Downhole Drill String Data Sharing via Satellite Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole drilling operations often work in isolation, preventing the sharing of valuable data between drill sites, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary expenses due to the inability to access and utilize data gathered at other locations, which could improve drilling parameters and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for sharing information between downhole drill strings through a communications network integrated into the drill strings, allowing real-time data transmission and archival of subterranean data to control and direct other drill strings, even across different leases or tracts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If drill strings operate independently to maintain operational simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but information sharing capability deteriorates leading to loss of valuable data
Solution Approach 1:
A satellite communication system serves as an intermediary between geographically separated drill strings, enabling data exchange without direct physical connections. The satellite receives data from one drill string and transmits it to another, resolving the contradiction by providing information sharing capability while maintaining operational independence and avoiding complex direct networking infrastructure at drill sites.
2Productivity
If real-time data transmission is implemented between drill strings, then drilling efficiency is improved through rapid parameter adjustment, but use of energy increases due to continuous communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic data transmission intervals rather than continuous real-time communication. Drill string data is transmitted at predetermined time intervals or when significant changes occur, allowing drilling parameters to be adjusted based on trending data while reducing energy consumption associated with constant communication cycles.
3Loss of information
If data is archived for long-term storage to improve future drilling operations, then information value is enhanced, but loss of time increases during data retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only critical drilling parameters and subsurface data to the archival system, separating essential real-time information from complete datasets. This selective extraction allows rapid access to key parameters while archiving comprehensive data for future analysis, reducing retrieval time for operational decisions while preserving complete information for long-term value.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sharing information between downhole drill strings is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a first drill string and a communications network integrated into the first drill string. The communications network includes multiple nodes spaced at selected intervals along the first drill string to gather subterranean data along the first drill string. The system further includes a second drill string and a real-time communication link between the first drill string and second drill string. The communication link is used to transit the subterranean data from the first drill string to the second drill string to control the second drill string.