Proxy Constraint Volume for Well Path Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well path planning methods are inefficient due to lengthy real-time calculations of drilling variables, making it difficult to achieve real-time interactivity and optimal well trajectory design, especially when considering multiple constraints such as distance to subsurface objects and reservoir connectivity.
Innovation Solution
The use of proxy constraint volumes in a 3D cellular model, where each cell has values derived from a 3D earth model, allows for iterative adjustment of well paths to meet defined constraints, reducing computing time and enabling rapid evaluation of well trajectories, including distance, cost, and connectivity considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time calculations of drilling variables are performed to evaluate well paths, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but computing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores drilling variable values in proxy constraint volumes before well path evaluation. These pre-computed values are stored in a 3D cellular model structure, allowing rapid retrieval during well path assessment without performing lengthy real-time calculations, thus resolving the contradiction between evaluation accuracy and computing time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates simplified proxy representations (copying) of complex drilling variable fields. Instead of calculating actual drilling variables in real-time, the system uses pre-computed proxy values stored in volumetric data structures that approximate the true drilling conditions, enabling fast evaluation while maintaining acceptable accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple constraints such as distance to subsurface objects and reservoir connectivity are considered, then well path optimization quality is improved, but device complexity and calculation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple constraint evaluations (distance to subsurface objects, reservoir connectivity, drilling variables) into a unified volumetric data structure called proxy constraint volumes. These combined constraints are stored in a 3D cellular model where each cell contains pre-computed values for multiple constraints, allowing simultaneous evaluation of all constraints without requiring separate complex calculation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from evaluating constraints along 1D well path trajectories to pre-computing and storing constraint values throughout the entire 3D subspace. By creating volumetric proxy constraint volumes that span the full 3D domain, the system enables rapid multi-constraint evaluation at any point in space without increasing computational complexity during well path assessment
3Reliability
If iterative adjustment of well paths is performed to meet constraints, then well path reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to lengthy calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of all drilling variables and constraint values before iterative well path adjustment begins. These pre-computed proxy values are stored in volumetric data structures, allowing iterative optimization to proceed by simply retrieving and comparing pre-stored values rather than recalculating them, thus maintaining reliability while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex real-time mechanical calculation systems with pre-computed data lookup operations. Instead of performing lengthy drilling variable calculations during each iterative well path adjustment, the system substitutes these with rapid retrieval of pre-stored proxy values from volumetric structures, enabling efficient iterative optimization that maintains reliability while boosting productivity
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a system and method for planning a well path. An exemplary method comprises defining a proxy constraint volume as a three-dimensional (3D) cellular volume where each cell has at least one value derived from data from a 3D earth model. An initial well path is defined within user defined drilling parameter constraints. The exemplary method comprises defining acceptable constraint parameters to be applied to values derived from an intersection of the initial well path and the proxy constraint volume. If the intersection of the initial well path and the proxy constraint volume is not within the acceptable constraint parameters, the initial well path may be iteratively adjusted to create successive well paths until at least one of the successive well paths is within the acceptable constraint parameters for the values derived from the intersection of the well path and proxy constraint volume.