Integrated Approach to Rotary-Steerable Drilling Optimization Using Concurrent Real-time Measurement of Near-bit Borehole Caliper and Near-bit Vibration

Sugiura, Junichi; Jones, Stephen J.

doi:10.2118/112163-ms

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…[7][8][9] For the first time in the industry, this integrated mechanical caliper while drilling provides real-time and memory-based caliper images and has become a novel methodology of creating borehole caliper image, compared with conventional LWD acoustic standoff caliper images. [7][8][9] For the first time in the industry, this integrated mechanical caliper while drilling provides real-time and memory-based caliper images and has become a novel methodology of creating borehole caliper image, compared with conventional LWD acoustic standoff caliper images.…”

Section: Rotary Steerable System With Mechanical Calipermentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Rotary-Steerable Borehole Quality Using Innovative Imaging Techniques

Sugiura¹

2009

Proceedings of Offshore Technology Conference

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Borehole quality of point-the-bit rotary steerable systems (RSS) has been well documented in the industry. This type of system, using an extended passive-gauge polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit and/or a full-gauge near-bit stabilizer to tilt the bit, is known to produce high-quality borehole due to the extra lateral stability added to the lower part of the bottomhole assembly (BHA), below the RSS deflection unit. Yet, extended-gauge PDC bits and full-gauge stabilizers are not suitable for every drilling environment, and a push-the-bit system may be more applicable in certain formations.On the other hand, borehole quality of push-the-bit RSS has not been extensively discussed in the past, partly because the PDC bit gauge length and profile are directly related to the directional response of the tool, and different gauge lengths may be used based on the application. This type of system may lack lateral stabilization between the bit face and steering unit, depending on the type of bits used and the steering mechanism. To increase the lateral stability and borehole quality of the system, in-depth analysis of PDC bit (gauge type and length) and BHA design is required. This paper describes the results of extensive downhole drilling tests conducted on a push-the-bit RSS. The controlled tests were conducted using various PDC bits drilling through different formations. Improvements in stability and borehole quality have been examined using vibration data and a unique near-bit 2-D/3-D caliper image. Visualization of the borehole, using 3-D caliper images and their spectrum analysis, reveals that borehole quality is highly dependant on the BHA components below the RSS steering unit.The test results show that progressive testing with innovative imaging techniques can systematically improve the performance of push-the-bit RSS and produce a better understanding of the interaction among the bit, formation, and RSS steering unit. Proper use of these techniques helps during the development of a field where troublesome formations are encountered and poor borehole quality leads to high torque and drag which limits the drilling performance.

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Section: Rotary Steerable System With Mechanical Calipermentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Rotary-Steerable Borehole Quality Using Innovative Imaging Techniques

Sugiura¹

2009

Proceedings of Offshore Technology Conference

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“…BHA instability can have a significant negative effect on the RSS directional performance and reliability. While testing, concurrent near-bit caliper and vibration data enabled the engineers and researchers to make comparative analysis of bit/BHA stability and borehole quality among different bit/BHA configurations 3,14,15 . Table 2 shows the near-bit vibration severities observed with different bits.…”

Section: Stabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of the Industry's First 3-D Mechanical Caliper Image While Drilling Leads to Optimized Rotary-Steerable Assemblies in Push- and Point-the-Bit Configurations

