Three dimensional steering system and method for steering bit to drill borehole

• US 20050098350A1
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Odell, Albert C. II, Terry, James B., Estep, James W., Trainor, William F., Wilson, Thomas Platt, Eppink, Jay M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,195,083 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/26
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/028 Electrical or electro-magnetic connections
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/03 between drilling rod or pipe and drill motor or surface drive, e.g. between drilling rod and hammer
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/20 Flexible or articulated drilling pipes , e.g. flexible or articulated rods, pipes or cables
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/206 with conductors, e.g. electrical, optical
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/07 Slip-type elevators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/086 with a fluid-actuated cylinder E21B19/084, E21B19/087, E21B19/09 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/161 using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe E21B19/168 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/001 Self-propelling systems or apparatus, e.g. for moving tools within the horizontal portion of a borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 29/06 Cutting windows, e.g. directional window cutters for whipstock operations E21B29/005 and E21B29/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/006 Mechanical motion converting means, e.g. reduction gearings E21B4/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/04 Electric drives E21B4/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/18 Anchoring or feeding in the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/00 Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/01 Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/067 with means for locking sections of a pipe or of a guide for a shaft in angular relation, e.g. adjustable bent sub
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/068 drilled by a down-hole drilling motor down-hole drives per se E21B4/00, E21B7/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/30 operating with electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A steering assembly includes upper and lower tubular housings connected by a universal joint. An angle cam is disposed on the end of the lower housing and projects into the upper housing. A plurality of wedge members extend axially from the upper housing and into engagement with the angle cam. Drive trains are connected to the wedge members to move the wedge members toward and away from the angle cam so as to pivot the lower housing at the universal joint and change the angle and azimuth of the lower housing with respect to the upper housing. The lower housing is connected to a bearing pack supporting a drill bit such that upon changing the angle and azimuth of the lower housing, the direction of the drilling of the drill bit is also changed. The steering assembly being connected to composite tubing having conductors in the wall thereof for conducting data and commands between the steering assembly and a processor at the surface and for providing power to the steering assembly. Data on the position of the bit is transmitted to a processor which determines the direction of drilling and selectively transmits commands to the steering assembly to change the bend angle and direction of the drilling of the bit.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the direction of a bit while drilling a borehole, comprising:

lowering a downhole motor and steering assembly into the borehole connected to a work string by a swivel with the bit being operatively connected to the steering assembly by a universal joint;

rotating the work string;

rotating the bit on the downhole motor to drill the borehole; and

changing the angle and azimuth at the universal joint of the bit on the steering assembly to change the direction of drilling.

2. The method of claim 1 further including changing the angle and azimuth while the bit is rotating.

3. A method of steering a bit while drilling a borehole, comprising:

attaching the bit to a steering assembly with a constant velocity joint;

lowering the steering assembly into the borehole on a work string;

preventing the work string from rotating during drilling;

rotating the bit to drill the borehole;

adjusting the angle and azimuth of the bit as the bit rotates; and

steering the bit while drilling.