Supervisory Rig Control Using Sensor-Driven Drilling Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well construction operations rely heavily on human intervention for coordination and control of wellsite equipment, limiting efficiency, speed, and safety.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that autonomously controls well construction equipment using sensor data and a database of operational sequences, allowing for automated execution of drilling operations based on the equipment's status and a well construction plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human personnel manually control and monitor well construction equipment, then operational flexibility and decision-making capability are maintained, but operational efficiency and safety are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the control system autonomously monitors sensor data, selects operational sequences from the database, and executes drilling operations without continuous human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically coordinating subsystems based on real-time equipment status and well construction plans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with an automated electronic control system. The mechanical system of human operators physically coordinating equipment is substituted by an electronic control architecture that processes sensor data and automatically executes operational sequences, thereby improving efficiency while reducing human intervention.
2Ease of operation
If multiple subsystems are operated independently by separate local controllers, then each subsystem can be controlled precisely, but coordination between subsystems is poor and requires constant human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent local controllers into a unified automated control system. The separate control functions for drilling, pumping, and other subsystems are combined into a single integrated system that automatically coordinates all subsystems based on sensor data and operational sequences, eliminating the need for human coordination while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system achieves universality by designing a multi-functional automated controller that can manage multiple subsystems (drilling, pumping, monitoring) through a single unified interface. This universal control architecture automatically adapts to different operational modes and coordinates diverse equipment without requiring separate human operators for each subsystem.
3Speed
If automated control is implemented to improve efficiency, then operational speed and coordination improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-storing operational sequences in a database before drilling operations begin. These pre-programmed sequences contain the coordinated actions of multiple subsystems, allowing the automated system to execute complex coordination tasks by simply retrieving and following pre-prepared instructions, thereby achieving high-speed operation without proportionally increasing real-time control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor sensor data from the drilling equipment and automatically adjust operational sequences accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high operational speed by making real-time adjustments based on actual equipment status, reducing the need for overly complex pre-programming while ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system that include receiving sensor data that is indicative of an operational status of a well construction equipment that is being utilized to construct a planned well that include receiving a well construction plan that includes information that is indicative of the planned well and the well construction equipment. The method and system additionally include accessing a database of operational sequences that are executable to be performed by the well construction equipment to construct a plurality of wells and selecting from the database an operational sequence to construct the planned well. The method and system further include electronically controlling the well construction equipment to autonomously perform the plurality of physical or mechanical operations of the selected operational sequence to drill at least one of: a selected portion of the planned well and a path along the selected portion of the planned well through a subterranean formation.