Directional Boring Assembly for Vertical Well Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal and near-horizontal well drilling methods for water completion are not cost-effective, as they require expensive bent pipe, struggle to accurately intersect vertical wells, lack real-time location detection, and are dependent on specific rock porosity for fluid flow, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a directional boring/drilling assembly with a signal transmitter to locate and intersect a predetermined position vertically offset from a vertical water well, using a beacon transmitter/receiver to guide the horizontal well drilling, allowing for precise intersection and reducing the risk of lost circulation by extending the vertical well to intersect the horizontal well.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bent pipe with vertical drilling rig is used to create horizontal well, then horizontal water well can be drilled, but the cost becomes excessively high and the pipe must be excessively bent
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling system is divided into two separate components: a vertical drilling rig that drills the vertical well first, and a separate horizontal boring machine that drills the horizontal well. This segmentation eliminates the need to bend pipe in the vertical rig, as each machine performs its optimal drilling function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of drilling horizontally from the surface using a vertical rig (which requires excessive pipe bending), the method inverts the sequence by first drilling the vertical well, then drilling the horizontal well from an offset position. This reversal of the traditional drilling sequence eliminates the pipe bending problem.
2Ease of manufacture
If bent pipe method is used for horizontal drilling, then horizontal well can be created, but accuracy of hitting intended target deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A beacon transmitter is placed at the bottom of the vertical well, and a receiver on the horizontal boring machine provides real-time feedback on the horizontal well's position and trajectory. This feedback system allows continuous monitoring and adjustment of the drilling path to ensure accurate intersection with the vertical well.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pipe bending system is replaced with a directional boring system that uses hydraulic or electric actuation to change the drill bit's direction. This substitution provides precise control over the drilling trajectory without the limitations of bent pipe mechanics.
3Productivity
If vertical well is intersected to create zero or low pressure zone, then fluid collection is improved, but circulation control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical well is drilled and equipped with circulation control systems before the horizontal well is drilled. This preliminary action ensures that circulation can be controlled from the vertical well end, avoiding the creation of uncontrolled zero or low pressure zones that would make circulation management difficult.
4Ease of manufacture
If horizontal well is drilled from offset position, then horizontal water well can be formed, but real-time location detection of boring assembly is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
A beacon transmitter is installed at the bottom of the vertical well to emit signals that are received by a receiver on the horizontal boring machine. This feedback system provides real-time information about the horizontal well's position, depth, and trajectory, enabling precise location detection and steering during the drilling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon transmitter and receiver system acts as an intermediary between the vertical and horizontal wells, enabling communication and location detection without direct physical contact. The electromagnetic signals serve as the intermediary medium to transmit position information through the earth formation.
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 approach reduces drilling costs by one-third and time by half, improves the chances of successful well intersection, and enhances water flow rates by up to three times, making it more efficient and effective for irrigation and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
drilling, from a horizontally offset position relative to the vertical water well, a horizontal water well using a boring/drilling assembly including a signal transmitter; determining, using signals transmitted and received, a location of the boring/drilling assembly relative to predetermined location
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing lifting cost per gallon of a vertical water well of this disclosure includes: lowering a location device into the open well bore of the vertical water well until the location device reaches a depth in a range of 0 feet to 30 feet above a bottom end of the vertical water well; determining a predetermined location vertically offset 10 feet to 30 feet below, and coaxial to, the bottom end; drilling, from a horizontally offset position, a horizontal water well using a boring/drilling assembly including a signal transmitter; determining, using signals transmitted and received, a location of the boring/drilling assembly relative to the predetermined location; steering the boring/drilling assembly so that the horizontal water well intersects the predetermined intersecting well depth; intersecting the predetermined location with the boring/drilling assembly; and extending the depth of the vertical water well until it reaches the predetermined location.