Directional Drilling High Side Scribe Tool

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Canadian Patent Application No. CA 3,263,807, filed on 2025 Jan. 30, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to directional drilling equipment used in oil and gas well construction. More particularly, it concerns a tool configured to establish, verify, and transfer the high-side orientation between a downhole motor and a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Directional drilling operations require accurate alignment between the mechanical high side of the downhole motor and the electronic Toolface reference of the MWD system. The correlation between these two references allows drillers to steer the well accurately during sliding operations.

Conventional methods for establishing this correlation rely heavily on manual scribing, visual judgment, and multiple verification steps. These procedures are time-consuming, prone to human error, and may lead to misalignment between the motor and the MWD tool. Inconsistent scribe accuracy can result in steering errors, inefficient wellbore trajectory control, and additional rig-floor time.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a simple, reliable, and repeatable device capable of accurately identifying and transferring the high-side orientation of the motor to the MWD tool under field conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a Directional Drilling High Side Scribe Tool (DDHST) configured to accurately align and verify the high-side orientation between a downhole motor and a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool.

In one embodiment, the DDHST comprises a lightweight, drillable body configured to be temporarily attached to the upper end of a downhole motor, drill collar, or other tubular component. An orientation rod or indicator extends outwardly from the body and is aligned with a previously established high-side mark. When installed, the orientation rod provides a visual reference that allows the operator to confirm that the motor's mechanical high side corresponds precisely to the MWD tool's electronic Toolface reference.

The DDHST may further include an attachment mechanism such as a snap-on clamp, threaded drill collar, or magnetic coupling to allow for quick installation and removal on the rig floor. Markings, detents, or index features can be incorporated to enhance alignment precision and prevent rotational slippage during handling.

Advantages of the Invention include:

• • Providing a repeatable and accurate method for verifying high-side orientation.
  • Reducing setup and calibration time during bottom-hole assembly (BHA) preparation.
  • Enhancing rig-floor safety by minimizing manual handling and rework.
  • Improving directional drilling efficiency and overall wellbore accuracy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Directional Drilling High Side Scribe Tool (DDHST).

Item 1 represents the clamp or bracket configured to attach to a downhole motor or drill collar.

Item 2 represents the orientation rod extending outwardly from the body to provide a visible high-side alignment indicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Directional Drilling High Side Scribe Tool (DDHST) is designed for use during bottom-hole assembly (BHA) makeup in oil and gas drilling operations involving downhole motors and MWD tools. The BHA typically comprises a drill bit, downhole motor, stabilizers, drill collars, and the MWD tool.

Downhole motors include a bent housing that defines a mechanical “high side,” which determines the steering direction during sliding operations. Because the motor's high-side orientation cannot be directly observed from surface, the MWD tool provides Toolface data that represents the motor's position. A high-side scribe physically connecting the motor and MWD tool ensures that the electronic Toolface data correctly corresponds to the motor's actual orientation.

Embodiment 1—Application on Downhole Motor

The DDHST is temporarily attached to the top end of the downhole motor using its clamp.

The orientation rod extends outwardly to indicate the motor's mechanical high side when the motor is on the rig floor.

The operator marks a high-side reference line on the motor's top surface aligned with the DDHST's rod.

The alignment is verified visually to ensure the high-side indication is accurate.

The DDHST is removed before lowering the motor through the rotary table and making up subsequent tubulars.

Embodiment 2—Application on Drill Collars and Other Tubular Components

After the motor's high side has been scribed and verified, the DDHST is reattached to the motor with the orientation rod aligned to the scribed line.

The DDHST is lowered to the rotary table, and a reference mark is placed on the rotary table corresponding to the motor's high side.

Each drill collar or tubular is then sequentially attached. The DDHST is snapped onto the tubular, aligned with the rotary-table reference mark, and a new high-side scribe line is drawn on the tubular.

The operator verifies each transferred scribe line for consistency, ensuring uniform high-side orientation throughout the BHA.

Advantages and Operation

The DDHST provides a reliable, repeatable, and efficient means of verifying and transferring high-side orientation across multiple components of the bottom-hole assembly. By correlating the physical high side of the downhole motor or tubular with the MWD Toolface measurements, the invention:

• • Ensures consistent and accurate wellbore steering.
  • Reduces misalignment and operational errors.
  • Saves rig time by minimizing recalibration and re-measurement steps.
  • Enhances overall drilling precision and rig-floor safety.

Industrial Applicability

The invention is suitable for use in directional drilling operations in oil, gas, and geothermal wells. Its lightweight, drillable, and easily removable design allows for repeated application on the rig floor without interfering with BHA assembly or downhole operations.