Automated Sliding Drilling Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drilling in sliding drilling procedures faces challenges in accurately controlling the orientation of the drillstring and bent sub due to frictional forces and inaccuracies in downhole toolface measurements, leading to inefficiencies and reliance on manual, trial-and-error methods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of sensors near the drillstring to measure orientation with respect to geophysical fields, allowing for controlled rotation of the drillstring at the surface based on downhole measurements, and the application of torque oscillations to adjust the toolface, enabling automated control of the drilling trajectory without direct surface orientation measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual trial-and-error methods are used to control drillstring orientation, then operational flexibility is maintained, but measurement precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control loop where downhole toolface measurements are continuously transmitted to the surface, compared against target orientation, and used to automatically adjust drillstring rotation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates manual trial-and-error while maintaining operational precision through real-time measurement and correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical orientation adjustment with an automated electronic control system. Sensors measure toolface orientation, processors calculate required adjustments, and actuators automatically rotate the drillstring to achieve target orientation, substituting human judgment and manual operation with automated measurement and control systems.
2Ease of operation
If drillstring is rotated at surface to change toolface orientation, then directional control is achieved, but frictional forces increase and drilling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic torque oscillations to the drillstring rather than continuous rotation. By applying oscillating torque at specific frequencies and amplitudes, the system achieves toolface adjustment through controlled rocking motion, reducing continuous frictional contact and improving drilling efficiency while maintaining directional control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static drillstring orientation to dynamic control through oscillating torque application. The system actively adjusts torque magnitude and frequency in real-time to achieve desired toolface orientation, allowing the drillstring to dynamically respond to formation conditions while minimizing frictional losses through optimized motion patterns.
3Extent of automation
If torque oscillations are applied to adjust toolface, then automated orientation control is achieved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes torque oscillation parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration) based on real-time downhole measurements and formation conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective toolface control with minimum energy expenditure, adapting torque characteristics to match specific drilling scenarios and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies torque oscillations only when orientation adjustment is required, rather than continuous torque application. The system monitors toolface orientation and applies corrective torque oscillations only when deviations from target orientation are detected, reducing energy consumption by eliminating unnecessary torque application while maintaining automated control capability.
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 approach enhances the precision and efficiency of directional drilling by automating the control of the drillstring orientation, reducing frictional impacts and improving the accuracy of well trajectory maintenance, allowing for more effective drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
sensors/measurement devices are disposed near the distal end of the drillstring to measure the orientation of the drillstring with respect to at least one of a geophysical field of the earth, such as magnetism (magnetic toolface)
Implementation Method 2
sensors/measurement devices are disposed near the distal end of the drillstring to measure the orientation of the drillstring with respect to at least one of a geophysical field of the earth, such as magnetism (magnetic toolface) or gravity (gravitational toolface)
Implementation Method 3
torque may be applied to the drillstring so that it oscillates between maximum torque value and a minimum torque value in a rocking motion
Data Source
AI summary
Automated control of a drillstring in a borehole, which is not in continuous rotation, the drillstring comprising an angled component (a bent sub or the like) and a downhole means of rotating the bit, such as a motor or turbine, which rotates the bit independently of drillstring rotation. Near the distal end of the drillstring are measurement devices, at least one and in some aspects two or more, which are used to measure the orientation of the drillstring/bent sub/bottomhole assembly/drill bit with respect to a geophysical field of the earth, such as magnetism (magnetic toolface) or gravity (gravitational toolface). These measurement devices may be connected to a communications module which transmits the downhole toolface information to the surface. The drillstring is controlled to provide that based upon the downhole measurements the drilling system drills the borehole in a desired trajectory.