Dynamic Well Task Prioritization System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current well construction software lacks the ability to automatically prioritize and allocate tasks effectively, especially in multi-well operations, leading to potential delays and errors due to the need for manual judgment and excessive user interaction, which increases health, safety, and environmental risks, as well as operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that generates and prioritizes tasks dynamically based on real-time data from sensors and well states, using a dynamic task generator, prioritizer, and dispatcher to allocate tasks chronologically and within specific time windows, optimizing well construction performance and reducing risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual judgment and user interaction are used to prioritize tasks, then flexibility in decision-making is improved, but health, safety, and environmental risks increase due to more personnel required at the well construction site

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in decision-makingVSAvoidhealth, safety, and environmental risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by implementing an automated task prioritization framework that autonomously evaluates well construction tasks using pre-defined criteria and algorithms. The framework automatically determines task priority levels and allocation without requiring human judgment, thereby eliminating the need for personnel to be present at the well construction site while maintaining adaptive decision-making capabilities through programmable logic and real-time data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If more personnel are deployed to the well construction site for manual task management, then task execution flexibility is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution flexibilityVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical system of manual human judgment and interaction with an automated computational framework. The framework uses algorithms and computer processing to evaluate tasks, determine priorities, and allocate resources automatically, substituting human operators with software-based decision-making that reduces operational costs while maintaining task execution flexibility through adaptive programming and real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If single-well task generation software is used for multi-well operations, then software simplicity is maintained, but information aggregation and task prioritization effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware simplicityVSAvoidinformation aggregation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements universality by designing a multi-well task prioritization framework that can simultaneously process and manage tasks across multiple wells using a single integrated software platform. The framework aggregates information from multiple wells, applies consistent prioritization criteria, and generates coordinated task allocations, thereby enhancing information aggregation effectiveness while maintaining software simplicity through standardized interfaces and unified processing logic that handles multiple wells concurrently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10062044B2Method and system for prioritizing and allocating well operating tasks
Publication Date: 2018.08.28 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP
  • US10062044B2 patent drawing
  • US10062044B2 patent drawing
  • US10062044B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for managing well construction operations includes accepting as input to a computer a list of tasks required to complete construction of at least one wellbore, the list of tasks having at least an initial chronological order. Measurements of at least one parameter related to at least one task on the list of tasks is entered into the computer. The list of tasks is prioritized by at least one of changing a chronological order of performance or a length of time to complete at least one of the tasks based on measurements of the at least one parameter. The prioritizing is performed to optimize at least one well construction performance parameter. The prioritized list is displayed to at least one user of the computer.