Application of a Digital Workflow to Integrate Geosteering and Field Development Planning

One of the challenges of modern oilfield development is integrating data acquired while drilling horizontal development wells into a geological framework. As part of an ongoing development program in the Kyrtael field, Komi Republic, a new integrated geosteering platform was introduced to assist in well placement and field development. The platform linked a structural model of the field to a real-time geosteering application, to allow rapid transfer of interpreted data between the real time well construction environment and the geological interpretive environment An example of the value of such a platform was demonstrated on a recent well. A previously unknown geological discontinuity was encountered in a well that was being actively geosteered. Although several geological interpretations of the discontinuity exist, the size and position are mapped in the existing wellbore and when transferred to the interpretive environment, consideration of that feature can be made during the planning process for two further upcoming wells. Understanding that the feature exists and its potential impact on upcoming wells adds significant value to the understanding and process of developing well plans. By integrating all of the data in a common environment enables rapid appraisal of new data and its impact on future development plan.