Drilling Optimization Applying Machine Learning Regression Algorithms

Abstract

Machine Learning is an artificial intelligence subprocess applied to automatically and quickly perform mathematical calculations to data in order to build models used to make predictions. Technical papers related to machine learning algorithms applications have being increasingly published in many oil and gas disciplines over the last five years, revolutionizing the way engineers approach to their works, and sharing innovating solutions that contributes to an increase in efficiency. In this paper, Machine Learning models are built to predict inverse rate of penetration (ROPI) and surface torque for a well located at Gulf of Mexico shallow waters. Three type of analysis were performed. Pre-drill analysis, predicting the parameters without any data of the target well in the database. Drilling analysis, running the model every sixty meters, updating the database with information of the target well and predicting the parameters ahead the bit. Sensitivity parameter optimization analysis was performed iterating weight on bit and rotary speed values as model inputs in order identify the optimum combination to deliver the best drilling performance under the given conditions. The Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) library in Python programming language environment, was used to build the models. Model performance was satisfactory, overcoming the challenge of using drilling parameters input manually by drilling bit engineers. The database was built with data from different fields and wells. Two databases were created to build the models, one of the models did not consider logging while drilling (LWD) data in order to determine its importance on the predictions. Pre-drill surface torque prediction showed better performance than ROPI. Predictions ahead the bit performance was good both for torque and ROPI. Sensitivity parameter optimization showed better resolution with the database that includes LWD data.