Field Operations Framework

A reservoir can be a subsurface formation that can be characterized at least in part by its porosity and fluid permeability. As an example, a reservoir may be part of a basin such as a sedimentary basin. A basin can be a depression (e.g., caused by plate tectonic activity, subsidence, etc.) in which sediments accumulate. As an example, where hydrocarbon source rocks occur in combination with appropriate depth and duration of burial, a petroleum system may develop within a basin, which may form a reservoir that includes hydrocarbon fluids (e.g., oil, gas, etc.). Various operations may be performed in the field to access such hydrocarbon fluids and/or produce such hydrocarbon fluids. While hydrocarbon fluid reservoirs are mentioned as an example, a reservoir that includes water and brine may be assessed, for example, for one or more purposes such as, for example, carbon storage (e.g., sequestration), water production or storage, geothermal production or storage, metallic extraction from brine, etc.

A method can include generating a pill blend recommendation based at least in part on formation characteristics to mitigate formation loss of drilling fluid during drilling of a borehole, where the pill blend recommendation specifies a particle size distribution determined by a framework that relates historical pill blends and mitigation success; and, responsive to an indication of formation loss of drilling fluid during the drilling of the borehole, issuing an instruction to pump a pill blend formulated according to the pill blend recommendation. A system can include one or more processors; memory accessible to at least one of the one or more processors; processor-executable instructions stored in the memory and executable to instruct the system to: generate a pill blend recommendation based at least in part on formation characteristics to mitigate formation loss of drilling fluid during drilling of a borehole, where the pill blend recommendation specifies a particle size distribution determined by a framework that relates historical pill blends and mitigation success; and, responsive to an indication of formation loss of drilling fluid during the drilling of the borehole, issue an instruction to pump a pill blend formulated according to the pill blend recommendation. One or more computer-readable storage media can include processor-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to: generate a pill blend recommendation based at least in part on formation characteristics to mitigate formation loss of drilling fluid during drilling of a borehole, where the pill blend recommendation specifies a particle size distribution determined by a framework that relates historical pill blends and mitigation success; and, responsive to an indication of formation loss of drilling fluid during the drilling of the borehole, issue an instruction to pump a pill blend formulated according to the pill blend recommendation. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the implementations. The scope of the described implementations should be ascertained with reference to the issued claims.

shows an example of a systemthat includes a workspace frameworkthat can provide for instantiation of, rendering of, interactions with, etc., a graphical user interface (GUI). In the example of, the GUIcan include graphical controls for computational frameworks (e.g., applications), projects, visualization, one or more other features, data access, and data storage.

In the example of, the workspace frameworkmay be tailored to a particular geologic environment such as an example geologic environment. For example, the geologic environmentmay include layers (e.g., stratification) that include a reservoirand that may be intersected by a fault. A geologic environmentmay be outfitted with a variety of sensors, detectors, actuators, etc. In such an environment, various types of equipment such as, for example, equipmentmay include communication circuitry to receive and to transmit information, optionally with respect to one or more networks. Such information may include information associated with downhole equipment, which may be equipment to acquire information, to assist with resource recovery, etc. Other equipmentmay be located remote from a wellsite and include sensing, detecting, emitting, or other circuitry. Such equipment may include storage and communication circuitry to store and to communicate data, instructions, etc. One or more satellites may be provided for purposes of communications, data acquisition, etc. For example,shows a satellitein communication with the networkthat may be configured for communications, noting that the satellite may additionally or alternatively include circuitry for imagery (e.g., spatial, spectral, temporal, radiometric, etc.).

also shows the geologic environmentas optionally including equipmentandassociated with a well that includes a substantially horizontal portion that may intersect with one or more fractures. For example, consider a well in a formation that may include natural fractures, artificial fractures (e.g., hydraulic fractures) or a combination of natural and artificial fractures. As an example, a well may be drilled for a reservoir that is laterally extensive. In such an example, lateral variations in properties, stresses, etc., may exist where an assessment of such variations may assist with planning, operations, etc., to develop a laterally extensive reservoir (e.g., via fracturing, injecting, extracting, etc.). As an example, the equipmentand/ormay include components, a system, systems, etc. for fracturing, seismic sensing, analysis of seismic data, assessment of one or more fractures, etc.

