MACHINES, SYSTEMS, COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS TO TEST AND CERTIFY OIL AND GAS EQUIPMENT

• US 20110270525A1
• Filed: 05/02/2011
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SPM Flow Control Inc. (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SPM Flow Control Inc. (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hunter, Scott
• Application Number:
  US13/099,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20110270525A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/6
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/00 Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/002 Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant means for transmitting well survey signals E21B47/12; signal transmission systems in general G08C; transmission in general H04B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

Embodiments of machines, systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products certify oil and gas well equipment. Embodiments identify a selected well equipment device, a device test specification, and testing sequences to be performed by a corresponding testing apparatus. Embodiments select a testing sequence responsive to the selected device. Embodiments control the testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence so that the corresponding testing apparatus performs the sequence responsive to the device test specification. Embodiments generate testing data for the selected testing sequence and link the testing data for the selected testing sequence to the device identifier for the device so that a certificate can be generated. Embodiments generate a certificate for the selected device responsive to the testing sequences having been performed upon the selected device and link the certificate for the selected device to the device identifier so that the certificate can be readily recalled.

Claims

1. A machine to manage periodic testing and certification of well equipment devices, the testing and certification being facilitated by a plurality of testing apparatus performing one or more testing operations upon the well equipment devices, the machine comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory memory;

an input/output unit to communicate with the plurality of testing apparatus;

a database positioned to match a device identifier to a well equipment device, a test specification, and a plurality of testing sequences;

a testing module stored in the memory, the memory being a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, and the testing module being operable by the processor, the testing module comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the testing module to perform the following operations;

identifying a selected well equipment device, a device test specification, and a plurality of testing sequences, the identifying operation responsive to receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device, each testing sequence of the plurality of testing sequences to be performed by a corresponding testing apparatus of the plurality of testing apparatus, each testing sequence defining a sequence of testing operations,

selecting a testing sequence of the plurality of testing sequences, the selecting operation responsive to the selected well equipment device being positioned so that the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence can perform testing operations upon the selected well equipment device,

controlling the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence so that the corresponding testing apparatus performs the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device, the sequence of testing operations being performed responsive to the device test specification,

generating testing data for the selected testing sequence responsive to receiving output from the corresponding testing apparatus for selected testing sequence performing the sequence of testing operations, and

linking the testing data for the selected testing sequence to the device identifier for the selected well equipment device in the database so that a certificate can be generated responsive thereto; and

a certification module stored in the memory, the memory being a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, and the certification module being operable by the processor, the certification module comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the certification module to perform the following operations;

identifying a selected well equipment device, a device test specification, and testing data for a plurality of testing sequences, the identifying operation responsive to receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device,

generating a certificate for the selected well equipment device responsive to the testing data for the plurality of testing sequences, the plurality of testing sequences having been performed upon the selected well equipment device responsive to the device test specification, and

linking the certificate for the selected well equipment device to the device identifier for the selected well equipment device in the database so that the certificate can be readily recalled from the database responsive to the device identifier.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the input/output unit is further positioned to communicate with a testing interface, the testing module further performing the following operation:

calibrating the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence responsive to the device test specification responsive to receiving a selection of a test sequence from the testing interface.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2, the testing module further performing the following operations:

delivering to the testing interface the device test specification and instructions for performing the sequence of testing operations so that a local user may view the device test specification on a graphical display of the testing interface and so that the local user may perform the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device responsive to the device test specification;

generating testing data for the selected testing sequence responsive to receiving user data from the testing interface, the user data having been input to the testing interface responsive to the user performing the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the input/output unit is further positioned to communicate with a remote user interface, the machine further comprising:

a reporting module stored in the memory, the memory being a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, and the reporting module being operable by the processor, the reporting module comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the reporting module to perform the following operations;

identifying a selected well equipment device, a device test specification, testing data for a plurality of testing sequences, and a certificate, the identifying operation responsive to receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device from the remote user interface,

delivering to the remote user interface at least one of the testing data, the device test specification, and the certificate responsive to the identifying operation.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the input/output unit is further positioned to communicate with an RFID reader; and

the receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device is responsive to interrogating a device RFID tag using the RFID reader, the device REID tag being attached to the selected well equipment device and having the device identifier encoded thereon.

6. A machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the input/output unit is further positioned to communicate with an RFID writer, the certification module further performing the following operations:

generating an RFID certificate responsive to the certificate, the RFD) certificate being formatted so that the RPM certificate is recognizable by a remote interrogation device having an RFID reader; and

delivering an RFID certificate to the device RFID tag using the RFID writer so that the RFID certificate can be readily accessed by the remote interrogation device.

7. A system to certify oil and gas well equipment, the system comprising:

a plurality of devices to be used in well equipment to define a plurality of well equipment devices, each well equipment device of the plurality of well equipment devices having a device identifier associated therewith;

a central management server positioned to identify a device test specification and a plurality of testing sequences for a selected well equipment device responsive to receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device, the device test specification and the plurality of testing sequences defining certification criteria for the well equipment device;

a plurality of testing apparatus, each testing apparatus positioned to perform a testing sequence upon the well equipment device, the testing sequence being a sequence of testing operations, the sequence of testing operations being performed responsive to the device test specification;

a plurality of controllers, each controller positioned to receive commands responsive to the certification criteria from the central management server and to control the plurality of testing apparatus performing the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device responsive to the device test specification; and

a certificate generated responsive to the plurality of testing apparatus performing the plurality of testing sequences upon the well equipment device, the certificate indicating whether selected well equipment device has been tested according to the certification criteria within a pre-selected period of time.

