Electromagnetic Orientation System for Deep Well Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for precisely guiding a relief well to intersect a target well are inefficient and costly due to the need for frequent withdrawal of the drill string for magnetic field measurements, especially when drilling is close to vertical and the direction of gravity coincides with the drilling direction, leading to inaccuracies in determining the direction and distance to the target.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic method and apparatus that includes an auxiliary alternating magnetic field source with a dipole axis perpendicular to the drill string, integrated into the drilling assembly, allows simultaneous measurement of the target electromagnetic field and the auxiliary field, enabling accurate determination of the drilling direction without relying on gravity or Earth's magnetic field, and is powered continuously by a small battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic field measurements are performed using conventional methods, then the direction and distance to the target well can be determined, but the drill string must be frequently withdrawn which reduces productivity and increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surveying system (requiring drill string withdrawal and physical measurement equipment) with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system. Electromagnetic signals are transmitted through the earth's formations to determine wellbore location and orientation, eliminating the need to mechanically withdraw the drill string for measurements, thereby maintaining continuous drilling operations and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic measurement system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it determines both the direction and distance to the target well, provides real-time orientation data, and enables continuous measurements without interrupting the drilling process. This multi-functionality consolidates what previously required multiple separate operations into a single integrated system
2Ease of manufacture
If gravity-based orientation methods are used to determine drill bit orientation, then the system is simple to implement, but it becomes inaccurate when drilling is close to vertical and the direction of gravity coincides with the drilling direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electromagnetic field signals as an intermediary medium to determine drill bit orientation. Instead of relying directly on gravity vectors, the system uses electromagnetic signal transmission and reception through the earth's formations as an intermediate step to infer orientation and azimuthal direction, providing accurate measurements even in near-vertical drilling conditions where gravity-based methods fail
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from gravity vector direction to electromagnetic field signal characteristics. By measuring the transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals through the earth's formations, the system obtains orientation data that is independent of the drill bit's inclination angle, maintaining accuracy across all drilling orientations including near-vertical conditions
3Manufacturing precision
If frequent measurements are taken to maintain precise wellbore location, then the accuracy of target intersection is improved, but the time and cost associated with drill string withdrawals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic measurement system enables continuous acquisition of wellbore location and orientation data without interrupting the drilling process. Measurements are taken continuously as the drill string advances, eliminating the periodic stoppages and withdrawals required by conventional methods, thereby maintaining both high precision and continuous productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of determining the azimuthal orientation of the drill bit with respect to the target well, allowing precise adjustments to intersect the target well while reducing the need for frequent drill string withdrawals and minimizing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary alternating magnetic field source with a dipole axis perpendicular to the drill string, integrated into the drilling assembly
Implementation Method 2
detecting at the drill bit of the rescue well electromagnetic field vectors resulting from such injected currents flowing in the target
Implementation Method 3
injecting time-varying electrical currents into the earth from one or more electrodes in the rescue borehole, for detecting at the drill bit of the rescue well electromagnetic field vectors resulting from such injected currents flowing in the target
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An electromagnetic method and apparatus for determining the azimuthal orientation of a drill bit instrumentation sub (70), with respect to a borehole bottom drilling assembly (150) includes an electromagnet (152) fastened to the drilling assembly to produce an auxiliary alternating electromagnetic field (162) having an axis (163) that is perpendicular to the borehole axis (160). The direction of the field lines (162) generated by this magnet (152) and the simultaneous measurement of an electromagnetic field (36) generated by current flow in a blowout well casing is measured by electromagnetic field sensors in the drill bit instrument sub (70) to determine the direction to a blowout The direction of the auxiliary field (162) produced by the electromagnet (152) makes it possible to determine the direction to the blowout with reference to the direction of drilling without using an intermediate parameter such as, for example, the direction of gravity.