In the example of, the GUIshows some examples of computational frameworks, including the DRILLPLAN, PETREL, TECHLOG, PETROMOD, ECLIPSE, and INTERSECT frameworks (SLB, Houston, Texas).

The DRILLPLAN framework provides for digital well construction planning and includes features for automation of repetitive tasks and validation workflows, enabling improved quality drilling programs (e.g., digital drilling plans, etc.) to be produced quickly with assured coherency.

The DRILLOPS framework (SLB, Houston, Texas), which may be included in the systemof, may execute a digital drilling plan and help to ensure plan adherence, while delivering goal-based automation. The DRILLOPS framework may generate activity plans automatically for individual operations, whether they are monitored and/or controlled on the rig or in town. Automation may utilize data analysis and learning systems to assist and optimize tasks, such as, for example, setting ROP to drilling a stand. A preset menu of automatable drilling tasks may be rendered, and, using data analysis and models, a plan may be executed in a manner to achieve a specified goal, where, for example, measurements may be utilized for calibration and/or one or more other purposes. The DRILLOPS framework provides flexibility to modify and replan activities dynamically, for example, based on a live appraisal of various factors (e.g., equipment, personnel, and supplies). Well construction activities (e.g., tripping, drilling, cementing, etc.) may be continually monitored and dynamically updated using feedback from operational activities. The DRILLOPS framework may provide for various levels of automation based on planning and/or re-planning (e.g., via the DRILLPLAN framework), feedback, etc.

The PETREL framework can be part of the DELFI cognitive exploration and production (E&P) environment (SLB, Houston, Texas, referred to as the DELFI environment) for utilization in geosciences and geoengineering, for example, to analyze subsurface data from exploration to production of fluid from a reservoir.

One or more types of frameworks may be implemented within or in a manner operatively coupled to the DELFI environment, which is a secure, cognitive, cloud-based collaborative environment that integrates data and workflows with digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Such an environment can provide for operations that involve one or more frameworks. The DELFI environment may be referred to as the DELFI framework, which may be a framework of frameworks. The DELFI environment can include various other frameworks, which may operate using one or more types of models (e.g., simulation models, etc.).

The TECHLOG framework can handle and process field and laboratory data for a variety of geologic environments (e.g., deepwater exploration, shale, etc.). The TECHLOG framework can structure wellbore data for analyses, planning, etc.

The PIPESIM simulator includes solvers that may provide simulation results such as, for example, multiphase flow results (e.g., from a reservoir to a wellhead and beyond, etc.), flowline and surface facility performance, etc. The PIPESIM simulator may be integrated, for example, with the AVOCET production operations framework (SLB, Houston Texas). The PIPESIM simulator may be an optimizer that can optimize one or more operational scenarios at least in part via simulation of physical phenomena.

The ECLIPSE framework provides a reservoir simulator with numerical solvers for prediction of dynamic behavior for various types of reservoirs and development schemes.

The INTERSECT framework provides a high-resolution reservoir simulator for simulation of geological features and quantification of uncertainties, for example, by creating production scenarios and, with the integration of precise models of the surface facilities and field operations, the INTERSECT framework can produce results, which may be continuously updated by real-time data exchanges (e.g., from one or more types of data acquisition equipment in the field that can acquire data during one or more types of field operations, etc.). The INTERSECT framework can provide completion configurations for complex wells where such configurations can be built in the field, can provide detailed chemical-enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) formulations where such formulations can be implemented in the field, can analyze application of steam injection and other thermal EOR techniques for implementation in the field, advanced production controls in terms of reservoir coupling and flexible field management, and flexibility to script customized solutions for improved modeling and field management control. The INTERSECT framework, as with the other example frameworks, may be utilized as part of the DELFI environment, for example, for rapid simulation of multiple concurrent cases.

The aforementioned DELFI environment provides various features for workflows as to subsurface analysis, planning, construction and production, for example, as illustrated in the workspace framework. As shown in, outputs from the workspace frameworkcan be utilized for directing, controlling, etc., one or more processes in the geologic environment, and feedbackcan be received via one or more interfaces in one or more forms (e.g., acquired data as to operational conditions, equipment conditions, environment conditions, etc.).