8. A system as defined in claim 7, the system further comprising:

a plurality of device RFID tags, each device RFID tag of the plurality of device RFID tags being attached to a well equipment device of the plurality of well equipment devices and having a device identifier for the well equipment device encoded thereon; and

an RFID reader in communication with the central management server and the plurality of device RFID tags, wherein the central management server is positioned to receive the device identifier for a well equipment device having a device RFID tag attached thereto responsive to the RFID reader interrogating the device RFID tag.

9. A system as defined in claim 8, the system further comprising an RFID writer in communication with the central management server and the plurality of device RFID tags, wherein the central management server is positioned to generate an RFID certificate responsive to the certificate and deliver the RFID certificate to a device RFID tag using the RFID writer.

10. A system as defined in claim 7, the system further comprising database positioned to match a device identifier to a well equipment device, a device test specification, and a plurality of testing sequences, wherein the central management server identifies a device test specification and a plurality of testing sequences for a selected well equipment device responsive to matching the device identifier in the database.

11. A system as defined in claim 7, the system further comprising a testing interface in communication with the central management server, wherein:

each testing apparatus of the plurality of testing apparatus is positioned to perform a testing sequence responsive to receiving a selection of the testing sequence from the testing interface; and

the certificate is also generated responsive to user data received from the testing interface, the user data having been input to the testing interface responsive to the user performing the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device responsive to the device test specification.

12. A computer-implemented method to manage periodic testing of a plurality of well equipment devices, the testing being facilitated by a plurality of testing apparatus performing one or more testing operations upon the plurality of well equipment devices, the computer-implemented method comprising the following operations:

receiving a device identifier for a selected well equipment device of the plurality of well equipment devices;

identifying the selected well equipment device, a device test specification, and plurality of testing sequences, the identifying operation being responsive to the receiving operation, each testing sequence of the plurality of testing sequences to be performed by a corresponding testing apparatus of the plurality of testing apparatus, each testing sequence defining a sequence of testing operations;

selecting a testing sequence of the plurality of testing sequences to define a selected testing sequence, the selecting operation responsive to the selected well equipment device being positioned so that the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence can perform testing operations upon the selected well equipment device;

calibrating the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence responsive to the device test specification;

controlling the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence so that the corresponding testing apparatus performs the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device, the sequence of testing operations being performed responsive to the device test specification;

generating testing data for the selected testing sequence responsive to receiving output from the corresponding testing apparatus for selected testing sequence performing the sequence of testing operations; and

linking the testing data for the selected testing sequence to the device identifier for the selected well equipment device in a database so that a certificate can be generated responsive thereto.

13. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 12 wherein the selecting operation is responsive to receiving a selection of the test sequence from a testing interface.

14. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 12, further performing the following operation:

calibrating the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence responsive to the device test specification responsive to receiving a selection of a test sequence from the testing interface.

15. The computer-implemented method as defined in claim 13, the computer-implemented method further comprising the following operations:

delivering to the testing interface the device test specification and instructions for performing the sequence of testing operations so that a local user may view the device test specification on a graphical display of the testing interface and so that the local user may perform the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device responsive to the device test specification;

generating testing data for the selected testing sequence responsive to receiving user data from the testing interface, the user data having been input to the testing interface responsive to the user performing the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device.

16. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 12 wherein receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device is responsive to interrogating a device RFID tag using a RFID reader, the device RFID tag being attached to the selected well equipment device and having the device identifier encoded thereon.

18. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim 16, the computer-implemented method further comprising the following operations:

delivering an RFID certificate to a device RFID tag using an RFID writer so that the RFID certificate can be readily accessed by the remote interrogation device, the device RFID tag being attached to the selected well equipment device and having the device identifier encoded thereon.

17. A computer-implemented method to manage periodic certification of a plurality of well equipment devices, the certification based upon testing data generated responsive to a plurality of testing apparatus performing one or more testing operations upon the plurality of well equipment devices, the computer-implemented method comprising the following operations:

identifying a selected well equipment device, a device test specification, and testing data for a plurality of testing sequences, the identifying operation responsive to receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device;

generating a certificate for the selected well equipment device responsive to the testing data for the plurality of testing sequences, the plurality of testing sequences having been performed upon the selected well equipment device responsive to the device test specification; and

linking the certificate for the selected well equipment device to the device identifier for the selected well equipment device in a database so that the certificate can be readily recalled from the database responsive to the device identifier.

19. A computer program product stored in a memory, the memory being a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program product being operable by a processor, the computer program product comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the testing module to perform the following operations:

identifying a selected well equipment device, a device test specification, and a plurality of testing sequences, the identifying operation responsive to receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device, each testing sequence of the plurality of testing sequences to be performed by a corresponding testing apparatus of the plurality of testing apparatus, each testing sequence defining a sequence of testing operations;

selecting a testing sequence of the plurality of testing sequences, the selecting operation responsive to the selected well equipment device being positioned so that the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence can perform testing operations upon the selected well equipment device;

controlling the corresponding testing apparatus for the selected testing sequence so that the corresponding testing apparatus performs the sequence of testing operations upon the selected well equipment device, the sequence of testing operations being performed responsive to the device test specification;

generating testing data for the selected testing sequence responsive to receiving output from the corresponding testing apparatus for selected testing sequence performing the sequence of testing operations;

linking the testing data for the selected testing sequence to the device identifier for the selected well equipment device in the database so that a certificate can be generated responsive thereto;

identifying a selected well equipment device, a device test specification, and testing data for a plurality of testing sequences, the identifying operation responsive to receiving a device identifier for the selected well equipment device;

generating a certificate for the selected well equipment device responsive to the testing data for the plurality of testing sequences, the plurality of testing sequences having been performed upon the selected well equipment device responsive to the device test specification; and

linking the certificate for the selected well equipment device to the device identifier for the selected well equipment device in the database so that the certificate can be readily recalled from the database responsive to the device identifier.