Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the volume of cuttings exiting a shaker table is disclosed. The system comprises a shaker table configured to be adjusted based on information compiled by a processor and at least one camera configured to monitor said shaker table. The camera may be operably connected to the processor. The processor may be configured to identify drill cuttings and estimate the volume of the cuttings exiting the shaker table using machine vision techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of personnel on a drilling site. A computer vision system can automatically identify and determine the locations of personnel on a drilling site, can generate a confidence map of the locations, and can display the locations of the personnel on a map of the drilling site. The system and methods also include taking corrective action when a person's location is determined to be unsafe, such as by inhibiting or causing automated actions with respect to machinery and equipment at the drilling site. The systems and methods may include the use of multiple cameras or video sources located at the drilling site and may be coupled to a control system to control machinery or equipment at the drilling site.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for estimating global rig state. The system comprises a model incorporating multiple variables related to rig state, at least one camera operably connected to at least one processor wherein said camera is capable of gathering visual data regarding at least one variable of rig state and said processor is capable of compiling rig state data, estimating global rig state, or both. The system further comprises multiple sensors for measuring variables related to global rig state wherein said sensors are operably connected to said processor. The method comprises sensing various aspects of the rig state, collecting visual data corresponding with said sensor data, compiling multiple sources of rig data, and estimating the overall rig state.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and method for inhibiting or causing automated actions based on estimated person locations comprising multiple video sources configured to detect the location of one or more persons wherein at least one video source is calibrated for a known location and pose. The invention further comprises at least one processor operably connected to a calibrated video source wherein said processor aggregates possible person locations. These systems and method may be useful for initiating or interrupting the automated activity of equipment in the presence of personnel.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the volume of cuttings exiting a shaker table is disclosed. The system comprises a shaker table configured to be adjusted based on information compiled by a processor and at least one camera configured to monitor said shaker table. The camera may be operably connected to the processor. The processor may be configured to identify drill cuttings and estimate the volume of the cuttings exiting the shaker table using machine vision techniques.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for detecting at least one of an influx event and a loss event during well drilling involve using one or both of errors between 1) estimated and measured pit volume, and 2) estimated and measured flow out, to identify or determine whether the influx or loss event is occurring, or to sound some other type of related alert. These determinations may be performed in a computationally efficient manner, such as by using one or both of a time and depth sensitive regression.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for detecting at least one of an influx event and a loss event during well drilling involve using one or both of errors between 1) estimated and measured pit volume, and 2) estimated and measured flow out, to identify or determine whether the influx or loss event is occurring, or to sound some other type of related alert. These determinations may be performed in a computationally efficient manner, such as by using one or both of a time and depth sensitive regression.

Abstract: System and method for measuring the characteristics of drill cuttings. The system comprises at least one camera operably connected to a processor for determining characteristics of particles from cuttings from drilling, wherein said processor is configured to perform particle detection, determine information about said particles, or both. The processor can be configured to initiate, interrupt or inhibit an activity based on the particle characteristics. The method comprises acquiring visual data from at least one camera, performing particle detection using said data, determining information about the detected particles, alerting an operator and/or initiating, interrupting, or inhibiting activity responsive to such information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of for measuring the characteristics and volume of drill cuttings. The system comprises at least one camera operably connected to a processor for recording characteristics of drill cutting particles wherein said processor is configured to perform particle detection, extract features of said particles, or both. The processor is typically configured to initiate, interrupt or inhibit an automated activity based on the particle characteristics. The method comprises acquiring visual data from at least one camera, performing particle detection using said data, extracting feature data of any detected particles, alerting an operator and/or initiating, interrupting, or inhibiting automated activity.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fluid front on a shaker table is disclosed. The system comprises a shaker table or shaker table screen configured to be adjusted based on information compiled by a processor and at least one camera configured to monitor said shaker table. The camera may be operably connected to a processor. The processor may be configured to perform detection and localization of the fluid front on the shaker table using machine vision techniques.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for detecting at least one of an influx event and a loss event during well drilling involve using one or both of errors between 1) estimated and measured pit volume, and 2) estimated and measured flow out, to identify or determine whether the influx or loss event is occurring, or to sound some other type of related alert. These determinations may be performed in a computationally efficient manner, such as by using one or both of a time and depth sensitive regression.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the volume of cuttings exiting a shaker table is disclosed. The system comprises a shaker table configured to be adjusted based on information compiled by a processor and at least one camera configured to monitor said shaker table. The camera may be operably connected to the processor. The processor may be configured to identify drill cuttings and estimate the volume of the cuttings exiting the shaker table using machine vision techniques.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fluid front on a shaker table is disclosed. The system comprises a shaker table or shaker table screen configured to be adjusted based on information compiled by a processor and at least one camera configured to monitor said shaker table. The camera may be operably connected to a processor. The processor may be configured to perform detection and localization of the fluid front on the shaker table using machine vision techniques.

Abstract: A system for cleaning, repairing, and/or replacing damaged shaker screens is disclosed. The system may comprise a shale shaker with a replaceable shaker screen, at least one camera, and a computer processor. The camera is positioned to capture images of the shale shaker screen and the processor is capable of receiving said images from the camera. The processor is configured to analyze the images and detect damaged regions of the shale shaker screen. The processor is also configured to determine when a screen is damaged above a pre-defined threshold. Certain embodiments allow for the automatic cleaning, repair, and/or replacement of the shaker screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for estimating global rig state. The system comprises a model incorporating multiple variables related to rig state, at least one camera operably connected to at least one processor wherein said camera is capable of gathering visual data regarding at least one variable of rig state and said processor is capable of compiling rig state data, estimating global rig state, or both. The system further comprises multiple sensors for measuring variables related to global rig state wherein said sensors are operably connected to said processor. The method comprises sensing various aspects of the rig state, collecting visual data corresponding with said sensor data, compiling multiple sources of rig data, and estimating the overall rig state.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and method for inhibiting or causing automated actions based on estimated person locations comprising multiple video sources configured to detect the location of one or more persons wherein at least one video source is calibrated for a known location and pose. The invention further comprises at least one processor operably connected to a calibrated video source wherein said processor aggregates possible person locations. These systems and method may be useful for initiating or interrupting the automated activity of equipment in the presence of personnel.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.