Abstract: A surface rig system includes components that consume power (e.g., using electrical motors). The power consumption of the components is monitored and used to infer other operational parameters. Illustratively, power consumption (e.g., current draw) of a shale shaker is monitored and used to infer: the volume of cuttings on the screen; changes in fluid viscosity, density, or rheology; health of the shaker screen; fluid cycle times; or screen clogging/blinding. Power consumption of pumps, fluid agitators, draw works, and other devices can also be monitored and used to infer parameters such as: fluid viscosity, density or rheology; hook load, or fluid slugging. Based on inferred parameters, changes may be made or advised for operation of equipment, including a shale shaker, downhole tool, pump, shaker screen, top drive, drilling fluid, or draw works.

Abstract: A well operation facility including a first pump for delivering mud and cement to a borehole, a second pump for delivering mud to the borehole; a third pump for delivering the mud to the borehole, an inlet manifold coupled to each of the pumps for delivering the mud and/or cement to the pumps, and a discharge manifold coupled to each of the pumps for delivering the mud and/or cement at a pressure. In some embodiments, the first pump, the second pump, and the third pump are configured to be isolated from each other and to be used in series, parallel or as backups to each other.

Abstract: A pipe installation device for a drilling rig includes a frame that is pivotably coupled to an elevated rig floor of the drilling rig, a saddle coupled to the frame and configured to grip a pipe, and a driver coupled to the frame and the elevated rig floor of the drilling rig. The driver is configured to cause the frame to pivot from a first configuration in which the saddle is configured to support the pipe in a substantially vertical orientation to a second configuration in which the saddle is configured to support the pipe in a substantially horizontal orientation for connection to a well device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a drilling mud, a rate of penetration (ROP), and other factors to determine which remedial actions to perform and how to perform them. In conventional drilling operations, there are many systems which operate independently and do not share data, leading to inefficient actions when the operation is viewed as a whole. The systems and methods of the present disclosure enable a bigger picture to be considered, including a cost of replenishing mud, the wear on drilling tools, the effect of running a centrifuge, etc.

Abstract: A coupler for conducting high pressure fluid between adjacent skids on an oil rig is disclosed. A coupler is rotatable relative to pipe segments that together form a fluid connection between the adjacent skids for transferring fuel or another fluid between the skids at a relatively high pressure and flow rate. Rotating the coupler causes the pipe segments to extend and contract to facilitate connection to the skids without the use of heavy equipment.

Abstract: A fluids delivery system may include a mixing system configured to deliver a fluid to a wellbore; a dry component delivery system configured to deliver a dry component to the mixing system; a liquid additive system configured to deliver a liquid component to the mixing system; and a controls system configured to control the mixing system, the dry additive system and the liquid additive system to produce the fluid.

Abstract: A system includes a continuous mud measurement system to measure one or more mud properties of a mud being pumped into a well, a continuous drilling measurement system to measure one or more drilling parameters of the well being drilled, a data collection system connected to the mud measurement system and the drilling measurement system configured to synchronously collect the measured one or more mud properties and measured one or more drilling parameters, and a data analysis system connected in real time to the data collection system.

Abstract: A well operation facility including a first pump for delivering mud and cement to a borehole, a second pump for delivering mud to the borehole; a third pump for delivering the mud to the borehole, an inlet manifold coupled to each of the pumps for delivering the mud and/or cement to the pumps, and a discharge manifold coupled to each of the pumps for delivering the mud and/or cement at a pressure. In some embodiments, the first pump, the second pump, and the third pump are configured to be isolated from each other and to be used in series, parallel or as backups to each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a drilling mud, a rate of penetration (ROP), and other factors to determine which remedial actions to perform and how to perform them. In conventional drilling operations, there are many systems which operate independently and do not share data, leading to inefficient actions when the operation is viewed as a whole. The systems and methods of the present disclosure enable a bigger picture to be considered, including a cost of replenishing mud, the wear on drilling tools, the effect of running a centrifuge, etc.

Abstract: An integrated possum belly having a raised filter portion and collection troughs is disclosed. A fluid flow such as a drilling fluid can contain unwanted material such as gumbo which can clog pipes and other equipment. The fluid flow is deposited onto the raised filter portion that has sloped sides with openings in the sloped sides. The fluid passes through the openings and is collected, while the gumbo and other debris remains on the filter and is collected and discarded. Sensors and a controller can be used to automate aspects of the operation of the possum belly including the opening of the filter.

