Iterative drilling simulation process for enhanced economic decision making
First Claim
1. An iterative drilling simulation method for enhanced economic decision making comprising:
- obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled;
specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and
iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An iterative drilling simulation method and system for enhanced economic decision making includes obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation. The method and system further produce an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation. Each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model.
109 Citations
60 Claims
-
1. An iterative drilling simulation method for enhanced economic decision making comprising:
-
obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled;
specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and
iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An iterative drilling simulation method for enhanced economic decision making comprising:
-
obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, and shale plasticity, wherein a respective characteristic is derived from log data and a respective lithology model, rock strength model, and shale plasticity model, further wherein the log data includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of well logs, mud logs, core data, and bit records;
specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system, wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one of the following consisting of rig inputs, drill string and bottom hole assembly inputs, drill bit inputs, and hydraulic properties, wherein the rig inputs include operating constraints, rig costs, maximum weight on bit, top drive torque, table drive torque, top drive minimum RPM, table drive minimum RPM, top drive maximum RPM, table drive maximum RPM, pumps maximum GPM, and standpipe maximum PSI, wherein the drill sting and bottom hole assembly (BHA) characteristics include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of motor RPM, turbine RPM, motor torque, turbine torque, rotary steerable system, PSI loss through BHA, PSI string loss, string torque, string drag, and drill string economics, wherein the drill bit inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of bit type, bit diameter, bit cutting structure 3D model, bit work rating, bit wear rating, bit junk slot area, bit TFA (total flow area), and bit pressure drop, and wherein the hydraulic properties include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of oil, synthetic, water, weight PPG (pounds per gallon), yield point, plastic viscosity, annular velocity, water loss, lost circulation, ECD (equivalent circulating densities), depth in, depth out, maximum ROP, and fluid costs;
iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model, wherein the drilling simulation model includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of a mechanical efficiency model, bit wear model, hole cleaning efficiency model, penetration rate model, and drilling economics model; and
generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors.
-
-
21. A method for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation comprising:
-
obtaining characteristics of a rock column in the formation to be drilled;
specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system;
iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model; and
generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
-
-
24. A recommendation package for enhancing economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, the recommendation package comprising:
-
at least one economic evaluation factor; and
at least one recommendation of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of the at least one well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors;
wherein said at least one economic evaluation factor having been derived by a method that includes;
obtaining characteristics of a rock column in the formation to be drilled;
specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and
iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
-
26. A method for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, the method comprising:
-
obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;
specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters;
iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, producing an economic evaluation factor for each respective iterative drilling simulation and modifying drilling mechanics parameters until a desired optimization of the iterative drilling simulation is achieved, wherein each iterative drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;
generating a preliminary recommendation in response to the iterative drilling simulation achieving the desired optimization;
repeating, for any additional equipment considerations, the steps of specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating a preliminary recommendation for any additional equipment considerations; and
generating an overall recommendation as a function of the preliminary recommendations of iterative drilling simulations. - View Dependent Claims (27)
-
-
28. A method for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, the method comprising:
-
obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;
specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters;
simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, wherein the drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;
generating an economic evaluation factor as a function of the drilling simulation;
iteratively repeating, for any additional equipment considerations, the steps of specifying equipment characteristics, simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating an economic evaluation factor; and
generating a recommendation package of the iterative drilling simulations as a function of economic evaluation factors of select ones of respective iterative drilling simulations. - View Dependent Claims (29)
-
-
30. A computer program product for enabling iterative drilling simulation for enhanced economic decision making comprising:
-
a computer program processable by a computer system for causing the computer system to;
obtain characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, obtain characteristics of at least one drilling rig system, and iteratively simulate the drilling of a well bore in the formation and produce an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model; and
apparatus from which the computer program is accessible by the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. An iterative drilling simulation system for enhanced economic decision making comprising:
-
a first input for obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled;
a second input for specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and
a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
-
49. An iterative drilling simulation system for enhanced economic decision making comprising:
-
