Geosteering Alignment via 3D Image Log Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geosteering techniques for wellbore drilling are time-consuming and require repetitive calculations to maintain the wellbore's alignment with changing geological features, such as dips, in subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve collecting and transforming 3D image log data to match the orientation of geology logs, overlaying the transformed data to determine alignment parameters, which can include linear, tilt, rotation, or angle adjustments to maintain the wellbore's alignment with geological features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional geosteering techniques are used to maintain wellbore alignment with changing geological features, then the wellbore can be positioned correctly relative to dips, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires repetitive calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary transformation of 3D image log data to match the orientation of geology logs before actual geosteering operations. By pre-aligning the coordinate systems and transforming the spatial data, the system eliminates the need for repetitive calculations during the drilling process, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a transformed copy of the 3D image log data that matches the orientation of the 2D geology logs. This copied and transformed data set can be directly overlaid and compared without requiring continuous real-time calculations, thus reducing the time-consuming nature of conventional geosteering while preserving the precision needed for wellbore positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional geosteering methods are used, then wellbore positioning can be maintained, but the complexity of calculations and data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical calculation processes with automated computational methods. By using computer-based transformation algorithms to convert 3D image log data into orientations matching 2D geology logs, the system reduces manual calculation complexity while maintaining the precision required for accurate wellbore positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation by transforming 3D spatial coordinates into a 2D orientation system that matches the geology logs. This parameter transformation simplifies the data processing by converting complex three-dimensional positioning data into two-dimensional aligned data that can be directly compared and analyzed, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time alignment adjustments are implemented, then wellbore orientation can be maintained relative to changing dips, but the computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment transformations on the 3D image log data before drilling operations begin. By pre-matching the orientation of the image logs to the geology logs and establishing the coordinate transformation relationships in advance, the system enables real-time adaptability to geological changes without requiring intensive computational resources during actual drilling, thus maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a pre-transformed copy of the 3D image log data that is already aligned with the 2D geology log orientation. This copied and pre-processed data can be directly used for real-time comparisons and alignment adjustments during drilling operations, thereby maintaining the wellbore's adaptability to geological changes while avoiding the computational burden of real-time 3D to 2D transformations.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure presents a process to determine an alignment parameter for geosteering a wellbore undergoing drilling operations. The process can receive one or more azimuthal image log data sets, one or more geology logs, and other input parameters. The image log data sets can be transformed to better approximate the geology logs, such as transforming a 3D representation to a 2D representation and flattening out curves represented in the original image log data. The geology logs or transformed image log data can then be moved to create an approximate alignment between the other log data. The movement, which can be a sliding movement, a linear movement, a tilting movement, an angling movement, or a rotating movement, can be used to determine the determined alignment parameter or final alignment parameter. The alignment parameter can be used as input into a geosteering system for the wellbore.