Real-Time Data Transmission and Visualization as a Powerful Technology to Reduce Non-Productive Time during Drilling Operations: Present Day Capabilities, Limitation, and Future Developments

Abstract

In this era of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), all exploration and production operators are looking for ways to optimize their operations with new technologies and costeffective methods. One of the options they are trying to do is by utilizing real-time data and its process to reduce non-productive time during the drilling operations. Non-Productive Time (NPT) is defined as time or  period where drilling is delayed, or the penetration rate is very low which can be caused by any drilling problem or formation stability issue. Real-time data transmission and visualization support the real-time measurement of rig sensors and downhole tools; therefore, the data can be analyzed by the specialist on the town to take the real-time decision on adjusting drilling parameters or well inclination. This initiative was brought up after a survey that considers the struggle of handling multiple wells to save the rig time and maintaining the well within the safe and correct zone during the drilling operations.

This paper primarily is focusing on presenting the non-productive time overview and any kind of non-productive time that can be reduced by real-time data technology, real-time data transmission and visualization infrastructure which supports the processes of aggregation, transmission, and visualization; the example of multipurpose implementation and further innovation and  improvements that can be made within the real-time data transmission and visualization, such as real-time reservoir footage calculation during geosteering and drill-time calculation to pick the formation tops and casing point; the challenges and limitation while using real-time data, such as VSAT and local network connectivity issue; and future target and improvement of real-time data usage especially to make an artificial intelligence system to predict the potential feature, such as formation or drilling  problem while drilling. This technology will inspire the user to design their own solution for their operations.

Despite the significant advances on real-time data transmission and visualization, there is significant room to fully use its potential for advanced workflows and the usage of real-time data technology which was proven to reduce the Non-Productive Time that could save the operational cost.

We believe that the utilization of real-time data transmission and visualization will definitely increase the efficiency of the drilling operations, especially for multiple wells operations.