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Geopressures Calculation in Real Time to Calibrate Operating Windows

Abstract

Abstract

The drilling of oil wells require big financial investments, hence the strategic importance of this activity for all worldwide operators. This condition requires the elaboration of drilling programs, in which potential risks and prevention plans should be included in order to avoid unwanted events.

The monitoring of real-time parameters is presented as a preventive action that seeks to minimize the risks and uncertainties contemplated in the drilling of oil wells.

The calculation of geopressures in real-time is one of the several activities taking place within the real-time monitoring process. This is achieved by using the information from the Logging While Drilling (LWD) tools for its use in real-time calculations.

The geopressures calculation in real-time permits validating and adjusting the operating window planned in order to predict the behavior of pressures during drilling.

This paper proposes the development of a solution for the geopressures calculation and operating windows calibration in real time using the resistive and LWD logs and creating a sonic synthetic log to calculate the pore pressure, collapse and fracking gradients, in order to allow multidisciplinary teams assigned to projects to assess trends in the pressure gradients and thus facilitate decision making, establish operational procedures and generate preventive actions.

This solution will allow, for drilling optimization by making immediate engineering recommendations to prevent, minimize or eliminate unwanted events such as influx or kicks, lost circulation, stuck pipes, problems with the definition of the casing point or even the loss of the well, while maximizing the options to achieve an optimum cementing of the casing and ensure a safe operation even in over-pressured zones.