Automated Steering Command Generation for Rotary Steerable Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for calculating and implementing steering commands for rotary steerable systems in drilling operations are subjective and prone to errors, leading to incorrect instructions and unwanted drilling directions due to reliance on human experience and manual input.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically identify steering commands for rotary steerable systems by processing data to determine solution arcs, downlink commands, and display approval options with reasons, utilizing a table to model relationships between dogleg severity and steering force, and updating based on historical data to optimize drilling paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual input methods are used to calculate and implement steering commands, then the system relies on human experience and judgment, but errors occur in calculating target geometric instructions and inputting command sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically calculates target geometric instructions and generates downlink command sequences without human intervention. The processor executes algorithms that take survey data and wellbore parameters as input, automatically producing steering commands and downlink sequences, eliminating manual calculation and input errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (human calculation and keyboard input) with automated computational systems. The processor-based system substitutes human operators by automatically performing geometric calculations and command sequence generation, reducing errors while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If automated processing is implemented to eliminate manual errors, then accuracy of steering commands improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor-based system performs multiple functions within a single integrated platform: calculating target geometric instructions, generating downlink command sequences, and managing the overall steering control process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a computational intermediary layer between survey data and steering commands. This intermediary processor automatically translates wellbore parameters into geometric instructions and downlink sequences, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving reliability through automated, error-free calculations
3Ease of manufacture
If manual calculation based on past experiences is used, then the process is simple to implement, but the target geometric instructions become subjective and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human judgment with objective computational algorithms. The processor automatically calculates target geometric instructions based on mathematical models and survey data, eliminating the subjectivity inherent in manual calculation while maintaining simplicity through automated execution
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms subjective human experience into objective quantitative parameters. By converting wellbore survey data into precise geometric calculations, the system maintains the simplicity of implementation while achieving high measurement precision through parameter-based automated processing
4Reliability
If automated downlink command generation is implemented, then errors in command input are reduced, but the system requires more complex processing and data management
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated calculations of target geometric instructions before generating downlink command sequences. By pre-calculating the steering parameters and geometric instructions, the system ensures accurate downlink commands without requiring complex real-time processing, thus improving reliability while managing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that automatically translates calculated geometric instructions into downlink command sequences. This intermediary layer ensures accurate command generation by systematically converting geometric parameters into the required downlink format, reducing input errors while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated translation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of identifying a steering command for a rotary steerable system (“RSS”) that includes identifying, by one or more processors, a solution arc for an upcoming drilling segment; automatically identifying, by the one or more processors and in response to the identification of the solution arc, the steering command for the RSS; and automatically identifying, by the one or more processor and in response to the identification of the steering command, downlink commands to be sent to the RSS. Automatically identifying, by the one or more processors and in response to the identification of the solution arc, the steering command for the RSS comprises: accessing a table that models a relationship between dogleg severity and a percentage of steering force; and identifying, using the table, the target steering force associated with the target dogleg severity.