, and the computing devices perform all calculations automatically, eliminating employee exposure to safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensors and computing devices as intermediaries between the high-side markings and the measurement process. These intermediaries capture and process visual information without requiring human employees to be in hazardous positions, thereby eliminating safety risks while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If human employees perform angular offset calculations, then the process requires minimal equipment, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming manual calculations and potential mistakes leading to drilling errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation efficiencyVSAvoidangular offset calculation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual human calculation processes with automated computing devices that process sensor images and calculate angular offsets electronically. This substitution dramatically improves both speed and accuracy, eliminating human calculation errors and reducing the time required for angular offset determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback system where sensors continuously capture images of high-side markings, computing devices automatically calculate angular offsets from these images, and the results are used to guide drilling operations. This closed-loop system ensures continuous monitoring and adjustment, improving both productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enhances the accuracy and safety of drilling operations by providing precise angular offset calculations in real-time, minimizing errors and reducing the risk of human injury, while allowing for more efficient and accurate wellbore planning.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor, or other suitable sensing component, configured to detect light from the target component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10323504B2Techniques for determining an angular offset between two objects

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 ACCU SCRIBE

AI summary

An angular offset apparatus for determining an angular offset, or scribe line offset (SLO), of two objects within a drilling environment. The angular offset apparatus may include a sensing component and a target component located at various locations within the drilling environment. The sensing component may implement one or more sensors configured to collect data associated with the target component and the drilling environment to determine the SLO between the two objects. The angular offset apparatus, along with the calculated SLO, is designed to ensure accuracy and safety during drilling operations.