U.S. patent application number 12/179617 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for system and method for drilling a borehole.
Invention is credited to Keith A. Moriarty, Devin Rock, Robert Utter.
Application Number | 20100018770 12/179617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41466663 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100018770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moriarty; Keith A. ; et
al. |
January 28, 2010 |
System and Method for Drilling a Borehole
Abstract
A technique facilitates drilling in a wide variety of
applications and environments. The technique utilizes a coiled
tubing bottom hole assembly constructed with a sensor system that
provides the ability to steer a borehole within a reservoir. An
orienter is connected to a top end of the bottom hole assembly to
provide rotational movement of the bottom hole assembly. The
orienter can be designed to provide continuous and bidirectional
rotational movement of the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly. A
telemetry system is provided to enable high data rate telemetry
between the orienter and a surface location as well as
communication between the bottom hole assembly and the
orienter.
Inventors: |
Moriarty; Keith A.;
(Houston, TX) ; Rock; Devin; (Katy, TX) ;
Utter; Robert; (Sugar Land, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION;David Cate
IP DEPT., WELL STIMULATION, 110 SCHLUMBERGER DRIVE, MD1
SUGAR LAND
TX
77478
US
|
Family ID: |
41466663 |
Appl. No.: |
12/179617 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/45 ; 175/40;
175/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/04 20130101; E21B
7/043 20130101; E21B 47/024 20130101; E21B 47/12 20130101; E21B
47/002 20200501; E21B 7/068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/45 ; 175/40;
175/57 |
International
Class: |
E21B 44/02 20060101
E21B044/02 |
Claims
1. A system for drilling a borehole, comprising: a bottom hole
assembly having a directional drill bit, a motor to drive the drill
bit, and a measurement while drilling system; an orienter coupled
to the bottom hole assembly and located above the bottom hole
assembly, the orienter providing full rotational capability for the
bottom hole assembly in clockwise and counterclockwise directions;
a coiled tubing coupled to the orienter with a coiled tubing
wireline head; and a wireline to deliver power to the orienter, the
wireline further providing high data rate telemetry between the
bottom hole assembly and a surface location.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a wireless
telemetry system to communicate signals between the bottom hole
assembly and the orienter.
3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the wireless telemetry
system comprises a rotating communication component on the bottom
hole assembly and a stationary communication component on the
orienter.
4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom hole
assembly further comprises a logging while drilling system.
5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the logging while
drilling system comprises an imaging sensor to enable geological
steering of the borehole within a reservoir.
6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the logging while
drilling system comprises an azimuthal sensor to enable geological
steering of the borehole within a reservoir.
7. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the logging while
drilling system comprises a directional sensor to enable geological
steering of the borehole within a reservoir.
8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the measurement while
drilling system comprises direction and inclination sensors.
9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the orienter comprises
a motor coupled to a gearbox, the motor receiving power through the
wireline.
10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the orienter further
comprises an internal pressure sensor and an annular pressure
sensor.
11. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an axial
device to facilitate axial movement of the bottom hole
assembly.
12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the axial device
comprises a tractor.
13. A method, comprising: constructing a coiled tubing bottom hole
assembly with sensors to enable precise geological steering during
drilling of a borehole; connecting an orienter to the coiled tubing
bottom hole assembly at a top end of the coiled tubing bottom hole
assembly; providing a high-bandwidth telemetry between the coiled
tubing bottom hole assembly and the orienter; and employing a
wireline to provide high data rate telemetry and to deliver power
to the orienter.
14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein constructing
comprises constructing the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly with
sensors able to scan the borehole.
15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein constructing
comprises constructing the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly with
a sensor system able to acquire and interpret azimuthal
measurements and images in real time.
16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein constructing
comprises constructing the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly with
a measurement while drilling system.
17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein constructing
comprises constructing the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly with
a logging while drilling system.
18. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising operating
the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly to drill a borehole.
19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein operating comprises
steering the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly through a short
radius drill trajectory.
20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein operating comprises
utilizing the precise geological steering while operating in high
gas fraction, two-phase drilling fluids.
