Geosteering is one of the most challenging aspects of drilling. It is mission-critical, and the drilling team must leverage as many tools as possible to stay within the pay zone. Every member of the asset team plays a vital role: geologists analyze offset wells, drilling engineers determine the feasibility of wellbore geometry, and the Directional Driller and MWD teams control the actual steering of the well. The stakes are high and being off by just a few degrees can result in bypassing the reservoir entirely.
Successful geosteering relies on three factors:
- Generating an accurate, real-time picture of the bit location in the formation.
- Incorporating offset wells data and real-time log data for accurate well correlation during drilling.
- Timely communications between the team members involved in the steering process.
Petrolink’s PetroVue is an essential tool for geosteering. When used together with PetroVue’s RigChat, Geosteering Dashboard, and Coral well correlation tool, it can unlock a new level of drilling efficiency for geosteering operations.
Correlate in Real-Time
Geosteering begins long before the drill bit touches the ground. During the planning phase, asset geologists and engineers analyze offset well logs, looking for common signatures between the wells. At this stage, all key data – including well reports – is examined, resulting in a large volume of information that can be utilized during the drilling operation. The Coral well correlation tool allows users to create quick-look correlation displays. This helps reduce the complexity of managing the data set and enhances accessibility to information for the entire team during operations.
During drilling, Coral becomes even more valuable. Active well data – including LWD logs, gamma ray, resistivity, and neutron logs – streams automatically and populates the correlation panel. The wellsite geologist or other team members overseeing the steering operation can harness Coral’s flexibility to customize the correlation display and achieve optimal results.
Real-time geosteering requires continuous updating and sharing of the geological model based on live operational data
Coral uses real-time Logging While Drilling (LWD) data and an advanced horizontal well correlation technique to dynamically update the structural framework during geosteering operations. Correlations based on 2D cross sections (corrected for apparent dip) provide accurate reservoir thickness calculations.
With the benefit of a complete understanding of the geological data in real-time and leveraging common views of the data shared between team members in the office and at the rigsite, PetroVue’s geosteering solutions ensure a superior level of communication and coordination between the personnel involved with the geosteering operation.
Connecting chat to the real-time data set is critical for effective decision making
PertoVue’s RigChat solution is integrated directly into the web based Geosteering Dashboard. RigChat connects decision making, discussions, and observations made by your personnel directly to the digital data set. By linking the time stamped communications to the real-time data, RigChat promotes transparent decision making, ensures all personnel are operating from the same context, improves knowledge management, and delivers more effective lessons learned during post operational review.
By enabling faster well log interpretation, accurate bit/formation positioning determination, dynamic updates to the subsurface mode, PetroVue’s geosteering software solutions reduce the time it takes to make steering decisions, leading to better overall steering efficiency. The benefits to our customers include with a smoother trajectory. Ultimately, this minimizes drilling costs, improves run completion, and reduces the risks related to wellbore positioning in the reservoir.
Take action now
If you are ready to optimize your geosteering operations, the best way to fully appreciate the value of PetroVue’s real-time geosteering services and oilfield collaboration tools is get a hands-on experience. Contact us today to schedule a demonstration and explore how combining the power of Coral for real-time data correlation, geosteering dashboards for effective visualization of drilling data, and RigChat for reliable communications will increase efficiency and improve wellbore placement accuracy for your team.