System and method for formation detection and evaluation

• US 8,977,501 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2014
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motive Drilling Technologies Inc. (Helmerich & Payne Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hunt Advanced Drilling Technologies, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Benson, Todd W., Lockhart, Dwight A., Stokeld, Brian Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): COSIMANO, EDWARD R
• Application Number:
  US14/332,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20140374164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 237 Days
• Field of Search: 731/520.1, 731/520.2, 731/520.3, 731/520.5, 731/521.4, 731/521.6, 731/524.3, 731/524.4, 731/524.5, 731/525.4, 734/321, 738/658, 738/663, 166/244.1, 166/250.01, 166/254.1, 166/255.1, 175/24, 175/40, 175/45, 175/50, 175/57, 175/61, 175/62, 181/101, 250/253, 250/254, 250/255, 250/256, 324/200, 324/201, 324/228, 324/244, 324/323, 324/332, 324/333, 324/345, 324/346, 324/348, 340/500, 340/540, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 340/690, 340/853.1, 340/853.3, 340/853.4, 340/853.6, 340/854.1, 367/14, 367/25, 367/81, 367/86, 367/118, 367/124, 378/1, 378/162, 378/163, 382/100, 382/107, 382/181, 382/190, 382/195, 382/203, 382/207, 382/209, 700/1, 700/90, 700/302, 700/303, 702/1, 702/2, 702/6, 702/7, 702/8, 702/9, 702/10, 702/11, 702/127, 702/155, 702/158, 702/166, 702/187, 702/189, 708/100, 708/105, 708/200
• US Class Current: 702/11
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• 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 47/022 of the borehole, e.g. using geomagnetism
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/04 Measuring depth or liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/053 using radioactive markers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/00 Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/00 Special methods or apparatus for drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/04 Directional drilling
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/18 for measuring depth
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/282 Application of seismic models, synthetic seismograms
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/40 specially adapted for well-logging
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 20/00 Geomodelling in general
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/04 specially adapted for well-logging
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/045 Transmitting data to recording or processing apparatus; Recording data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2616 Earth moving, work machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Provided are a system and method for identifying planned markers while drilling a borehole. In one example, the method includes obtaining a plan containing planned markers that each corresponds to a baseline marker from an existing well. Each of the baseline markers corresponds to a waveform from a log file obtained from the existing well and is associated with a waveform representation of the corresponding waveform. Each of the planned markers is associated with an estimated true vertical depth (TVD) value. A second log file corresponding to the borehole is obtained that contains waveforms representing formation information detected within the borehole. The second log file is scanned for a planned marker based on the estimated TVD value and the waveform representation of the baseline marker corresponding to the planned marker. At least one match may be identified and reported for the planned marker.

Claims

1. A method for using one or more planned markers with a drilling plan, comprising:

using, by a computer system, a first log file of a first well in order to identify and store one or more markers that have a name, a true vertical depth (TVD) and a waveform;

creating, by the computer system, one or more planned markers for a second well, where each of the one or more planned markers corresponds to one of the identified and stored markers;

assigning, by the computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the one or more planned markers; and

storing, by the computer system, each of the one or more planned markers with the assigned estimated TVD and the uncertainty range value.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

drilling a portion of the second well using the drilling plan; and

assessing, by the computer system, an accuracy of the drilling plan based on comparisons between the estimated TVD values of the one or more planned markers and measured TVD values of the one or more planned markers identified from a second log file obtained while drilling the second well.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using, by the computer system, a second log file during drilling of the second well;

scanning, by the computer system, the second log file to indentify a first planned marker of the one or more planned markers, wherein the first planned marker corresponds to a first baseline marker of a plurality of baseline markers;

identifying, by the computer system, a measured TVD value of the first planned marker from the second log file;

comparing, by the computer system, the measured TVD value with the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker to obtain a comparison result; and

