Case Study: Drilling

Northeast Basin, US

Autonomous downhole control system lowers

downlinks to BHA and increases ROP
Northeast Basin operator deploys NeoSteer CL™ curve These capabilities bundle all the steps of manual mode sequence
and lateral at-bit steerable system with autonomous into a single downhole autonomous control that begins with the
downhole control technology to build curve and lateral directional driller downlinking the DLS and TF as required
sections. Not only were downlinks to the RSS reduced on the well plan. The NeoSteer CL at-bit steerable system receives
by 21%, ROP increased 34%. the command downhole and alone automatically adjusts its
The objective steering force and TF to match the demanded DLS and TF.
Needing to drill a high–dogleg severity (DLS) curve section Using sensors close to the bit (3-axis inclinometers and triple
for a well in the Northeast Basin, an operator was faced with the 3-axis magnetometers), NeoSteer CL ABSS tracks its continuous
compounding challenge of orienting the well in the zone inclination and azimuth. The autonomous downhole control system
of exclusion (ZOE)—a narrow north–south window with azimuths uses ROP data that enables the ABSS to compute its resulting DLS
between 160° to 200° (southerly) and 340° to 20° (northerly). and TF. The tool adjusts its steering parameters every second
The danger is that the ZOE can further destabilize azimuthal to ensure it meets the designated trajectory and it functions without
headings already stressed by the formation’s inherent shock the need for surface control, which means fewer downlinks and
and vibration characteristics. less time lost to the cycle. Making frequent and small adjustments
Drilling curves with an RSS requires what is referred to as “manual means less tortuosity compared with the infrequent and violent
mode.” This involves a sequence repeatedly applied to control control from surface.
the curve trajectory and comprises multiple interventions and The conclusion
downlinks from the directional driller at the surface for steering Results observed were compared with nearby offsets drilled in
force, toolface (TF) orientation, and measurements. Cycle times manual mode. Downlinks to the NeoSteer CL ABSS were reduced
for downlinks can be as long as 20 minutes and impair drilling 21%. In fact, the auto-curve engaged for a 10°, three-part build,
efficiency, which is especially challenging through the ZOE. proceeding all the way to horizontal landing. The curve began
The results with a 2D build to 7,250-ft MD, followed by a 2D turn to 7,750 ft,
SLB recommended deploying the NeoSteer CL curve and lateral and then a final 3D build and turn. Auto-tangent engaged and
at-bit steerable system with the auto-curve and auto-tangent drilled to the landing point at 8,250 ft. ROP also increased 34%.
components of the autonomous downhole control system.

100
ABSS inclination, °

ABSS inclination, °

50 Build
Turn Build and turn

0
ABSS azimuth, °
ABSS azimuth, °

250

200
ZOE

150

ABSS toolface, °
ABSS toolface, °

300
200
100
0
200 Steering force, %
Steering force, %

100

0
6,800 6,850 6,900 6,950 7,000 7,050 7,100 7,150 7,200 7,250 7,300 7,350 7,400 7,450 7,500 7,550 7,600 7,650 7,700 7,750 7,800 7,850 7,900 7,950 8,000 8,050 8,100 8,150 8,200 8,250 8,300
Depth, ft

The autonomous downhole control system reduced downlinks to NeoSteer CL ABSS 21% during a three-part build for the curve.

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