Method for using dynamic target region for well path/drill center optimization
First Claim
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1. A method for determining drill center location and drill path for a well into a hydrocarbon formation, comprising:
- selecting a target region of finite extent within the formation;
determining an initial target segment in the target region; and
solving an optimization problem wherein a drill center location and a drill path are determined subject to a plurality of constraints, one of said constraints being that the drill path has to penetrate the target region, wherein the determining an initial target segment in the target region is performed before solving the optimization problem and constraining the solution of the optimization problem to require that the drill path include the initial target segment or, if adjusted later in the optimization, a then-current target segment.
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Abstract
Method for determining one or more optimal well trajectories and a drill center location for hydrocarbon production. A well path and drill center optimization problem (55) is solved in which one constraint is that a well trajectory must intersect a finite size target region (61) in each formation of interest, or in different parts of the same formation. The finite target size provides flexibility for the optimization problem to arrive at a more advantageous solution. Typical well path optimization constraints are also applied, such as anti-collision constraints and surface site constraints (62).
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11 Claims
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1. A method for determining drill center location and drill path for a well into a hydrocarbon formation, comprising:
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selecting a target region of finite extent within the formation; determining an initial target segment in the target region; and solving an optimization problem wherein a drill center location and a drill path are determined subject to a plurality of constraints, one of said constraints being that the drill path has to penetrate the target region, wherein the determining an initial target segment in the target region is performed before solving the optimization problem and constraining the solution of the optimization problem to require that the drill path include the initial target segment or, if adjusted later in the optimization, a then-current target segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface hydrocarbon formation, comprising:
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(a) determining a drill path penetrating said hydrocarbon formation by; selecting a target region of finite extent within the formation; determining an initial target segment in the target region; and solving an optimization problem wherein a drill center location and a drill path are determined subject to a plurality of constraints, one of said constraints being that the drill path has to penetrate the target region, wherein the determining an initial target segment in the target region is performed before solving the optimization problem and constraining the solution of the optimization problem to require that the drill path include the initial target segment or, if adjusted later in the optimization, a then-current target segment; and (b) drilling a well following said drill path and producing hydrocarbons with the well.
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Specification