Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a drive train of an equipment unit. The drive train may comprise an input member operatively connected with an actuator and an output member operatively connected with a work portion of the equipment unit. An example apparatus may include a sensor operable to facilitate operational measurements indicative of an operational parameter associated with the drive train, and a processing device operable to cause the actuator to move the input member until the output member moves, record the operational measurements while the actuator moves the input member, and determine a backlash of the drive train by determining a difference between the operational measurements when the input member starts to move and the operational measurements when the output member starts to move.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and optimizing fuel consumption by a genset at an oil rig is described. Gensets require large amounts of fuel to initiate and to maintain in a standby, idling position. The system accesses data in a drill plan to determine the present and future power requirements and initiates gensets if needed; otherwise gensets can be shut down. Excess power can be stored in a power storage unit such as a capacitor, battery, or a liquid air energy storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pump in a drilling system, of which the method includes determining a plurality of baseline behaviors for one or more valves of the pump, determining a plurality of in-use behaviors for the one or more valves of the pump. Each of the plurality of in-use behaviors are determined based on one or more measurements from one or more sensors. The method also includes comparing the in-use behaviors and the baseline behaviors, and forecasting, based on the comparison of the in-use behaviors and the baseline behaviors, a remaining useful life of the at least one of the one or more valves.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and optimizing fuel consumption by a genset at an oil rig is described. Gensets require large amounts of fuel to initiate and to maintain in a standby, idling position. The system accesses data in a drill plan to determine the present and future power requirements and initiates gensets if needed; otherwise gensets can be shut down. Excess power can be stored in a power storage unit such as a capacitor, battery, or a liquid air energy storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pump in a drilling system, of which the method includes determining a plurality of baseline behaviors for one or more valves of the pump, determining a plurality of in-use behaviors for the one or more valves of the pump. Each of the plurality of in-use behaviors are determined based on one or more measurements from one or more sensors. The method also includes comparing the in-use behaviors and the baseline behaviors, and forecasting, based on the comparison of the in-use behaviors and the baseline behaviors, a remaining useful life of the at least one of the one or more valves.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reducing pressure pulsations within drilling mud being pumped downhole by a plurality of pumps to thereby improve quality of mud-pulse telemetry. The apparatus may include a position sensor disposed in association with each pump and operable to generate a position signal indicative of operational timing of a corresponding one of the pumps, a surface telemetry device fluidly connected with the drilling mud and operable to output a telemetry quality signal indicative of the quality of mud-pulse telemetry, and a controller communicatively connected with the pumps, the position sensors, and the surface telemetry device. The controller may be operable to receive the position signal and the telemetry quality signal, and cause the pumps to change relative operational timing of the pumps based on the position signal and the telemetry quality signal to improve the quality of mud-pulse telemetry.

Abstract: A drilling rig system may include a drilling rig including a plurality of surface rig equipment thereon and a plurality of orientation sensors disposed on the plurality of surface rig equipment. The plurality of orientation sensors may be configured to provide relational positioning of the plurality of surface rig equipment on the drilling rig.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate pumping of various fluids such as well fluids. An electric submersible pumping system is constructed with an outer housing that contains an integrated pump and motor. The pump may include an impeller disposed within a stator of the motor. The integration of the pump and the motor enables elimination of various components of traditional electric submersible pumping systems to thus provide a simpler and more compact system for pumping fluids.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a drive train of an equipment unit. The drive train may comprise an input member operatively connected with an actuator and an output member operatively connected with a work portion of the equipment unit. An example apparatus may include a sensor operable to facilitate operational measurements indicative of an operational parameter associated with the drive train, and a processing device operable to cause the actuator to move the input member until the output member moves, record the operational measurements while the actuator moves the input member, and determine a backlash of the drive train by determining a difference between the operational measurements when the input member starts to move and the operational measurements when the output member starts to move.

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate monitoring of contaminants which can potentially enter an electric submersible pumping system. A sensor system is used in conjunction with the electric submersible pumping system to detect the presence of specific contaminants which can affect future operation of the electric submersible pumping system. Depending on the embodiment, the sensor system may comprise a sensor or sensors disposed within the electric submersible pumping system and/or in or along components associated with the electric submersible pumping system. Each sensor is used to monitor for the contaminant and to provide data to a control system so as to facilitate decision-making regarding future operation of the electric submersible pumping system.

