| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 175025000 | Of fluid pressure below ground | 46 |
| 20080264689 | ANTI-SURGE/REVERSE THRUSTER - An anti-surge/reverse thrusting tool for reducing the forces on a drill bit used in subterranean well drilling operations is provided along with methods for drilling wells using a drill string employing the tool. The tool utilizes the pressure differential between drilling fluid flowing through the tool and the fluid located in the well bore annulus proximate the tool to reduce the likelihood of drill bit stall. The tool generally comprises an outer housing and a piston assembly that is axially shiftable relative to the housing. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080264690 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMABLE PRESSURE DRILLING AND PROGRAMMABLE GRADIENT DRILLING, AND COMPLETION - A method for creating a programmable pressure zone adjacent a drill bit bottom hole assembly by sealing near a drilling assembly, adjusting the pressure to approximately or slightly below the pore pressure of the well bore face to permit flow out of the formation, and, while drilling, adjusting by pumping out of, or choking fluid flow into, the drilling assembly between the programmable pressure zone and the well bore annulus to avoid overpressuring the programmable pressure zone unless required to control the well. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080271923 | Flow hydraulic amplification for a pulsing, fracturing, and drilling (PFD) device - Disclosed is a device and method and/or system for generating pulses to improve drilling rates, the ability to drill straighter and farther or fracturing or injection efficiencies in a geological formation that may contain desirable hydrocarbons. This system may also be used in other types of drilling or fracturing operations, whether to unclog arteries or to open formations for underground storage in conjunction with pulsing/fracturing. Alternately, this system could be used to create large pulses downhole for seismic purposes in that they are of such magnitude that they could be readily received in nearby wells or several of uphole locations. The system and method comprises several pulse generating devices longitudinally and axially positioned within an annular drill collar flow channel or PIM such that the PFD medium flows through the annular drill collar flow channel and the PFD medium is guided into one or more sets of selectively reversible flow, upper and lower flow connecting channels, wherein the connecting channels are connected to an inner flow channel and the annular drill collar flow channel, and wherein the annular drill collar flow channel is acted upon by one or more flow throttling devices. In one of the devices listed, the device utilizes one or more turbines residing near and within proximity of a flow diverter that diverts drilling mud into and away from turbine blades such that the force of the PFD medium causes the turbine blades and the turbine to rotationally spin around a coil assembly for power. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080283294 | Apparatus and Method for Continuous Measurement of a Physical Property of a Drilling Fluid - A testing apparatus comprising: a chamber ( | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080302569 | Dual Gradient Drilling Method And Apparatus With An Adjustable Centrifuge - A method and system for controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations. The mud required at the wellhead is combined with a base fluid of a different density to produce diluted mud in the riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, riser mud density at or near the density of seawater may be achieved, thereby permitting greater control over the pressure in the wellbore and various risers. Blowout preventers may also be used in combination with the process to control these pressures. Concentric risers are disclosed, wherein an annulus defined within one riser is utilized to carry the different density base fluid to the injection point for injection into the drilling mud, while an annulus defined within another riser is utilized to carry the combination fluid and cuttings back to the drilling rig. Cuttings are separated in the usual manner at the surface. The diluted mud is passed through a centrifuge system to separate drilling mud from the different density base fluid. The centrifuge system may also be utilized to separate the recovered drilling fluid into a substantially barite portion and a substantially drilling fluid portion, wherein the two portions are stored locally at the rig and recirculated during drilling operations. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080302570 | Dual Gradient Drilling Method And Apparatus With An Adjustable Centrifuge - A method and system for controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations. The mud required at the wellhead is combined with a base fluid of a different density to produce diluted mud in the riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, riser mud density at or near the density of seawater may be achieved, thereby permitting greater control over the pressure in the wellbore and various risers. Blowout preventers may also be used in combination with the process to control these pressures. Concentric risers are disclosed, wherein an annulus defined within one riser is utilized to carry the different density base fluid to the injection point for injection into the drilling mud, while an annulus defined within another riser is utilized to carry the combination fluid and cuttings back to the drilling rig. Cuttings are separated in the usual manner at the surface. The diluted mud is passed through a centrifuge system to separate drilling mud from the different density base fluid. The centrifuge system may also be utilized to separate the recovered drilling fluid into a substantially barite portion and a substantially drilling fluid portion, wherein the two portions are stored locally at the rig and recirculated during drilling operations. