DRILLING TECHNOLOGY
Real-Time Optimization of Drilling Parameters
The objective of real-time optimization
of drilling parameters is to optimize
weight on bit (WOB) and bit rotational
speed to achieve maximum drilling rate
and to minimize drilling cost. An exten-
sive literature survey of drilling-opti-
mization research was conducted for
the study described in the full-length
paper. The general equation for rate of
penetration (ROP) was optimized using
actual field data.
Introduction
The objective of optimizing drilling
parameters in real time is to arrive at a
methodology that considers past drill-
ing data and predicts drilling trends to
advise of optimum drilling parameters
to save drilling costs and reduce the
probability of encountering problems.
To achieve effective optimization, an
extensive literature survey was conduct-
ed and the results of previous research-
ers were considered in developing a
drilling-optimization methodology in a
real-time environment. The linear drill-
ing-ROP model introduced in 1974 that
is based on multiple regression analysis
was used in real time to:
• Achieve coefficients of multiple
regression specific to the formation.
• Determine an ROP-vs.-depth pre-
diction as a function of certain drilling
parameters.
This article, written by Assistant Tech-
nology editor Karen Bybee, contains
highlights of paper SPE 129126,
“Real Time Optimization of Drilling
Parameters During Drilling Operations,”
by Tuna Eren, SPE, Eni E&P, and
M. Evren Ozbayoglu, SPE (currently
with the University of Tulsa), Middle
East Technical University, originally
prepared for the 2010 SPE Oil and
Gas India Conference and Exhibition,
Mumbai, 20–22 January. The paper has
not been peer reviewed.
For a limited time, the full-length paper is available free to SPE members at www.spe.org/jpt.
48
Sensors
Sensors
D/A
Converter
Rigsite Network
Rigsite Network
Fig. 1—Drilling-optimization data-transmission process; D/A=digital to
analog.
• Determine optimum drilling
parameters specific to the formation
being drilled.
The following assumptions are consid-
ered to be satisfied so that the equations
given in this study function properly:
• Bottomhole cleaning is achieved
effectively.
• The bit and bottomhole-assembly
combination in use is one that is selected
properly for the formation being drilled.
• The formation interval being drilled
is considered to be homogeneous.
• The rig and auxiliary equipment
are functioning efficiently.
Data from three directional offshore
wells in the Mediterranean area were
used to test the methodology.
Literature Survey
Numerous detailed research studies
have been performed for optimization
of drilling activities with the objec-
D/A
Converter
Operation Center Network
Optimization
tive of maximizing footage drilled and
minimizing drilling costs. Drilling opti-
mization can be achieved by preselect-
ing the magnitudes of the controllable
drilling parameters.
Most of the early studies described
in the literature have foreseen a static
drilling-optimization process. In the
past, drilling parameters were required
to be investigated off site because of the
lack of ability to transfer data in real
time. Recent studies have performed
drilling optimization in real time; how-
ever among the investigated references,
there is no work with statistical correla-
tions in a real-time environment.
Fig. 1 in the full-length paper gives
the time line of some important
achievements in drilling and optimi-
zation history. In the 1950s, the sci-
entific period began, with expansion
in drilling research, better understand-
ing of hydraulic principles, signifi-
JPT • FEBRUARY 2011
cant improvements in bit technology,
improved drilling-fluid technology, and,
most importantly optimized drilling.
After the 1970s, rigs with fully automat-
ed systems and closed-loop computer
systems with the ability to control the
drilling variables began to be used in oil
and gas fields. In the mid-1980s, opera-
tor companies developed drilling-opti-
mization techniques in which their field
personnel could perform optimization
at the site, referring to graph templates
and equations. In the 1990s, differ-
ent drilling-planning approaches were
introduced to identify the best-possible
well-construction performances. Later,
“drilling-the-limit” optimization tech-
niques also were introduced. Toward
the end of the millennium, real-time
monitoring techniques began to be used
(e.g., drilling parameters started to be
monitored off site). A few years later,
real-time operations/support centers
started to be constructed. Some opera-
tors proposed advanced techniques in
monitoring drilling parameters at the
rigsite. In recent years, drilling param-
eters became easily acquired, stored,
and transferred in real time. Following
the invention of the sophisticated and
automated rig and data-acquisition
microelectronic systems linked to com-
puters, a range of drilling-optimization
and -control services began to be avail-
able. With advanced smart-computer
systems, drilling ROP and bit lives were
optimized by performing drilloff tests.
