Rotary Steerable Drilling Control for Borehole Path Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in efficiently and accurately drilling complex boreholes due to increased depth and directional requirements, leading to costly errors and reduced well productivity.
Innovation Solution
A surface steerable drilling system that utilizes a centralized database to collect and analyze drilling data, enabling real-time monitoring and control of drilling operations. This system includes an on-site controller that processes data to adjust drilling parameters, such as weight-on-bit and drilling speed, to maintain the planned drill path and minimize errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current drilling technologies are used for complex boreholes, then drilling operations can be performed, but drilling accuracy deteriorates and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors drilling parameters including weight-on-bit, drilling speed, and borehole trajectory, comparing actual performance against planned parameters. Real-time feedback enables automatic adjustments to maintain drilling accuracy and correct deviations before they become errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling system automatically adjusts its own operating parameters without external intervention. The control system modifies weight-on-bit, drilling speed, and other parameters based on real-time conditions, enabling the system to self-correct and maintain optimal performance throughout the drilling operation.
2Productivity
If manual control of drilling parameters is used, then operations can be performed, but human error increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electronic control system. Sensors, processors, and actuators work together to automatically adjust drilling parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention and the associated human errors while improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling system automatically monitors and adjusts its own parameters without requiring continuous human input. The system self-regulates weight-on-bit, drilling speed, and trajectory control, freeing operators from repetitive manual tasks and eliminating human error in parameter adjustment.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time monitoring and control is implemented, then drilling accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions through a single integrated platform. It simultaneously monitors drilling parameters, tracks borehole trajectory, compares actual vs. planned performance, and automatically adjusts operating parameters, reducing the need for separate systems while maintaining high drilling accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines sensing, data processing, trajectory calculation, and actuation control into a single integrated control platform. By merging these previously separate functions into one unified system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving real-time monitoring and control for improved drilling accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for drilling including determining, by a rotary steerable system in a borehole during drilling of the borehole, a projected build rate corresponding to a tortuosity of a portion of a borehole to be drilled according to a well plan for the borehole as well as calculating, by the rotary steerable system, a plurality of convergence paths if the projected build rate corresponding to the tortuosity of the borehole is above a predetermined threshold therefor, wherein each of the plurality of convergence paths defines a path from a current location of the rotary steerable system in the borehole to a location corresponding to the well plan for the borehole. The method may also include selecting, by the rotary steerable system, a convergence plan that satisfies a set of target parameters from the plurality of convergence plans. The method may further include producing, by the rotary steerable system, a set of control parameters for drilling the selected convergence plan, as well as transmitting, by the rotary steerable system, one or more commands to one or more rotary steering components to actuate the one or more rotary steering components, to drill the portion of the borehole in accordance with the set of control parameters. The method may also include drilling the portion of the borehole based on the set of control parameters.