Abstract: Uncertainty of microseismic monitoring results can be reduced to improve hydraulic fracture modeling. A computing device can use a fracture model to determine a predicted geometry of a hydraulic fracture in a subterranean formation based on properties of a fracturing fluid that is introduced into the subterranean formation. An uncertainty index of the predicted geometry of the hydraulic fracture can be determined based on an uncertainty value of the predicted geometry and a trend of uncertainty values. When the injection flow rate of the fracturing fluid is less than a maximum flow rate, it can be increased from an initial injection flow rate to an increased injection flow rate in response to determining the uncertainty index exceeds a pre-set maximum.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a running operation includes an interface to equipment and sensors for performing the running operation. The interface supplies control signals to the equipment and obtains measurement signals from the sensors. The system further includes a short-term optimizer that derives a current job state based at least in part on the measurement signals, and that further adjusts the control signals to optimize a short-term cost function. The short-term cost function includes a difference between the current job state and a desired job state derived from optimized values of a set of decision variables. The system further includes a long-term optimizer module that determines the optimized values based on a long-term cost function, the long-term cost function accounting for at least a long-term reward and a final state cost.

Abstract: Two control strategies may be implemented to optimize mud circulation in a drilling mud circulation system. In a networked control strategy, the mud circulation system does not involve any centralized controller yet all the local controllers can exchange information in real-time via a central data storage. The master-slave control strategy involves a centralized optimizer, and the subsystems are treated as slave systems and are driven by a visual master control system.

Abstract: During drilling operations various drilling mud properties may be measured and predicted. Uncertainties in the measured or predicted values may also be calculated. The estimated uncertainties may then be used to optimize mud sampling interval and/or control a mud mixer. A decision making algorithm may be performed to optimize a surface mud sampling interval such that the uncertainties are maintained within a bounded region with minimal number of sampling times.

Abstract: Methods including the step of producing a bulk fluid from a subterranean formation, the bulk fluid comprising at least water and a hydrocarbon. The bulk fluid is then sampled to form at least one sampled fluid. Next, constituent parameters of the sampled fluid are determined using the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) model. The constituent parameters include the salinity (S) of the sampled fluid, the salinity constant (b); the equivalent alkane carbon number for the hydrocarbon in the sampled fluid (EACN); T is temperature of the sampled fluid; the characteristic curvature for an ionic surfactant composition (cc) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (ccn); the surfactant temperature constant for the ionic surfactant composition (?T) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (cT). Also determining an optimal surfactant or optimal surfactant blend to achieve an oil-water separation morphological phase distribution of the sampled fluid.

Abstract: Systems comprising a main tubular coupled to a pump and extending from a surface into a subterranean formation, wherein produced bulk fluid is pumped to the surface, and wherein the bulk fluid comprises at least water and a hydrocarbon, and has certain constituent parameters; a storage container for retaining the bulk fluid; a sampling tubular in fluid communication with the main tubular for sampling the bulk fluid, thereby forming at least one sampled fluid; and a dosing system coupled to the sampling tubular and configured to receive the sampled fluid, the dosing system configured to determine a constituent parameter of the sampled fluid, identify a type and concentration of separating surfactant to include in the bulk fluid to obtain a hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) substantially equal to 0, and introduce the identified type and concentration of the separating surfactant into the storage container retaining the bulk fluid.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a stimulation operation includes an interface to equipment and sensors for performing the stimulation operation. The interface supplies control signals to the equipment and obtains measurement signals from the sensors. The system further includes a short-term optimizer that derives a current job state based at least in part on the measurement signals, and that further adjusts the control signals to optimize a short-term cost function. The short-term cost function includes a difference between the current job state and a desired job state derived from optimized values of a set of decision variables. The system further includes a long-term optimizer module that determines the optimized values based on a long-term cost function, the long-term cost function accounting for at least a long-term reward and a final state cost.

