Abstract: An automated drilling system is disclosed for controlling fluid production operations during frac-plug drill out operations. The system comprises a data acquisition subsystem having a drilling controller and sensors, including flowrate sensors and pressure sensors. A digital twin framework comprises a plurality of drilling models outputting data characterizing simulated drilling operations. An artificial intelligence (AI) agent module is programmed to: aggregate the outputs from the digital twin framework; analyze operational data and historical well data; determine production characteristics of each section as the frac plug is drilled out; and compute recommended adjustments to drilling parameters to maintain a managed pressure condition in the borehole. An integrated rig control system is coupled to the AI agent module and drilling controller, and configured to automate the drilling operations by implementing the recommended adjustments to the drilling parameters.

Abstract: An autonomous drilling system for well construction activities comprises a data acquisition system collecting real-time data from sensors, including flowrate, pressure, and cuttings sensors. A digital twin framework simulates drilling operations and outputs predictions based on the collected data. An AI agent module analyzes the system by aggregating predictions, real-time data, and historical data to determine well health and recommend parameter adjustments. An integrated rig control system automates drilling operations based on these recommendations. A human-machine interface provides manual control options. The system includes flowrate sensors with flow meters, downhole sensors, and multiple digital twins simulating specific aspects of wellbore construction. The AI module can employ deep learning or reinforcement learning techniques. Cuttings sensors analyze volume to assess wellbore stability and hole cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: A method of using a quill to steer a bit when elongating a wellbore, with the method including receiving real-time data associated with elongating the wellbore, wherein the real-time data associated with elongating the wellbore comprises data associated with: actual toolface orientation; surface-measured mud motor ?P; surface-measured quill torque; surface-measured weight-on-bit (“WOB”); and surface-measured quill position; learning, based on the real-time data, relationships between: surface-measured mud motor ?P and surface-measured torque; changes in surface-measured WOB and surface-measured torque; and changes in surface-measured quill position and actual toolface orientation; accessing, after learning the relationships, a desired toolface orientation; comparing, by the controller, the desired toolface orientation and the actual toolface orientation; and affecting, by the controller and based on the comparison and the learned relationships, a first change of the quill position and one or more of: mud moto

Abstract: An automated sand dump system for oil and gas wells is provided that uses sensed parameters to determine and effective sand level within a sand trap. When the control system determines that the effective sand level reaches a predetermined level, an automated dump sequence is executed.

Abstract: A method of using a quill to steer a bit when elongating a wellbore, with the method including receiving real-time data associated with elongating the wellbore, wherein the real-time data associated with elongating the wellbore comprises data associated with: actual toolface orientation; surface-measured mud motor ?P; surface-measured quill torque; surface-measured weight-on-bit (“WOB”); and surface-measured quill position; learning, based on the real-time data, relationships between: surface-measured mud motor ?P and surface-measured torque; changes in surface-measured WOB and surface-measured torque; and changes in surface-measured quill position and actual toolface orientation; accessing, after learning the relationships, a desired toolface orientation; comparing, by the controller, the desired toolface orientation and the actual toolface orientation; and affecting, by the controller and based on the comparison and the learned relationships, a first change of the quill position and one or more of: mud moto

Abstract: An automated sand dump system for oil and gas wells is provided that uses sensed parameters to determine and effective sand level within a sand trap. When the control system determines that the effective sand level reaches a predetermined level, an automated dump sequence is executed.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on the received data; comparing the location of the BHA to a planned drilling path to identify an amount of deviation; automatically creating a modified drilling path based on the amount of deviation and a predicted trend of a downhole parameter; detecting a trend of the downhole parameter while drilling along the modified drilling path; and automatically creating a further modified drilling path when the trend of the downhole parameter is a reversal of the predicted trend of the downhole parameter. The predicted trend of the downhole parameter is an increase of a d-exponent factor or a d-exponent-corrected factor with an increase in depth.

Abstract: A system for automated testing of a high-pressure pump comprises a choke valve, actuator and actuator drive for operating the choke in response to receiving control signals. A system control unit includes a processor unit, system memory, I/O interface, human-machine interface, and display device. A pressure sensor is connected to the pump outlet line for sensing and reporting outlet pressure to the control unit. The control unit can execute a test phase by causing the pump to run at a test speed and causing the actuator to change the restriction value of the choke until a predetermined pressure is sensed in the outlet line and reported to the control unit. The control unit can cause the actuator to maintain the predetermined pressure for a predetermined period of time. The control unit can cause the display device to show a result or print a report of one or more test phases.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on the received data; comparing the location of the BHA to a planned drilling path to identify an amount of deviation; automatically creating a modified drilling path based on the amount of deviation and a predicted trend of a downhole parameter; detecting a trend of the downhole parameter while drilling along the modified drilling path; and automatically creating a further modified drilling path when the trend of the downhole parameter is a reversal of the predicted trend of the downhole parameter. The predicted trend of the downhole parameter is an increase of a d-exponent factor or a d-exponent-corrected factor with an increase in depth.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for graphics processing. The apparatus can obtain at least one input image including a plurality of pixels. Additionally, the apparatus can determine shading information for each of the plurality of pixels in the at least one input image. The apparatus can also determine a shading map based on the determined shading information for each of the plurality of pixels in the at least one input image. In some aspects, the apparatus can generate at least one output image based on the at least one input image and the determined shading map. The apparatus can also enhance a quality of the at least one output image. In some aspects, the quality of the at least one output image can be enhanced based on machine learning. Further, the apparatus can generate the at least one input image including the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) from a drilling rig to a target location including by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on a directional trend and the projection; identifying an amount of deviation from a drilling path; automatically creating a modified drilling path that intersects the planned drilling path based on the amount of deviation exceeding a first threshold amount of deviation and being less than a second threshold amount of deviation, automatically creating a modified drilling path that does not intersect the planned drilling path in response to the amount of deviation exceeding the second threshold amount of deviation, and determining a curve profile of the modified drilling path having the smallest rate of curvature to avoid drilling overshoot; and steering the BHA.

