Integrated MPD Transient Hydraulic Model Simulator Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deepwater managed pressure drilling (MPD) operations lack an integrated real-time modeling solution for the entire mud circulating system, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks due to reliance on estimates rather than actual data, especially when using subsea mud lift pumps like the mud lift pump (MLP) which complicates pressure management.
Innovation Solution
An integrated MPD transient hydraulic model simulator (THMS) architecture that integrates real-time data from various modules, including a dynamic process module and transient hydraulic module, using off-the-shelf software packages to provide comprehensive modeling and simulation of the mud circulating system, enabling accurate real-time assessment and adjustment of drilling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an integrated real-time modeling solution is implemented, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated modeling system is divided into separate functional modules including a dynamic process module for real-time data processing and a transient hydraulic module for simulation calculations. Each module handles specific aspects of the modeling independently, allowing the complex system to be managed through modular components that can be developed, tested, and maintained separately while still providing comprehensive real-time measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
An integration engine serves as an intermediary component that connects the dynamic process module and the transient hydraulic module, coordinating data flow and synchronization between them. This mediator manages the complexity by providing a standardized interface and communication protocol, allowing the modules to work together seamlessly without requiring direct complex interactions between all components.
2Reliability
If real-time data integration across multiple modules is implemented, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated modeling system implements continuous feedback loops where the dynamic process module receives real-time process data, processes it through the transient hydraulic module, and uses the simulation results to adjust and refine the modeling outputs. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by continuously validating results against actual measurements and automatically correcting deviations, while the modular architecture manages complexity through structured feedback pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the dynamic process module and the transient hydraulic module into a unified integrated modeling solution that processes real-time data comprehensively. By combining these modules under a coordinated framework managed by the integration engine, the system achieves high reliability through comprehensive data analysis while managing complexity through organized consolidation rather than scattered independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is described herein for performing off shore field operations. The system includes a number of process measuring devices that measure real-time process data. The system can further include a wellhead stack positioned at a sea floor, where the wellhead stack performs managed pressure drilling (MPD) as part of the field operations. The system can also include a dynamic process module executing on a hardware processor and providing first real-time output during the MPD using the real-time process data, where the dynamic process module includes a first off-the-shelf software package communicably coupled to a first model. The system can further include a dynamic integration engine executing on a hardware processor and receiving a first real-time output from the first model of the dynamic process module.