Geosteering Subsystem Pattern Detection for Control Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Human interpretation of geological control points during horizontal wellbore drilling is subjective and prone to errors, which can lead to incorrect steering decisions and wellbore deviation from the target formation.

Innovation Solution

A geosteering subsystem that automatically detects patterns in logging while drilling measurements to identify geological control points, using techniques such as pattern recognition and statistical analysis to interpret these points and update geological models, either manually by a human operator or automatically by software.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If human operators manually interpret geological control points from sensor readings, then the system can identify steering control points, but the interpretation is subjective and prone to errors leading to incorrect steering decisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of control point identificationVSAvoidcomplexity of interpretation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical interpretation process with an automated computer-based system that uses pattern recognition and machine learning algorithms to detect geological control points from sensor readings, eliminating human subjectivity and error while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the computer-based interpretation system to automatically detect and identify control points without requiring manual human intervention, with the system autonomously processing sensor data and generating steering decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If automated pattern recognition is used to detect geological control points, then error reduction is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of control point detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex detection task into multiple components including pattern recognition modules, machine learning classifiers, and sensor data processing stages, allowing each component to be optimized independently while achieving high overall precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-training machine learning models with historical geological data before deployment, enabling the automated system to achieve high detection precision from the outset without requiring extensive manual calibration during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230313665A1Detection of potential geological control points with logging-while-drilling sensors

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A geosteering subsystem has been designed to detect patterns in measurements that correlate to geological events. A geological event may correspond to a potential control point that geosteering operations may use to make geosteering decisions. The subsystem evaluates obtained measurements against predetermined patterns that correlate to geological events. When a pattern is detected in the measurements, the subsystem labels the depth and corresponding formation property measurements as a potential control point. Once detected, the subsystem can pass on the potential control point for interpretation using various methods such as manual interpretation, performed by a human operator, and automatic interpretation, performed by geosteering software.