Abstract: A system may include a control system coupled to various network elements that define a drilling management network. The control system may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) that performs a drilling operation. The system may further include a virtualization services manager coupled to the control system and the network elements. The virtualization services manager may implement a virtualization service on the drilling management network that controls the drilling operation. The system may further include a virtual connection controller coupled to the network elements. The virtual connection controller may establish a virtual connection between the control system and a user network.

Abstract: A tubular measuring system having a sensor at a predetermined position with respect to a datum and a processing device comprising a processor and a memory storing computer program code in signal communication with the sensor. The sensor generates a signal indicative of a feature of a tubular, and the processing device receives and processes the signal to determine position of the feature of the tubular with respect to the datum.

Abstract: A pressure control device may include a body having a central axis extending therefrom; at least one rotatable seal within the body, the rotatable seal configured to seal against a tubular extending through the pressure control device along the central axis and rotate within the body with the tubular; at least one coil within the body wrapped at least once around the central axis, wherein the at least one coil is configured to send characteristics of the tubular to a controller; an outlet to divert fluid from an annulus, wherein the outlet being located axially below the at least one rotatable seal, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one rotatable seal and its engagement against the tubular based on the characteristics of the tubular received by the controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems for validating accuracy of sensor measurements. A system may include a sensor disposed in association with a piece of equipment at an oil and gas wellsite and a processing device having a processor and a memory storing computer program code. The sensor may be operable to output a first measurement while wellsite operations are being performed. The processing device may be operable to compare the first measurement and a second measurement to each other, and determine accuracy of at least one of the first and second measurements based on the comparison.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling drill string rotation. The apparatus may be a control system for controlling a driver operable to rotate a drill string to form a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The control system may include a first controller operable to control rotation of the driver and a second controller communicatively connected with the first controller. During the drilling operations the first and/or second controller may be operable to generate a rotational speed command based on status information indicative of operational status of the drill string, and thereby cause the driver to rotate the drill string based on the rotational speed command.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing equipment in a workspace such as an oil rig are disclosed. Objects are given zones which are physically larger than the objects. A monitoring system is capable of monitoring the objects and the zones for each object. When zones intersect, a collision is possible and the monitoring system can take action to prevent the collision or mitigate damage in the case of a collision. Further, systems and methods for ensuring the moving components are handed-off properly from one support to another are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing equipment in a workspace such as an oil rig are disclosed. Objects are given zones which are physically larger than the objects. A monitoring system is capable of monitoring the objects and the zones for each object. When zones intersect, a collision is possible and the monitoring system can take action to prevent the collision or mitigate damage in the case of a collision. Further, systems and methods for ensuring the moving components are handed-off properly from one support to another are disclosed.

Abstract: A top-drive system and a drilling rig. The top-drive system includes a sheave configured to receive a drilling line, a frame coupled with the sheave and configured to transmit a weight of a tubular string suspended therefrom to the sheave, a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to directly measure one or more physical parameters of a drilling operation and provide data representing the one or more physical parameters to the controller.

Abstract: A method for steering a downhole tool in a wellbore includes measuring a tool face when the drill bit is off-bottom, measuring an angular position of a drill string when the drill bit is off-bottom, and measuring a torque on the drill string when the drill bit is off-bottom. The method also includes measuring the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and measuring the torque on the drill string when the drill bit is on-bottom. The method also includes determining a transfer function comprising the angular position of the quill, the difference between the toolface when the drill bit is on-bottom and off-bottom, and the difference between the torque when the drill bit is on-bottom and off-bottom. The angular position of the drill string is varied at the surface, based upon the transfer function, to reduce an angle between the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and a target tool face.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling drilling of a wellbore. The method may include supporting a tubular string using a top drive connected to a block, and lowering the top drive by lowering the block. The method may also include adjusting a position of the tubular string relative to the block using an actuator coupled with the top drive, the block, or both.

Abstract: Pipes, drill strings including pipes, and methods for use on a drilling rig. The method includes obtaining pipe data for individual drill pipes of a drill string, obtaining a well trajectory for a well, obtaining one or more drilling measurements to be used when drilling the well, planning a first drill string based on the pipe data, the well trajectory, and the one or more drilling measurements, predicting an aging of the individual drill pipes in the first drill string while drilling the well using the first drill string, determining that a risk of failure of one or more individual pipes in the first drill string is unacceptable based on the aging of the individual pipes; and planning a second drill string in response to determining that the risk of failure is unacceptable in the first drill string.

