Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
  • E21B17/10—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers
  • E21B17/1078—Stabilisers or centralisers for casing, tubing or drill pipes
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
  • E21B17/10—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers
  • E21B17/1014—Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
  • E21B7/04—Directional drilling
  • E21B7/06—Deflecting the direction of boreholes

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for adjusting the azimuth of the trajectory of a drilling tool in rotary mode.
• the drilling tool In the case of rotary drilling, the drilling tool is driven in rotation by a drill string, one end of which is located on the surface and is connected to a means of rotary drive.
• the axial force on the tool is also exerted via the drill string.
• This adjustment can be relative to the inclination of the trajectory, that is to say to the angle of this trajectory with the vertical or to the azimuth of the trajectory, that is to say to the angular position of a vertical drilling plane containing the axis of the hole or well, with respect to a predetermined direction which is preferably the direction of magnetic north.
• the devices and methods known to date for adjusting the azimuth of the trajectory of a rotary drilling tool use complex mechanical or electronic means comprising several moving parts and requiring either a mechanical anchoring of part of the device inside the hole for which drilling is carried out is an electronic identification of the adjustment means with respect to the vertical drilling plane containing the axis of the hole or well being drilled.
• the devices according to the prior art which are used for adjusting the trajectory of a drilling tool include means making it possible to deflect the trajectory in the desired direction which are connected to the drill string and which have bearing surfaces on the surface of the hole or wellbore offset from the drill string. When the trajectory adjustment means are put into service, the bearing surfaces come into contact with the interior surface of the hole in a desired orientation.
• the object of the invention is to propose a device for adjusting the azimuth of the trajectory of a drilling tool in rotary mode fixed to the end of a train of rods in rotation about its substantially arranged axis. along a vertical plane during the drilling of a hole, the azimuth of the trajectory being defined by the angular position of the vertical plane or drilling plane relative to a reference direction, this device requiring no anchoring in the well nor any identification of the adjustment means with respect to the drilling plan and making it possible to adjust the azimuth, both to the right and to the left of the drilling plan, in the direction of advancement of the drilling.
• the device according to the invention consists of at least one rod train element integral with the rotating rod train and fixed on the drill string in the vicinity of the tool, comprising in cross section parts whose external support surfaces are arranged along a cylindrical surface having an axis coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of the drill string and a maximum diameter equal to or substantially equal to the nominal diameter of the hole, distributed around the axis of the drill string, so as to generate, during the rotation of the drill string, by reaction of the wall of the hole on the element, tilting forces of the tool drilling outside the drilling plan either to the right or to the left of the drilling plan, during part of a rotation of a full revolution of the drill string and to maintain the drill string substantially along the axis of the hole during the remaining part of the rotation.
• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a rotary rotary drilling device.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a rotary drilling tool with which an adjustment element according to the invention is associated.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operating principle of the azimuth adjustment device according to the invention.
• Figure 4 is a representation of the forces involved at the level of the adjusting element, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drill string.
• Figure 5 is an elevational view of an adjusting element according to the invention.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along 6-6 of Figure 5, in the case of an adjusting element for generating tilting forces of the drill string to the right.
• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to the view of Figure 6 of an adjusting element for generating tilting forces of the drill string to the left.
• FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to the views of FIGS. 6 and 7 of an adjustment element with variable diameter blades making it possible to generate tilting forces of the drill string either to the right or to the left.
• FIG. 1 a rotary drilling device 1 can be seen, the drill string 2 of which carries a drilling tool 3 at its end in the process of advancing to produce the borehole 4.
• the end of the drill string located opposite the tool 3 is connected to a rotary drive device 5 of the drill string 2 about its axis.
• the rod 2a located at the upper part of the drill string 2 has a square section and the rotary drive means 5 of the drill string is constituted by a horizontal rotation table crossed by an opening allowing the engagement of the rod with square section.
• the rotation of the table by a motor assembly makes it possible to drive the square cross-section rod 2a and the drill string 2 in rotation while allowing axial movement of the drill string to carry out the drilling.
• the lower part of the drill string being mainte ⁇ naked in compression will exert an axial direction force on the drill string and on the tool allowing its application with sufficient pressure on the bottom of the borehole 4.
• the upper end of the drill string constituting its first end, opposite the second end connected to the drilling tool 3, comprises a drilling fluid injection head 6 connected to the first rod 2a so as to inject into its internal bore the drilling fluid under pressure.
• the drilling fluid flows in the axial direction, inside the drill string and over its entire length so as to reach the lower part of the drilling device, at the level of the tool 3.
• the drilling fluid sweeps the bottom of the borehole 4 then rises to the surface in the annular space located between the drill string and the wall of the borehole by carrying out the driving of the rock debris torn off by the drilling tool 3.
