A New Approach to Well Trajectory Optimization Based on Rate of Penetration and Wellbore Stability

The advanced technology has made directional drilling widely applicable in the drilling industry for different purposes. The trajectory of a directional well is such that it hits the desired target, typically located away from the surface location of the well, at a specified depth and angle. The wel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Petroleum science and technology 2011-01, Vol.29 (6), p.588-600
Main Authors: Arabjamaloei, R., Edalatkhah, S., Jamshidi, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Azimuth
Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products
directional wells
Drilling
drilling optimization
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Fuels
Inclination
Mathematical models
Optimization
Penetration
Petroleum products, gas and fuels. Motor fuels, lubricants and asphalts
Processing of crude oil and oils from shales and tar sands. Processes. Equipment. Refinery and treatment units
rate of penetration
Stability
Trajectories
well trajectory
wellbore stability
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Summary:The advanced technology has made directional drilling widely applicable in the drilling industry for different purposes. The trajectory of a directional well is such that it hits the desired target, typically located away from the surface location of the well, at a specified depth and angle. The well trajectory's azimuth and inclination have very obvious and important effects on the directional drilling performance. The aim of this study is to optimize the trajectory of the well to achieve maximum rate of penetration (ROP) as well as maximum possible wellbore stability. To achieve this, a model that predicts the ROP in a directional well is developed using artificial neural networks (ANNs) based on the 15 input parameters. In the modeling, in addition to the azimuth and angle of the well trajectory, drilling operation parameters and principal stresses of the region are included as inputs. The optimizing process is then performed to achieve the maximum rate of penetration to propose the related azimuth and angle of trajectory. Finally, the provided well trajectory is checked to examine the stability of the wellbore. As the final result a well trajectory that provides the maximum rate of penetration as well as the best stability of the wellbore is designed and proposed. This work also considers the properties of different formations existing in the well path, controlling the direction to hit the desired target at the specified depth.
ISSN:1091-6466
1532-2459
DOI:10.1080/10916460903419172