CN102782250A - Magnetic ranging system for controlling a drilling process - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a ranging system (1) for controlling a drilling process downhole. The ranging system has a longitudinal direction and comprises a drilling tool (2) for drilling a first borehole (3), the drilling tool having a tool axis (4) and comprising a magnetic field source (5) in the form of an electromagnet generating a magnetic field (6) and having a magnetic field source axis (7) which is substantially parallel to the tool axis. Moreover, the ranging system comprises a sensing tool (8) arranged in a second borehole (9) for measuring the magnetic field by means of at least two sensor units (10), which sensor units are arranged at a distance (D) from each other along an axis of the sensing tool.

Description

The magnetic survey that is used to control drilling process is apart from system

Technical field

The magnetic survey that the present invention relates to be used for drilling process under the control well is apart from system.Range-measurement system has longitudinal direction and comprises the boring means that is used to bore first boring, and boring means has tool spindle and comprises magnetic field sources electromagnets, generation magnetic field, and has the magnetic field sources axle.In addition, range-measurement system comprises the sensing instrument that is arranged in second boring, and it is used for measuring magnetic field through sensor unit.

Background technology

When the stratum that is drilled into existing well or boring (formation) was middle, the distance of in drilling process, recognizing existing well or boring was very important.In some cases; Purpose is in order to meet at ad-hoc location and existing well or boring; And in other cases, purpose is for the definite position in existing well of distance or boring gets out a new boring, guarantees that simultaneously distance between the two is identical along a certain extension basically.

Known instrument comprises the different schemes of confirming this distance.In order to confirm distance, tool using detects magnetic field.Some instruments use the electric current of lead in the existing boring, and the magnet that other use is rotated in drill bit.

In the instrument of prior art, such as described in the US 2008/0041626, the magnet in the drill bit needs rotation, thereby so that sensor can detect magnetic field and detect the distance with respect to the drill bit of known location.But sometimes, drill bit stops, and makes can not to detect magnetic field and thereby to be not sure of the drilling direction of distance and drill bit.And, in order to measure, to have to stop drilling process and slidably reciprocate further than spacing between well (interwell separation) to allow the magnet rotation and the instrument that makes, that is, and greater than 5-10 rice.

About these instruments and the instrument that uses the electric current in the lead in the existing boring, the magnetic field sensing apparatus is placed in the boring means.Because the drill bit of boring means is to be driven by the high-pressure fluid via the drill string conveying, the data measured that transmission comes free senser element to carry out is very difficult.These instruments produce ripple as the means that transmit data in fluid, it is very slow means of communication and can suppresses drilling process further.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is to overcome whole or in part the above-mentioned inferior position and the shortcoming of prior art; And interchangeable range-measurement system is provided; It can confirm the distance between boring means and existing well or the boring, or even the three-dimensional position of drill bit and direction, so that when creeping into, control boring means.

An additional objects provides improved range-measurement system, even it can also can be determined to the distance of existing boring or well when boring means or drill string do not rotate.

The tangible above-mentioned purpose that will from following description, become and many other purpose, advantage and characteristics are accomplished through being used under the control well range-measurement system of drilling process by scheme according to the present invention, and range-measurement system has longitudinal direction, and comprises:

-being used to bore the boring means of first boring, this boring means has tool spindle and comprises magnetic field sources, and this magnetic field sources is the magnet that produces magnetic field and have the magnetic field sources axle, and

-be arranged in the sensing tool in second boring, be used for measuring magnetic field through at least two sensor units,

Wherein, sensor unit is arranged to axle along sensing tool each other at a distance of a distance.

When sensor be disposed in along sensing tool the axle each other at a distance of one apart from the time, electromagnet need not move so that carry out enough measurements can calculate the position of magnet with respect to sensing tool.When must moving magnet, the result can take place two groups measure between coarse distance; But when the two sensors unit was disposed in fixing phase mutual edge distance, this can not take place.And, when having the electromagnet relative, do not need rotary magnet with permanent magnetic.Therefore, magnet and thereby the calculating of the position of boring means be simplified because magnetic field is identical with respect to rotation with a rotation permanent magnet that changes.

