Rotary Steerable System (RSS)

It is a form of drilling technology used in directional drilling. It employs the use of specialized downhole equipment to replace conventional directional tools such as mud motors. They are generally programmed by the measurement while drilling (MWD) engineer or directional driller who transmits commands using surface equipment (typically using either pressure fluctuations in the mud column or variations in the drill string rotation) which the tool responds to, and gradually steers into the desired direction. In other words, a tool designed to drill directionally with continuous rotation from the surface, eliminating the need to "slide" a mud motor.

The first known patent application is from Christopher G. Cross in 1873 for "Drills for Boring Artesian Wells",^[1] followed in 1884 by the brothers Morris and Clarence Baker for a "Machine for Operating Drills"^[2]

The methods used to direct the well path fall into two broad categories, these being “push-the-bit” or “point-the-bit”. Push-the-bit tools use pads on the outside of the tool which press against the well bore thereby causing the bit to press on the opposite side causing a direction change. Point-the-bit technologies cause the direction of the bit to change relative to the rest of the tool by bending the main shaft running through it. The latter require some kind of non-rotating housing or reference housing in order to create this deflection within the shaft.

The advantages of this technology are many for both main groups of users: geoscientists and drillers. Continuous rotation of the drill string allows for improved transportation of drilled cuttings to the surface resulting in better hydraulic performance, better weight transfer for the same reason allows a more complex bore to be drilled, and reduced well bore tortuosity due to utilizing a more steady steering model. The well geometry therefore is less aggressive and the wellbore (wall of the well) is smoother than those drilled with a motor. This last benefit concerns geoscientists, because better measurements of the properties of the formation can be obtained, and the drillers, because the well casing or production string can be more easily run to the bottom of the hole.

Different RSS systems available in the market. 

GEO PILOT 

Halliburton Introduces the Only Point-the-Bit Rotary Steerable System Able
To Achieve Consistent, Higher Build Rates in Large Hole Sizes
Reap the benefits of rotary steerable drilling with build rates previously only
achievable with conventional mud motors
HOUSTON - April 25, 2012 – Sperry Drilling, a Halliburton business line, has
introduced the Geo-Pilot® EDL rotary steerable system to its Pilot™ fleet of
automated drilling systems.
The Geo-Pilot EDL 9600 rotary steerable system (RSS) is the only RSS for big
holes that can deliver well profiles previously only possible with motors, but with
the wellbore quality and higher rates of penetration of a point-the-bit rotary
steerable system. Sperry Drilling’s Geo-Pilot EDL RSS features an enhanced
dogleg capability; the system can be used where high build rates are required or
where soft formation typically limits build-rate capability. The Geo-Pilot EDL
system can also deliver a more consistent build rate through interbedded
formations.
The Geo-Pilot EDL system matches the appropriate bit to the rotary steerable
system to deliver optimized drilling performance. The system is ideal for drilling
well trajectories for extended-reach drilling applications, where consistent
doglegs are required to drill the surface hole in shallow, soft formations. These
well trajectories improve drilling efficiency by reducing the sail angle required,
reducing torque and drag, and facilitating faster, smoother tripping. With a high-
build-rate RSS, the well can be kicked off deeper and land in the reservoir
sooner, thus increasing reservoir exposure. The system also allows drilling of the
vertical, curve and lateral sections in one bottomhole assembly (BHA) with no
added trips for motors.
Halliburton’s Geo-Pilot EDL system has been used in offshore and onshore
operations to drill hole sizes ranging from 8-3/8-inches to 17-1/2-inches,
delivering consistent higher doglegs previously only achieved using downhole
motors. In the first extensive application of the Geo-Pilot EDL 9600 series system
globally, Sperry Drilling drilled six complete build sections from vertical to
horizontal, delivering excellent performance, including consistent dogleg
capability up to 8 degrees per 100 feet/30.5 meters with reserved deflection
capacity to reach 10 degrees per 100 feet/30.5 meters.

Baker Hughes rotary steerable systems (RSS) offer precise steering control that maximizes reservoir contact for increased production. Our technology reduces the uncertainty of drilling away from the target, which minimizes economic risk, ensuring your well is on schedule, on budget. 

From drilling vertical wells in deviation-prone applications to successfully drilling complex 3D and extended-reach wellbores, we understand your drilling program requirements. Our suite of rotary steerable systems, application engineering expertise, and prewell planning services consistently and accurately meet your directional objectives while eliminating NPT associated with additional correction runs.

We combine precision steering systems with modular motors, near-bit sensors, LWD, and telemetry solutions for answers while drilling. Collaborating with your team, we’ll make better reservoir navigation decisions—based on real-time formation evaluation—that result in hydrocarbon recovery exceeding your expectations.

AutoTrak eXact Rotary Steerable Drilling System

Reduce well costs with high BUR drilling while gathering critical LWD data

The AutoTrak™ eXact high-build rotary steerable drilling system (RSS) combines the ability to provide advanced logging while drilling (LWD) services with the ability to drill high buildup rates (BUR), eliminating the need to compromise between the two. The service helps operators to drill the most complex 3D profiles with outstanding borehole quality and directional control.

Facilitate faster completions with the proprietary, closed-loop steering control of the AutoTrak eXact RSS, which delivers exact wellbore placement and ensures borehole quality in all applications.

Improve drilling efficiency through the AutoTrak eXact RSS’ ability to drill shorter curve sections of up to 12°/100 ft. This maximizes horizontal reservoir exposure and helps avoid directional work in troublesome formations.

Maximize production and minimize the risk and cost of development through compatibility with the Baker Hughes suite of LWD services. The service provides access to real-time formation evaluation and reservoir data to help geosteer wells and optimize well placement.

Applications

• Conventional and unconventional
• Land and offshore
• Simple and complex 3D wellbore profiles