System and method for formation detection and evaluation

• US 9,238,960 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2015
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• 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., Stokeld, Brian Eugene, Lockhart, Dwight A.
• Primary Examiner(s): COSIMANO, EDWARD R
• Application Number:
  US14/627,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20150159479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

A method for using markers with a drilling plan uses 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. Second well log data generated while a second well is being drilled is monitored in real time. The second well log data is compared to the one or more markers to located a match to at least one marker in a predetermined TVD range. An estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value are assigned to each of the at least one planned marker. When a matching marker is located for one of the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range a report is generated.

Claims

1. A method for using 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;

monitoring in real time, by the computer system, second well log data generated while a second well is being drilled;

comparing the second well log data to the one or more markers to locate a match to at least one marker in a predetermined TVD range;

creating, by the computer system, at least one planned marker for the second well corresponding to a located match within the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range;

assigning, by the computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the at least one planned marker; and

reporting when a matching marker is located for one of the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing further comprises correcting the second well log data to account for true vertical depth prior to comparison to the at least one marker of the first well log file.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprises the step of creating, by the computer system, each of the one or more planned markers with the assigned estimated TVD and the uncertainty range value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring further comprises monitoring the second well log data from a gamma log file.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring further comprises monitoring the second well log data to detect at least one of information regarding resistivity, porosity, pressure, neutron density, rate of penetration and mechanical specific energy.

6. The method of claim 1 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 report.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting, by the computer system, the estimated TVD of comparison for a next marker based on the report.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reporting further comprises the step of generating an indication that the identified plan marker matches the corresponding identified and stored marker.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the indication that the identified plan marker matches the corresponding identified and stored marker is forwarded for corrective action in real time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing further comprises:

creating, by the computer system, at least one fingerprint of the at least one marker within the predetermined TVD range; and

determining, by the a computer system, whether the at least one fingerprint matches a waveform representation of the second well log data.

11. The method of claim 10, 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 of the second well log data;

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

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

comparing, by the computer system, a peak location of the at least one fingerprint with a peak location of the waveform representation of the second well log data; 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.

12. 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;

monitoring in real time, by the computer system, second well log data generated while a second well is being drilled;

comparing the second well log data to the one or more markers to locate a match to at least one marker in a predetermined TVD range;

creating, by the computer system, at least one planned marker for the second well corresponding to a located match within the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range;

assigning, by the computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the at least one planned marker; and

reporting when a matching marker is located for one of the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions for the step of comparing further comprises instructions for correcting the second well log data to account for true vertical depth prior to comparison to the at least one marker of the first well log file.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for storing, by the computer system, each of the one or more planned markers with the assigned estimated TVD and the uncertainty range value.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions for the step of monitoring further comprise instructions for monitoring the second well log data from a gamma log file.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the instructions for the step of monitoring further comprise instructions for monitoring the second well log data to detect at least one of information regarding resistivity, porosity, pressure, neutron density, rate of penetration and mechanical specific energy.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions 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 report.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for adjusting, by the computer system, the estimated TVD of a next marker based on the report.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein the instructions for the step of reporting further comprise instructions for generating an indication that the identified plan marker matches the corresponding identified and stored marker.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the indication that the identified plan marker matches the corresponding identified and stored marker is forwarded for corrective action in real time.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions for scanning further comprise instructions for:

creating, by the computer system, at least one fingerprint of the at least one marker within the predetermined TVD range; and

determining, by the a computer system, whether the at least one fingerprint matches a waveform representation of the second well log data.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the instructions for determining further comprise instructions for:

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

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

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

comparing, by the computer system, a peak location of the at least one fingerprint with a peak location of the waveform representation of the second well log data; 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.

23. 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;

monitoring in real time, by the computer system, second well log data generated while a second well is being drilled;

comparing the second well log data to the one or more markers to locate a match to at least one marker in a predetermined TVD range;

creating, by the computer system, at least one planned marker for the second well corresponding to a located match within the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range;

assigning, by the computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the at least one planned marker;

generating an indication that the identified plan marker matches the corresponding identified and stored marker in the predetermined TVD range as the determination is completed; and

forwarding the indication for corrective action to the drilling plan responsive to the indication.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of monitoring further comprises monitoring the second well log data from a gamma log file.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of identifying further comprise identifying the planned marker from at least one of information regarding resistivity, porosity, pressure, neutron density, rate of penetration and mechanical specific energy.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of comparing further comprises correcting the second well log data to account for true vertical depth prior to comparison to the at least one marker of the first well log file.

27. 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;

monitoring in real time, by the computer system, second well log data generated while a second well is being drilled;

comparing the second well log data to the one or more markers to locate a match to at least one marker in a predetermined TVD range;

creating, by the computer system, at least one planned marker for the second well corresponding to a located match within the one or more markers in the predetermined TVD range;

assigning, by the computer system, an estimated TVD value and an uncertainty range value to each of the at least one planned marker;

generating an indication that the identified plan marker matches the corresponding identified and stored marker in the predetermined TVD range as the determination is completed; and

forwarding the indication for corrective action to the drilling plan responsive to the indication.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the instructions for the step of monitoring further comprise instructions for monitoring the second well log data from a gamma log file.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the instructions for the step of identifying further comprise instructions for identifying the planned marker from at least one of information regarding resistivity, porosity, pressure, neutron density, rate of penetration and mechanical specific energy.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the instructions for the step of comparing further comprises instructions for correcting the second well log data to account for true vertical depth prior to comparison to the at least one marker of the first well log file.