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090095527 | Devices and Methods for Power Control in Horizontal Directional Drilling - The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatuses for controlling pump power draw from an engine in horizontal directional drilling. Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a horizontal directional drilling machine that comprises an engine that outputs mechanical energy, a rotation pump that draws upon the mechanical energy output by the engine to operate a rotation motor that rotates a drill string, a thrust pump that draws upon the mechanical energy output by the engine to operate a thrust motor that longitudinally moves the drill string, a mud pump that draws upon the mechanical energy output by the engine to operate a mud motor that delivers fluid through the drill string, and control circuitry comprising a controller and memory, the processor configured to execute program instructions stored on the memory, processor execution of the stored program instructions causing the control circuitry to calculate a rotation pump power draw from the engine, calculate a thrust pump power draw from the engine, calculate a mud pump power draw from the engine, calculate a total power draw based on the rotation pump power draw, the thrust pump power draw and the mud pump power draw, compare the total power draw to a threshold, and decrease mechanical energy draw of each of the rotation pump, the thrust pump, and the mud pump from the engine based on the total power draw exceeding the threshold. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090101411 | Low profile rotating control device - A system and method is provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090107722 | MORPHIBLE BIT - According to the invention, a bottom hole assembly for drilling a cavity is disclosed. The bottom hole assembly may include a chassis configured to rotate. The chassis may include a primary fluid conduit, a secondary fluid circuit, a pressure transfer device, a plurality of pistons, a plurality of valves, and a plurality of cutters. The primary fluid conduit may be accept a first fluid flow. The secondary fluid circuit may have a second fluid flow. The pressure transfer device may be configured to transfer pressure between the flows. The pistons may be operably coupled with the secondary fluid circuit, and each piston may be configured to move based at least in part on a pressure of the secondary fluid circuit at that piston, with the valves possibly configured to control a pressure of the secondary fluid circuit at each piston. Each cutter may be coupled with one of the pistons. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090107723 | Pulse rate of penetration enhancement device and method - Disclosed is a system and device relating to flow pulsing for use in down-hole drilling rate of penetration (ROP) enhancement and measurement while drilling (MWD) using a pulse drilling device (PDD) with a fast acting valve in conjunction with a pilot valve to produce high pressure, high amplitude, low duration pressure pulses. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090114444 | Method and System for Controlling an Excavating Apparatus - A method for controlling a drilling apparatus comprising the steps of applying a rotation force to a drilling part of the drilling apparatus, applying a feed force to the drilling part with the feed force comprising a predetermined modulating frequency signal and predetermined feed force, wherein optimum predetermined feed force is determined periodically from sensed data relating to at least one of the rotation force and feed force to optimise the penetration rate of the drilling apparatus. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090133930 | PRESSURE COMPENSATION AND ROTARY SEAL SYSTEM FOR MEASUREMENT WHILE DRILLING INSTRUMENTATION - A pressure compensation system for a wellbore instrument coupled to a drill string includes a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to an instrument housing. A lubrication chamber included in the instrument has at least one bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft. The lubrication chamber includes a face seal coupled on one face to the shaft and on another face to the housing. A pressure compensator establishes hydraulic communication between the lubrication chamber and the interior of the drill string. The compensator includes a barrier to fluid movement between the lubrication chamber and the interior of the drill string. The barrier enables pressure communication therebetween. The compensator includes a pressure communication port extending between the barrier and a portion of the shaft exposed to the interior of the drill string. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090145660 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FRACTURING SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS DURING THE DRILLING THEREOF - A method for fracturing a wellbore while drilling a wellbore includes inserting a drill string into a wellbore. A fluid is pumped into at least one of an interior passage in the drill string and an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string. At least one of a pressure and a temperature of the fluid proximate a lower end of the drill string is measured and the measurements are transmitted to the surface substantially contemporaneously with the measuring. At least one of a flow rate and a pressure of the fluid is controlled in response to the measurements to selectively create fractures in formations adjacent to the wellbore. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090166086 | Closed-Loop Control of Rotary Steerable Blades - A steering tool has a controller configured to provide closed-loop control of blade pressure and position. