This paper proposes the use of a hybrid approach to perform the trajectory control in the oil drilling industry using Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS). Two levels of automation are proposed, the attitude control (Level 1) regulating inclination and azimuth downhole and the outer loop (Level 2), that monitors the performance of the inner loop and controls the directional drilling commands issued t...

Solids control equipment at the rig site is used to remove rock cuttings or low-gravity solids (LGS) from drilling fluids to allow the fluid to return to the active system in a re-usable condition. Typical equipment, such as shakers and centrifuges, remove LGS particles greater than 5-7 microns. Build up of finer solids in the fluid can create problems for efficient drilling such as drillpipe s...

Correctly choosing rock-breaking bit is critical in oil drilling. The optimal model of selecting a bit has been established based on the Factor Analysis Theory. Through selecting primitive variables, and using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) to get factor loading matrix, factor rotation and factor score, we have reasonably evaluated and optimized the selection of rock-breakin...

Conditions of work on offshore drilling platforms are particularly hard due to extreme environmental situations created both by nature and technological processes. Oil drilling workers employed on the open sea are potentially exposed to permanently high stress. Apart from the obvious objective factors affecting drilling platform employees, a great role in the general work-related stress level i...

Wellbore instability in oil and gas drilling is resulted from both mechanical and chemical factors. Hydration is produced in shale formation owing to the influence of the chemical property of drilling fluid. A new experimental method to measure diffusion coefficient of shale hydration is given, and the calculation method of experimental results is introduced. The diffusion coefficient of shale ...

Most oil and gas leases allow the operator to extend possession for an indefinite period by establishing production in paying quantities. We show how this option to “hold by production” (HBP) stimulates the drilling of many wells that would otherwise be uneconomic. Although such wells may superficially appear to be poor investments, in fact they contribute to shareholder value. We also show, ho...

We have devised a method, based on a parametric array concept, to create a low-frequency (300-500 kHz) collimated ultrasound beam in fluids highly attenuating to sound. This collimated beam serves as the basis for designing an ultrasound visualization system that can be used in the oil exploration industry for down-hole imaging in drilling fluids. We present the results of two different approac...

BACKGROUND Hydraulic fracturing technologies, developed over the last 65 years, have only recently been combined with horizontal drilling to unlock oil and gas reserves previously deemed inaccessible. Although these technologies have dramatically increased domestic oil and natural gas production, they have also raised concerns for the potential contamination of local water supplies with the app...