Drilling control method and system
First Claim
1. A drilling control method for automatically triggering a remedying action responsive to an evolving or existing critical condition, the method comprising the steps of:
- (i) calculating process parameter boundaries which represent a critical condition for a well by using calibrated drilling process models,(ii) triggering an emergency action if a process parameter exceeds said process parameter boundaries, said emergency action being intended to minimize the effect of said critical condition,(iii) then further analyzing the well in order to determine a remedying action to then be applied, the remedying action being intended to remedy the cause of said critical condition, the remedying action being determined dynamically as a function of the response of the well to the remedying action;
(iv) if said remedying action is not capable of remedying the cause of said critical condition, then applying predetermined safe process parameters or shutting down.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and system for drilling control comprising a plurality of controllers adapted to control performance process parameters, on the basis of driller controls from a driller that provides this as instructions to said controllers, wherein the system further comprises sensors and means for obtaining process values, such as downhole pressure, temperature and torque, wherein the system is adapted to, continuously and/or repeatedly, calculate safeguard envelopes for performance process parameters on the basis of process values and drilling process models and that it is adapted to restrain said controllers from applying performance process parameters outside said safeguard envelopes as a result of driller instructions, and—a method and system for automatically triggering a remedying action in case of an evolving or existing critical situation, comprising calculation of process parameter boundaries which represent a critical condition for the well by using calibrated drilling process models, comprising (i) triggering an emergency action if a parameter exceeds said boundaries, said emergency action being intended to minimize the effect of said critical situation, (ii) then further analyzing the well in order to determine which remedying action to then be applied, the remedying action being intended to remedy the cause of said effect; (iii) if said remedying action is not capable of remedying the cause of said effect, then applying predetermined safe process parameters or shutting down.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A drilling control method for automatically triggering a remedying action responsive to an evolving or existing critical condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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(i) calculating process parameter boundaries which represent a critical condition for a well by using calibrated drilling process models, (ii) triggering an emergency action if a process parameter exceeds said process parameter boundaries, said emergency action being intended to minimize the effect of said critical condition, (iii) then further analyzing the well in order to determine a remedying action to then be applied, the remedying action being intended to remedy the cause of said critical condition, the remedying action being determined dynamically as a function of the response of the well to the remedying action; (iv) if said remedying action is not capable of remedying the cause of said critical condition, then applying predetermined safe process parameters or shutting down. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A drilling control system, for automatically triggering a remedying action responsive to an evolving or existing critical condition, the system comprising:
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a process parameter calculation element operative to calculate process parameter boundaries which represent a critical condition for a well by using calibrated drilling process models, enforcement elements operative to trigger an emergency action if a process parameter exceeds said process parameter boundaries, said emergency action being intended to minimize the effect of said critical condition, a remedying action calculation element, operative to analyze the well further in order to determine a remedying action to then be applied, the remedying action being intended to remedy the cause of said critical condition the remedying action being determined dynamically as a function of the response of the well to the remedying action; wherein the enforcement elements are operative to apply the remedying action and if said remedying action is not capable of remedying the cause of said critical condition, the enforcement elements are operative to apply predetermined safe process parameters or to shut down the well. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A drilling control system for automatically triggering a remedying action responsive to an evolving or existing critical condition, the drilling control system being adapted to apply calibrated drilling process models in calculating acceptable threshold conditions used to determine whether a well has entered a critical condition, wherein, in case a parameter is exceeding the continuously updated conditions for a critical situation, an automatic action is triggered to minimize the effect of the critical situation, wherein this automatic action can adapt itself as a function of the response of the well to the automatic action, and the system comprises
machine controllers adapted to automatically trigger emergency remediating action based on machine controller algorithms implemented directly in the machine controllers; - the machine controllers being arranged to apply a dynamic remediating action based on machine controller algorithms implemented directly in the machine controllers; and
a central database communicating calculated setpoints or curves or surfaces defining emergency remediating action and dynamic remediating action to the machine controllers; wherein the machine controllers are adapted to continuously compare measured process values with the triggering limits, and wherein, if triggering limits are exceeded then emergency remediating action is automatically triggered; and wherein after triggering, further remediating control is performed dynamically as a function of response, as defined by the setpoints or curves or surfaces defining appropriate dynamic remediating action.
- the machine controllers being arranged to apply a dynamic remediating action based on machine controller algorithms implemented directly in the machine controllers; and
Specification