Directional Drilling Wedge Placement via Rigid Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional directional drilling methods for creating daughter holes from parent holes are complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the need for multiple trips of drill rods and unreliable wedge placement, which increases operational costs and risks.
Innovation Solution
A directional drilling system that advances a wedge from a drilling rig to a kick-off point in a parent hole using a rigid link connected to a tubular drill string, allowing the wedge to be locked and oriented without requiring disassembly of the drill string, enabling the drill string to be advanced to initiate a daughter hole directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional directional drilling methods are used with multiple trips of drill rods, then the wedge can be placed in the parent hole, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wedge placement function with the drill string itself by integrating a wedge carrier onto the drill string. This allows the wedge to be delivered and placed in the parent hole during normal drilling operations without requiring separate trips or additional equipment, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining placement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wedge carrier as an intermediary component that attaches to the drill string and carries the wedge to the kick-off point. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable wedge placement while avoiding the need for complex multi-trip operations, as the carrier is simply attached, delivers the wedge, and can be left in place or retrieved.
2Reliability
If multiple trips of drill rods are required for wedge placement, then the wedge can be positioned, but operational time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by attaching the wedge carrier to the drill string before reaching the kick-off point. The wedge is delivered and placed during the normal drilling progression without requiring the drill string to be pulled out and re-assembled multiple times, significantly reducing operational time while ensuring reliable placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous drilling operations by integrating wedge placement into the normal drilling process. The drill string with the attached wedge carrier continues drilling without interruption, placing the wedge at the kick-off point and immediately resuming daughter hole drilling, thereby eliminating time losses associated with multiple trips.
3Reliability
If conventional methods are used to disassemble and reassemble drill string, then wedge placement is possible, but operational risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wedge placement function from the complex process of disassembling and reassembling the drill string. By using a dedicated wedge carrier that remains attached to the drill string, the method eliminates the need to pull out and reassemble the drill string, thereby removing the operational risks associated with these maneuvers while maintaining reliable wedge placement.
4Reliability
If the drill string is disassembled for wedge placement, then the wedge can be installed, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous drilling productivity by integrating wedge placement into the normal drilling operation. The drill string with the attached wedge carrier drills the parent hole continuously, places the wedge at the kick-off point without stopping, and immediately begins drilling the daughter hole, eliminating productivity losses from disassembly and reassembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
In preparation for directional drilling, a wedge supported distally ahead of a tubular drill string is advanced along a parent hole. The wedge is connected to the drill string by a rigid link that extends along a central longitudinal axis through an annular cutting head. The wedge may be connected to the drill string via an inner dropper mechanism that can be engaged by a wireline lifting system. After locking the wedge at a kick-off point in the hole at a desired azimuth, the connection of the link is broken. The dropper mechanism can then be retrieved and replaced by an inner core tube, without moving the drill string. The drill string is then advanced to drill a daughter hole that branches from the parent hole on the azimuth determined by the wedge. Advantageously, there is no need to withdraw the drill string before drilling the daughter hole can commence.