Patent · US Expired

Drag analysis method

US5660239A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
20References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 27, 1993
Grant dateAug 26, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 27, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B31/035
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An iterative planning and monitoring method for drilling (and completing) difficult boreholes which avoids unnecessary risk or cost. The method provides multiple point value probability estimates of an indicator of drilling problems based upon a range of possible drilling variables, supplanting single point estimates. Expected drilling variables are perturbed within physically feasible bounds, and multiple estimates of the corresponding indicator values are made. The probability of each estimate is used to calculate the likelihood of an indicator of an unwanted condition. Mitigation measures are implemented if the probability of an unwanted condition exceeding a threshold value is unacceptable and the mitigated probability is reassessed. If the perturbed indicator change is not significant, the drilling variable is deleted from further analysis. Critical variables are thus quickly identified, allowing monitoring and selection of mitigation measures which are the most cost effective. Unnecessary mitigation procedures or unwanted drilling risks are avoided by these procedures.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.