Variable Tripping Speed Control for Surge and Swab Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tripping operations in oil and gas drilling lead to well pressure variations due to surge and swab pressures, affecting well stability and requiring time-consuming non-productive interventions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a computing system to determine and control tripping speeds based on pressure variations, including a hardware suite of processors and software programs to manage surge and swab pressures, ensuring operations are conducted within safe limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tripping speed is increased to improve productivity, then tripping efficiency is improved, but well pressure variations (surge and swab pressures) increase affecting well stability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts tripping speed based on real-time well conditions, drill string position, and pressure measurements. The control system continuously modifies the tripping rate to maintain well pressure within safe thresholds, transitioning from static fixed-speed operations to adaptive variable-speed operations that respond to changing well conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control by continuously monitoring well pressure, drill string position, and tripping speed, then using this information to adjust tripping operations. Pressure sensors and position sensors provide real-time data to the control system, which modifies tripping speed to prevent surge and swab pressures from exceeding safe limits.
2Reliability
If tripping speed is decreased to maintain well pressure stability, then well stability is improved, but tripping time increases leading to non-productive time
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic speed adjustment to optimize the balance between well stability and tripping efficiency. Rather than operating at a constant slow speed, the system varies speed in real-time, allowing faster tripping when well conditions permit and slowing down only when necessary to maintain pressure stability, thereby reducing overall non-productive time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the tripping speed parameter dynamically based on well conditions, drill string depth, and pressure measurements. By adjusting this key parameter in real-time rather than maintaining a fixed conservative speed, the system achieves both well stability and reduced non-productive time.
3Reliability
If automated pressure monitoring and control systems are implemented to manage surge and swab pressures, then well control safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system operates autonomously to manage tripping speed and maintain well pressure stability. The automated system monitors well conditions and adjusts tripping operations without requiring constant human intervention, allowing the system to self-regulate and maintain safety while reducing the operational burden on personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual tripping operations and human judgment with automated electronic control based on sensor data and pre-programmed algorithms. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with electronic automation improves consistency and safety while managing complexity through standardized control logic.
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A system includes a processing device (70) configured to determine a tripping operation to be undertaken. The processing device (70) is configured to also calculate a variable tripping speed for the tripping operation to vary a speed of the tripping operation. The processing device (70) is further generate an output to control the operation of a portion of a continuous tripping system to implement the tripping operation at the variable tripping speed.