Simulation can help optimize drilling and cut costs

Geir Hareland, New Mexico Institute of • Simulation; sector of the North Sea were used to
Mining and Technology conduct this comparison. The ARSL was
• Real-time analysis;
independently generated for all three
Paul R. Rampersad and Svein Hellvik,
• Post analysis. wells and the result overlain on a true
Drops Offshore AS
vertical depth basis. No data were avail-
The last four phases involve the use of able for the upper part of Well C.
Olav M. Skår, Statoil
the drilling simulator.
THE CONSTANT NEED to reduce While there are local variations in the
The data gathering and study phase ARSL values generated and some
exploration and development costs has
builds a knowledge base of the facts and uncertainty in predicting the occurrence
resulted in the development of the new
experiences gained while drilling in a of geological structure, there is a
phase drilling optimization simulator.
particular area. remarkable correlation.
Drilling can now be simulated during
planning and pre-execution phases. All offset well data are studied to identi- This may not always be the case. Thus,
fy potential problems. The goal is to given better geological descriptions this
Simulator technology has been used in
minimize or eliminate these problems log can be modified to provide a true
reservoir and completion optimization
and establish limits based on informa- representation of the formation to be
for decades. The use of simulation tech-
tion acquired from the study and equip- drilled.
nology in design, testing, and training
ment used while drilling.
has grown rapidly.
ARSL also has some associated applica-
Simulation should be a must in drilling APPARENT ROCK STRENG TH
planning, during drilling, and in making
The next phase involves selecting a ref-
Figure 1: Apparent rock strength
a post well drilling analysis.
erence well which closely matches the
EVALUATION TOOL NEEDED planned well. Depth, m TVD
Using the data from the reference well, 700
In the past, drilling optimization has
an Apparent Rock Strength Log (ARSL)
been complex and uncertain. There was
is generated by the inversion of the “bit 800
a heavy reliance on “on the fly” decision
specific” rate-of-penetration model. The
making, which requires highly experi-
effects of drilling hydraulics, mud rheol- 900
enced personnel.
ogy, and pore pressure are integral to
Well A
Recently, several service companies the model.
1000
have tried to improve the drilling Well B
The inverted rate of penetration pro-
process by organizing groups of experi-
vides a calibrated measure of rock 1100 Well C
enced personnel to be involved in the
strength under actual drilling conditions
planning and execution of the drilling
and simultaneously determines the 1200
operation.
wear characteristics of the bits used in
But because experience gained in one drilling each section.
1300
location is difficult to apply to new loca-
This wear characteristic is a statistical
tions, it is not easy to quantitatively
evaluation of the bits’ performance 1400
evaluate operating conditions and
while drilling different formation types
parameters before they are changed.
under a variety of operating conditions 1500
A scientifically-based evaluation tool and includes detailed bit geometry and
has been needed to permit improvement resistance to wear.
1600
in the drilling operation.
Where detailed section data are avail-
This article shows that use of a drilling able, for example in logged sections, 1700
simulator can optimize the drilling these data and neighboring well data
process and quantify the degree of are included when generating the ARSL. 1800
improvement possible. Also demonstrat-
Figure 1 shows that there is credence to
ed here is the expanded use of rock
the application of rock strength data 1900
property data to enhance tool selection
from an offset well as if it were similar
and operation.
to the rock strength profile of the pro- 2000
The drilling optimization process can be posed well. The offset well data provide
separated into five identifiable phases: reasonably accurate results in correlat- 2100
ing data from neighboring wells to 0 20 40 6
• Data gathering and study;
planned wells. Apparent Rock Strength
• Apparent rock strength generation;
Three wells drilled in the Norwegian

42 D R I L L I N G C O N T R A C T O R July/August 2000
tions. This log provides an enormous well direction, this in situ stress is on the drillability curve before the for-
application base and provides the basis translated into three principal stresses mation’s internal resistance against
for several related analyses that can be around the borehole wall. directional changes overtakes the added
conducted to assist in a variety of com- response of the “push-off” action from
The principal stress can then be used
mon engineering problems encountered the 3D steering tool.
