E21B44/04

Drill bit dysfunction identification based on compact torsional behavior encoding
11639658 · 2023-05-02 · ·

Based on measurements of forces and rotational velocity experienced by a drill bit during drilling, drilling behavior is detected and identified. Measurements of forces on a drill bit including torque on bit (TOB), weight on bit (WOB), etc. and measurements of rotational velocity (rotations per minute or RPM) are acquired in real time at the drill bit. Various measurements are correlated to produce related combinations of measurements, such as WOB-RPM, TOB-RPM, and RPM-time. Based on fitting between the combinations of measurements and curves corresponding to predetermined torsional behavior trends, torsional, axial, and rotational behaviors are classified as functional or dysfunctional. A dysfunction identifier then identifies drill bit dysfunctions, such as high-frequency torsional noise, cutting-induced stick-slip, friction-inducted stick-slip, pipe-induced stick-slip, three-dimensional (3D) coupled vibrations (including subsets high-frequency torsional oscillations and low-frequency torsional oscillations), low-frequency torsional vibration, high-frequency torsional vibration, etc.) based on the functionality of the torsional, axial, and rotational behaviors. Based on drill bit dysfunction identification, dysfunctional drilling behavior can be mitigated.

Stick-Slip Reduction Using Combined Torsional and Axial Control
20170370203 · 2017-12-28 ·

The aspects described herein assist in mitigating vibrations arising from torsional energy accumulating on a drill string in a wellbore during drilling operations. A first sensor obtains torque measurement data at or near the top drive of the drilling rig. A second sensor may obtain weight on bit information. The controller receives the measured data, combines it with a first gain to obtain a first output value and a second gain to obtain a second output value. The first output value is provided to the top drive to adjust a speed of operation of the top drive, and the second output value is provided to the axial drive providing motion along a vertical axis of the drilling rig to adjust a speed of the vertical motion. In combination, the adjustments to the top drive and axial drive movements mitigate stick-slip in an automated manner more effectively than either individually.

Stick-Slip Reduction Using Combined Torsional and Axial Control
20170370203 · 2017-12-28 ·

The aspects described herein assist in mitigating vibrations arising from torsional energy accumulating on a drill string in a wellbore during drilling operations. A first sensor obtains torque measurement data at or near the top drive of the drilling rig. A second sensor may obtain weight on bit information. The controller receives the measured data, combines it with a first gain to obtain a first output value and a second gain to obtain a second output value. The first output value is provided to the top drive to adjust a speed of operation of the top drive, and the second output value is provided to the axial drive providing motion along a vertical axis of the drilling rig to adjust a speed of the vertical motion. In combination, the adjustments to the top drive and axial drive movements mitigate stick-slip in an automated manner more effectively than either individually.

METHOD FOR REAL-TIME PAD FORCE ESTIMATION IN ROTARY STEERABLE SYSTEM
20230203935 · 2023-06-29 ·

Pad force is one of the major parameters in some drilling systems, such as a RSS, that affect steering decisions during drilling. The disclosure recognizes that the pad force can change during drilling due to, for example, unintentional leaking through a pad seal that has been damaged due to the wear and tear of drilling. With a decrease in the pad force, the steering capability of the drilling tool can be compromised. As such, the disclosure provides a method and system that determines pad force information in real time for controlling drilling. The pad force information can be determined based on sensor data, component data, and drilling data. An estimated pad force is one example of the pad force information that can be calculated and used to direct a drilling operation.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING DOWNHOLE DRILLING CONDITIONS USING A SMART DOWNHOLE SYSTEM
20230193741 · 2023-06-22 ·

An apparatus and method of drilling a wellbore using a drill string and a smart downhole system that comprises one or more downhole controllers and one or more downhole sensors. The method includes storing, in the downhole controller(s), a target efficiency parameter; drilling the wellbore using the drill string; and measuring, by the downhole sensor(s), a parameter. The method also includes, using the downhole controller(s) to: calculate an efficiency parameter based on the measured parameter; calculate a difference between the calculated efficiency parameter and the target efficiency parameter; generate first instructions to reduce the difference; and send to a surface controller, the first instructions. The method also includes generating, by the surface controller, second instructions based on the first instructions; and implementing, by the surface controller, the second instructions to reduce the difference between the measured efficiency parameter and the target efficiency parameter.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING DOWNHOLE DRILLING CONDITIONS USING A SMART DOWNHOLE SYSTEM
20230193741 · 2023-06-22 ·

An apparatus and method of drilling a wellbore using a drill string and a smart downhole system that comprises one or more downhole controllers and one or more downhole sensors. The method includes storing, in the downhole controller(s), a target efficiency parameter; drilling the wellbore using the drill string; and measuring, by the downhole sensor(s), a parameter. The method also includes, using the downhole controller(s) to: calculate an efficiency parameter based on the measured parameter; calculate a difference between the calculated efficiency parameter and the target efficiency parameter; generate first instructions to reduce the difference; and send to a surface controller, the first instructions. The method also includes generating, by the surface controller, second instructions based on the first instructions; and implementing, by the surface controller, the second instructions to reduce the difference between the measured efficiency parameter and the target efficiency parameter.

DETERMINING PARAMETERS FOR A WELLBORE OPERATION BASED ON RESONANCE SPEEDS OF DRILLING EQUIPMENT
20230193749 · 2023-06-22 ·

Drilling parameters for a wellbore operation can be determined based on resonance speeds. For example, a system can receive real-time data for a drilling operation that is concurrently occurring with receiving the real-time data. The system can determine, for a drilling depth, a rotations-per-minute (RPM) value corresponding to a resonance speed based on a weight-on-bit (WOB) value and the real-time data. The system can generate a plot of the WOB value and the RPM value corresponding to the resonance speed. The system can determine drilling parameters for the drilling operation based on the plot. The drilling parameters can exclude, for the WOB value, the RPM value corresponding to the resonance speed.

ESTIMATION OF MAXIMUM LOAD AMPLITUDES IN DRILLING SYSTEMS USING MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT MEASUREMENTS
20230193740 · 2023-06-22 ·

Methods and systems for mitigating vibration in drill strings include performing a drilling operation using a disintegrating tool, obtaining a first load measurement of a first load during the drilling operation using a first load sensor having a first sampling rate in the drill string, obtaining a second load measurement of a second load during the drilling operation using a second load sensor having a second sampling rate in the drill string, wherein the second load measurement is different from the first load measurement, and wherein the first load measurement and the second load measurement are synchronized with an accuracy that is greater than a first sampling interval corresponding to the first sampling rate and a second sampling interval corresponding to the second sampling rate, and performing a vibration mitigation operation

Integrated collar sensor for measuring performance characteristics of a drill motor

Aspects of the subject technology relate to a sensor for a downhole tool. The downhole tool can include a collar and a sensor. The sensor can be secured to the collar for measuring one or more operational characteristics of the downhole tool during operation of the downhole tool including the performance characteristics of a drill motor. The sensor can include a substrate. The sensor can also include a plurality of strain gauges disposed on the substrate. The plurality of strain gauges can be configured to measure axial strains and torsional strains on the collar for measuring the one or more operational characteristics of the downhole tool.

AUTOMATICALLY DETECTING AND UNWINDING ACCUMULATED DRILL STRING TORQUE

Methods, apparatus, and products for receiving measurements indicative of present value torque (TrqPv) currently being applied by a top drive to a drill string extending in a well that penetrates a subterranean formation, and releasing torque accumulated in the drill string by determining polarity of TrqPv and, in response to a manual or automatic trigger, causing the top drive to perform an unwinding operation in a direction opposite to the determined TrqPv polarity.