Patents by Inventor Age Kyllingstad
Age Kyllingstad 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).
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Publication number: 20200308918Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for tuning a hydraulic model to be used for estimating down hole dynamic pressure as a function of flow rate includes: a) selecting a non-tuned hydraulic model estimating the relative magnitude of the pressure losses in various annulus sections of the well bore; b) applying the non-tuned hydraulic model to give a first order estimate of the pressure gradients and the shear stresses at the drill string; c) applying the same non-tuned model to estimate the flow lift area for two different flow rates, where the first flow rate is zero or much lower than the second flow rate being substantially equal to a typical flow rate obtained during drilling; and d) performing a model tuning test where the string is rotated off bottom while said two different flow rates are used to obtain corresponding string weights.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: National Oilwell Varco Norway ASInventors: Åge KYLLINGSTAD, Karl Erik THORESEN
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Patent number: 10533407Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Pal Jacob Nessjoen, Age Kyllingstad
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Patent number: 10415364Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping stick-slip oscillations in a drill string. In one embodiment a method includes damping the stick-slip oscillations using a drilling mechanism at the top of said drill string. The speed of rotation of the drilling mechanism is controlled using a PI controller. The control is characterized by tuning the PI controller so that the drilling mechanism absorbs most torsional energy from the drill string at a frequency that is at or near a frequency of the stick-slip oscillations.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventor: Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20190242204Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole includes selecting a lower pressure limit and an upper pressure limit for a drilling fluid at a drilling location in the borehole. In addition, the method includes activating a pump to circulate the drilling fluid down a drill string and up an annulus disposed about the drill string. Further, the method includes operating the pump to maintain the drilling fluid at the drilling location at a pressure between the upper and the lower pressure limits. Still further, the method includes deactivating the pump to stop circulating the drilling fluid up the annulus. The method also includes sealing the drilling fluid in the annulus at a selected time after deactivating the pump and maintaining the pressure of the drilling fluid at the drilling location between the lower and the upper pressure limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2017Publication date: August 8, 2019Applicant: National Oilwell Varco Norway ASInventors: Geir K. Skaugen, Karl Erik Thoresen, Åge Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20190242235Abstract: A method for estimating downhole speed and force variables at an arbitrary location of a moving drill string based on surface measurements of the same variables. The method includes a) using properties of said drill string to calculate transfer functions describing frequency-dependent amplitude and phase relations between cross combinations of said speed and force variables at the surface and downhole; b) selecting a base time period; c) measuring surface speed and force variables, conditioning the measured data by applying anti-aliasing and/or decimation filters, and storing the conditioned data, and d) calculating the downhole variables in the frequency domain by applying an integral transform, such as Fourier transform, of the surface variables, multiplying the results with said transfer functions, applying the inverse integral transform to sums of coherent terms and picking points in said base time periods to get time-delayed estimates of the dynamic speed and force variables.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Applicant: National Oilwell Varco Norway ASInventor: Åge KYLLINGSTAD
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Patent number: 10150653Abstract: A method and related device for reducing resonant vibrations and dynamic loads of cranes, where vertical motion of a pay load is controlled by a boom winch and a hoist winch. In an embodiment, the method includes determining resonance frequencies of the crane boom and pay load from inertia data of the boom and stiffness on at least the boom and hoist ropes, the resonance frequencies including a first frequency and a lower second frequency. In addition, the method includes automatically modifying the motion of the boom winch or the hoist winch to induce a damping inducing winch motion in the boom or hoist winch, by tuning a proportional integral (PI)-type boom winch speed controller or a PI-type hoist winch speed controller. The boom winch speed controller is tuned to absorb energy at the second frequency, the hoist winch speed controller is tuned to absorb energy at the first frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO NORWAY ASInventor: Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20180171773Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Pal Jacob Nessjoen, Age Kyllingstad
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Patent number: 9915147Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the compressibility (K) of a fluid circulated by a positive displacement pump that comprises: a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure P of a fluid confined in a fluid module of the pump; a position sensor for sensing the position X, of a piston in the fluid module and a control unit communicating with the pressure sensor and the position sensor adapted to: log the pressure (P) and piston position (X) substantially synchronously; using (X), calculate the volume (V) of the confined fluid in the fluid module; and using (P) and (V), calculate the compressibility (K).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: National Oilwell Varco Norway ASInventors: Age Kyllingstad, Arne Austefjord
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Patent number: 9885231Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventors: Pal Jacob Nessjoen, Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20170152736Abstract: A method for estimating downhole speed and force variables at an arbitrary location of a moving drill string based on surface measurements of the same variables. The method includes a) using properties of said drill string to calculate transfer functions describing frequency-dependent amplitude and phase relations between cross combinations of said speed and force variables at the surface and downhole; b) selecting a base time period; c) measuring surface speed and force variables, conditioning the measured data by applying anti-aliasing and/or decimation filters, and storing the conditioned data, and d) calculating the downhole variables in the frequency domain by applying an integral transform, such as Fourier transform, of the surface variables, multiplying the results with said transfer functions, applying the inverse integral transform to sums of coherent terms and picking points in said base time periods to get time-delayed estimates of the dynamic speed and force variables.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: June 1, 2017Applicant: National Oilwell Varco Norway ASInventor: Åge KYLLINGSTAD