• the drilling fluid loaded with debris is collected bored on the surface, separated from debris and recycled in a tank 7.
• a pump 8 allows the drilling fluid to be returned to the injection head 6.
• the drilling device 1 comprises, in its lower part, a drill string element constituting an azimuth adjustment device 10 according to the invention which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5 and to FIGS. 6 at 8.
• the adjustment element 10 is connected directly to the drilling tool 3, by means of a junction zone 15 defining a bearing face of the lining 10 on the tool 3.
• FIG. 2 we see the tool 3 connected to the adjustment element 10, via the junction zone 15, the element 10 itself being connected to the upper section 16 of the drill string, as shown in Figure 1.
• the drilling tool 3 is rotated about the axis 14 of the drill string, so as to drill the hole 4.
• the drill string is represented in a vertical position, but in the case of directional drilling, this drill string has a certain inclination relative to the vertical direction.
• the tool 3, the element and the axis 14 of the drill string combined with the axis of the hole 4 have been shown in an inclined position.
• the axis 14 of the drill string and the hole 4 is arranged in a vertical plane called "drilling plane".
• transverse reactions include components located in the drilling plan, the result of which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 by arrow 17. These transverse reactions also include components perpendicular to the drilling plan, the result of which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 by arrow 18. These transverse components perpendicular to the drilling plane make it possible to adjust the azimuth of the trajectory, that is to say the angular position of the drilling plane with respect to a fixed reference. This result perpendicular to the drilling plane can be directed to the right or to the left, for an observer looking in the direction of advancement of the drilling.
• the direction NM of the magnetic north is represented and the trace PF of the drilling plan which is the vertical plane containing the axis of the borehole or merged with the axis 14 of the drill string in position inclined by vertical when drilling, as shown in Figure 2.
• the angle A determining the angular position of the drilling plan with respect to the magnetic north corresponds to the azimuth which is adjusted.
• FIG. 4 represents the result of the transverse forces in the case where this resultant TD is directed upwards and to the right of the drilling plan and in the case where this resultant TG is directed upwards and to the left of the PF drilling plan.
• the resulting forces TD and TG have an AN component in the vertical direction and upwardly directed drilling plane. This component allows adjustment of the inclination of the drill string and the hole.
• the resultant TD has an azimuthal component ATD perpendicular to the drilling plane and directed to the right.
• the resulting TG has an azi ⁇ mutual ATG component perpendicular to the drilling plane and directed to the left.
• the azimuth adjustment device according to the invention consists of an element 10 integral with the rotating drill string and placed in the vicinity of the tool which is capable of generating, during the rotation of the drill string, by reaction of the wall of the hole on the element, a transverse force such as TD or TG having an azimuth component directed either to the right or to the left, according to the azimuth correction to be carried out at a given instant.
• FIG 5 there is shown an element 10 whose profiled shape will be described below which is fixed to the drilling tool 3, at the bearing face 15, by its lower part, and to the upper section of the drill string by its upper end.
• the element 10 has a profiled shape both in the axial direction 14 of the drill string and in the transverse planes 20 perpendicular to the axis 14.
• the element can allow a tilting of the drill string and the tool to the right of the drilling plan (case of Figure 6), to the left of the drilling plan (case of Figure 7) or either to the right or to the left by controlling blades with variable diameter (case of Figure 8).
• the maximum diameter of the element is substantially equal to the nominal diameter of the cross section of the hole 4.
• the cross section of the element 10 has radial protrusions 21, 22, 23 and 24 separated by recessed portions 25.
• the protrusions 21, 22 and 23 have surfaces external support located on a cylinder having an axis coincident or substantially coincident with the axis 14 of the drill string and the element and for diameter the diameter of the borehole 4.
• the projecting portion 24 has an external surface in withdrawal of a distance e_ from the interior surface of the borehole 4.
• the protruding parts 21, 22 and 23 constitute support blades comparable to the blades of a stabilizer for adjusting the trajectory of a drilling tool.
• the protruding parts of the lining 10 have a maximum diameter equal to or slightly less than the nominal diameter of the borehole and the tilting of the drill string relative to the drilling plane is obtained dynamically during rotation of the element, under the effect of the reaction of the wall of the borehole on the element whose projecting parts are distributed circumferentially around the axis of the lining, so as to create an asymmetry of the forces.
• the element 10 comprises a central channel 26 of axial direction making it possible to ensure continuity of the circulation of the drilling fluid between the upper section of the drill string and the drilling tool.
• the projecting parts of the element 10 such that the projecting part 22 can be placed so that their longitudinal axis such as 27 is inclined relative to the axis 14 of the element and drill string.
