Disclosed is a method for identifying opportunities for improvement in drilling and completions operations. At least one processor receives historical well data related to drilling and completions activities received from well monitoring sensors. The activities can include tripping, running casing, running bottom hole assembly, running riser, drilling connection operations, running screens, and running tubing. From the historical data, relative percentages of time spent on the activities are determined. Based on the relative time spent on each of the activities, a first priority activity is selected for improvement. A performance target for the first priority activity representing a value that can be calculated using well data received from the well monitoring sensors is determined. Real-time data is received from the well monitoring sensors. A current performance value using the real-time data is calculated and reviewed periodically to identify opportunities for improvement. Changes are implemented in an activity to improve the current performance value.

Apparatus (100) for measuring drilling parameters of a down-the-hole drilling operation for mineral exploration includes a module 10.1 mounted in-line with a drill string (110) and proximate to a drill bit (120). The drill string (110) is rotated and progressed down the hole. The module (10) has sensors for sensing conditions. The apparatus (100) measures drilling parameters based on the sensed conditions. The measured data is logged in the module (10) and then transmitted to a computer for a drilling operator's use. The drilling operator monitors progress and optimises performance of the drilling operation based on the measured data. Measurement of drilling parameters based on sensed data proximate to the drill bit enables accurate determination of actual WOB, torque and RPM fluctuations, axial vibration, radial vibration, temperature, RPM. A second module 10.2 is mounted in-line with the same drill string (110) but away from the drill bit (120). The second module 10.2 measures the same drilling parameters as the module 10.1 proximate to the drill bit (120). The driller is provided with the data recorded by the second module 10.2 to judge the performance of the drilling operation. Comparing drilling parameters based on sensed data proximate to the drill bit and distal to the drill bit enables accurate determination of vertical drag/resistance of the drill string (110) within the hole, rotational resistance of the drill string (110), degree of wind-up of the drill string (110) and presence of stick-slip conditions at lower end of the drill string (110).

Apparatus (100) for measuring drilling parameters of a down-the-hole drilling operation for mineral exploration includes a module 10.1 mounted in-line with a drill string (110) and proximate to a drill bit (120). The drill string (110) is rotated and progressed down the hole. The module (10) has sensors for sensing conditions. The apparatus (100) measures drilling parameters based on the sensed conditions. The measured data is logged in the module (10) and then transmitted to a computer for a drilling operator's use. The drilling operator monitors progress and optimises performance of the drilling operation based on the measured data. Measurement of drilling parameters based on sensed data proximate to the drill bit enables accurate determination of actual WOB, torque and RPM fluctuations, axial vibration, radial vibration, temperature, RPM. A second module 10.2 is mounted in-line with the same drill string (110) but away from the drill bit (120). The second module 10.2 measures the same drilling parameters as the module 10.1 proximate to the drill bit (120). The driller is provided with the data recorded by the second module 10.2 to judge the performance of the drilling operation. Comparing drilling parameters based on sensed data proximate to the drill bit and distal to the drill bit enables accurate determination of vertical drag/resistance of the drill string (110) within the hole, rotational resistance of the drill string (110), degree of wind-up of the drill string (110) and presence of stick-slip conditions at lower end of the drill string (110).

Methods and systems for determining slip velocity of drill cuttings obtained from subsurface formations are disclosed. The system includes a first cylindrical tube having a first diameter and a first length, wherein the first tube is attached to a base plate, a second cylindrical tube having a second dimeter smaller than the first diameter and a second length larger than the first length, the second tube attached to a lower portion of the first tube and running substantially parallel to the first tube, and an ultrasonic device operatively connected to an opening of the second tube for measuring a level of a fluid in the second tube, and a computer operatively connected to the ultrasonic device, the computer configured to store and analyze data received from the ultrasonic device.

Disclosed is a method for identification of malfunctioning of a drill bit during drilling of hydrocarbon wells, including: measurement of the rate of penetration of the drill bit, measurement of the drilling length, measurement of the concentration in the drilling mud of at least one gas species belonging to the group of the alkenes, measurement of the torque at the drill bit, analysis of the microscopic structure of the drilling cuttings on the basis of the values assumed by these measurements and on the basis of the observations of this microscopic structure, generation of an alert signal and return of the drill bit to the surface.

Disclosed is a method for identification of malfunctioning of a drill bit during drilling of hydrocarbon wells, including: measurement of the rate of penetration of the drill bit, measurement of the drilling length, measurement of the concentration in the drilling mud of at least one gas species belonging to the group of the alkenes, measurement of the torque at the drill bit, analysis of the microscopic structure of the drilling cuttings on the basis of the values assumed by these measurements and on the basis of the observations of this microscopic structure, generation of an alert signal and return of the drill bit to the surface.

Winch (304) has a load bearing tape (305) to advance into a borehole (307). Hole depth can be determined by subtracting a sensed height (310) above ground surface (311) from total depth (312) measured. Can include a height above ground sensor (314) and a tape distance measurer (316). Depth of water or watery mud or muddy water (320) can be sensed, such as by a pressure sensor (326) on a weight or in a sensor device at or near the tape leading end. A heater (309) can warm the tape. A cover or housing (313) can be provided for the winch or spool. The tape can include wires or fibre optics (336) embedded in or applied to a surface of the tape (305) and/or apertures or embedded or surface applied markers/indicators (338) along a length thereof e.g. for reading by an optical or magnetic sensor.

Winch (304) has a load bearing tape (305) to advance into a borehole (307). Hole depth can be determined by subtracting a sensed height (310) above ground surface (311) from total depth (312) measured. Can include a height above ground sensor (314) and a tape distance measurer (316). Depth of water or watery mud or muddy water (320) can be sensed, such as by a pressure sensor (326) on a weight or in a sensor device at or near the tape leading end. A heater (309) can warm the tape. A cover or housing (313) can be provided for the winch or spool. The tape can include wires or fibre optics (336) embedded in or applied to a surface of the tape (305) and/or apertures or embedded or surface applied markers/indicators (338) along a length thereof e.g. for reading by an optical or magnetic sensor.

Systems and methods for controlling drilling operations are provided. A controller for a drilling system may provide drilling parameters such as weight-on-bit and rotation rate parameters to the drilling system, based on a machine-learned reward policy and a model-based prediction. The machine-learned reward policy may be generated during drilling operations and used to modify recommended values from the model-based prediction for subsequent drilling operations to achieve a desired rate-of-penetration.

Systems and methods for controlling drilling operations are provided. A controller for a drilling system may provide drilling parameters such as weight-on-bit and rotation rate parameters to the drilling system, based on a machine-learned reward policy and a model-based prediction. The machine-learned reward policy may be generated during drilling operations and used to modify recommended values from the model-based prediction for subsequent drilling operations to achieve a desired rate-of-penetration.