National Oilwell Varco, L.p.

Varco I/p, Inc.

National Oilwell Dht, L.p.

Martin-decker Totco, Inc.

William Leo Koederitz

George Edward Smith

Guy LaMont McClung, Iii

Kenneth W Seyffert

Eric Landon Scott

Lyndon Ray Stone

Mallappa Ishwarappa Guggari

Kevin Thomas McDonough

Michael Porche

Norman Frank Padalino

Mallapa Ishwarappa Guggari

Michael Nathan Porche

Clive Lam

Manfred Worms

Guy Lamonte McClung, Iii

Leon Ellison

Reinhold Kammann

Rheinhold Kammann

Khaled El Dorry

Norman Padolino

Mark W Hutchinson

Kenneth Wayne Seyffert

Terry Lynn Tarvin

Aaron C Cooke

Graham R Watson

Brad Applewhite

Christopher J Jeffery

C Randall Thomas

Iii Mcclung Guy Lamonte

Randall C Thomas

Aaron Christian Cooke

Guy Lamonte Iii Mcclung

Graham Richard Watson

Leon Doyle Ellison

Manfred Hermann Worms

Clive Chemo Lam

Guy Lamonte Mcclung Iii

Guggari Mallappa Ishwarappa Ishwarappa

Norman Padalino

Kevin Mcdonough

Systems, methods, computer-readable media having computer programs, and electronic interfaces to detect and mitigate drill cuttings build-up in borehole drilling for hydrocarbon wells are provided. Embodiments include determining annular pressure at downhole sensors when pumping a drilling fluid into the borehole. Then one or more measures of a decrease in pressure in the borehole between a first sensor and a second sensor that is attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the first sensor and the second sensor can be determined. Portions of effective density of the drilling fluid that are attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the sensors also can be determined. Drill cuttings and fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor can be analyzed. Whether drill cuttings limit fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor then can be determined.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media to monitor and control well site drill cuttings transport

A method of monitoring a well for unwanted formation fluid influx is disclosed. Measurements of well outflow are acquired during a period in which drilling operations are performed for the well. Occurrences of stagnant flow events during the period are determined. An outflow signature is generated from the well outflow measurements for each stagnant flow event. The outflow signatures are displayed sequentially in time of occurrence. Each outflow signature is analyzed for an anomaly.

Method and system for monitoring a well for unwanted formation fluid influx

Apparatus and method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting at least one control variable. A drilling performance objective having a value that is influenced by drilling of the borehole using the at least one control variable is defined. A first interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a first value. A second interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a second value. A third interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a third value. The third value is selected based on a comparison of the values of the drilling performance objective while drilling the first interval and second interval to a predetermined optimal value of the drilling performance objective.

Apparatus and method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation

Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72().

Automatic vibratory separator

A method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation includes drilling the borehole using a set of drilling control variables assigned a set of values. An automated drilling index of the drilling is monitored. The automated drilling index of the drilling is a combination of a first index that depends on a rate of penetration of the drilling and a second index that depends on a mechanical specific energy of the drilling. The values assigned to the set of drilling control variables are selectively adjusted at least once during the drilling based on the monitoring of the automated drilling index.

Method and apparatus for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation

Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

The present disclosure is generally directed to centrifuge systems and methods for controlling centrifuge systems, wherein the systems in certain aspects are adapted for processing material, e.g., but not limited to drilling fluids with solids therein. One illustrative method includes providing a centrifuge system that is made up of, among other things, a bowl, a bowl motor system, a bowl variable frequency drive, a conveyor, a conveyor motor, a conveyor variable frequency drive, a pump, a pump motor, and a pump variable frequency drive. Additionally, the centrifuge system includes a control system that is adapted to control the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive. The method includes controlling the centrifuge system in the G-force differential control mode by controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed a pre-set maximum G-force.

Controlled centrifuge systems

An item (e.g. a drill bit) handling method, the item for use in a well operation, the method including producing information about an item used for a specific well task, the information including design information and intended use information, producing an item identification specific to the item, associating the information with the item identification producing thereby an information package, installing the information package in at least one wave-energizable apparatus, and applying the at least one wave-energizable apparatus to the item.

