Real-Time Modeling-While-Drilling for Optimized Geosteering and Enhanced Horizontal Well Placement in Thin and Complex Reservoirs

With the growing demand for hydrocarbons, enhanced horizontal well placement resulting from optimized geosteering is becoming increasingly important. Optimal geosteering is accomplished by selecting the proper combination of loggingwhile-drilling (LWD) and measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tools as data acquired from these tools are directly deployed for interpreting and monitoring the well. In fact, achieving maximum success in geosteering is only possible through realtime interpretation and modeling of MWD/LWD data while drilling. Additionally, real-time 3D model updates while drilling deliver maximum guidance and assistance in geosteering to the proper well position by predicting the geology ahead of the bit. As a result, well placement risk is reduced because the associated uncertainty is quantified.