Rotating BHA Magnetic Ranging for Real-Time Wellbore Intercept

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic ranging techniques in subterranean drilling require the drill string to be stationary, making them costly and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a rotating bottomhole assembly equipped with a triaxial accelerometer and magnetometer set that makes synchronized measurements to compute interference magnetic fields in real-time, allowing for magnetic ranging while drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If magnetic ranging measurements are made while drilling with a rotating drill string, then productivity and measurement density are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to motion-induced errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling productivityVSAvoidmagnetic ranging measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static magnetic ranging measurements to dynamic measurements taken while the drill string is rotating and drilling. The BHA continuously collects magnetic field data during rotation, enabling real-time ranging measurements without halting drilling operations, thus maintaining productivity while acquiring measurement data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by allowing drill string rotation during measurements rather than requiring stationary conditions. By processing the dynamic data collected during rotation using specific algorithms that account for rotational motion, the system maintains measurement precision despite the changed operational state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the drill string is held stationary for magnetic surveys, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic ranging measurement precisionVSAvoiddrilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous drilling operations without interruption for magnetic ranging surveys. The BHA continuously collects magnetic field data while the drill string rotates and advances, eliminating the need to stop drilling for measurements and thereby reducing time loss while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs magnetic ranging measurements concurrently with drilling operations rather than as a separate post-drilling step. By collecting and processing ranging data during the drilling process itself, the system eliminates subsequent time loss that would occur with traditional stop-and-measure approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If magnetic ranging is performed while drilling with rotating BHA, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronized measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling productivityVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bottomhole assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: drilling, rotating, and conducting magnetic ranging measurements. The same BHA that performs drilling operations also houses the magnetometers and processing electronics needed for real-time ranging, eliminating the need for separate measurement equipment and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the drilling function and magnetic ranging measurement function into a single integrated BHA. The magnetometers, accelerometers, and processing electronics are incorporated into the drill collar assembly, allowing simultaneous drilling and measurement operations without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 real-time magnetic ranging during drilling, increasing measurement density and saving rig time, facilitating wellbore intercept, avoidance, and twinning operations.

Implementation Method 1

The measured magnetic field may be induced in part by ferromagnetic material or an electromagnetic source (or sources) in the target well such that the measured magnetic field vector may enable the relative location of the target well to be computed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a triaxial accelerometer set and a triaxial magnetometer set deployed in the drill collar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration measurement: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS12534998B2Real-time ranging while drilling

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes rotating a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in the subterranean wellbore to drill the wellbore, the BHA including a drill collar, a drill bit, and a triaxial accelerometer set and a triaxial magnetometer set in or coupled to the drill collar. The triaxial accelerometer set and the triaxial magnetometer set make a plurality of sets of synchronized accelerometer measurements and magnetometer measurements while drilling. These synchronized measurements are processed to compute an interference magnetic field which is in turn processed to compute at least one of a distance or a direction to a magnetic target located external to the wellbore.