Wellbore Steering via Induced Stress Field Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore drilling techniques lack an effective method to optimally orient wells relative to in situ stress fields, which affects drilling stability, hydraulic fracturing efficiency, and overall production or injection performance, as they fail to accurately determine and adapt to the localized stress orientations in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves inducing stress in the earth formation near the borehole, measuring physical properties at multiple azimuthal locations, forming images of the borehole, estimating azimuthal variations in induced stress with depth, and adjusting operational parameters such as drilling direction or hydraulic fracturing parameters based on these measurements to align the wellbore with optimal stress orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drilling techniques are used without stress field consideration, then drilling operations are simpler and faster to implement, but drilling stability deteriorates and wellbore control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary stress field characterization by inducing stress in the formation and measuring physical properties (such as acoustic wave velocities) at multiple azimuthal locations before finalizing wellbore trajectory. This preliminary action allows determination of principal stress orientations, enabling subsequent drilling operations to be planned and executed with optimal wellbore alignment to stress fields, thereby improving drilling stability and reducing wellbore deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by measuring physical properties of the formation at various azimuthal locations, processing these measurements to determine stress field characteristics, and using this information to adjust drilling parameters and wellbore trajectory in real-time. This feedback loop ensures the wellbore remains optimally aligned with principal stress directions, maintaining drilling stability throughout the drilling process.
2Productivity
If wellbore is not aligned with principal stress directions, then drilling and fracturing operations are easier to perform, but hydraulic fracturing efficiency deteriorates and production performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical wellbore orientation methods with a physics-based approach using acoustic wave propagation measurements. By measuring the velocities of acoustic waves traveling through the formation in different azimuthal directions and analyzing the anisotropy patterns, the system determines principal stress orientations without requiring complex mechanical orientation devices. This substitution enables precise wellbore alignment with stress fields, optimizing hydraulic fracturing efficiency and production performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stress measurements are not performed in real-time, then measurement equipment and procedures are simpler, but the ability to adapt to localized stress variations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the drilling operation itself to generate the stress conditions needed for measurement. By inducing stress in the formation through drilling activities and using the formation's own acoustic properties to carry measurement information, the system performs self-service stress characterization. Acoustic waves are transmitted through the formation and their velocity patterns reveal stress field characteristics, eliminating the need for separate, complex stress measurement equipment while enabling real-time adaptation to localized stress variations.
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 enhances drilling stability, improves hydraulic fracturing efficiency, and optimizes well performance by ensuring the wellbore is aligned with the principal stress directions, thereby reducing the pressure required for fracturing and maintaining fracture aperture and flow properties.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a measurement of a physical property of the borehole at a plurality of azimuthal locations in the borehole, wherein a value of the measurement of the physical property is related to the induced stress in the formation
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and computer-readable medium for developing an earth formation is disclosed. A tool conveyed in a borehole induces a stress in the earth formation proximate a borehole. A sensor assembly obtains a measurement of a physical property of the borehole at a plurality of azimuthal locations in the borehole. The values of the physical property are indicative of the induced stress in the formation. A processor forms an image of the borehole using the obtained measurements of the physical property, estimates an azimuthal variation with borehole depth of the induced stress in the formation from the formed image, and alters an operational parameter of a device for developing the earth formation using the estimated azimuthal variation with depth of the induced stress in the formation.