Integrated Well Construction Control for Subsystem Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well construction systems rely on manual coordination between equipment subsystems, leading to increased costs, reduced efficiency, and safety risks due to the lack of communication and automation in monitoring and controlling wellsite equipment.
Innovation Solution
An integrated well construction system (IWCS) with a communication network and integrated control devices that collectively control subsystems, allowing for automated operation and real-time data analysis to optimize well construction processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple wellsite operators manually monitor and control different equipment subsystems via separate control panels, then each operator can focus on specific equipment, but the overall coordination efficiency and safety are reduced due to lack of communication between subsystems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control panels into a single integrated control panel that displays and controls all equipment subsystems (drilling, mud handling, well control, etc.) through a unified interface. This integration allows operators to coordinate all subsystems from one location, eliminating the need for multiple operators to manually monitor separate equipment while improving overall coordination efficiency and safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If there is no communication between equipment subsystems and their controllers, then each subsystem can operate independently, but manual coordination requires multiple operators increasing cost and limiting speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an integrated control system that establishes real-time communication between all equipment subsystems and the control panel. The system receives status signals from sensors across all subsystems and automatically coordinates their operation through programmed logic and automated sequences, eliminating manual coordination delays while maintaining the ability to adapt to different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel is pre-programmed with operational sequences and coordination logic that automatically executes predetermined actions when specific conditions are detected. This preliminary programming allows the system to coordinate complex multi-subsystem operations without real-time manual intervention, reducing coordination time while maintaining adaptability through configurable sequences.
3Reliability
If real-time data analysis and automated control are implemented, then operational efficiency and safety are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integrated control system into modular subsystem controllers, each responsible for specific equipment (drilling, mud handling, well control), with standardized communication interfaces connecting to the central control panel. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing independent development, testing, and maintenance of individual modules while maintaining real-time coordination through standardized data exchange protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated well construction system (IWCS) operable for constructing a well via integrated control of integrated control devices that collectively control integrated subsystems of the IWCS. The IWCS includes an IWCS communication network, the integrated control devices (each directly connected with the IWCS communication network), the integrated subsystems, and a control workstation directly connected with the IWCS communication network and operable to control each of the integrated control devices to thereby control the integrated subsystems.