Abstract: System and method for drilling of a wellbore in accordance with defined events during drilling operations are provided. During drilling, a computer system may receive information associated with one or more drilling rig operations. In response, the system may determine when a defined event occurs, the defined event comprising at least one of an equipment malfunction, deviation between measured and planned borehole paths, an upcoming maintenance period, or an unexpected geological reading. The computer system may then determine a predicted impact of the defined event based at least in part on data related to one or more drilling parameters and the defined event, modify the one or more drilling parameters based at least in part on the predicted impact of the defined event, and send the modified one or more drilling parameters to at least one drilling rig control system.

Abstract: System and method for determining an updated location of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) during drilling of a well are provided. During drilling, a computer system may receive tool face updates and may determine build rate estimates and a borehole depth increase during a toolface update period. The computer system may also calculate an updated estimate of the borehole position.

Abstract: A drilling system may have a drilling rig with a drill string including a BHA with a drill bit. The method may include determining a current BHA location and a future BHA location based on the current BHA location and a current trajectory of the BHA and comparing the future BHA location to a target drilling path. When the future BHA location is a predetermined distance from the target drilling path, then a plurality of geometric convergence paths may be generated, each providing a convergence solution from the current BHA location toward the target drilling path. The method may include determining (i) a distance to drill, (ii) an overall curvature, and (iii) a time required for drilling, of each of the geometric convergence paths and selecting a geometric convergence path responsive to the above. The wellbore may be drilled in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of geometric convergence paths.

Abstract: A drilling system may have a drilling rig with a drill string including a BHA with a drill bit. The method may include determining a current BHA location and a future BHA location based on the current BHA location and a current trajectory of the BHA and comparing the future BHA location to a target drilling path. When the future BHA location is a predetermined distance from the target drilling path, then a plurality of geometric convergence paths may be generated, each providing a convergence solution from the current BHA location toward the target drilling path. The method may include determining (i) a distance to drill, (ii) an overall curvature, and (iii) a time required for drilling, of each of the geometric convergence paths and selecting a geometric convergence path responsive to the above. The wellbore may be drilled in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of geometric convergence paths.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a wellbore in accordance with an event occurrence, which may comprise receiving an indication of an event occurrence, the indication is based at least in part on data related to drilling operations associated with a wellbore; determining a predicted impact of the event occurrence, the predicted impact based at least in part on data related to drilling parameters and the event occurrence; and modifying the drilling parameters based at least in part on the predicted impact of the event occurrence. The method may further comprise sending the modified drilling parameters to a control system of a drilling rig to drill the wellbore based at least in part on the modified drilling parameters responsive to a deviation between the modified drilling parameters and the drilling parameters being below a predetermined value therefor.

Abstract: A drilling system may have a drilling rig with a drill string including a BHA with a drill bit. The method may include determining a current BHA location and a future BHA location based on the current BHA location and a current trajectory of the BHA and comparing the future BHA location to a target drilling path. When the future BHA location is a predetermined distance from the target drilling path, then a plurality of geometric convergence paths may be generated, each providing a convergence solution from the current BHA location toward the target drilling path. The method may include determining (i) a distance to drill, (ii) an overall curvature, and (iii) a time required for drilling, of each of the geometric convergence paths and selecting a geometric convergence path responsive to the above. The wellbore may be drilled in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of geometric convergence paths.

Abstract: System and method for determining an updated location of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) during drilling of a well are provided. During drilling, a computer system may receive tool face updates and may determine build rate estimates and a borehole depth increase during a toolface update period. The computer system may also calculate an updated estimate of the borehole position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and using information regarding drilling equipment performance. Drilling equipment performance data can be stored in a database and then accessed by a computer system, which can also access information regarding a well plan and information regarding the drilling of a well. The drilling information for the drilling equipment from previously drilled wells can be normalized, such as based on drilling parameters, formation information, and, once normalized, can be compared. Responsive to the comparison of the normalized information, one or more items of drilling equipment can be selected and used for drilling a well.

Abstract: System and method for determining the location of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) during drilling of a well are provided. During drilling, a computer system determines an increase in measured depth during a time interval, and adjusts the determined measured depth to account for tensile and compressive forces, which may stretch or compress, respectively, the length of the drillstring. The computer system also determines a curvature projection of the drillstring responsive to a plane of arc and a build rate estimate, and uses the curvature projection to determine a position of the BHA.

Abstract: A drilling system may have a drilling rig with a drill string including a BHA with a drill bit. The method may include determining a current BHA location and a future BHA location based on the current BHA location and a current trajectory of the BHA and comparing the future BHA location to a target drilling path. When the future BHA location is a predetermined distance from the target drilling path, then a plurality of geometric convergence paths may be generated, each providing a convergence solution from the current BHA location toward the target drilling path. The method may include determining (i) a distance to drill, (ii) an overall curvature, and (iii) a time required for drilling, of each of the geometric convergence paths and selecting a geometric convergence path responsive to the above. The wellbore may be drilled in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of geometric convergence paths.

