US2014326505A1PendingUtilityA1

Well drilling methods with audio and video inputs for event detection

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Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERV INCPriority: Jul 23, 2012Filed: Jul 23, 2012Published: Nov 6, 2014
Est. expiryJul 23, 2032(~6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Nancy DavisCody Neal ButlerJames Randolph Lovorn
E21B 44/00E21B 19/165E21B 44/02E21B 21/08E21B 47/002
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Claims

Abstract

A well drilling method can include sensing at least one of audio and optical signals, generating a parameter signature during a drilling operation, the parameter signature being based at least in part on the sensing, and detecting a drilling event by comparing the parameter signature to an event signature indicative of the drilling event. A well drilling system can include a control system which compares a parameter signature for a drilling operation to an event signature indicative of a drilling event, the parameter signature being based at least in part on an output of at least one audio and/or optical sensor, and a controller which controls the drilling operation in response to the drilling event being indicated by at least a partial match between the parameter signature and the event signature.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well drilling method, comprising:
 sensing at least one of a group comprising audio signals and optical signals;   generating a parameter signature during a drilling operation, the parameter signature being based at least in part on the sensing; and   detecting a drilling event by comparing the parameter signature to an event signature indicative of the drilling event.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing further comprises positioning at least one audio sensor proximate at least one source of the audio signals. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the source comprises rig equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the source comprises a rig mud pump. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the source comprises a choke manifold. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the audio sensor comprises a microphone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing further comprises positioning at least one optical sensor proximate at least one source of the optical signals. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the source comprises rig equipment. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the source comprises a separator. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the source comprises a standpipe. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a video camera. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a photodiode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the drilling event comprises a start of a drill pipe connection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the drilling event comprises a completion of a drill pipe connection. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the drilling event comprises a fluid influx. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the drilling event comprises a fluid loss. 
     
     
         17 . A well drilling system, comprising:
 a control system which compares a parameter signature for a drilling operation to an event signature indicative of a drilling event, the parameter signature being based at least in part on an output of at least one sensor selected from a group comprising audio and optical sensors; and   a controller which controls the drilling operation in response to the drilling event being indicated by at least a partial match between the parameter signature and the event signature.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least partial match indicates that the drilling event has occurred. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least partial match indicates that the drilling event is substantially likely to occur. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the drilling event comprises a start of a drill pipe connection. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the drilling event comprises a completion of a drill pipe connection. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the drilling event comprises a fluid influx. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the drilling event comprises a fluid loss. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one audio sensor proximate at least one source of audio signals. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the source comprises rig equipment. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the source comprises a rig mud pump. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the source comprises a choke manifold. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the audio sensor comprises a microphone. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one optical sensor proximate at least one source of optical signals. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the source comprises rig equipment. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the source comprises a separator. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the source comprises a standpipe. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a video camera. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a photodiode.

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