Wellsite Control Workstation for Coordinated Equipment Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well construction systems rely on multiple human operators to manually coordinate and control various equipment subsystems, leading to increased costs, reduced efficiency, and safety risks due to lack of communication and coordination between these subsystems.
Innovation Solution
A workstation and control system that integrates a touchscreen and video output device for a human operator to control multiple pieces of well construction equipment, enabling automated operation and real-time status display, with a processor and memory storing computer program code to facilitate coordinated control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple human operators manually control different equipment subsystems, then each operator can focus on specific equipment, but the cost increases and coordination between subsystems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single integrated control station that can control multiple equipment subsystems simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple separate control stations and operators, reducing complexity while maintaining full control capability across all subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control station is designed with universal functionality to control various types of equipment subsystems including drilling equipment, fluid control systems, and monitoring systems through a single interface, making the control system adaptable to different well construction operations without requiring additional specialized control stations.
2Reliability
If multiple operators manually monitor and control equipment, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but operational speed and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring and control operations with an automated computer-based control system that processes data and executes control commands electronically. This substitution enables comprehensive monitoring of all equipment subsystems while operating at electronic speeds, dramatically improving both reliability and productivity simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors equipment parameters, detects anomalies, and executes control actions without requiring continuous human intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously managing equipment operations while providing operators with centralized oversight capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If equipment subsystems operate independently without communication, then each subsystem can function autonomously, but coordination and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control station serves as an intermediary that connects all equipment subsystems through a common communication interface. It mediates between independent subsystems, enabling them to maintain their autonomous functionality while coordinating their operations through the central control station that exchanges data and control signals between all components.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for performing well construction control. An example apparatus may be or include a control system operable to control a well construction system for performing well construction operations at an oil/gas wellsite, wherein the well construction system includes multiple pieces of equipment. The control system may have a processor and memory storing a computer program code, a touchscreen operable via finger contact with the touchscreen by a human wellsite operator to enter control commands to control automated operation of one or more pieces of equipment, and a video output device operable to display information indicative of operational status of the well construction system.