Patents by Inventor Pradeep Annaiyappa

Pradeep Annaiyappa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230366278
    Abstract: A method for conducting subterranean operations can include engaging a tubular with a pipe handler, moving the tubular with the pipe handler to a new location, disengaging from the tubular at the new location, determining, via a rig controller, an estimated location of the tubular based on the new location at which the pipe handler disengaged from the tubular, determining, via a machine learning module of the rig controller and one or more imaging sensors, a deviation from the estimated location of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA
  • Patent number: 11781388
    Abstract: A method for performing a subterranean operation that can include operations of engaging a tubular with a pipe handler, calculating, via a processor, an internal volume of the tubular, determining, via the processor, a number of pump strokes required to fill at least a percentage of the internal volume with fluid, pumping the fluid to the tubular by running a pump the number of pump strokes, and filling the internal volume of the tubular to at least the percentage of the internal volume with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hasler, Pradeep Annaiyappa, David G. Shackelford
  • Patent number: 11719087
    Abstract: Systems and methods for subterranean drilling operations comprising: adjusting a wellbore parameter; measuring a time interval between adjustment of the wellbore parameter and a resulting change at a bottom hole assembly of a drill string; using the measured time interval and determining resistance in the wellbore; and modeling the resistance to form a friction model of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Ino.
    Inventor: Pradeep Annaiyappa
  • Publication number: 20230206779
    Abstract: A method for simulating a rig operation that can include creating a digital twin of a rig based on a rig plan for assembling/disassembling a rig; simulating, via the digital twin, a list of tasks for assembly/disassembly of rig components to assemble/disassemble the rig at a rig site. Also, a method for simulating and performing a rig operation is provided that can include operations of creating a digital twin of a rig based on a rig plan for the rig, simulating, via the digital twin, the rig plan, where the rig plan can include a list of tasks for moving rig components of the rig, and simulating, via the digital twin, moving the rig components from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA, Malini MANOCHA
  • Publication number: 20230206157
    Abstract: A method for performing a subterranean operation that can include operations for controlling, via an individual driller, execution of at least a portion of a digital rig plan that is an implementation of a digital well plan on a rig; determining, via a rig controller, a first performance score of the individual driller for controlling the execution of the portion; and adjusting, via the rig controller, a second performance score of the digital rig plan based on the first performance score of the individual driller, where the second performance score indicates performance of the digital rig plan to the digital well plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Boone, Pradeep Annaiyappa
  • Publication number: 20230205944
    Abstract: A method for simulating a rig operation that can include creating a digital twin of a rig based on a rig plan for assembling/disassembling a rig; simulating, via the digital twin, a list of tasks for assembly/disassembly of rig components to assemble/disassemble the rig at a rig site. Also, a method for simulating and performing a rig operation is provided that can include operations of creating a digital twin of a rig based on a rig plan for the rig, simulating, via the digital twin, the rig plan, where the rig plan can include a list of tasks for moving rig components of the rig, and simulating, via the digital twin, moving the rig components from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA, Malini MANOCHA
  • Publication number: 20230205945
    Abstract: A method for simulating a rig operation that can include creating a digital twin of a rig based on a rig plan for assembling/disassembling a rig; simulating, via the digital twin, a list of tasks for assembly/disassembly of rig components to assemble/disassemble the rig at a rig site. Also, a method for simulating and performing a rig operation is provided that can include operations of creating a digital twin of a rig based on a rig plan for the rig, simulating, via the digital twin, the rig plan, where the rig plan can include a list of tasks for moving rig components of the rig, and simulating, via the digital twin, moving the rig components from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA, Malini Manocha
  • Publication number: 20230193741
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of drilling a wellbore using a drill string and a smart downhole system that comprises one or more downhole controllers and one or more downhole sensors. The method includes storing, in the downhole controller(s), a target efficiency parameter; drilling the wellbore using the drill string; and measuring, by the downhole sensor(s), a parameter. The method also includes, using the downhole controller(s) to: calculate an efficiency parameter based on the measured parameter; calculate a difference between the calculated efficiency parameter and the target efficiency parameter; generate first instructions to reduce the difference; and send to a surface controller, the first instructions. The method also includes generating, by the surface controller, second instructions based on the first instructions; and implementing, by the surface controller, the second instructions to reduce the difference between the measured efficiency parameter and the target efficiency parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA
