Abstract: A method can include determining an ideal activity speed profile of an activity for a well, where the ideal activity speed profile of the activity for the well corresponds to a length of the well; forecasting a start time and a stop time using the ideal activity speed profile of the activity; generating a drilling plan using the start time and the stop time where another activity commences after the stop time; during performance of the activity for the well, receiving data indicative of an actual activity speed of the activity for the well for a corresponding length of the well; during the performance of the activity, deciding to make an adjustment to the performance of the activity for the well using the ideal activity speed profile and the actual activity speed of the activity for the well; and adjusting the stop time of the drilling plan.

Abstract: A method can include determining an ideal activity speed profile of an activity for a well, where the ideal activity speed profile of the activity for the well corresponds to a length of the well; forecasting a start time and a stop time using the ideal activity speed profile of the activity; generating a drilling plan using the start time and the stop time where another activity commences after the stop time; during performance of the activity for the well, receiving data indicative of an actual activity speed of the activity for the well for a corresponding length of the well; during the performance of the activity, deciding to make an adjustment to the performance of the activity for the well using the ideal activity speed profile and the actual activity speed of the activity for the well; and adjusting the stop time of the drilling plan.

Abstract: A casing deployment apparatus includes a processing resource with a signal pattern recognition engine unit (420), a tubular measurement unit (404) and a decision unit (416). A first sensor input (402) and a second sensor input (406) are attached to the pattern recognition unit (420) and receive first sensor data and second sensor data corresponding to first and second time-varying sensor signals. The pattern recognition unit (420) analyzes a characteristic of the first sensor data to determine whether the characteristic is substantially consistent with a first expected characteristic of the first sensor data associated with deployment of casing in a borehole. The tubular measurement unit (404) analyzes a characteristic of the second sensor data in order to determine whether the characteristic is substantially consistent with a second expected characteristic of the second sensor data associated with the deployment of the casing.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating a drilling rig activity report while operating the rig includes receiving sensor measurements from a plurality of surface sensors deployed on the drilling rig. The sensor measurements may be made in real time while operating the rig and may be processed to compute rig state/activity information. The rig state(s) and a user defined report configuration may then be further processed to automatically generate the rig activity report.

Abstract: A method can include determining an ideal activity speed profile of an activity for a well, where the ideal activity speed profile of the activity for the well corresponds to a length of the well; forecasting a start time and a stop time using the ideal activity speed profile of the activity; generating a drilling plan using the start time and the stop time where another activity commences after the stop time; during performance of the activity for the well, receiving data indicative of an actual activity speed of the activity for the well for a corresponding length of the well; during the performance of the activity, deciding to make an adjustment to the performance of the activity for the well using the ideal activity speed profile and the actual activity speed of the activity for the well; and adjusting the stop time of the drilling plan.

Abstract: A method for scheduling wellbore construction activities includes entering a well plan into a computer. The well plan includes estimated start and stop times for a plurality of activities in a predetermined sequence. Progress of selected ones of the plurality of activities is measured during their performance. In the computer, expected ending time of at least one of the plurality of activities is recalculated based on progress thereof during that activity. In the computer, expected start and stop times are recalculated for each activity subsequent to the activity in progress based on the recalculated expected ending time. The recalculated start and stop times for each subsequent activity are displayed.

Abstract: A method for optimizing drilling includes initializing values of a plurality of drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters. In a computer, an initial relationship between the plurality of drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters is determined. A drilling unit to drill a wellbore through subsurface formations. The drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters are measured during drilling and entered into the computer. A range of values and an optimum value for at least one of the drilling response parameters and at least one of the drilling response parameters is determined in the computer. A display of the at least one of the plurality of drilling operating parameters and the at least one of the drilling response parameters is generated by the computer.

Abstract: A method for scheduling wellbore construction activities includes entering a well plan into a computer. The well plan includes estimated start and stop times for a plurality of activities in a predetermined sequence. Progress of selected ones of the plurality of activities is measured during their performance. In the computer, expected ending time of at least one of the plurality of activities is recalculated based on progress thereof during that activity. In the computer, expected start and stop times are recalculated for each activity subsequent to the activity in progress based on the recalculated expected ending time. The recalculated start and stop times for each subsequent activity are displayed.

