Evaluation of Derived Controllable Variables for Predicting Rop Using Artificial Intelligence in Autonomous Downhole Rotary Drilling System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingsley Williams Amadi ◽  
Ibiye Iyalla ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Mortadha Alsaba ◽  
Durdica Kuten

Abstract Fossil fuel energy dominate the world energy mix and plays a fundamental role in our economy and lifestyle. Drilling of wellbore is the only proven method to extract the hydrocarbon reserves, an operation which is both highly hazardous and capital intensive. To optimize the drilling operations, developing a high fidelity autonomous downhole drilling system that is self-optimizing using real-time drilling parameters and able to precisely predict the optimal rate of penetration is essential. Optimizing the input parameters; surface weight on bit (WOB), and rotary speed (RPM) which in turns improves drilling performance and reduces well delivery cost is not trivial due to the complexity of the non-linear bit-rock interactions and changing formation characteristics. However, application of derived variables shows potential to predict rate of penetration and determine the most influential parameters in a drilling process. In this study the use of derived controllable variables calculated from the drilling inputs parameters were evaluated for potential applicability in predicting penetration rate in autonomous downhole drilling system using the artificial neutral network and compared with predictions of actual input drilling parameters; (WOB, RPM). First, a detailed analysis of actual rock drilling data was performed and applied in understanding the relationship between these derived variables and penetration rate enabling the identification of patterns which predicts the occurrence of phenomena that affects the drilling process. Second, the physical law of conservation of energy using drilling mechanical specific energy (DMSE) defined as energy required to remove a unit volume of rock was applied to measure the efficiency of input energy in the drilling system, in combination with penetration rate per unit revolution and penetration rate per unit weight applied (feed thrust) are used to effective predict optimum penetration rate, enabling an adaptive strategize which optimize drilling rate whilst suppressing stick-slip. The derived controllable variable included mechanical specific energy, depth of cut and feed thrust are calculated from the real- time drilling parameters. Artificial Neutral Networks (ANNs) was used to predict ROP using both input drilling parameters (WOB, RPM) and derived controllable variables (MSE, FET) using same network functionality and model results compared. Results showed that derived controllable variable gave higher prediction accuracy when compared with the model performance assessment criteria commonly used in engineering analysis including the correlation coefficient (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The key contribution of this study when compared to the previous researches is that it introduced the concept of derived controllable variables with established relationship with both ROP and stick-slip which has an advantage of optimizing the drilling parameters by predicting optimal penetration rate at reduced stick-slip which is essential in achieving an autonomous drilling system. :

Author(s):  
Masood Ghasemi ◽  
Xingyong Song

This paper investigates a nonlinear control design for trajectory tracking and rate of penetration (ROP) control of the vertical downhole drilling process. The drilling system dynamics are first built incorporating the coupled axial and torsional dynamics together with a velocity-independent drill bit–rock interaction model. Given the underactuated, nonlinear, and nonsmooth feature of the drilling dynamics, we propose a control design that can prevent significant downhole vibrations, enable accurate tracking, and achieve desired rate of penetration. It can also ensure robustness against modeling uncertainties and external disturbances. The controller is designed using a sequence of hyperplanes given in a cascade structure. The tracking control is achieved in two phases, where in the first phase the drilling system states converge to a high-speed drilling regime free of stick–slip behavior, and in the second phase, the error dynamics can asymptotically converge. Finally, we provide simulation results considering different case studies to evaluate the efficacy and the robustness of the proposed control approach.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Martin Clegg