  • Publication number: 20230098238
    Abstract: A method that can include receiving a digital well plan comprising tool non-specific operations, converting the digital well plan to a digital rig plan, the digital rig plan comprising a plurality of first task lists of tool-specific tasks for a specific rig, with each one of the plurality of first task lists performing at least one of the tool non-specific operations, inserting into the digital rig plan, via a rig controller, at least one alternative list of tool-specific tasks for performing at least one alternative operation, during execution of the digital rig plan, selecting, via the rig controller, the at least one alternative list of tool-specific tasks, and performing, at the rig, the at least one alternative list of tool-specific tasks in response to the selecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Malini MANOCHA, Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA
  • Publication number: 20230096078
    Abstract: A method for conducting operations in an environment that can include conducting an activity of a well plan within an environment, obtaining individual data from an electronic device on an individual, calculating an individual risk score of the individual for performing a task in support of the activity, and calculating an activity risk score for the activity based at least in part on the individual risk score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventor: Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA
  • Publication number: 20230099292
    Abstract: An image decoding method may include determining whether at least one of a height and a width of a current coding unit is greater than a predetermined size, obtaining, based on whether the current coding unit is to be split into transform units, a second coded block flag from the bitstream, the second coded block flag indicating whether a block of a luma component included in the at least one transform unit includes at least one transform coefficient in the bitstream, obtaining a residual signal of the block of the luma component included in the at least one transform unit, based on the second coded block flag, reconstructing the current coding unit based on the residual signal, and reconstructing the current image including the current coding unit, based on the reconstructed current coding unit. The split shape mode may indicate at least one of whether to perform splitting, a split direction, and a split type, and the split type may correspond to binary splitting, tri splitting, and quad splitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Malini MANOCHA, Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA
  • Publication number: 20220290515
    Abstract: A method for performing a subterranean operation that can include operations of engaging a tubular with a pipe handler, calculating, via a processor, an internal volume of the tubular, determining, via the processor, a number of pump strokes required to fill at least a percentage of the internal volume with fluid, pumping the fluid to the tubular by running a pump the number of pump strokes, and filling the internal volume of the tubular to at least the percentage of the internal volume with the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: David HASLER, Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA, David G. SHACKELFORD
  • Patent number: 11125074
    Abstract: A method of subterranean drilling comprising monitoring at least one drilling criteria at the surface; communicating a marker signal to a bottom hole assembly of a drill string upon meeting a condition of the at least one drilling criteria; and repeating the marker signal at least two consecutive times the condition is met. In an embodiment, the marker signal can be repeated every time the condition is met. A system for subterranean drilling comprising a drill rig adapted to monitor at least one drilling criteria at the surface; a communication element adapted to communicate a marker signal to a bottom hole assembly of a drill string upon meeting a condition of the at least one drilling criteria, wherein the communication element is adapted to communicate the marker signal to the bottom hole assembly at least two consecutive times the condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Harvey, Pradeep Annaiyappa, Tyler Clark, Kirk Towns
  • Publication number: 20200394779
    Abstract: A fingerboard management system that can determine via a rig controller, a selection of a location in the fingerboard for one or more tubulars and placement of the one or more tubulars in the fingerboard based on available locations in the fingerboard and historical information of each of the one or more tubulars and a method that can include importing a 3D model into a rig controller, collecting images of at least a portion of the rig, comparing the images to the 3D model or a visible marker, calibrating the vision system by determining a position, an orientation, and a field of view for each of the sensors based on the comparing, collecting additional images of the fingerboard, and determining an available total tubular storage space of the fingerboard based on the additional images of the fingerboard and the calibrated vision system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Arima AYANAMBAKKAM, Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA
