Non-rotating Subassembly for Continuous Wellbore Surveying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for surveying wellbores during drilling require the drilling process to be stopped frequently to obtain accurate measurements, leading to increased time and inefficiency in completing drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

A rotary steerable system integrated with a sensor assembly that allows for continuous measurement of inclination and azimuth while drilling, using a non-rotating subassembly with sensors like accelerometers and magnetometers, which remains stationary relative to the wellbore, enabling real-time data collection and transmission without halting the drilling process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If drilling is stopped to collect survey data, then measurement accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurvey data accuracyVSAvoiddrilling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous survey data collection during drilling operations by using a non-rotating subassembly with sensors that remain stationary relative to the wellbore while the drill string rotates. This allows inclination and azimuth measurements to be taken without stopping drilling, maintaining both measurement accuracy and drilling productivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom hole assembly is divided into rotating and non-rotating subassemblies. The non-rotating subassembly containing survey sensors is mechanically isolated from the rotation of the drill string, allowing it to remain stationary relative to the wellbore while the drill string rotates. This segmentation enables continuous measurements without affecting drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If drilling is stopped frequently to add new drill pipe sections, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurvey data qualityVSAvoidnon-productive time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Survey measurements are collected continuously during drilling operations rather than during stoppages. The non-rotating subassembly with accelerometers and magnetometers provides continuous inclination and azimuth data as drilling progresses, eliminating the need to stop drilling specifically for survey measurements and reducing non-productive time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares and collects survey data in advance during normal drilling operations, so that wellbore position and orientation are known before additional drill pipe sections need to be added. This preliminary data collection allows for better planning and reduces idle time during pipe changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a non-rotating subassembly is used for measurements, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling speedVSAvoidbottom hole assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom hole assembly is segmented into rotating and non-rotating subassemblies. The non-rotating subassembly contains the survey sensors (accelerometers and magnetometers) and is mechanically decoupled from the rotating drill string through a universal joint or similar mechanism. This segmentation allows continuous measurements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates with existing drilling equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution reduces non-productive time by allowing continuous survey data collection, ensuring accurate well placement and reducing overall drilling time by eliminating the need for frequent stops to connect new drill pipe sections.

Implementation Method 1

Inclination is calculated through the gravity environment, usually using one or more accelerometers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

Azimuth is often calculated using both the inclination and the magnetic or rotational environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10472955B2Method of providing continuous survey data while drilling

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 NABORS LUX 2 SARL

AI summary

A method of surveying a wellbore continuously during drilling. The method includes using a drill string with a non-rotating sub-assembly. The non-rotating sub-assembly comprises three accelerometers oriented orthogonally to each other and three directional sensors also oriented orthogonally to each other. Sample measurements from the six sensors are used to calculate the attitude of the wellbore and more specifically used to create an accurate survey of wellbores within a subterranean formation while the drill string is drilling.