Perturbation-Based Well Path Reconstruction for Directional Drilling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drilling devices often deviate from planned well paths due to control difficulties, position determination challenges, and unforeseen obstructions, leading to unintentional deviations and reduced accuracy in wellbore placement.
Innovation Solution
A computationally efficient method for determining an optimized wellbore path by calculating a perturbation around a reference path, using a cost function to minimize offset and maximize rate of penetration, which allows for real-time updates and improved accuracy without recalculating the entire well path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the entire well path is recalculated to correct deviations, then wellbore placement accuracy is improved, but computational time and processing resources are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the well path calculation into two parts: the original reference well path and a perturbation function. Instead of recalculating the entire well path, only the perturbation portion is computed to correct deviations. This segmentation allows for efficient real-time updates while maintaining accuracy, as the majority of the path (the reference portion) remains unchanged and the correction (perturbation) is computed locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference well path is predetermined and prepared in advance before drilling operations begin. This preliminary calculation provides a baseline that eliminates the need to recalculate the entire path during drilling. The perturbation function is then applied to this pre-computed reference path to make necessary corrections, significantly reducing computational time during real-time operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time path updates are implemented to reduce deviations, then wellbore placement accuracy is improved, but computational complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The computational problem is segmented by separating the well path into a reference component and a perturbation component. This segmentation simplifies the real-time update process by reducing it to calculating only the perturbation function, which is computationally less intensive than calculating the entire path. The complexity is managed by focusing computational resources on the correction portion only.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the predetermined reference well path as a template or copy that serves as the foundation for real-time updates. Instead of creating a completely new path calculation, the system copies the reference path and applies perturbations to it. This approach reduces computational complexity by leveraging the existing reference path structure rather than rebuilding the entire path calculation from scratch.
3Productivity
If the reference well path is used without updates, then computational efficiency is maintained, but unintentional deviations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual borehole position is continuously monitored and compared against the reference well path. Based on this feedback, a perturbation function is calculated to correct deviations and generate an updated well path. This feedback loop maintains computational efficiency by only calculating corrections when and where needed, rather than continuously recalculating the entire path, while still improving accuracy through targeted updates.
Data Source
AI summary
A well path for a directional drilling device may be updated by determining a perturbation for a new well path from a current bottom-hole assembly position to a target using the initial well plan (or any well path of reference) as a reference. An initial well plan may be determined for a directional drilling device along with a current actual borehole position of a drilling device along with other parameters such as attitude. With this, a perturbation to the well plan based on the current actual borehole position of a drilling device and a subterranean target maybe determined. Based on this perturbation an updated borehole path may be determined.