Rotationally-independent wellbore ranging
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsRichard Thomas Hay, Mac Upshall, Christopher A. Golla, Burkay Donderici
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Abstract
In one example of a rotationally independent wellbore ranging system, a housing attached to a rotary component is positioned in a first wellbore and remains substantially stationary relative to the first wellbore when the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore. Multiple sensors affixed to the housing are operable to receive multiple ranging signals from a second wellbore while the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore, and provide the multiple ranging signals to a processor to determine a position of the first wellbore relative to the second wellbore.
Claims26
A system for ranging in wellbores, the system comprising:
- a housing attached to a rotary component disposed in a first wellbore, wherein the housing remains substantially stationary relative to the first wellbore when the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore;
- and
- a plurality of sensors affixed to the housing, the plurality of sensors operable to:
- receive a plurality of ranging signals from a second wellbore while the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore, and
- provide the plurality of ranging signals to a processor to determine a position of the first wellbore relative to the second wellbore.
A method for ranging in wellbores, the method comprising:
- rotating, in a first wellbore, a rotary component having a housing movable attached to the rotating component;
- substantially stopping a rotation of the housing relative to a wall of the wellbore while the rotary component continues to rotate;
- receiving, by sensors attached to the housing, a plurality of ranging signals at the rotary component in the first wellbore from a second wellbore while the rotary component continues to rotate in the first wellbore;
- and
- determining a position of the second wellbore relative to the first wellbore based on and in response to receiving the plurality of ranging signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.