Downhole Depth Tracking Using Zero and Stand Pulses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional directional drilling systems experience long communication times due to lengthy pulse communications between the surface and the bottomhole assembly, reducing the uptime of the drilling system.

Innovation Solution

A downhole tool measures depth by receiving pulses, such as zero and stand pulses, to determine added stand lengths, which are then added to a total string length, allowing local tracking without complex downlink communications, and calculates true vertical depth by comparing this length to a stored well plan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lengthy pulse communications are used between surface and bottomhole assembly, then communication reliability is improved, but communication time increases and system uptime decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the depth tracking function from the communication system by implementing a local depth tracking system at the bottomhole assembly that independently calculates depth using drill string length and well plan data, eliminating the need for continuous pulse communications for depth information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottomhole assembly performs self-service by autonomously tracking its own depth position through local calculations using stored well plan data and real-time drill string length measurements, without requiring external communication for depth information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If local depth tracking is implemented without complex downlink communications, then communication time is reduced and uptime is improved, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication timeVSAvoiddepth measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously updating depth calculations as drill string length changes are detected, maintaining accurate real-time depth information through periodic recalculations based on current well plan data and measured drill string length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The well plan and depth calculation algorithms are pre-loaded into the bottomhole assembly memory before drilling operations begin, enabling immediate local depth tracking without requiring communication for data retrieval

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260071538A1Systems and methods for depth tracking in a downhole environment

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method may include drilling a portion of the borehole with a bottomhole assembly (BHA) including a downhole tool. A method may include receiving, at the downhole tool, a zero pulse. A method may include receiving, at the downhole tool, a stand pulse. A method may include determining an added stand length based at least partially on the stand pulse. A method may include adding the added stand length to a total string length.