21. A system, comprising: a coiled tubing bottom hole assembly
having a sensor system that provides the ability to geologically
steer a borehole within a reservoir; an orienter positioned above
and connected to a top end of the coiled tubing bottom hole
assembly, the orienter able to provide continuous and bidirectional
rotational movement of the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly; and
a telemetry system able to provide high data rate telemetry between
the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly and the orienter during
operation.
22. The system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a
wireline coupled to the orienter to provide high data rate
telemetry between the orienter and the surface while providing
power to the orienter.
23. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the telemetry system
is a wireless telemetry system.
24. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the sensor system is
embodied at least in part in a measurement while drilling
system.
25. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the sensor system is
embodied at least in part in a logging while drilling system.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] In preparing wells, boreholes are drilled to subterranean
reservoirs, and those boreholes can be used for producing desired
fluids, such as hydrocarbon based fluids. The boreholes also can be
used for treatment applications and a variety of other well related
applications. In many environments, directional drilling systems
are used to enable an operator to change the direction of drilling
to better access a reservoir or other subterranean region.
[0002] A variety of systems and techniques are used to facilitate
directional drilling. For example, coiled tubing drilling systems
have been used to provide the flexibility needed to drill deviated
wellbores. Additionally, a variety of systems and devices,
including steerable motors, articulated subs, push-the-bit systems,
and other systems or devices have been used to facilitate steering
of the drilling operation. However, the available systems and
techniques have proven to be limited in certain applications. For
example, such systems are not able to sufficiently operate in short
radius drilling trajectories in environments having high gas
fraction, two-phase drilling fluids.
SUMMARY
[0003] In general, the present invention provides a system and
method for drilling in a wide variety of applications and
environments. A coiled tubing bottom hole assembly is constructed
with a sensor system that provides the ability to geologically
steer a borehole within a reservoir. An orienter is connected to a
top end of the bottom hole assembly to provide rotational movement
of the bottom hole assembly. For example, the orienter can be
designed to provide continuous and bidirectional rotational
movement of the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly. Additionally, a
telemetry system is able to provide high data rate telemetry
between the orienter and a surface location as well as
communication between the bottom hole assembly and the
orienter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements, and:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of a coiled
tubing drilling system positioned in a borehole, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an illustration of one example of an orientation
system coupled to a bottom hole assembly for drilling a borehole,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of a bottom hole
assembly for drilling a borehole, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is an illustration of another example of a bottom
hole assembly for drilling a borehole, according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an illustration of another example of a bottom
hole assembly for drilling a borehole, according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is an illustration of another example of a bottom
hole assembly for drilling a borehole, according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without these details and that
numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments
may be possible.
[0012] The present invention generally relates to a system and
method for drilling a variety of boreholes and subterranean
reservoirs. The system utilizes a bottom hole assembly deployed on
coiled tubing and constructed to execute a variety of drilling
trajectories in many types of environments. For example, the design
of the system enables execution of short radius drilling
trajectories with high gas fraction, two-phase drilling fluids
while simultaneously providing the capability for precise
geological steering within reservoirs. The precise geological
steering is facilitated by a sensor system that enables scanning of
the borehole along with, for example, acquisition and
interpretation of azimuthal measurements and images in real time.
The unique functionality is provided in part by the combination of
an orienter tool and a bottom hole assembly along with
communications systems that provide high-bandwidth telemetry for
steering and azimuthal measurements and images. By way of example,
the measurements and images may be obtained, at least in part, with
a logging while drilling system incorporated into the bottom hole
assembly.
[0013] The coiled tubing drilling system may be constructed in
different configurations with various components depending on the
specific drilling applications. According to one embodiment, the
orienter is connected to a top end, i.e. uphole end, of the coiled
tubing bottom hole assembly to provide full rotational capability
with respect to the bottom hole assembly. The system further
comprises a wireline to power the orienter and to carry data to
and/or from the bottom hole assembly. The rotational capability of
the complete bottom hole assembly combined with a sensor system
having directional, azimuthal, and/or imaging sensors provides the
ability to geologically steer the borehole within a reservoir.
