Magnetic Ranging BHA Steering for Autonomous Two-Hole Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling systems face challenges in accurately and autonomously maintaining the distance and direction relative to a target wellbore while drilling secondary wellbores, particularly in complex subterranean formations, without surface input or interference.

Innovation Solution

Employing a bottomhole assembly (BHA) with a magnetic field detector and processor to detect a time-varying magnetic field from a rotating magnetic source in the target wellbore, allowing for autonomous closed-loop steering adjustments to maintain a set distance and direction during secondary wellbore drilling, using a rotary steerable system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional drilling systems are used for secondary wellbore drilling, then surface intervention is required for steering adjustments, but this reduces drilling autonomy and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling autonomyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling system performs self-steering by using the magnetic field detector to sense the target wellbore position and the processor to autonomously adjust the rotary steerable system, eliminating the need for surface intervention and achieving self-service drilling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously detecting the magnetic field from the target wellbore, processing the position data, and automatically adjusting the drilling steering based on the calculated offset, creating a self-correcting autonomous control system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If magnetic field detection is used to determine position and direction relative to target wellbore, then drilling accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition and direction measurement accuracyVSAvoiddetection and control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical surveying and positioning systems with magnetic field detection, using the earth's magnetic field and a rotating magnetic source to determine relative position and direction through electromagnetic sensing rather than mechanical measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field detector serves multiple functions by detecting both the presence and strength of the magnetic field to determine both distance and direction simultaneously, reducing the need for separate sensing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If autonomous closed-loop steering is implemented without surface input, then drilling efficiency improves, but the reliability of autonomous operation under complex subterranean conditions becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidautonomous operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-programming the desired wellbore trajectory and offset parameters before drilling begins, allowing the autonomous system to operate within predefined parameters that ensure reliable operation in complex subterranean conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables precise and autonomous drilling of secondary wellbores relative to a target wellbore, improving drilling accuracy and efficiency by maintaining predefined trajectories without surface intervention.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic field detector can be configured to detect a time-varying magnetic field generated from a rotating magnetic source of a drilling tool disposed in the target wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250376922A1Automated two-hole drilling using ranging

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for drilling a secondary wellbore relative to a target wellbore, which involve drilling the secondary wellbore with a bottomhole assembly (BHA) that extends from a drill string. The BHA includes a magnetic field detector, a steering component, a drill bit, and at least one processor. The magnetic field detector is configured to detect a time- varying magnetic field generated from a rotating magnetic source of a drilling tool disposed in the target wellbore. The at least one processor is configured to i) use data output by the magnetic field detector to continually determine distance and direction or azimuth of the magnetic source relative to the BHA while drilling, and ii) use the distance and direction or azimuth of the magnetic source relative to the BHA while drilling to adjust the steering of the drilling performed by the BHA as controlled by the steering component of the BHA. The operations of the least one processor can be configured to adjust steering of the drilling of the BHA in order to maintain a set distance and direction or azimuth relative to the target wellbore, autonomously without surface input or interference, whilst drilling with the BHA.