Sugiura

Jones

2008

All Days

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It has been widely recognized that poor hole quality causes tight borehole, packing off, high torque/drag, stick-slip, degraded logging-while-drilling (LWD) and wireline log quality, unpredictable directional performance, and consequently problematic casing runs. Conventionally, borehole quality is monitored with LWD standoff caliper logs and caliper images. In wireline application, multi-arm mechanical calipers are used to create such logs. Until today, it is believed that the use of such equipment is the only way to detect 3-D borehole problems, such as borehole oscillation. This paper presents the industry's first 2-D and 3-D mechanical caliper image while drilling and back-reaming with rotarysteerable systems (RSS). The near-bit mechanical caliper integrated into the specific RSS 1,2,3 takes measurements 4 ft from the bit in push-the-bit configuration and 7 ft from the bit in point-the-bit configuration. This pad-contact mechanical caliper provides both real-time and memory-based caliper images.The advantage of this new type of near-bit caliper measurement is that the sensor measures borehole geometry right at the bit as compared to 50-100 feet behind the bit with conventional LWD sensors. Borehole washout, for example, does not necessarily occur at the bit, but could be caused by string stabilizers far away from the bit. The ability to detect borehole washout in real-time helps the operator take immediate corrective action while drilling to maintain borehole integrity since near-bit washout often affects the steerability of RSS.In this paper, 2-D and 3-D near-bit caliper logs are extensively examined from different RSS assemblies and bits. The downhole data were gathered through controlled non-commercial field tests, as well as commercial runs. Frequency analysis using the discrete Fourier transform is also applied to the depth-based caliper images to identify the BHA and borehole oscillation issues. The effect of bit selection, stabilizer size/profile/geometry, and spacing on borehole quality is analyzed using the 2-D and 3-D near-bit caliper logs. As a result, this new sensor information helped to improve the RSS assembly performance and resulted in optimized BHAs in both push-and point-the-bit configurations for superior steerability, stability and borehole quality.

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“…The sensor system provides early warning of vibration levels that could potentially cause failure of BHA components, MWD/LWD and RSS 6 . When high levels of vibration are detected, the Directional Driller can change surface parameters in an attempt to reduce vibration to acceptable levels.…”

Section: Real-time Stick-slip and Vibration Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Results from Systematic Rotary-Steerable Testing with PDC Drill-Bits Depict the Optimal Balance between Stability, Steerability, and Borehole Quality

Jones

Sugiura

Barton³

2008

All Days

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There is significant discussion concerning what type of Rotary Steerable System (RSS) provides the best-quality hole, and which key characteristics of the drill bit, along with a particular RSS, will produce the optimal balance between stability and steerability in directional wells. Although some evidence can be drawn from field performance with various tools and customized drill bits, these results can often be inconclusive due to the large variance in factors involved with commercial drilling.This paper describes an extensive series of test wells drilled in a controlled and non-commercial environment, allowing single step changes in both the drill bit features and Rotary Steerable (RS) configurations. The testing is unique in that the specific RSS works in shop-configurable point-the-bit and push-the-bit modes. Between two distinct RSS operation modes, consistency in stiffness, weight, force applying capability, and control systems lead to a direct comparison of bit performance. A unique sensor system, integrated into the specific RSS, provided real-time measurement of near-bit borehole caliper and near-bit stick-slip and vibration. This feature allowed real-time evaluation of bit and BHA stability and borehole quality. After each test run, memory data was retrieved and used for more detailed assessment of bit performance.Drill bit tests were systematically structured in a controlled environment so that the relationship between gauge geometry and configuration could be examined without alteration of the cutting structure. As a result, comparison between stability, dogleg capability, torque and drag, and borehole quality was solely dependent upon gauge length and geometry. Further, the systematic testing led to the conclusion that a specific gauge design related to effective side cutting and gauge stabilization is crucial for optimized RS drilling in both point-the-bit and push-the-bit configurations.

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Integrated Approach to Rotary-Steerable Drilling Optimization Using Concurrent Real-time Measurement of Near-bit Borehole Caliper and Near-bit Vibration

Cited by 12 publications

References 10 publications

Improving Rotary-Steerable Borehole Quality Using Innovative Imaging Techniques

Improving Rotary-Steerable Borehole Quality Using Innovative Imaging Techniques

The Use of the Industry's First 3-D Mechanical Caliper Image While Drilling Leads to Optimized Rotary-Steerable Assemblies in Push- and Point-the-Bit Configurations

Results from Systematic Rotary-Steerable Testing with PDC Drill-Bits Depict the Optimal Balance between Stability, Steerability, and Borehole Quality

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