Wellbore Planner Fracture Model LCM Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Directional wellbore drilling faces challenges in maintaining planned trajectories due to unforeseen formation fractures, leading to lost circulation events that reduce drilling efficiency and can result in damage to downhole tools.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the creation of a fracture model using geological information from offset wellbores to identify and mitigate lost circulation events by selecting appropriate lost circulation materials (LCMs) based on fracture characteristics, ensuring these materials are available on-site before drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If directional drilling is applied to reach predetermined targets through complex formations, then the ability to reach distant or difficult targets is improved, but the risk of encountering unforeseen formation fractures and lost circulation events increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach targetsVSAvoidrisk of lost circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary wellbore planning before drilling operations by analyzing geological data, identifying fracture zones, and pre-selecting LCM treatments. This advance preparation ensures that appropriate lost circulation materials are identified and made available before drilling encounters the fractures, preventing downtime and maintaining reliability while preserving the ability to reach difficult targets through directional drilling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If traditional vertical drilling is used, then drilling simplicity is maintained, but the ability to reach distant or complex targets is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling simplicityVSAvoidability to reach targets

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary wellbore planning before drilling operations by analyzing geological data, identifying fracture zones, and pre-selecting LCM treatments. This advance preparation ensures that appropriate lost circulation materials are identified and made available before drilling encounters the fractures, preventing downtime and maintaining reliability while preserving the ability to reach difficult targets through directional drilling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If real-time trajectory correction is implemented, then drilling accuracy is improved, but response time to lost circulation events may be delayed without preventive measures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory accuracyVSAvoidresponse time to events

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary wellbore planning before drilling operations by analyzing geological data, identifying fracture zones, and pre-selecting LCM treatments. This advance preparation ensures that appropriate lost circulation materials are identified and made available before drilling encounters the fractures, preventing downtime and maintaining reliability while preserving the ability to reach difficult targets through directional drilling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces downtime and costs associated with lost circulation events by effectively plugging fractures and maintaining drilling efficiency, thereby preventing wellbore loss.

Implementation Method 1

The fracture model includes fracture characteristics that are extrapolated from one or more offset wellbores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExtrapolation:

Implementation Method 2

one or more lost circulation treatments are identified to mitigate a lost circulation event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlugging:

Data Source

PatentUS11834931B2Wellbore planner

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A downhole wellbore planner builds a fracture model of a wellbore using fracture data identified from geological information. Using the fracture model and a target wellbore location at the formation, the wellbore planner may identify or select one or more lost circulation materials (LCMs). The drilling operator may then procure the LCMs before drilling the wellbore. In this manner, the impact of a lost circulation event may be reduced by having the LCMs on site or nearby.