Abstract: A method for optimizing wellbore pipe tripping operation includes entering into a computer parameters related to a maximum safe pipe movement speed within the wellbore along at least one selected depth interval along the wellbore. A maximum safe pipe movement speed is calculated. An actual pipe movement speed is measured along the at least one selected depth interval. In the computer, a display is generated of the measured pipe movement speed along with the maximum safe pipe movement speed over the at least one selected depth interval.

Abstract: A casing deployment apparatus includes a processing resource with a signal pattern recognition engine unit (420), a tubular measurement unit (404) and a decision unit (416). A first sensor input (402) and a second sensor input (406) are attached to the pattern recognition unit (420) and receive first sensor data and second sensor data corresponding to first and second time-varying sensor signals. The pattern recognition unit (420) analyzes a characteristic of the first sensor data to determine whether the characteristic is substantially consistent with a first expected characteristic of the first sensor data associated with deployment of casing in a borehole. The tubular measurement unit (404) analyzes a characteristic of the second sensor data in order to determine whether the characteristic is substantially consistent with a second expected characteristic of the second sensor data associated with the deployment of the casing.

Abstract: A method for determining a status of a drill string in a wellbore. The method can include obtaining pressure data and hook load data for the drill string. The pressure data can be filtered to obtain pressure sections. A low pressure threshold can be determined based upon the pressure sections. The hook load data can be filtered to obtain hook load sections. Hook load baselines can be determined based upon the hook load sections. Dynamic thresholds can be determined based upon the hook load baselines. An in-slips status of the drill string can be determined based upon the low pressure threshold, the dynamic thresholds, or both.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating a drilling rig activity report while operating the rig includes receiving sensor measurements from a plurality of surface sensors deployed on the drilling rig. The sensor measurements may be made in real time while operating the rig and may be processed to compute rig state/activity information. The rig state(s) and a user defined report configuration may then be further processed to automatically generate the rig activity report.

Abstract: A method for optimizing wellbore pipe tripping operation includes entering into a computer parameters related to a maximum safe pipe movement speed within the wellbore along at least one selected depth interval along the wellbore. A maximum safe pipe movement speed is calculated. An actual pipe movement speed is measured along the at least one selected depth interval. In the computer, a display is generated of the measured pipe movement speed along with the maximum safe pipe movement speed over the at least one selected depth interval.

Abstract: A method for identifying and predicting well pressure control events includes pumping fluid into a wellbore and collecting fluid returning from the wellbore. A first parameter related to a rate of flow of fluid pumped into the wellbore is measured. A second parameter related to a rate of flow of fluid out of the wellbore is measured. The first and second parameters and selected properties of the fluid are used to calculate an equivalent density of the fluid during pumping (ECD) and when pumping is stopped (ESD). An alarm when at least one of the following occurs: ECD is at least equal to a fracture pressure of at least one formation in the wellbore, ESD is at most equal to a fluid pore pressure of at least one formation in the wellbore, and ESD is at most equal to a collapse pressure of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for optimizing drilling includes initializing values of a plurality of drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters. In a computer, an initial relationship between the plurality of drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters is determined. A drilling unit to drill a wellbore through subsurface formations. The drilling operating parameters and drilling response parameters are measured during drilling and entered into the computer. A range of values and an optimum value for at least one of the drilling response parameters and at least one of the drilling response parameters is determined in the computer. A display of the at least one of the plurality of drilling operating parameters and the at least one of the drilling response parameters is generated by the computer.

Abstract: A method for scheduling wellbore construction activities includes entering a well plan into a computer. The well plan includes estimated start and stop times for a plurality of activities in a predetermined sequence. Progress of selected ones of the plurality of activities is measured during their performance. In the computer, expected ending time of at least one of the plurality of activities is recalculated based on progress thereof during that activity. In the computer, expected start and stop times are recalculated for each activity subsequent to the activity in progress based on the recalculated expected ending time. The recalculated start and stop times for each subsequent activity are displayed.