Downhole Trajectory Control Using Stored Well Plan Stages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional directional drilling systems experience lengthy communication times between the surface and downhole tools, which reduces the uptime of the drilling system.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a downhole control unit with a hardware storage device that stores a well plan, allowing for autonomous control of dogleg severity (DLS) and rate of penetration (ROP) based on stored instructions, and utilizing sensors to measure directional and environmental conditions for precise borehole steering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional pulse communication is used between surface and downhole tools, then communication can be established, but communication time becomes lengthy which reduces drilling system uptime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication timeVSAvoiddrilling system uptime

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The well plan with multiple stages including target azimuth, target inclination, dogleg severity, and rate of penetration is pre-loaded into the downhole control unit's memory before drilling begins. This preliminary action allows the downhole tool to autonomously execute the well plan without requiring lengthy pulse communications during drilling operations, thereby reducing communication time and increasing drilling system uptime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The downhole control unit is equipped with a processor and memory that enable it to independently process the stored well plan and automatically adjust drilling parameters (dogleg severity and rate of penetration) based on the current stage being executed. This self-service capability eliminates the need for continuous surface communication, allowing the system to operate autonomously and maximize uptime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If autonomous control of DLS and ROP is implemented based on stored well plan stages, then communication time is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional processing and storage components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication timeVSAvoidcontrol unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The downhole control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that integrates a processor for executing control logic, a memory device for storing the complete well plan, and communication interfaces for receiving instructions. This universal control unit can handle multiple functions (storing multiple stages, processing directional information, controlling DLS, controlling ROP) within a single integrated system, managing complexity through functional consolidation rather than separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12553288B2Systems and methods for trajectory control in a downhole environment

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A downhole tool may store a well plan on a hardware storage device of a downhole tool. A downhole tool may drill a first portion of a borehole according to a first stage of the well plan with the downhole tool. A downhole tool may change at least one of a dogleg severity (DLS) and a rate of penetration (ROP) of the downhole tool based on a second stage of the well plan stored on the hardware storage device. A downhole tool may drill a second portion of the borehole according to the second stage of the well plan.