Angular Offset Apparatus for 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

The implementation of a sensing component and a target component with imaging sensors and markers, along with a computing system, to accurately calculate the angular offset in real-time, reducing the need for human estimation and improving safety by providing precise measurements.

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 low 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 comprising imaging sensors, markers, and computational processing. The sensing component captures images of markers on both tools, and a computing device calculates the angular offset from these images, eliminating the need for human employees to physically position themselves and visually estimate the offset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses imaging sensors to create visual copies (images) of the marker positions on the directional tool and downhole tool. These image copies are then processed computationally to determine the angular offset, replacing the need for direct human visual observation and manual measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If employees stand at a distance of seventy feet or longer below the directional tool to estimate the offset, then the safety risk is increased, but the measurement can be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling measurement reliabilityVSAvoidhuman injury risk from suspended equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated measurement where the sensing component and computing device perform the angular offset determination without requiring human employees to be in hazardous positions. The markers and imaging sensors on the tools themselves provide the measurement data, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for employees to expose themselves to safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces markers as intermediary elements attached to the tools and imaging sensors as intermediary detection devices. These intermediaries enable the measurement to be performed remotely and automatically, eliminating the need for human employees to physically position themselves in hazardous locations to perform visual estimations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional human estimation methods are used, then no additional equipment is needed, but costly time delays and abandonment risks occur due to measurement inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation efficiencyVSAvoidangular offset measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical human visual estimation process with an automated optical and computational system. Imaging sensors capture marker positions, and a computing device calculates the angular offset, providing precise measurements that eliminate the inaccuracies leading to drilling errors, time delays, and potential abandonment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides accurate angular offset measurements that can be fed back to the drilling control system, enabling real-time adjustments to the well-bore plan. This feedback loop prevents drilling errors before they occur, improving productivity by avoiding costly time delays and abandonment risks associated with inaccurate measurements.

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

This solution enhances the accuracy and safety of drilling operations by providing real-time angular offset calculations, minimizing errors and reducing the risk of human injury, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing costly delays.

Implementation Method 1

The second marker is visible to the imaging sensor. The location of the second marker is determined from the image data.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10502561B2Techniques for determining an angular offset between two objects

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 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.