Bottom Hole Assembly Position Estimation for Drift-Aware Drilling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in accurately controlling the drilling path due to geological formation drift, leading to errors that increase costs and reduce well productivity.
Innovation Solution
A surface steerable system that receives BHA information and geological formation drift data to calculate a toolface vector, allowing the drilling direction to be adjusted to converge with the target drilling path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional drilling technologies are used, then drilling operations can be performed, but drilling path accuracy deteriorates due to geological formation drift
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the toolface vector by integrating geological formation drift information before drilling operations proceed. The surface steerable system pre-computes the convergence path and adjusts control parameters in advance, allowing the drilling direction to be proactively corrected to account for anticipated geological formation drift, thereby maintaining drilling path accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where BHA position information is continuously monitored and compared against the target drilling path. The surface steerable system receives real-time BHA information, calculates deviations caused by geological formation drift, and adjusts control parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains drilling path accuracy despite geological variations
2Manufacturing precision
If drilling path control is enhanced to account for geological formation drift, then drilling path accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface steerable system performs multiple functions using a single integrated platform: it receives BHA information, processes geological formation drift data, calculates toolface vectors, determines convergence paths, and transmits control parameters. This multi-functional approach achieves high drilling path accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity, as one system handles all steering and control operations
Solution Approach 2:
The surface steerable system acts as an intermediary between the BHA and the drilling rig controls. It receives raw BHA information and geological data, processes this information through drift compensation algorithms, and outputs adjusted control parameters to the drilling rig. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex calculations and decision-making processes
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for estimating a position of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) during drilling of a wellbore is described. The method includes receiving, by a control system, toolface information and non-survey sensor information from downhole sensors during drilling of the wellbore. Based on the non-survey sensor information, an estimated amount of progress made by the drill bit since a prior estimate of the location of the BHA located in the wellbore is calculated. An estimated location of the BHA is calculated using the toolface information and the estimated amount of progress of the drill bit. The method further includes determining whether survey data has been received. In response to receiving the survey data, the estimated location of the BHA can be updated. Responsive to the estimated location of the BHA, one or more drilling parameters can be adjusted.