Abstract: A drilling method includes assigning values to behaviors of drilling parameters during a drilling operation; forming multiple parameter signatures, each of the parameter signatures comprising a respective combination of the values; comparing the parameter signatures to multiple event signatures, each of the event signatures being indicative of a respective drilling event; and controlling the drilling operation in response to at least a partial match resulting from comparing the parameter signatures to the event signatures.

Abstract: A well drilling method can include detecting a drilling event by comparing a parameter signature generated during drilling to an event signature indicative of the drilling event, and automatically controlling a drilling operation in response to at least a partial match resulting from comparing the parameter signature to the event signature. A well drilling system can include a control system which compares a parameter signature for a drilling operation to an event signature indicative of a drilling event, and a controller which controls the drilling operation automatically in response to the drilling event being indicated by at least a partial match between the parameter signature and the event signature.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device.

Abstract: A well drilling method can include detecting a drilling event by comparing a parameter signature generated during drilling to an event signature indicative of the drilling event, and automatically controlling a drilling operation in response to at least a partial match resulting from comparing the parameter signature to the event signature. A well drilling system can include a control system which compares a parameter signature for a drilling operation to an event signature indicative of a drilling event, and a controller which controls the drilling operation automatically in response to the drilling event being indicated by at least a partial match between the parameter signature and the event signature.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device.

Abstract: A drilling method includes assigning values to behaviors of drilling parameters during a drilling operation; forming multiple parameter signatures, each of the parameter signatures comprising a respective combination of the values; comparing the parameter signatures to multiple event signatures, each of the event signatures being indicative of a respective drilling event; and controlling the drilling operation in response to at least a partial match resulting from comparing the parameter signatures to the event signatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for selectively supplying electrical power in a remote environment. The system comprises a plurality of electrical circuits, each designed to operate over a unique frequency passband. Power transmitted within the frequency passband of a circuit is filtered through that circuit to power a corresponding remote device. One or more remote devices can be simultaneously powered by transmitting power within the frequency passbands of the corresponding circuits. It is advantageous to design relatively narrow passbands to accommodate a relatively large number of circuits and corresponding devices for remote operation and a triac, rectifier or other suitable turn-on gate can be incorporated into each circuit to effectively control the width of the frequency passband of each circuit. Alternatively, an operational amplifier could be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for selectively supplying electrical power in a remote environment. The system comprises a plurality of electrical circuits, each designed to operate over a unique frequency passband. Power transmitted within the frequency passband of a circuit is filtered through that circuit to power a corresponding remote device. One or more remote devices can be simultaneously powered by transmitting power within the frequency passbands of the corresponding circuits. It is advantageous to design relatively narrow passbands to accommodate a relatively large number of circuits and corresponding devices for remote operation and a triac, rectifier or other suitable turn-on gate can be incorporated into each circuit to effectively control the width of the frequency passband of each circuit. Alternatively, an operational amplifier could be used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating in a tubular system (20) through a media (65) disposed therein and actuating a controllable device (58) are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a transmission apparatus (16) at a transmission node that is in communication with the media (65). The transmission apparatus (16) generates pressure impulses that are propagated through the media (65). The pressure impulses may be either positive or negative pressure impulses depending upon the selected transmission apparatus. The pressure impulses are detected by a reception apparatus (77) at a reception node. The detection apparatus may detect the pressure impulses as variation in the media (65) or as variation in the tubular system (20) caused by the pressure impulses. Once the detection apparatus (77) has detected the appropriate pressure impulse or pattern of pressure impulses, a signal may be generated to actuate the controllable device (58).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for selectively supplying electrical power in a remote environment. The system comprises a plurality of electrical circuits, each designed to operate over a unique frequency passband. Power transmitted within the frequency passband of a circuit is filtered through that circuit to power a corresponding remote device. One or more remote devices can be simultaneously powered by transmitting power within the frequency passbands of the corresponding circuits. It is advantageous to design relatively narrow passbands to accommodate a relatively large number of circuits and corresponding devices for remote operation and a triac, rectifier or other suitable turn-on gate can be incorporated into each circuit to effectively control the width of the frequency passband of each circuit. Alternatively, an operational amplifier could be used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating in a tubular system (20) through a media (65) disposed therein and actuating a controllable device (58)are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a transmission apparatus (16) at a transmission node that is in communication with the media (65). The transmission apparatus (16) generates pressure impulses that are propagated through the media (65). The pressure impulses may be either positive or negative pressure impulses depending upon the selected transmission apparatus. The pressure impulses are detected by a reception apparatus (77) at a reception node. The detection apparatus may detect the pressure impulses as variation in the media (65) or as variation in the tubular system (20) caused by the pressure impulses. Once the detection apparatus (77) has detected the appropriate pressure impulse or pattern of pressure impulses, a signal may be generated to actuate the controllable device (58).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating in a tubular system (20) through a media (65) disposed therein and actuating a controllable device (58) are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a transmission apparatus (16) at a transmission node that is in communication with the media (65). The transmission apparatus (16) generates pressure impulses that are propagated through the media (65). The pressure impulses may be either positive or negative pressure impulses depending upon the selected transmission apparatus. The pressure impulses are detected by a reception apparatus (77) at a reception node. The detection apparatus may detect the pressure impulses as variation in the media (65) or as variation in the tubular system (20) caused by the pressure impulses. Once the detection apparatus (77) has detected the appropriate pressure impulse or pattern of pressure impulses, a signal may be generated to actuate the controllable device (58).

Abstract: An electrically actuated downhole system for controlling and monitoring the flow of gas from a gas lift petroleum well in which a borehole penetrates at least two spacially separated geological production zones, and at least two strings of parallel tubing extend along the interior of a well casing, each string being associated with a separate production zone. Connected to each string is a gas lift valve associated with the string's respective spacially separated production zone. A single source of pressurized gas is connected to the casing at the wellhead to provide a source of lift gas. A control unit located at the surface independently controls and monitors the size of the flow control aperture of each gas lift valve to control the production of fluids from each separate production zone. Control cables carry readings from downhole pressure and flow-rate sensors to the control unit, and in response, carry control signals back to each gas lift valve to control its aperture size.