Drilling State Filtering With Neural Kalman Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drilling operations face challenges in efficiently managing drilling dynamics and optimizing well construction processes due to the lack of real-time, systematic analysis and control, often relying on manual methods and laborious analysis.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a deep neural network-based Kalman filter that learns from real data to characterize drilling responses and conditions, enabling real-time monitoring and control of drilling operations by comparing actual operations with pre-defined procedures, and adjusting well plans accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual methods and laborious analysis are used for drilling operations, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity and analysis accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling operations efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual analysis methods with an automated deep neural network-based Kalman filter system. The neural network learns optimal filter parameters from historical drilling data, substituting human expertise with an intelligent algorithm that automatically characterizes drilling responses and provides real-time well plan recommendations, thereby improving productivity without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs self-learning through the deep neural network that automatically trains on drilling data to improve filter characterization over time. The Kalman filter continuously updates drilling state estimates based on real-time data, and the system autonomously generates well plan recommendations without requiring constant human input, enabling the system to serve itself and improve continuously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If real-time monitoring and control systems are implemented, then drilling operations accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling analysis accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The deep neural network performs preliminary learning during offline training phases, where it studies historical drilling data to understand optimal filter behavior. This pre-computed knowledge is then applied during real-time operations, allowing the Kalman filter to quickly characterize drilling responses without performing complex computations during critical drilling operations, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing real-time processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts Kalman filter parameters based on drilling conditions. The neural network learns optimal filter parameters for different drilling scenarios and automatically selects or adjusts them in real-time, allowing the system to maintain high measurement precision while adapting computational complexity to match the actual drilling situation, reducing unnecessary processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If deep neural network-based Kalman filter is used, then characterization accuracy of drilling responses is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling response characterizationVSAvoidsystem implementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deep neural network-based Kalman filter system serves multiple functions: it characterizes drilling responses, predicts drilling behavior, generates well plan recommendations, and continuously learns from new data. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system, the patent improves characterization accuracy while avoiding the need for multiple separate complex systems, thereby managing overall implementation complexity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3710667B1Field operations system with filter
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 SERVICES PETROLIERS SCHLUMBERGER SA
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AI summary

A method can include training a deep neural network to generate a trained deep neural network where the trained deep neural network represents functions of a non-linear Kalman filter that represents a dynamic system of equipment and environment via an internal state vector of the dynamic system; generating a base internal state vector, that corresponds to a pre-defined operational procedure, using the trained deep neural network; receiving operation data from the equipment responsive to operation in the environment; generating an internal state vector using the operation data and the trained deep neural network; and comparing at least the internal state vector to at least the base internal state vector.