Additionally, the rotational capability of the complete bottom hole
assembly and the position of the orienter on top of the bottom hole
assembly greatly reduces the chance of the bottom hole assembly
becoming stuck in the borehole. Furthermore, the rotational
capability can be continuous and bidirectional. Thus, even if the
bottom hole assembly becomes temporarily stuck, the rotational
capability and the configuration of the drilling system provide an
enhanced ability to free the stuck assembly.
[0014] As described in greater detail below, the structure and
configuration of the orienter with respect to the coiled tubing
bottom hole assembly enable substantially improved communication.
In one embodiment, a wireline is used to provide power to the
orienter and to provide data transfer to the bottom hole assembly
during a drilling operation. In some embodiments, power can be
provided in the bottom hole assembly by batteries, such as
batteries disposed in measurement while drilling and/or logging
while drilling systems. The design also enables high data rate
telemetry from the bottom hole assembly to the orienter and through
the wireline to a surface location. To facilitate transfer of
signals during operation, a wireless telemetry system can be
deployed between the orienter and the bottom hole assembly to
provide full signal transfer capability while also providing a
fully rotational bottom hole assembly capable of continuous and
bidirectional operation. The unique structure and design of the
system facilitates many types of drilling operations in a wider
variety of environments. In one application, for example, the
system can be operated in short radius, ultra-slim hole sizes in
many types of fluid conditions, including under-balanced conditions
having two-phase flow with high gas fractions.
[0015] Referring generally to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a well
drilling system 20 is illustrated as being operated to drill a
borehole 22 for use in a well 24. The illustrated well drilling
system 20 is a coiled tubing drilling system that forms part of an
overall coiled tubing drilling installation 26. The coiled tubing
drilling installation 26 may have a variety of components and
systems, but the example illustrated generally comprises a coiled
tubing rig and injector installation 28 positioned at a surface 30
proximate the top of well 24.
[0016] The drilling system 20 generally comprises coiled tubing 32
connected to a coiled tubing bottom hole assembly 34 through an
orienter 36. As illustrated, orienter 36 is connected to bottom
hole assembly 34 at an uphole or top end 38 of the bottom hole
assembly. Furthermore, the bottom hole assembly 34 may comprise a
variety of components but generally includes a drill bit 40 driven
to form the borehole 22. Drill bit 40 may be rotated by a motor 42,
e.g. a mud motor, or by another suitable driving device. In this
embodiment, motor/device 42 is a steerable device, such as a
steerable mud motor, that may be directionally controlled to drill
borehole 22 along a variety of desired trajectories through a
reservoir 44.
[0017] Coiled tubing bottom hole assembly 34 also may comprise a
variety of other components depending on the specific application
environment. As discussed in greater detail below, the bottom hole
assembly may have a variety of sensors and signal transmission
systems to provide an operator with real-time data and/or other
data helpful in both drilling borehole 22 and in steering the
bottom hole assembly. By way of example, bottom hole assembly 34
may comprise measurement while drilling systems and/or logging
while drilling systems.
[0018] Referring generally to FIG. 2, one example of bottom hole
assembly 34 connected to orienter 36 is illustrated. The orienter
receives electrical power via a wireline 46 deployed along coiled
tubing 32. For example, wireline 46 may be deployed through an
interior 48 of coiled tubing 32. The coiled tubing 32 and wireline
46 are connected to orienter 36 via a coiled tubing wireline head
50. In this embodiment, wireline 46 may comprise a single or
multi-conductor cable to provide power to orienter 36 while also
providing high data rate telemetry between the surface and coiled
tubing bottom hole assembly 34.
[0019] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the orienter 36 comprises an
outer housing or body 52 enclosing a motor 54 powered via wireline
46. The motor 54 is connected to a gearbox 56 which, in turn, is
connected to bottom hole assembly 34 via a shaft 58 and an adapter
sub 60 to rotate the bottom hole assembly. The motor 54 and gearbox
56 can be selectively actuated within stationary housing 52 to
selectively rotate bottom hole assembly 34 in a continuous and
bidirectional manner, i.e. a clockwise or a counterclockwise
manner. The orienter 36 also comprises electronics 62 to enable
control over motor 54 and for outputting control signals and/or for
receiving data from a sensor system 64 and/or other sensor systems.
