Steerable Drilling System Using Reference Well Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in accurately guiding boreholes to follow desired paths at great depths, especially when drilling multiple closely spaced wells, due to uncertainties in directional measurements, which can lead to collisions or inadequate spacing.
Innovation Solution
The use of a reference well with a steerable drilling system and a network of transmitters that communicate through a bus structure to provide real-time data for precise well path control, reducing uncertainty by measuring relative distances and directions from the reference well.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional directional measurement methods are used to guide boreholes at great depths, then drilling operations can proceed, but uncertainty in well positioning increases leading to potential collisions or inadequate spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference well between the drilling well and the formation. Instead of directly measuring the drilling well's position relative to the formation target, the system measures the drilling well's position relative to the reference well, which itself is positioned relative to the formation. This intermediary reference well acts as a mediator that improves measurement precision and reduces uncertainty in well positioning, thereby enhancing collision avoidance reliability.
2Productivity
If multiple closely-spaced wells are drilled to enhance production in low permeability reservoirs, then production efficiency improves, but the risk of well collision and positioning uncertainty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the position of the drilling well is continuously monitored relative to the reference well during the drilling process. This real-time feedback allows for adjustments to be made to maintain the desired spacing between wells, ensuring that closely-spaced wells can be drilled to enhance production in low permeability reservoirs while maintaining accurate well spacing and reducing collision risk.
3Measurement precision
If traditional surveying methods are used for well path control, then drilling operations are simpler, but uncertainty propagates over distance making close spacing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simplified model or copy of the reference well's position and orientation to determine the drilling well's path. Instead of complex direct measurements to the formation target, the system creates a relative position model based on the reference well, which simplifies the measurement process while improving relative position accuracy between closely-spaced wells.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for drilling at least one well of interest proximate a reference well comprises at least one sensor in a drill string in the at least one well of interest to detect at least one parameter of interest related to a distance and a direction to the reference well. A controller is operatively coupled to the at least one sensor to determine the distance and the direction from the sensor to the reference well based at least in part on the at least one detected parameter of interest. A steerable assembly is operatively coupled to the controller to receive commands from the controller to adjust the path of the at least one well of interest being drilled based at least in part on the distance and direction from the sensor to the reference well.