Automated Quill Control for Directional Drilling Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drilling in subterranean operations is complex and labor-intensive due to the need for precise orientation of the downhole motor, which is hindered by friction between the drill string and the bore, making it difficult to accurately steer the wellbore, especially in horizontal directions.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a controller and sensors to monitor and adjust the quill position based on drilling operation parameters such as toolface orientation, weight-on-bit, and mud motor pressure differential, allowing for automatic correction of the toolface orientation and quill position to maintain desired drilling directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the drill string is rotated to change toolface orientation, then the bit orientation can be adjusted, but friction between the drill string and bore increases the complexity and reduces accuracy of orientation control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of the drawworks brake and rotary table with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect toolface orientation and electronically controls the quill drive to rotate the bit to the desired orientation, eliminating the need for manual friction-based mechanical adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the actual toolface orientation, the controller compares this to the desired orientation, and automatically adjusts the quill position to correct any deviations, maintaining precise orientation despite friction effects
2Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of drawworks brake and rotary table is used to reorient toolface, then orientation adjustment is possible, but the process becomes very complex and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting its own orientation state through sensors and autonomously correcting its position through electronic control of the quill drive, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex manual mechanical manipulation system with an automated electronic control system that manages the reorientation process, significantly reducing labor requirements and operational complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple adjustments of hook load, mud motor differential pressure, and drill string torque are made to position toolface, then orientation can be changed, but each adjustment has different effects that must be considered in combination, making the process inaccurate and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from sensors that continuously monitor toolface orientation to automatically control the quill drive, eliminating the need for multiple sequential adjustments of different parameters and significantly reducing the time required to achieve precise orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex multi-parameter mechanical adjustment process with an automated electronic control system that directly manages the quill position, achieving precise orientation faster and more reliably
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore having a non-vertical component that includes a quill adapted to transfer torque, rotation, or position between a drive assembly and a drillstring, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) including a toolface orientation detector and at least one measurement while drilling (MWD) instrument or wireline-conveyed instrument, and a controller configured to transmit operational control signals to minimize friction between a drillstring and a wellbore, wherein the instrument is configured to detect pressure between an external surface of the BHA and an inner diameter of the wellbore.