Methods and systems for drilling to a target location include a control system that receives an input comprising a planned drilling path to a target location and determines a projected location of a bottom hole assembly of a drilling system. The projected location of the bottom hole assembly is compared to the planned drilling path to determine a deviation amount. A modified drilling path is created to the target location as selected based on the amount of deviation from the planned drilling path, and drilling rig control signals that steer the bottom hole assembly of the drilling system to the target location along the modified drilling path are generated.

Automated directional drilling apparatus and methods

Methods and apparatus for mechanical specific energy-based drilling operation and/or optimization, compnsing detecting mechanical specific energy parameters, utilizing the mechanical specific energy parameters to determine mechanical specific energy, and automatically adjusting drilling operational parameters as a function of the determined mechanical specific energy. A drill string includes interconnected sections of drill pipe, a bottom hole assembly, and a drill bit. The bottom hole assembly may include measurement-while-drilling or wireline conveyed instruments. Downhole measurement-while-drilling or wireline conveyed instruments may be configured for the evaluation of physical properties such as weight-on-bit. While drilling, weight-on-bit and calculate mechanical specific energy data are used to determine subsequent mechanical specific energy

Automated MSE-based drilling apparatus and methods

An automatic drilling system regulates the drill string (21) of a drilling rig (10) in response to any one of, any combination of, or all of drilling fluid pressure, bit weight, drill string torque, and drill string RPM to achieve an optimal rate of bit penetration. The automatic drilling system includes a drilling fluid pressure sensor (34), a bit weight sensor (35), a drill string torque sensor (36), and a drill string RPM sensor (37) which deliver a drilling fluid pressure signal, a bit weight signal, a drill string torque signal, and a drill string RPM signal to a drilling fluid pressure regulator (200), a bit weight regulator (201), a drill string torque regulator (202) and a drill string RPM regulator (203). The regulators control a drill string controller (33) in response to the above signals so that it manipulates the drilling rig (10) to release the drill string (21) at a rate which maintains the maximum bit penetration.

Automatic drilling system

Maximum rate of drill bit penetration in high speed coring is achieved by precise control of bit weight and bit speed. The automatic drilling system of this invention makes it possible to quickly reach and maintain this optimum combination or "sweet-point" each time the core bit is started. The required speed and weight is input into the system by the operator. A controller electronically senses the bit weight and provides instantaneous feedback to a hydraulically driven drawworks which is capable of maintaining a precise weight on the bit throughout varying penetration modes. The drilling system uses a combination of equipment that includes a hydraulic system for the control of the drawworks; a solid-state strain gauge load cell apparatus built into the swivel assembly for continuously weighing the drill string; an electronic load control circuitry for determining the bit weight, drill string weight, and for maintaining the bit weight control; and, a top drive system for high speed rotation of the string.

A method and apparatus used to transmit information to the surface from a subsurface location during the process of drilling a bore hole is described. A novel pressure pulse generator or “pulser” is coupled to a sensor package, a controller and a battery power source all of which reside inside a short section of drill pipe close to the bit at the bottom of the bore hole being drilled. The assembled apparatus or “MWD Tool” can be commanded from the surface to make a measurement of desired parameters and transmit this information to the surface by encoding data in pressure pulses generated by a pulser valve that includes a stator and a rotor which may be open and closed to create pressure pulses.

Measurement while drilling apparatus and method of using the same

An automatic drilling control system is disclosed for a conventional drilling apparatus and rig having a drill line rolled up or fed off the drum during drilling by the engine and extending through a crown block and traveling block to a fixed point providing a dead line. The crown block and traveling block form a pulley system for supporting a drill pipe during drilling. A weight indicator gauge on the drilling console is hydraulically actuated from a pressure sensor connected to the dead line. A conventional brake drum controls the rate of feed out of the drill line to determine the tension of the dead line. A double-acting, fluid-actuated cylinder and piston connected to the brake handle positively move it to control the brake force on the drum. A three-way electric solenoid valve controls the application of pressurized fluid selectively to the piston in response to a pressure transducer in the hydraulic line from the pressure sensor. This provides a very close control of bit weight and provides greater drilling speed and greater uniformity of drilling operation. The apparatus may be supplemented with controls which operate the brake in response to overspeed of the drum or in response to close approach of the traveling block to the crown block to apply a braking force to stop the apparatus and prevent damage.

John W. Ball

Papers

Automatic drilling control system