IADC Code Upgrade: Interpretation of Surface and Downhole Data to Support Drilling Forensics

Abstract This paper establishes drilling surveillance interpretation and monitoring techniques for digital drilling data which can be used to support drilling forensics and improve drilling performance. One significant advancement in the last 20 years has been the widespread availability and use of sensors to monitor all aspects of the drilling process. The majority of sensors will take surface and downhole data at several hundred samples per second, process the data and store a record at one sample per second. The data from these sensors are collated and processed using some form of Electronic Data Recording system. The information is subsequently displayed in realtime and stored for offsite transmittal. This paper extensively evaluates the impact on drilling performance due to how data from such sensors are collected, processed and the information displayed. A number of observations are investigated, analyzed and explained identifying how data quality, consistency, frequency, sensor errors and data artefacts can skew the displayed results. This can critically impact the drilling forensic analysis and subsequent interpretation. Failing to account for these data quality issues in realtime may mask drilling dysfunction causing accelerated damage to the drill bit and drilling assembly. This paper also aims to highlight techniques for displaying and interpreting drilling data to enhance drilling performance as well as diagnose dysfunction during reviews of historic wells. Understanding these limitations in advance and incorporating them in a team's surveillance strategy can help with the diagnosis of drilling dysfunction and aid performance improvement. These recommended practices have been developed to offer a foundation for drilling surveillance, interpretation and monitoring as well as training for the industry. They have been created such that they can grow organically and may be used for developing subsequent industry publications. The work described in this paper is part of a joint International Association of Drilling Contactors (IADC) / Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) industry effort to revise the IADC dull grade process.