Directional Well Trajectory Correction With Intermediate Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drillers face challenges in effectively returning to a planned well trajectory, as existing systems often lack the ability to explore alternative correctional trajectories before making decisions, limiting their options for correcting deviations from the planned path.
Innovation Solution
A drilling system with a computing system that receives directional drilling well plans and BHA position data, allows users to specify intermediate targets, generates candidate correctional trajectories, and presents drilling parameters in an editable format, enabling users to explore and select alternative trajectories to update the well plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single correctional trajectory is generated automatically, then the system provides a definitive solution, but the directional driller cannot explore alternative options
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the trajectory generation process into multiple independent candidate trajectories, each representing a different correction option. Instead of generating one monolithic correctional path, the system creates multiple discrete trajectory candidates that can be individually evaluated and compared by the directional driller.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static, single-solution trajectory generation into a dynamic, multi-option exploration tool. The directional driller can interactively adjust parameters and generate multiple trajectory variants, making the system adaptable to different drilling scenarios and driller preferences.
2Ease of operation
If the system provides automated correctional trajectories, then efficiency is improved, but the directional driller's experience and judgment are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback loops where the directional driller's selections, adjustments, and preferences are fed back into the trajectory generation algorithm. This allows the system to learn from and adapt to the driller's expertise, combining automated efficiency with human judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between automated trajectory generation and driller decision-making. It provides multiple candidate trajectories that serve as a bridge, allowing the driller to review, compare, and select the best option while still benefiting from automated calculations and recommendations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple candidate trajectories are generated, then more options are available, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates a limited number of high-quality candidate trajectories (partial action) rather than exhaustively calculating all possible trajectories (excessive action). This provides sufficient options for the directional driller while maintaining computational efficiency and reasonable calculation times.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, drilling systems, and computer-readable media for evaluating candidate correctional trajectories for a directional drilling well. If the user wishes to investigate alternatives trajectories or trajectories to get a BHA back to a planned trajectory, the computing system allows the user to enter one or more intermediate targets. The computing system generates drilling parameters for the alternative targets and displays them to the user. The user can adjust parameters and intermediate targets, as well as drilling parameters, to investigate a range of possible solutions before selecting an update to the planned trajectory.