In one embodiment, the magnetic field sources axle is parallel with tool spindle basically.

The magnetic field sources axle also can overlap with tool spindle basically.

Each sensor unit can comprise three magnetometers, is used to measure the size and Orientation in magnetic field.

And magnetometer can be disposed on the same level in the sensor unit.

According to an embodiment, second boring can be existing boring.

In another embodiment, sensor unit and/or boring means can be by drive unit drives.

Range-measurement system also can comprise orientation tool, is used for confirming the position of the sensing instrument in second boring or the position of the boring means in first boring.

This sensing instrument also can have the device of the position that is used to control and/or measure the sensing instrument.

Magnetic field sources can have through hole, thereby the fluid that allows to be used to drive the drill bit of boring means passes magnetic field sources.

Range-measurement system also can comprise computing unit, and the size and Orientation that is used to handle by sensing instrument measured field is measured.

In addition, range-measurement system also can comprise second boring means, and the sensing instrument can be disposed in second boring means or arranges relatively that with second boring means such first boring means comprises that the magnetic field sources and second boring means comprise the sensing instrument.

The invention still further relates to a kind of being used to uses the method according to range-measurement system of the present invention, may further comprise the steps:

-bore first boring at a drilling direction;

-the sensing instrument is inserted in second boring;

The size and Orientation in-measurement magnetic field; And

-calculate the position of boring means with respect to the sensing instrument,

Wherein, when boring first boring, the step of measurements and calculations takes place.

In one embodiment, the step of measurements and calculations is carried out with boring first boring simultaneously, the step that this means measurements and calculations at least each hour be performed once, preferably per at least half an hour, once more preferably per at least 10 minutes were once.

And this method can comprise the step of calculating the drill bit direction.

In addition, this method can comprise the step of adjusting drilling direction based on the boring means that is calculated with respect to the relative position of sensing instrument.

In addition, this method can comprise the step of adjusting drilling direction based on the direction and the relative position of the boring means that is calculated.

At last, the present invention relates to any use according to range-measurement system of the present invention.

Description of drawings

Below will specify the present invention and many advantages thereof with reference to accompanying drawing, said accompanying drawing shows some non-limiting examples for purpose of description, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 show be arranged in two down-hole drillings, according to the cross-sectional view of range-measurement system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the partial cross sectional view of boring means;

Fig. 3 shows the phantom drawing of magnetic field sources, and

Fig. 4 shows sensing cell.

All accompanying drawings all are highly schematically and not to be must be pro rata, and they only show for explaining necessary those parts of the present invention, and other parts are left in the basket or are only hinted.

The specific embodiment

The present invention relates to range-measurement system 1, it is used for drilling process under the control well, and range-measurement system has longitudinal direction.When boring a boring, can control drilling direction and know that the orientation of drill bit is very important to guarantee that boring is positioned at preposition.When using SAGD (SAGD) from ground, to extract oil, two borings must be pierced along its almost whole horizontal-extending substantially parallelly, penetrate into the stratum to guarantee steam along the almost whole horizontal-extending of boring.

Range-measurement system comprises boring means 2, is used near existing boring, boring a new boring, and is as shown in Figure 1.Boring means 2 comprises drill bit 14; Be used for being drilled into the stratum with first; And it also comprises the magnetic field sources 5 that generates magnetic field 6, and magnetic field 6 can be detected by the sensing instrument 8 that is arranged in second boring, when creeping into, to confirm the orientation of the also definite drill bit of distance between boring means 2 and the sensing instrument 8.

