Method of managing a well file record at a well site

• US 20020156591A1
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Key Energy Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Key Energy Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Newman, Frederic M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,826,492 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/45
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/178 Techniques for file synchronisation in file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A method of managing well file records includes storing a well file on a first computer at a home base location and communicating the well file to a second computer at a remote well site. The well file serves as a blueprint that describes the well and its various components, and can be a valuable a reference tool for crews doing repair or service work on the well. When the work involves replacing or changing any of the well components, the crew can immediately update the well file using the computer at the well site. In some cases, part numbers and other information are scanned into the computer to minimize human error. Information between the two computers is accomplished by way of a wireless communication link and the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of managing a well file record of a plurality of components of a well at a well site, comprising:

storing a well file at a first computer, wherein the well file includes information about the plurality of components of the well;

transporting a second computer to the well site;

providing a wireless communication link between the first computer and the second computer;

communicating the well file from the first computer to the second computer through the wireless communication link;

changing one of the plurality of components of the well at the well site;

inputting into the second computer a well file change that documents the step of changing one of the plurality of components of the well; and

making the well file change on the second computer accessible to the first computer through the wireless communication link.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing an instrument to sense a part identifier of a component added to the well at the well site, wherein the part identifier is associated with a digital identification value;

inputting the digital identification value into the second computer; and

using the digital identification value as part of the well file change.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the part identifier is a bar code.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the digital identification value represents an alphanumeric name.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the instrument senses the part identifier by way of an electromagnetic field.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components includes cement.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components includes an acid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components includes a sucker rod.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components includes tubing.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the well file from the well site by entering a well site identifier into the second computer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of entering a well site identifier into the second computer is performed by selecting from a plurality of well site identifiers displayed on the second computer.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering into the second computer a company identifier that helps identify a company involved in changing one of the plurality of components of the well.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the well file by incorporating the well file change into the well file.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the well file change includes a digital identification value that helps identify which one of the plurality of components is being changed.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the well file change includes a date that helps identify when one of the plurality of components is being changed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the well file change includes a date that helps identify when one of the plurality of components is being changed.

16. A method of managing a well file record of a plurality of components of a well at a well site, comprising:

storing a well file at a first computer, wherein the well file includes information a bout the plurality of components of the well;

transporting a second computer to the well site;

providing a wireless communication link between the first computer and the second computer;

communicating the well file from the first computer to the second computer through the wireless communication link;

accessing the well file from the well site by entering a well site identifier into the second computer;

changing one of the plurality of components of the well at the well site;

entering into the second computer a company identifier that helps identify a company involved in changing one of the plurality of components of the well;

entering into the second computer a well file change that documents the step of changing one of the plurality of components of the well, wherein the well file change includes a digital identification value that helps identify which one of the plurality of components is being changed;

making the well file change on the second computer accessible to the first computer through the wireless communication link; and

updating the well file by incorporating the well file change into the well file.

18. A method of managing a well file record of a plurality of components of a well at a well site, comprising:

storing a well file at a first computer, wherein the well file includes information about the plurality of components of the well;

transporting a second computer to the well site;

providing a wireless communication link between the first computer and the second computer;

communicating the well file from t he first computer to the second computer through the wireless communication link;

changing one of the plurality of components of the well at the well site;

witnessing the step of changing one of the plurality of components of the well at the well site;

entering into the second computer information that indicates that the step of changing one of the plurality of components of the well at the well site has been witnessed;

displaying on the second computer an access code of a limited useful life in response to entering into the second computer information that indicates that the step of changing one of the plurality of components of the well at the well site has been witnessed, wherein the access code allows the well file to be changed within the limited useful life of the access code;

with the aide of the access code, changing the well file to reflect the step of changing one of the plurality of components of the well; and

terminating the limited useful life of the access code after changing the well file.

19. A method of managing a well file record of a plurality of components of a well at a well site, comprising:

storing a well file at a first computer, wherein the well file includes information about the plurality of components of the well;

transporting a second computer to the well site;

providing a wireless communication link between the first computer and the second computer;

communicating the well file from the first computer to the second computer through the wireless communication link;

accessing the well file from the well site by entering a well site identifier into the second computer;

having a first contractor change a first component of the plurality of components;

having a second contractor change a second component of the plurality of components;

entering into the second computer a first company identifier that helps identify the first contractor involved in changing the first component;

entering into the second computer a second company identifier that helps identify the second contractor involved in changing the second component;

entering into the second computer a first well file change that documents the step of having the first contractor change the first component of the plurality of components,

wherein the first well file change includes a first digital identification value that helps identify the first component;

entering into the second computer a second well file change that documents the step of having the second contractor change the second component of the plurality of components, wherein the second well file change includes a second digital identification value that helps identify the second component;

making the first well file change and the second well file change on the second computer accessible to the first computer through the wireless communication link; and

updating the well file by incorporating the first well file change and the second well file change into the well file.