Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media having computer programs, and electronic interfaces to detect and mitigate drill cuttings build-up in borehole drilling for hydrocarbon wells are provided. Embodiments include determining annular pressure at downhole sensors when pumping a drilling fluid into the borehole. Then one or more measures of a decrease in pressure in the borehole between a first sensor and a second sensor that is attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the first sensor and the second sensor can be determined. Portions of effective density of the drilling fluid that are attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the sensors also can be determined. Drill cuttings and fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor can be analyzed. Whether drill cuttings limit fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor then can be determined.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media having computer programs, and electronic interfaces to detect and mitigate drill cuttings build-up in borehole drilling for hydrocarbon wells are provided. Embodiments include determining annular pressure at downhole sensors when pumping a drilling fluid into the borehole. Then one or more measures of a decrease in pressure in the borehole between a first sensor and a second sensor that is attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the first sensor and the second sensor can be determined. Portions of effective density of the drilling fluid that are attributable to build-up of drill cuttings between the sensors also can be determined. Drill cuttings and fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor can be analyzed. Whether drill cuttings limit fluid flow in an interval of the borehole between the first sensor and the second sensor then can be determined.

Abstract: A method for classifying data measured during drilling operations at a wellbore includes determining a first difference between values of a selected measured parameter between a first time and a second time and assigning a value of a measured parameter to an enhanced data value set when the first difference falls below selected thresholds.

Abstract: A method for determining a drilling malfunction includes determining a correspondence between at least one drilling operating parameter and at least one drilling response parameter. Determining the correspondence is performed when a parameter related to a dissipative motion of the drill string falls below a selected threshold. A value of the drilling response parameter is predicted based on the correspondence and measurements of the drilling operating parameter. Existence of the malfunction is determined when the predicted value is substantially different from a measured value of the drilling response parameter.

Abstract: A method for determining a depth of a wellbore includes determining change in a suspended weight of a drill string from a first time to a second time. A change in axial position of the upper portion of the drill string is then determined between the first time and the second time. An expected amount of drill string compression related to the change in suspended weight for movement of a lower portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time is corrected. A position of the lower portion of the drill string is calculated from the change in axial position and the corrected amount of drill string compression.

Abstract: A method for determining movement mode in a drill string includes measuring lateral acceleration of the drill string, determining lateral position of the drill string from the acceleration measurements, and determining mode from the position with respect to time. Also disclosed is a method including measuring drill string acceleration along at least one direction, spectrally analyzing the acceleration, and determining existence of a particular mode from the spectral analysis. Also disclosed is a method for determining destructive torque on a BHA including measuring angular acceleration at at least one location along the BHA, and comparing the acceleration to a selected threshold. The threshold relates to a moment of inertia of components of the BHA and a maximum torque applicable to threaded connections between BHA components. A warning is generated when acceleration exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying potential drilling hazards in a wellbore, including measuring a drilling parameter, correlating the parameter to depth in the wellbore at which selected components of a drill string pass, determining changes in the parameter each time the selected components pass selected depths in the wellbore, and generating a warning signal in response to the determined changes in the parameter. Another disclosed method includes determining times at which a drilling system is conditioning the wellbore, measuring torque, hookload and drilling fluid pressure during conditioning, and generating a warning signal if one or more of maximum value of measured torque, torque variation, maximum value of drill string acceleration, maximum value of hookload and maximum value of drilling fluid pressure exceeds a selected threshold during reaming up motion of the drilling system.

Abstract: A method for determining movement mode in a drill string includes measuring lateral acceleration of the drill string, determining lateral position of the drill string from the acceleration measurements, and determining mode from the position with respect to time. Another method includes measuring drill string acceleration along at least one direction, spectrally analyzing the acceleration, and determining existence of a particular mode from the spectral analysis. A method for determining destructive torque on a BHA includes measuring angular acceleration at at least one location along the BHA, and comparing the acceleration to a selected threshold. The threshold relates to a moment of inertia of components of the BHA and a maximum torque applicable to threaded connections between BHA components. A warning is generated when acceleration exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method for selecting drilling operating parameters includes characterizing at least one drilling response parameter with respect to lithology. The characterization is performed when a parameter related to drill string dissipative motion parameter below a selected threshold. The at least one drilling response parameter is measured during drilling. Lithology is determined from the measured drilling response parameter. At least one drilling operating parameter is selected to optimize at least one drilling response parameter when a parameter related to drill string dissipative motion falls below a selected threshold for the determined lithology.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method that effectively provides the near real-time advantage of annular pressure while drilling (APWD) measurements taken during pipe connections that require the mud circulation pumps to be turned off (a “pumps-off” condition). APWD data, such as pressure measurements, are obtained from instruments and related electronics within the bottom-hole assembly (BHA). APWD data can be measured, stored and even processed in the BHA during a pumps-off condition for subsequent processing or communication of a reduced amount of data to the driller at the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the transformation of measurement while drilling (MWD) data acquired during various time intervals into corresponding equal depth intervals. Once the data are transformed into the depth domain, depth based statistical, filtering sensor resolution matching and depth shifting techniques are utilized. The transformation process maximizes sensor vertical resolution while minimizing observed and statistical errors associated with sensor response.