• the element 10 comprises a central part 28 in which the support blades have a maximum diameter corresponding substantially to the nominal diameter of the borehole and two inclined parts 29 and 30 placed on either side of the part 28 in which the diameter of the support blades is gradually decreasing towards the ends of the packing.
• This profiled shape in the axial direction 14 of the element makes it possible to facilitate the engagement and progression of the element inside the borehole. It is obvious that the various parameters (angles or dimensions) defining the geometrical shape of the element 10 will be chosen by a person skilled in the art, depending on the use of the drill string.
• the support parts 22 and 23 which are placed substantially 90 e apart from each other around the axis 14 of the lining comprise external surfaces of substantially cylindrical shape, the cross section of which consists of an arc -circle seen at an angle ⁇ 2 (or ⁇ 3) from the axis 14 of the element.
• the angles ⁇ 2 and ⁇ 3 are substantially equal.
• the projecting part 21 has an external bearing surface constituted by an arc of a circle whose opening angle ⁇ 1 from the axis 14 of the element is substantially less than ⁇ 2 and ⁇ 3.
• the projecting part 21 is offset by an angle ⁇ with respect to the diametrical direction passing through the center of the support part 23.
• the element 10 has been shown in a determined position during its rotation inside the borehole 4 whose axis 14 is inclined relative to the vertical.
• the protruding part 23 of the element 10 is located at the upper part of the hole 4 and the part 21 in the vicinity of the lower generatrix of the borehole 4.
• the section of the element shown in FIG. 6 is seen in a direction opposite to the direction of advancement F of the drilling.
• the trace of the vertical drilling plane PF corresponds to the diameter of the cross section of the element on which the projecting part 23 is centered.
• the offset ⁇ of the projecting part 21 co-bearing the small-sized bearing surface ⁇ l is oriented to the right of the drilling plane PF (in the opposite direction of drilling).
• the surface of the element 10, at the level of the projecting part 21 is machined in relief, so as to constitute a recessed part inclined at an angle ⁇ with respect to the perpendicular to the diameter corresponding to the trace of the drilling plan PF.
• a tilting of the element, the drill rod and the tool therefore occurs to the right of the drilling plan, which makes it possible to carry out a certain correction of the azimuth which is determined by the shape of the element 10.
• Tipping can only occur when the support part 21 has returned to the lower part of the borehole.
• the azimuth correction is always made to the right, using the trim as shown in Figure 6.
• the tilting of the element to the right during part of the rotation is made possible by the absence of a bearing zone of the element 10 on the wall of the borehole on one side of the axial plane of the passing lining. by the support area 21 having a small opening angle ⁇ 1 and by the presence of a support area 22 having a large opening angle ⁇ 2 on the other side of the axial plane passing through the support area 21.
• the essential parameters of the element defining its geometric shape are the small opening angle ⁇ l of one of the support zones, the offset angle ⁇ of this zone with low support surface relative to the axial plane passing through a support zone with a large opening ⁇ 3 and the distance s between the external surface of the element and the wall of the borehole, in a zone which is appreciably diametrically opposite to a support zone 22 with large opening angle ⁇ 2 interspersed between zones 21 and 23.
• the geometry of the support zone 21 with a small opening is also defined by the angle of inclination ⁇ of the connection surface of this support zone allowing tilting to the right of the item.
• FIG. 7 an element 10 ′ has been shown making it possible to tilt the drill string and the drilling tool to the left of the drilling plan, during the rotation of the drill string and the element .
• 10 ′ is symmetrical with the shape of the cross section of the element 10 shown in FIG. 6, with respect to trace 32 (or 32 *) of the drilling plan, the element being placed relative to the drilling plan, in its position shown in FIG. 6.
• Element 10 * has protruding parts 21 " , 22 *, 23 'and 24'.
• the parts 21 ′, 22 ′, 23 ′ are situated on a cylinder whose axis is coincident or substantially coincident with the axis of the element and whose diameter corresponds substantially to the nominal diameter of the borehole.
• the support parts 22 ′, 23 ′ which are arranged substantially 90 e from one another around the axis of the element have a large external surface of contact with the wall of the hole.
• the support part 21 ' has a small contact surface and is arranged with an angular offset on one side of the drilling plane with respect to the support part 23' with a large surface located in the upper part of the drilling hole. drilling 4.
• the fourth projecting part 24 ′ of the element 10 ′ has an external bearing surface whose distance from the axis 14 ′ of the element is less by a length e_ than the radius of the nominal section of the hole.
• the element is machined in clearance from the projecting part 21 ', so as to allow a tilt to the left of the element and of the tool, when the lining is in a position close to the position shown in figure 7.
• an adjustment element 40 for carrying out an azimuth adjustment, either to the left or to the right of the drilling plane, in the direction of advance of the tool drilling.
