| الوصف: |
Geo-steering a horizontal well to the pay zone is commonly deployed across the globe but combining it with real-time geomechanics is very advantageous under challenging wellbore conditions. The normal practice is to have the geomechanics expert receiving the measurements data, updating the pre-drill model and giving recommendations. This paper will describe efficiency improvements brought by an innovative workflow of automation of the geomechanics model in real-time from the remote operations center. Horizontal drilling can be very challenging, especially if the wellbore stability starts deteriorating. This can hugely impact operations, such as downhole fluid losses, extensive back-reaming, stuck pipe incidents and in extreme cases, sidetrack, and re-drilling the section might be needed. To further improve support to drilling team, a thorough review of the geomechanics process was carried out. A performance improvement opportunity was identified in the way real-time geomechanics was conducted in the project and the potential benefits of a more automated process would bring. The Automated Geomechanics Modelling Workflow enabled real-time updates of the geomechanics model when logging-while-drilling (LWD) is transmitted to a Real-time Operations Center (RTOC). The pre-drill geomechanics model was built for a given wellbore trajectory by experts, shared with the RTOC and connected to real-time LWD drilling data. The model was automatically updated while drilling and made available to the RTOC specialist, who identified the breakout zones from caliper log, and porosity trend from density image, and could initiate immediately the communication protocol with drilling operations team. The same information was also shared in real-time with geomechanics expert for interpretation and recommendations. Enabling real-time update of the geomechanics model accelerates the interpretation, recommendation, and reaction from both geomechanics expert and drilling team. Identification of critical intervals by changes of trends of hole enlargement, geological failure or porosity can be immediately communicated to act accordingly. The drilling, tripping and fluids practices can be adjusted on spot, and the main impact is the minimization of wellbore instability and stuck pipe incidents. The benefits from the automated geomechanics modelling are numerous, including safe drilling operations at lower non-productive time, better hole and reservoir quality, and cost saving opportunity. This workflow is a breakthrough on how wellbore instability is monitored in the wells in the gas project, creates a unique interaction of geoscience and drilling disciplines to monitor hole condition and to manage risks. This work will benefit other operators and service companies in the region to deploy similar process, driving efficiency while lowering well construction costs. |
