Real-Time Casing Wear Estimation Using Drill String Wear Factors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing casing wear in the oil and gas industry during drilling operations are limited, as they provide only a final assessment of casing thickness and do not allow for real-time analysis along the entire wellbore length, leading to potential casing collapse or blowouts due to inadequate monitoring of wear during the drilling process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing drilling operations into intervals and correlating drill string wear factors with casing sections, allowing for continuous monitoring and estimation of casing wear through graphical representations and algorithms, enabling real-time analysis and remedial actions to prevent integrity compromise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gamma rays tools are used to determine casing thickness via wireline operation after drilling, then a final assessment of casing thickness is obtained, but real-time analysis during drilling and continuous monitoring along the entire wellbore length are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing real-time casing wear monitoring during the drilling process itself, rather than waiting for post-drilling wireline operations. The system continuously calculates casing wear by tracking drill string location and applying wear factors, enabling early detection and remedial action before casing failure occurs.
2Loss of time
If analysis tools are placed along the drill string to investigate casing thickness during drilling, then real-time assessment is possible, but the assessment is limited to only a few feet along the wellbore relative to the tool's current location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by shifting from a spatial limitation (physical proximity of the tool) to a computational dimension. The system uses a computer system to calculate casing wear for the entire wellbore length by tracking drill string position and applying wear factors algorithmically, enabling full wellbore coverage from a single tool location.
3Loss of information
If continuous real-time monitoring of the entire wellbore is implemented, then complete casing wear assessment is achieved, but the complexity of the monitoring system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using existing drill string location tracking data and automated computer calculations to determine casing wear, rather than requiring additional complex sensing infrastructure along the entire wellbore. The computer system automatically processes available data to provide comprehensive wear assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
Estimating casing wear for individual portions or lengths of a casing may take into account that individual drill string sections cause different amounts of casing wear based on the physical and material properties of each drill string section. In some instances, a method performed during a drilling operation may involve tracking a location of the plurality of drill string sections along the wellbore; corresponding a casing section with the drill string wear factors of the drill string sections radially proximate to the casing section the drilling intervals of the drilling operations; and calculating a drilling casing wear for the casing section based on the drill string wear factors corresponding to the casing section.