Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for controlling a toolface of a downhole tool are described. The toolface of the downhole tool, and a toolface setpoint, are determined. Based on the toolface and the toolface setpoint, a toolface error is determined. Based on the toolface error, one or more drilling parameter setpoints are selected from among multiple drilling parameter setpoints. The selected one or more drilling parameter setpoints are adjusted. The adjusted one or more drilling parameter setpoints are inputted to one or more drilling controllers for controlling the toolface of the downhole tool.

Abstract: There is described a method of controlling a drilling operation. A pipe joint is determined to be entering a rotating control device (RCD). In response to determining that the pipe joint is entering the RCD, a weight-on-bit (WOB) setpoint is increased so as to increase a measured WOB. After increasing the WOB setpoint, the pipe joint is determined to be exiting the RCD. In response to determining that the pipe joint is exiting the RCD, the WOB setpoint is decreased so as to decrease the measured WOB.

Abstract: A method for detecting stick-slip in a drillstring includes (a) measuring a parameter that is a function of a torque applied to the drillstring by a top drive system over a selected time period, the measuring being performed by at least one surface sensor that produces measurement data including torque values over a frequency range; (b) filtering out measurement data that has a frequency outside a selected frequency band, the selected frequency band including a resonant frequency of the drillstring; (c) identifying a minimum and a maximum torque value in the filtered measurement data and determining a difference of these two values; (d) determining a surface stick-slip index by dividing the difference of the maximum and minimum torque values by an average torque value over the selected time period; and (e) displaying the surface stick-slip index on a display.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to spectroscopic systems and spectrometers configured for hydrocarbon gas composition monitoring which provides compound speciation capability and function. In certain embodiments, the system identifies two or more bands of spectral data—e.g., including a band in each of (i) the near infrared and (ii) mid infrared wavelength regions, though bands covering subsets from about 800 nm to about 12 ?m can be used—from the signal corresponding to the hydrocarbon fluid in the gas flow cell, where the two or more bands are not contiguous (e.g., there is at least a 50 nm separation between the nearest ends of two bands). A combined spectrum is then formed from the two or more non-contiguous bands of spectral data and processed to identify and/or quantify the constituents of the hydrocarbon fluid.

Abstract: Described herein is a spectroscopic system and method for measuring and monitoring the chemical composition and/or impurity content of a sample or sample stream using absorption light spectroscopy. Specifically, in certain embodiments, this invention relates to the use of sample pressure variation to alter the magnitude of the absorption spectrum (e.g., wavelength-dependent signal) received for the sample, thereby obviating the need for a reference or ‘zero’ sample. Rather than use a reference or ‘zero’ sample, embodiments described herein obtain a spectrum/signal from a sample-containing cell at both a first pressure and a second (different) pressure.

Abstract: Described herein is a spectroscopic system and method for measuring and monitoring the chemical composition and/or impurity content of a sample or sample stream using absorption light spectroscopy. Specifically, in certain embodiments, this invention relates to the use of sample pressure variation to alter the magnitude of the absorption spectrum (e.g., wavelength-dependent signal) received for the sample, thereby obviating the need for a reference or ‘zero’ sample. Rather than use a reference or ‘zero’ sample, embodiments described herein obtain a spectrum/signal from a sample-containing cell at both a first pressure and a second (different) pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for measuring and/or monitoring the chemical composition of a sample (e.g., a process stream), and/or detecting specific substances or compounds in a sample, using light spectroscopy such as absorption, emission and fluorescence spectroscopy. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to spectrometers with rotating narrow-band interference optical filter(s) to measure light intensity as a function of wavelength. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to a spectrometer system with a rotatable filter assembly with a position detector rigidly attached thereto, and, in certain embodiments, the further use of various oversampling methods and techniques described herein, made particularly useful in conjunction with the rotatable filter assembly.

Abstract: Described herein are a method, apparatus and computer readable medium for correcting data points acquired during well drilling. The data points are typically stored in a text file that is accessible by a processor. The processor applies one or more tags to the data points, with each of the tags corresponding to a characteristic of the data points. The processor then identifies one or more data faults in the data points using the one or more tags. Each data fault is indicative of inaccurate data in the data points; i.e., data that does not accurately represent the well as drilled. Following identification of the one or more data faults, the processor corrects one or more of the data faults. The resulting corrected, or cleaned, data is more indicative of the well as actually drilled than the uncorrected data. The processor can be connected to a computer readable medium that stores the statements and instructions that the processor executes.

Abstract: A user interface for predicting the physical attributes of a proposed well by displaying an offset formation top graph for at least one offset well and a proposed formation top graph for the proposed well; mapping one or more portions of the offset formation top graph to one or more portions of the proposed formation top graph; normalizing physical attribute data associated with each mapped portion of the offset formation top graph to the associated mapped portion of the proposed formation top graph; displaying a normalized physical attribute graph of the normalized physical attribute data associated with each mapped portion of the offset formation top graph; selecting one or more portions of the normalized physical attribute graph; and determining the physical attribute data for the proposed well as the selected portions of the normalized physical attribute graph.