Currently, state-of-the-art, high-speed
Internet-protocol communication sys-
tems are functioning with microwave
broadband networks as useful tools for
oil and gas operations, enabling deploy-
ment of faster, more-efficient networks
to the fields.
Drilling-ROP Model and Theory
The drilling-ROP model adapted for
this study is a function of eight inde-
pendent variables, as in the model
introduced in 1974. The reason this
model was selected is that it is one of
the most complete mathematical drill-
ing-ROP models that has found wide
acceptance within the drilling industry.
Optimization of
Drilling Parameters
A drilling-ROP model is defined to
accomplish the unique objective of this
study—that is, to conduct real-time
analysis for drilling-ROP optimization.
The objective of the study is to opti-
JPT • FEBRUARY 2011
mize applied WOB and string rotation.
Optimization is to be formation specific.
A multiple-linear-regression technique
is used for the optimization methodol-
ogy, which is a statistical approach.
Multiple regression is used to find those
parameters of an equation that cause
the equation to represent the data best.
A computer program has been created
to find the coefficients of the model,
mathematically correlating the ROP
with the controllable and uncontrol-
lable drilling parameters. The task is to
acquire drilling data at a rigsite network,
transmit the acquired data to the opera-
tion center, perform the analysis at the
operation center, and send feedback to
the rigsite. Fig. 1 shows the data-trans-
mission methodology of the process.
The data-processing technique is
performed on the drilling dataset to
achieve the general-linear-ROP-equa-
tion constants. The equation constants
determined are used in the general
equation to predict drilling ROP as a
function of input drilling parameters.
Fig. 4 in the full-length paper shows
a schematic representation of the work-
flow for a multiple-regression analysis.
The minimum number of datasets for
a multiple regression to solve an 8×8
matrix is five. The coefficients for the first
five datasets are solved first, and then the
loop is repeated to solve for coefficients,
each time including one more set of data.
The loop is continued until the number
of requested datasets is processed. A
computer program has been created to
perform the necessary calculations.
The multiple-regression technique is
based on a regression model that con-
tains more than one regressor variable.
Multivariate data analysis is characteriza-
tion of an observation unit by several
variables. Multivariate-analysis methods
are affected by the changes in magnitude
of several properties simultaneously.
Multiple regression considers all possible
interactions within combinations of vari-
ables as well as the variables themselves.
Representation of Results
Table 1 in the full-length paper gives
the minimum, maximum, and average
data-input ranges of three important
drilling parameters for the wellbore-
section results presented. The well was
drilled directionally in the target forma-
tion, which was dominated mainly by
shale and sand in a 12¼-in. hole.
One of the most important outputs
for the data analysis is the observed-
vs.-predicted ROP comparison chart,
shown in Fig. 6 in the full-length paper.
The chart includes three different datas-
ets for the same database. The available
data section is composed of approxi-
mately 900 data points. The first dataset
is the one without any correction. The
second dataset is the one with only
WOB normalization. There is a two-fold
improvement in the coefficient-of-deter-
mination magnitude (R2) between the
first and the second dataset. The third
dataset is the interpolated form of data.
The number of points in the dataset has
been reduced to approximately 100 by
interpolating the data points at a regular
depth interval. All parameters have been
sampled accordingly to have the most-
representative magnitude in reference
to what the actual data readings were.
Also, the bit-rotation correction caused
by the mud motor has been performed
for the third data group. The coefficient
of determination is within a two-fold
magnitude in reference to the latter.
Conclusions
Data quality is very important for real-
time drilling optimization. Data should
be representative and accurate when
used as an input for multiple-regression
analysis. Results indicate that instead of
including all available data points, a
reduced number of sampled data points
(i.e., representative of the existing data
trend) could give much more accurate
results. This is attributed to the spiky
trend of the raw data. During real-time
operations, the data could be sampled
at certain intervals.
Another important point is consider-
ation of the wellbore inclination in the
analysis. The WOB was converted into
the vertical component of the WOB, to
use the normalized magnitude of the
applied WOB. It was observed that use of
the normalized WOB resulted in greater
accuracy of the ROP prediction and,
consequently, more-accurate results for
the optimum drilling parameters.
This study demonstrated that drill-
ing ROP could be predicted at rela-
tively accurate levels, on the basis
of past drilling trends. The optimum
WOB and bit-rotation speed could be
determined to achieve minimum-cost
drilling. It is believed that by means
of effective communication infrastruc-
tures and through team efforts, effi-
cient real-time drilling optimizations
based on statistical syntheses are not
too far in the future. JPT
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