In the example of, the visualization featuresmay be implemented via the workspace framework, for example, to perform tasks as associated with one or more of subsurface regions, planning operations, constructing wells and/or surface fluid networks, and producing from a reservoir.

Visualization features may provide for visualization of various earth models, properties, etc., in one or more dimensions. As an example, visualization features may include one or more control features for control of equipment, which can include, for example, field equipment that can perform one or more field operations. A workflow may utilize one or more frameworks to generate information that can be utilized to control one or more types of field equipment (e.g., drilling equipment, wireline equipment, fracturing equipment, etc.).

As to a reservoir model that may be suitable for utilization by a simulator, consider acquisition of seismic data as acquired via reflection seismology, which finds use in geophysics, for example, to estimate properties of subsurface formations. Seismic data may be processed and interpreted, for example, to understand better composition, fluid content, extent and geometry of subsurface rocks. Such interpretation results can be utilized to plan, simulate, perform, etc., one or more operations for production of fluid from a reservoir (e.g., reservoir rock, etc.). Field acquisition equipment may be utilized to acquire seismic data, which may be in the form of traces where a trace can include values organized with respect to time and/or depth (e.g., consider 1D, 2D, 3D or 4D seismic data).

A model may be a simulated version of a geologic environment where a simulator may include features for simulating physical phenomena in a geologic environment based at least in part on a model or models. A simulator, such as a reservoir simulator, can simulate fluid flow in a geologic environment based at least in part on a model that can be generated via a framework that receives seismic data. A simulator can be a computerized system (e.g., a computing system) that can execute instructions using one or more processors to solve a system of equations that describe physical phenomena subject to various constraints. While several simulators are illustrated in the example of, one or more other simulators may be utilized, additionally or alternatively.

shows an example of a systemthat can be operatively coupled to one or more databases, data streams, etc. For example, one or more pieces of field equipment, laboratory equipment, computing equipment (e.g., local and/or remote), etc., can provide and/or generate data that may be utilized in the system.

As shown, the systemcan include a geological/geophysical data block, a surface models block(e.g., for one or more structural models), a volume modules block, an applications block, a numerical processing blockand an operational decision block. As shown in the example of, the geological/geophysical data blockcan include data from well tops or drill holes, data from seismic interpretation, data from outcrop interpretation and optionally data from geological knowledge. As an example, the geological/geophysical data blockcan include data from digital images, which can include digital images of cores, cuttings, cavings, outcrops, etc. As to the surface models block, it may provide for creation, editing, etc. of one or more surface models based on, for example, one or more of fault surfaces, horizon surfacesand optionally topological relationships. As to the volume models block, it may provide for creation, editing, etc. of one or more volume models based on, for example, one or more of boundary representations(e.g., to form a watertight model), structured gridsand unstructured meshes.

As shown in the example of, the systemmay allow for implementing one or more workflows, for example, where data of the data blockare used to create, edit, etc. one or more surface models of the surface models block, which may be used to create, edit, etc. one or more volume models of the volume models block. As indicated in the example of, the surface models blockmay provide one or more structural models, which may be input to the applications block. For example, such a structural model may be provided to one or more applications, optionally without performing one or more processes of the volume models block(e.g., for purposes of numerical processing by the numerical processing block). Accordingly, the systemmay be suitable for one or more workflows for structural modeling (e.g., optionally without performing numerical processing per the numerical processing block).

As to the applications block, it may include applications such as a well prognosis application, a reserve calculation applicationand a well stability assessment application. As to the numerical processing block, it may include a process for seismic velocity modelingfollowed by seismic processing, a process for facies and petrophysical property interpolationfollowed by flow simulation, and a process for geomechanical simulationfollowed by geochemical simulation. As indicated, as an example, a workflow may proceed from the volume models blockto the numerical processing blockand then to the applications blockand/or to the operational decision block. As another example, a workflow may proceed from the surface models blockto the applications blockand then to the operational decisions block(e.g., consider an application that operates using a structural model).

