A Web-based Turnkey Solution for Fast 3D Simulations of Electromagnetic Telemetry in Oilfield and Geothermal Drilling

Electromagnetic telemetry (EMT) is a superior method for transmitting data between the surface and downhole to support measurement-while-drilling (MWD), a critical technique used by directional drilling in the oil and gas industry To ensure optimal EMT deployment in the field, accurate and efficient prediction of EMT performance based on rigorous numerical modeling is necessary for justifying the employment of EMT for a specific drilling job, and it is also essential in maximizing EMT received signals and optimizing for carrier frequency, bandwidth, and battery life as drilling depth increases However, due to the lack of fast and accurate 3D EMT simulation tool, the industry cannot fully harvest the benefits of EMT in a large scale The objective of the project is to develop a fast and robust 3D EMT modeling tool that is both feasible and profitable Our 3D EMT modeling uses a novel numerical method based on an integral equation solver The proposed method utilizes layered media Green's function for complex stratified underground formations and coated thin wire kernel for the long and slender drill string in a cased or open borehole It can handle layered media with anisotropy, both vertical and deviated/horizontal wells Phase I will verify the feasibility of a real-time 3D EMT modeling approach by leveraging the GPU acceleration We will also explore a framework in Phase I for providing an easy-access to the modeling platform through a web-based GUI This proposed approach, if proven to be feasible, will fill the market gap for the commercial absence of effective 3D EMT simulation products This project will lead to a commercial software product that provides the highest level of EMT modeling accuracy in the industry The product would significantly improve the performance of the oil field production, reduce non-drilling time, and cut the drilling cost The geophysical modeling platform developed in this project can also provide mission-critical services to other important areas such as the development of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) for the exploration of geothermal energy, carbon sequestration to slow the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, deep borehole disposal of nuclear waste, and subsurface characterization and monitoring data analysis for federal regulatory agencies