As the OptiDrill project approaches its conclusion, we are excited to launch the project ending ‘Beneath the Surface’ blog series, where consortium partners share their perspectives, challenges, learnings, and insights based on their roles in the project.

In the second article of the series, we feature the British Geological Survey (BGS) with reflections from Andy Kingdon, the Head of AI at BGS. Andy shared his insights on the project, highlighting the contributions and challenges faced during this significant initiative aimed at improving geothermal drilling processes.

Enhanced Prediction of Drilling Behaviour

British Geological Survey (BGS) has long been recognised for making geological data available to support scientific research and expertise in petrophysical analysis, which significantly supported the OptiDrill Project. It had two main roles in the OptiDrill project: identifying and providing legacy data to underpin lithological and drilling data analysis and analytical work to using ML and statistics to analyse these data. 

At the outset, BGS provided access to critical data that was then restricted. However, through the lifespan of the project legislation has evolved, and data became publicly released. Therefore, BGS adapted its role to assist other partners by delivering specialist data navigation services.

Despite these efforts, a persistent challenge remained—the lack of comprehensive standardised drilling data which hampered the full potential of predictive techniques. Andy emphasised that although BGS analytical skills have faced limitations in statistical testing, a standardised implementation of drilling reports could enhance the available data resource.

Navigating Progress and Challenges

Reflecting on the project’s journey, Andy noted that the BGS team made promising advances in developing innovative techniques to analyse prior drilling events. However, these developments have not yet reached the point of real-time application in new drilling operations. Several external factors hindered progress, such as data access issues and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These elements created obstacles that were beyond the project’s control and led to slower advancements.

Effective Methodologies

Within the project, the implementation of isolation forest processing techniques for anomaly detection emerged as a key success. These methods were both efficient and straightforward to deploy, allowing the BGS team to effectively analyse drilling data. Although other more complex techniques were tested, they did not yield the expected results, highlighting the value of simplicity in problem-solving.

Standout Outcomes and Learning Experiences

The OptiDrill project allowed the BGS to explore various facets of drilling data, particularly through machine learning-based lithology predictions and comprehensive analysis of drilling records. One notable takeaway was the discovery that drilling downtime often stems from non-engineering issues, like logistical challenges, rather than problems directly related to the drilling process itself.

A significant milestone for the BGS was establishing a robust processing procedure that could utilise real legacy data. This achievement sets a solid foundation for future testing and optimisation in the field.

Addressing Implementation Challenges

One of the main hindrances faced during the project was the lack of access to drilling sites that had legacy data from multiple, closely spaced boreholes available for comparison. This was prevented by the lack of such consistent data. The team organised structured meetings to review data and pilot new techniques, fostering collaboration and promoting innovative solutions to challenges encountered.

In hindsight, Andy identified the potential benefits of involving data management organisations earlier in the process. Such partnerships could help streamline data navigation and ensure relevant datasets are easily accessible, saving time and effort in the long run.

The Influence of Collaboration and Future Impacts

Collaboration with other project partners was essential, albeit a bit fragmented. The dispersed workflow meant that while the tools developed in OptiDrill provided useful insights, they were not always integrated into a comprehensive solution. Looking ahead, if the drilling anomaly detection module can be reliably tested and implemented in real-time, it could become a crucial asset for the geothermal drilling industry.

Key Lessons Learned

Among the main lessons from the OptiDrill project, Andy underscored the challenges of linking data processing with real-time instrumentation. The COVID-19 pandemic made it particularly hard to align these two crucial aspects, impacting the overall progress.

Broader Applications

Insights gained from the OptiDrill project extend beyond the geothermal sector. The challenges faced in geothermal drilling efficiency mirror those in other areas, such as carbon capture and storage and the selection processes for geological disposal facilities for radioactive waste. The findings highlight the necessity for improved data consistency across various drilling fields to facilitate automated integration studies.

Interviewee Profile: Andy Kingdon

Andy Kingdon is the Head of Artificial Intelligence at the British Geological Survey, leading the development and integration of digital technologies to address geoscience challenges and enhance understanding of landforms and subsurface properties. His background is as a geologist with a strong grounding in data who wants to maximise the value we extract from pre-existing legacy data. With a strong background in geophysics, Andrew has successfully expanded BGS’s capabilities in modelling and has managed significant projects, including the development of national data archives and the UK Geoenergy Observatories’ scientific strategy. Andrew holds an MSc in Exploration Geophysics from the University of Leeds and a BSc in Geology from Royal Holloway, University of London.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is a part of United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is its principal supplier of national capability in geoscience. It advances understanding of the structure, properties and processes of the solid Earth system through interdisciplinary surveys, monitoring and research for the benefit of society. It is the UK’s premier provider of objective and authoritative geoscientific data, information and knowledge for wealth creation, sustainable use of natural resources, reducing risk and living with the impacts of environmental change. BGS is a world-leading geoscience centre for survey and monitoring, modelling and research and data and knowledge.

OptiDrill project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Action under grant agreement No. 101006964