National Oilwell Varco, L.p.

Mark Penn

Reza Banirazi-Motlagh

Michael Porche

Joseph Kyle Smith

Anthony Pink

Disclosed are control apparatus and methods for direct control in automated drilling. The control apparatus can include a display, a control unit, and an input device for receiving a plurality of measurements comprising one or more of present depth, present bit position, inclination, azimuth, top drive position, magnetic toolface, gravity toolface, a target control parameter. The control apparatus is configured to generate a drill string position indicator relating to a present depth and a present bit position. The control unit is configured to generate a vertical bar graph inclination indicator and a horizontal bar graph display azimuth indicator. The control unit is configured to generate a top drive position index. The control unit is configured to generate a toolface rosebud and a control parameter display. The control unit is configured to iteratively update the display in substantially real time.

Drilling direct control user interface

Embodiments of systems and methods to control directional drilling in borehole drilling for hydrocarbon wells are disclosed. An actual toolface orientation measurement value and an actual downhole torque on bit (DTOB) or actual downhole weight on bit (DWOB) measurement value for a drill string positioned in a borehole are determined. Responsive to a comparison of target measurement values and actual measurement values, error values are determined. A control command for one or more of a top drive, a drawworks, and a mud pump responsive to the DTOB or DWOB error value and the toolface orientation error value is determined. Additionally, one or more of the top drive, the drawworks, and the mud pump are operated responsive to the control command thereby to correct a toolface orientation of the drill string.

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Katy, TX, United States of America

Mark Penn