Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Nancy Suzan Davis

James Randolph Lovorn

Cody Neal Butler

Charles Michael Pool

Saad Saeed

Frank Urias

Neal Gregory Skinner

Aaron Ronald Reynolds

Craig William Godfrey

Jon Troy Gosney

Jeremy Alexander Greenwood

William Bradley Standifird

Emad Bakri

Sara Shayegi

Syed Aijaz Rizvi

Xiaomin Hu

Ryan Hourd

Isabel Cristina Poletzky

Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to generate and use drillability exponents. Data acquired from downhole sensors can be used to determine drillability exponents. The drill exponents can be used in number of processes to enhance various features of a drilling operation. 5 Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Apparatus and methods using drillability exponents

Various managed pressure drilling tools, systems, and methods are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining a model-based pressure prediction and sensor-based pressure measurements during borehole drilling operations. The method also includes determining a real-time learning calculation using the model-based pressure prediction and at least some of the sensor-based pressure measurements. The method also includes updating a formation pressure model based at least in part on the real-time learning calculation. The method also includes controlling annular pressure for the borehole drilling operations based on a pressure predicted by the updated formation pressure model.

Borehole pressure management methods and systems with adaptive learning

A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include determining a desired position for a choke, the determining being based on a Cv curve for the choke, and adjusting the choke to the desired position, thereby producing a desired backpressure. A wellbore drilling system can include a choke which variably restricts flow of fluid from the wellbore, and a control system which compares actual and desired wellbore pressures and, in response to a difference between the actual and desired wellbore pressures, adjusts the choke to a predetermined position which corresponds to a desired Cv of the choke. A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include comparing an actual wellbore pressure to a desired wellbore pressure and, in response to a difference between the actual and desired wellbore pressures, adjusting a choke to a predetermined position, the predetermined position corresponding to a desired Cv of the choke.

Pressure control in drilling operations with choke position determined by Cv curve

Killing a well by diverting flow in a drilling fluid circulation system to maintain kill mud pressure in a discharge piping during the well kill operation. It is determined that a target pressure of the kill mud in the discharge piping is not satisfied by a pressure of the kill mud discharged by a pump into the discharge piping. In response, a pressure of the kill mud is adjusted by at least partially opening a pressure control device to release kill mud into a bypass piping.

Diverting flow in a kill mud circulation system to regulate kill mud pressure

A well drilling method can include detecting a drilling event by comparing a parameter signature generated during drilling to an event signature indicative of the drilling event, and automatically controlling a drilling operation in response to at least a partial match resulting from comparing the parameter signature to the event signature. A well drilling system can include a control system which compares a parameter signature for a drilling operation to an event signature indicative of a drilling event, and a controller which controls the drilling operation automatically in response to the drilling event being indicated by at least a partial match between the parameter signature and the event signature.

Well drilling methods with automated response to event detection

A method of controlling pressure in a well can include transmitting an instruction to change flow through an annulus formed radially between a drill string and a wellbore, and adjusting a pressure setpoint in response to the transmitting. A well drilling system can include a flow control device which varies flow through a drill string, and a control system which changes a pressure setpoint in response to an instruction for the flow control device to change the flow through the drill string. A method of controlling pressure in a well can include transmitting an instruction to divert flow from a drill string, and adjusting a pressure setpoint in response to the transmitting.

Preemptive setpoint pressure offset for flow diversion in drilling operations

Well pressure control is integrated in real time with geomechanics determinations made during drilling. A well drilling method includes updating determinations of properties of a formation surrounding a wellbore in real time as the wellbore is being drilled; and controlling wellbore pressure in real time as the wellbore is being drilled, in response to the updated determinations of the formation properties. Another well drilling method includes obtaining sensor measurements in a well drilling system in real time as a wellbore is being drilled; transmitting the sensor measurements to a control system in real time; the control system determining in real time properties of a formation surrounding the wellbore based on the sensor measurements, and the control system transmitting in real time a pressure setpoint to a controller; and the controller controlling operation of at least one flow control device, thereby influencing a well pressure toward the pressure setpoint.

Integrated geomechanics determinations and wellbore pressure control

Diverting flow in a drilling fluid circulation system to regulate drilling fluid pressure. A pump of a drilling fluid pressure regulation system for a well bore can discharge drilling fluid through discharge piping at flow rate. A pressure control device has an inlet connected to the discharge piping and an outlet connected to bypass piping. A processor connected to the pump and the pressure control device can adjust the pressure control device to modify a pressure of the drilling fluid by at least partially opening the pressure control device and releasing drilling fluid into the bypass piping at a selected flow rate. The processor can modify the drilling fluid flow rate in the discharge piping based on the pressure represented by the pressure measurement signals and the selected flow rate in the bypass piping such that the target pressure parameter of the drilling fluid in the discharge piping is satisfied.

Diverting flow in a drilling fluid circulation system to regulate drilling fluid pressure

A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device.

Pressure and flow control in drilling operations

A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include determining a real time wellbore pressure Pwbat a pressure sensor in the wellbore, calculating hydrostatic pressure Phat the pressure sensor, determining a real time annulus pressure Pa, calculating friction pressure Pf due at least to circulation of the fluid through the wellbore and depth in the wellbore, calculating a friction pressure correction factor CFequal to (Pwb&#x2212;Ph&#x2212;Pa)/Pf, and controlling operation of a pressure control device, based on the friction pressure correction factor CF. The method can further include determining a desired wellbore pressure Pwbat the pressure sensor, calculating an annulus pressure setpoint Paequal to Pwb&#x2212;Ph&#x2212;(Pf*CF, and adjusting the pressure control device as needed to maintain Paequal to Pa.

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Irving, TX, United States of America

Nancy Suzan Davis