Drill string angular offset determination
Systems and methods to determine angular offset between reference points on a drill string are achieved automatically using an electronic device, such as a handheld device. A first orientation value corresponding to the first highside reference point is obtained using the electronic device. A second a second orientation value corresponding the second highside reference point is obtained. The electronic device then calculates the angular offset between the first and second orientation values.
1 . A computer-implemented method for determining an angular offset between reference points on a drill string, the method comprising:
positioning an electronic device adjacent a first highside reference point;
obtaining, using the electronic device, a first orientation value corresponding to the first highside reference point;
moving the same electronic device adjacent a second highside reference point;
obtaining, using the electronic device, a second orientation value corresponding the second highside reference point; and
calculating, using the electronic device, an angular offset between the first and second orientation values.
2 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 1 , wherein:
the first highside reference point is a motor highside reference point; and
the second highside reference point is a measurement-while-drilling (“MWD”) assembly highside reference point.
3 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 2 , wherein the electronic device is a hand-held device.
4 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 2 , wherein the electronic device comprises at least one of a magnetometer, accelerometer, gyro, rotational vector sensor, or global positioning system (“GPS”).
5 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 2 , wherein an axis of the electronic device is positioned perpendicular to an axis of the drill string when obtaining the first and second orientation values.
6 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 2 , wherein the electronic device is positioned in a holding device which orients the electronic device at a known axis in relation to a motor and MWD assembly when obtaining the first and second orientation values.
7 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 2 , further comprising scanning a barcode on the drill string in order to confirm an identity of a motor or MWD assembly.
8 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 2 , wherein:
the motor highside reference point is determined by:
placing a first scribe line on the drill string which corresponds to a motor highside;
placing the first scribe line level with a rig floor; and
placing a second scribe line on the rig floor adjacent the first scribe line;
the first orientation value is obtained by:
attaching the electronic device to a third scribe line on the drill string which corresponds to a MWD assembly highside; and
recording a position of the third scribe line as the first orientation value; and
the second orientation value is obtained by:
positioning the electronic device such that it is adjacent the rig floor;
rotating the drill string until the third scribe line is aligned with the second scribe line on the rig floor; and
after the rotation, recording a position of the electronic device as the second orientation value.
9 . The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 2 , further comprising steering, in response to the angular offset, the drill string.
10 . A non-transitory computer program product including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform a method comprising:
obtaining, using an electronic device positioned adjacent a first highside reference point, a first orientation value corresponding to the first highside reference point;
obtaining, using the same electronic device moved adjacent a second highside reference point, a second orientation value corresponding the second highside reference point; and
calculating, using the electronic device, an angular offset between the first and second orientation values.
11 . The computer program product as defined in claim 10 , wherein:
the first highside reference point is a motor highside reference point; and
the second highside reference point is a measurement-while-drilling (“MWD”) assembly highside reference point.
12 . The computer program product as defined in claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is positioned in a holding device which orients the electronic device at a known axis in relation to a motor and MWD assembly when obtaining the first and second orientation values.
13 . The computer program product as defined in claim 11 , further comprising scanning a barcode on a drill string in order to confirm an identity of a motor or MWD assembly.
14 . The computer program product as defined in claim 11 , wherein:
the motor highside reference point is determined by:
placing a first scribe line on a drill string which corresponds to a motor highside;
placing the first scribe line level with a rig floor; and
placing a second scribe line on the rig floor adjacent the first scribe line;
the first orientation value is obtained by:
attaching the electronic device to a third scribe line on the drill string which corresponds to a MWD assembly highside; and
recording a position of the third scribe line as the first orientation value; and
the second orientation value is obtained by:
positioning the electronic device such that it is adjacent the rig floor;
rotating the drill string until the third scribe line is aligned with the second scribe line on the rig floor; and
after the rotation, recording a position of the electronic device as the second orientation value.
15 . A system to determine an angular offset between reference points on a drill string, the system comprising:
a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”); and
an electronic device having processing circuitry therein to determine orientation values by:
obtaining, using the electronic device positioned adjacent to a first highside reference point, a first orientation value corresponding to the first highside reference point;
obtaining, using the same electronic device moved adjacent to a second highside reference point, a second orientation value corresponding the second highside reference point; and
calculating, using the electronic device, an angular offset between the first and second orientation values.
16 . The system as defined in claim 15 , wherein:
the first highside reference point is a motor highside reference point; and
the second highside reference point is a measurement-while-drilling (“MWD”) assembly highside reference point.
17 . The system as defined in claim 16 , further comprising a holding device to orient the electronic device at a known axis in relation to a motor and MWD assembly when obtaining the first and second orientation values.
18 . The system as defined in claim 16 , wherein the electronic device is a hand-held device.
19 . The system as defined in claim 16 , wherein the electronic device comprises at least one of a magnetometer, accelerometer, gyro, rotational vector sensor, or global positioning system (“GPS”).
20 . The system as defined in claim 16 , wherein
the motor highside reference point is determined by:
placing a first scribe line on the drill string which corresponds to a motor highside;
placing the first scribe line level with a rig floor; and
placing a second scribe line on the rig floor adjacent the first scribe line;
the first orientation value is obtained by:
attaching the electronic device to a third scribe line on the drill string which corresponds to a MWD assembly highside; and
recording a position of the third scribe line as the first orientation value; and
the second orientation value is obtained by:
positioning the electronic device such that it is adjacent the rig floor;
rotating the drill string until the third scribe line is aligned with the second scribe line on the rig floor; and
after the rotation, recording a position of the electronic device as the second orientation value.