Sensor system 64 is able to provide various data to a surface
location via wireline 46. By way of example, sensor system 64 may
comprise pressure sensors, such as an internal pressure sensor 66
and an annular pressure sensor 68.
[0020] The electronics 62 also can be used to receive and transmit
signals with respect to a communication system 70 over which data
is communicated between bottom hole assembly 34 and orienter 36. In
the example illustrated, communication system 70 comprises a
wireless communication system able to transfer data between bottom
hole assembly 34 and orienter 36 at a high data rate. By way of
further example, wireless communication system 70 may comprise a
"short-hop" system having a stationary communication component 72
and a rotating communication component 74. In the example
illustrated, the stationary communication component 72 is mounted
in orienter 36, and the rotating communication component 74 is
mounted in bottom hole assembly 34. The use of rotating component
74 and stationary component 72 enables the transfer of data between
the bottom hole assembly 34 and the orienter 36 during operation of
the orienter and rotation of the bottom hole assembly. Depending on
the design of the overall drilling system, the communication system
70 enables high data rate, bidirectional transfer of information
between the orienter 36 and a variety of systems in the bottom hole
assembly 34, including measurement while drilling systems and/or a
logging while drilling systems. Data received from the bottom hole
assembly is transferred from stationary component 72 to electronics
62 and on to a surface location, or other suitable location, via
wireline 46. Furthermore, the transfer of data can be conducted on
a real time basis.
[0021] Another embodiment of drilling system 20 is illustrated in
FIG. 3. In this embodiment, coiled tubing bottom hole assembly 34
comprises a measurement while drilling system 76 connected to
orienter 36. At an opposite end, measurement while drilling system
76 is connected to motor 42 which is in the form of a steerable mud
motor able to rotate drill bit 40, as indicated by arrow 78. The
steerable mud motor 42 is designed to steer drill bit 40 to enable
steering of a borehole along desired trajectories during a drilling
operation. The measurement while drilling system 76 obtains data
that enables the bit direction and drilling direction to be
controlled via steerable motor 42. By way of example, measurement
while drilling system 76 may be battery powered.
[0022] Measurement while drilling system 76 comprises an outer
housing 80 that encloses and/or supports a directional formation
evaluation measurement system 82. The measurement system 82 may
comprise a variety of sensors, including direction and inclination
sensors 84. The measurement system 82 also may comprise other
sensors, such as a gamma ray sensor 86 that can be eccentrically
mounted and/or shielded and positioned to generate azimuthal
measurements and images of the borehole.
[0023] The orienter 36 is operable to selectively rotate
measurement while drilling system 76 and the entire bottom hole
assembly 34 in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction,
as indicated by arrows 88. When the orienter 36 is used to rotate
the bottom hole assembly 34 in a continuous mode, the data acquired
by measurement system 82 can be used to generate an image covering
360.degree. of the borehole. The data acquired is transmitted to
the surface via the short-hop, wireless communication system 70 and
wireline 46 for real time evaluation to enable precise control over
the drilling via mud motor 42 and drill bit 40. The ability to
acquire and transmit data combined with the arrangement and
cooperation of the orienter 36 and bottom hole assembly 34 enable
operation of the drilling system to create a variety of borehole
trajectories in a variety of environments. For example, the unique
construction and data acquisition abilities enable operation of the
coiled tubing bottom hole assembly 34 in a manner that executes
short radius drilling trajectories with high gas fraction,
two-phase drilling fluids while maintaining the ability for precise
geological steering within the reservoir by scanning the borehole
and acquiring and interpreting azimuthal measurements and images in
real time via measurement system 82.
[0024] Another embodiment of drilling system 20 is illustrated in
FIG. 4. In this embodiment, a logging while drilling system 90 is
combined with measurement while drilling system 76. For example,
logging while drilling system 90 may be mounted between motor 42,
e.g. a steerable mud motor, and measurement while drilling system
76. By way of example, both measurement while drilling system 76
and logging while drilling system 90 may be battery powered and
contain a variety of sensors, including direction and inclination
sensors and a gamma ray sensor that may be eccentrically mounted
and/or shielded in a position to generate azimuthal measurements
and images of the borehole.
