Drill String Guide for Lateral Borehole Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for drilling lateral boreholes from a main borehole are slow and expensive due to the need for frequent repositioning and retrieval of whipstocks, requiring a drilling rig or coiled tubing drilling unit.

Innovation Solution

A drilling system comprising a drilling machine, a drill string, and a guide that is permanently engaged and rotatable, allowing the drill string to be axially driven to deflect radially into the borehole wall for lateral drilling, with anchors to secure the guide in place, enabling multiple lateral boreholes to be drilled without withdrawing the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional whipstock methods are used to drill lateral boreholes, then lateral drilling can be achieved, but the process is slow and expensive due to frequent repositioning and retrieval of whipstocks requiring a drilling rig or coiled tubing drilling unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling speedVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide is extracted from the whipstock system and permanently engaged to the drill string, separating the guidance function from the temporary whipstock device. This allows the drill string itself to serve as the guiding mechanism, eliminating the need for separate whipstock retrieval and repositioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drill string serves dual functions: both as the driving element for drilling and as the guide for directional control. The permanent engagement of the guide to the drill string allows the system to self-guide without requiring external whipstock devices, reducing operational complexity and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If a whipstock is used to drill lateral boreholes, then directional drilling is achieved, but the whipstock must be repositioned and withdrawn each time multiple laterals are drilled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to drill multiple lateralsVSAvoidtime for repositioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide is permanently engaged to the drill string before drilling operations begin, pre-establishing the directional path. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for repeated whipstock installation and retrieval, allowing multiple laterals to be drilled from different positions along the drill string without time-consuming repositioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The permanently engaged guide provides universal directional control for multiple lateral drilling operations. A single guide-drill string configuration can drill multiple laterals at different locations by rotating the drill string to orient the guide appropriately, eliminating the need for separate whipstock devices for each lateral.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a complex mechanism is used to connect and orient the kick plate to the drilling machine, then lateral drilling direction can be controlled, but the mechanism becomes relatively complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of orienting guideVSAvoidguide connection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex mechanism to orient the guide relative to the drilling machine, the solution inverts the approach by permanently engaging the guide to the drill string and using rotation of the drill string itself to orient the guide. This simplifies the connection mechanism while maintaining full orienting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex mechanical orientation mechanism is replaced by the simpler rotational movement of the drill string. The guide's orientation is controlled by rotating the entire drill string assembly rather than using complex joints and actuators, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8011453B2Drilling system and methods of drilling lateral boreholes

Publication Date: 2011.09.06 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A drilling system is presented for use in drilling lateral boreholes from a main borehole. The drilling system generally comprises a drilling machine, a drill string connected to the drilling machine so as to be driveable in an axial direction, and a guide connected to the drilling machine such that when the drill string is driven axially by the drilling machine, it interacts with the guide so as to be directed in a predetermined radial direction. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole is also presented, comprising the steps of: positioning the drilling system in the main borehole; anchoring the guide in the borehole; operating the drilling machine to drive the drill string in an axial direction; and deflecting the drill string, by means of the guide, in a radial direction into the wall of the main borehole to drill the lateral borehole.