Mud Pump Control for Stabilized Mud-Pulse Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drilling systems experience delays due to waiting for mud pumps to reach full operational pressure before transmitting survey data, leading to unproductive time and increased rig time.
Innovation Solution
A systematic approach that controls the drilling rig's drawworks, drive system, and mud pump to stabilize fluid flow during the transmission of survey data, allowing transmission to occur during the ramping up process by setting a predetermined survey delay time and maintaining stable operating parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MWD system waits for the designated time delay period for mud pumps to reach full operational pressure before transmitting survey data, then the fluid flow stability is improved, but the drilling productivity deteriorates due to significant delays and wasted rig time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mud pump operational parameters during the ramp-up phase. Instead of using a fixed, conservative time delay, the system continuously monitors pump pressure and flow rate, and dynamically determines when stable flow conditions are achieved, allowing transmission to occur as soon as stability is reached rather than waiting for a predetermined extended period
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring mud pump operational parameters (pressure, flow rate) in real-time and using this information to determine the optimal moment to initiate survey data transmission. The feedback loop allows the system to detect when stable flow conditions are actually achieved, rather than relying on fixed time delays, thus eliminating unnecessary waiting time while ensuring transmission occurs only when flow stability is confirmed
2Reliability
If the designated time delay period is extended to ensure stable fluid flow, then the decoding reliability of survey data is improved, but the time required to drill each stand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and assessment of mud pump operational parameters during the ramp-up phase. By continuously checking pressure and flow rate stability before the designated time delay expires, the system prepares to initiate transmission as soon as stable conditions are detected, thus avoiding the full extended wait time while ensuring decoding reliability is maintained
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters monitoring approach by continuously tracking mud pump pressure and flow rate during the delay period. This parameter-based control allows the system to identify the exact moment when stable flow conditions are achieved, enabling transmission to occur at the optimal time rather than waiting for the full predetermined delay period, thus reducing unproductive time while maintaining decoding reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method reduces delays and ensures proper decoding of survey data, optimizing drilling efficiency by synchronizing the survey delay with the stabilization of fluid flow, thereby reducing wasted time and improving drilling speed.
Implementation Method 1
ramping up one or more mud pumps toward a full-operational pumping pressure to circulate drilling mud via a drill string between a surface location and a downhole tool
Implementation Method 2
stabilizing the flow of the drilling mud between the surface location and the downhole tool prior to the one or more mud pumps reaching the full-operational pumping pressure
Implementation Method 3
transmitting data via mud-pulse telemetry from the downhole tool to the surface location when the flow of the drilling mud between the surface location and the downhole tool is stabilized
Data Source
AI summary
A rig control apparatus, system, and method according to which a mud pump is ramped up toward a full-operational pumping pressure to circulate drilling mud via a drill string between a surface location and a downhole tool, the downhole tool being connected to the drill string and positioned within a wellbore, the flow of the drilling mud between the surface location and the downhole tool is stabilized prior to the mud pump reaching the full-operational pumping pressure, data is transmitted via mud-pulse telemetry from the downhole tool to the surface location when the flow of the drilling mud between the surface location and the downhole tool is stabilized, and the mud pumps are ramped up further to the full-operational pumping pressure.