[0025] In one embodiment, the logging while drilling system 90
comprises a sensor system 92 having desired sensors, including
directional sensors 94 specifically designed to enable generation
of azimuthal measurements and images of the borehole. By way of
example, directional sensors 94 may comprise resistivity sensors
constructed with tilted coils or other non-axisymmetric directional
sensors. However, sensor system 92 also may comprise a variety of
additional sensors, including annular pressure sensors and other
sensors as desired for obtaining information on various drilling
application related parameters.
[0026] The illustrated embodiment also enables operation of the
logging while drilling system 90 and/or measurement while drilling
system 76 while orienter 36 rotates bottom hole assembly 34 in a
continuous mode. The rotation of bottom hole assembly 34 enables
acquisition of data that can be used to generate any image or
images covering 360.degree. of the borehole. The acquired data can
be transferred at a high rate and in real time to orienter 36 via
wireless communication system 70 and on to a desired location via
wireline 46. The continuous rotational capability of the bottom
hole assembly 34 enables the precise drilling of desired
trajectories, including straight trajectories, while maintaining
precise well placement in the reservoir 44 via rotational images
and geosteering measurements obtained from sensor system 92 and/or
measurement system 82.
[0027] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the drilling
system 20 further comprises a device 96 to induce or facilitate
axial movement of the orienter 36 and bottom hole assembly 34. By
way of example, axial device 96 may comprise a tractor 98, such as
a reciprocating tractor, or another type of axial device, such as a
thruster or crawler. Use of a reciprocating tractor alternately
pulls coiled tubing 32 and pushes the combined orienter 36 and
bottom hole assembly 34. The axial device 96 effectively extends
the reach capability of the drilling system by providing added
force to overcome friction and to reduce the potential for helical
lockup in the coiled tubing due to the resistance incurred during
creation of the borehole.
[0028] Referring generally to FIG. 6, another alternate embodiment
is illustrated in which the drilling system 20 incorporates a
different type of axial device 96. In this embodiment, the axial
device 96 provides a continuous axial force through a continuous
type tractor or crawler 100. The continuous type tractor or crawler
100 imparts continuous force against orienter 36 which facilitates
movement of bottom hole assembly 34 during drilling of the borehole
along a desired trajectory. As with the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 5, the continuous axial force device 100 extends the reach
capability of the drilling system by overcoming friction and by
reducing the potential for helical lockup in the coiled tubing.
[0029] In operation, the sensor systems in the measurement while
drilling system 76 and/or the logging while drilling system 90 are
used in combination with the orienter 36 to selectively rotate the
complete bottom hole assembly 34 in a manner that facilitates the
drilling of boreholes along a variety of trajectories in many types
of environments. Additionally, the use of wireless communication
system 70 provides the system with telemetry between the bottom
hole assembly and the orienter to enable high rate, real time
transfer of data to a surface control system or other control
system. The combination of wireless communication system 70 and
wireline 46 provides the overall system with high-bandwidth
telemetry that facilitates both data accumulation and steering of
the drilling system 20. The ability to rotate the bottom hole
assembly 34 in either direction on a continuous basis also
dramatically improves the ability to geologically steer a borehole
along a desired trajectory within a reservoir. Depending on the
environment, incorporation of the axial device 96 can further
facilitate movement of the bottom hole assembly to precisely create
boreholes with desired trajectories.
[0030] Drilling system 20 can be constructed in a variety of
configurations for use in many environments and applications.
Depending on the specific environment and type of drilling
operation, the overall system may comprise a variety of alternate
or additional components. Furthermore, the various sensor systems
can be adjusted to sense desired parameters appropriate for a given
application. In some applications, for example, a variety of other
or additional sensors may be incorporated into the measurement
while drilling system and/or logging while drilling system.
Examples of such sensors include annular pressure sensors, internal
pressure sensors, tension sensors, compression sensors, additional
inclination sensors, or other parameter sensors.
[0031] Accordingly, although only a few embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail above, those of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible without materially departing from the teachings of
this invention. Such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims.
* * * * *