Method for evaluating and improving drilling operations
AssigneeSmith International, Inc.
InventorsStuart Oliver, Sujian Huang, Luis Paez, Halle Aslaksen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for improving drilling performance of a drilling tool assembly is disclosed. The method includes identifying a drilling performance parameter to be improved. One or more potential solutions are defined to improve the drilling performance parameter. A drilling simulation is performed to determine the dynamic response of the drilling tool assembly during a drilling operation. Determining the dynamic response includes determining the interaction of a cutting element of a drill bit with an earth formation. Improvement in the drilling performance parameter is determined based upon the drilling simulation.
Claims27
A method for improving drilling performance of a drilling tool assembly, the method comprising:
- identifying a drilling performance parameter to be improved;
- defining at least one potential solution to improve the drilling performance parameter;
- performing a drilling simulation of the at least one potential solution, wherein the drilling simulation comprises simulating an effect on the drilling tool assembly of an interaction of at least one cutting element of a drill bit with an earth formation;
- and
- determining, based upon the drilling simulation, whether the drilling performance parameter is improved by the at least one potential solution.
A computer system for improving drilling performance of a drilling tool assembly comprising:
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a storage device;
- and
- software instructions stored in the memory for enabling the computer system under control of the processor, to:
- identify a drilling performance parameter to be improved;
- define at least one potential solution to improve the drilling performance parameter;
- perform a drilling simulation of the at least one potential solution, wherein the drilling simulation comprises simulating an effect on the drilling tool assembly of an interaction of at least one cutting element of a drill bit with an earth formation;
- and
- determine, based upon the drilling simulation, whether the drilling performance parameter is improved by the at least one potential solution.
A method for improving drilling performance of a drilling tool assembly, the method comprising:
- performing a drilling simulation to simulate an original drilling operation, wherein the drilling simulation comprises simulating an effect on the drilling tool assembly of an interaction of at least one cutting element of a drill bit with an earth formation;
- and
- defining, based upon the drilling simulation, at least one solution to improve a drilling performance parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.