Abstract Increasingly complex wells and longer laterals present new challenges for wellbore placement and wellbore quality. There is a growing understanding of the impact of well placement and wellbore quality on the overall value of the well and on the economics of completions and production. This paper looks at how requirements have evolved and will evolve beyond simply "getting to TD" as quickly as possible and how emerging technologies can help. There is already an undercurrent of opinion that completions and production are sometimes compromised to maximize rate of penetration, but with some controversy about the exact value and how easy it is to attribute cause. This paper reviews how directional drilling practice has evolved over 100 years, and how the wellbore quality that results from the directional drilling process can be a driver for the overall value of the well. Specifically, it draws on a number of key references to examine how tortuosity doesn't just have an influence on drilling but also how it can adversely impact completions, reliability of production equipment and even production rates. The paper proposes that we consider the whole-life value of the well as a key performance indicator as we drill. It emphasises that we must cease to focus solely on rate of penetration and the depth-time curve. The paper shows, with examples, how modern directional drilling systems can address tortuosity and improve wellbore quality. It presents an unbiased view of the industry from an independent viewpoint, exploring how directional drilling has been partially automated over the years and examining the state of the art in current automated directional drilling systems. It proposes the need for a modern directional drilling system not just in terms of drilling parameters but also in terms of automation of geometric and, ultimately, geologic aspects of directional drilling. The paper is intended to break down the silos that can exist between drilling, completions and production functions, and to help the industry to think about the long-term consequences of performance when specifying future directional drilling equipment.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1298
Author(s):  
Magnus Nystad ◽  
Bernt Sigve Aadnøy ◽  
Alexey Pavlov

Drilling more efficiently and with less non-productive time (NPT) is one of the key enablers to reduce field development costs. In this work, we investigate the application of a data-driven optimization method called extremum seeking (ES) to achieve more efficient and safe drilling through automatic real-time minimization of the mechanical specific energy (MSE). The ES algorithm gathers information about the current downhole conditions by performing small tests with the applied weight on bit (WOB) and drill string rotational rate (RPM) while drilling and automatically implements optimization actions based on the test results. The ES method does not require an a priori model of the drilling process and can thus be applied even in instances when sufficiently accurate drilling models are not available. The proposed algorithm can handle various drilling constraints related to drilling dysfunctions and hardware limitations. The algorithm’s performance is demonstrated by simulations, where the algorithm successfully finds and maintains the optimal WOB and RPM while adhering to drilling constraints in various settings. The simulations show that the ES method is able to track changes in the optimal WOB and RPM corresponding to changes in the drilled formation. As demonstrated in the simulation scenarios, the overall improvements in rate of penetration (ROP) can be up to 20–170%, depending on the initial guess of the optimal WOB and RPM obtained from e.g., a drill-off test or a potentially inaccurate model. The presented algorithm is supplied with specific design choices and tuning considerations that facilitate its simple and efficient use in drilling applications.


Author(s):  
Jialin Tian ◽  
Xuehua Hu ◽  
Liming Dai ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Yi Yang ◽  
...  

This paper presents a new drilling tool with multidirectional and controllable vibrations for enhancing the drilling rate of penetration and reducing the wellbore friction in complex well structure. Based on the structure design, the working mechanism is analyzed in downhole conditions. Then, combined with the impact theory and the drilling process, the theoretical models including the various impact forces are established. Also, to study the downhole performance, the bottom hole assembly dynamics characteristics in new condition are discussed. Moreover, to study the influence of key parameters on the impact force, the parabolic effect of the tool and the rebound of the drill string were considered, and the kinematics and mechanical properties of the new tool under working conditions were calculated. For the importance of the roller as a vibration generator, the displacement trajectory of the roller under different rotating speed and weight on bit was compared and analyzed. The reliable and accuracy of the theoretical model were verified by comparing the calculation results and experimental test results. The results show that the new design can produce a continuous and stable periodic impact. By adjusting the design parameter matching to the working condition, the bottom hole assembly with the new tool can improve the rate of penetration and reduce the wellbore friction or drilling stick-slip with benign vibration. The analysis model can also be used for a similar method or design just by changing the relative parameters. The research and results can provide references for enhancing drilling efficiency and safe production.


