Drilling Trajectory Control via Receding Horizon Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in simultaneously achieving the fastest rate-of-penetration (ROP) while maintaining adherence to a planned wellbore trajectory, leading to issues with wellbore tortuosity and operational inefficiencies in directional, deviated, or slant-hole drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a receding horizon optimal control problem to determine operational set points for drilling parameters such as weight-on-bit, steering ratio, dog-leg severity, flow rate, and toolface, which allows for real-time adjustments to maintain a predefined trajectory and maximize ROP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drilling rate is increased to improve productivity, then drilling speed increases, but wellbore tortuosity increases and trajectory accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual wellbore trajectory parameters (inclination, azimuth, dog-leg severity) and compares them against planned trajectory. Real-time feedback control adjusts drilling parameters (weight-on-bit, rotary speed, mud flow rate) to correct deviations and maintain accuracy while maximizing drilling rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts drilling parameters based on real-time conditions and trajectory deviations. Control parameters such as weight-on-bit, rotary speed, and mud flow rate are continuously modified to optimize both drilling rate and trajectory accuracy, transitioning from static to dynamic control.
2Loss of time
If drilling rate is increased to reduce drilling time, then productivity improves, but wellbore tortuosity increases causing operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-plans the wellbore trajectory with predetermined parameters and continuously monitors adherence to this plan. By following a pre-established trajectory path and adjusting parameters in advance to prevent deviations, the system ensures smooth wellbore construction that facilitates future operations while maintaining efficient drilling timing.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time monitoring of wellbore trajectory against the planned path provides continuous feedback to adjust drilling parameters, preventing tortuosity and ensuring the wellbore remains suitable for future completion operations while maintaining efficient drilling speed.
3Length of moving object
If directional drilling is used to access offset formations, then wellbore length through formation increases, but trajectory control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore trajectory is divided into discrete segments with specific inclination and azimuth targets. The system controls each segment separately using measurement-while-drilling tools and adjusts parameters to achieve the desired trajectory through the formation, making the complex directional path manageable through segmented control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical trajectory control with automated measurement-while-drilling tools and computer-controlled parameter adjustment. This substitution of mechanical control with electronic measurement and control systems reduces the complexity of trajectory management in directional drilling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method or system for increasing drilling accuracy. The method and system may comprise generating one or more measurements of at least a first drilling parameter and a second drilling parameter, determining a relationship between the first drilling parameter and the second drilling parameter, creating one or more constraints from the relationship, and minimizing a cost function using the one or more constraints. The method and system may further comprise calculating one or more control commands based at least in part on the minimizing the cost function and the one or more constraints and updating a drilling operation according to the one or more control commands.