Drilling System Dynamic Window via Surface Pressure Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in accurately monitoring and controlling downhole pressure changes during drilling operations, leading to potential influxes and fluid losses, which can result in uncontrolled flow, operational delays, and safety risks, due to limitations in pressure-while-drilling data resolution and the subjective nature of pore pressure estimations.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop drilling system with a computerized control system that calculates normal compaction trendlines, monitors inflow and outflow, and adjusts surface backpressure to define a dynamic drilling window, allowing for precise estimation of pore and fracture pressures and automatic maintenance of bottomhole pressure within safe boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure-while-drilling (PWD) data is used to monitor drilling and determine bottom hole pressure, then pressure monitoring is provided, but the data resolution is low and data transfer rate is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surface-based monitoring system that measures annular pressure, flow rates, and other parameters as intermediaries to indirectly determine downhole conditions. This mediator system provides high-resolution data without requiring downhole pressure sensors, thus avoiding the limitations of PWD tools while still enabling precise pressure monitoring through surface measurements and hydraulic modeling.
2Measurement precision
If empirical correlations are used to estimate pore pressure and fracture pressure, then estimation is provided, but the accuracy is poor due to subjective user interpretation and limited data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where real-time surface measurements of annular pressure, flow rates, and drilling parameters are continuously fed into a hydraulic model. The model dynamically adjusts pore pressure and fracture pressure estimates based on actual observed conditions, eliminating subjective interpretation and improving accuracy through continuous validation and adjustment against real data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static empirical correlations to dynamic, real-time estimation. The hydraulic model continuously updates pressure estimates as drilling conditions change, adapting to varying formation properties, mud weights, and drilling parameters. This dynamic approach replaces fixed empirical relationships with living models that evolve with actual field conditions.
3Ease of operation
If conventional drilling methods are used without closed-loop pressure control, then simpler operations are performed, but influxes and fluid losses occur due to inadequate pressure balance control
Solution Approach 1:
The closed-loop system automates pressure control by continuously monitoring surface parameters, calculating required bottom hole pressures, and automatically adjusting choke openings or pump rates to maintain pressure within the drilling window. The system serves itself by making real-time adjustments without constant operator intervention, thereby simplifying operations while dramatically improving well control safety through automated, responsive pressure management.
Data Source
AI summary
Control of a drilling system drilling a wellbore is improved using a hydraulics model corrected for pressure losses. A surface backpressure of the outlet and a standpipe pressure of the inlet are measured with sensors in the system. An estimate of the standpipe pressure is calculated based integrating from the measured surface backpressure back to the inlet in the hydraulics model. The pressure loss increment in the hydraulics model is calculated based on a difference between the measured and estimated standpipe pressures. Meanwhile, a parameter in the drilling system is monitored during drilling so the parameter can be adjusted at least partially based on the hydraulics model corrected for the pressure loss.