Linking for Rate of Penetration to Seismic Attributes and Mechanical Properties in the Mississippi Lime, OK

Abstract

The Mississippian Limestone is a heterogeneous formation. This heterogeneity impacts the rate of penetration (ROP). ROP is a function of bit size, weight on bit, drilling mud, and lithology, where lithology can be statistically correlated to surface seismic attributes. Because the bit actually destroys the rock, we expect correlations to be nonlinear; however, if even a soft correlation can be found, the economic impact on drilling could be significant, allowing the drilling engineer to prepare for and, if necessary, avoid problems associated with the drilling process.This study explores if a correlation can be found between seismic attributes, seismically derived mechanical properties and ROP. The seismic survey of this study is located in the Anadarko Shelf of Northern Oklahoma. Seismic attributes that may be indirectly related to the depositional and tectonic history are extracted from seismic data along wellbores in the depth domain. Seismic estimates of mechanical parameters are derived from seismic inversion and AVAz analysis. We show the results of several correlation techniques including multi-linear regression, neural networks, and alternating conditional expectation (ACE) algorithms.