Future intelligent drilling technology

System composition as well as functional and operational modes of an intelligent drilling technology for the future were analyzed in this paper.It is an integration of a series of technologies,including drilling,use of new materials,new testing controls,microelectronics,telecommunications,computers,robots and ultra-micromachining,etc.A portable,truck-mounted,flexible and fully automatic drilling rig with coiled tubing was envisioned for this system.In this future drilling process,intelligent mini-robots mounted on the drill bit observe and detect all downhole parameters and send data back so as to simultaneously finish the logging operation while conducting the drilling process;intelligent drilling under remote control will be completed automatically with robotic instructions: robots control the drilling speed and trajectory of the bit.All drilling operations,such as tripping operations and cooperation among global drilling operations,are organized through communication network technology.It is anticipated this technology will significantly increase drilling speed while greatly reducing drilling accidents and costs.Owing to the precise control of well trajectory,intelligent drilling technology will improve the technical level of exploration and development of petroleum and natural gas.