Micro Invisible Lost Time Detection in Drilling Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling operations face inefficiencies due to non-productive time (NPT) that are not fully addressed by assessing invisible lost time (ILT), as it does not account for micro inefficiencies on a smaller time scale, leading to suboptimal performance and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies and calculates micro invisible lost time (MILT) by analyzing real-time drilling parameters and comparing actual completion times to expected times, using sensors and a computing device to classify rig activities and output deviations, enabling operators to take corrective actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invisible lost time (ILT) assessment is used to account for non-productive time, then overall NPT can be quantified, but micro inefficiencies on a smaller time scale are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall drilling operation into discrete rig activities (e.g., drilling, tripping, circulating) and further divides each activity into smaller time-frame events. This hierarchical segmentation allows measurement of both macro-level ILT and micro-level MILT, resolving the contradiction by enabling precise detection of micro inefficiencies while maintaining overall NPT context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by analyzing drilling operations at multiple time scales - from overall NPT assessment down to second-level MILT measurements. This dimensional approach allows simultaneous quantification of both aggregate lost time and micro-level inefficiencies that would be invisible at coarser time resolutions.
2Productivity
If traditional NPT assessment methods are used, then overall drilling efficiency can be evaluated, but specific deviated activities cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where actual completion times of rig activities are continuously compared against expected times, and deviations are calculated and reported. This feedback loop provides operators with specific information about which activities are deviating from norms, enabling targeted corrections while maintaining overall productivity assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional manual time-tracking and activity-monitoring methods with an automated computer-based system that uses sensors and software to detect, classify, and analyze rig activities. This substitution enables detailed tracking of specific activities and their deviations without adding operational complexity, resolving the contradiction between overall efficiency evaluation and specific activity identification.
3Ease of operation
If manual monitoring of drilling activities is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but micro inefficiencies are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service monitoring system where sensors automatically detect rig activities, the computer system autonomously classifies and analyzes the data, and deviations are automatically calculated and reported. This automation eliminates the need for manual monitoring while providing precise micro-level time measurements, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is described for calculating and outputting micro invisible lost time (MILT). The system may include a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform various operations. Time-stamp data that includes values of drilling parameters may be received about a drilling operation, and the values of drilling parameters may be classified into a rig state that includes rig activities. For each rig activity, an actual completion time may be determined and compared to an expected completion time for determining a deviation. At least one deviated activity, in which the deviation is greater than a threshold, may be determined. Deviations may be combined into MILT that can be output for controlling the drilling operation.