When boring two new borings, also can use range-measurement system 1.When substantially boring two borings simultaneously, magnetic field sources 5 is disposed in the boring means 2, and the sensor unit 10 of sensing instrument 8 is disposed in another boring means 2 or is arranged relatively with it.Through the measurement that processes sensor unit 10 is carried out, the drilling direction of boring means 2 is adjustable to guarantee that the distance between two borings keeps the same basically.In order to guarantee that boring is positioned in preposition, one in the boring means 2 can comprise orientation tool, and it can confirm the position of boring means with respect to starting position or another known location.

In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, boring means 2 has tool spindle 4, and magnetic field sources 5 has the magnetic field sources axle 7 that overlaps with tool spindle 4 basically.Magnetic field sources 5 can be any suitable electromagnet.Through using electromagnet, the utmost point can be changed, and sensor unit 10 can carry out measurement thus, is wherein eliminated effectively from the effect in magnetic field of the earth.

And, rotary drill column and thereby the rotating excitation field source, can be to measure producing any substantial influence, this means when creeping into even when boring means does not rotate, can carry out useful measurement.As shown in Figure 4, the sensing instrument comprises at least two sensor units 10, and its axle along the sensing instrument is arranged to apart D each other.This means, can carry out independent measurement simultaneously, that is, there is no need along the tool spindle moving magnet and when carry out measuring, stop to creep into thus magnetic field.In the instrument of prior art, carry out to measure and depend on that magnetic field sources is rotated and slided when carrying out measurement.Therefore, in the instrument of prior art, only when drilling process stops, can carrying out measurement.

If boring means 2 and thus drilling process stop, for example, if boring means 2 is out of order, sensing instrument 8 of the present invention still can sensing magnetic field 6 and thereby can continue to carry out and measure.

As shown in Figure 4, sensing instrument 8 comprises at least two sensor units 10.Therefore, sensor tool 8 comprises at least two magnetometers, makes it can calculate the direction that drill bit 14 is creeping into respect to the definite position and the drill bit 14 of sensing instrument.The local size and Orientation in each magnetometer measures magnetic field 6, and independently vector measurement is provided thus, and need be with respect to the sensor moving magnet, as situation of the prior art.When having plurality of sensors unit 10, can carry out sufficient measurement with the position of calculating boring means, and need not stop drilling process with respect to sensing instrument 8.Corresponding to first vector of the size and Orientation of measured field 6 in the first sensor unit, and the position that is used to calculate the magnet in the boring means corresponding to second vector of the size and Orientation of measured field 6 in second sensor unit.Measurement in two sensor units 10 is carried out simultaneously, and because the distance between the sensor unit is known, the position of magnet can be calculated.

When sensing cell detects the distance increase between boring means and the sensing instrument or reduces; Can adjust the drilling direction of drill bit 14; Thereby making direction is the direction of expection; Thereby perhaps make the distance of second boring the same, this means that first and second borings become parallel thus once more with preset distance.

The sensing instrument also can comprise more sensing cell.Have three or more a plurality of sensor unit, rather than only have two as stated, thereby with the accuracy of the direction that increases institute's calculating location and magnetic source and boring means.When using above two sensor units, said method still is suitable for.

When using electromagnet as magnetic field sources, magnet is not must rotate to produce useful measurement, because electromagnet is pulse controlled (pulsed).Like this, magnetic direction is identical with respect to the remainder of drill string, thereby has significantly simplified the calculating of magnet positions.Even electromagnet is rotated, its axis of rotation can overlap with the axis of rotation of boring means, can not influence the direction in magnetic field thus.

In Fig. 1, sensing instrument 8 comprises driver element 11, is used for driving the instrument at the longitudinal direction of the direction of second boring 9.Sensing instrument 8 can comprise the device 12 of the position that is used to adjust the sensing instrument, makes the sensing instrument in boring, to move around to be positioned at the expected range of boring means.Expected range is such scope, and sensing instrument 8 has the distance with the magnet of boring means 2 therein, thereby the enough good measurement that makes quality can be accurately and accurately calculated the position of boring means with respect to the sensing instrument.

