| dc.description.abstract | As horizontal and extended-reach wells continue to become more prominent in the oil and gas industry, ensuring the quality and stability of boreholes becomes increasingly crucial. This is essential for improving drilling, casing, and completion efficiency. Decades ago, drilling engineers discovered that wellbores exhibit bumpy helical patterns rather than the assumed smooth cylindrical shape. Although the effects and causes of these spirals have been extensively studied, they have not been adequately characterized due to insufficient data resolution. These spirals can now be studied by using high-resolution caliper data obtained from an impulse radar caliper tool.
This thesis aims to address this gap in borehole geometry knowledge by performing a comprehensive signal analysis on the caliper data to detect and characterize the tortuosity of a wellbore. Moreover, a signal pattern, referred to as a "ledge," is introduced and explored in this study. By leveraging the new techniques from this research, drilling and completions engineers can make informed decisions and implement targeted strategies to enhance overall drilling efficiency, minimize operational risks, and maximize the well integrity.
This study highlights the efficacy of employing signal analysis as a powerful tool for characterizing complex wellbore geometries. It underscores the significance of integrating advanced waveform analysis methodologies into the oil and gas industry's practices, leading to more accurate assessments and targeted strategies for drilling operations. | |