The advent of the rotary-steerable system (RSS) introduced an efficient way to drill both current and future wells. However, current tools still fail to replace positive displacement motors (PDMs). High build-rate RSSs that maximize reservoir contact are more expensive than PDMs that deliver consistent and reliable build rates, whatever the formation, while RSS tools with a low cost of ownership may not deliver expected performances. This paper presents a concept that combines optimal functionalities and directional performances with cost‑effectiveness.
Lessons Learned in the Field
Hundreds of potential RSS configurations exist when considering engineering options such as steering principle, geometry, control mechanisms, rotating/nonrotating sections, and power source. In the past, many such systems have been run in two types of bent housing that equipped PDMs.