Abstract: A lubricant system for providing a lubricant to a machine includes one or more sensors configured to measure a physical property of the lubricant system, and a controller in communication with the one or more sensors. The controller is configured to receive measurements of the physical property from the one or more sensors, determine an operating state of at least a portion of the lubricant system based at least in part on the measurements of the physical property, and determine a presence of water in the lubricant based at least in part on the measurements of the physical property.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pump in a drilling system, of which the method includes determining a plurality of baseline behaviors for one or more valves of the pump, determining a plurality of in-use behaviors for the one or more valves of the pump. Each of the plurality of in-use behaviors are determined based on one or more measurements from one or more sensors. The method also includes comparing the in-use behaviors and the baseline behaviors, and forecasting, based on the comparison of the in-use behaviors and the baseline behaviors, a remaining useful life of the at least one of the one or more valves.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing weigh measurement of a downhole tool string and validating accuracy of corresponding sensors. A method may include commencing operation of a processing device to control operations at an oil and gas wellsite. The processing device may then output a movement control command to a lifting device to cause a downhole tool string to move in accordance to the movement control command, receive an acceleration measurement of the downhole tool string, and determine a weight measurement of the downhole tool string based on the movement control command and the acceleration measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring health of systems and components of an oil rig are disclosed. Monitoring usage parameters allows for a probabilistic way to determine when rig equipment will fail. A failure probability curve based on past performance of the equipment can be used. Multiple usage metrics allow for increased accuracy and certainty of a time of failure for the equipment. Using a sufficiently high number of usage metrics allows the failure probability range to be very narrow and therefore the certainty of the prediction is high.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and optimizing fuel consumption by a genset at an oil rig is described. Gensets require large amounts of fuel to initiate and to maintain in a standby, idling position. The system accesses data in a drill plan to determine the present and future power requirements and initiates gensets if needed; otherwise gensets can be shut down. Excess power can be stored in a power storage unit such as a capacitor, battery, or a liquid air energy storage unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring health of systems and components of an oil rig are disclosed. Monitoring usage parameters allows for a probabilistic way to determine when rig equipment will fail. A failure probability curve based on past performance of the equipment can be used. Multiple usage metrics allow for increased accuracy and certainty of a time of failure for the equipment. Using a sufficiently high number of usage metrics allows the failure probability range to be very narrow and therefore the certainty of the prediction is high.

Abstract: A system can include a housing that defines an interior space; a shaft disposed at least in part in the interior space of the housing where the shaft includes a longitudinal axis, a curved surface and an end surface; a submersible electric motor operatively coupled to the shaft where the submersible electric motor includes a cable connector; two proximity sensors where each of the proximity sensors includes a sensor aperture disposed in the interior space of the housing; and circuitry operatively coupled to the proximity sensors that determines position values of the shaft with respect to time based at least in part on output of the proximity sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reducing pressure pulsations within drilling mud being pumped downhole by a plurality of pumps to thereby improve quality of mud-pulse telemetry. The apparatus may include a position sensor disposed in association with each pump and operable to generate a position signal indicative of operational timing of a corresponding one of the pumps, a surface telemetry device fluidly connected with the drilling mud and operable to output a telemetry quality signal indicative of the quality of mud-pulse telemetry, and a controller communicatively connected with the pumps, the position sensors, and the surface telemetry device. The controller may be operable to receive the position signal and the telemetry quality signal, and cause the pumps to change relative operational timing of the pumps based on the position signal and the telemetry quality signal to improve the quality of mud-pulse telemetry.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump system can include a shaft; at least one impeller operatively coupled to the shaft; and a bearing assembly that rotatably supports the shaft, where at least one component of the electric submersible pump includes a volumetric composite material that includes polycrystalline diamond material and at least one metallic material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating a standardized Health Index for a plurality of different components are shown and described. There is a vast number of different components used on an oil rig and each one may have a different definition of new, worn, damaged, or depleted. The system includes a measurement component that takes a measurement of the different components, and a health modeling component which calculates the standardized Health Index. Monitoring the Health Indices provides a rig operator information from which decisions on equipment use can be made.