Steerable Drill Correction via Formation Tendency Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subterranean drilling systems face challenges in maintaining accurate drilling direction due to indeterminate lateral forces, known as formation tendency, which cause the drill bit to veer off course despite operator intentions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that detect the direction and magnitude of formation tendency by sweeping the drill bit in a 360-degree orbit, using electrically commutated motors and eccentric rings to determine the torque and orientation, allowing for real-time adjustments to correct the drilling direction and counteract the formation tendency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If directional steering is performed by pushing or pointing the drill bit in a desired direction, then drilling direction control is achieved, but formation tendency forces cause the drill bit to veer off course
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures formation tendency forces using sensors during drilling operations and feeds this information back to the steering control system. The controller processes real-time force data and automatically adjusts steering commands to compensate for detected formation tendencies, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains drilling path accuracy despite variable formation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling system performs self-correction by automatically detecting formation tendency forces and adjusting its own steering direction without external intervention. The integrated sensors and controllers enable the system to autonomously compensate for lateral forces, eliminating the need for continuous manual steering adjustments and improving overall drilling path reliability.
2Device complexity
If formation tendency forces are not compensated for, then drilling operations proceed without additional complexity, but drilling accuracy deteriorates due to lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control system serves multiple functions: it performs standard directional steering operations while simultaneously detecting and compensating for formation tendency forces. By integrating force sensing and automatic compensation capabilities into the existing steering framework, the system achieves enhanced drilling path precision without requiring entirely separate compensation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the formation tendency forces and the steering mechanism. It receives force data from sensors, processes this information, and translates it into corrective steering commands that are applied to the drill bit, effectively mediating between the disturbing formation forces and the steering system to maintain path accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time formation tendency detection and compensation is implemented, then drilling path accuracy is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines force detection, data processing, and steering control functions into an integrated control platform. By merging these previously separate functions into a unified system architecture, the patent reduces overall complexity while maintaining the capability for real-time formation tendency compensation and high drilling path accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for causing a desired drilling direction of a steerable subterranean drill in consideration of a contemporaneously detected formation tendency force acting on a drill bit of the steerable subterranean drill. The method includes detecting, utilizing a steering direction setting device, a direction and magnitude of a formation tendency force acting on the drill bit of the steerable subterranean drill. Further the steering direction setting device is configured to contemporaneously cause the drill bit of the steerable subterranean drill to drill in the desired direction, counteracting the formation tendency force based on the detected direction and magnitude of the formation tendency force acting on the drill bit.