Abstract: A method of generating force in a wellbore includes setting an anchor on a body of a force generating device. The method also includes moving an actuator rod of the force generating device and apply tension to a cable connected with the actuator rod, wherein the force generated by the force generating device is the sum of the tension on the cable and the force generated by the force generation device.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one of downhole position and velocity. The apparatus includes a body. A roller is connected with the body, and a plurality of sensors is connected with the body. The plurality of sensors can acquire roller data and wellbore data. The roller data and wellbore data can be used to determine at least one of the velocity and position of the apparatus. The apparatus can also have an electronic module that is in communication with the plurality of of sensors.

Abstract: A downhole tractor assembly that is configured for open-hole applications. The assembly includes a force monitoring mechanism to help monitor and control forces imparted through a drive mechanism of the tractor in real time. As such, damage to open-hole formations due to excessive tractoring forces may be minimized along with mechanical damage to the tractor. Furthermore, the drive mechanism of the tractor may include multiple sondes and bowsprings with gripping saddles specially configured for contacting the well wall across a large area in a non-point and line manner so as to avoid digging into and damaging the well wall during tractoring.

Abstract: A downhole tool for positioning in a wellbore comprises a tool main body, an electric motor disposed within the tool main body, the motor comprising a rotor rotatably attached to a stator, and a linear actuator assembly disposed within the motor for transforming a rotary output of the motor into a linear displacement.

Abstract: A downhole tractor assembly that is configured for open-hole applications. The assembly includes a force monitoring mechanism to help monitor and control forces imparted through a drive mechanism of the tractor in real time. As such, damage to open-hole formations due to excessive tractoring forces may be minimized along with mechanical damage to the tractor. Furthermore, the drive mechanism of the tractor may include multiple sondes and bowsprings with gripping saddles specially configured for contacting the well wall across a large area in a non-point and line manner so as to avoid digging into and damaging the well wall during tractoring.

Abstract: A downhole tractor assembly that is configured for open-hole applications and of a self-aligning nature. The self-aligning nature of the assembly is effectuated through a tractor portion which is rotable about an axis of an elongated body of the assembly independent of a separate centralizing portion of the assembly. That is, the tractor portion, configured for interfacing an open-hole well wall of potentially irregular morphology, is independently rotable so as to maintain a position of substantially optimized driving friction at the interface during tractoring. Maintenance of optimized driving friction in this manner may occur irrespective of the orientation of the centralizing portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A downhole tractor assembly that is configured for open-hole applications and of a self-aligning nature. The self-aligning nature of the assembly is effectuated through a tractor portion which is rotable about an axis of an elongated body of the assembly independent of a separate centralizing portion of the assembly. That is, the tractor portion, configured for interfacing an open-hole well wall of potentially irregular morphology, is independently rotable so as to maintain a position of substantially optimized driving friction at the interface during tractoring. Maintenance of optimized driving friction in this manner may occur irrespective of the orientation of the centralizing portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A tractor configured for grip locking during advancement to avoid slippage, particularly in open-hole wells. The tractor is equipped with a grip lock mechanism for independently locking an anchor grip in a radially outward direction. This locking occurs sequentially in advance of the power stroke of a reciprocating drive piston associated with the anchor. Thus, radial outward expansion and gripping are ensured at the time pulling of a load in an axial downhole direction is pursued. Such grip locking may be employed throughout tractoring or intermittently, depending upon well characteristics such as formation hardness and well diameter.

Abstract: A downhole tool for positioning in a wellbore comprises a tool main body, an electric motor disposed within the tool main body, the motor comprising a rotor rotatably attached to a stator, and a linear actuator assembly disposed within the motor for transforming a rotary output of the motor into a linear displacement.

Abstract: A tractor configured for grip locking during advancement to avoid slippage, particularly in open-hole wells. The tractor is equipped with a grip lock mechanism for independently locking an anchor grip in a radially outward direction. This locking occurs sequentially in advance of the power stroke of a reciprocating drive piston associated with the anchor. Thus, radial outward expansion and gripping are ensured at the time pulling of a load in an axial downhole direction is pursued. Such grip locking may be employed throughout tractoring or intermittently, depending upon well characteristics such as formation hardness and well diameter.