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Patent number: 9624762Abstract: A drillstring with a bit is characterized by controllable variables of vertical and rotational speeds and response variables of axial tension force and torque, referenced to the top of the drillstring. A method of reducing or avoiding at least an axial or a torsional oscillation mode in the drillstring includes: choosing at least one oscillation mode to be controlled; selecting and monitoring a relevant controllable variable and a relevant response variable; determining the oscillation period; estimating from the response variable a dynamic component of bit speed; determining a speed pulse capable of producing a generated oscillation with amplitude substantially equal to the amplitude of the dynamic component of bit speed; and Using open-loop control to add the speed pulse to an operator set speed command when the dynamic component of bit speed has an amplitude exceeding a threshold level and an anti-phase matching a phase of the generated oscillation.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO NORWAY ASInventor: Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20170101861Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping stick-slip oscillations in a drill string. In one embodiment a method includes damping the stick-slip oscillations using a drilling mechanism at the top of said drill string. The speed of rotation of the drilling mechanism is controlled using a PI controller. The control is characterised by tuning the PI controller so that the drilling mechanism absorbs most torsional energy from the drill string at a frequency that is at or near a frequency of the stick-slip oscillations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventor: Age KYLLINGSTAD
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Patent number: 9581008Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping stick-slip oscillations in a drill string. In one embodiment a method includes damping the stick-slip oscillations using a drilling mechanism at the top of said drill string. The speed of rotation of the drilling mechanism is controlled using a PI controller. The control is characterized by tuning the PI controller so that the drilling mechanism absorbs most torsional energy from the drill string at a frequency that is at or near a frequency of the stick-slip oscillations.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventor: Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20160341027Abstract: There are described methods for controlling the direction of a wellbore trajectory during directional sliding drilling by means of a drill string having a drill bit rotatable, by means of a mud motor, around a drill bit rotation axis at its lower end, the direction of the drill bit rotation axis defining a tool face, wherein one of the methods comprises the following steps: a2) obtaining data indicative of the torque of the mud motor; and b2) calculating a reactive twist angle of the drill string by multiplying the obtained torque from step a2) by the torsional drill string compliance, wherein the method further comprises the step of: c2) rotating the drill string, by means of a drill string rotation means, an angle substantially equal to but in the opposite direction of the calculated reactive twist angle. There are also described systems for executing the methods as well as computer program products comprising instructions for causing a processor to perform the methods as described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventor: Åge Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20160194183Abstract: A method and related device for reducing resonant vibrations and dynamic loads of cranes, where vertical motion of a pay load is controlled by a boom winch and a hoist winch. In an embodiment, the method includes determining resonance frequencies of the crane boom and pay load from inertia data of the boom and stiffness on at least the boom and hoist ropes, the resonance frequencies including a first frequency and a lower second frequency. In addition, the method includes automatically modifying the motion of the boom winch or the hoist winch to induce a damping inducing winch motion in the boom or hoist winch, by tuning a proportional integral (PI)-type boom winch speed controller or a PI-type hoist winch speed controller. The boom winch speed controller is tuned to absorb energy at the second frequency, the hoist winch speed controller is tuned to absorb energy at the first frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: National Oilwell Varco Norway ASInventor: Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20160138393Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the compressibility (K) of a fluid circulated by a positive displacement pump that comprises: a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure P of a fluid confined in a fluid module of the pump ; a position sensor for sensing the position X, of a piston in the fluid module and a control unit communicating with the pressure sensor and the position sensor adapted to: log the pressure (P) and piston position (X) substantially synchronously; using (X), calculate the volume (V) of the confined fluid in the fluid module ; and using (P) and (V), calculate the compressibility (K) .Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Age KYLLINGSTAD, Arne AUSTEFJORD
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Patent number: 9163736Abstract: A device for preventing a primary relief valve in a mud system from opening at a pressure lower than a nominal opening pressure includes a flow restrictor between a mud pump of the mud system and the primary relief valve. In addition, the device includes a cavity between the flow restrictor and the primary relief valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO NORWAY ASInventor: Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20150107897Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2015Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventors: Pal Jacob Nessjoen, Age Kyllingstad
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Patent number: 8950512Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Pal Jacob Nessjoen, Age Kyllingstad
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Publication number: 20140360779Abstract: A drillstring with a bit is characterized by controllable variables of vertical and rotational speeds and response variables of axial tension force and torque, referenced to the top of the drillstring. A method of reducing or avoiding at least an axial or a torsional oscillation mode in the drillstring includes: choosing at least one oscillation mode to be controlled; selecting and monitoring a relevant controllable variable and a relevant response variable; determining the oscillation period; estimating from the response variable a dynamic component of bit speed; determining a speed pulse capable of producing a generated oscillation with amplitude substantially equal to the amplitude of the dynamic component of bit speed; and Using open-loop control to add the speed pulse to an operator set speed command when the dynamic component of bit speed has an amplitude exceeding a threshold level and an anti-phase matching a phase of the generated oscillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Age Kyllingstad