Abstract: A system and method of real-time optimization of drilling performance metrics during a well drilling operation, for oil and gas as well as geothermal wells, or wells drilled for any other purpose. In a preferred form, the system receives information about allowable drilling metrics and real-time information of performance indicators. The drilling performance metrics and performance indicators are used to build a model to predict drilling parameters likely to optimize one or more drilling performance metrics.

Abstract: A system, method and a computing architecture, for well path planning that can be used in directional drilling and provides for optimal path planning in directional drilling operations. One method includes receiving information about the planned drilling path, target-zone location and planned path changes, and real-time drill-bit location measurements. The method estimates the current state of the geometric location of the drill-bit in the earth during directional drilling operations, and the characteristics of the bottom-hole assembly before and after receiving drill bit location measurements. Such a method preferably determines a time optimal path, such as a Dubins path between the current state of the drill-bit location and the user-provided target-zone.