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US 12,645,009 B2Granted
Integration of a finite element geomechanics model and cuttings return image processing techniques
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorsHussain Albahrani, Arturo Magana-Mora, Mohammad Aljubran, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne
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Abstract
A method includes taking at least one image of a plurality of returned rock fragments from a wellbore using a camera, analyzing the at least one image with an image analysis program to detect a caving in the plurality of returned rock fragments, constructing a model of the caving, and incorporating the model of the caving into a finite element geomechanics model of the wellbore using a meshing program to create an adjusted model of the wellbore.
Claims19
A method, comprising:
- taking at least one image of a plurality of returned rock fragments from a wellbore using a camera;
- analyzing the at least one image with an image analysis program to detect a caving in the plurality of returned rock fragments;
- constructing a model of the caving;
- and
- incorporating the model of the caving into a finite element geomechanics model of the wellbore using a meshing program to create an adjusted model of the wellbore,
- wherein the finite element geomechanics model of the wellbore comprises a mesh model of the wellbore,
- wherein incorporating comprises:
- deriving at least one dimension of the caving from the model of the caving;
- removing the at least one dimension of the caving from the mesh model of the wellbore to create an adjusted mesh model of the wellbore;
- and
- executing a finite element geomechanics model program on the adjusted mesh model to create the adjusted model of the wellbore, and
- wherein the method enables detection of a wellbore failure in an overburden formation or a reservoir section lacking sufficient logging-while-drilling (LWD) data.
9 more elements
A method, comprising:
- directing drilling fluid returning from a wellbore to a separator;
- separating rock fragments from the drilling fluid in the separator;
- continuously taking images of the rock fragments separated from the drilling fluid;
- sending the images to a computing system;
- identifying and characterizing at least one caving from the images using an image analysis program;
- using characteristics of the at least one caving identified from the image analysis program to construct a finite element geomechanics model of the wellbore;
- and
- adjusting at least one drilling parameter based on the finite element geomechanics model of the wellbore,
- wherein the method enables detection of a wellbore failure in an overburden formation or a reservoir section lacking sufficient logging-while-drilling (LWD) data.
6 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a well system comprising a wellbore extending into a formation;
- a cuttings return system, comprising:
- a separator fluidly connected to a return line from the wellbore;
- a camera positioned proximate the separator;
- and
- a computing system in communication with the camera, the computing system comprising:
- an image analysis program comprising instructions for identifying a caving from an image produced by the camera;
- a finite element geomechanics model program comprising instructions for generating a finite element geomechanics model of the wellbore;
- and
- a meshing program comprising instructions to:
- derive at least one dimension of the caving from the image;
- and
- remove the at least one dimension of the caving from the finite element geomechanics model of the wellbore to create an adjusted model of the wellbore,
- wherein the system enables detection of a wellbore failure in an overburden formation or a reservoir section lacking sufficient logging-while-drilling (LWD) data.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.