Drilling hazard identification

This project will provide drillers with a more accurate and quantitative set of drilling parameters that are based on static and dynamic measurement data, jointly analyzed and integrated into a geomechanical earth model. High quality mud window estimates and associated uncertainties will be calculated upfront and while drilling through joint analysis of logging while drilling (LWD) measurement data, baseline and repeat 3D seismic data sets. A core component for accurately estimating the drilling parameter s is a high-fidelity geomechanical model. To reflect this, a significant portion of the work in this project will be devoted to providing a good initial geomechanical model. Techniques will be developed to further enhance this model by calibrating it with dynamic measurement data from repeat seismic surveys (4D seismic) and LWD data. In addition to drilling hazard identification inferred from the geomechanical model output, a new approach for hazard identification will be implemented, utilizing DNA-like c oding and searching techniques. The Ekofisk field has been selected as the initial test-site for the technology developed in this project. The Ekofisk field represents a mature, producing chalk field with numerous challenges relating to infill drilling, geomechanical modeling, and production induced overburden changes resulting in numerous lost wells. Owing to its extensive documentation, instrumentation and sets of measurements, it is ideal for testing new technologies. The recently installed permanent sensor array (Life-Of-Field-Seismic) will further increase the number and frequency of measurements when operational, and represents a recent industry technology trend.