Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Dimitrios K Pirovolou

Maja Ignova

Geoffrey Charles Downton

Jacques R Tabanou

Geoff Downton

Reinhart Ciglenec

Walter David Aldred

Spyro J Kotsonis

Attilio C Pisoni

Alexandre G Kosmala

Ernesto Garcia

A drill control system includes an uphole control device and a downhole control device. The uphole control device is configured to transmit a reference trajectory to the downhole control device and receive information about an actual trajectory from the downhole control device. The downhole control device is configured to receive the reference trajectory from the uphole control device, measure the actual trajectory, correct deviations between the reference trajectory and the actual trajectory, and transmit information about the actual trajectory to the uphole control device.

Directional drilling control devices and methods

Apparatus and methods for directional drilling are provided. A drill control system includes an uphole control device and a downhole control device. The uphole control device is configured to: transmit a reference trajectory to the downhole control device and receive information about an actual trajectory from the downhole control device. The downhole control device is configured to: receive the reference trajectory from the uphole control device, measure the actual trajectory, correct deviations between the reference trajectory and the actual trajectory, and transmit information about the actual trajectory to the uphole control device.

Steering behavior model can include build rate and/or turn rate equations to modal bottom-hole assembly behavior. Build and/or turn rate equations can be calibrated by adjusting model parameters thereof to minimize any variance between actual responseand estimated response produced for an interval of the well. Estimated position and orientationof a bottom-hole assembly along a subsequent interval can be generated by inputting subsequent tool settings into the calibrated steering behavior model. Estimated position and orientationcan be compared to a well planwith a controllerwhich determines a corrective action. Corrective actioncan be converted from a build and/or turn rate to a set of recommended tool settingsby using an inverse applicationof the steering behavior model. As additional databecomes available, steering behavior model can be further calibratedthrough iteration.

Method of automatically controlling the trajectory of a drilled well

A method and apparatus for drilling at least one wellbore from an offsite location is provided. Each wellbore is located at a wellsite having a drilling rig with a downhole drilling tool suspended therefrom. The downhole drilling tool is selectively advanced into the earth to form the wellbore. The downhole drilling tool is operated according to a wellsite setup. Wellsite parameters are collected from a plurality of sensors positioned about the wellsite. The wellsite parameters are transmitted to an offsite control center. The offsite control center performs an analysis of the wellsite parameters and automatically adjusts the wellsite setup from the offsite control center based on the analysis.

Wellbore drilling method

An actively controlled rotary steerable drilling system for directional drilling of wells having a tool collar rotated by a drill string during well drilling. A bit shaft has an upper portion within the tool collar and a lower end extending from the collar and supporting a drill bit. The bit shaft is omni-directionally pivotally supported intermediate its upper and lower ends by a universal joint within the collar and is rotatably driven by the collar. To achieve controlled steering of the rotating drill bit, orientation of the bit shaft relative to the tool collar is sensed and the bit shaft is maintained geostationary and selectively axially inclined relative to the tool collar during drill string rotation by rotating it about the universal joint by an offsetting mandrel that is rotated counter to collar rotation and at the same frequency of rotation. An electric motor provides rotation to the offsetting mandrel with respect to the tool collar and is servo-controlled by signal input from position sensing elements such as magnetometers, gyroscopic sensors, and accelerometers which provide real time position signals to the motor control. In addition, when necessary, a brake is used to maintain the offsetting mandrel and the bit shaft axis geostationary. Alternatively, a turbine is connected to the offsetting mandrel to provide rotation to the offsetting mandrel with respect to the tool collar and a brake is used to servo-control the turbine by signal input from position sensors.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Dimitrios K Pirovolou