with established failure criteria to
in drilling.
determine the wellbore stability mud The exact correlation for modeling this
WELLBORE STABILITY weight window with depth. A safe mud behavior is a relation established by
weight and casing program can then be using the ARSL and varies from location
A wellbore stability profile is important determined. to location.
to minimize the risk of wellbore col-
lapse, pipe sticking, lost circulation, and Figure 2 is an example of the results The end result can then be used to
other problems. obtained from conducting such an establish power settings for these steer-
analysis using the ARSL. ing tools, given hole inclination and
Knowledge of the operating limits on operating data, to achieve a desired
mud density, based on an established The collapse pressure and fracture
build and/or turn rate.
stable profile, minimizes the occurrence pressure curves define the lower and
of these problems. upper limit of the stability envelope. SIMULATION STUDIES
The ARSL represents the compressive Mud weights lower than the collapse The third phase of the optimization
strength of the rock in the same plane as pressure will lead to wellbore collapse process uses the ARSL in the drilling
the bit’s trajectory. and mud weights in excess of the frac- simulator.
ture pressure will lead to wellbore frac-
In conjunction with pore pressure and ture. It is used in combination with estab-
lished casing points, well paths, drilling
Figure 2: Stability profile Care must be taken in mud weight selec- mode (rotary or steerable system), mud
tion to account for the equivalent circu- types, bit types, pull depths, operating
lating density (ECD). Optimum mud conditions, and mud rheology and
Depth, m MD weight should therefore be higher than hydraulics to perform simulations.
2800 the collapse pressure to ensure that the
hole is stable when circulation is The ARSL, with information from simu-
stopped. lator modules, known limitations to
3000
operating parameters and rig equip-
By the same token the mud weight ment constraints, dictates parameter
3200 should be lower than the fracture pres- boundaries to be used.
sure by an amount equivalent or greater
than the expected ECD. These added simulator modules are the
3400 Wellbore Stability Analysis, Well Path,
STEERABILITY and Hydraulics optimization modules.
3600 Another application of the ARSL is in The effect of any number of drilling
determining the ability of 3D rotary parameters and operating conditions
3800 assemblies to steer effectively. within the prescribed limitations can
then be evaluated.
The relationship between the behavior
4000 of a rotary steerable bottomhole assem- The performances of several bits can be
bly and changes in apparent rock evaluated and the best bit, and the cor-
strengths can be determined by corre- responding optimal set of parameters to
4200 lating tool behavior with data obtained use while running the bit, can be select-
from the ARSL. ed.
4400 This has been established from analysis As part of the optimization process,
conducted on several wells. By correlat- multiple scenarios are evaluated,
4600 ing the apparent rock strength with including:
drilling and survey data, it has been pos-
• WOB/RPM combinations;
Mud Weight sible to isolate relationships between
4800 dogleg severity of the steerable rotary
Pore Pressure • Changes in operating parameters as
assembly and formation strengths. a function of GDL variations;
Collapse
5000 Pressure When the formations are very soft, the • BHA configurations;
Min. Hz.
Pressure
response of the steering tool is limited
and the gravitational force plays a • Bit types including impregnated,
5200
major role when modeling the total bot- NDBs, PDCs, and roller cone.
tom hole assembly behavior. These evaluations can be conducted for
5400
1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 As the formation gets firmer, the separate bit runs or entire wellbore sec-
tions.
Equivalent Pressure, SG response increases up to a certain level

July/August 2000 D R I L L I N G C O N T R A C T O R 45
REAL TIME EVALUATION possible problem areas and variations Performance drilling is aim
in predicted stratigraphy are also con-
The follow-up phase involves a conti- ducted. of the TMP approach
nous evaluation of the drilling progress.
