Integrating Well Planning with Drilling Data Analytics for Performance Efficiency

Well Planning Software Sets the Foundation for Performance Efficiency

Using powerful 3D visualization capabilities, well planners can explore the geology, formations, and petrophysical characteristics of a reservoir, locate targets, and evaluate the pros and cons of different well trajectories to maximize recovery. Flexible planning with multiple profile and curve-types available allow well planners to quickly and easily evaluate numerous possible trajectories from pad to target.

A recommended wellpath can be annotated with information regarding rock properties, dogleg severity, casing and cementing guidance, or references to additional information to aid in the understanding of the plan and well drilling. Calculated ellipsoids of uncertainty can be used to “erode” a geologic target to create a “driller’s target,” indicating the likelihood of the wellpath being located within a target. Traveling cylinder diagrams, used to evaluate potential collisions with nearby planned or existing wellpaths, are interactive with the 3D visualization offering a better understanding of potential risks.

Drilling Data Analytics Software Facilitates Collaboration

Wellpaths designed with an understanding of subsurface conditions give drilling engineers detailed information to plan drilling activities. With this information, drilling engineers can assess borehole stability, identify any segments that present potential torque and drag problems, determine the casing strategy, calculate fluid weights, and specify required BHA components that maximize drilling performance. Working within the same 3D visualization environment, WellArchitect’s directional drilling software capabilities facilitate collaborative review, refinement, and agreement on drilling plans by planners and engineers.

Near-Real-Time Drilling Data Software

With the combination of positional data and a 3D earth model, drilling engineers can:

• Compare the actual wellpath with the original plan in the context of the subsurface environment, targets, offset wells, and positional uncertainty.
• Slice, shade, annotate, or make transparent 3D views to gain a better understanding of spatial relationships.
• Slice 3D models along the wellpath to provide a cross-sectional view of the stratigraphic or property model and aid in geosteering.
• Monitor wellbore proximity to faults and horizons to ensure a drilling angle sufficient to penetrate the strata.
• Visualize collision avoidance data ahead of the bit throughout the drilling process.

A Wide Range of Positional Uncertainty Models

To aid in the accuracy of drilling wells, WellArchitect offers positional uncertainty models for more than 60 magnetic and gyro tools, including the ISCWSA-released models. Each tool type comes with at least one standard default model, and most have versions with various corrections/applications (e.g., with Sag correction or for a slant rig). Positional uncertainty is calculated based on standard ISCWSA methodology.

Using the tool positional uncertainty model, WellArchitect calculates the region (aka the ellipsoid of uncertainty) within which a given point may be located. These ellipsoids of uncertainty for each station or point within a wellpath can be displayed along the reference and offset wellpaths.

This information is also used to calculate clearance distances between wellpaths, as well as to shrink a geological target to a “driller’s target” the target volume that can be reached, given the uncertainty regarding the wellpath’s position.

Identify and Efficiently Resolve Drilling Challenges

WellArchitect accesses near-real-time drilling data and visualizes it to allow drilling engineers to gain better control over drilling operations and quickly make modifications whenever the actual deviates from the planned. If the current trajectory cannot achieve the build to land the target, analysis of the well trajectory in the context of local geology can help identify factors that led to the deviation. Visual analysis of conditions between current drill bit location and target helps engineers quickly determine appropriate methods to correct the trajectory.

When markers don’t come in where expected, the local earth model and well plan can easily be updated to more accurately reflect the strata depth, correctly locate BHA, and determine what modifications need to be made to the well plan to reach the target.

Gain Additional Insight Into the Impact of Drilling Activities

Using CoViz 4D and WellArchitect together, drilling engineers also benefit from easy access to drilling data obtained from existing wells. CoViz 4D maintains a complete record of well data, from initial planning through completion. Properties and metrics such as porosity, pore pressure, frac gradient, mud weight, weight on bit, and ROP can provide guidance regarding problems encountered and solutions employed during previous drilling operations.