  • Patent number: 10648321
    Abstract: A drilling rig apparatus is disclosed for improving autodriller control during directional drilling. A BHA determines a relationship between downhole WOB and downhole differential pressure and sends the relationship to a surface controller. The relationships may be sent on a set periodic basis or dynamically in response to the relationships over time differing from each other above a threshold amount. The surface controller estimates downhole WOB by inputting surface differential pressure into a formula implementing the relationship from downhole. The estimated downhole WOB is input into the autodriller for control and is used to estimate MSE. Downhole WOB, either estimated or actual values, may further be used to determine a ratio between downhole WOB and surface-determined WOB values. If the ratio falls below zero in comparison to a prior ratio, then a slack-off rate is adjusted until the ratio reaches zero or a positive value again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Mahmoud Hadi, Matthew White, Bosko Gajic, Austin Groover, Pradeep Annaiyappa
  • Publication number: 20200063533
    Abstract: Systems and methods for subterranean drilling operations comprising: adjusting a wellbore parameter; measuring a time interval between adjustment of the wellbore parameter and a resulting change at a bottom hole assembly of a drill string; using the measured time interval and determining resistance in the wellbore; and modeling the resistance to form a friction model of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA
  • Patent number: 10567735
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a wellsite is generated. A three-dimensional camera system is calibrated to the three-dimensional model. A draw-works encoder is calibrated. The motion of a component is monitored. The draw-works encoder is recalibrated based on the monitoring. According to another aspect, three-dimensional imaging data sets are received, the three-dimensional imaging data sets being associated with a control volume in which the portion of the wellsite is disposed. A predefined three-dimensional model is augmented with the three-dimensional imaging data sets. According to another aspect, at least one three-dimensional camera employs a first three-dimensional sensing technology that is different from a second three-dimensional sensing technology employed by at least one other three-dimensional camera. A single three-dimensional model is generated by merging respective three-dimensional imaging data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ellis, Pradeep Annaiyappa
  • Publication number: 20190330973
    Abstract: A method of subterranean drilling comprising monitoring at least one drilling criteria at the surface; communicating a marker signal to a bottom hole assembly of a drill string upon meeting a condition of the at least one drilling criteria; and repeating the marker signal at least two consecutive times the condition is met. In an embodiment, the marker signal can be repeated every time the condition is met. A system for subterranean drilling comprising a drill rig adapted to monitor at least one drilling criteria at the surface; a communication element adapted to communicate a marker signal to a bottom hole assembly of a drill string upon meeting a condition of the at least one drilling criteria, wherein the communication element is adapted to communicate the marker signal to the bottom hole assembly at least two consecutive times the condition is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Peter HARVEY, Pradeep ANNAIYAPPA, Tyler CLARK, Kirk TOWNS
  • Publication number: 20180283157
    Abstract: A drilling rig apparatus is disclosed for improving autodriller control during directional drilling. A BHA determines a relationship between downhole WOB and downhole differential pressure and sends the relationship to a surface controller. The relationships may be sent on a set periodic basis or dynamically in response to the relationships over time differing from each other above a threshold amount. The surface controller estimates downhole WOB by inputting surface differential pressure into a formula implementing the relationship from downhole. The estimated downhole WOB is input into the autodriller for control and is used to estimate MSE. Downhole WOB, either estimated or actual values, may further be used to determine a ratio between downhole WOB and surface-determined WOB values. If the ratio falls below zero in comparison to a prior ratio, then a slack-off rate is adjusted until the ratio reaches zero or a positive value again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mahmoud Hadi, Matthew White, Bosko Gajic, Austin Groover, Pradeep Annaiyappa
  • Patent number: 9464517
    Abstract: An apparatus for remote monitoring of well operations. The apparatus may include an alerts module positioned proximate a well, at least one well parameter sensor in communication with the alerts module, and a well operation control module in communication with the alerts module. The apparatus may further include a remotely positioned well monitoring station in communication with the alerts module, and a plurality of user terminal in communication with the well monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Chris Papouras, Pradeep Annaiyappa, Hari Koduru