Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An iterative drilling simulation method for enhanced economic decision making comprising: obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled;  specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and  iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model. 2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the well bore. claim 1 3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a minimum cost amount for drilling the well bore, and wherein the minimum cost amount is a function of both a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the well bore and a cost per day for a respective drilling rig system. claim 1 4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the well bore comprises sections of well bore, and wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill a respective section of well bore. claim 1 5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the well bore comprises sections of well bore, and each section is characterized by a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill a respective section of well bore, and wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a cumulative minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the respective sections of well bore. claim 1 6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, shale plasticity, log data, and porosity. claim 1 7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, and shale plasticity, wherein a respective characteristic is derived from log data and a respective lithology model, rock strength model, and shale plasticity model, further wherein the log data includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of well logs, mud logs, core data, and bit records. claim 1 8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of rig inputs, drill string and bottom hole assembly, drill bit inputs, and hydraulic properties. claim 1 9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rig inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of operating constraints, rig costs, maximum weight on bit, top drive torque, table drive torque, top drive minimum RPM (revolutions per minute), table drive minimum RPM, top drive maximum RPM, table drive maximum RPM, maximum GPM (gallons per minute) for pumps, and standpipe maximum PSI (pounds per square inch). claim 8 10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the drill string and bottom hole assembly (BHA) characteristics include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of motor RPM (revolutions per minute), turbine RPM, motor torque, turbine torque, rotary steerable system, PSI (pounds per square inch) loss through BHA, PSI string loss, string torque, string drag, and drill string economics. claim 8 11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the drill bit inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of bit type, bit diameter, bit cutting structure 3D (three dimensional) model, bit work rating, bit wear rating, bit junk slot area, bit TFA (total flow area), and bit pressure drop. claim 8 12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hydraulic properties include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of oil, synthetic, water, weight PPG (pounds per gallon), yield point, plastic viscosity, annular velocity, water loss, lost circulation, ECD (equivalent circulating densities), depth in, depth out, maximum ROP (rate of penetration), and fluid costs. claim 8 13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of a bit specification, down hole motor, top drive system, rotary table, mud system, mud pump, hydraulics, and operating parameters. claim 1 14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the operating parameters include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of weight-on-bit, rotary RPM (revolutions per minute), cost per day, rate of penetration, torque, and pump flow rate. claim 13 15. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: claim 1 generating a simulated well bore drilling performance output for a given iteration of simulated drilling of the well bore, the simulated well bore drilling performance output suitable for facilitating an enhanced economic decision making with respect to an actual drilling with a respective drilling rig system in a field containing formations analogous to the rock column. 16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the simulated well bore drilling performance output includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of (a) identification of drilling rig system characteristics, the characteristics including at least a drilling rig system economic factor, (b) a representation of at least one section of well bore in the rock column, (c) a minimum duration of time needed on bottom to drill a respective at least one section of well bore, (d) a cumulative duration of time needed to drill all sections of well bore, and (e) a minimum cost amount determined as a function of the cumulative duration of time and the drilling rig system economic factor. claim 15 17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the simulated well bore drilling performance output includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of (a) identification of drilling rig system characteristics, the characteristics including at least a drilling rig system economic factor, (b) a representation of the well bore in the rock column, (c) a minimum duration of time needed on bottom to drill the well bore, and (d) a minimum cost amount determined as a function of the duration of time and the drilling rig system economic factor. claim 15 18. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: claim 1 generating a simulated well bore drilling performance output for at least one iteration of the simulated drilling of the well bore, the simulated well bore drilling performance output facilitating enhanced economic decision making with respect to an actual drilling in a field containing formations analogous to the rock column with a respective drilling rig system corresponding to that of the at least one iteration of the simulated drilling of the well bore. 19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drilling simulation model includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of a mechanical efficiency model, bit wear model, hole cleaning efficiency model, penetration rate model, and drilling economics model. claim 1 20. An iterative drilling simulation method for enhanced economic decision making comprising: obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, and shale plasticity, wherein a respective characteristic is derived from log data and a respective lithology model, rock strength model, and shale plasticity model, further wherein the log data includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of well logs, mud logs, core data, and