Abstract: In running tubulars, threaded tubular connections are made up by applying torque in rotating one tubular in turns with connection equipment relative to another tubular. Equipment sensors measure data during the makeup of the threaded connections, and a computer system processes the data to generate graphical representations of the processed data. The system receives user-indicated assessments of the threaded connections indicating whether a connection error of a failed makeup has occurred. An artificial intelligence model implemented on the system is trained with the graphical representations based on the user-indicated assessments. In subsequent connections, the trained model analyzes the graphical representations for the connection error and provides outputs accepting and rejecting the threaded connections.

Abstract: A method of threaded connection evaluation can include receiving parameters of a threaded connection process at a job location, transmitting the parameters from the job location to a central server remote from the job location, and the central server producing an evaluation of the threaded connection. An apparatus for threaded connection evaluation can include one or more sensors at a job location, the sensors configured to output threaded connection parameter measurements, a central server remote from the job location, the central server configured to produce a threaded connection evaluation, and a conversion module configured to convert the parameter measurements to a format usable by the central server to produce the threaded connection evaluation.

Abstract: A method for evaluating threaded connections can include transmitting model parameters from one artificial intelligence to another intelligence, inputting torque and rotation measurements to the second artificial intelligence, and updating the first artificial intelligence using data transmitted from a job location. An apparatus for evaluating threaded connections can include a first artificial intelligence trained to predict threaded connection quality, and a second artificial intelligence configured to receive model parameters from the first artificial intelligence, the second artificial intelligence being configured to predict threaded connection quality while the second artificial intelligence is not in communication with the first artificial intelligence.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a tong assembly relative to a tubular can include a sensor attached to the tong assembly, a control system that processes data received from the sensor and thereby identifies a location of the tong assembly relative to an end of the tubular, and at least one actuator controlled by the control system and configured to displace the tong assembly. A method of positioning a tong assembly relative to a tubular can include obtaining an image of an end of the tubular with a camera attached to a tong assembly, processing the image, thereby identifying a location of the tong assembly relative to the tubular end, comparing the identified location with a desired location of the tong assembly relative to the tubular end, and displacing the tong assembly, thereby reducing a difference between the desired location and the identified location.

Abstract: A method of running a tubular string into a well can include measuring a threaded connection parameter using a sensor, thereby producing sensor measurements, measuring the threaded connection parameter using another sensor, thereby producing sensor measurements, and performing data fusion on the sensor measurements, thereby producing fused sensor measurements. An apparatus for running a tubular string into a well can include a rotation sensor configured to measure rotation of a tubular and produce rotation measurements, another rotation sensor configured to measure the rotation of the tubular and produce rotation measurements, and a control system including a data fusion module configured to determine fused rotation measurements from the sensed rotation measurements.

Abstract: A method can include obtaining sensor data during a tubular running operation, converting the sensor data to frequency domain, identifying at least one frequency pattern in the sensor data, and comparing the identified at least one frequency pattern to a database of known frequency patterns. An apparatus can include at least one sensor configured to output sensor data in a tubular running operation, and a control system comprising a frequency spectrum analysis module configured to convert the sensor data to frequency domain.

Abstract: A method can include, after a failed make-up of a threaded connection between tubulars, performing an inspection of a threaded end of one of the tubulars using at least one sensor, thereby generating inspection data, evaluating the inspection data, thereby determining whether the threaded end passes the inspection, and preparing the threaded end for make-up after the evaluating. A system can include at least one sensor to inspect a threaded end of a tubular, a remediation tool to prepare the threaded end for make-up, an actuator to displace the remediation tool relative to the threaded end, and a control system to receive inspection data from the sensor, evaluate the inspection data, and control actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: A tubular string can include helical threads on respective tubulars, and a structural formation on at least one of the threads. The formation is configured to produce a change in torque as the threads are threaded together. A method of making up a threaded connection between tubulars can include producing a structural formation on at least one of threads of the respective tubulars, engaging the threads, and applying torque to the threaded connection, thereby causing the tubulars to shoulder up. The formation causes a change in the torque a predetermined number of turns prior to the shoulder up.

Abstract: A method for use with a subterranean well can include positioning an x-ray unit so that x-rays emitted by the x-ray unit scan a tubular string, displacing the tubular string relative to the x-ray unit, and identifying a threaded connection in the tubular string. A system can include a torque application device configured to apply torque to a threaded connection in a tubular string, and an x-ray unit configured to project x-rays toward the tubular string.

Abstract: A system can include a tong assembly, a tong positioning device configured to adjust a vertical height of the tong assembly, one or more calibration marker secured to the tong assembly, and a camera disposed at a camera position at which the calibration marker is within a field of view of the camera. A method of vertically positioning a tong assembly can include taking a digital image of a tong assembly and one or more calibration marker, identifying a pixel position of the calibration marker in the digital image, and adjusting a height of the tong assembly based in part on the pixel position of the calibration marker.

Abstract: A method for use with a subterranean well can include positioning an x-ray unit so that x-rays emitted by the x-ray unit scan a tubular string, displacing the tubular string relative to the x-ray unit, and identifying a threaded connection in the tubular string. A system can include a torque application device configured to apply torque to a threaded connection in a tubular string, and an x-ray unit configured to project x-rays toward the tubular string.

Abstract: A method of controlling make-up of a threaded connection can include training an artificial intelligence, inputting data to the artificial intelligence during the threaded connection make-up, the artificial intelligence thereby determining a shoulder point during the threaded connection make-up, and controlling application of torque to the threaded connection, based in part on the determined shoulder point. A system for controlled make-up of a threaded connection can include a torque application device configured to apply torque and rotation to the threaded connection, and a control system comprising a controller and an artificial intelligence. The controller may be configured to control operation of the torque application device, and the artificial intelligence may be adapted to determine a shoulder point of the threaded connection during the make-up of the threaded connection.

Abstract: A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of making-up a threaded connection can include rotating a tubular, measuring torque applied to the tubular during the rotating, thereby generating data including measured torque values, detecting an anomalous occurrence in the data during the rotating, and ceasing application of the torque to the tubular in response to detection of the anomalous occurrence. A threaded connection make-up system can include a rotary clamp to apply torque to a tubular, a torque sensor to produce measurements of the applied torque, and a control system including a neural network, an artificial intelligence device, machine learning and/or genetic algorithms trained to detect an anomalous occurrence in data input to the control system. The data may include the applied torque and turns of the tubular as measured by a turn sensor.

Abstract: A method of making-up or breaking-out tubular string components can include threading tubulars with each other while a camera obtains images of the tubulars, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor that detects optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to a difference between the displacements. Another method can include positioning a camera so that the camera simultaneously observes at least two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor, the image processor detecting optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to the image processor detecting the optical flow vector fields.

Abstract: A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of making-up or breaking-out tubular string components can include threading tubulars with each other while a camera obtains images of the tubulars, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor that detects optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to a difference between the displacements. Another method can include positioning a camera so that the camera simultaneously observes at least two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor, the image processor detecting optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to the image processor detecting the optical flow vector fields.

Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes engaging the threads of the tubulars and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular to makeup a threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring time, measuring torque applied to the connection, and measuring turns of the first tubular. The method further includes using a programmable logic controller for: evaluating at least one of the measured turns, measured torque, and measured time for at least one of a discontinuity, a torque spike, and a torque drop and accepting or rejecting the connection based on the evaluation.