If drilling process is not carried out through coil pipe (coiled tubing) or drilling rod (drill pipe), boring means 2 also can comprise driven tool.

In Fig. 1, first boring 3 is with by the boring of being bored, and second boring 9 is existing boring, but the also another kind of hole in well or the stratum of second boring.Second boring 9 can be the vertical component of well, and in drilling process, the boring means that bores first boring will deliberately collide with this vertical component or will deliberately avoid it.

Boring means 2 is typically through the high-pressure fluid operation.Like Fig. 2 and 3 visible, magnetic field sources 5 has through hole 13, allows fluid to pass magnetic field sources 5 and off-energy not.When boring means 2 during by the pressurized fluid driven through drilling rod or coil pipe, this is convenient especially.

For based on distance and the orientation of drill bit that measure to calculate between drill bit 14 and the sensing instrument 8, range-measurement system 1 comprises computing unit 15, and the size and Orientation that is used to handle by sensor unit 10 measured field 6 is measured.Computing unit 15 is placed in the sensor unit 10.

Specifically retouching of computational methodsState

Calculate the position r of magnet, as separating of minimization problem with respect to sensor.The expression formula of the field B of the magnetic dipole of representing with vector symbol is following:

$B=\frac{\mathrm{\μ}}{4\mathrm{\π}}(\frac{3(d\·r)r}{r^5}-\frac{d}{r^3})$

Wherein μ is a permeability, and d is the magnetic dipole vector that overlaps with magnetic field sources axle 7 basically, and r is a position vector, and r is distance, that is, and and the length of position vector.This can be rearranged for:

$-\frac{\mathrm{\μ}}{4\mathrm{\π}}d=r^3(B-\frac{3}{2r^2}(r\·B)r)$

If two field vectors are measured B ₁And B ₂Make at two different local r and r+s simultaneously, identical dipole vector can be eliminated from above-mentioned equality concerning two are measured, and produces following expression formula:

${\left|\right|r\left|\right|}^3(B_1-\frac{3}{2{\left|\right|r\left|\right|}^2}(r\·B_1)r)={\left|\right|r+s\left|\right|}^3(B_2-\frac{3}{2{\left|\right|r+s\left|\right|}^2}((r+s)\·B_2)(r+s))$

Wherein r is only variable, and s is two relative positions between the measurement.Magnet can find through minimizing residual error based on above-mentioned equality with respect to the position r of sensor unit, and expression formula is:

$r=\arg \underset{r}{\min }\left|\right|d_1-{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="d"\; filenames="HDA00001585886800011.png,HDA00001585886800012.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">d</figure-callout>}}_2\left|\right|.$

Wherein,

${\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="d"\; filenames="HDA00001585886800011.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">d</figure-callout>}}_1={\left|\right|r\left|\right|}^3(B_1-\frac{3}{2{\left|\right|r\left|\right|}^2}(r\&CenterDot;B_1)r)$

And

${\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="d"\; filenames="HDA00001585886800011.png,HDA00001585886800012.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">d</figure-callout>}}_2={\left|\right|r+s\left|\right|}^3(B_2-\frac{3}{2{\left|\right|r+s\left|\right|}^2}((r+s)\&CenterDot;B_2)(r+s)).$

After finding the relative position of magnet, can come directly to calculate the dipole vector through the equality that is inserted into about d.

All above-mentioned calculating are carried out after can obtaining measurement by the processing unit that is arranged in sensor unit 8 15 immediately, are passed to the surface subsequently.Therefore, for the drilling operation person, almost can get immediately, and any required action can not have further execution lingeringly about the direction of drill bit 14 and the information of relative position.

Therefore, there is not lot of data communication or relate to personnel and carry out the post processing consuming time that data are explained.

Use the method for range-measurement system may further comprise the steps:

-bore first boring at a drilling direction,

-the sensing instrument is inserted in second boring,

The size and Orientation in-measurement magnetic field, and

-calculate the position of boring means with respect to the sensing instrument,

Wherein, the step of measurements and calculations is carried out when boring first boring.

