Drilling Technologies
Rotary Steerable HDD Drilling
Rotary Steerable HDD Drilling allows the elimination of micro-doglegs resulting in a constructed HDD drill path matching the designed drill path more closely than when constructed with a traditional bent motor. Elimination of micro-doglegs decreases torque and drag along the drill string allowing extended drilling distances as well as decreasing pullback forces and stresses on carrier pipes.
The rotary steerable system uses a set of pads that push outwards near the bit to induce bias. This eliminates the need for a bend in the motor. The ability to have a straight motor with a continuously adjustable build rate allows for a bore that can follow the design and adjust for changing conditions. This eliminates the type of micro-doglegs found in bores drilled with bent motors.
Traditional bent motor bore profile
Blue line connects stationary survey points. Traditionally assumed to be the actual bore path.
Red line shows actual bore path. Rise in inclination during slides and decrease in inclination during rotation.
Rotary steerable bore path
Blue line connects stationary survey points.
Red line shows actual bore path.
Note the elimination of the micro-doglegs in the bore.
Steering actuator pad assembly
EDR - Electronic Drilling Recorder
Entec Inc. uses Electronic Drilling Recorder (EDR) equipment to monitor HDD drilling progress and provide a permanent record of HDD contractor activities.
Sample EDR output showing Rate of Penetration, Hook Load, Standpipe Pressure, Rotary RPM, Rotary Torque, Weight on Bit, Pump Output and On Bottom Hours. Driller's notes are along the right hand side of the screen.
