LOGIX® drilling performance optimizer identifies bit wear in real time and optimizes well delivery
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Identify bit wear in real time and optimize well delivery
Middle East
Drilling unconventional development wells demands efficient solutions to meet timelines across multiple well pads. Achieving consistency and efficiency in well delivery requires adopting automated, data-driven strategies. With the integration of physics-based algorithms with real-time data, drilling operations can be optimized to improve efficiency and maintain consistency. These advanced algorithms enhance downhole insights and enable precise predictions, supporting informed, data-driven decisions. The LOGIX® drilling performance optimizer manages optimal drilling parameters to navigate difficult formations and maintain optimal bit-rock engagement to achieve consistent penetration rates toward the final well depth.
Deep gas unconventional reservoirs require the operator to drill a monobore vertical-curve-lateral (VCL) profile. The vertical interval is known for crossing multiple layers of heterogeneous formations characterized by shale, carbonate, and anhydrite. The aggressive transitions in formation hardness can cause unexpected downhole vibration, reduced bit life, and drill string damage. This can lead to unplanned bit trips to the surface.
The combination of parameters, such as weight on bit (WOB), surface RPM, and flow rate are crucial to prevent trips for failure and maintain reliable and consistent performance. These parameters often rely on human-generated generic roadmaps or the expertise of drillers. This makes it unfeasible to consistently sustain large-scale drilling operations. Relying solely on such traditional methods makes it difficult to identify the cause of reduced performance. This often results in incorrect decisions that can cause non-productive time—either continuing to drill when it is crucial to trip out or tripping unnecessarily when drilling could continue.
The operator employed the LOGIX drilling performance optimizer that uses advanced machine learning algorithms to auto-calibrate bit-rock interaction signature and calculate optimal drilling efficiency zones while drilling. This provides automated drilling parameters to increase drilling efficiency, maximize ROP, and automatically provide drilling dysfunction alerts to remote operations engineers.
The LOGIX drilling performance optimizer calculated the bit depth-of-cut (DoC) and operational efficiency in real time and indicated a degradation in drilling efficiency. To restore the ROP performance, the driller increased the WOB by more than twice in magnitude without success. The algorithm determined the drastic reduction in drilling performance indicators was due to bit wear/damage. The bit-rock interaction signature uncovered a sudden loss in DoC from an average of 6 mm to 1 mm over 40 m drilled.
The real-time data alerts notified the operator of abrupt bit integrity damage. A data-driven decision was made to trip out of the hole and reduce the impact on the well delivery time. Additional time spent on manual data analysis to diagnose and identify the drill-bit dysfunction was avoided.
Once the BHA was on surface, the operator confirmed the bit to be damaged, as predicted by the algorithm. This solution provided the operator with a confident and reliable data-driven decision and, as a result, reduced rig time.
Increase the consistency and performance of well construction operations by integrating subsurface automation, digital twins, and remote operations.
Offers a digital transformation of drilling solutions to reduce operational risks and ensure consistent well delivery.
Automation-enabled platform designed specifically for longer well applications in harsh environments.