Leveraging Flexible Digital Approach to Enhance Wellbore Survey Data Management and Collision Avoidance in Offshore Fields, Abu Dhabi

Abstract

This paper aim to identify potential for improving the process of gathering trajectory directional survey data, recalculating of current wellbore position based on new information by automating the process, performing collision avoidance analysis scanning and providing feedback by using machine recognition of risk while minimizing human interaction with the dataset. The envisioned result was seen as a system where wellbore survey data would flow seamlessly from acquisition at rig site into company directional survey calculation system, where programming would use the dataset to update the definitive survey listing, update forward planned surveys, run collision avoidance scan on updated planned surveys against identified offset wellbores and verify current position in relation to plan and possible deviation to same based on company policies for survey and collision avoidance and produce output for end user(s). The project outcome was a software that acts as an intermediate between field data set repository and company directional survey software package. When data set becomes available in repository, a 30-second interval repeating query recognizes the change and updated directional survey data is moved to correct wellbore, used in defining trajectory and original plan is modified allowing collision avoidance verification to run based on new wellbore survey information. The project outcome also included machine review of the collision avoidance results based on programmed company policy values, which added to the process. The project saw substantial time delay during creation due to issues identified in the challenges part below but is now running full time for company covering all offshore rigs and associated wellbore surveying activities. Learnings during the execution of the project showed both short comings of current systems, inconsistent API (Application Programming Interface) support for legacy software, and several opportunities for further improvements to the originally identified goal and potential for creating an advisory system based on current policies, further reducing the sometimes-arbitrary decision making which can result from large variation in experience levels related to understanding risk associated with directional surveying and directional drilling.