Patent ID: 7032689

Claim:
An apparatus for predicting the performance of a drilling system comprising: first input device for receiving data representative of a geology characteristic of a formation per unit depth, the geology characteristic including at least rock strength; second input device for receiving data representative of specifications of proposed drilling equipment of the drilling system for use in drilling a well bore in the formation, the specifications including at least a specification of a drill bit; processor operatively connected to said first and second input devices for determining a predicted drilling mechanics in response to the specifications data of the proposed drilling equipment as a function of the geology characteristic data per unit depth according to a drilling mechanics model and outputting data representative of the predicted drilling mechanics, the predicted drilling mechanics including at least one selected from the group consisting of bit wear, mechanical efficiency, power, and operating parameters, said processor further for outputting control parameter data responsive to the predicted drilling mechanics data, the control parameter data being adaptable for use in a recommended controlling of a control parameter in drilling of the well bore with the drilling system, the control parameter including at least one selected from the group consisting of weight-on-bit, rpm, pump flow rate, and hydraulics; and third input device for receiving data representative of a real, time measurement parameter during the drilling of the well bore, the measurement parameter including at least one selected from the group consisting of weight-on-bit, rpm, pump flow rate, and hydraulics, wherein said processor is further operatively connected to said third input device and configured for history matching the measurement parameter data with a back calculated value of the measurement parameter data, wherein the back calculated value of the measurement parameter data is a function of the drilling mechanics model and at least one control parameter, and wherein responsive to a prescribed deviation between the measurement parameter data and the back calculated value of the measurement parameter data, said processor is configured to perform at least one selected from the group consisting of a) adjust the drilling mechanics model, and b) modify control parameter data of a control parameter.