Well Trajectory Optimization via Performance-Cost Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocarbon production forecasting methods, especially those using simulation-based optimization, are computationally expensive due to the need for numerous simulations with nonlinear cost functions, making them costly even with proxy models, and often result in less accurate predictions when faster alternatives are used.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that compute performance versus drilling-cost profiles for candidate wells, rank them, select optimal configurations and trajectories, and validate points through reservoir simulation to facilitate efficient and accurate drilling operations, allowing for rapid computation of optimized well configurations and trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simulation-based optimization is used to forecast hydrocarbon production, then prediction accuracy is improved, but computational cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the candidate wells into different groups based on their performance versus drilling-cost profiles. By dividing the optimization problem into segments (high-priority vs. low-priority wells), the system can apply full simulation-based optimization only to critical segments while using faster approximation methods for less critical segments, thereby reducing overall computational cost while maintaining prediction accuracy for the most important wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by computing performance versus drilling-cost profiles that capture the essential trade-offs in a compressed form. Instead of running full simulations for every possible well configuration, the system uses these profiles with key parameters (performance metrics and drilling costs) to rapidly evaluate and compare candidate wells, significantly reducing computational requirements while preserving decision-making accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If a large number of simulations are run for optimization, then solution precision is improved, but computing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by computing performance versus drilling-cost profiles for all candidate wells before conducting detailed optimization simulations. These profiles pre-characterize each well's performance-cost relationship, allowing the system to identify and prioritize the most promising candidates for full simulation. This preliminary sorting reduces the number of expensive simulations needed while maintaining solution precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by running full reservoir simulations only for a selected subset of candidate wells that fall within optimal performance versus drilling-cost ranges. For other wells, the system uses the pre-computed profiles and faster approximation methods. This selective approach achieves sufficient solution precision for decision-making without the excessive computing time required for simulating every candidate well exhaustively.
3Use of energy by moving object
If proxy or approximate models are used for optimization, then computing cost is reduced, but prediction accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces performance versus drilling-cost profiles as an intermediary representation between the complex reservoir simulation models and the optimization decision-making process. These profiles serve as a mediator that captures the essential performance-cost relationships in a simplified form, enabling faster evaluation while preserving the accuracy needed for optimal well selection. The intermediary profiles allow the system to use computationally efficient methods without completely sacrificing prediction accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to perform a drilling operation in a field is disclosed. The method includes computing profiles of candidate wells in the field, each profile including points associated with a corresponding well, each point corresponding to a configuration and trajectory of said corresponding well and including a value pair of performance and drilling cost of said corresponding well, generating, based on the profiles, a ranking of the candidate wells, selecting, from the candidate wells and according to the ranking, selected candidate wells, selecting, from the points associated with each selected candidate well, a number of selected points, performing, for each of the number of selected points, reservoir simulation to generate simulation results, comparing the simulation results to a pre-determined criterion to generate a validated point, and performing, based on the configuration and trajectory of the validated point, the drilling operation.