Rotary steerable system
Encyclopedia
A rotary steerable system is a new form of drilling technology
used in directional drilling
. It employs the use of specialized downhole equipment to replace conventional directional tools such as mud motor
s.They are generally programmed by the MWD
engineer or directional driller who transmits commands using surface equipment (typically using either pressure fluctuations in the mud column or variations in the drill string rotation) which the tool understands and gradually steers into the desired direction. In other words, a tool designed to drill directionally with continuous rotation from the surface, eliminating the need to slide a steerable motor.
The advantages of this technology are many for both main groups of users: geoscientists & drillers. Continuous rotation of the drill string allows for improved transportation of drilled cuttings to the surface resulting in better hydraulic performance, better weight transfer for the same reason allows a more complex bore to be drilled, and reduced well bore tortuosity
due to utilizing a more steady steering model. The well geometry therefore is less aggressive and the wellbore (wall of the well) is smoother than those drilled with motor. This last benefit concerns to geoscientists because the measurements taken of the properties of the formation can be obtained with a higher quality.
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
used in directional drilling
Directional drilling
Directional drilling is the practice of drilling non-vertical wells. It can be broken down into three main groups: Oilfield Directional Drilling, Utility Installation Directional Drilling Directional drilling (or slant drilling) is the practice of drilling non-vertical wells. It can be broken down...
. It employs the use of specialized downhole equipment to replace conventional directional tools such as mud motor
Mud motor
Mud motor refers to a Progressive Cavity Positive Displacement Pump placed in the Drill string to provide additional power to the bit while drilling. The PCPD Pump uses Drilling Fluid to create eccentric motion in the power section of the motor which is transferred as concentric power to the...
s.They are generally programmed by the MWD
Measurement While Drilling
MWD stands for Measurement While Drilling in the oil & gas industry. The simplest way to describe MWD is to relate it to the measurements a pilot takes. A pilot needs to know the direction they are flying , the angle they are fly at , and what type of skies they will be flying through...
engineer or directional driller who transmits commands using surface equipment (typically using either pressure fluctuations in the mud column or variations in the drill string rotation) which the tool understands and gradually steers into the desired direction. In other words, a tool designed to drill directionally with continuous rotation from the surface, eliminating the need to slide a steerable motor.
The advantages of this technology are many for both main groups of users: geoscientists & drillers. Continuous rotation of the drill string allows for improved transportation of drilled cuttings to the surface resulting in better hydraulic performance, better weight transfer for the same reason allows a more complex bore to be drilled, and reduced well bore tortuosity
Tortuosity
Tortuosity is a property of curve being tortuous . There have been several attempts to quantify this property. Tortuosity is commonly used to describe diffusion in porous media...
due to utilizing a more steady steering model. The well geometry therefore is less aggressive and the wellbore (wall of the well) is smoother than those drilled with motor. This last benefit concerns to geoscientists because the measurements taken of the properties of the formation can be obtained with a higher quality.
Available models
There are currently 8 main systems on the market.- Well-Guide RSS from GyrodataGyrodataGyrodata Incorporated is a provider of precision wellbore survey technology utilizing gyroscopic based survey tools. Gyrodata was founded in 1980.In 2001 it sued Baker Hughes over which firm invented a new surveying instrument, the gyrotrak....
(Website) - Rotary Steerable Motor from APS-Tech (Website)
- PowerDrive from SchlumbergerSchlumbergerSchlumberger Limited is the world's largest oilfield services company. Schlumberger employs over 110,000 people of more than 140 nationalities working in approximately 80 countries...
(Website) - AutoTrak from Baker Hughes INTEQBaker Hughes INTEQBaker Hughes INTEQ is among the world's leading oilfield drilling and evaluation service companies. INTEQ was formed from the legacy companies of Eastman Christensen, Teleco MWD, Milchem and EXLOG, which were acquired by Baker Hughes Incorporated in the late 1980s...
(Website) - Geo-Pilot and EZ-Pilot from Sperry Drilling ServicesSperry Drilling ServicesSperry Drilling Services is Halliburton's division of MWD , LWD , DD and SDL tools and services....
(Website) - Pathmaker from Pathfinder (Website)
- Revolution from WeatherfordWeatherford InternationalWeatherford International Oil Field Services Ltd is one of the largest international oil and natural gas service companies. The company provides products and services for drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention of oil and natural gas wells, along with pipeline construction...
(Website) - DeviDrill from Devico ASDevico ASDevico AS is the sole company to offer directional core drilling services worldwide. Devico AS also rents various borehole survey instruments for the mining industry and geotechnical projects. The head office is located in Melhus, Norway...
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