reporting, by the computer system, the comparison result.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising adjusting, by the computer system, a dip angle of the drill plan between the first planned marker and a next sequential planned marker of the plurality of planned markers based on the comparison result.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising adjusting, by the computer system, the estimated TVD of a next sequential planned marker following the first planned marker based on the comparison result.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the scanning further comprises:

identifying, by the computer system, an uncertainty range of the first planned marker in the second log file based on the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker;

creating, by the computer system, at least one fingerprint of a waveform representation within the uncertainty range; and

determining, by the a computer system, whether the at least one fingerprint matches the waveform representation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining further comprises:

comparing, by the computer system, a left side average of the fingerprint with a left side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a right side average of the at least one fingerprint with a right side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak height of the at least one fingerprint with a peak height of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak location of the at least one fingerprint with a peak location of the waveform representation; and

calculating, by the computer system, a score based on the at least one comparisons of the left side averages, the right side averages, the peak heights, and the at least one peak locations.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the waveform representation and the fingerprint both use a relative amplitude value.

9. A system comprising:

a network interface;

a processor coupled to the network interface;

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a plurality of instructions executable by the processor, the instructions including instructions for;

using, by a computer system, a first log file of a first well in order to identify and store one or more markers that have a name, a true vertical depth (TVD) and a waveform;

creating, by a computer system, one or more planned markers for a second well, where each of the one or more planned markers corresponds to one of the identified and stored markers;

assigning, by a computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the one or more planned markers; and

storing, by a computer system, each of the one or more planned markers with the assigned estimated TVD and the uncertainty range value.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising instructions for:

drilling a portion of the second well using the drilling plan; and

assessing, by the computer system, an accuracy of the drilling plan based on comparisons between the estimated TVD values of the one or more planned markers and measured TVD values of the one or more planned markers identified from a second log file obtained while drilling the second well.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for:

using, by the computer system, a second log file during drilling of the second well;

scanning, by the computer system, the second log file to indentify a first planned marker of the one or more planned markers, wherein the first planned marker corresponds to a first baseline marker of a plurality of baseline markers;

identifying, by the computer system, a measured TVD value of the first planned marker from the second log file;

comparing, by the computer system, the measured TVD value with the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker to obtain a comparison result; and

reporting, by the computer system, the comparison result.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instruction further comprise instructions for adjusting, by the computer system, a dip angle of the drill plan between the first planned marker and a next sequential planned marker of the plurality of planned markers based on the comparison result.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for adjusting, by the computer system, the estimated TVD of a next sequential planned marker following the first planned marker based on the comparison result.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions for scanning further comprises instructions for:

identifying, by the computer system, an uncertainty range of the first planned marker in the second log file based on the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker;

creating, by the computer system, at least one fingerprint of a waveform representation within the uncertainty range; and

determining, by the a computer system, whether the at least one fingerprint matches the waveform representation.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the instructions for determining further comprises instructions for:

comparing, by the computer system, a left side average of the at least one fingerprint with a left side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a right side average of the at least one fingerprint with a right side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak height of the at least one fingerprint with a peak height of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak location of the at least one fingerprint with a peak location of the waveform representation; and

calculating, by the computer system, a score based on the comparisons of the left side averages, the right side averages, the peak heights, and the peak locations.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the waveform representation and the at least one fingerprint both use a relative amplitude value.

17. A method for using one or more planned markers with a drilling plan, comprising:

using, by a computer system, a first log file of a first well in order to identify and store one or more markers that have a name, a true vertical depth (TVD) and a waveform;

creating, by the computer system, one or more planned markers for a second well, where each of the one or more planned markers corresponds to one of the identified and stored markers;

assigning, by the computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the one or more planned markers;

storing, by the computer system, each of the one or more planned markers with the assigned estimated TVD and the uncertainty range value;

using, by the computer system, a second log file during drilling of the second well;

scanning, by the computer system, the second log file to indentify a first planned marker of the one or more planned markers, wherein the first planned marker corresponds to a first baseline marker of a plurality of baseline markers;

