Guest Editorial: How Artificial Intelligence Will Benefit Drilling

Abstract

Guest editorial Technological innovation is a critical driver of economic growth in the oil and gas industry. One of the buzzwords in the media today is artificial intelligence, or AI. Put simply, the use of AI allows for drastic improvements in drilling with less physical input from drillers and without drillers having to explain how the machine accomplished the task it is given. The end goal is to have combined systems that know how to perform a function on their own. More often than not, automation and optimization are independently addressed; AI is the bridge between the two. It will drastically change/disrupt the way the industry drills wells in the future, and, as an industry, we need to embrace the technology now and start changing previous ways of thinking. Intelligent drilling automation is going to be a game changer and the new way to drill smarter producing wellbores. One essential improvement that will take immediate effect is on decision making at the rigsite. Because of the number of hands on the jar at the rigsite, no one wants to be the key decision maker. With a controlled input/output, AI systems will take that task from service companies and rig personnel and make optimized analytical decisions, thereby enabling stakeholders to achieve significant gains. Specific Benefits of AI With a good technology roadmap strategy for innovation, AI can affect the drilling space positively. With predictive analysis, the industry will be able to automate the drilling process to mitigate some drilling dysfunctions such as differential sticking, stuck pipe, excessive downhole vibration, managed-pressure drilling, hole cleaning, equivalent circulating density, and pressure transients. These downhole phenomena can be addressed by an input of good data curated from wellsite records, including borehole assemblies and run data, analyzed offset data, survey data, geology data, and the well plan. AI can help address these issues by using an analyzing downhole data acquisition system (sensor data). Potential anomalies can be flagged promptly using reliable indicators. The end result of an integrated automated platform in drilling is optimal control of the operation parameters, which directly affect the rate of penetration. Another key benefit of AI-infused drilling is safety; fewer people will be involved in the process, and the skill set requirement will be increased.