first input for obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, and shale plasticity, wherein a respective characteristic can be derived from log data and a respective lithology model, rock strength model, and shale plasticity model;
second input for specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system;
wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of rig inputs, drill string and bottom hole assembly inputs, drill bit inputs, and hydraulic properties,wherein the rig inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of operating constraints, rig costs, maximum weight on bit, top drive torque, table drive torque, top drive minimum RPM, table drive minimum RPM, top drive maximum RPM, table drive maximum RPM, pumps maximum GPM, and standpipe maximum PSI, wherein the drill sting and bottom hole assembly (BHA) characteristics include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of motor RPM, turbine RPM, motor torque, turbine torque, rotary steerable system, PSI loss through BHA, PSI string loss, string torque, string drag, and drill string economics, wherein the drill bit inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of bit type, bit diameter, bit cutting structure 3D model, bit work rating, bit wear rating, bit junk slot area, bit TFA (total flow area), and bit pressure drop, wherein the hydraulic properties include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of oil, synthetic, water, weight PPG (pounds per gallon), yield point, plastic viscosity, annular velocity, water loss, lost circulation, ECD (equivalent circulating densities), depth in, depth out, maximum ROP, and fluid costs; and
a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model, wherein the drilling simulation model includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of a mechanical efficiency model, bit wear model, hole cleaning efficiency model, penetration rate model, and drilling economics model, said simulator further for generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors.
-
-
50. A system for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation comprising:
-
first input for obtaining characteristics of a rock column in the formation to be drilled;
second input for specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and
a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model, said simulator further for generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
-
-
53. A system for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said system comprising:
-
first input for obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;
second input for specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters; and
a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, producing an economic evaluation factor for each respective iterative drilling simulation and modifying drilling mechanics parameters until a desired optimization of the iterative drilling simulation is achieved, wherein each iterative drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model, said simulator further for generating a preliminary recommendation in response to the iterative drilling simulation achieving the desired optimization, wherein said simulator operates to repeat the specifying of equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating a preliminary recommendation for any additional equipment considerations, wherein said simulator further generates an overall recommendation as a function of the preliminary recommendations of iterative drilling simulations. - View Dependent Claims (54)
-
-
55. A system for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said system comprising:
-
first input for obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;
second input for specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters; and
a simulator for simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, wherein the drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model, said simulator further for generating an economic evaluation factor as a function of the drilling simulation, wherein said simulator operates to iteratively repeat, for any additional equipment considerations, the specifying of equipment characteristics, simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating the economic evaluation factor, wherein said simulator further generates a recommendation package of the iterative drilling simulations as a function of economic evaluation factors of select ones of respective iterative drilling simulations. - View Dependent Claims (56)
-
-
57. A simulator for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said simulator comprising:
-
a first processor, responsive to geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled and specified equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, said first processor for producing an economic evaluation factor for each respective iterative drilling simulation and for modifying drilling mechanics parameters until a desired optimization of the iterative drilling simulation is achieved, wherein each iterative drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;
a second processor, responsive to the achievement of the desired optimization by said first processor, for generating a preliminary recommendation, wherein said first and second processors further operate in response to the geology characteristic and any additional specified equipment characteristics of the at least one drilling system for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore and generating a preliminary recommendation for any such additional equipment considerations; and
a third processor for generating an overall recommendation as a function of the preliminary recommendations of iterative drilling simulations, wherein the geology characteristics include at least a rock column and the equipment characteristics include the drilling mechanics parameters. - View Dependent Claims (58)
-
-
59. A simulator for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said simulator comprising:
-
first input for obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;
second input for specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters;
a first processor, responsive to geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled and specified equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, for simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, wherein the drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;
a second processor for generating an economic evaluation factor as a function of the drilling simulation, wherein said first and second processors operate to iteratively repeat, in response to any additional equipment considerations of specified equipment characteristics, the simulating of the drilling of the well bore and generating of the economic evaluation factor; and
a third processor for generating a recommendation package of the iterative drilling simulations as a function of economic evaluation factors of select ones of respective iterative drilling simulations. - View Dependent Claims (60)
-
Specification