In the example of, the operational decisions blockmay include a seismic survey design process, a well rate adjustment process, a well trajectory planning process, a well completion planning processand a process for one or more prospects, for example, to decide whether to explore, develop, abandon, etc. a prospect.

Referring again to the data block, the well tops or drill hole datamay include spatial localization, and optionally surface dip, of an interface between two geological formations or of a subsurface discontinuity such as a geological fault; the seismic interpretation datamay include a set of points, lines or surface patches interpreted from seismic reflection data, and representing interfaces between media (e.g., geological formations in which seismic wave velocity differs) or subsurface discontinuities; the outcrop interpretation datamay include a set of lines or points, optionally associated with measured dip, representing boundaries between geological formations or geological faults, as interpreted on the earth surface; and the geological knowledge datamay include, for example knowledge of the paleo-tectonic and sedimentary evolution of a region.

As to the facies and petrophysical property interpolation, it may include an assessment of type of rocks and of their petrophysical properties (e.g., porosity, permeability), for example, optionally in areas not sampled by well logs or coring. As an example, such an interpolation may be constrained by interpretations from log and core data, and by prior geological knowledge.

As to the various applications of the applications block, the well prognosis applicationmay include predicting type and characteristics of geological formations that may be encountered by a drill bit, and location where such rocks may be encountered (e.g., before a well is drilled); the reserve calculations applicationmay include assessing total amount of hydrocarbons or ore material present in a subsurface environment (e.g., and estimates of which proportion can be recovered, given a set of economic and technical constraints); and the well stability assessment applicationmay include estimating risk that a well, already drilled or to-be-drilled, will collapse or be damaged due underground stress.

As to the operational decision block, the seismic survey design processmay include deciding where to place seismic sources and receivers to optimize the coverage and quality of the collected seismic information while minimizing cost of acquisition; the well rate adjustment processmay include controlling injection and production well schedules and rates (e.g., to maximize recovery and production); the well trajectory planning processmay include designing a well trajectory to maximize potential recovery and production while minimizing drilling risks and costs; the well trajectory planning processmay include selecting proper well tubing, casing and completion (e.g., to meet expected production or injection targets in specified reservoir formations); and the prospect processmay include decision making, in an exploration context, to continue exploring, start producing or abandon prospects (e.g., based on an integrated assessment of technical and financial risks against expected benefits).

The systemcan include and/or can be operatively coupled to a system such as the systemof. For example, the workspace frameworkmay provide for instantiation of, rendering of, interactions with, etc., the graphical user interface (GUI)to perform one or more actions as to the system. In such an example, access may be provided to one or more frameworks (e.g., DRILLPLAN, DRILLOPS, PETREL, TECHLOG, PIPESIM, ECLIPSE, INTERSECT, etc.). One or more frameworks may provide for geo data acquisition as in block, for structural modeling as in block, for volume modeling as in block, for running an application as in block, for numerical processing as in block, for operational decision making as in block, etc.

As an example, the systemmay provide for monitoring data, which can include geo data per the geo data block. In various examples, geo data may be acquired during one or more operations. For example, consider acquiring geo data during drilling operations via downhole equipment and/or surface equipment. As an example, the operational decision blockcan include capabilities for monitoring, analyzing, etc., such data for purposes of making one or more operational decisions, which may include controlling equipment, revising operations, revising a plan, etc. In such an example, data may be fed into the systemat one or more points where the quality of the data may be of particular interest. For example, data quality may be characterized by one or more metrics where data quality may provide indications as to trust, probabilities, etc., which may be germane to operational decision making and/or other decision making.

shows an example of a wellsite system(e.g., at a wellsite that may be onshore or offshore). As shown, the wellsite systemcan include a mud tankfor holding mud and other material (e.g., where mud can be a drilling fluid), a suction linethat serves as an inlet to a mud pumpfor pumping mud from the mud tanksuch that mud flows to a vibrating hose, a drawworksfor winching drill line or drill lines, a standpipethat receives mud from the vibrating hose, a kelly hosethat receives mud from the standpipe, a gooseneck or goosenecks, a traveling block, a crown blockfor carrying the traveling blockvia the drill line or drill lines, a derrick, a kellyor a top drive, a kelly drive bushing, a rotary table, a drill floor, a bell nipple, one or more blowout preventors (BOPs), a drillstring, a drill bit, a casing headand a flow pipethat carries mud and other material to, for example, the mud tank.

