Radial Layer Analysis for Borehole Caving Volume Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for calculating caving volume during borehole drilling, such as the triangle-prism method, lead to inaccurate estimations, which can reduce the efficiency of drilling operations by increasing the likelihood of issues like hole-cleaning and stuck drill strings.
Innovation Solution
A radial layer-by-layer analysis is employed, utilizing lithology-dependent borehole stability models and failure criteria like Mogi-Coulomb and Mohr-Coulomb to calculate caving volumes, combined with machine learning systems for improved predictive performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the triangle-prism method is used to calculate caving volume, then the calculation process is simple, but the accuracy of caving volume estimation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The borehole wall is divided into multiple segments along the borehole axis, with each segment analyzed independently using the triangle-prism method. The total caving volume is obtained by summing the volumes from all segments, thereby maintaining computational simplicity while improving overall accuracy through localized analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The calculation transitions from a single global triangle-prism model to a multi-segment approach that incorporates the axial dimension by dividing the borehole into discrete segments. This dimensional segmentation allows the method to retain simplicity while capturing spatial variations in caving potential along the borehole length.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional caving volume calculation methods are used, then the computational resources required are minimal, but the reliability of drilling operation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The borehole is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with caving volume calculations performed for each segment. This segmentation enables the use of simple triangle-prism geometry in each segment while collectively providing more reliable results that improve drilling operation efficiency and reduce operational issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than applying a single complex global model, the method applies the simple triangle-prism calculation to multiple partial segments. This partial action approach maintains low computational resource requirements while achieving improved reliability through cumulative segment analysis.
3Productivity
If accurate caving volume estimation is achieved through complex methods, then drilling operation efficiency improves, but the complexity of the calculation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation system divides the borehole into multiple segments and applies the simple triangle-prism method to each segment independently. This segmentation strategy improves drilling operation efficiency by providing more accurate localized caving volume estimates while maintaining low system complexity through the use of basic geometric calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The approach adds the axial dimension by segmenting the borehole length into discrete sections, allowing the simple triangle-prism method to be applied repeatedly. This dimensional approach improves productivity through better accuracy while avoiding the complexity of developing entirely new three-dimensional modeling systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A caving volume or caving probability can be determined by using received user inputs and received subterranean formation characteristics. The portion of the subterranean formation characteristics that represent the rock stresses can be transformed to a coordinate system, such as a cylindrical system. Subterranean formation parameters can be calculated from the transformed characteristics. A lithology-specific algorithm can be applied to the subterranean formation parameters to generate a failure criterion. The caving analysis can then be performed using the subterranean formation parameters. The caving analysis can be performed at incremental radial distance layers into the subterrane formation from a borehole wall. The caving analysis can be performed at various measured depth layers within a depth interval of the borehole where the total caving volume is the total of the individual calculated caving volumes at each measured depth layer.