Real-Time Rock Property Estimation During Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drilling operations face challenges in efficiently monitoring and optimizing drilling parameters and rock formation properties in real-time, leading to issues such as stuck pipe incidents, reduced drilling rates, and increased non-productive times.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a computer-implemented method that uses real-time measurements to determine physical properties of drilled rock formations, including cutting concentration in annulus, effective mud weight, equivalent circulating density, bulk formation rock density, and ultimate compressive strength, to optimize drilling operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If real-time measurements and models are used to evaluate rock properties, then drilling efficiency and safety are improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex downhole logging tools and mechanical measurement systems with computational models that process surface-measured drilling parameters (ROP, WOB, RPM, mud properties) to estimate rock properties. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to evaluate formation characteristics in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces computational models as intermediaries between drilling parameters and rock properties. These models act as mediators that translate easily measurable drilling parameters into meaningful formation characteristics without requiring direct complex measurements downhole.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If comprehensive real-time monitoring of drilling parameters is implemented, then stuck pipe incidents are minimized and drilling safety is improved, but loss of time for data processing and analysis increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling safetyVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by continuously calculating rock properties and drilling risks in real-time as drilling parameters are collected. This ongoing preliminary evaluation allows the drilling team to take preventive actions before stuck pipe incidents occur, rather than waiting for problems to manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous feedback loops where drilling parameters are measured, processed through models to estimate rock properties, and the results are immediately fed back to guide drilling decisions. This real-time feedback enables rapid response to changing formation conditions without significant time delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If traditional logging tools and mud logging units are used to determine formation properties, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but drilling rates are reduced and non-productive times increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation property accuracyVSAvoiddrilling rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical logging tools and mud logging units with a computational system that estimates formation properties from drilling parameters. This substitution eliminates the need to stop drilling for logging operations, maintaining drilling rates while providing formation property information through mathematical models rather than physical measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The drilling process itself generates the data needed for formation evaluation. By using drilling parameters (ROP, WOB, RPM) and mud properties that are already being measured during drilling, the system makes the drilling operation self-sufficient for formation characterization without requiring separate logging interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12338731B2Real-time measurements of physical properties of drilled rock formations during drilling operations

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Systems and methods include a method for determining drilling information. A cutting concentration in annulus (CCA) is determined while drilling a well using drilling parameters and mud properties. An effective mud weight of mud and an equivalent circulating density (ECD) of mud used in the well are determined. A bulk formation rock density (RHOB) of cuttings from the well is estimated using the ECD, a bulk density model, and a bulk density log, where the cuttings are produced by drilling the well through rock formations. A fluid formation density (RHOF) and a mud matrix formation rock density (RHOM) for the well are estimated. A porosity of geological structures through which the well is drilled and a formation resistivity factor (FR) of formations are estimated. A velocity of wave propagation of waves through the formations is evaluated. An ultimate compressive strength (UCS) is estimated for the well.