Abstract: A system including an instrumented sub for supporting subterranean operations, the instrumented sub can include an upper and lower portion with a flow passage extending therethrough, and a valve that selectively permits or restricts fluid flow through the flow passage, and a rotary interface coupled to the upper portion and including a rotary portion and a stationary portion, where the rotary portion is rotationally fixed to the upper portion and rotates with the upper portion, where the stationary portion is rotationally coupled to the rotary portion, and where the rotary interface transfers communication signals between the stationary portion and the rotary portion to transmit commands or data to or receive the commands or data from one or more components of the instrumented sub. Can also include a method of using the instrumented sub to determine a vertical position or movement of a top drive.

Abstract: Method(s) and apparatus according to which: a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) and a drilling rig together attempt to drill a wellbore segment along a planned trajectory while a test scenario is executed on the drilling rig by varying operating parameter(s) of the drilling rig in a predetermined manner during a predetermined time interval; performance characteristic(s) monitored by sensor(s) of the BHA during the predetermined time interval are then received; the predetermined manner in which the operating parameter(s) of the drilling rig were varied during the predetermined time interval is/are then compared to the received performance characteristic(s) monitored by the sensor(s) of the BHA during the predetermined time interval; and based on said comparison, the operating parameter(s) of a drilling rig (e.g., another drilling rig) are controlled while a BHA (e.g., another BHA) operably associated with the drilling rig attempts to drill a wellbore segment along a similar planned trajectory.

Abstract: Method(s) and apparatus according to which: a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) and a drilling rig together attempt to drill a wellbore segment along a planned trajectory while a test scenario is executed on the drilling rig by varying operating parameter(s) of the drilling rig in a predetermined manner during a predetermined time interval; performance characteristic(s) monitored by sensor(s) of the BHA during the predetermined time interval are then received; the predetermined manner in which the operating parameter(s) of the drilling rig were varied during the predetermined time interval is/are then compared to the received performance characteristic(s) monitored by the sensor(s) of the BHA during the predetermined time interval; and based on said comparison, the operating parameter(s) of a drilling rig (e.g., another drilling rig) are controlled while a BHA (e.g., another BHA) operably associated with the drilling rig attempts to drill a wellbore segment along a similar planned trajectory.

Abstract: A system comprising a rig, a fingerboard, a first sensor, and a second sensor, with the first sensor positioned on an opposite side of the entrance from the second sensor, where the first sensor and the second sensor are used to detect when a tubular enters or exits the fingerboard and to detect a parameter of the tubular, such as diameter of the tubular, speed of the tubular, and an angle of entry of the tubular. A method comprising sensing, via first and second sensors, when a tubular is entering a fingerboard through an entrance of the fingerboard, restricting movement of a top drive at an elevated position until the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard, and enabling movement of the top drive when the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing equipment used in subterranean operations include capturing one or more first images of equipment via an imagine sensor at a first time, capturing one or more second images of the equipment via the imaging sensor at a second time that is different than the first time, comparing, via a rig controller, the one or more first images to the one or more second images, identifying a difference in a surface of the equipment based on the comparing, and determining an integrity value of the equipment based on the difference.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing subterranean operations include receiving a digital rig plan which comprises a sequence of at least a subset of available rig tasks for a rig, executing a rig task in the digital rig plan that involves a fluid, monitoring at least one parameter of the fluid during execution of the rig task, and continuing or stopping the rig task based on the monitoring of the at least one parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for conducting an operation that can include conducting an activity at a rig site, determining an expected characteristic of an individual performing a task within a red zone, wherein the red zone comprises one or more zones at the rig site, using one or more sensors to monitor the individual within the red zone while performing the task, determining, via a rig controller, an actual characteristic of the individual performing the task within the red zone based on sensor data from the one or more sensors, and comparing the actual characteristic to the expected characteristic to determine an individual risk score.

Abstract: A method for analyzing an environment that can include conducting a subterranean operation within an environment, obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors configured to monitor the environment, identifying an actual well activity within the environment based on the sensor data, identifying an individual within the environment based on the sensor data, and calculating an adherence score for the actual well activity based at least in part on an adherence score of the individual performing a task in the environment.

