Use of MWD assembly for multiple-well drilling

• US 6,842,699 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2003
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Estes, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McElheny, Jr., Donald
• Application Number:
  US10/341,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20030236627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 702/6, 702/7, 702/9, 702/10, 166/255.2, 175/45, 175/61, 731/524.6, 333/043.13, 333/24, 333/26, 333/04, 333/13
• US Class Current: 702/9
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/022 of the borehole, e.g. using geomagnetism
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/38 with north-seeking action by other than magnetic means, e.g. gyrocompasses using earth's rotation

Abstract

This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. With the present invention, a secondary borehole for secondary recovery operations may be drilled with accuracy in proximity to a cased producing borehole.

Claims

1. A method of recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir in a subterranean earth formation, the method comprising:

(a) drilling a first borehole into the reservoir;

(b) obtaining information about a position of the first borehole at least within the reservoir,

(c) drilling a second borehole in proximity to the first borehole using a directional drilling device;

(d) making a measurement with a Gyro-MWD tool in the second borehole at a first rotational position;

(e) rotating the Gyro-MWD tool a plurality of discrete angles encompassing the first rotational position and taking additional measurements thereat, giving a plurality of additional measurements;

(f) determining a bias in measurements made by said Gyro-MWD tool from said measurements at said first rotational position and said plurality of discrete angles;

(g) determining from said measurements and said determined bias a position and orientation of the second wellbore; and

(h) controlling the directional drilling device in response to the obtained information about the location of the first borehole and the determined position and orientation of the second wellbore so as to maintain a desired relation between the position of the first borehole and the position of the second borehole.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising injecting a fluid selected from the group consisting of (i) water, (ii) CO₂, (iii) steam, and recovering hydrocarbons in the first borehole.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising lining the first borehole with a casing.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired relation further comprises the second borehole being at a desired azimuth relative to the first borehole.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said information about the first borehole is obtained from a suitable memory device wherein said information was previously saved.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said recovery of hydrocarbons occurs through perforations in a casing of said first borehole.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising drilling said second borehole as a sidebore (sidetrack) of the first borehole.