Method and system to model, measure, recalibrate, and optimize control of the drilling of a borehole

• US 7,054,750 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Rodney, Paul F., Spross, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCELHENY JR, DONALD E
• Application Number:
  US10/793,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20050197777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 702/9, 702/6, 702/7, 175/45, 703/10
• US Class Current: 702/9
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/00 Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/04 Directional drilling

Abstract

Methods and systems for controlling the drilling of a borehole are disclosed. The methods employ the assumption that nonlinear problems can be modeled using linear equations for a local region. Common filters can be used to determine the coefficients for the linear equation. Results from the calculations can be used to modify the drilling path for the borehole. Although the calculation/modification process can be done continuously, it is better to perform the process at discrete intervals along the borehole in order to maximize drilling efficiency.

Claims

1. A method of drilling a borehole, comprising:

providing a model;

drilling a discrete interval of a borehole based upon the model; and

modifying the model based on data obtained during drilling, where modifying the model based on data obtained during drilling comprises separating inclinometer data from magnetometer data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the drill string whirl model.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the torque/drag/bucking model.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the BHA dynamics model.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the geosteering model.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the hydraulics model.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the geomechanics model.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the pore pressure/fracture gradient model.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the model is the SFIP model.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

resampling data on a regular grid.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

filtering observed data.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

estimating noise.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

mapping y values.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

determining one or more linear state variables.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

estimating statistics.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

constructing estimators.

17. A method of drilling a borehole, comprising:

providing a model;

drilling a discrete interval of a borehole based upon the model;

modifying the model based on data obtained during drilling by;

separating the inclinometer data from the magnetometer data;

resampling data on a regular grid;

filtering observed data;

estimating noise;

mapping y values;

determining one or more linear state variables;

estimating statistics; and

constructing estimators.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the drill string whirl model.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the torque/drag/bucking model.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the BHA dynamics model.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the geosteering model.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the hydraulics model.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the geomechanics model.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the pore pressure/fracture gradient model.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the model is the SFIP model.

26. A computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for a general purpose computer, the set of instructions comprising:

an input routine operatively associated with one or more sensors;

a run routine for implementing an update method, wherein the run routine is constructed and arranged to separate the inclinometer data from the magnetometer data; and

an output routine for controlling a drilling operation.

27. The storage medium of claim 26, wherein the run routine is constructed and arranged to:

resample data on a regular grid;

filter observed data;

estimate noise;

map y values;

determine one or more linear state variables;

estimate statistics; and

construct estimators.