National Oilwell Varco, L.p.

Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Ryan J Hanford

Francisco Ocegueda-Hernandez

Christopher P Mullin

Michael L Doster

Matthew Ray Isbell

Eric E McClain

David Gavia

Jason E Hoines

Lane E Snell

Cole Wong

Benjamin Facker

A drilling system includes a drill string, a plurality of sensors, and a computing system. The drill string includes a downhole motor. The sensors are coupled to the drill string. The computing system is coupled to the sensors. The computing system is configured to compute, based on measurements provided by the sensors, a motor stall index, and to determine, by comparing the motor stall index to a motor stall threshold, whether the downhole motor has stalled. The computing system is also configured to, responsive to a determination that the downhole motor has stalled, adjust operation of the drill string to restart the downhole motor.

Downhole motor stall detection

Tagging bottom utilizing an automated control system and downhole tools may include determining, by a computer processor, that a drill bit has reached a predetermined distance from a bottom of a wellbore, in response to determining that the bit has reached the predetermined depth, transmitting a rate of penetration set point to reduce a lowering speed of the drill bit, directing the drill bit based on the rate of penetration, determining, by the computer processor, that the rate of penetration is stable, in response to the determining that the rate of penetration has stabilized, automatically taring a surface weight on the drill bit and a differential pressure, and in response to determining that the bit is within a predetermined off bottom range, monitoring for a true bottom based on one or more parameter triggers.

Process automation optimizes the process of placing a drill bit on the bottom of the wellbore

A method for optimizing performance of a drilling process by an automated control system for drilling, comprising obtaining a measure of performance for each drilling activity of a set of drilling activities for the drilling process; calculating an activity performance index for each drilling activity by obtaining reference data for each drilling activity, comparing the measures of performance for each drilling activity to the reference data for the particular drilling activity, calculating the activity performance index for each drilling activity based on the comparison; generating a drilling process performance index based on the activity performance indexes; comparing, for each of the drilling activities, a configuration of one or more drilling parameters to a reference configuration of drilling parameters associated with the reference data for the particular drilling activity; and adjusting the configuration of one or more drilling parameters associated with one or more drilling activities based on the comparison.

Method for optimizing performance of an automated control system for drilling

A drill bit for use in drilling a borehole is described that includes a body including a side, face section and a passage in the body. The drill bit further includes a rubbing member disposed in the face section and configured to control a depth of cut for the drill bit, wherein the rubbing member comprises a thermally responsive material in thermal communication with the passage configured to control a position of the rubbing member with respect to the face section.

Apparatus for controlling drill bit depth of cut using thermally expandable materials

A rotary drag bit includes a primary cutter row comprising at least one primary cutter and a multiple backup cutter group. The multiple backup cutter group comprises a first and second trailing cutter row, each comprising at least one cutter positioned to follow the at least one primary cutter. The rotary drag bit life is extended by the multiple backup cutter groups making the bit more durable and extending the life of the cutters. Further, the cutters of the multiple backup cutter group are configured to selectively engage a subterranean formation material being drilled, providing improved bit life and reduced stress upon the cutters. Other embodiments of rotary drag bits are provided.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Ryan J Hanford