Abstract: Method(s) and apparatus according to which: a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) and a drilling rig together attempt to drill a wellbore segment along a planned trajectory while a test scenario is executed on the drilling rig by varying operating parameter(s) of the drilling rig in a predetermined manner during a predetermined time interval; performance characteristic(s) monitored by sensor(s) of the BHA during the predetermined time interval are then received; the predetermined manner in which the operating parameter(s) of the drilling rig were varied during the predetermined time interval is/are then compared to the received performance characteristic(s) monitored by the sensor(s) of the BHA during the predetermined time interval; and based on said comparison, the operating parameter(s) of a drilling rig (e.g., another drilling rig) are controlled while a BHA (e.g., another BHA) operably associated with the drilling rig attempts to drill a wellbore segment along a similar planned trajectory.

Abstract: A system comprising a rig, a fingerboard, a first sensor, and a second sensor, with the first sensor positioned on an opposite side of the entrance from the second sensor, where the first sensor and the second sensor are used to detect when a tubular enters or exits the fingerboard and to detect a parameter of the tubular, such as diameter of the tubular, speed of the tubular, and an angle of entry of the tubular. A method comprising sensing, via first and second sensors, when a tubular is entering a fingerboard through an entrance of the fingerboard, restricting movement of a top drive at an elevated position until the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard, and enabling movement of the top drive when the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard.

Abstract: A micro grid for an oil field is powered by a utility power grid. A micro grid controller is adapted to prevent excessive or unstable power draw on the utility power grid while allowing uninterrupted power supply for drilling rigs in the oil field. The micro grid controller is adapted to control operation of one or more pieces of electrical equipment on the drilling rigs. The micro grid controller may prioritize operation of the electrical equipment based on relative priority of the operations or based on an operating condition of the drilling rig.

Abstract: A technology is described for controlling an electric choke actuator included in a drilling rig. An example system can include a computing device configured to provide position data for an electric choke actuator configured to control a well choke valve in selective fluid communication with a blow-out preventer arranged to close a borehole. The system can receive a choke position command to move the electric choke actuator from a first position to a second position, whereupon a control signal can be sent to the electric choke actuator that causes the electric choke actuator to move from the first position to the second position. Position data for the electric choke actuator can be updated to indicate the second position.

Abstract: A technology is described for controlling an electric choke actuator included in a drilling rig. An example system can include a computing device configured to provide position data for an electric choke actuator configured to control a well choke valve in selective fluid communication with a blow-out preventer arranged to close a borehole. The system can receive a choke position command to move the electric choke actuator from a first position to a second position, whereupon a control signal can be sent to the electric choke actuator that causes the electric choke actuator to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A micro grid for an oil field is powered by a utility power grid. A micro grid controller is adapted to prevent excessive or unstable power draw on the utility power grid while allowing uninterrupted power supply for drilling rigs in the oil field. The micro grid controller is adapted to control operation of one or more pieces of electrical equipment on the drilling rigs. The micro grid controller may prioritize operation of the electrical equipment based on relative priority of the operations or based on an operating condition of the drilling rig.

Abstract: A tool for use in subterranean operations can include a top drive and an alignment sensor coupled to the top drive. The alignment sensor can measure an alignment condition of a first rig component relative to an alignment position. A system for wellbore operations can include the tool and generate an alarm signal upon misalignment of rig components prior to damage of the equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore having a non-vertical component that includes a quill adapted to transfer torque, rotation, or position between a drive assembly and a drillstring, a bottom hole assembly (BHA) including a toolface orientation detector and at least one measurement while drilling (MWD) instrument or wireline-conveyed instrument, and a controller configured to transmit operational control signals to minimize friction between a drillstring and a wellbore, wherein the instrument is configured to detect pressure between an external surface of the BHA and an inner diameter of the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using a quill to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore in a direction having a horizontal component, wherein the quill and the hydraulic motor are coupled to opposing ends of a drill string, by monitoring an actual toolface orientation of a tool driven by the hydraulic motor via monitoring a drilling operation parameter indicative of a difference between the actual toolface orientation and a desired toolface orientation, and then adjusting a position of the quill by an amount that is dependent upon the monitored drilling operation parameter.

Abstract: A method, device and system for augmenting a traditional drilling or workover rig with automated operational, monitoring and reporting systems. The automation system comprises integratable components of various automated operational systems, combined in a device easily adapted to install into the operational area of a drilling or workover rig, wherein the automated operational systems are dynamically selectable either or both locally or remotely.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for MSE-based drilling operation and/or optimization, comprising detecting MSE parameters, utilizing the MSE parameters to determine MSE, and automatically adjusting drilling operational parameters as a function of the determined MSE.