Specialists from Perm National Research Polytechnic University have developed a stabilizing platform for drilling directional oil wells. The university calls it the world's first device of its kind: it allows data to be obtained from gyroscopes directly during drilling, without regular stops to check parameters.
The problem arises due to strong vibration of the drill string and drill bit impacts. Under such conditions, optical gyroscopes lose accuracy, so the process has to be stopped to obtain correct data. According to the developers, such downtime can take up to 15% of the total drilling time and increase the risk of the string getting stuck in collapsed rock.
Scientists from Perm Polytechnic University have developed the world's first active stabilization device for a navigation platform, capable of operating under drilling conditions with column rotation without stopping. This allows for a 15% reduction in time loss. A patent has been obtained for the invention.
The platform with gyroscopes and accelerometers is mounted inside the drill pipe on the electric motor housing. When the sensors detect column rotation, the motor starts rotating the platform in the opposite direction at the same speed. This keeps it stationary relative to space, and the instruments continue to take more accurate data even when the drill string is moving.
PNIPU notes that the device is suitable for any directional wells – both onshore and offshore. If drilling such a well usually takes about 30 days, the new system can save 4–5 days. Given the cost of the drilling rig and personnel, this could mean tens of millions of rubles in savings per facility.