Abstract: Methods including the step of producing a bulk fluid from a subterranean formation, the bulk fluid comprising at least water and a hydrocarbon. The bulk fluid is then sampled to form at least one sampled fluid. Next, constituent parameters of the sampled fluid are determined using the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) model. The constituent parameters include the salinity (S) of the sampled fluid, the salinity constant (b); the equivalent alkane carbon number for the hydrocarbon in the sampled fluid (EACN); T is temperature of the sampled fluid; the characteristic curvature for an ionic surfactant composition (cc) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (ccn); the surfactant temperature constant for the ionic surfactant composition (?T) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (cT). Also determining an optimal surfactant or optimal surfactant blend to achieve an oil-water separation morphological phase distribution of the sampled fluid.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a bottom hole assembly (BHA) include determining a model of BHA dynamics based on sensor measurements from the BHA; determining, based on the model of BHA dynamics, an objective function including a predicted future deviation from a planned wellbore path; determining a control input to the BHA that satisfies the objective function for a set of operating conditions of the BHA; generating, at a secondary system, relational information that relates the control input to the set of operating conditions; and transmitting the relational information from the secondary system to the BHA.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a wellbore include determining a model of BHA dynamics; determining a predicted wellbore trajectory, based on the model of BHA dynamics; and determining an uncertainty of the predicted wellbore trajectory.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to follow a planned wellbore path include determining sensor measurements from the BHA; determining a model of BHA dynamics based on the sensor measurements from the BHA; determining a weighting factor that corresponds to a drilling objective; determining an objective function comprising the drilling objective, weighted by the weighting factor, and one or more constraints; determining a control input to the BHA that satisfies the objective function and the one or more constraints; and applying the control input to the BHA.

Abstract: Reducing or eliminating stick-slip and vibrations downhole may include controlling top drive torque in order to adjust drill bit angular speed in a manner that prevents, eliminates, or reduces stick-slip and vibration. Control methods and systems may include solving one or more optimization problems including an objective function. The objective function may be subject to conditions including a physical model of the drilling system. The objective function may be minimized without reference to a model, but instead by reference to estimated stick-slip frequency based upon a drill bit angular speed profile. In addition, actual downhole measurements for use in control methods and systems, such as drill bit angular speed, may be estimated using an observer.

Abstract: An example method for optimized rotation of a drill string coupled to a drill bit and disposed within a borehole may comprise determining an angular velocity of at least part of the drill string. An angular velocity threshold to avoid static friction may also be determined. Additionally, a minimum input torque to apply to the drill string to maintain the angular velocity at or above the angular velocity threshold may be determined. The method may further include generating a control signal to a top drive motor based, at least in part, on the minimum input torque.

Abstract: Reducing or eliminating stick-slip and vibrations downhole may include controlling top drive torque in order to adjust drill bit angular speed in a manner that prevents, eliminates, or reduces stick-slip and vibration. Control methods and systems may include solving one or more optimization problems including an objective function. The objective function may be subject to conditions including a physical model of the drilling system. The objective function may be minimized without reference to a model, but instead by reference to estimated stick-slip frequency based upon a drill bit angular speed profile. In addition, actual downhole measurements for use in control methods and systems, such as drill bit angular speed, may be estimated using an observer.

Abstract: A system and method for improved cryogenic cooling of process streams in polysilicon manufacturing is provided. The disclosed system and method provides for the cryogenic cooling of a silane and hydrogen process stream during the manufacture of polysilicon with concurrent recovery of refrigeration capacity from the vaporized nitrogen as well as the recovery of refrigeration capacity from the cold hydrogen stream. The improved cryogenic cooling system and method reduces the overall consumption of liquid nitrogen without sacrificing cooling performance of the cryogenic cooling of the silane and hydrogen process stream.

Abstract: A system and method for improved cryogenic cooling of process gases is provided. The disclosed system and method provides for the cryogenic cooling of a silane and hydrogen gas process stream during the manufacture of polysilicon with concurrent recovery of refrigeration capacity from the vaporized nitrogen as well as the recovery of refrigeration capacity from the cold hydrogen gas stream. The improved cryogenic cooling system and method reduces the overall consumption of liquid nitrogen without sacrificing cooling performance of the cryogenic cooling of the silane and hydrogen gas process stream.