Abstract: The invention provides spectroscopic systems and spectrometers employing an optical interference filter module having a plurality of bandpass regions. In certain embodiments, the systems include a mechanism for wavelength tuning/scanning and wavelength band decoding based on an angular motion of one or more filters. A spectral processing algorithm separates the multiplexed wavelength-scanned bandpass regions and quantifies the concentrations of the analyzed chemical and/or biological species. The spectroscopic system allows for compact, multi-compound analysis, employing a single-element detector for maximum performance-to-cost ratio. The spectroscopic system also allows for high-sensitivity measurement and robust interference compensation.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for measuring and/or monitoring the chemical composition of a sample (e.g., a process stream), and/or detecting specific substances or compounds in a sample, using light spectroscopy such as absorption, emission and fluorescence spectroscopy. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to spectrometers with rotating narrow-band interference optical filter(s) to measure light intensity as a function of wavelength. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to a spectrometer system with a rotatable filter assembly with a position detector rigidly attached thereto, and, in certain embodiments, the further use of various oversampling methods and techniques described herein, made particularly useful in conjunction with the rotatable filter assembly.

Abstract: A system for directing the drilling of a well at a drill-site includes an instructing unit, an instructed unit, and a central unit. The instructed unit receives drilling instruction from an instructing driller, sends drilling instructions to the central unit, and presents to the instructing driller drilling instructions and instruction confirmations received from the central unit. The instructed unit receives instruction confirmations from an instructed driller, sends instruction confirmations to the central unit, and presents to the instructed driller drilling instructions received from the central unit. The central unit stores and forwards drilling instructions and instruction confirmations to the instructing unit and instructed unit, and generates and stores slide sheet information from the drilling instructions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for measuring and/or monitoring the chemical composition of a sample (e.g., a process stream), and/or detecting specific substances or compounds in a sample, using light spectroscopy such as absorption, emission and fluorescence spectroscopy. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to spectrometers with rotating narrow-band interference optical filter(s) to measure light intensity as a function of wavelength. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to a spectrometer system with a rotatable filter assembly with a position detector rigidly attached thereto, and, in certain embodiments, the further use of various oversampling methods and techniques described herein, made particularly useful in conjunction with the rotatable filter assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for measuring and/or monitoring the chemical composition of a sample (e.g., a process stream), and/or detecting specific substances or compounds in a sample, using light spectroscopy such as absorption, emission and fluorescence spectroscopy. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to spectrometers with rotating narrow-band interference optical filter(s) to measure light intensity as a function of wavelength. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to a spectrometer system with a rotatable filter assembly with a position detector rigidly attached thereto, and, in certain embodiments, the further use of various oversampling methods and techniques described herein, made particularly useful in conjunction with the rotatable filter assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the chemical analysis of a sample.

Abstract: A gas sample extraction apparatus to recover sample gases from fluids such as the return flow drilling mud of an oil and gas well has a sample canister forming a sample chamber with a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. The gas sample extraction apparatus is disposed in a flow of fluid to be sampled, and the fluid sample flows through the sample chamber via the fluid inlet and outlet ports. A bubbler enclosure is in fixed relationship to the sample canister and has an exit bubbler port at the desired fluid level of the sample chamber. Compressed air is supplied to the gas sample extraction apparatus to maintain the fluid sample level within the sample canister at the desired fluid level.

Abstract: Discloses a system for the analysis and measurement of selected gases such as combustible gases contained in a gaseous sample to be analyzed including a mixing manifold arrangement to mix the sample gas with a diluting gas to provide a constant gas output flow rate to a detector system. The mixing manifold arrangement automatically reconfigures itself to provide an optimal concentration ratio of sample and diluting mixed gas to the detector system. A constant sample gas input rate is preferred. Excess sample gas not required to maintain a constant mixed sample output rate is discharged.

Abstract: Discloses a system for the analysis and measurement of selected gases such as combustible gases contained in a gaseous sample to be analyzed including a mixing manifold arrangement to mix the sample gas with a diluting gas to provide a constant gas output flow rate to a detector system. The mixing manifold arrangement automatically reconfigures itself to provide an optimal concentration ratio of sample and diluting mixed gas to the detector system. A constant sample gas input rate is preferred. Excess sample gas not required to maintain a constant mixed sample output rate is discharged.

Abstract: Discloses a system for the analysis and measurement of selected gases such as combustible gases contained in a gaseous sample to be analysed including a mixing manifold arrangement to mix the sample gas with a diluting gas to provide a constant gas output flow rate to a detector system. The mixing manifold arrangement automatically reconfigures itself to provide an optimal concentration ratio of sample and diluting mixed gas to the detector system. A constant sample gas input rate is preferred. Excess sample gas not required to maintain a constant mixed sample output rate is discharged.