Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically testing high pressure and high temperature sedimentation of slurries is described. The method includes pumping a sample drilling fluid into a test cell. The sample drilling fluid may be subjected to a pre-determined pressure and a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined period of time. The test cell may also be oriented at non-vertical angle. The sample drilling fluid may be pumped out of the test cell and the density of the sample drilling fluid automatically measured relative to a displaced fluid volume of the sample drilling fluid.

Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore in a formation using a drilling fluid, wherein the drilling fluid has a first temperature, and wherein the wellbore has a first wellbore depth. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining at least one fracture gradient, wherein the fracture gradient is determined at about the first wellbore depth; increasing the temperature of the drilling fluid from the first temperature to a desired temperature at about the first wellbore depth; drilling into the formation at increasing wellbore depths below the first wellbore depth, wherein at least one equivalent circulating density of the drilling fluid is determined at about the first wellbore depth; and setting a casing string at a depth at which the equivalent circulating density is about equal to or within a desired range of the fracture gradient. In other embodiments, an automated system is used to maintain the temperature of the drilling fluid at about first wellbore depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a drilling operation involving the rotation of a bottom-hole assembly carried by a drillstring. In one embodiment, an integrated, closed-loop rigsite analysis system is provided for acquiring and analyzing real-time mud logging and downhole data, and displaying in real-time values of one or more operator-controllable parameters, along with dynamic critical values of at least one controllable operating parameter, thereby enabling an operator to modulate such parameter on a real-time basis to optimize operation. The integrated information is derived by intelligent combination of data into meaningful and useable information that can be displayed in an informative manner.