Wellbore Trajectory Design Optimization using Analytical Target Cascading

Abstract

This paper presents an industrial application of the analytical target cascading methodology to wellbore trajectory optimal design. Two objective functions are taken into account: minimizing the wellbore trajectory length and to minimize torque on the drill string during the drilling operation. The problem is formulated and solved with the analytical target cascading method. Results shown that ATC would effectively coordinate the objectives to yield reasonable results relative to the existing evolutionary algorithms.