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to execute a directional control methodology in which the drilling direction is controlled via control of the blade position. The pressure in each blade is further controlled within a predetermined range of pressures. This embodiment tends to prevent excessive borehole friction while at the same time reducing undesirable rotation of the blade housing. In another embodiment, the controller is configured to correlate blade pressure measurements and blade position measurements during drilling. The correlation is utilized as part of a secondary directional control scheme in the event of a downhole failure of a blade position and/or pressure sensor. This embodiment tends to provide a stable and reliable backup directional control mechanism in the event a sensor failure and therefore may save considerable rig time. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090173539 | SPRING-OPERATED ANTI-STALL TOOL - An anti-stall tool in an oil well drilling assembly that controls reciprocation of the drill bit by controller that alters weight-on-bit (WOB) depending upon measured downhole pressure or torque. The downhole controller keeps the drill bit rotating by maintaining WOB during normal drilling operations, increasing WOB if sensed working pressure indicates that drill bit loading or torque is undesirably low, and reversing WOB by applying a spring force for retracting the drill bit if excessive working pressure or torque is sensed. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090173540 | ANTI-STALL TOOL FOR DOWNHOLE DRILLING ASSEMBLIES - An anti-stall tool in an oil well drilling assembly that controls reciprocation of the drill bit by a controller that alters weight-on-bit (WOB) depending upon measured downhole pressure or torque at the downhole motor. The controller receives preset high and low working pressure limits for the downhole motor and keeps the drill bit rotating by maintaining WOB during normal drilling operations, increasing WOB if sensed working pressure indicates that drill bit loading or torque is undesirably low, and reversing WOB by retracting the drill bit if excessive working pressure or torque is sensed. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20100133007 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING FORMATION INTEGRITY AND OPTIMUM DRILLING PARAMETERS DURING DRILLING - A method for determining formation integrity during drilling of a wellbore includes determining an annulus fluid pressure in a wellbore during drilling thereof. The annulus pressure is adjusted by a predetermined amount. Flow rate of drilling fluid into the wellbore is compared to drilling fluid flow rate out of the wellbore. At least one of a formation pore pressure and a formation fracture pressure is determined from the annulus pressure when the compared flow rates differ by a selected amount. The method alternatively to determining pore and/or fracture pressure includes determining a response of the wellbore to the adjusted fluid pressure and determining the optimum annulus fluid pressure from the wellbore response. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20110139506 | PRESSURE AND FLOW CONTROL IN DRILLING OPERATIONS - A well drilling system for use with a drilling fluid pump includes a flow control device regulating flow from the pump to a drill string interior; and another flow control device regulating flow through a line in communication with an annulus. Flow is simultaneously permitted through the flow control devices. A method of maintaining a desired bottom hole pressure includes dividing drilling fluid flow between a line in communication with a drill string interior and a line in communication with an annulus; the flow dividing step including permitting flow through a flow control device interconnected between a pump and the drill string interior; and the flow dividing step including permitting flow through another flow control device interconnected between the pump and the annulus, while flow is permitted through the first flow control device. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20120090893 | APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF DRILLING A SUBTERRANEAN BOREHOLE - A control apparatus for use in controlling the fluid pressure in a borehole during drilling of the borehole, the apparatus including an inlet suitable for connection to a pump, a main outlet suitable for connection to a drill pipe, and an overflow outlet suitable for connection to a fluid reservoir, the inlet being connected to the main outlet by a main flow conduit, and the overflow outlet being connected to the main flow conduit by means of an overflow conduit, wherein the overflow conduit is provided with a pressure regulator by means of which the pressure of fluid in the main flow conduit may be maintained at or around a predetermined pressure value. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120186873 | WELL DRILLING METHOD UTILIZING REAL TIME RESPONSE TO AHEAD OF BIT MEASUREMENTS - A well drilling method utilizing real time response to ahead of bit measurements. A well drilling method includes measuring a property of a portion of the earth prior to drilling a wellbore into the earth portion; and varying a drilling parameter in real time while drilling the wellbore, in response to measuring the property. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120247831 | CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WELL OPERATIONS - A method of controlling the annular pressure in a well during a well construction operation. The operation comprises pumping a fluid down a tubing located within the well and extracting the fluid that flows back through an annulus within said well and surrounding the tubing. The method comprises defining a set pressure pref, determining a desired extraction flow rate qc of fluid from said annulus in dependence upon the set pressure pref and a pumped flow rate into the annulus, and configuring an extraction path to achieve said desired extraction flow rate. