Application of Targetd Bit Speed Technology to Directional Drilling
A new technology has been developed using a technique called Targeted Bit Speed (TBS) to improve drilling efficiency. It is derived from a system that uses a conventional bent housing mud motor in conjunction with a MWD tool to provide advantages similar to a rotary steerable tool, and allows for full 3-D directional control whilst continuously rotating the drill pipe. Steering is accomplished by modulating the fluid flow within the drill string creating slight oscillations in the flow rate through the mud motor. This technology takes advantage of these controlled undulations in flow rate to allow high frequency variations in drilling parameters to control bit speed to steer the well in any targeted azimuth. If a planned objective cannot be achieved using targeted bit speed technology, then the motor can still be oriented in the desired direction and slid using standard mud motor orienting techniques.

This presentation will examine the field results of a multi-well project in the Buzuluk area where Targeted Bit Speed technology was used to drill S-shaped wells required to access the reservoir targets. S-shaped wells are typically the most challenging to drill with continuously rotating drill pipe and a mud motor based bottom hole assembly as the same tools are used to drill the curve, hold the tangent and drop the angle. This single BHA concept was not feasible prior to the introduction of this technology. The paper will focus on the improvements achieved in not only directional control but also in the resultant rate of penetration by using the new system.

ChrisMaranuk

Chris Maranuk is the New Product Launch Manager for Weatherford Drilling Services. With over 30 years of oilfield experience, he manages the New Product Champions who is key role is to bridge between R&D and Operations in terms of service commercialization. He has held a variety of roles with several multi-national service companies with experience in Operation and Operations Management and New Product Development. He has authored/co-authored over a dozen technical papers and is co-inventor on a half of dozen US patents. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering and a Master Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA. His specialty is development and commercialization of drilling tools and LWD sensors. He has been a member of SPE for over 25 years.