In the example system of, a boreholeis formed in subsurface formationsby rotary drilling; noting that various example embodiments may also use one or more directional drilling techniques, equipment, etc.

As shown in the example of, the drillstringis suspended within the boreholeand has a drillstring assemblythat includes the drill bitat its lower end. As an example, the drillstring assemblymay be a bottom hole assembly (BHA).

The wellsite systemcan provide for operation of the drillstringand other operations. As shown, the wellsite systemincludes the traveling blockand the derrickpositioned over the borehole. As mentioned, the wellsite systemcan include the rotary tablewhere the drillstringpass through an opening in the rotary table.

As shown in the example of, the wellsite systemcan include the kellyand associated components, etc., or the top driveand associated components. As to a kelly example, the kellymay be a square or hexagonal metal/alloy bar with a hole drilled therein that serves as a mud flow path. The kellycan be used to transmit rotary motion from the rotary tablevia the kelly drive bushingto the drillstring, while allowing the drillstringto be lowered or raised during rotation. The kellycan pass through the kelly drive bushing, which can be driven by the rotary table. As an example, the rotary tablecan include a master bushing that operatively couples to the kelly drive bushingsuch that rotation of the rotary tablecan turn the kelly drive bushingand hence the kelly. The kelly drive bushingcan include an inside profile matching an outside profile (e.g., square, hexagonal, etc.) of the kelly; however, with slightly larger dimensions so that the kellycan freely move up and down inside the kelly drive bushing.

As to a top drive example, the top drivecan provide functions performed by a kelly and a rotary table. The top drivecan turn the drillstring. As an example, the top drivecan include one or more motors (e.g., electric and/or hydraulic) connected with appropriate gearing to a short section of pipe called a quill, that in turn may be screwed into a saver sub or the drillstringitself. The top drivecan be suspended from the traveling block, so the rotary mechanism is free to travel up and down the derrick. As an example, a top drivemay allow for drilling to be performed with more joint stands than a kelly/rotary table approach.

In the example of, the mud tankcan hold mud, which can be one or more types of drilling fluids. As an example, a wellbore may be drilled to produce fluid, inject fluid or both (e.g., hydrocarbons, minerals, water, etc.).

In the example of, the drillstring(e.g., including one or more downhole tools) may be composed of a series of pipes threadably connected together to form a long tube with the drill bitat the lower end thereof. As the drillstringis advanced into a wellbore for drilling, at some point in time prior to or coincident with drilling, the mud may be pumped by the pumpfrom the mud tank(e.g., or other source) via the lines,andto a port of the kellyor, for example, to a port of the top drive. The mud can then flow via a passage (e.g., or passages) in the drillstringand out of ports located on the drill bit(see, e.g., a directional arrow). As the mud exits the drillstringvia ports in the drill bit, it can then circulate upwardly through an annular region between an outer surface(s) of the drillstringand surrounding wall(s) (e.g., open borehole, casing, etc.), as indicated by directional arrows. In such a manner, the mud lubricates the drill bitand carries heat energy (e.g., frictional or other energy) and formation cuttings to the surface where the mud may be returned to the mud tank, for example, for recirculation with processing to remove cuttings and other material.

In the example of, processed mud pumped by the pumpinto the drillstringmay, after exiting the drillstring, form a mudcake that lines the wellbore which, among other functions, may reduce friction between the drillstringand surrounding wall(s) (e.g., borehole, casing, etc.). A reduction in friction may facilitate advancing or retracting the drillstring. During a drilling operation, the entire drillstringmay be pulled from a wellbore and optionally replaced, for example, with a new or sharpened drill bit, a smaller diameter drillstring, etc. As mentioned, the act of pulling a drillstring out of a hole or replacing it in a hole is referred to as tripping. A trip may be referred to as an upward trip or an outward trip (e.g., pulling out of hole (POOH)) or as a downward trip or an inward trip (e.g., running in hole (RIH)) depending on trip direction.

