Real-Time Drilling Advisory Roadmap System Delivers Superior Performance When Used in Conjunction with Downhole Embedded Drilling Dynamics Sensors

Abstract

Abstract In North America shale development drilling, multiple wells are typically drilled from one pad, and multiple pads are constructed on one lease. Pad drilling allows for numerous lateral wells to be landed parallel to each other in similar lithological sequences. The bottom-hole assemblies (BHAs), drill bits, and drilling practices are incrementally tuned to maximize the rate of penetration (ROP) while minimizing non-productive time (NPT) in pad drilling. This paper describes the use of a real-time drilling parameter advisory system, which aids the objectives of pad drilling and producing consistently better drilling performance. The real-time drilling parameter advisory system has been developed in conjunction with the learnings from downhole embedded drilling dynamics sensors. The advisory system is pre-programmed with a parameter roadmap that has been developed from analysis of offset downhole embedded sensor, mechanical specific energy (MSE), gamma-ray log and electronic drilling recorder (EDR) data. The advisory system displays "ideal performance" drilling parameters, such as surface WOB (weight on bit), RPM (revolutions per minute) and GPM (gallons per minute), for a given true vertical depth (TVD), formation transition zone and formation. The "ideal" parameter window of operation is displayed alongside the actual drilling parameters. MSE is used as a guide for comparison of offset drilling efficiency versus current drilling efficiency. Offset well data from optimally placed embedded drilling dynamics sensors (at-bit and string measurements) and gamma-ray counts are also displayed on the advisory system. This gives the user a "look-ahead" of what trouble zones or formation changes that are approaching. Essentially an early warning system with guidance included. The novelty of this advisory system is the ability to display the offset-well drilling dynamics data, as well as MSE, gamma-ray counts, and ROP so that the users can be fully aware of the approaching formation tops and troublesome local lithologies and can make sense of the recommended surface parameters. The use of embedded drilling dynamics data in every well for a field development, along with the drilling parameter advisory system, helps generate consistently optimal drilling performance well after well.