An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores

Real-time monitoring of wellbore stability during drilling is crucial for the early detection of instability and timely interventions. The cause and type of wellbore instability can be identified by analyzing the dropped blocks brought to the surface by the drilling fluid, enabling preventive measur...

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Main Authors: Qian Wang, Zixuan Yang, Chenxi Ye, Wenbao Zhai, Xiao Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-04-01
Series:Natural Gas Industry B
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352854025000208
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author Qian Wang
Zixuan Yang
Chenxi Ye
Wenbao Zhai
Xiao Feng
author_facet Qian Wang
Zixuan Yang
Chenxi Ye
Wenbao Zhai
Xiao Feng
author_sort Qian Wang
collection DOAJ
description Real-time monitoring of wellbore stability during drilling is crucial for the early detection of instability and timely interventions. The cause and type of wellbore instability can be identified by analyzing the dropped blocks brought to the surface by the drilling fluid, enabling preventive measures to be taken. In this study, an image capture system with fully automated sorting and 3D scanning was developed to obtain the complete 3D point cloud data of dropping blocks. The raw data obtained were preprocessed using methods such as format conversion, down sampling, coordinate transformation, statistical filtering, and clustering. Feature extraction algorithms, including the principal component analysis bounding box method, triangular meshing method, triaxial projection method, local curvature method, and model segmentation projection method, were employed, which resulted in the extraction of 32 feature parameters from the point cloud data. An optimal machine learning algorithm was developed by training it with 10 machine learning algorithms and the block data collected in the field. The XGBoost algorithm was then used to optimize the feature parameters and improve the classification model. An intelligent, fully automated feature parameter extraction and classification system was developed and applied to classify the types of falling blocks in 12 sets of drilling field and laboratory experiments and to identify the causes of wellbore instability. An average accuracy of 93.9 % was achieved. This system can thus enable the timely diagnosis and implementation of preventive and control measures for wellbore instability in the field.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
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series Natural Gas Industry B
spelling doaj-art-44b5945e2a214c2e91f72ce8aabf3a522025-08-20T03:14:01ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Natural Gas Industry B2352-85402025-04-0112218619410.1016/j.ngib.2025.03.003An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellboresQian Wang0Zixuan Yang1Chenxi Ye2Wenbao Zhai3Xiao Feng4CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oil & Gas Drilling and Completion Technology, Beijing, China; Corresponding author. CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, China.CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oil & Gas Drilling and Completion Technology, Beijing, ChinaCNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oil & Gas Drilling and Completion Technology, Beijing, ChinaCNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oil & Gas Drilling and Completion Technology, Beijing, ChinaCNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Limited, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oil & Gas Drilling and Completion Technology, Beijing, ChinaReal-time monitoring of wellbore stability during drilling is crucial for the early detection of instability and timely interventions. The cause and type of wellbore instability can be identified by analyzing the dropped blocks brought to the surface by the drilling fluid, enabling preventive measures to be taken. In this study, an image capture system with fully automated sorting and 3D scanning was developed to obtain the complete 3D point cloud data of dropping blocks. The raw data obtained were preprocessed using methods such as format conversion, down sampling, coordinate transformation, statistical filtering, and clustering. Feature extraction algorithms, including the principal component analysis bounding box method, triangular meshing method, triaxial projection method, local curvature method, and model segmentation projection method, were employed, which resulted in the extraction of 32 feature parameters from the point cloud data. An optimal machine learning algorithm was developed by training it with 10 machine learning algorithms and the block data collected in the field. The XGBoost algorithm was then used to optimize the feature parameters and improve the classification model. An intelligent, fully automated feature parameter extraction and classification system was developed and applied to classify the types of falling blocks in 12 sets of drilling field and laboratory experiments and to identify the causes of wellbore instability. An average accuracy of 93.9 % was achieved. This system can thus enable the timely diagnosis and implementation of preventive and control measures for wellbore instability in the field.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352854025000208Wellbore instabilityDropped block classification3D scanningPoint cloud dataFeature extractionMachine learning
spellingShingle Qian Wang
Zixuan Yang
Chenxi Ye
Wenbao Zhai
Xiao Feng
An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores
Natural Gas Industry B
Wellbore instability
Dropped block classification
3D scanning
Point cloud data
Feature extraction
Machine learning
title An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores
title_full An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores
title_fullStr An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores
title_full_unstemmed An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores
title_short An intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores
title_sort intelligent algorithm for identifying dropped blocks in wellbores
topic Wellbore instability
Dropped block classification
3D scanning
Point cloud data
Feature extraction
Machine learning
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352854025000208
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