As an example, consider a downward trip where upon arrival of the drill bitof the drillstringat a bottom of a wellbore, pumping of the mud commences to lubricate the drill bitfor purposes of drilling to enlarge the wellbore. As mentioned, the mud can be pumped by the pumpinto a passage of the drillstringand, upon filling of the passage, the mud may be used as a transmission medium to transmit energy, for example, energy that may encode information as in mud-pulse telemetry. Characteristics of the mud can be utilized to determine how pulses are transmitted (e.g., pulse shape, energy loss, transmission time, etc.).

As an example, mud-pulse telemetry equipment may include a downhole device configured to effect changes in pressure in the mud to create an acoustic wave or waves upon which information may modulated. In such an example, information from downhole equipment (e.g., one or more modules of the drillstring) may be transmitted uphole to an uphole device, which may relay such information to other equipment for processing, control, etc.

As an example, telemetry equipment may operate via transmission of energy via the drillstringitself. For example, consider a signal generator that imparts coded energy signals to the drillstringand repeaters that may receive such energy and repeat it to further transmit the coded energy signals (e.g., information, etc.).

As an example, the drillstringmay be fitted with telemetry equipmentthat includes a rotatable drive shaft, a turbine impeller mechanically coupled to the drive shaft such that the mud can cause the turbine impeller to rotate, a modulator rotor mechanically coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the turbine impeller causes said modulator rotor to rotate, a modulator stator mounted adjacent to or proximate to the modulator rotor such that rotation of the modulator rotor relative to the modulator stator creates pressure pulses in the mud, and a controllable brake for selectively braking rotation of the modulator rotor to modulate pressure pulses. In such example, an alternator may be coupled to the aforementioned drive shaft where the alternator includes at least one stator winding electrically coupled to a control circuit to selectively short the at least one stator winding to electromagnetically brake the alternator and thereby selectively brake rotation of the modulator rotor to modulate the pressure pulses in the mud.

In the example of, an uphole control and/or data acquisition systemmay include circuitry to sense pressure pulses generated by telemetry equipmentand, for example, communicate sensed pressure pulses or information derived therefrom for process, control, etc.

The assemblyof the illustrated example includes a logging-while-drilling (LWD) module, a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) module, an optional module, a rotary-steerable system (RSS) and/or motor, and the drill bit. Such components or modules may be referred to as tools where a drillstring can include a plurality of tools.

As to an RSS, it involves technology utilized for directional drilling. Directional drilling involves drilling into the Earth to form a deviated bore such that the trajectory of the bore is not vertical; rather, the trajectory deviates from vertical along one or more portions of the bore. As an example, consider a target that is located at a lateral distance from a surface location where a rig may be stationed. In such an example, drilling can commence with a vertical portion and then deviate from vertical such that the bore is aimed at the target and, eventually, reaches the target. Directional drilling may be implemented where a target may be inaccessible from a vertical location at the surface of the Earth, where material exists in the Earth that may impede drilling or otherwise be detrimental (e.g., consider a salt dome, etc.), where a formation is laterally extensive (e.g., consider a relatively thin yet laterally extensive reservoir), where multiple bores are to be drilled from a single surface bore, where a relief well is desired, etc.

One approach to directional drilling involves a mud motor; however, a mud motor can present some challenges depending on factors such as rate of penetration (ROP), transferring weight to a bit (e.g., weight on bit, WOB) due to friction, etc. A mud motor can be a positive displacement motor (PDM) that operates to drive a bit (e.g., during directional drilling, etc.). A PDM operates as drilling fluid is pumped through it where the PDM converts hydraulic power of the drilling fluid into mechanical power to cause the bit to rotate.

As an example, a PDM may operate in a combined rotating mode where surface equipment is utilized to rotate a bit of a drillstring (e.g., a rotary table, a top drive, etc.) by rotating the entire drillstring and where drilling fluid is utilized to rotate the bit of the drillstring. In such an example, a surface RPM (SRPM) may be determined by use of the surface equipment and a downhole RPM of the mud motor may be determined using various factors related to flow of drilling fluid, mud motor type, etc. As an example, in the combined rotating mode, bit RPM can be determined or estimated as a sum of the SRPM and the mud motor RPM, assuming the SRPM and the mud motor RPM are in the same direction.