Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Exxonmobil Technology and Engineering Company

Jason Z Gahr

Randy C Tolman

Pavlin B Entchev

Renzo Moises Angeles Boza

George R King

Robert C Stanton

Peter W Sauermilch

Elton Winemiller

William C Morris, Jr

Catalin D Ivan

Patrick E Goschy

Techniques described herein relate to a method for identifying downhole conditions during a drilling operation using a vibratory separator. The method includes calibrating a sensor system attached to the vibratory separator by periodically measuring the G-force acting on the vibratory separator functioning under steady-state operating parameters. The method also includes determining the relationship between the G-force acting on the vibratory separator and the flow rate and rate of penetration (ROP) for the drilling operation by measuring the G-force acting on the vibratory separator functioning under different non-steady-state operating parameters. The method further includes determining an expected total basket weight for each G-force measurement using the G-force/flow rate/ROP relationship, monitoring a current total basket weight of the vibratory separator functioning under current operating parameters, and identifying a downhole condition if the current total basket weight is greater or less than the expected total basket weight for the current operating parameters.

Identifying downhole conditions during a drilling operation using a vibratory separator

A tool assembly for performing a wellbore operation including an actuatable tool, a location device, and on-board controller are together dimensioned and arranged to be deployed in the wellbore as an autonomous unit. The actuatable tool, such as a perforating gun having associated charges, perforates a wellbore along a selected zone of interest. The location device, such as casing collar locator, senses the location of the actuatable tool based on a physical signature provided along the wellbore. The on-board controller or micro-processor is configured to send an activation signal to the actuatable tool when the location device has recognized a selected location of the tool based on the physical signature. The tool assembly further includes a multi-gate safety system. The safety system prevents premature activation of the actuatable tool.

Safety system for autonomous downhole tool

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Columbus, TX, United States of America

Jason Z Gahr