Continuous Wellbore Surveying With Dynamic Sensor Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring wellbore inclination and azimuth during drilling are inaccurate and unreliable under dynamic conditions, leading to increased drilling risks, costs, and reduced precision due to sensor errors, magnetic interference, and time-dependent errors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a non-transitory computer-readable medium and processor to evaluate averaged transverse product magnitudes from sensor data, eliminating the need for prior field magnitudes and adaptive filters, and correcting sensor offsets through a two-stage sampling process with digital filtering and Blackman window function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MWD methods use discrete static measurements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate under dynamic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static discrete measurements to continuous dynamic measurements during drilling operations. The MWD system now captures inclination and azimuth data in real-time while the drill string rotates and drilling fluid circulates, enabling measurements under dynamic conditions rather than requiring static suspension of drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous measurement during drilling operations rather than discrete periodic measurements. The MWD system continuously captures wellbore trajectory data as drilling progresses, providing ongoing feedback without interrupting the drilling process, thus maintaining continuous useful action throughout the operation.
2Productivity
If dynamic measurements are taken during drill string rotation and fluid circulation, then productivity increases, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor errors and magnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful effects of magnetic interference and sensor errors from the measurement system.通过使用校正算法和滤波技术，系统分离并消除了磁场干扰、传感器偏移和时间相关误差对测量精度的影响，从而在动态条件下保持高精度测量。
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where measurement data is continuously processed and corrected. The MWD system uses feedback loops to adjust for sensor drift, compensate for magnetic interference, and refine inclination and azimuth measurements in real-time based on ongoing operational data.
3Measurement precision
If static measurements are suspended for discrete surveys, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to drilling suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates drilling suspensions by implementing continuous measurement capabilities. The MWD system provides ongoing wellbore trajectory data throughout the drilling process, removing the need to stop drilling operations for discrete surveys and thereby eliminating time losses associated with operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs measurements continuously during drilling rather than waiting for discrete survey points. By maintaining continuous measurement capability, the system proactively captures wellbore position data throughout the drilling process, eliminating the need for preliminary suspension of operations to conduct surveys.
4Productivity
If faster drilling speeds are implemented, then productivity increases, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to increased dynamic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control where continuous measurement data is processed and used to adjust drilling parameters in real-time. The MWD system provides ongoing feedback on wellbore position and trajectory, enabling operators to maintain measurement reliability even at higher drilling speeds by continuously monitoring and adjusting operations based on current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is specifically designed to operate under dynamic conditions at high drilling speeds. The MWD system captures and processes measurements while the drill string rotates and drilling fluid circulates at high velocities, maintaining measurement reliability through dynamic measurement capabilities rather than requiring static conditions.
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
Provides accurate and reliable dynamic measurements of wellbore inclination and azimuth, reducing drilling risks and costs by mitigating sensor errors and magnetic interference, enabling precise well trajectory estimation.
Implementation Method 1
prior art inclinations are derived from accelerometer measurements sensitive to the earth's gravitational field
Implementation Method 2
Azimuth is most commonly derived from a combination of accelerometer and magnetometer measurements, the magnetometer measurements being sensitive to the earth's magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides non-transitory computer-readable media and systems are suitable for evaluating a dynamic wellbore azimuth and inclination measurement based on measurements acquired by a downhole tool capable of acquiring accelerometer (gravity) and magnetic field measurements representative of the earth's gravitational and magnetic fields. These non-transitory computer-readable media and systems can also be used for evaluating static inclination and azimuth measurements. These non-transitory computer-readable media and systems comprising the present invention provide an improvement over the prior art for their function and address many shortcomings of prior art.