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120255776 | AUTOMATIC STANDPIPE PRESSURE CONTROL IN DRILLING - A method of controlling standpipe pressure in a drilling operation can include comparing a measured standpipe pressure to a desired standpipe pressure, and automatically adjusting a choke in response to the comparing, thereby reducing a difference between the measured standpipe pressure and the desired standpipe pressure. A standpipe pressure control system for use in a drilling operation can include a controller which outputs an annulus pressure setpoint based on a comparison of a measured standpipe pressure to a desired standpipe pressure, and a choke which is automatically adjusted in response to the annulus pressure setpoint. A well system can include a standpipe line connected to a drill string in a wellbore, a sensor which measures pressure in the standpipe line, and a controller which outputs an annulus pressure setpoint based at least in part on a difference between the measured pressure and a desired standpipe pressure. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120255777 | WELLBORE PRESSURE CONTROL WITH OPTIMIZED PRESSURE DRILLING - A well system can include an accumulator in communication with a wellbore, whereby the accumulator applies pressure to the wellbore. A method of maintaining a desired pressure in a wellbore can include applying pressure to the wellbore from an accumulator in response to pressure in the wellbore being less than the desired pressure. Another well system can include a dampener in communication with a wellbore isolated from atmosphere, whereby the dampener mitigates pressure spikes in the wellbore. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120292108 | MOBILE PRESSURE OPTIMIZATION UNIT FOR DRILLING OPERATIONS - A well drilling method can include transporting a pressure optimization unit to a rig site, the pressure optimization unit including a choke manifold, a control system which automatically controls operation of the choke manifold, and a flowmeter which measures flow of drilling fluid through the choke manifold, and then interconnecting the pressure optimization unit to rig drilling equipment. A pressure optimization unit for use with a well drilling system can include a choke manifold, a control system which automatically controls operation of the choke manifold, and a flowmeter which measures flow of drilling fluid through the choke manifold. The choke manifold, control system and flowmeter may be incorporated into a same conveyance which transports the pressure optimization unit to a rig site. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120292109 | MOBILE PRESSURE OPTIMIZATION UNIT FOR DRILLING OPERATIONS - A well drilling method can include transporting a pressure optimization unit to a rig site, the pressure optimization unit including a choke manifold, a control system which automatically controls operation of the choke manifold, and a flowmeter which measures flow of drilling fluid through the choke manifold, and then interconnecting the pressure optimization unit to rig drilling equipment. A pressure optimization unit for use with a well drilling system can include a choke manifold, a control system which automatically controls operation of the choke manifold, and a flowmeter which measures flow of drilling fluid through the choke manifold. The choke manifold, control system and flowmeter may be incorporated into a same conveyance which transports the pressure optimization unit to a rig site. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20140020953 | ADVANCED INGROUND OPERATIONS, SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS - Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140083767 | System And Method For The Autonomous Drilling Of Ground Holes - A system and method for the drilling of ground holes by a track steer drill rig including a drilling arrangement that permits the speed of drilling holes to be balanced against the stability of the hole thus formed. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140110169 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A SELF-SUSTAINED INFLUX OF FORMATION FLUIDS INTO A WELLBORE - A method of identifying a self-sustained influx of formation fluids into a wellbore includes the steps of closing an annular shut-off device and diverting an annular return flow from the wellbore through a first flow rate measurement device, measuring a flow rate of said annular return flow, measuring an inlet flow rate of fluids entering the well through a second flow rate measurement device in a fluid injection line, and identifying a self-sustained influx of formation fluids if a non-decreasing measured annular return flow rate is greater than said measured inlet flow rate. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140345941 | CONNECTION MAKER - Stable back pressure control devices are used to control fluid pressure in a wellbore to provide constant downhole pressure. Back pressure may be estimated from a correlation between the speed of a mud pump and the pressure exerted from the pump. Drilling plans disclosed herein provide for the continued operation of one or more back pressure control devices for providing constant bottomhole pressure when casing connections are being made. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150041213 | GAS INJECTION WHILE DRILLING - Injection of gas into a managed pressure drilling system to provide for operation of the drilling system in a downhole pressure window defined by the pore pressure of a formation being drilled and a fracture pressure of the formation. Gas injection being controlled so as to produce the desired downhole pressure without causing large oscillations in borehole pressure. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150107898 | METHOD OF DRILLING A SUBTERRANEAN BOREHOLE - A method of drilling a subterranean wellbore using a drill string comprising the steps of: a. injecting a drilling fluid into the well bore via the drill string and removing said drilling fluid from an annular space around the drill string (the annulus) via an annulus return line, b. oscillating the pressure of the fluid in the annulus, c. determining the wellbore storage volume and wellbore storage coefficient for each fluid pressure oscillation, d. using the wellbore storage volume and wellbore storage coefficient to determine the proportion by volume of gas and proportion by volume of liquid in the annulus during that pressure oscillation. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150129306 | Method for Calculating and Displaying Optimized Drilling Operating Parameters and for Characterizing Drilling Performance with Respect to Performance Benchmarks - A method for optimizing drilling includes initializing values of a plurality of drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters. In a computer, an initial relationship between the plurality of drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters is determined. A drilling unit to drill a wellbore through subsurface formations. The drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters are measured during drilling and entered into the computer. A range of values and an optimum value for at least one of the drilling response parameters and at least one of the drilling response parameters is determined in the computer. A display of the at least one of the plurality of drilling operating parameters and the at least one of the drilling response parameters is generated by the computer. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150144400 | PRESSURE CONTAINMENT DEVICE - A pressure containment device for containing pressure in an annulus around a tubular body, the device comprising a housing having an axis and a passage extending generally parallel to the housing axis, and a seal assembly comprising a seal located in the housing to surround and enter into sealing engagement with a tubular body extending along the passage, wherein the housing is provided with a returns outlet port, an injection port, and an overflow outlet port, all of which extend through the housing from the exterior of the housing into the passage, the injection port being located between the returns outlet port and a first end of the seal, and the overflow outlet port being located adjacent a second, opposite end of the seal, and thus being separated from the injection port by the seal. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150292280 | Mitigating Swab and Surge Piston Effects Across a Drilling Motor - A method of mitigating undesired pressure variations can include flowing fluid between wellbore sections, thereby mitigating a pressure differential due to drill string movement, and the fluid flowing between the wellbore sections via a bypass passage extending through a drilling motor. A drill string can include a drilling motor, a bypass passage in the drilling motor, a sensor, and a flow control device configured to selectively increase and decrease fluid communication between opposite ends of the drilling motor via the bypass passage, in response to an output of the sensor indicative of drill string movement. A method of mitigating undesired pressure variations in a wellbore due to drill string movement can include selectively preventing and permitting fluid communication between wellbore sections on opposite sides of a drilling motor, the fluid communication being permitted in response to detecting a threshold drill string movement. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150345240 | Drilling Apparatus Including a Fluid Bypass Device and Methods of Using Same - A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore is disclosed. The wellbore is drilled with a drill string that includes a bypass device having a fluid passage therethrough by supplying a fluid through the bypass device at a first flow rate, wherein the fluid circulates to a surface location via an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore. The flow rate of the fluid is altered to a second flow rate. A time period is defined and a mechanical motion of the bypass device is initiated. A parameter related to the mechanical motion of the bypass device and a parameter related to flow rate are detected. The bypass device is activated to divert a portion of the fluid to the annulus when the parameter related to mechanical motion is detected and the parameter related to flow rate is present during the defined time period. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20160002991 | Interval Density Pressure Management Methods - A method for estimating equivalent top of fluid level or a theoretical surface annular back pressure in a subterranean wellbore includes acquiring first and second axially spaced pressure measurements in the wellbore. The pressure measurements may then be processed to compute the equivalent top of fluid level and/or theoretical surface annular back pressure of drilling fluid between the measurement locations. A tool string including a large number of axially spaced pressure sensors (e.g., four or more or even six or more) electronically coupled with a surface processor via wired drill pipe may be used to obtain a plurality of values corresponding to various wellbore intervals. The equivalent top of fluid level and/or theoretical surface annular back pressures may be used in automated managed pressure drilling operations. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160024906 | DRILLING OPERATIONS THAT USE COMPOSITIONAL PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS DERIVED FROM MEASURED PHYSICAL PROPERTIES - The physical properties of a fluid may be used in deriving the compositional properties of the fluid, which may, in turn, be used to influence an operational parameters of a drilling operation. For example, a method may include drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a drilling fluid as part of a drilling operation; circulating or otherwise containing the drilling fluid in a flow path that comprises the wellbore; measuring at least one physical property of the drilling fluid at a first location and a second location along the flow path; deriving a compositional property of the drilling fluid at the first location and the second location based on the at least one physical property that was measured; comparing the compositional property of the drilling fluid at the first location and the second location; and changing an operational parameter of the drilling operation based on the comparison. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160090800 | RESUMING INTERRUPTED COMMUNICATION THROUGH A WELLBORE - Resuming communication along a wellbore after a drilling stand or other occurrence that reduces the flow rate of the drilling fluid into a borehole being drilled in a drilling procedure or causes perturbations in the pressure of the drilling fluid in the borehole by measuring a first flow rate of drilling fluid being pumped into the drillstring during the drilling procedure before adding a section of drill pipe to the drillstring or before the pressure perturbation and increasing the flow rate of the drilling fluid being pumped into the drillstring above the first flow rate after the section of drill pipe has been added to the drillstring or the pressure perturbation has occurred. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160102511 | Choke Control Tuned by Flow Coefficient for Controlled Pressure Drilling - A computerized control is used in controlling a choke when drilling a wellbore with a drilling system. The computerized control obtains a measured value of a parameter in the drilling system and controls the parameter in the drilling system using the choke. The computerized control obtains indications of an error between a set point of the parameter and the measured value of the parameter in the drilling system, a flow coefficient character of the choke, and a current position of the choke. Based on these indications, the computerized control then determines a position adjustment for the choke and adjusting the parameter in the drilling system by applying the position adjustment to the choke. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160130878 | SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS FOR CONTROL OF A DIRECTIONAL DRILLING OPERATION - A system and method can include a module including at least one actuation assembly configured to transition between an inactive configuration and an active configuration. The system include at least one sensor configured to obtain data that is indicative of an operating parameter, and at least one processor configured to be electronically coupled to the guidance module and the at least one sensor. The at least one processor is configured to, in response to 1) input received from the at least one sensor that is indicative of the measured operating parameter, and 2) received input that is indicative of an actual drilling direction that is deviated from the predetermined drilling direction, adjust an extent that the actuation assembly is in the active configuration. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160138350 | CONTROL OF MANAGED PRESSURE DRILLING - Method for controlling bottomhole pressure in a borehole during managed pressure drilling. In the drilling procedure fluid is circulated down a drillstring and to surface through an annulus between the drillstring and an inner-wall of the borehole. A compressor/pump is used to inject gas into the returning drilling fluid at a gas injection point. The method comprises receiving a target bottomhole pressure; determining actual bottomhole pressure during the procedure; and adjusting a variable as directed by a feedback controller, which operates to reduce the difference between the target pressure and the measured pressure. The manipulated variable may be one or any combination of: (1) pressure of drilling fluid at the entry of the fluid into the drillstring, (2) the flow rate of drilling fluid out of the drillstring into the annulus, (3) pressure of the gas exiting from the compressor, and (4) the injection rate of the gas. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160138351 | Controlled Pressure Drilling System with Flow Measurement and Well Control - A drilling system for drilling a wellbore has one or more valves or chokes to control the upstream pressure of drilling fluid flow in a controlled pressure drilling operation. A measurement is obtained of the drilling fluid flow from the wellbore. Based on the obtained measurement, the drilling fluid flow is selectively distributed with a distributor through one or more of a plurality of flowmeters, such as Coriolis meters. A reading of the drilling fluid flow is obtained from the selected flowmeter(s). Upstream pressure in the drilling fluid flow is controlled with the one or more valve based at least in part on the reading from the one or more selected flowmeters. The reading can be a flow rate, a pressure, or the like compared to capacities of the flowmeters. Additional valves downstream of the flowmeters can be controlled based on cavitation that the valves are estimated to produce. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160251920 | HYDRAULIC CONTROL OF BOREHOLE TOOL DEPLOYMENT | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160376859 | MANAGED PRESSURE DRILLING WITH HYDRAULIC MODELING THAT INCORPORATES AN INVERSE MODEL - A managed pressure drilling (MPD) operation may use an inverse model in conjunction with a hydraulic model and real-time drilling conditions and parameters as inputs to determine a wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure. For example, while drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a drilling system, measured data including a wellhead pressure may be acquired. A model may then be executed that applies a hydraulic model to an a priori model estimate vector to produce predicted data; converts the measured data to a measured data vector; applies a randomized maximum likelihood algorithm to the a priori model estimate vector, the predicted data, and the measured data vector to produce an a posterioiri model estimates; and applies the hydraulic model to the a posterioiri model estimates to produce an a posteriori prediction and a calculated wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20190145178 | UNDERREAMER FOR INCREASING A WELLBORE DIAMETER | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190145202 | Drilling System and Method | 05-16-2019 |