• the element 40 is interposed on the drill string and integral with this drill string, in the vicinity of the drilling tool, in the manner which has been described with regard to the element 10.
• the element 40 has a body which is substantially symmetrical with respect to an axial plane such as the trace plane PF in FIG. 8 which corresponds to the drilling plane, when the element is in its position shown in FIG. 8.
• the body of the element 40 has two radial projecting parts 41 and 43, the cross sections of which are placed in substantially diametrically opposite positions on the section of a cylinder having the axis of the element axis and the diameter the nominal diameter of the borehole 4.
• One of the projecting parts 41 has an external bearing surface of small dimensions, the body of the element 40 being machined in clearance on either side of the projecting part 41, with angles of inclination cxD and aG substantially equal.
• the support part 43 opposite the support part 41 has a cylindrical shape and a large surface.
• the body of the element 40 also comprises two projecting parts 42 and 44 whose radius is less by a length e_G (or ⁇ D) than the nominal radius of the borehole 4.
• Two movable blades 45 and 46 in the radial direction are mounted respectively inside the projecting parts 42 and 44 of the body of the element 40.
• the blades 45 and 46 can be moved between a retracted position inside the body of the element 40 (blade 45) and an extracted position (blade 46).
• the external bearing surface of the blade of substantially cylindrical shape is placed along a cylindrical surface having the axis 48 of the element as its axis and the nominal diameter of the borehole 4 as substantially the diameter.
• the blade In its retracted position, the blade is entirely housed in the body of the element 40, so that there remains a distance ED or _ ⁇ G between the external surface of the element and the internal wall of the hole 4.
• the blades 45 and 46 can be moved between their retracted position and their extracted position, by a remote actuation device as described in French patent 2,575,793 and which can be used to actuate the blades of a diameter stabilizer varia ⁇ ble, as described in French patent 2,579,662.
• the control of such an actuation device is ensured remotely by fixing the flow rate of circulation of the drilling fluid in the drill string at a determined value.
• the actuation device used in the case of the azimuth adjustment element shown in FIG. 8 is such that it allows either the extraction of the blade 46 and the holding in the retracted position of the blade 45, as shown in FIG. 8, or on the contrary the extraction of the blade 45 and the maintenance in the retracted position of the blade 46.
• the adjustment element 40 allows a correction of the azimuth of the trajectory of a drilling tool to the left.
• the second configuration of the adjustment element 40 (blade 45 extracted and blade 46 retracted) allows correction of the azimuth of the trajectory to the right.
• the remote actuation device for the blades 45 and 46 it is therefore possible to make corrections to the trajectory, during the rotation of the drill string, to the right or to the left.
• the adjustment device has the advantage of carrying out dynamic adjustment of the azimuth, during the rotation of the drill string and without having to set up and orient a complex mechanical device.
• the geometric shape of the cross section of the adjusting element can be different from the shape which has been described.
• This adjustment element may include a number of support blades diffé ⁇ rent three, the distribution, shape and size of these support blades may be different from those which have been described.
• one of the support blades it is necessary for one of the support blades to have an external contact surface of a much smaller dimension than the other support blades. It is also necessary that the element does not have bearing parts against the wall of the borehole on one side of an axial tilting plane and on the contrary comprises at least one bearing zone of the other side of the plan. There is thus obtained a tilting of the element and of the drilling tool during part of the rotation of the element, when the support zone of small dimensions is located in the vicinity of the lower part of the borehole. .
• the action of the transverse reaction forces of the wall of the hole on the element produces a displacement of the axis of this element either to the right or to the left, so that during the rotation of a complete revolution of the element, the axis of the latter preferably moves to the right or to the left of the drilling plane, causing a displacement of the tool and a correction of the trajectory in azimuth, either to the right or to the left.
• the element according to the invention may consist of one or more materials such as steels used for the manufacture of drilling equipment.
• the projecting and / or supporting parts as already described may have, as shown in FIG. 6, zones 51, 52, 53, 54 having densities pi, p2, p3, p4 which may be different in order to accentuate the dynamic tilting effects if necessary.
• control of these blades can be carried out by any remote actuation device using the circulation of the drilling fluid or another means, such as the pressure of a liquid or a gas.
• the invention applies generally to the adjustment of the azimuth of the trajectory of a drilling tool, in the case of any drilling process in rotary mode.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=9414729

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (4)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 1991
  • 1991-07-04 FR FR9108405A patent/FR2678678A1/fr active Pending
• 1992
  • 1992-06-24 WO PCT/FR1992/000578 patent/WO1993001390A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1992-06-24 CA CA002090676A patent/CA2090676A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1992-06-24 US US07/983,533 patent/US5350028A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1992-06-24 EP EP92912960A patent/EP0546135B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1993
  • 1993-03-03 NO NO930777A patent/NO304034B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events