Methods and systems for tripping pipe

Abstract

Methods of adjusting a velocity at which a drill string is moved within a well are provided. One method includes adjusting the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well based upon a hookload associated therewith. Another method includes adjusting the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well based upon the actual velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well. Another method includes adjusting the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well based upon the volume of fluid displaced by the drill string flowing from the well as it is lowered into the well.

1 . A method of adjusting a velocity at which a drill string is moved within a well, comprising:
 determining a first hookload associated with a drill string indicative of a weight associated with the drill string;   calculating a second hookload associated with the drill string indicative of a presumed weight associated with the drill string;   comparing the first hookload to the second hookload to determine whether the first hookload deviates from the second hookload by at least a target weight limit; and   in response to determining that the first hookload deviates from the second hookload by at least the target weight limit, reducing a velocity at which the drill string is moved within a well.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reducing the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well includes reducing the velocity at which the drill string is removed from the well. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reducing the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well includes reducing the velocity at which the drill string is inserted into the well. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second hookload is calculated based upon user input indicating a configuration of the drill string. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second hookload is calculated based upon user input indicating a weight associated with the drill string. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein comparing the first hookload to the second hookload includes calculating a deviation between the first hookload and the second hookload. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising halting the introduction of a fluid to the well. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising increasing the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well when the first hookload no longer deviates from the second hookload by at least the target weight limit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, in response to determining that the first hookload does not deviate from the second hookload by at least the target weight limit, maintaining a velocity at which the drill string is moved with respect to the well. 
     
     
         10 . A method of adjusting a velocity at which a drill string is moved within a well, comprising:
 determining an actual velocity at which a drill string is moved within a well;   determining a target velocity at which the drill string is to be moved within the well;   comparing the actual velocity to the target velocity to determine whether the actual velocity exceeds the target velocity by at least a target speed limit; and   in response to determining that the actual velocity exceeds the target velocity by at least the target speed limit, reducing the actual velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein reducing the actual velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well includes reducing the actual velocity at which the drill string is removed from the well. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein reducing the actual velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well includes reducing the actual velocity at which the drill string is inserted into the well. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the target velocity is determined from user input. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the target velocity is selected to prevent swabbing within the well. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the target speed limit is zero. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising halting the introduction of a fluid to the well. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising increasing the actual velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well to the target velocity when the actual speed is less than the target velocity. 
     
     
         18 . A method of adjusting a velocity at which a drill string is moved within a well, comprising:
 determining a first volume of fluid flowing from a well in response to lowering at least a portion of a drill string therein;   calculating a second volume of fluid indicative of a volume of fluid displaced by lowering the at least a portion of the drill string within the well;   comparing the first volume to the second volume to determine whether the first volume is greater than the second volume; and   in response to determining that the first volume is greater than the second volume, reducing the velocity at which the at least a portion of the drill string is lowered into the well.