Abstract: System and method for controlling drilling rig operations where a control system coupled to a drilling rig obtains performance information during drilling of a well. Using the performance information obtained during drilling of the well, historical data regarding performance information relating to wells previously drilled, and a well plan, the control system can predict the time required to complete drilling of one or more subsequent portions of the well and the cost associated with the time. The control system can compare the cost associated with the time to a target value. If the difference between the cost associated with the time and the target value exceeds a threshold, then the control system can generate an updated drilling path and control information can be sent to drill the well according to said updated drilling path.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for displaying toolface orientation data including a surface steerable system for controlling drilling direction of a bottom hole assembly (BHA). The surface steerable system configured to receive toolface orientation data from the BHA and generate display data responsive thereto. A circular chart display is generated responsive to the display data responsive to the display data from the surface steerable system, the circular chart display representing current and historical toolface orientation data. The current and historical toolface orientation data is represented as an arc indicator defined on the circular chart illustrating a range in degrees of the current and historical toolface orientations.

Abstract: System and method for controlling the drilling of a second wellbore in close proximity to a first well bore. A computer system obtains information regarding a previously drilled wellbore, as well as information regarding a second wellbore being drilled. Using information obtained from one or more magnetic sensors, the computer system determines an optimal target path for continued drilling of the second wellbore and may issue one or more control signals to one or more control systems coupled to a drilling rig to automatically drill in accordance with the selected path. The computer system can generate a plurality of potential paths using one or more cost curves and/or value curves to determine the optimal path for the second wellbore.

Abstract: A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the method includes monitoring operating parameters for drilling rig equipment and bottom hole assembly (BHA) equipment for a BHA, where the operating parameters control the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment. The method includes receiving current inputs corresponding to performance data of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment during a drilling operation and determining that an amount of change between the current inputs and corresponding previously received inputs exceeds a defined threshold. The method further includes determining whether a modification to the operating parameters has occurred that would result in the amount of change exceeding the defined threshold and identifying that a problem exists in at least one of the drilling rig equipment and BA equipment if no modification has occurred to the operating parameters. The method includes performing a defined action if a problem exists.

Abstract: A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the method includes monitoring operating parameters for drilling rig equipment and bottom hole assembly (BHA) equipment for a BHA, where the operating parameters control the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment. The method includes receiving current inputs corresponding to performance data of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment during a drilling operation and determining that an amount of change between the current inputs and corresponding previously received inputs exceeds a defined threshold. The method further includes determining whether a modification to the operating parameters has occurred that would result in the amount of change exceeding the defined threshold and identifying that a problem exists in at least one of the drilling rig equipment and BA equipment if no modification has occurred to the operating parameters. The method includes performing a defined action if a problem exists.

Abstract: System and method for controlling the drilling of a second wellbore in close proximity to a first well bore. A computer system obtains information regarding a previously drilled wellbore, as well as information regarding a second wellbore being drilled. Using information obtained from one or more magnetic sensors, the computer system determines an optimal target path for continued drilling of the second wellbore and may issue one or more control signals to one or more control systems coupled to a drilling rig to automatically drill in accordance with the selected path. The computer system can generate a plurality of potential paths using one or more cost curves and/or value curves to determine the optimal path for the second wellbore.

Abstract: A method for determining geological formation characteristics involves driving a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole. At least one mechanical drilling parameter generated is detected responsive to operation of the BHA in the borehole. At least one geological formation characteristic is identified responsive to the detected at least one mechanical drilling parameter. The identified at least one geological formation characteristic is provided to a surface steerable drilling system. Operation of the surface steerable drilling system is controlled responsive to the at least one geological formation characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the method includes monitoring operating parameters for drilling rig equipment and bottom hole assembly (BHA) equipment for a BHA, where the operating parameters control the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment. The method includes receiving current inputs corresponding to performance data of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment during a drilling operation and determining that an amount of change between the current inputs and corresponding previously received inputs exceeds a defined threshold. The method further includes determining whether a modification to the operating parameters has occurred that would result in the amount of change exceeding the defined threshold and identifying that a problem exists in at least one of the drilling rig equipment and BA equipment if no modification has occurred to the operating parameters. The method includes performing a defined action if a problem exists.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and using information regarding drilling equipment performance. Drilling equipment performance data can be stored in a database and then accessed by a computer system, which can also access information regarding a well plan and information regarding the drilling of a well. The drilling information for the drilling equipment from previously drilled wells can be normalized, such as based on drilling parameters, formation information, and, once normalized, can be compared. Responsive to the comparison of the normalized information, one or more items of drilling equipment can be selected and used for drilling a well.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for displaying toolface orientation data including a surface steerable system for controlling drilling direction of a bottom hole assembly (BHA). The surface steerable system configured to receive toolface orientation data from the BHA and generate display data responsive thereto. A circular chart display is generated responsive to the display data responsive to the display data from the surface steerable system, the circular chart display representing current and historical toolface orientation data. The current and historical toolface orientation data is represented as an arc indicator defined on the circular chart illustrating a range in degrees of the current and historical toolface orientations.