Unified Well Construction Display for Disparate System Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oilfield industry faces challenges in visualizing and efficiently managing the well construction process due to disparate systems from different service providers, making it difficult to display the right information to the right people at the right time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for steering a downhole tool in a wellbore that involves measuring tool face and torque both on and off-bottom, determining a transfer function, and varying the drill string's angular position at the surface to reduce the angle between the tool face and a target face, using sensors and a processor to facilitate unified control across different systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple disparate service provider systems are used for well construction, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but it becomes difficult to display the right information to the right people at the right time and coordination becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple disparate service provider systems (rig control, mud systems, downhole systems) into a unified control platform that consolidates information from all systems. This allows centralized coordination while maintaining the functional capabilities of individual systems, resolving the contradiction between functional optimization and system coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control platform is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of data and control functions across different service provider systems. It serves as a multi-functional interface that can display and coordinate information from various specialized systems, allowing one system to perform multiple coordination roles.
2Ease of operation
If traditional disparate systems are used, then each system operates independently with its own control, but real-time unified control and accurate tool face alignment become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control platform continuously monitors tool face orientation, angular position, and torque data from various sensors. This feedback is processed in real-time to adjust drill string rotation and maintain accurate tool face alignment, enabling precise control while coordinating multiple independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control platform acts as an intermediary between independent system operators and the downhole tool. It receives data from independent systems, processes it through transfer functions, and coordinates their operations to achieve unified control and accurate tool face alignment, mediating between independent operations and precision requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex transfer functions are used to coordinate multiple systems, then accurate control can be achieved, but the computational complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the complex transfer functions into modular computational components that process specific parameters (tool face, angular position, torque) separately. Each module handles a specific aspect of the control calculation, making the overall complex computation more manageable and efficient while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for steering a downhole tool in a wellbore includes measuring a tool face when the drill bit is off-bottom, measuring an angular position of a drill string when the drill bit is off-bottom, and measuring a torque on the drill string when the drill bit is off-bottom. Measuring the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and measuring the torque on the drill string when the drill bit is on-bottom. Determining a transfer function comprising the angular position of the quill, the difference between the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and off-bottom, and the difference between the torque when the drill bit is on-bottom and off-bottom. The angular position of the drill string is varied at the surface, based upon the transfer function, to reduce an angle between the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and a target tool face.