During this phase updates are conduct- This process of re-evaluation has THEORETICAL MAXIMUM Perfor-
ed to verify and, if needed, modify model proved to be an asset since a real-time mance (TMP) is a popular topic today. It
predictions. Variations in operating observed performance variation is usu- is sometimes called by other names.
parameters and lithology are continu- ally an indicator of some anomaly.
But whatever it is called, performance
ously evaluated.
POST WELL ANALYSIS drilling is all about delivering a high
The resulting effects on predicted per- quality well on time and under budget.
Finally, a comprehensive analysis of the
formance and bit wear condition are
operation is conducted to identify devia- That is how the approach was described
determined and relayed back to the
tion from the predictions and possible in an IADC World Drilling 2000 paper
drilling location.
reasons for the outcome. This is done to authored by Govert Klop and Laas
Evaluation of stratigraphy to identify further improve performance in subse- Elzenga, Deutag Europe and Bill
quent wells to be drilled in the field. Anderson, RLG International.
Figure 3: Cost savings An important phase of the process is the “Technologically superior equipment is
refining of structural maps. Flaws in the a requirement for performance drilling
Depth, m MD history matching of the simulator should but the story does not end there,” said
700 be identified and the simulator recali- the authors.
Reference well brated for future use in that field. Post
“To really achieve outstanding perform-
well analysis information is made avail-
Based on DROPS ance in the face of more sophisticated
recommendations able to all personnel involved.
drilling challenges, a performance cul-
1200 Figure 3 demonstrates the saving poten- ture needs to be created in the drilling
tial that can be realized by judicious use team.”
of the new drilling simulator to perform
17.5 in well optimization. THE CULTURE
1700 Savings: 6.7 hrs In this well drilled in the Norwegian sec- By “culture” the authors refer to the
tor of the North Sea, there was a total demonstrated leadership and active
time saving of 52.5 hours, compared involvement of the front line crew in
with a previous well drilled in the field. applying their collective skills, experi-
ence, and commitment to the job.
2200 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The paper describes a system approach
The authors wish to thank Drops Off- taken by Deutag Europe on a number of
Savings: 17.9 hrs shore AS for their permission to pub- its advanced land rigs to create a per-
lish the material and all the engi- formance culture.
neers at DROPS who have made sub-
2700 The authors say the approach yielded
stantial contributions to the work.
tangible results in the form of shorter
REFERENCES well delivery times, quicker rig moves,
reduced surface equipment downtime,
Millheim, K K: “The Role of the Drilling and shorter BOP test times.
3200 Simulator in Drilling Operations” SPE
12.25 in 11170, 1986, There are two components of perform-
ance drilling, according to the authors:
Rampersad, P R, Hareland, G and high technology systems and a proac-
Boonyapaluk, P: “Drilling Simulation of tive and positive work force focused on
3700 an Oil or Gas Field Using available excellent performance.
Technology and Drilling Data,” SPE
Savings: 27.9 hr 27034, presented at the Third Latin A key element of the approach is the
America and Caribbean Petroleum Engi- TMP meeting at which the well plan is
neering Conference, Buenos Aires, thoroughly examined.
4200 Argentina. 26-29 April, 1994. The authors recommend that a TMP
.5 in Bratli, R K, Hareland, G, Stene, F, Dun- meeting include 4 steps:
sæd, G W, and Gjelstad, G: “Drilling Opti- • Conduct a step by step well review;
mization Software Verified in the North
4700 Sea,” SPE 39007, presented at the Latin • Establish Theoretical Maximum Per-
0 40 80 120 America and Caribbean Petroleum Engi- formance times;
Time, hr neering Conference, Rio de Janeiro, • Identify risks and opportunities;
Brazil, 30 Aug-2 Sept, 1997. n
• Create action plans. n

46 D R I L L I N G C O N T R A C T O R July/August 2000
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