Abstract: A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of making-up a threaded connection can include rotating a tubular, measuring torque applied to the tubular during the rotating, thereby generating data including measured torque values, detecting an anomalous occurrence in the data during the rotating, and ceasing application of the torque to the tubular in response to detection of the anomalous occurrence. A threaded connection make-up system can include a rotary clamp to apply torque to a tubular, a torque sensor to produce measurements of the applied torque, and a control system including a neural network, an artificial intelligence device, machine learning and/or genetic algorithms trained to detect an anomalous occurrence in data input to the control system. The data may include the applied torque and turns of the tubular as measured by a turn sensor.

Abstract: A method of making-up or breaking-out tubular string components can include threading tubulars with each other while a camera obtains images of the tubulars, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor that detects optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to a difference between the displacements. Another method can include positioning a camera so that the camera simultaneously observes at least two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor, the image processor detecting optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to the image processor detecting the optical flow vector fields.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for making up a tubular joint. The method includes rotating a first tubular relative to a second tubular to engage the first and second tubulars while measuring a torque between the first and second tubulars, calculating a set point of a relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars using the measured torque, and using the calculated set point with a closed-loop controller to control the relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars.

Abstract: A method of making-up or breaking-out tubular string components can include threading tubulars with each other while a camera obtains images of the tubulars, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor that detects optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to a difference between the displacements. Another method can include positioning a camera so that the camera simultaneously observes at least two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, outputting image data from the camera to an image processor, the image processor detecting optical flow vector fields from the image data, the optical flow vector fields representing displacements of the respective tubulars during the threading, and controlling the threading in response to the image processor detecting the optical flow vector fields.

Abstract: A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to apparatus and methods for locating a tubular joint using two dimensional images. A tubular feature may be located by capturing a first two dimensional image of a tubular, capturing a second two dimensional image of the tubular including a reference, identifying a tubular joint or stick-up of the tubular from the first or second two dimensional image, and determining a vertical position of the tubular joint or stick-up of the tubular using the reference.

Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes engaging the threads of the tubulars and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular to makeup a threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring time, measuring torque applied to the connection, and measuring turns of the first tubular. The method further includes using a programmable logic controller for: evaluating at least one of the measured turns, measured torque, and measured time for at least one of a discontinuity, a torque spike, and a torque drop and accepting or rejecting the connection based on the evaluation.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for making up a tubular joint. The method includes rotating a first tubular relative to a second tubular to engage the first and second tubulars while measuring a torque between the first and second tubulars, calculating a set point of a relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars using the measured torque, and using the calculated set point with a closed-loop controller to control the relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes monitoring relative rotation between a backup tong and a tubular clamped in the backup tong to determine slippage of the backup tong.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes engaging threads of the tubulars; engaging the first tubular with a clamp of a makeup tool; rotating the clamp of the makeup tool, thereby rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular and making up the threaded connection; measuring turns of the first tubular; measuring turns of the clamp; and evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured turns of the first tubular and the measured turns of the clamp. One example system generally includes a makeup tool operable to rotate a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular. The makeup tool includes a clamp configured to engage the first tubular. The tubular makeup system further includes a first turns counter configured to measure turns of the first tubular; and a second turns counter configured to measure turns of the clamp.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for locating a tubular joint using two dimensional images. A tubular feature may be located by capturing a first two dimensional image of a tubular, capturing a second two dimensional image of the tubular including a reference, identifying a tubular joint or stick-up of the tubular from the first or second two dimensional image, and determining a vertical position of the tubular joint or stick-up of the tubular using the reference.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to automated load cell identification. One example method generally includes sending, from a load cell to a remote processing system, identification information associated with the load cell; and determining whether the load cell is valid for use during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular based on the identification information associated with the load cell. The load cell identification information may include a measurement range of torque values supported. The method can include comparing the measurement range of torque values to a job-defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and determining that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison. The identification information can be used to detect the load cell type, range, and calibration data before tubular makeup to ensure data quality and safety at work.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for making up a tubular joint. The method includes rotating a first tubular relative to a second tubular to engage the first and second tubulars while measuring a torque between the first and second tubulars, calculating a set point of a relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars using the measured torque, and using the calculated set point with a closed-loop controller to control the relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to automated load cell identification. One example method generally includes sending, from a load cell to a remote processing system, identification information associated with the load cell; and determining whether the load cell is valid for use during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular based on the identification information associated with the load cell. The load cell identification information may include a measurement range of torque values supported. The method can include comparing the measurement range of torque values to a job-defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and determining that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison. The identification information can be used to detect the load cell type, range, and calibration data before tubular makeup to ensure data quality and safety at work.