Casing Wear Mapping for Drilling Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional casing wear analysis techniques fail to accurately predict and monitor casing wear during drilling operations, lacking comprehensive analysis of parameters affecting wear, which can lead to costly failures.

Innovation Solution

The development of computer-implemented casing wear mapping and visualization techniques, providing 2D and 3D graphical representations of wear relative to drilling parameters, enabling accurate estimation and real-time monitoring of casing wear, allowing for informed design updates and mitigation strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional casing wear analysis techniques are used, then the analysis process is simple, but the prediction accuracy of casing wear is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional one-dimensional wear analysis to three-dimensional wear mapping that visualizes casing wear across multiple dimensions (depth, azimuth, and wear magnitude). This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive analysis of wear patterns while maintaining manageable complexity through graphical representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wear maps as an intermediary visualization tool that bridges raw drilling data and engineering decision-making. These maps serve as a mediator that translates complex multi-parameter wear data into intuitive graphical representations, improving prediction accuracy without proportionally increasing analysis complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If comprehensive parameter analysis is performed, then the accuracy of wear estimation is improved, but the time required for analysis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear estimation accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary wear analysis during the planning phase by creating wear maps based on projected drilling parameters before actual drilling begins. This advance preparation allows engineers to identify potential wear problems and adjust casing design or drilling parameters proactively, improving reliability without adding time pressure during critical drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements iterative refinement of wear maps by comparing predicted wear with actual wear measurements obtained during drilling operations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from real data and continuously improve prediction accuracy, reducing the time needed for comprehensive analysis over time as the model becomes more refined.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If real-time monitoring is implemented, then the ability to mitigate casing wear is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear management capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the wear monitoring system to automatically update wear maps using real-time drilling data without requiring complex manual intervention. The system self-updates by ingesting sensor data, recalculating wear predictions, and regenerating visualizations automatically, improving ease of operation while keeping system complexity manageable through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional wear mapping system that serves multiple purposes: planning phase prediction, real-time monitoring, post-drilling analysis, and training data generation. This universal tool handles diverse functions through a single integrated platform, improving wear management capability without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3087249B1Estimation and monitoring of casing wear during a drilling operation using casing wear maps
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORP
  • EP3087249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3087249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3087249B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System and methods for monitoring casing wear for a well during a drilling operation are provided. Casing design parameters for a planned well are determined during a planning phase of the drilling operation. A wear factor along a length of the planned well is computed based on the casing design parameters. A casing wear map is generated based on the computed wear factor along the length of the planned well relative to one or more of the casing design parameters. The generated casing wear map is visualized via a display of a computing device. The visualized casing wear map enables a user of the computing device to estimate casing wear for the planned well and determine an appropriate casing design for the planned well based on the estimated casing wear.