Error reduction of tracking planned trajectory in a thin oil layer drilling using smart rotary steerable system

• Published in: Journal of petroleum science & engineering 2021-01, Vol.196, p.107668, Article 107668
• Main Authors: Zafarian, Habiballah, Ameri, Mohammadjavad, Vaghasloo, Younes Alizadeh, soleymanpour, javad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Delayed directional drilling system; Planned trajectory; RSS technology; Smart well; Thin oil layer; Tracking
• ISSN: 0920-4105; 1873-4715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107668

Directional drilling which is a controlled drilling process, has been efficiently utilized to reach oil/gas reservoirs. Shale oil/gas development and also the need for extraction from wells that are hardly accessible, have recently introduced the directional drilling process as an interesting method in the oil/gas industry. However, error reduction during tracking the planned path is a challenging issue, especially in the cases of drilling thin oil/gas layers, as they may result in significant errors. In these conditions, it is inevitable to use smart systems (e.g. RSS) for directional drilling. Hence, it is essential to develop intelligent and automated systems for directional drilling. This study aims to introduce an operational control approach for intelligentization of the push-the-bit RSS system that can improve the tracking performance of directional drilling. To describe the borehole evolution, we utilized the Perneder-Detournay's model which has been derived via combining the BHA modeling, rock/bit interaction law and kinematic relationships between them. Considering the existence of delay and uncertainty in this model, the controllers were designed in two cases (system with and without reference inputs) to prove the stability of the system. Afterward, a relatively complicated path including horizontal and sinusoidal section in a thin reservoir layer is designed and then the suggested controller is applied to this trajectory. According to the simulation outcomes, the system was well able to follow the planned trajectory with a too small error and operational RSS force. •Error reduction during tracking the planned path in the cases of drilling thin oil/gas layers.•Use smart systems (e.g. RSS) for directional drilling.•Operational control approach for intelligentization of the push-the-bit RSS system.•Improve the tracking performance of directional drilling.•Perneder-Detournay's model for describe of borehole evolution.