Drill String Monitoring With Contactless Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inconsistent Rate Of Penetration (ROP) and varying responses to downhole conditions during drilling operations lead to inefficiencies and potential equipment failures, such as stuck pipes and fatigue failures, due to differences in equipment and skill levels among drilling crews.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring system using contactless sensors to capture data on drill string parameters, analyze this data to identify unwanted conditions, and automatically adjust the drilling program to optimize operations, minimizing human error and improving drilling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual monitoring and control by drilling crews is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but inconsistencies in ROP and response to downhole conditions occur due to varying skill levels and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveROP consistencyVSAvoiddrilling operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment through automated sensors and control mechanisms that continuously track drill string parameters and modify drilling operations without human intervention, eliminating variability introduced by different drilling crews

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor drill string conditions in real-time and automatically adjust drilling parameters based on detected anomalies, ensuring consistent ROP and reliable response to downhole conditions regardless of crew skill level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If automated monitoring systems are implemented, then ROP consistency and response accuracy improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrill string condition detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical monitoring and decision-making processes with automated electronic sensors and control algorithms that precisely measure drill string parameters and automatically adjust operations, achieving high measurement precision while managing complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment are implemented, then Non Productive Time is reduced, but energy consumption and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNPTVSAvoidmonitoring system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system operates continuously without interruption, constantly tracking drill string parameters and making real-time adjustments to prevent problems before they occur, minimizing NPT by ensuring uninterrupted optimal drilling operations throughout the drilling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12584401B2Monitoring a drill string controlled by a drilling program

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A monitoring system for a drill string controlled by a drilling program may include a contactless sensor arranged to capture data associated with a parameter at a position along a drill line associated with the drill string of a drilling system. The system may include a processor operatively connected to the contactless sensor. The processor may be configured to interpret the data and to cause an adjustment to the drilling program based on the interpreted data.