2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qilong Xue ◽  
Ruihe Wang ◽  
Baolin Liu ◽  
Leilei Huang

In the oil and gas drilling engineering, measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system is usually used to provide real-time monitoring of the position and orientation of the bottom hole. Particularly in the rotary steerable drilling technology and application, it is a challenge to measure the spatial attitude of the bottom drillstring accurately in real time while the drillstring is rotating. A set of “strap-down” measurement system was developed in this paper. The triaxial accelerometer and triaxial fluxgate were installed near the bit, and real-time inclination and azimuth can be measured while the drillstring is rotating. Furthermore, the mathematical model of the continuous measurement was established during drilling. The real-time signals of the accelerometer and the fluxgate sensors are processed and analyzed in a time window, and the movement patterns of the drilling bit will be observed, such as stationary, uniform rotation, and stick–slip. Different signal processing methods will be used for different movement patterns. Additionally, a scientific approach was put forward to improve the solver accuracy benefit from the use of stick–slip vibration phenomenon. We also developed the Kalman filter (KF) to improve the solver accuracy. The actual measurement data through drilling process verify that the algorithm proposed in this paper is reliable and effective and the dynamic measurement errors of inclination and azimuth are effectively reduced.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianhua Zhang ◽  
Shiduo Yang ◽  
Chandramani Shrivastava ◽  
Adrian A ◽  
Nadege Bize-Forest

Abstract With the advancement of LWD (Logging While Drilling) hardware and acquisition, the imaging technology becomes not only an indispensable part of the drilling tool string, but also the image resolution increases to map layers and heterogeneity features down to less than 5mm scale. This shortens the geological interpretation turn-around time from wireline logging time (hours to days after drilling) to semi-real time (drilling time or hours after drilling). At the same time, drilling motion is complex. The depth tracking is on the surface referenced to the surface block movement. The imaging sensor located downhole can be thousands of feet away from the surface. Mechanical torque and drag, wellbore friction, wellbore temperature and weight on bit can make the downhole sensor movement motion not synchronized with surface pipe depth. This will cause time- depth conversion step generate image artifacts that either stop real-time interpretation of geological features or mis-interpret features on high resolution images. In this paper, we present several LWD images featuring distortion mechanism during the drilling process using synthetic data. We investigated how heave, depth reset and downhole sensor stick/slip caused image distortions. We provide solutions based on downhole sensor pseudo velocity computation to minimize the image distortion. The best practice in using Savitsky-Golay filter are presented in the discussion sections. Finally, some high-resolution LWD images distorted with drilling-related artifacts and processed ones are shown to demonstrate the importance of image post-processing. With the proper processed images, we can minimize interpretation risks and make drilling decisions with more confidence.


Author(s):  
Magnus Nystad ◽  
Bernt Aadnoy ◽  
Alexey Pavlov

Abstract The Rate of Penetration (ROP) is one of the key parameters related to the efficiency of the drilling process. Within the confines of operational limits, the drilling parameters affecting the ROP should be optimized to drill more efficiently and safely, to reduce the overall cost of constructing the well. In this study, a data-driven optimization method called Extremum Seeking (ES) is employed to automatically find and maintain the optimal Weight on Bit (WOB) which maximizes the ROP. The ES algorithm is a model-free method which gathers information about the current downhole conditions by automatically performing small tests with the WOB and executing optimization actions based on the test results. In this paper, this optimization method is augmented with a combination of a predictive and a reactive constraint handling technique to adhere to operational limitations. These methods of constraint handling within ES application to drilling are demonstrated for a maximal limit imposed on the surface torque, but the methods are generic and can be applied on various drilling parameters. The proposed optimization scheme has been tested with experiments on a downscaled drilling rig and simulations on a high-fidelity drilling simulator of a full-scale drilling operation. The experiments and simulations show the method's ability to steer the system to the optimum and to handle constraints and noisy data, resulting in safe and efficient drilling at high ROP.


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