Potential of Ultra High-Speed Drill String Telemetry in Future Improvements of the Drilling Process Control

Abstract

Abstract Drill string telemetry technology allowing reliable data transmission at speeds up to 57,600 bits per second has recently been utilized on two separate offshore locations in the Norwegian North Sea. The results from these deployments prove that a reliable technology exists for high-bandwidth, bi-directional communication between the downhole sensors and surface. This technology overcomes the existing industry challenge related to low bandwidth and time lag associated with mud pulse telemetry. The drilling industry is facing substantial challenges as the remaining petroleum reserves are found in more and more complex environments. Slow overall drilling progress and considerable time and costs related to unproductive time are often seen in the challenging wells needed to tap these reserves. The traditional way of controlling the drilling process seems to have reached its limits. The high-speed telemetry drill pipe technology gives access to large amounts of high-resolution data in real-time. The data can be divided into two main groups drilling process data and formation evaluation data. This paper will primarily focus on the drilling process data and how downhole data can be used in real-time to improve the drilling process. Further, the paper will discuss several drilling operations which can be significantly improved by using high-resolution data in real-time. Short- and medium-term potential benefits will be considered. Required further development of the technology will be discussed together with its practical applications. The paper will also focus on how drill string telemetry technology will be a key enabler for future coupling between downhole sensors and surface control systems. This will open up for more automation of the different drilling processes and a real step change in drilling process control. Introduction The need for major improvements in the drilling industry is urgent. The worlds need for energy is increasing while the remaining oil and gas reserves are more and more challenging to exploit, both from a technical and economical point of view. to mention a few. Major oil provinces in the Middle East, North Sea and North America have been producing for many decades. Large reserves still remain in the ground, but it will require a lot of new wells to fully exploit these remaining reserves. IOR reserve is a commonly used term. The industry is facing a challenge in providing sufficient drilling capacity to exploit these reserves. In most cases, there will be a direct function between the production rate and the drilling capacity on a field. The same will be the case for the ultimate recovery on a field. Low ability to drill new drain holes in the reservoir will leave reserves in the ground that could have been exploited with increased drilling efficiency.