Systems and methods for monitored drilling

A vibratory separator (in one aspect, a shale shaker) and methods for using it, the separator in certain aspects having a base, a basket movably mounted on the base, screen apparatus on the basket, material flowing onto the screen apparatus for treatment, at least a portion of the screen apparatus not inclined downhill (e.g. said portion horizontal or uphill), electromagnetic vibratory apparatus connected to the basket for vibrating the basket and the screen apparatus, driving apparatus for driving the electromagnetic vibratory apparatus, and control apparatus (on-site and/or remote) for controlling the driving apparatus and the electromagnetic vibratory apparatus; the material, in one aspect, being drilling fluid material with solids therein.

Automatic separator or shaker with electromagnetic vibrator apparatus

Methods and systems for controlling movement of a bit of a drilling assembly during reaming of an already-drilled hole; the methods, in certain aspects, including determining a ream speed for downward movement of the bit in the hole, moving the bit downward in a hole at the ream speed, determining a time period for deceleration of the bit to the hole bottom, determining a value for a target drilling parameter for drilling beyond the bottom of the hole, decelerating the bit (linearly or non-linearly) for the time period, and achieving the value for the target drilling parameter when the bit reaches the bottom of the hole.

Autoreaming systems and methods

A method for a wellbore operation with a wellbore system, the method, in at least certain aspects, including acquiring with sensor systems data corresponding to a plurality of parameters, the data indicative of values for each parameter, each parameter associated with part of the wellbore system, and, based on said data, calculating a value for each of a plurality of mechanical specific energies each related to a mechanical specific energy for a part of the wellbore system; and, in some aspects, monitoring in real time the value of each of the mechanical specific energies; and, in certain aspects, using such determined values to alter, change, improve, or optimize operations.

Wellbore operations monitoring and control systems and methods

A controller provides an automatic bit protection sequence for an autodriller that can be initiated during the initial stage of set down of the bit within the formation. The automatic protection sequence establishes a setpoint for a parameter of interest (such as weight on bit, ROP, torque) associated with operation of the drilling system and then initiates a gradual increase in that parameter in order to achieve the setpoint. The bit protection sequence may be adjustable so that varying degrees of gradualness may be selected. The controller of the autodriller may also be provided with measured data for torque, rate of penetration (ROP) and/or the differential pressure of the mud motor of the drilling system. Each of these parameters is provided with a predetermined setpoint, and each may be selected as the controlling parameter for operation of the autodriller.

Autodriller bit protection system and method

A hybrid choke control system wherein the traditional choke experience is manifest in auditory and visual feedback mechanisms which are emulated by a digital control system enabling direct control of either position or back pressure associated with an adjustable choke device. The present invention enhances safety and efficiency when used in association with oil field drilling operations and in particular when applied to a device which provides the user with enhanced control capabilities for direction controlling the back pressure and position associated with drilling chokes during down hole operations.

Method and apparatus for directly controlling pressure and position associated with an adjustable choke apparatus

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for remotely analyzing and affirmatively notifying appropriate personnel of problems and events associated with an oil recovery system&#x2014;comprising hundreds of oil rigs over a vast geographic area. The results of selected Health Checks, which are run on each oilrig, are reported to a central server. The central server populates a data base for the oil recovery system, displays a red/yellow/green color coded electronic notification and status for an entire oil recovery system and affirmatively alerts appropriate personnel of actions required to address events associated with an oilrig in an oil recovery system. The diagnostics run at each oilrig are configurable at the individual rig. The present invention provides a dynamic oilrig status reporting protocol that enables population and display of a tree node structure representing an entire oil recovery system status on a single screen at a top level. Detailed information is available by drilling down in to other screens, enabling rapid visual evaluation of a system Health Check.

Method and apparatus for dynamic checking and reporting system health

Methods and systems are provided for varying fluid pressure in a circulation system while circulating a kick out of a well bore drilled through a subterranean formation using a drilling rig and a drill string . The kick may be automatically circulated out of the well bore and/or a kill fluid may be circulated into the well bore. A controller reduces the circulation rate by automatically controlling the rate of the pump and the position of well bore choke . Various sensors interconnected with the controller may be used to maintain circulation system operation. The controller may control various components utilized in the circulation procedure to maintain a substantially constant bottom hole pressure on the formation while circulating the kick out of the well.

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Cedar Park, TX, United States of America

William Leo Koederitz