The step of measurements and calculations is carried out with the step of boring first boring simultaneously, this means that the step of measurements and calculations will per hour be carried out once at least, and preferably per at least half an hour carries out once, more preferably, carries out once in per at least 10 minutes.Also can carry out more continually, for example the per second several times.

In order to guarantee to pierce boring in the precalculated position, any in boring means 2 or the sensing instrument 8 also can have orientation tool.

Fluid or well fluids refer to come across any type of fluid of oil well or gas well down-hole, such as natural gas, oil, oil-base mud, crude oil, water etc.Gas is pointed out the gas synthetic of any kind of in present well, completion or the open hole, and oil refers to the oily synthetic of any kind of, such as crude oil, contain flow of oil etc.Gas, oil and water liquid can all comprise respectively except gas, oil and/or other compositions or material the water thus.

Sleeve pipe refers to the pipe, pipe-line system, tube, bushing pipe (liner), pipe well (string) of relevant with oil or the gas production any kind of that uses in the down-hole etc.

If instrument can not immerse in the sleeve pipe always, can use downhole tractor (tractor) to be pushed in the well instrument one tunnel in place.Downhole tractor can be the driven tool that can instrument be pushed or draw in any kind of in the well downwards, such as Well

Although above combination the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described the present invention, for a person skilled in the art, clearly can carry out some modifications, and not break away from the defined the present invention of appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. range-measurement system (1) that is used for drilling process under the control well, this range-measurement system has longitudinal direction and comprises:

-be used to bore the boring means (2) of first boring (3); This boring means has tool spindle (4) and comprises the magnetic field sources (5) of electromagnets; This magnetic field sources (5) produces magnetic field (6) and has basically the magnetic field sources axle (7) parallel with tool spindle, and

-be arranged in the sensing instrument (8) of second boring in (9), be used for measuring magnetic field through at least two sensor units (10), wherein said sensor unit is arranged to axle along the sensing instrument each other at a distance of a distance (D).

2. range-measurement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sensor unit comprises at least one magnetometer (20).

3. according to claim 1 or claim 2 range-measurement system, wherein the magnetic field sources axle overlaps with tool spindle basically.

4. like the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein the sensing instrument is immersed in the well through cable.

5. like the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein magnetometer is disposed on the same plane in the sensor unit.

6. range-measurement system as claimed in claim 5, the size and Orientation in magnetometer measures magnetic field wherein is such as the size and Orientation of local magnetic field vector.

7. like the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein second boring is existing boring.

8. like the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein sensor unit and/or boring means are driven by driver element (11).

9. as the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, also comprise orientation tool, be used for confirming the position of boring means in position or first boring of the second boring sensing instrument.

10. as the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein the sensing instrument has and is used to control and/or measure the speed of sensing instrument or the device of position (12).

11. like the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, wherein magnetic field sources has through hole (3), the fluid that allows to be used to drive the drill bit (14) of boring means passes magnetic field sources.

12. like the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, also comprise down-hole computing unit (15), the size and Orientation that is used to handle by sensing instrument measured field is measured.

13. as the described range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim; Also comprise second boring means; Said sensing instrument is disposed in second boring means or is arranged relatively with it, and such first boring means comprises that the magnetic field sources and second boring means comprise the sensing instrument.

14. one kind is used to use the method according to the range-measurement system of aforementioned arbitrary claim, may further comprise the steps:

-bore first boring at first drilling direction;

-the sensing instrument is inserted in second boring;

-when creeping into, measure the size and Orientation in magnetic field,

-when creeping into, calculate the position of boring means about the sensing instrument, and

The direction of-calculating drill bit.

15. method as claimed in claim 14 is further comprising the steps of:

-based on the direction and the relative position of the boring means that is calculated, adjust drilling direction.

16. according to any the range-measurement system among the claim 1-13 in the use of down-hole.

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