System for directional drilling and related method of use

Patent · Tue Aug 08 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5335917

Warren, T M; Winters, W J

This patent describes a method of controlling the path of a drillstring during directional drilling operations that utilizes downhole data collection and transmission means and drill bit rotation means connected adjacent a drill bit on a lower end of the drillstring, and with drillstring rotation means connected adjacent an upper end of the drillstring. The method comprises; inputting permitted limits of variance from a preselected drillstring azimuthal direction into memory means associated with a programmable digital computer; controlling the drillstring rotation means to maintain a fixed desired drillstring azimuthal orientation, and while drilling the wellbore utilizing the drill bit rotation means, transmitting a value of the downhole drillstring azimuthal direction to memory means associated with the programmable digital computer; if the transmitted value is outside of the permitted limits, calculating within the programmable digital computer the required direction and degrees of rotation of the drillstring required to bring the transmitted value within the permitted limits; and utilizing the programmable digital computer to momentarily activate the drillstring rotation means to incrementally rotate the drillstring. Also described is an automatic directional drilling system for use in drilling operations utilizing a downhole data collection and transmission means and drill bit rotation means connected adjacent a drill bit on a lower end of a drillstring, and with hydraulic drillstring rotation means connected adjacent the upper end of the drillstring.

• Assignee: Amoco Corp., Chicago, IL
• Patent Number(s): US 4854397
• Application Number: PPN: US 7244770A
• OSTI ID: 5335917
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200 -- Mathematics & Computers
AUTOMATION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILL PIPES
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
DRILLS
EQUIPMENT
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PIPES
ROTARY DRILLS
WELLS