A method for obtaining accuracy gravity coefficients out of three orthogonally oriented accelerometer devices and a thermometer by computing, using a pre-programmed micro-control unit processor, temperature errors, bias error coefficients, sensitivity error coefficients, and orthogonality error coefficients during measurement while drilling operations. Particularly, the method uses voltage data values of the three orthogonally oriented accelerometers to compute said error coefficients which provides for zero-error positioning of the MWD tool during long-term downhole surveying as well as while facing high-shock, vibrations, and high temperatures.

A method for obtaining accuracy gravity coefficients out of three orthogonally oriented accelerometer devices and a thermometer by computing, using a pre-programmed micro-control unit processor, temperature errors, bias error coefficients, sensitivity error coefficients, and orthogonality error coefficients during measurement while drilling operations. Particularly, the method uses voltage data values of the three orthogonally oriented accelerometers to compute said error coefficients which provides for zero-error positioning of the MWD tool during long-term downhole surveying as well as while facing high-shock, vibrations, and high temperatures.

A method for estimating the efficiency of hole cleaning of a well-bore during drilling operations includes (a) selecting at least one feature of the drilling operation for monitoring; (b) receiving, from a sensor, data regarding the at least one feature; (c) comparing the data to a predetermined condition for the at least one feature; (d) defining an event when the data meets the predetermined condition; (e) assigning a weight to the event based on a duration of the event; and (f) estimating an efficiency of the hole cleaning based on the event and the weight of the event. The at least one feature being selected from the list consisting of: hole angle, circulation, tight spot, static hole, and bit hydraulics.

A method for estimating the efficiency of hole cleaning of a well-bore during drilling operations includes (a) selecting at least one feature of the drilling operation for monitoring; (b) receiving, from a sensor, data regarding the at least one feature; (c) comparing the data to a predetermined condition for the at least one feature; (d) defining an event when the data meets the predetermined condition; (e) assigning a weight to the event based on a duration of the event; and (f) estimating an efficiency of the hole cleaning based on the event and the weight of the event. The at least one feature being selected from the list consisting of: hole angle, circulation, tight spot, static hole, and bit hydraulics.

A ranging system and method to determine a relative distance and direction of a target borehole relative to a second borehole using a ranging tool that can make ranging measurements while the ranging tool is not rotating. An array of button electrodes included in the ranging tool can be fired in a sequential fashion so as to simulate rotation of one or more button electrodes, without the ranging tool rotating. The array of button electrodes can also be fired in a sequential fashion so as to simulate rotational and/or longitudinal movement of the ranging tool.

A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on the received data; comparing the location of the BHA to a planned drilling path to identify an amount of deviation; automatically creating a modified drilling path based on the amount of deviation and a predicted trend of a downhole parameter; detecting a trend of the downhole parameter while drilling along the modified drilling path; and automatically creating a further modified drilling path when the trend of the downhole parameter is a reversal of the predicted trend of the downhole parameter. The predicted trend of the downhole parameter is an increase of a d-exponent factor or a d-exponent-corrected factor with an increase in depth.

A high efficiency smart steering drilling system includes a smart push force application tool and a centralizer. The centralizer is at an end close to a drill bit. The smart push force application tool is at an end away from the drill bit and includes a push force application wing rib having a telescoping function. The smart push force application tool is capable of automatically measuring an inclination angle and an azimuth angle and comparing the inclination angle and the azimuth angle with design values so as to control the push force application wing rib to output a push force in a telescopic manner based on a difference between the measured values and the design values and applying a push force to the drill bit. The drilling system achieves combined deflection under double action of drill bit push and pointing, greatly improving the deflection capability.

A high efficiency smart steering drilling system includes a smart push force application tool and a centralizer. The centralizer is at an end close to a drill bit. The smart push force application tool is at an end away from the drill bit and includes a push force application wing rib having a telescoping function. The smart push force application tool is capable of automatically measuring an inclination angle and an azimuth angle and comparing the inclination angle and the azimuth angle with design values so as to control the push force application wing rib to output a push force in a telescopic manner based on a difference between the measured values and the design values and applying a push force to the drill bit. The drilling system achieves combined deflection under double action of drill bit push and pointing, greatly improving the deflection capability.

A method for configuring a bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes receiving bending moment values for the BHA, curvature values and drilling conditions for a wellbore, and processing the bending moment values to create a representation of the curvature of the drilled wellbore. Processing the bending moment values includes selecting a set of curvature values in a specified range for a selected location, calculating a bending moment value for each curvature value, and determining an actual wellbore curvature at the location by matching the received bending moment value to one of the calculated bending moment values. The method further includes generating a representation of an actual path of the wellbore using selected curvature values at a plurality of wellbore locations, comparing the actual path of the wellbore with a planned path of the wellbore; and based on the comparison, determining a configuration of the BHA to drill a next wellbore.

A method for configuring a bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes receiving bending moment values for the BHA, curvature values and drilling conditions for a wellbore, and processing the bending moment values to create a representation of the curvature of the drilled wellbore. Processing the bending moment values includes selecting a set of curvature values in a specified range for a selected location, calculating a bending moment value for each curvature value, and determining an actual wellbore curvature at the location by matching the received bending moment value to one of the calculated bending moment values. The method further includes generating a representation of an actual path of the wellbore using selected curvature values at a plurality of wellbore locations, comparing the actual path of the wellbore with a planned path of the wellbore; and based on the comparison, determining a configuration of the BHA to drill a next wellbore.