METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING DRILLING PATHS TO DIRECTIONAL TARGETS

摘要

A method and apparatus for recomputing an optimum path (C) between a present location of a drill bit (D) and a direction or horizontal target (T) uses linear approximations of circular arc paths. The technique does not attempt to return to a preplanned drilling profile when there actual drilling results deviate from the preplanned profile. By recomputing an optimum path (C), the borehole to the target (T) has a reduced tortuosity.