Bayesian Optimization for Drilling Parameter Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional drilling techniques face challenges in accurately managing physical drilling parameters such as hook load, torque, and casing wear during wellbore drilling, leading to delayed adjustments and potential operational failures due to variable downhole conditions and inertia effects.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing sensors and Bayesian optimization to project physical drilling parameters by analyzing input data from sensors, drillstrings, and historical wellbore data, generating alerts when parameters exceed prescribed limits, and allowing for real-time adjustments to prevent failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional drilling techniques are used with manual adjustments based on operator experience, then operational flexibility is maintained, but parameter management accuracy deteriorates leading to delayed adjustments and potential failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation reliabilityVSAvoidparameter management accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous monitoring of drilling parameters (hook load, torque, casing wear) with real-time feedback to the control system. Sensors mounted on the drillstring and downhole tools provide ongoing data about actual drilling conditions, enabling the control system to detect deviations from optimal parameters and trigger automatic adjustments, replacing manual operator judgment with systematic feedback control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual operator decision-making and mechanical adjustment systems with an automated control system that uses computational algorithms to analyze sensor data and automatically adjust drilling parameters. This substitution of human mechanical adjustment with automated electronic control improves both the precision of parameter management and the reliability of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If real-time adjustments are made to drilling parameters, then operational safety is improved, but response time delay due to drilling fluid inertia and drill pipe elasticity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation safetyVSAvoidparameter adjustment response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of drilling parameters and predicts potential issues before they manifest as actual problems. By continuously monitoring trends in hook load, torque, and casing wear, the control system can anticipate when parameter adjustments will be needed and prepare adjustment commands in advance, reducing the effective response time despite physical delays in the drilling system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control system with computational algorithms as an intermediary between sensor data and physical drilling parameter adjustments. This intermediary processes information rapidly and can compensate for physical delays by calculating predictive adjustment commands that account for drilling fluid inertia and drill pipe elasticity, effectively reducing the perceived response time delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If continuous monitoring of drilling parameters is implemented, then failure prevention capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure prevention capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to monitor multiple drilling parameters (hook load, torque, casing wear) simultaneously using a single integrated system. The sensors and control algorithms serve multiple functions: detecting parameter deviations, predicting potential failures, triggering alerts, and coordinating adjustments. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate monitoring systems for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated alert generation and parameter adjustment capabilities that reduce the need for constant human intervention. When parameters deviate from optimal ranges, the system automatically generates alerts and can execute corrective actions without operator input, allowing the monitoring system to serve itself in managing drilling operations and reducing the complexity of human-machine interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12018555B2Physical parameter projection for wellbore drilling

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORP

AI summary

Aspects and features of this disclosure relate to projecting physical drilling parameters to control a drilling operation. A computing system applies Bayesian optimization to a model incorporating the input data using varying values for an adverse drilling factor to produce a target function. The computing system determines a minimum value for the target function. The computing system provides a projected value for the physical drilling parameters based on the minimum value. The computing system generates an alert responsive to determining that the projected value for the physical drilling parameters exceeds a prescribed limit.