bit records;  specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system, wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one of the following consisting of rig inputs, drill string and bottom hole assembly inputs, drill bit inputs, and hydraulic properties,  wherein the rig inputs include operating constraints, rig costs, maximum weight on bit, top drive torque, table drive torque, top drive minimum RPM, table drive minimum RPM, top drive maximum RPM, table drive maximum RPM, pumps maximum GPM, and standpipe maximum PSI,  wherein the drill sting and bottom hole assembly (BHA) characteristics include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of motor RPM, turbine RPM, motor torque, turbine torque, rotary steerable system, PSI loss through BHA, PSI string loss, string torque, string drag, and drill string economics,  wherein the drill bit inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of bit type, bit diameter, bit cutting structure 3D model, bit work rating, bit wear rating, bit junk slot area, bit TFA (total flow area), and bit pressure drop, and  wherein the hydraulic properties include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of oil, synthetic, water, weight PPG (pounds per gallon), yield point, plastic viscosity, annular velocity, water loss, lost circulation, ECD (equivalent circulating densities), depth in, depth out, maximum ROP, and fluid costs;  iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model, wherein the drilling simulation model includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of a mechanical efficiency model, bit wear model, hole cleaning efficiency model, penetration rate model, and drilling economics model; and  generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors. 21. A method for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation comprising: obtaining characteristics of a rock column in the formation to be drilled;  specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system;  iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model; and  generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors. 22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the recommendation package includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 21 23. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the drilling rig system characteristics include characteristics of more than one drilling rig system. claim 21 24. A recommendation package for enhancing economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, the recommendation package comprising: at least one economic evaluation factor; and  at least one recommendation of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of the at least one well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors; wherein said at least one economic evaluation factor having been derived by a method that includes:  obtaining characteristics of a rock column in the formation to be drilled;  specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and  iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model. 25. The recommendation package of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 24 26. A method for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, the method comprising: obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;  specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters;  iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, producing an economic evaluation factor for each respective iterative drilling simulation and modifying drilling mechanics parameters until a desired optimization of the iterative drilling simulation is achieved, wherein each iterative drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;  generating a preliminary recommendation in response to the iterative drilling simulation achieving the desired optimization;  repeating, for any additional equipment considerations, the steps of specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating a preliminary recommendation for any additional equipment considerations; and  generating an overall recommendation as a function of the preliminary recommendations of iterative drilling simulations. 27. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the overall recommendation comprises at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 26 28. A method for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, the method comprising: obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;  specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters;  simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, wherein the drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;  generating an economic evaluation factor as a function of the drilling simulation;  iteratively repeating, for any additional equipment considerations, the steps of specifying equipment characteristics, simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating an economic evaluation factor; and  generating a recommendation package of the iterative drilling simulations as a function of economic evaluation factors of select ones of respective iterative drilling simulations. 29. The method of  claim 28 , wherein the recommendation package comprises at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, and any combination thereof. claim 28 30. A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium for enabling iterative drilling simulation for enhanced economic decision making, said computer program processable by a computer system for causing the computer system to: obtain characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled;  obtain characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and  iteratively simulate the drilling of a well bore in the formation and produce an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model. 31. The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a minimum cost amount for drilling the well bore, and wherein the minimum cost amount is a function of both a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the well bore and a cost per day for a respective drilling rig system. claim 30 32. The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the well bore comprises sections of well bore, and wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill a respective section of well bore. claim 30 33. The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the well bore comprises sections of well bore, and each section is characterized by a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill a respective section of well bore, and wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a cumulative minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the respective sections of well bore. claim 30 34. The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, shale plasticity, log data, and porosity. claim 30 35. The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one selected from the group consisting of a bit specification, down hole motor, top drive system, rotary table, mud system, mud pump, hydraulics, and operating parameters. claim 30 36. The computer program of  claim 35 , wherein the operating parameters include at least one selected from the group consisting of weight-on-bit, rotary RPM (revolutions per minute), cost per day, rate of penetration, torque, and pump flow rate. claim 35 37. The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the computer program is further processable by the computer system for causing the computer system to: claim 30 generate a simulated well bore drilling performance output for a given iteration of simulated drilling of the well bore, the simulated well bore drilling performance output suitable for facilitating an enhanced economic decision making with respect to an actual drilling with a respective drilling rig system in a field containing formations analogous to the rock column. 