Drilling Subsystem Controllers Using Game Theoretic Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling operations face challenges due to communication delays and bandwidth limitations between drilling subsystems, leading to inaccurate and delayed sensor measurements, which complicates effective control of drilling processes.
Innovation Solution
A system with subsystem controllers that determine local states from sensor measurements, receive global state estimates, and send command signals to actuators, utilizing a communication coordinator, global state estimator, and global strategy controller to coordinate control strategies across multiple drilling subsystems, especially in environments with limited or delayed communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor measurement data is transmitted from bottom hole assembly to surface for analysis and control adjustment, then drilling process control is achieved, but communication delays and bandwidth limitations cause inaccurate and delayed measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling system is divided into multiple independent subsystems (rig subsystem, drilling fluid subsystem, BHA subsystem), each with its own controller that can operate autonomously using local sensor data, eliminating the need for continuous centralized communication while maintaining overall system coordination
Solution Approach 2:
Each subsystem controller determines local subsystem states and sends command signals to actuators based on current conditions without waiting for surface analysis, performing control actions in advance before communication delays would render the data obsolete
2Ease of operation
If multiple drilling subsystems operate independently with individual control, then subsystem autonomy is achieved, but interactions between subsystems complicate effective control
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent subsystem controllers that each manage their own local state and actuators, simplifying individual subsystem operation while maintaining overall system functionality through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each subsystem controller receives feedback from local sensors about its own state and adjusts its control actions accordingly, enabling autonomous operation without complex inter-subsystem coordination while still achieving effective drilling control
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling apparatus including plurality of subsystems, each subsystem includes a subsystem controller, one or more sensors, and one or more actuators. Each subsystem controller is configured to determine a local subsystem state from measurements received from the one or more sensors and further configured to receive global state estimates and updated control strategies. Each subsystem controller is configured to send command signals to one or more actuators based at least in part on the local subsystem state, global state estimates, and updated control strategy. A method and system for coordinating the control of a plurality of drilling subsystems during drilling operations is provided. A method of drilling subsystem controller decision-making based on a co-player inference playing strategy is further provided.