Application of Fractal Theory in Drillability Evaluation for Off-Shore Oilfields

Abstract

Development of off-shore oilfields presents a number of difficulties and problems during drilling. In this paper, we have tried to describe drillability factors based on a fractal model and calculation of fractal dimensions for rock debris formed by crushing stratigraphic rock. The calculated drillability parameters and the dimensions of rock cuttings showed good correlation with experimental data (correlation coefficient greater than 0.9). Based on the proposed model, we made real-time measurements of the drillability factors. As shown by the results, application of fractal theory to analysis of formation drillability factors lets us more fully take into account the rock features to calculate accurate characteristics of the process.