Smart GIS Subsystem to Plan the Exploratory Oil and Gas Well Locations

Abstract

The paper considers the problem of planning exploratory drilling for oil and gas in terms of the location of wells. The available software solutions have been analyzed. The fundamental architecture of a smart drilling planning subsystem is proposed. The possibilities of implementing the proposed GIS-based architecture have been analyzed. The data flows in choosing the exploratory well locations have been characterized. The forecasted increment of potential hydrocarbon reserves is adopted as a formalized criterion for the optimal well location. A choice algorithm is proposed based on the formal data analysis techniques and the principle of analogy in geological research. The algorithm steps are: 1) gathering data; 2) localizing potential deposits; 3) determining the analogous fields and target parameters; 4) estimating the increment of potential reserves for the well, considering the drainage radius; 5) choosing the well location, ensuring the maximum increment of potential reserves. The algorithm is based on a formalized estimation of the similarity between geological objects, which allows objectively justifying the use of the analogous field data. A practical example of using the algorithm in a specialized module of the Nasha GIS geoinformation system (JSC Sibgeoproekt) is shown. The testing results have shown that the algorithm is adequate and can be recommended for use by oil and gas enterprises.