Replicate realistic drilling performance through detailed simulations

The IDEAS integrated dynamic design and analysis platform provides 4D simulations of the entire drillstring and wellbore geometry to ensure accurate modeling for drilling and milling applications. This dynamic modeling system enables you to see interactions in a virtual environment so you can customize material and design in real time. These features help predict bit and mill performance while eliminating costly trial-and-error field tests, enabling you to achieve the desired results on the first run.

All models are verified and validated extensively using theoretical calculations, commercial finite element packages, in-house drill rig tests, full-scale rig tests, and field tests with MWD or downhole drilling dynamics sensors.

Evaluate bit-to-rock interaction through accurate modeling

Our rock library comprises field data from many formations, including shale, sandstone, carbonates, evaporates, metamorphic granite, and basalt rock types. Our rock mechanics lab provides scrape and insert indentation tests that enable the IDEAS platform to simulate any bit type, ensuring accurate modeling of bit-to-rock interaction. 

We incorporate the simulations by conducting studies using one of three methods:

• Standard. In development wells that require minimal adjustments, we use proven drillbit designs and enhance them through selective feature changes, such as gauge pad geometry, managed depth-of-cut, and backup cutters.
• Intermediate. If the ideal bit type exhibited excellent performance in similar applications to the target well, an analysis is created to evaluate how other bits would perform in that formation in comparison to the baseline product. Once the optimized design is developed, additional studies are conducted using the standard-tier method.
• Complex. In deepwater or exploration wells with minimal offset information, the primary cutting structure position or shape is altered. Then, we create new cutting structure layouts and compare them to the baseline product’s performance by evaluating simulation outputs.

Determine mill-to-metal interaction with extensive testing and virtual simulations

To account for the wide range of materials worldwide, our metal library comprises the most common casing and tubular materials. In addition to core samples collected from customers’ fields, the scape and insert indentation tests provided by rock mechanics lab enable the IDEAS integrated design platform to simulate any mill type, ensuring accurate modeling of mill-to-metal interaction.

Scrape tests are performed on metal casing samples to replicate the shearing mechanism from milling, and insert indentation tests are done to measure the loads required to penetrate metal at various depths. A 3D image is then produced to develop a realistic model of how the material destroys metal.