Subsurface Measurement Valuation for Well Trajectory Uncertainty
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in determining the optimal level of measurement uncertainty in subterranean formations for well trajectory and completion design, as additional measurements reduce uncertainty but increase costs, and different operators have varying risk tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided to evaluate measurement data by obtaining a baseline model, determining baseline and enhanced control parameters based on new measurement data, and calculating the value of new measurements by comparing enhanced and realized values, which allows for adjusting operation strategies and completion designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional measurements are taken to reduce uncertainty in the subsurface model, then the reliability of the model improves, but the cost and time required for data collection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by calculating the value of new measurement data through comparison of enhanced and realized values, then using this information to guide decisions about whether to acquire additional measurements. This feedback loop allows operators to objectively determine if the cost of additional measurements is justified by the reduction in model uncertainty, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and cost increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of measurement value assessment from subjective judgment to objective calculation based on uncertainty reduction. By quantifying the value of measurements in terms of uncertainty reduction and comparing it to measurement costs, the system enables data-driven decisions about measurement acquisition, balancing model reliability against measurement expenses.
2Reliability
If additional measurements are taken to reduce uncertainty, then the confidence in decisions based on the model increases, but the time required for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback on the time-value tradeoff by calculating how much decision confidence improves per unit of measurement time invested. This allows operators to optimize the timing of measurements, acquiring data only when the marginal benefit in decision confidence justifies the time cost, thus resolving the contradiction between increased confidence and time loss.
3Measurement precision
If new measurement data is acquired to reduce uncertainty in the subsurface model, then the precision of model parameters improves, but the complexity of data processing and model updating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from new measurement data that contributes to reducing uncertainty in critical model parameters. By focusing on the value of measurements specifically in terms of uncertainty reduction for decision-making, the system avoids processing unnecessary data complexity while maintaining measurement precision benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, computer-readable media, and methods for valuating measurement data, of which the method includes obtaining a first model of a subsurface volume, determining a baseline control parameter based on the first model, receiving new measurement data measured using a data collection device, the new measurement data representing one or more characteristics of the subsurface volume, and obtaining a second model of the subsurface volume based in part on the new measurement data. The first model is not based on the new measurement data. Further, the method includes determining an enhanced control parameter based on the second model, determining an enhanced value corresponding to the second model using the enhanced control parameter, determining a realized value corresponding to the second model using the baseline control parameter, and calculating a value of the new measurement data by comparing the enhanced value and the realized value.