3D Well Position Determination Using Calibrated Measurement Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the 3D position and positional uncertainty of subsurface points along a wellbore are inaccurate, leading to ambiguity in wellbore surveying, geological modeling, and reservoir descriptions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves selecting a well reference point, calibrating Along-hole Depth (AHD), Inclination (Incl), and Azimuth (Az) measurements, observing these measurements at multiple stations along the wellbore, transforming them into Vertical Depth (V), North (N), and East (E) values, and calculating and concatenating the associated uncertainties to provide a precise 3D positional description and uncertainty depiction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional 3D position determination methods are used, then the process is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is divided into multiple discrete measurement stations at specific depths. Each station independently measures AHD, Incl, and Az parameters. This segmentation allows for localized high-precision measurements that can be individually calibrated and corrected, thereby improving overall 3D position accuracy without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental corrections and measurement calibrations are applied in advance to the AHD, Incl, and Az measurements before they are used to calculate the final 3D position. This preliminary action ensures that systematic errors are corrected beforehand, improving measurement precision without adding complexity to the final calculation process.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurement stations are used to improve accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is divided into discrete measurement stations spaced at specific intervals (e.g., every 100 meters). This segmentation allows measurements to be taken at strategically selected locations rather than continuously, improving precision at key points while minimizing the total time required compared to continuous measurement along the entire wellbore length.
3Measurement precision
If environmental corrections are applied to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Environmental corrections for temperature, pressure, and other factors are calculated and applied in advance to the raw AHD, Incl, and Az measurements. This preliminary correction ensures that the measurements are adjusted for environmental effects before being used in 3D position calculations, improving accuracy without requiring complex real-time correction systems during the main measurement process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improving the 3D positional description of well geometry, subsurface measurements and subsurface services as provided along the wellbore and improve the provision of the 3D positional uncertainty. The method selects a well reference point, calibrates the AHD, Incl and Az measurements, selects a measurement station positioned, observes measurements at the measurement station, selects at least one or more additional measurement station(s), repeats the measurements, transforms calibrated interval AHD, Incl. and Az observed measurement values into V, N and E interval values, summates V, N and E interval values to create a 3D positional description of each measurement station. The method then determines the AHD, Incl. and Az value uncertainties at each measurement station, calculates and concatenates the AHD, Incl. and Az value uncertainties and creates a depiction of these associated uncertainties along the length of the wellbore in terms of V, N and E positions from ZDP.