Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a drilling operation based on an MSE value calculated for a depth increment are disclosed herein. In an exemplary method, drilling parameters characterizing a drilling operation in a subterranean formation are received in a control system. The drilling parameters are used by the control system to calculate a depth-based mechanical specific energy (MSE) based on some amount of energy expended by at least a portion of a drilling assembly while drilling at least one identified depth sub-interval of a depth interval of a subterranean formation. The control system uses the calculated depth-based MSE to control the drilling operation.

Abstract: Methods for drilling a wellbore within a subsurface region and drilling assemblies and systems that include and/or utilize the methods are disclosed herein. The methods include receiving a plurality of drilling performance indicator maps, normalizing the plurality of drilling performance indicator maps to generate a plurality of normalized maps, adaptive trending of the plurality of drilling performance indicator maps to generate a plurality of trended maps, summing the plurality of trended maps to generate an objective map, selecting a desired operating regime from the objective map, and adjusting at least one drilling operational parameter of a drilling rig based, at least in part, on the desired operating regime.

Abstract: Methods for drilling a wellbore within a subsurface region and drilling assemblies and systems that include and/or utilize the methods are disclosed herein. The methods include receiving a plurality of drilling performance indicator maps, normalizing the plurality of drilling performance indicator maps to generate a plurality of normalized maps, adaptive trending of the plurality of drilling performance indicator maps to generate a plurality of trended maps, summing the plurality of trended maps to generate an objective map, selecting a desired operating regime from the objective map, and adjusting at least one drilling operational parameter of a drilling rig based, at least in part, on the desired operating regime.

Abstract: Integrated methods and systems for optimizing drilling related operations include recording data, parsing the data into intervals and analyzing the intervals to determine if the performance data in each time interval is of sufficient quality for using the interval data in a performance optimization process. The quality assessment may involve evaluating the data against a set of determined standards or ranges. The performance optimization process may utilize data mapping and/or modeling to make performance optimization process recommendations.

Abstract: Combined methods and systems for optimizing drilling related operations include global search engines and local search engines to find the optimal value for at least one controllable drilling parameter, and a data fusion module to combine or select the operational recommendations from global and local search engines. The operational recommendations are used to optimize the objective function, mitigate dysfunctions, and improve drilling efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a drilling operation based on an MSE value calculated for a depth increment are disclosed herein. In an exemplary method, drilling parameters characterizing a drilling operation in a subterranean formation are received in a control system. The drilling parameters are used by the control system to calculate a depth-based mechanical specific energy (MSE) based on some amount of energy expended by at least a portion of a drilling assembly while drilling at least one identified depth sub-interval of a depth interval of a subterranean formation. The control system uses the calculated depth-based MSE to control the drilling operation.

Abstract: Integrated methods and systems for optimizing drilling related operations include recording data, parsing the data into intervals and analyzing the intervals to determine if the performance data in each time interval is of sufficient quality for using the interval data in a performance optimization process. The quality assessment may involve evaluating the data against a set of determined standards or ranges. The performance optimization process may utilize data mapping and/or modeling to make performance optimization process recommendations.

Abstract: Combined methods and systems for optimizing drilling related operations include global search engines and local search engines to find the optimal value for at least one controllable drilling parameter, and a data fusion module to combine or select the operational recommendations from global and local search engines. The operational recommendations are used to optimize the objective function, mitigate dysfunctions, and improve drilling efficiency.