The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 27, 1976
Filed:
May. 28, 1975
Gerald S Gau, Houston, TX (US);
Mario Zamora, Houston, TX (US);
Halliburton Company, Duncan, OK (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is presented which simulates the circulation system through which a fluid is circulated in an oil well. The apparatus includes manually adjustable control means which simulate the circulation system controls used in the circulation of fluid through the oil well. The controls are interfaced with, and drive a digital programmable calculator which calculates the pressure and volume of fluid at a plurality of points in the oil well. The calculator in turn is interfaced with display means which simulate the circulation system instrumentation during the simulated circulation process. The apparatus additionally includes means for calculating a formation pressure which is randomly higher than the fluid pressure at the depth of the formation. Responsive to this increased formation pressure, the apparatus simulates the invasion of formation fluid into the well bore and simulates the reaction of the circulation system as the formation fluid is circulated to the surface. If the formation fluid is gas, the apparatus simulates the expansion of the gas as it is circulated to the surface. The apparatus further includes means for automatically, randomly changing a characteristic of the circulation system such as when a failure occurs at a point in the circulation system, thus simulating the action of the circulation system during such a failure. A time multiplier means is included to compress the time required to effect circulation of the fluid in the oil well. Audio means are provided to simulate the sound of the fluid pump, gas escaping from the circulation system, and to sound an error alarm in the event a pressure limit of the circulation system has been exceeded, or a blowout condition exists. An apparatus results which is particularly useful in training oil well personnel in the circulation of a fluid in an oil well, control of an oil well during drilling, circulating out a kick of formation fluid while preventing a blowout, and in recognizing a failure of a component of the circulation system during circulation of a drilling fluid.