Abstract: Method and system for pipe conveyed logging (PCL) operations in which the drillpipe conveys a logging tool. The method and system coordinate operation of a wireline winch and drilling rig control systems to synchronize their operation, and/or the method and system attenuate the pull force applied to an upper end of the cable and transmit the attenuated force toward a lower end of the cable to reduce the risks of premature cable release and cable damage.

Abstract: A top-drive system and a drilling rig. The top-drive system includes a sheave configured to receive a drilling line, a frame coupled with the sheave and configured to transmit a weight of a tubular string suspended therefrom to the sheave, a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to directly measure one or more physical parameters of a drilling operation and provide data representing the one or more physical parameters to the controller.

Abstract: A method for steering a downhole tool in a wellbore includes measuring a tool face when the drill bit is off-bottom, measuring an angular position of a drill string when the drill bit is off-bottom, and measuring a torque on the drill string when the drill bit is off-bottom. Measuring the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and measuring the torque on the drill string when the drill bit is on-bottom. Determining a transfer function comprising the angular position of the quill, the difference between the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and off-bottom, and the difference between the torque when the drill bit is on-bottom and off-bottom. The angular position of the drill string is varied at the surface, based upon the transfer function, to reduce an angle between the tool face when the drill bit is on-bottom and a target tool face.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a drilling rig. The system includes a first layer including a plurality of subsystem controllers coupled with a plurality of rig subsystems, the plurality of subsystem controllers being configured to control operating parameters of the plurality of rig subsystems. The system also includes a second layer configured to receive information from the first layer based on an operation of the plurality of rig subsystems, and to provide control of the plurality of rig subsystems. The system further includes a third layer configured to execute one or more process applications and to provide a task-based command to the second layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods pertaining to a processing system operable to determine a change to an operation of a well construction system based on an indication of a quality of transmitted communication between downhole equipment of the well construction system in a wellbore and surface communication equipment of the well construction system transmitted during the operation, a projected effect of the operation on future communication between the downhole equipment and the surface communication equipment, downhole data related to one or more conditions in the wellbore, or a combination thereof. The processing system is operable to cause the change to the operation of the well construction system to be implemented.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wireless emergency stop of automated machines. A method may include inputting into an electrical control system association information indicative of which one or more of a plurality of electronically controlled automated machines at a worksite are to be associated with a wireless communicator, and operating the wireless communicator to cause the one or more associated machines to stop operating.

Abstract: Method and system for pipe conveyed logging (PCL) operations in which the drillpipe conveys a logging tool. The method and system coordinate operation of a wireline winch and drilling rig control systems to synchronize their operation, and/or the method and system attenuate the pull force applied to an upper end of the cable and transmit the attenuated force toward a lower end of the cable to reduce the risks of premature cable release and cable damage.

Abstract: Pipes, drill strings including pipes, and methods for use on a drilling rig. The method includes obtaining pipe data for individual drill pipes of a drill string, obtaining a well trajectory for a well, obtaining one or more drilling measurements to be used when drilling the well, planning a first drill string based on the pipe data, the well trajectory, and the one or more drilling measurements, predicting an aging of the individual drill pipes in the first drill string while drilling the well using the first drill string, determining that a risk of failure of one or more individual pipes in the first drill string is unacceptable based on the aging of the individual pipes; and planning a second drill string in response to determining that the risk of failure is unacceptable in the first drill string.

Abstract: A system for tracking a position on a rig site may include a plurality of static beacons of defined positions on the rig site configured to transmit reference signals at a selected triggering time for transmission; at least one moveable receiver at a first location on the rig site configured to receive the reference signals from the plurality of static beacons, determine the reception time of signal, and transmit reception information to a master node via a communication channel; wherein the master node is at a location on the rig site with a reference base time, wherein the master node receives the defined positions and reference times of the plurality of static beacons, and wherein the system is configured to, based on the reception information, determine signal travel times between the static beacons and the at least one moveable receiver, determine the distances between the static beacon and the at least one moveable receiver based on a travel time of the reference signals, and determine a position of the