Downhole Automation Using Spline, Catenary, and Clothoid Curves Based On Minimum Wellpath Energy

Abstract

Abstract To design a correction wellpath with minimum energy to return a deviated path to the planned well trajectory, an experimental downhole drilling automation is set up and applied. The criterion used to select the best curve between the deviated point and target point is the minimum well profile energy model. This criterion considers curvature and torsion together, which supplies an advanced qualification of wellbore quality. In the consideration of reducing wellbore fiction, unconventional curves are coupled in the wellpath design. Catenary, spline, and clothoid curves supply curvature bridging in transition zones as they make the wellpath smooth. Several survey points are set to check the coordinates for bit moving. The balanced average method, minimum curvature method, and natural curve method are used to build the well trajectory. Finally, this research compares the results of nine optimization models by using different unconventional curves and calculation trajectory methods.