38. The computer program of  claim 37 , wherein the simulated well bore drilling performance output includes at least one selected from the groups consisting of (a) identification of drilling rig system characteristics, the characteristics including at least a drilling rig system economic factor, (b) a representation of the well bore in the rock column, (c) a minimum duration of time needed on bottom to drill the well bore, and (d) a minimum cost amount determined as a function of the duration of time and the drilling rig system economic factor. claim 37 39. The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the computer program is further processable by the computer system for causing the computer system to: claim 30 generate a simulated well bore drilling performance output for at least one iteration of the simulated drilling of the well bore, the simulated well bore drilling performance output facilitating enhanced economic decision making with respect to actual drilling in a field containing formations analogous to the rock column with a respective drilling rig system corresponding to that of the at least one iteration of the simulated well bore drilling performance. 40. An iterative drilling simulation system for enhanced economic decision making comprising: a first input for obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled;  a second input for specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and  a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model. 41. The system of  claim 40 , wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the well bore. claim 40 42. The system of  claim 40 , wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a minimum cost amount for drilling the well bore, and wherein the minimum cost amount is a function of both a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the well bore and a cost per day for a respective drilling rig system. claim 40 43. The system of  claim 40 , wherein the well bore comprises sections of well bore, and each section is characterized by a minimum number of hours on bottom to drill a respective section of well bore, and wherein the economic evaluation factor includes a cumulative minimum number of hours on bottom to drill the respective sections of well bore. claim 40 44. The system of  claim 40 , wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, shale plasticity, log data, and porosity. claim 40 45. The system of  claim 40 , wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of a bit specification, down hole motor, top drive system, rotary table, mud system, mud pump, hydraulics, and operating parameters. claim 40 46. The system of  claim 45 , wherein the operating parameters include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of weight-on-bit, rotary RPM (revolutions per minute), cost per day, rate of penetration, torque, and pump flow rate. claim 45 47. The system of  claim 40 , wherein said simulator is further for generating a simulated well bore drilling performance output for at least one iteration of simulated drilling of the well bore, the simulated well bore drilling performance output suitable for facilitating an enhanced economic decision making with respect to an actual drilling with a respective drilling rig system in a field containing formations analogous to the rock column. claim 40 48. The system of  claim 47 , wherein the simulated well bore drilling performance output includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of (a) identification of drilling rig system characteristics, the characteristics including at least a drilling rig system economic factor, (b) a representation of the well bore in the rock column, (c) a minimum duration of time needed on bottom to drill the well bore, and (d) a minimum cost amount determined as a function of the duration of time and the drilling rig system economic factor. claim 47 49. An iterative drilling simulation system for enhanced economic decision making comprising: first input for obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, wherein the characteristics of the rock column include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of lithology, rock strength, and shale plasticity, wherein a respective characteristic can be derived from log data and a respective lithology model, rock strength model, and shale plasticity model;  second input for specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; wherein the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of rig inputs, drill string and bottom hole assembly inputs, drill bit inputs, and hydraulic properties,  wherein the rig inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of operating constraints, rig costs, maximum weight on bit, top drive torque, table drive torque, top drive minimum RPM, table drive minimum RPM, top drive maximum RPM, table drive maximum RPM, pumps maximum GPM, and standpipe maximum PSI,  wherein the drill sting and bottom hole assembly (BHA) characteristics include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of motor RPM, turbine RPM, motor torque, turbine torque, rotary steerable system, PSI loss through BHA, PSI string loss, string torque, string drag, and drill string economics,  wherein the drill bit inputs include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of bit type, bit diameter, bit cutting structure 3D model, bit work rating, bit wear rating, bit junk slot area, bit TFA (total flow area), and bit pressure drop,  wherein the hydraulic properties include at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of oil, synthetic, water, weight PPG (pounds per gallon), yield point, plastic viscosity, annular velocity, water loss, lost circulation, ECD (equivalent circulating densities), depth in, depth out, maximum ROP, and fluid costs; and  a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model, wherein the drilling simulation model includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of a mechanical efficiency model, bit wear model, hole cleaning efficiency model, penetration rate model, and drilling economics model, said simulator further for generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors. 50. A system for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation comprising: first input for obtaining characteristics of a rock column in the formation to be drilled;  second input for specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and  a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation and producing an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation, wherein each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a drilling simulation model, said simulator further for generating a recommendation package of drilling rig system characteristics for use in an actual drilling of a well bore in the formation as a function of the economic evaluation factors. 51. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the recommendation package includes at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 50 52. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the drilling rig system characteristics include characteristics of more than one drilling rig system. claim 50 53. A system for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said system comprising: first input for obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;  second input for specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters; and  a simulator for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, producing an economic evaluation factor for each respective iterative drilling simulation and modifying drilling mechanics parameters until a desired optimization of the iterative drilling simulation is achieved, wherein each iterative drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model, said simulator further for generating a preliminary recommendation in response to the iterative drilling simulation achieving the desired optimization, wherein said simulator operates to repeat the specifying of equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating a preliminary recommendation for any additional equipment considerations, wherein said simulator further generates an overall recommendation as a function of the preliminary recommendations of iterative drilling simulations. 54. The system of  claim 53 , wherein the overall recommendation package comprises at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 53 55. A system for preparing a recommendation package for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said system comprising: first input for obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;  second input for specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters; and  a simulator for simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, wherein the drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model, said simulator further for generating an economic evaluation factor as a function of the drilling simulation, wherein said simulator operates to iteratively repeat, for any additional equipment considerations, the specifying of equipment characteristics, simulating the drilling of the well bore, and generating the economic evaluation factor, wherein said simulator further generates a recommendation package of the iterative drilling simulations as a function of economic evaluation factors of select ones of respective iterative drilling simulations. 56. The system of  claim 55 , wherein the recommendation package comprises at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 55 57. A simulator for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said simulator comprising: a first processor, responsive to geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled and specified equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, said first processor for producing an economic evaluation factor for each respective iterative drilling simulation and for modifying drilling mechanics parameters until a desired optimization of the iterative drilling simulation is achieved, wherein each iterative drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;  a second processor, responsive to the achievement of the desired optimization by said first processor, for generating a preliminary recommendation, wherein said first and second processors further operate in response to the geology characteristic and any additional specified equipment characteristics of the at least one drilling system for iteratively simulating the drilling of the well bore and generating a preliminary recommendation for any such additional equipment considerations; and  a third processor for generating an overall recommendation as a function of the preliminary recommendations of iterative drilling simulations, wherein the geology characteristics include at least a rock column and the equipment characteristics include the drilling mechanics parameters. 58. The simulator of  claim 57 , wherein the overall recommendation package comprises at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 57 59. A simulator for enhanced economic decision making in connection with drilling at least one well bore in a given formation, said simulator comprising: first input for obtaining geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled, the geology characteristics including at least a rock column;  second input for specifying equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, the equipment characteristics including drilling mechanics parameters;  a first processor, responsive to geology characteristics of the formation to be drilled and specified equipment characteristics of at least one drilling system, for simulating the drilling of the well bore in the formation, wherein the drilling simulation is a function of the geology and drilling system equipment characteristics according to a drilling simulation model;  a second processor for generating an economic evaluation factor as a function of the drilling simulation, wherein said first and second processors operate to iteratively repeat, in response to any additional equipment considerations of specified equipment characteristics, the simulating of the drilling of the well bore and generating of the economic evaluation factor; and  a third processor for generating a recommendation package of the iterative drilling simulations as a function of economic evaluation factors of select ones of respective iterative drilling simulations. 60. The simulator of  claim 59 , wherein the recommendation package comprises at least one of the following selected from the group consisting of hardcopy, CD ROM, computer readable media, electronic file, holographic projection, compressed time animation, and any combination thereof. claim 59