Interactive rock stability display
First Claim
1. A system for interactively displaying estimated stability of rock surrounding a wellbore comprising:
- a three-dimensional display adapted to display to a user an orientation of a portion of the wellbore and an estimation of stability of the rock surrounding the portion of the wellbore;
a user input system adapted to accept user input representing changes in orientation of the portion of the wellbore; and
a processing system adapted to accept the user input from the user input system and calculate and communicate to the display a revised estimation of stability of the rock based on the user input.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is disclosed for interactively displaying estimated stability of rock surrounding a wellbore. The display shows a three-dimensional representation of the orientation of a portion of the wellbore and the associated estimation of stability of the rock surrounding the wellbore. The user can alter the orientation of the portion of the wellbore, after which in real time the stability estimation is recalculated and redisplayed. The method and system can be used for planning or modifying a well plan, either before or during the drilling process. The method and system can also be used for diagnosis of stability problems. The method and system can also be used for displaying and analyzing the estimated stability of perforations surrounding a wellbore and for planning and arranging such perforations.
42 Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A system for interactively displaying estimated stability of rock surrounding a wellbore comprising:
-
a three-dimensional display adapted to display to a user an orientation of a portion of the wellbore and an estimation of stability of the rock surrounding the portion of the wellbore;
a user input system adapted to accept user input representing changes in orientation of the portion of the wellbore; and
a processing system adapted to accept the user input from the user input system and calculate and communicate to the display a revised estimation of stability of the rock based on the user input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method for interactively displaying estimated stability of rock surrounding a wellbore comprising the steps of:
-
displaying to a user a three-dimensional representation of a first orientation of a portion of the wellbore and a first estimation of stability of the rock surrounding the portion of the wellbore associated with the first orientation;
receiving user input representing a second orientation of the portion of the wellbore;
calculating a second estimation of stability of the rock associated with the second orientation; and
displaying to the user in real time a three-dimensional representation of the second orientation of the portion of the wellbore and the second estimation of stability of the rock. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
selecting a preferred fluid pressure; and
creating or modifying a well plan specifying characteristics of a wellbore to be drilled, the well plan incorporating the preferred fluid pressure.
-
-
31. A method according to claim 29 wherein the method is carried out after production of hydrocarbons has begun with the wellbore, the fluid pressure is a drawdown pressure, and the method further comprises the step of producing hydrocarbons at a selected drawdown pressure that has been selected at least in part by the user viewing the display of the second estimation.
-
32. A method according to claim 24 further comprising the steps of:
-
repeating the steps of receiving user input, calculating, and displaying for further orientations;
selecting a preferred orientation; and
creating or modifying a well plan specifying characteristics of a wellbore to be drilled, the well plan incorporating the preferred orientation.
-
-
33. A method according to claim 32 further comprising drilling at least a portion of a well using the created or modified well plan.
-
34. A method according to claim 24 wherein the first and second estimations are calculated based on parameters including one or more of the following:
- magnitudes of three principal stresses in the vicinity of the portion of the wellbore, orientation of the three principal stresses relative to North;
pore pressure of the rock, strength of the rock, friction angle and Poisson'"'"'s ratio, azimuth and deviation of the well, and the fluid pressure in the portion of the wellbore.
- magnitudes of three principal stresses in the vicinity of the portion of the wellbore, orientation of the three principal stresses relative to North;
-
35. A method according to claim 24 wherein the three-dimensional representation comprises a parallel projection display or a perspective projection display.
-
36. A method according to claim 24 wherein the first and second estimations include predictions of likelihood of rock failure at more than one place on the portion of the wellbore.
-
37. A method according to claim 24 wherein the steps of displaying include displaying representations of the location of one or more perforations relative to the portion of the wellbore and wherein the first and second estimations of stability include estimated stability of the rock surrounding each of the one or more perforations.
-
38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the step of receiving user input includes receiving user input representing the addition, deletion, and changes in location of the one or more perforations.
-
39. A method according to claim 24 wherein first and second estimations of stability are calculated using an elastic model.
-
40. A method according to claim 28 wherein the other parameters are assumed to be constant over the portion of the wellbore.
-
41. A method according to claim 24 wherein the portion of the wellbore is less than 5 meters.
-
42. A method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of comparing the at least the first or second estimation of stability with data from an imaging tool, and wherein the method is carried out after the start of drilling and before ending of drilling of the wellbore.
-
43. A method according to claim 42 further comprising the steps of:
-
modifying a well plan based on a new orientation or mud weight; and
drilling portions of the wellbore according to the modified well plan.
-
Specification