Wellbore Tortuosity Analysis Using Multi-Scale Spectral Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining wellbore tortuosity from wellbore survey data face challenges such as noise in results when calculating dogleg values from survey data at short or long intervals, leading to inadequate detail and difficulty in upgrading dogleg values over short intervals to meaningful values over longer intervals.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving data from multiple survey stations and determining tortuosity parameter values within analysis windows using spectral analysis and displacement techniques, which provide quantification of wellbore tortuosity with improved accuracy and reduced noise, allowing for effective evaluation and display of tortuosity along the wellbore path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dogleg values are calculated from survey data at short intervals, then more detailed tortuosity information is obtained, but noise in results increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wellbore path into multiple analysis windows of different lengths (e.g., short, medium, long intervals). By segmenting the analysis into different spatial scales, the system can capture detailed tortuosity variations at short intervals while using longer windows to average out noise, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement detail and result reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-scale analysis dimension by calculating tortuosity parameters at multiple window lengths simultaneously. This transforms the single-interval measurement problem into a multi-dimensional analysis where short, medium, and long intervals provide complementary information, allowing detailed measurement without excessive noise through comparative analysis across scales.
2Reliability
If dogleg values are calculated from survey data at long intervals, then noise in results is reduced, but detail in tortuosity information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tortuosity analysis into multiple window lengths, where long intervals provide reliable averaged values and short intervals provide detailed variations. By presenting results across the full range of window lengths, the system recovers detail information that would be lost in single-interval analysis while maintaining the noise-reduction benefits of long intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of analysis window length as a variable parameter, transforming the problem from choosing between noisy detailed measurements or smooth averaged measurements to analyzing tortuosity across a continuum of scales. This multi-scale approach allows simultaneous access to both detail and reliability.
3Loss of information
If multiple analysis windows with different lengths are used, then comprehensive tortuosity information is obtained, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computational task into standardized analysis windows of different lengths that can be systematically applied along the wellbore path. By using a finite set of predefined window lengths rather than continuous variation, the computational complexity is managed while still providing comprehensive multi-scale tortuosity information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a practical number of analysis windows (short, medium, long intervals) rather than exhaustively analyzing every possible window length. This partial action approach provides sufficient comprehensive information for engineering decisions without the excessive computational burden of analyzing all possible scales, balancing information completeness with computational feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing information regarding the tortuosity of a wellbore path is provided. The method includes receiving data from a plurality of survey stations of a wellbore survey. The method further includes determining a plurality of tortuosity parameter values for the wellbore path within a corresponding plurality of analysis windows, wherein each analysis window has at least one tortuosity parameter value.