Well Trajectory Nudge Position Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for planning well trajectories, such as petroleum wells, are time-consuming and complex, especially when considering multiple well trajectories and the risk of collision, as they rely heavily on the experience of drilling engineers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determine trajectories for multiple wells while avoiding collisions by calculating zones of uncertainty, minimum separation factors, and gradients of separation factors to update nudge positions for each well.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional experience-based nudge operations are used for trajectory planning, then the method is simple to implement, but the time consumption and complexity increase significantly when considering multiple well trajectories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual, experience-based mechanical process of trajectory nudge operations with an automated computer-implemented system. The system uses algorithms to automatically calculate zones of uncertainty, determine minimum separation factors, compute gradients, and update nudge positions, eliminating the need for engineers to manually perform these complex calculations for multiple wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining optimal nudge positions without requiring continuous human intervention. The computer-implemented method autonomously iterates through calculating separation factors, computing gradients, and updating trajectories, allowing the system to service itself in the trajectory optimization process.
2Ease of operation
If traditional experience-based methods are used to determine nudge direction and distance, then the approach is straightforward, but it becomes complicated and time-consuming when multiple well trajectories need to be designed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the human expert system with an automated computational system that handles the complexity of multi-well trajectory planning. The computer-implemented method systematically processes multiple wells by calculating zones of uncertainty, determining minimum separation factors, and computing gradients for each well pair, managing the complexity that would be overwhelming for manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by dynamically calculating and adjusting key parameters including zones of uncertainty, minimum separation factors, and gradients of separation factors. These parameter changes are computed automatically for each iteration, allowing the system to handle complex multi-well scenarios by systematically varying and optimizing these critical parameters.
3Loss of time
If automated methods are used to calculate zones of uncertainty and separation factors, then the time and complexity are reduced, but the computational requirements and algorithm complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex trajectory optimization problem into distinct computational steps: determining zones of uncertainty for each well, calculating minimum separation factors between well pairs, computing gradients of separation factors, and updating nudge positions. This segmentation allows the algorithm to handle complexity in manageable stages rather than as a single monolithic computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through iterative optimization where the calculated gradients of separation factors are used to update nudge positions, which then become the basis for recalculating separation factors in the next iteration. This feedback loop allows the algorithm to converge toward optimal trajectories by continuously refining solutions based on previous calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for determining trajectories for a plurality of wells while avoiding collision between wells are presented. The techniques can include determining a zone of uncertainty for individual wells of the plurality of wells, determining a minimum separation factor for individual wells of the plurality of wells, determining a gradient of a separation factor for at least one pair of wells of the plurality of pairs of wells, updating a nudge position for at least one well, and providing nudge positions for the individual wells of the plurality of wells.