Oilfield Drilling Optimization Systems Enable Drillers to Thrive in Challenging Times

Author photo: Tim Shea
By Tim Shea

Owner Operators, independent E&P firms, and drilling contractors are increasingly turning to digitally enabled oilfield drilling optimization systems in order to lower costs, improve time to first oil, and maintain profitability in increasingly volatile times.  However, a sizeable share of the market also continues to rely on more conventional (or traditional) automation for their drilling operations.  

Oilfield Drilling Optimization

Automated mechanics & steering, which can be termed as “rig automation,” is now increasingly being  extended to address downhole conditions, advancing drilling optimization across the complete process through understanding the subsurface and its interactions with the downhole drilling system penetrating through the rock, the drill-string carrying power from the rig, and the drilling fluid system.  An automation console is designed to maximize drillers’ responsiveness towards maximizing the rate of penetration (ROP).  Drilling ROP optimizing software has already delivered significant improvements using the algorithm based on the real-time surface and downhole measurements and parameters of the top drive, drill-pipe, mud, and bit that quickly and reliably detects minute changes in actual downhole bit response.  The algorithm calculates parameters, such as weight on bit (WOB) and revolutions per minute, which delivers optimum ROP.  The ROP optimizer can be designed to continuously monitor and control drilling parameters in a closed loop during the drilling operation without the need for direct human intervention.

Oilfield Drilling Optimization Systems Powered by Real-time Data Visualization and AI

Improvements in data transmission rates have enabled more bottom-hole mechanical measurements to become available at greater frequency.  These high-frequency sensors characterize bottom-hole assembly (BHA) Rig Automation phenomena, such as stick/slip, lateral vibration, and bit bounce, and condense these into actionable flags and control signals for the automation system.  An automated surface rotation control system that automates and optimizes the oscillation of the drill-pipe during slide drilling with a bent-housing motor has already delivered successful results.  Systems that fully automate and optimize well trajectory control for both Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS) and bent-housing motor assemblies are under development.  An increasing number of suppliers are empowering their drilling optimization solutions with digital technologies, such as AI and machine learning, enhanced digital communications, digital twins, and advanced software capabilities that enable greater integration of siloed operational data, including seismic, reservoir, and production in order to optimize estimated ultimate recovery (EUR).

The systems will allow directional drillers to focus on drilling optimization and leverage their expertise across more than one operation in a remote command center environment.  Safety and well integrity remain of utmost importance.  Several related automated technologies are already being deployed and others are in development, along with systems to intelligently combine information to continually improve integrity.  One of the systems already delivering results is managed-pressure drilling (MPD), where bottom-hole pressure is dynamically managed within the mud-weight window.  MPD has enabled the successful drilling of wells with a narrow mud-weight window between pore pressure and fracture pressure where previous attempts had failed due to fluid losses.

Oilfield Drilling Optimization Systems – Digital Technologies, Rig Automation, Connected Devices

Advances in automating the drilling process using digital technologies will continue the trend toward improved and lower cost reservoir access, safely and consistently outperforming manual operations.  Care will be taken to ensure the automation is designed around the human operator and not the other way around.  In all cases, the driller on the drill floor will continue to have complete control to engage or disengage from the automation system, but AI and other technologies will now act as a real-time “advisor” to empower the operator.  Sharing expertise and resources through a factory drilling process will provide further economic benefits in appropriate situations.  Delivering effective and safe drilling automation will call for modified business models for the drilling industry.  Long-term engagements and performance-based remuneration that aligns the operator, automation provider, and drilling contractor will facilitate and accelerate the establishment of drilling automation.

To find out more on this please have a look at ARC’s recently investigated report on Oilfield Drilling Optimization Systems technology and competitive market.

ARC welcomes the opportunity to speak with technology suppliers and users alike about their activities, thoughts, perspectives, and questions on this exciting area.  For further discussion or to provide feedback on this, please contact the author at tshea@arcweb.com .

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