Opla Energy Ltd.

Hossein Khorshidian

Elvin Mammadov

Vitaliy Shpak

Saied Afshari

Skyler Lowe

Ahmad Alizadeh

A managed pressure drilling (MPD) manifold has one or more valves that are operable by one or more actuators configured to synchronize the opening of one or more passageways in the valves with the closing of one or more of the other passageways in the valves, in order to minimize the likelihood of error and reduce response time. The valves are configured to transition smoothly between positions without fully blocking fluid flow in the manifold while changing the flow direction. The synchronization may be achieved mechanically, electrically, hydraulic, and/or pneumatically. The actuators may be remotely controlled by a control unit having a processor and control logic software, based on data collected by one or more sensors in the MPD manifold. The positions of the valves of the MPD manifold may be automatically adjusted by the control unit via the actuators.

Managed pressure drilling manifold and methods

A rheology device comprises an elongated body having a flow path defined therein, first and second pressure lines in communication with the first and second ends of the flow path, respectively, and a differential pressure sensor for measuring a difference in pressure between the first and second pressure lines. In embodiments, the pressure lines are filled with a spacer fluid different from the fluid in the flow path. Based on at least three measurements of difference in pressure and corresponding flow rates, a yield point, a consistency factor, and a power factor can be calculated, and a rheology model of the fluid can be generated. Related methods are described which allow fluid rheology models to be determined and updated frequently. The device and methods herein may be useful in oil and gas operations, for example for rheology and hydraulic modeling in drilling operations.

Rheology device and method

A controller and related system and method for controlling a choke for choking fluid flow are configured to take into account non-linear behaviors of the choke, to allow more accurate and effective control of the choke. To obtain a desired pressure drop across a choke valve, the controller is configured to monitor the position of a choke actuator coupled to the choke valve and the pressure at the inlet of the choke valve. The controller calculates an adaptive proportional gain coefficient, and optionally adaptive integral and derivative coefficients, based on the choke actuator position, to help mitigate the effects of non-linear behaviors of the choke and, where necessary, based on the inlet pressure, the controller calculates an augmentation correction to address any instability in the choke. The controller then commands the choke actuator accordingly to adjust the flow area through the choke valve.

Choke controller, system, and method using adaptive proportional gain to control choke based on pressure setpoint

A pressure management device (PMD) for direct connection to a blowout preventor stack of a managed pressure drilling system, the PMD comprising a housing, one or more chokes, and a directional valve. The directional valve has a choke position and a bypass position. When the directional valve is in the choke position, the PMD operates to divert fluid entering the housing to one or more of the chokes. When the directional valve is in the bypass position, the PMD operates to divert fluid entering the housing to bypass the chokes. The inlet and outlet of each choke may be controlled by a dual shutoff valve, to selectively permit and restrict fluid flow through each choke.

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Calgary, Canada

Hossein Khorshidian