Surface Gravity Wellbore Tracking for Deep Collision Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calculating wellbore location and trajectory in subterranean formations are inaccurate due to assumptions about wellbore geometry and formation properties, and electromagnetic measurements are limited to shallow depths, making it difficult to accurately steer or intersect wellbores.
Innovation Solution
The use of surface tracking systems with gravity sensors to detect gravity anomalies and an inversion algorithm to model the subterranean formation, allowing for precise determination of wellbore positions and trajectories up to 10,000 feet true vertical depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic measurement techniques are used to track wellbore trajectories, then measurements can be obtained at shallow depths, but the method is limited to a few thousand feet true vertical depth because electromagnetic waves cannot penetrate deep into earthen formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic measurement techniques with a gravity-based measurement system. Instead of using electromagnetic waves that cannot penetrate deep formations, the system uses gravity sensors to detect gravitational field changes caused by wellbore contents, enabling depth measurements beyond the electromagnetic penetration limit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for measurement from electromagnetic wave propagation to gravitational field detection. By measuring gravitational acceleration changes rather than electromagnetic signal strength, the system overcomes the depth limitation of electromagnetic methods
2Loss of information
If current methods rely on surface acoustic and electromagnetic measurements together with BHA measurements to calculate wellbore location, then some position data can be obtained, but the calculations suffer from inaccuracies due to assumptions about wellbore geometry and formation properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gravity sensor measurements from the conventional measurement system and uses them as the primary measurement source. By separating the gravity-based position determination from the assumption-heavy calculation methods, the system eliminates errors introduced by geometric and formation property assumptions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wellbore contents themselves (drill pipe, drilling fluid) as the measurement target. The gravity sensor detects the gravitational pull of these known-mass objects, allowing the system to self-determine position without external reference frames or formation property assumptions
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 provides more accurate and reliable position and trajectory measurements, enabling effective steering and collision avoidance or intersection of wellbores, even at deeper depths, by using gravity sensors to measure changes in the gravitational field caused by wellbores and their contents.
Implementation Method 1
gravity sensors to measure changes in the gravitational field caused by wellbores and their contents
Data Source
AI summary
Surface tracking systems and methods for tracking a first wellbore relative to a non-geological target in a subterranean formation by determining characteristics of gravity anomalies related to the first wellbore and the non-geological target. The system includes a gravity sensor located at the Earth's surface and an information handling system operable to analyze the first and second gravity anomalies to determine a position and the trajectory of the first wellbore relative to the non-geological target. The systems and methods may also include the ability steer a trajectory of the first wellbore relative to the non-geological target.