Surveying method for locating target subterranean bodies

• US 4,957,172 A
• Filed: 03/01/1989
• Issued: 09/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Patton Consulting Incorporated 2436 Monaco Lane Dallas County Texas
• Original Assignee: Patton Consulting Incorporated
• Inventors: Foster, C. Mackay, Patton, Bob J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US07/317,634
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 175/45, 175/40, 175/50, 175/61, 324/346, 324/323, 324/338, 324/339, 340/853, 33/302, 33/304, 166/250
• US Class Current: 175/61
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/0228 using electromagnetic energy or detectors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/04 Directional drilling

Abstract

An improved system for use in drilling a relief well to intersect a target blowout well. A probable location distribution is used to survey the location of the candidate relief wells and the blowout well. Through the use of the relative probable location distribution, the integral probabilities of find, intercept and collision are calculated. A relief well plan is then optimally designed to drill and insure a high integral probability of a find and intercept and a low probability of a collision. The method provided by the present invention allows a relief well to be drilled in a minimum time with minimum risk exposure.

Claims

1. A method of drilling a relief well for intersection with a blowout well for the purpose of killing said blowout well, comprising the steps of:

collecting survey data relating to the blowout wellbore surface location and the borehole path of said blowout wellbore;

determining a first set of error coefficients for said survey data for said blowout wellbore;

collecting survey data relating to the surface location of a relief wellbore and the borehole path of said relief wellbore;

determining a second set of error coefficients for said survey data for said relief wellbore;

using said first and second sets of error coefficients to calculate a relative probable location distribution describing the location of said blowout wellbore relative to the location of said relief wellbore at successive depths;

using said relative probable location distribution at said successive depths to calculate an integral probability of find for each said depth, said integral probability of find being the probability of locating said blowout wellbore using a search tool in said relief wellbore; and

drilling said relief wellbore along a path having a maximum integral probability of find, such that said relief wellbore intersects said blowout wellbore.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second sets of error coefficients include both random and systematic errors associated with said survey data for said blowout well and said relief well.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first and second sets of error coefficients further include surface survey location errors.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said relative probable location distribution is calculated using a normal distribution.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of calculating said integral probability of find further comprises the step of dividing said relative probable location distribution at each depth into sectors and summing sectors of said distribution which are included in the searched path of relief wellbore.