identifying, by the computer system, a measured TVD value of the first planned marker from the second log file;

comparing, by the computer system, the measured TVD value with the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker to obtain a comparison result; and

reporting, by the computer system, the comparison result.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising adjusting, by the computer system, a dip angle of the drill plan between the first planned marker and a next sequential planned marker of the plurality of planned markers based on the comparison result.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising adjusting, by the computer system, the estimated TVD of a next sequential planned marker following the first planned marker based on the comparison result.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

drilling a portion of the second well using the drilling plan; and

assessing, by the computer system, an accuracy of the drilling plan based on comparisons between the estimated TVD values of the one or more planned markers and measured TVD values of the one or more planned markers identified from a second log file obtained while drilling the second well.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the scanning further comprises:

identifying, by the computer system, an uncertainty range of the first planned marker in the second log file based on the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker;

creating, by the computer system, at least one fingerprint of a waveform representation within the uncertainty range; and

determining, by the a computer system, whether the at least one fingerprint matches the waveform representation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the determining further comprises:

comparing, by the computer system, a left side average of the at least one fingerprint with a left side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a right side average of the at least one fingerprint with a right side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak height of the at least one fingerprint with a peak height of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak location of the at least one fingerprint with a peak location of the waveform representation; and

calculating, by the computer system, a score based on the comparisons of the left side averages, the right side averages, the peak heights, and the peak locations.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the waveform representation and the at least one fingerprint both use a relative amplitude value.

24. A system comprising:

a network interface;

a processor coupled to the network interface;

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a plurality of instructions executable by the processor, the instructions including instructions for;

using, by a computer system, a first log file of a first well in order to identify and store one or more markers that have a name, a true vertical depth (TVD) and a waveform;

creating, by a computer system, one or more planned markers for a second well, where each of the one or more planned markers corresponds to one of the identified and stored markers;

assigning, by a computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the one or more planned markers;

storing, by a computer system, each of the one or more planned markers with the assigned estimated TVD and the uncertainty range value;

drilling a portion of the second well using the drilling plan; and

assessing, by the computer system, an accuracy of the drilling plan based on comparisons between the estimated TVD values of the one or more planned markers and measured TVD values of the one or more planned markers identified from a second log file obtained while drilling the second well.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for:

using, by the computer system, a second log file during drilling of the second well;

scanning, by the computer system, the second log file to identify a first planned marker of the one or more planned markers, wherein the first planned marker corresponds to a first baseline marker of a plurality of baseline markers;

identifying, by the computer system, a measured TVD value of the first planned marker from the second log file;

comparing, by the computer system, the measured TVD value with the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker to obtain a comparison result; and

reporting, by the computer system, the comparison result.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the instruction further comprise instructions for adjusting, by the computer system, a dip angle of the drill plan between the first planned marker and a next sequential planned marker of the plurality of planned markers based on the comparison result.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for adjusting, by the computer system, the estimated TVD of a next sequential planned marker following the first planned marker based on the comparison result.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the instructions for scanning further comprises instructions for:

identifying, by the computer system, an uncertainty range of the first planned marker in the second log file based on the estimated TVD value of the first planned marker;

creating, by the computer system, at least one fingerprint of a waveform representation within the uncertainty range; and

determining, by the a computer system, whether the at least one fingerprint matches the waveform representation.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the instructions for determining further comprises instructions for:

comparing, by the computer system, a left side average of the at least one fingerprint with a left side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a right side average of the at least one fingerprint with a right side average of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak height of the at least one fingerprint with a peak height of the waveform representation;

comparing, by the computer system, a peak location of the at least one fingerprint with a peak location of the waveform representation; and

calculating, by the computer system, a score based on the comparisons of the left side averages, the right side averages, the peak heights, and the peak locations.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the waveform representation and the at least one fingerprint both use a relative amplitude value.