Characterization and performance analysis of a novel automatic vertical drilling tool

Unconventional oil and gas extraction presents new challenges for controlling vertical well trajectories, driving vertical drilling tools towards automation and intelligence. However, the harsh downhole environment complicates the real-time acquisition of parameters like deviation angle, crucial for automatic deviation control. This study introduces an electromechanical and hydraulic automatic vertical drilling tool (AVDT) that accurately measures tool orientation and real-time well deviation control. An algorithm is proposed to extract precise gravity acceleration signals from complex acceleration data, enhancing deviation angle accuracy through an improved adaptive filtering algorithm. The orientation of the AVDT is determined using coordinate transformation and quaternion pose matrix calculations, with the efficacy of the tool’s filtering algorithm validated through prototype experiments. Furthermore, thrust force experiments demonstrate that thrust force correlates primarily with outlet pressure differentials rather than flow rates, offering insights for future research on vertical drilling tools.