Multiwell Structure Drilling Framework for Subsurface Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for interpreting and modeling subsurface structures in oil and gas exploration are limited in accuracy and efficiency, particularly in constructing precise models for resource extraction and drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating specifications for multiwell structures, including slot-well assignments and well trajectories, based on input data, to optimize drilling operations and improve subsurface target location accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current methods for interpreting and modeling subsurface structures are used, then the process is simpler, but the accuracy and efficiency of constructing precise models for resource extraction and drilling operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex multiwell planning process into distinct modular components: subsurface structure modeling, well trajectory optimization, slot-well assignment, and drilling sequence planning. Each module handles a specific aspect of the planning process, allowing for improved accuracy in subsurface modeling while managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational framework that acts as a mediator between input data and drilling operations. This framework integrates multiple data sources, performs complex subsurface structure analysis, and generates optimized well trajectories and slot-well assignments, thereby improving modeling accuracy without directly increasing operational complexity.
2Productivity
If optimized well trajectories and slot-well assignments are generated, then resource extraction efficiency improves, but computational time and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing subsurface data and pre-calculating optimal well trajectories and slot-well assignments before actual drilling operations begin. This advance planning allows for improved resource extraction efficiency during operations while the computational time is concentrated in the planning phase, enabling faster execution during the actual drilling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously including well trajectory coordinates, drilling sequence order, and slot-well assignments. By changing and optimizing these parameters in an integrated manner, the system achieves improved resource extraction efficiency while managing computational requirements through coordinated parameter optimization rather than sequential analysis.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple wells are drilled from a single multiwell structure, then the quantity of hydrocarbon recovery increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring subsurface targets accurately increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal multi-functional framework that handles multiple subsurface target locations and multiple well trajectories simultaneously. It integrates subsurface structure modeling, target detection, well path optimization, and slot-well assignment in a single unified system, enabling accurate detection and measurement of multiple subsurface targets while maximizing hydrocarbon recovery quantity through coordinated multiwell operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional surface well locations to three-dimensional subsurface target modeling and well trajectory optimization. By incorporating vertical depth, lateral positioning, and angular measurements in the well path calculations, the system accurately detects and measures multiple subsurface targets in three-dimensional space, enabling precise targeting for maximum hydrocarbon recovery from a single multiwell structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include receiving input for a multiwell structure and subsurface target locations, where the multiwell structure includes slots; generating, based at least in part on the input, a position for the multiwell structure, slot-well assignments for the slots, and well trajectories, where each of the well trajectories extends from an assigned one of the slots to one or more of the subsurface target locations; and outputting a set of specifications for the position for the multiwell structure, the well trajectories, and an order for drilling the well trajectories.