Surface Steerable Drilling Control for Borehole Path Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in accurately navigating complex boreholes, particularly due to directional drilling, which can result in costly errors and reduced well output, as they lack effective systems to minimize errors and optimize drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A rotary steerable system and method that utilizes a surface steerable system to receive feedback from drilling rigs, calculate the drill bit's position, and adjust drilling parameters in real-time to maintain alignment with a planned path, minimizing errors through data-driven decision-making and automated control adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If directional drilling is used to navigate complex boreholes, then the ability to reach distant targets and access complex formations is improved, but the risk of drilling errors and deviation from planned path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from downhole sensors measuring actual borehole position and compares it to the planned path. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of deviations and automatic adjustment of drilling parameters to maintain accuracy while navigating complex formations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical steering methods with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, processors, and actuators. The system substitutes manual mechanical adjustments with automated electronic control of drilling parameters, improving both navigation capability and positioning accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time automated control adjustments are implemented, then drilling accuracy and error minimization are improved, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single automated control platform that combines sensor data acquisition, real-time position calculation, path deviation analysis, and drilling parameter adjustment. This multi-functional integration achieves high drilling accuracy while managing system complexity through consolidation rather than separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system performs self-adjustment of drilling parameters based on real-time feedback without requiring external intervention. The system independently calculates optimal adjustments and implements them automatically, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high positioning accuracy
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and automated control systems are deployed, then drilling error detection and correction capabilities are improved, but the cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types and control functions into an integrated automated system. Downhole sensors, surface equipment, and control algorithms are merged into a unified platform that achieves comprehensive error detection and correction while simplifying operations through centralized automation rather than separate manual systems
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
A method for rotary steerable drilling, comprising calculating a first plurality of convergence plans if an estimated position of a drill bit is not within a defined margin of error of a desired point along a planned path for a borehole, calculating a second plurality of convergence plans if the estimated position of the drill bit is not within the margin of error, selecting a convergence plan that best satisfies a set of target parameters from the first and second plurality of convergence plans, producing a set of control parameters representing the selected convergence plan, transmitting one or more commands to one or more rotary steering components to actuate the one or more rotary steering components, in order to alter the planned path for the borehole in accordance with the set of control parameters, and drilling at least a portion of the borehole based on the set of control parameters.