Abstract: A system for automated testing of a high-pressure pump comprises a choke valve, actuator and actuator drive for operating the choke in response to receiving control signals. A system control unit includes a processor unit, system memory, I/O interface, human-machine interface, and display device. A pressure sensor is connected to the pump outlet line for sensing and reporting outlet pressure to the control unit. The control unit can execute a test phase by causing the pump to run at a test speed and causing the actuator to change the restriction value of the choke until a predetermined pressure is sensed in the outlet line and reported to the control unit. The control unit can cause the actuator to maintain the predetermined pressure for a predetermined period of time. The control unit can cause the display device to show a result or print a report of one or more test phases.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) from a drilling rig to a target location including by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on a directional trend and the projection; identifying an amount of deviation from a drilling path; automatically creating a modified drilling path that intersects the planned drilling path based on the amount of deviation exceeding a first threshold amount of deviation and being less than a second threshold amount of deviation, automatically creating a modified drilling path that does not intersect the planned drilling path in response to the amount of deviation exceeding the second threshold amount of deviation, and determining a curve profile of the modified drilling path having the smallest rate of curvature to avoid drilling overshoot; and steering the BHA.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatically altering proposed sliding instructions to comply with operating parameters is described.

Abstract: Scheduling image composition in a processor based on overlapping of an image composition process and image scan-out operation for displaying an image is disclosed. The processor is configured to periodically schedule a composition process to generate composition passes on the received eyebuffers to generate a display-corrected image for scan-out to a display device. To reduce the motion-to-photon latency, the processor is configured to delay scheduling of the composition process to be closer in time to the scan-out deadline such that there is an overlap in execution of the composition process at the scan-out deadline and image scan-out operation. The scheduling of the composition process can be delayed to only generate a desired number of display lines for the display-corrected image before the scan-out deadline such that lines of the display-corrected image can continue to be available faster than needed for scanning out by the image scan-out operation without scan-out delay.

Abstract: A system for locking a bearing assembly to a rotating control device (RCD) housing is provided. The RCD housing can be coupled to a blowout preventer, and the bearing assembly can be received within the housing, and can comprise a stationary bearing housing having a perimeter channel. A plurality of locking block assemblies are each supported by the housing and are operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Each locking block assembly comprises a movable block configured to interface with the perimeter channel when in the locked position, and at least one elastic component is situated between the housing and the movable block. The at least one elastic component is configured to automatically bias the movable block in the locked position. Upon supplying fluid pressure via a valve device, the movable block moves to the unlocked position and the at least one elastic component compresses to facilitate removal of the bearing assembly from the RCD housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for graphics processing. The apparatus can obtain at least one input image including a plurality of pixels. Additionally, the apparatus can determine shading information for each of the plurality of pixels in the at least one input image. The apparatus can also determine a shading map based on the determined shading information for each of the plurality of pixels in the at least one input image. In some aspects, the apparatus can generate at least one output image based on the at least one input image and the determined shading map. The apparatus can also enhance a quality of the at least one output image. In some aspects, the quality of the at least one output image can be enhanced based on machine learning. Further, the apparatus can generate the at least one input image including the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) having an anti-rotation locking system for restricting rotation of a bearing assembly housing of the RCD comprises an RCD housing operable with a blowout preventer, and a bearing assembly operable to be received within the RCD housing and comprising a stationary bearing housing. The bearing assembly can be configured to receive and engage with and seal a pipe of a drill string of a drill rig. The stationary bearing housing can have secured thereto a locking ring. The anti-rotation locking system of the RCD can further comprise one or more anti-rotation devices moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The anti-rotation device(s) are operable to engage the locking ring, when in the locked position, to lock the stationary bearing housing to the RCD housing independent of the rotational position of the stationary bearing housing relative to the RCD housing.

Abstract: A pipe tally vision system may be positioned on a drilling rig. A drill string may be positioned within a wellbore using the drilling rig. The drill string may be observed with the pipe tally system during a wellbore operation. A pipe tally database may be generated by the pipe tally system based on the observations of the drill string made by the pipe tally system and observations may be made as the drill string is moved into or out of the wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing or eliminating stick-slip are described. The system includes a controller and a drawworks. The controller is configured to collect downhole information, detect one or more stick-slip conditions, determine correlative relationships, model a stick-slip region, generate a control algorithm for top drive RPM and WOB that avoids a stick-slip region, determine a WOB autodriller set point for a particular top drive RPM using the control algorithm and provide one or more operational control signals that limit the WOB to the WOB autodriller set point for the particular top drive RPM. The drawworks is configured to receive the one or more operational control signals from the controller, and limit the WOB so that the WOB does not exceed the WOB autodriller set point for the particular top drive RPM.