Applied Technologies Associates, Inc.

Scientific Drilling International, Inc.

Troy Martin

Douglas Ridgway

Clinton Moss

Arthur La Porta

A method comprises a) positioning a passive magnetic ranging (PMR) tool in a drilling well that is near a target well that includes a ferromagnetic casing, b) measuring with each of the magnetometers a local magnetic anomaly created by the ferromagnetic casing of the target well so as to generate a plurality of magnetometer readings corresponding to the positions of the magnetometers; c) receiving the plurality of magnetometer readings with the controller; and d) using the received measurements to calculate ranging information, the ranging information including the range and direction from the PMR tool to the target well. The PMR tool may include a ranging collar, a longitudinal array of magnetometers extending along the length of the ranging collar, and a controller, the controller operatively connected to the plurality of magnetometers. The PMR tool may further comprise a radial array of magnetometers positioned radially about the ranging collar.

Passive magnetic ranging

A system includes a surface coil positioned at a known surface position, the surface coil including at least one loop of a conductor. The system also includes a coil controller coupled to the surface coil and adapted to inject a current into the surface coil such that the surface coil generates an electromagnetic field. In addition, the system includes a sensor package positioned within a wellbore adapted to detect the electromagnetic field and determine the position of the wellbore relative to the surface coil.

Surface coil for wellbore positioning

A system for guiding a well comprises a current source, a ground terminal electrically connected to the current source and grounded at the surface of the Earth, a reference wellbore comprising an intermediate casing (IC) that includes an IC electrical discontinuity and is electrically conductive between that the IC discontinuity and the IC bottom hole, a reference conductor electrically connected to the current source, a tubular that includes a tubular string electrical discontinuity (TSED), is electrically conductive between the TSED and the tubular bottom hole end (TBHE), and is inserted into the reference wellbore through the IC. Electrical connections exist between the tubular, the reference conductor, and the reference wellbore between the TSED and the TBHE, whereby current flowing through the reference conductor produces a magnetic field; magnetic sensors to sense the magnetic field and a guided wellbore is steered in response to the sensed magnetic field.

Well completion with single wire guidance system

A well completion system includes a current source, a ground terminal, and a reference conductor. The reference conductor is electrically connected to the current source, and is inserted into a reference wellbore having a tubular therein. The tubular has a tubular bottom hole end, and the tubular is electrically conductive between an electrical discontinuity and the bottom hole end. The tubular between the tubular string electrical discontinuity and the tubular bottom hole end is electrically connected to the reference conductor. The tubular between the tubular string electrical discontinuity and the tubular bottom hole end is electrically connected to the reference wellbore. Magnetic sensors are located outside the reference wellbore.

An artificial toolface reference system includes a power supply providing current to a ground lead and a reference lead. A ground point is coupled to the ground lead and in electrical connection with the ground. A reference wellbore includes a reference conductor in electrical connection with the ground. The reference conductor is in electrical connection with the reference lead. A guidance sensor positioned outside the reference wellbore includes at least one magnetometer. The power supply may be used to provide a current through the reference conductor, the ground, and the ground point such that a reference magnetic field is generated along the reference conductor. The guidance sensor may measure the reference magnetic field with a magnetometer. An artificial magnetic toolface may be calculated therefrom.

Active magnetic azimuthal toolface for vertical borehole kickoff in magnetically perturbed environments

An artificial toolface reference system includes a power supply providing current to a ground lead and a reference lead. A ground point is coupled to the ground lead and in electrical connection with the ground. A reference wellbore includes a reference conductor in electrical connection with the ground. The reference conductor is in electrical connection with the reference lead. The reference conductor includes an uninsulated portion and an insulated portion having an insulating layer positioned thereabout. A guidance sensor positioned outside the reference wellbore includes at least one magnetometer. The power supply may be used to provide a current through the reference conductor, into the ground through the uninsulated portion, and the ground point such that a reference magnetic field is generated along the reference conductor. The guidance sensor may measure the reference magnetic field with a magnetometer. An artificial magnetic toolface may be calculated therefrom.

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Edmonton, Canada

Troy Martin