Abstract: A drilling system includes a pressure sensor disposed on a drill string in the wellbore, the sensor responsive to pressure of a drilling fluid disposed in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string, and a processor operatively coupled to the pressure sensor. The processor is adapted to operate a drill string release controller to release the drill string into the wellbore so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value. A method for automatically drilling a wellbore includes measuring pressure of a drilling fluid in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and a drill string in the wellbore, and automatically controlling a rate of release of the drill string in response to the measured pressure so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value.

Abstract: An automated method and system for determining the state of a drilling or other suitable well operations includes storing a plurality of states for the well operation. Mechanical and hydraulic data is received for the well operation. Based on the mechanical and hydraulic data, one of the states is automatically selected as the state of the well operation. Process evaluation may be performed based on the state of the well operation.

Abstract: An automated method and system for recognizing a well control event includes determining a state of drilling operations. When drilling operations are in a circulating state, a benchmark for a relative flow value. The relative flow value is based on a flow of drilling fluid into a well bore and a flow of drilling fluid out of the well bore. A limit on variation of the relative flow value is determined from the benchmark. A cumulative sum for the relative flow value is determined over time in response to the relative flow value exceeding the limit. A well control event is recognized based on the cumulative sum.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a pressure sensor disposed on a drill string in the wellbore, the sensor responsive to pressure of a drilling fluid disposed in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string, and a processor operatively coupled to the pressure sensor. The processor is adapted to operate a drill string release controller to release the drill string into the wellbore so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value. A method for automatically drilling a wellbore includes measuring pressure of a drilling fluid in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and a drill string in the wellbore, and automatically controlling a rate of release of the drill string in response to the measured pressure so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value.

Abstract: An automated method and system for recognizing a well control event includes determining a state of drilling operations. When drilling operations are in a circulating state, a benchmark for a relative flow value. The relative flow value is based on a flow of drilling fluid into a well bore and a flow of drilling fluid out of the well bore. A limit on variation of the relative flow value is determined from the benchmark. A cumulative sum for the relative flow value is determined over time in response to the relative flow value exceeding the limit. A well control event is recognized based on the cumulative sum.

Abstract: An automated method and system for determining the state of a drilling or other suitable well operations includes storing a plurality of states for the well operation. Mechanical and hydraulic data is received for the well operation. Based on the mechanical and hydraulic data, one of the states is automatically selected as the state of the well operation. Process evaluation may be performed based on the state of the well operation.

Abstract: A system for cementing a tubular member in a well bore includes a cementing plug. The cementing plug includes at least one sensor. The system transmits a value measured by the sensor to a surface location. The system may transmit the value measured by the sensor through a cable connected between the plug and the surface location. Alternatively, the system may transmit the value measured by the sensor acoustically to the surface location.

Abstract: A system for cementing a tubular member in a well bore includes a cementing plug. The cementing plug includes at least one sensor. The system transmits a value measured by the sensor to a surface location. The system may transmit the value measured by the sensor through a cable connected between the plug and the surface location. Alternatively, the system may transmit the value measured by the sensor acoustically to the surface location.

Abstract: A method of and system for controlling directional drilling determines a relationship between surface drill string orientation angle and drill bit face angle. The method uses the relationship to determine a predicted drill bit face angle. The method then uses the predicted drill bit face angle to achieve a target drill bit face angle by calculating a surface drill string correction angle. The correction angle may be displayed to a human driller. Alternatively, the correction angle may be provided as an input to an automated drilling machine.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing bit rate of penetration while drilling substantially continuously determine an optimum control variable value necessary to achieve an optimum bit rate of penetration based upon measured conditions and maintains control variable value at the optimum control variable value. As measured conditions change while drilling, the method updates the determination of optimum control variable value.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing bit rate of penetration while drilling substantially continuously determine an optimum weight on bit necessary to achieve an optimum bit rate of penetration based upon measured conditions and maintains weight on bit at the optimum weight on bit. As measured conditions change while drilling, the method updates the determination of optimum weight on bit.

Abstract: A method of and system for increasing the efficiency of drillers in performing drilling operations measures performance parameters of drilling events performed by drillers, stores measurements of the performance parameters in a database, and displays a measurement of a selected performance parameter for a selected driller.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing bit rate of penetration while drilling substantially continuously determine an optimum weight on bit necessary to achieve an optimum bit rate of penetration based upon measured conditions and maintains weight on bit at the optimum weight on bit. As measured conditions change while drilling, the method updates the determination of optimum weight on bit.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing bit rate of penetration while drilling substantially continuously determine an optimum weight on bit necessary to achieve an optimum bit rate of penetration based upon measured conditions and maintains weight on bit at the optimum weight on bit. As measured conditions change while drilling, the method updates the determination of optimum weight on bit.

Abstract: A system includes a database that is adapted to store substantially continuously measured or calculated drilling parameters. At least one computer can access the database to display simultaneous user configurable graphical representations of selected drilling parameters. A user can observe multiple parameters graphically in real time.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing bit rate of penetration while drilling substantially continuously determines an optimum weight on bit necessary to achieve an optimum bit rate of penetration based upon measured conditions and maintains weight on bit at the optimum weight on bit. As measured conditions change while drilling, the method updates the determination of optimum weight on bit.