High Speed Telemetry Drill Pipe Network Optimizes Drilling Dynamics and Wellbore Placement

Abstract

Abstract This paper discusses the successes and lessons learned during the first deployment of a High Speed Telemetry Drill Pipe Network with a Rotary Closed Loop System (RCLS) and Triple Combo suite in North America. The paper details the operational experience while drilling a lateral well with an emphasis on drilling optimization and LWD processing; given the ability to receive real-time, memory quality, data via a telemetry drill pipe network. Recent advances in Logging While Drilling technologies call for broader bandwidths and faster telemetry data rates for full utilization of data available downhole. In addition to the improvements in LWD technologies, there has been a remarkable development of downhole drilling dynamics and optimization tools. A telemetry drill pipe network that delivers real-time memory quality data at 57,000 bps transmission rates, provides a step change in capability for the industry – dramatically changing the decisions that can be made in real-time The major lessons learned during the project were i. Real-time monitoring is a valuable tool for controlling and mitigating dynamic dysfunctions downhole resulting in immediate ROP improvements; ii. High volume of real-time memory data imposes new challenges on surface software systems; iii. High resolution bore hole images via telemetry drill pipe facilitate real-time on-site dip picking and analysis of downhole conditions; iv. Handling of telemetry drill pipe at surface plays a key role in improving the efficiency of overall drilling operation. With a telemetry drill pipe network, the present generation of drilling engineers can have high quality down-hole dynamics information and mechanical specific energy (MSE) data real-time while drilling. Likewise, the geologists and petrophysicists can have access to 8 sector gamma images and 16 sector density images, real-time via telemetry drill pipe. The success of the project has provided the industry with an impetus to pursue this technology as a ground-breaking path towards making real-time informed decisions while drilling.