EXPLORATION • DRILLING • FIELD SERVICES SECTION TITLE
AUTOMATED
Juliana Bond explores a further step towards the automation of well operations
O
ne major oil and gas industry challenge is that well control is entirely reliant on a single human being to detect an influx and safely
shut-in the well. Te complex sequence of events required by the driller to make a well safe following an influx includes a complex mixture of human factors, knowledge and physical skills. Tese include: Situational Awareness Levels 1 to 3; knowledge of the rig and drill string; knowledge of the formation pore pressure and mud weight; short- and medium-term memory of up to five drilling parameters; and fine motor skills to drive the equipment to the appropriate place and then stop the mud pumps and top drive.
WELL CONTROL
On cyber rigs, much of the actions are needed on a system designed with little regard to the ergonomics required for a series of fast actions that must be done precisely. A series of decisions need to be made, often with competing drivers, and the implications of making the wrong decision are dramatic. Additionally, the individual may be required to function the Blow Out Preventer equipment, which is not a daily occurrence, so they may not be fully familiar with its functionality. Once functioned, the driller is required to verify it has functioned correctly. Te worker is expected to diagnose a potential fault and function other components until the well is sealed. All of this is done under the goal of minimising the volume of the influx. Tere may be
The Safe Influx system features a user-friendly touchscreen 14
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dramatic implications for creating non- productive time and subsequently affecting the driller’s career. Tis creates a stressful situation. One end of the scale is creating a major accident and the other end of the scale is preventing a major accident. Given the complexity of the required tasks and the ever- increasing demands on our drillers, it is understandable that up
to 67% of blowouts are caused by human factors issues.
WHAT DOES AUTOMATED WELL CONTROL DO? Well control can be improved by using automated technology. An automated well control system has been developed by Safe Influx to recognise an influx whilst drilling ahead, space out, flow check, stop the mud pumps and top drive, flow check and, as necessary through the sequence, activate the BOPs to safely close in the well. All of this is done with machine code instructions enabling simultaneous commands to be issued and executed. Te well and equipment control algorithms enable swift detection and shut-in of an influx, dramatically reducing the volume of the influx. A smaller influx volume results in more well kill options and less time required to resolve the situation before resuming productive operations. Monitoring signals from the rig’s existing systems are read within the central control system. As required, signals are sent to control the various drilling rig equipment.
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