Hydrocarbon Well Placement Under Multi-Constraint Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optimization processes in the oil industry fail to provide a comprehensive tool for well placement in hydrocarbon reservoirs, lacking integration of multiple constraints and disciplines, leading to inefficient and risky well planning.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing an optimization algorithm that integrates multiple parameters and constraints, including surface and subsurface models, to simulate and evaluate well locations, optimize well count and location, and execute an anti-collision algorithm to avoid collisions, while considering economic factors and reservoir uncertainties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing optimization processes are used independently by various disciplines, then each discipline can perform its specific task, but the overall well placement process lacks integration and comprehensiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent optimization processes from different disciplines (reservoir management, geology, drilling) into a single integrated optimization system. This unified system simultaneously considers economic factors, subsurface models, surface constraints, and drilling requirements to produce comprehensive well placement recommendations that honor all disciplinary requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optimization system is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: it evaluates economic parameters, processes subsurface model data, applies surface constraints, and generates drilling recommendations. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate independent tools for each discipline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple iterations between disciplines are performed to propose wells, then well placement can be refined, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell placement accuracyVSAvoidplanning process duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs continuous optimization by simultaneously evaluating multiple scenarios and constraints in an iterative automated process. Rather than requiring discrete back-and-forth iterations between disciplines, the system continuously refines well placement recommendations based on all input data, achieving convergence on optimal solutions more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The optimization system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the results from one discipline automatically inform adjustments in other disciplines. The system evaluates the impact of well placement decisions on economic parameters, subsurface models, and drilling constraints, then uses this feedback to refine recommendations without requiring manual reiteration between disciplines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If comprehensive constraints from all disciplines are considered, then well placement becomes more accurate and reliable, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstraint satisfactionVSAvoidoptimization algorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optimization algorithm is segmented into distinct modules that handle different types of constraints and objectives separately: economic parameter evaluation, subsurface model processing, surface constraint application, and drilling requirement verification. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex constraints systematically while maintaining computational efficiency through modular processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260017438A1Method for optimizing well placement for a hydrocarbon reservoir utilizing an optimization algorithm and integrating multiple constraints

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

System and methods are disclosed relating to field development planning and well drilling in the petroleum industry, and more specifically, to optimizing the placement of hydrocarbon wells utilizing an optimization algorithm and integrating multiple parameters and constraints. This method includes receiving multiple parameters and constraints as input, executing an optimization algorithm simulation with different well locations, performing dynamic simulations across all existing wells in all models, running an anti-collision algorithm to check for collision with existing trajectories inside and outside the reservoirs, and reiterating the aforementioned steps to maximize the net present value of the parameters and yield an optimal well count and location that honor the multitude of constraints.