DRILLING SYSTEM WITH ADAPTIVE STEERING PAD ACTUATION

摘要

A bottomhole assembly (BHA) has a first section, a second section, and a drilling motor disposed along the second BHA section. The first BHA section is connected to the second BHA section with a flex sub. A steering assembly positioned along the BHA includes a first steering unit and an axially spaced apart second unit. Each steering unit has at least one pad. During operation, the first steering unit generates a force in a first direction and the second steering unit generates a force in a second direction different from the first direction. The first and the second steering units thereby cooperate to axially misalign the first BHA section and the second BHA section at the flex sub.

主权项

1. An apparatus for forming a wellbore in a subterranean formation, comprising:
a bottomhole assembly (BHA) having a first BHA section and a second BHA section; a flex sub connecting the first BHA section to the second BHA section, the flex sub flexing to allow an axial misalignment between the first BHA section and the second BHA section; a drilling motor disposed along the second BHA section; and a steering assembly positioned along the bottomhole assembly, the steering assembly including:
a first steering unit having at least one pad generating a force in a first direction, anda second steering unit axially spaced apart from the first steering unit, the second steering unit having at least one pad generating a force in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first and the second steering units cooperate to axially misalign the first BHA section and the second BHA section at the flex sub.