Patent ID: 10519752

Abstract:
Systems, methods and apparatuses to aid with directional drilling through a subterranean formation are described. A model is provided that is indicative of: (i) one or more frictional forces at one or more contact points of the BHA and a wall of a non-linear borehole through a subterranean formation, (ii) one or more internal torques of the BHA between the one or more contact points, and (iii) one or more internal torques of the drill string between the one or more contact points. Based on the model, a toolface severity is determined for the drilling system, the toolface severity corresponding to a change in angular deflection for a change in applied weight-on-bit (WOB) of the BHA. A design is selected for the drilling system based on a comparison of the toolface severity to another toolface severity for a different design. Drilling may be performed by a drilling system having a bottom-hole assembly (BHA) optimized to reduce fluctuations in toolface orientation along a non-linear borehole.