Surveying system and method for locating target subterranean bodies
AssigneePatton Consulting, Inc.
InventorBob J. Patton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved system for use in drilling a relief well to intersect a target blowout well. A probable location distribution is used to survey the location of the candidate relief wells and the blowout well. Through the use of the relative probable location distribution, the integral probabilities of find, intercept and collision are calculated. A relief well plan is then optimally designed to drill and insure a high integral probability of a find and intercept and a low probability of a collision. The method provided by the present invention allows a relief well to be drilled in a minimum time with minimum risk exposure.
Claims28
A system for drilling a second wellbore along a planned path with respect to
- a first wellbore, comprising:
- means for drilling said second wellbore;
- means for obtaining survey data relating to the wellbore surface location and the borehole path of said first and second wellbores, respectively;
- data processing means for:
- 1) calculating first and second sets of error coefficients for said survey data for said first and second boreholes, respectively, 2) using said error coefficients to calculate a relative probable location distribution describing the location of said first wellbore relative to the location of said second wellbore at successive depths;
- and 3) generating a path plan, using said relative probable location distribution, for drilling said second wellbore relative to said first wellbore;
- and
- control means to cause said drilling means to drill said second wellbore in accordance with said path plan.
A method of drilling a second wellbore along a planned path with respect to a first wellbore, comprising the steps of:
- collecting survey data relating to the borehole path of said first wellbore;
- determining a first set of error coefficients for said survey data for said first wellbore;
- using said first set of error coefficients to calculate a probable location distribution describing the location of said first wellbore at successive depths;
- and
- using said probable location distribution to drill said second wellbore along a planned path relative to said first wellbore.
A method of drilling a second wellbore along a planned path with respect to a first wellbore, comprising the steps of:
- collecting survey data relating to the first wellbore surface location and the borehole path of said first wellbore;
- determining a first set of error coefficients for said survey data for said first wellbore;
- collecting survey data relating to the second wellbore surface location and the borehole path of said second wellbore;
- determining a second set of error coefficients for said survey data for said second wellbore;
- using said first and second sets of error coefficients to calculate a relative probable location distribution describing the location of said first wellbore relative to the location of said second wellbore at successive depths;
- and
- using said relative probable location distribution to drill said second wellbore along a planned path relative to said first wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.