US 8,757,294 B2Granted

System and method for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation

AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation

InventorsAshley Johnson, Walter David Aldred, Geoffrey Charles Downton, Riadh Boualleg, Kjell Haugvaldstad, Michael Sheppard

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Abstract

This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A method for using dynamic motion of a drilling system in a borehole being drilled or cored in an earth formation by the drilling system, the drilling system comprising a drill bit and a drill-string, to control the drilling system, comprising:

providing a section of the drilling system to control dynamic interactions between the drilling system and an inner surface of said borehole, wherein:
the section of the drilling system is configured to provide that interactions between the section of the drilling system and the inner surface resulting from dynamic motion of the drilling system in the borehole during the drilling process vary circumferentially around the section of the drilling system;
the section of the drilling system is configured to provide that the interactions between the section of the drilling system and the inner surface are generated by random dynamic motion of the drilling system in the borehole;
the section of the drilling system does not comprise a push the drill bit mechanism comprising actuators deployed from the drilling system and configured to move outward from the drilling system and apply a force against the inner surface;
and
the section of the drilling system does not comprise a point the drill bit mechanism comprising an angled bend in the drill-string;
maintaining the section of the drilling system geostationary in the borehole during the drilling process;
and
using the controlled dynamic interactions between the section of the drilling system and the inner surface of said borehole to steer the drilling system.

6 more elements

A system for controlling a drilling system for drilling or coring a borehole in an earth formation, comprising:

the drilling system, wherein the drilling system comprises a drill string, a bottomhole assembly and a drill bit, and wherein the borehole drilled by the drilling system is defined by an inner surface comprising an inner-wall of the borehole and a bottom of the borehole;
and
an interaction element coupled around the drilling system and configured to control dynamic interactions between the drilling system and the inner surface, wherein:
the interaction element is configured to remain geostationary on the drilling system during the drilling process and is configured to provide that interactions between the interaction element and the inner surface resulting from dynamic motion of the drilling system in the borehole during the drilling process vary circumferentially around the interaction element;
the interaction element is configured to provide that the interactions between the interaction element and the inner surface are generated by random dynamic motion of the drilling system in the borehole;
the interaction element is configured to control the dynamic interactions between the drilling system and the inner surface to steer the drilling system in a direction;
the interaction element does not comprise a push the drill bit mechanism comprising actuators deployed from the bottomhole assembly and configured to move outward from the drilling system and apply a force against the inner surface;
and
the interaction element does not comprise a point the drill bit mechanism comprising an angled bend in the drill-string.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.