Patent · US Active

Method and system for steering a directional drilling system

US8720604B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
82References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 7, 2008
Grant dateMay 13, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 26, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B44/005
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A drill bit direction system and method is disclosed that modifies or biases the stochastic movement of the drill bit to change a drilling direction of a drilling system. The direction of the drill bit is monitored to determine if the direction happens to align in some way with a preferred direction. If the direction isn't close enough to a preferred or desired direction, stochastic motion of the drill bit in the borehole may be controlled and/or motion of the drill bit under a side force acting on the drill bit to direct the drilling may be focused or biased to modify the direction of drilling closer to the preferred direction. Any of a number of stochastic motion control mechanisms or biasing mechanisms can be used. Some embodiments can resort to conventional steering mechanisms to supplement the stochastic motion control or side force biasing mechanisms.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.