Development of a Novel Hybrid-Type Rotary Steerable System for Directional Drilling
Unlike conventional resources, unconventional resources, such as shale gas and coal bed methane, are situated horizontally under geological formations. To exploit these resources, directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies are required. In directional drilling, the dog leg severity (DLS), which indicates how much the angle changes while drilling 100 ft, is a major issue with respect to the cost and time of drilling. In this paper, we briefly review different types of directional drilling methods and propose a new hybrid-type rotary steerable system (RSS). DLS calculations based on three-point geometry for these systems are suggested. This hybrid RSS combining two conventional types of RSSs: point-the-bit and push-the-bit systems, achieves better steerability. The hybrid mechanism is implemented using hybrid pads with hydraulic cylinders and a spherical joint. The advantages of the proposed system are demonstrated by performing small-scale prototype and cement block drilling tests.
Development of Integrated Digging Robot Using Drill Bit-Limbs Hybrid Mechanism That Mimics Burrowing Animals Behavior
Over the last few years, drilling system has been extensively used for a miscellaneous number of applications. However, in certain applications, e.g., shallow drilling and excavation on a difficult or rugged terrain, excavation using conventional drilling methods are not applicable. Considering the aggravating obstacles of drill bit application, in this study, digging attitude of burrowing animals (rabbits and moles) is studied. The soil penetrating force developed by burrowing animals, nevertheless, is indeed inadequate for harder and deeper excavation. Therefore, to overcome the aforementioned issues, this paper proposes a hybrid digging mechanism by combining the advantage of employing a drill bit and forelimbs mechanism adapted from burrowing animals. Emulating the role of their teeth, triangle-shaped drill bit, i.e., step drill bit, is exploited and a linkage mechanism is utilized to represent their digging motion using limbs. Dynamic simulation is performed to evaluate the digging performance of this robot.
Changing the Way We Drill
For help in preparation of this article, thanks to Emma Jane Bloor and Andy Hendricks, Sugar Land, Texas. We also thank Joe Fuentes and Wade Wiley, Cameron, Texas, for their contribution to the remote automated drilling project. PERFORM, PowerDrive, PowerDrive Xceed, PowerDrive Xtra and PowerPulse are marks of Schlumberger. Iron Roughneck is a mark of Varco LP. VisiWear is a mark of VisiWear Corporation. Automated drilling systems decrease risk to rig personnel, reduce costs and