Well Rig Supervisory Control for Automated Sequence Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well construction operations rely heavily on manual control by rig personnel, limiting speed, efficiency, and safety due to lack of communication and coordination between subsystems of the well construction equipment.
Innovation Solution
A supervisory control system is introduced, comprising a supervisory controller connected to the rig control system, which includes a processing device and memory storing executable program code to select operational sequences based on equipment status and plans, and a human-machine interface for personnel control, enabling automated operation and coordination of well construction equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual control by rig personnel is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and speed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system enables self-service operation where the automated control unit independently monitors sensor data, selects operational sequences, and controls well construction equipment without continuous human intervention, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining operational simplicity through high-level automation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with an automated electronic control system that uses processing units, sensor data analysis, and automated sequence selection to control well construction equipment, eliminating the need for continuous manual operation while improving speed and efficiency
2Productivity
If automated control is implemented, then productivity and speed improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control unit is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform diverse operations including monitoring multiple sensor types, selecting from various operational sequences, controlling different well construction equipment, and adapting to changing well construction conditions, thereby achieving high productivity through a single versatile control platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated control unit as an intermediary between sensor data and well construction equipment, which simplifies the overall control architecture by centralizing decision-making logic and sequence management, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity
3Reliability
If subsystems operate independently, then ease of operation is maintained, but coordination and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple independent subsystems into a unified automated control system that monitors sensor data from all subsystems and coordinates their operations through centralized sequence selection and control, thereby improving safety and coordination while managing complexity through integration
Data Source
AI summary
A supervisory control system for a well construction rig operable to perform well construction operations to construct a planned well at a wellsite. The supervisory control system may be installable in association with the well construction rig. The supervisory control system may comprise a supervisory controller communicatively connectable with a central controller of a rig control system of the well construction rig. The rig control system may be communicatively connected with and operable to control well construction equipment of the well construction rig. The supervisory controller may be operable to control the well construction equipment via the rig control system to cause the well construction equipment to perform the well construction operations. The central controller may be operable as an I/O interface for matching inputs and outputs of the supervisory controller with corresponding inputs and outputs of at least one piece of the well construction equipment.