Application of sensitivity analysis to the optimization of petroleum drilling operations (Q1086501)

Optimized drilling models which are concerned with determining the minimum drilling costs of petroleum operations are analyzed from the point of view of sensitivity of the optimal solution to changes in model parameters. These models are nonlinear and the parameters are typically derived from field or laboratory data. The sensitivity analysis procedures of geometric programming are used to study the impact of parameter changes such as rock hardness and abrasiveness, rate of drill wear and bearing wear among others. The procedures are illustrated with a numerical example which is used to determine an optimal drilling rig configuration as well as determine the impact on that configuration of changing drilling parameters.