AUTONOMOUS WIRELINE SERVICE

Abstract

Aspects of the subject technology relate to autonomously controlling a wireline system. Wireline information associated with operation of a wireline system can be accessed. The wireline system can include a wireline tool operating in relation to a wellbore at a wellsite. Operation of the wireline system can be autonomously controlled at the wellsite based on the wireline information.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/648,777 filed May 17, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology pertains to controlling a wireline system during operation within a wellbore, and more particularly, to autonomously controlling operation of the wireline system during operation within the wellbore based on accessed wireline information.

BACKGROUND

Tools have been developed that can be deployed downhole to characterize aspects of formations, wellbores, and other downhole components for use in the exploration and extraction of various materials through the wellbores. Such tools cane be deployed and operated in a wellbore through various tools and techniques. One class of such tools and techniques are wireline systems and methods that lower and raise a tool within a wellbore through a wire that extends to a surface and is manipulated at the surface to control deployment of the tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the features and advantages of this disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description is provided with reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example downhole environment having tubulars, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a wireline system, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for an example method of autonomously performing a wireline service, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example computing device architecture which can be employed to perform various steps, methods, and techniques disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the principles disclosed herein. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

As discussed previously, tools have been developed that can be deployed downhole to characterize aspects of formations, wellbores, and other downhole components for use in the exploration and extraction of various materials through the wellbores. Such tools cane be deployed and operated in a wellbore through various tools and techniques. One class of such tools and techniques are wireline systems and methods that lower and raise a tool within a wellbore through a wire that extends to a surface and is manipulated at the surface to control deployment of the tool.

Wireline systems including the systems for deploying the wireline tools and the wireline tools themselves can be controlled by operators at a wellsite. This is, however, a difficult and dangerous job which requires that an operator is proficient in operating a wide range of different tools that can be deployed and operated through a wireline system. Further, human error in controlling deployment and operation of the tools through wireline can lead to damage to the tool and potentially severed line. In turn, this can necessitate an expensive and timely recovery operation.

The disclosed technology addresses the foregoing by accessing wireline information associated with operation of a wireline system including a wireline tool in relation to a wellbore. The wireline information can include applicable information related to operation of a wireline tool through a wireline system. Specifically, the wireline information can include information that is generated before deployment and operation of a wireline tool in a wellbore. For example, wireline information can include a wireline job plan indicative of a range of depths and wireline speeds for deploying and operating a wireline tool. Further, wireline information can include information that is gathered during deployment and operation of a wireline tool in a wellbore. For example,

Referring to FIG. 1, an example system 140 is depicted for conducting downhole measurements after at least a portion of a wellbore has been drilled and the drill string removed from the well. Various wireline tools can be operated in the example system 140 shown in FIG. 1 to log the wellbore. A downhole tool is shown having a tool body 146 in order to carry out logging and/or other operations. For example, instead of using a drill string to lower the downhole tool, which can contain sensors and/or other instrumentation for detecting and logging nearby characteristics and conditions of the wellbore 116 and surrounding formations, a wireline conveyance 144 can be used. Specifically, the tool body 146 can be lowered into the wellbore 116 by wireline conveyance 144. The wireline conveyance 144 can be anchored in the drill rig 142 or by a portable means such as a truck 145. The wireline conveyance 144 can include one or more wires, slicklines, cables, and/or the like, as well as tubular conveyances such as coiled tubing, joint tubing, or other tubulars. The downhole tool can include an applicable tool for collecting measurements in a drilling scenario, such as the electromagnetic imager tools described herein.

The illustrated wireline conveyance 144 provides power and support for the tool, as well as enabling communication between data processors 148A-N on the surface. In some examples, the wireline conveyance 144 can include electrical and/or fiber optic cabling for carrying out communications. The wireline conveyance 144 is sufficiently strong and flexible to tether the tool body 146 through the wellbore 116, while also permitting communication through the wireline conveyance 144 to one or more of the processors 148A-N, which can include local and/or remote processors. The processors 148A-N can be integrated as part of an applicable computing system, such as the computing device architectures described herein. Moreover, power can be supplied via the wireline conveyance 144 to meet power requirements of the tool. For slickline or coiled tubing configurations, power can be supplied downhole with a battery or via a downhole generator.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a wireline system 200. The wireline system 200 includes a wireline tool 202, a wireline winch system 204, a master controller 206, a wireline winch controller 208, a depth and tension measurement system 210, a tool power controller and telemetry system 212, and a safety monitoring system 214.

The wireline tool 202 is any applicable tool that can be disposed through a wireline for operation within a wellbore. Specifically, wireline tool 202 can include tools for wireline logging (formation evaluation/Reservoir monitoring/Well Integrity) or wireline well intervention services. The wireline tool 202 can power from the tool power control and telemetry system 212 and will have a communication link over wireline telemetry or some other applicable coupling with the tool power control and telemetry system 212. Tool operation commands (initiate/abort/hold/stop logging/intervention) can be transmitted from the tool power control and telemetry system 212. Such commands, as will be discussed in greater detail later, can be generated by the master controller 206. Specifically, such commands can be generated by the master controller 206 as part of autonomously controlling operation of the wireline system 200 based on gathered wireline information, e.g. based on a job plan implementing a service sequence of commands/operations. Log data, which includes applicable sensor data and status data that is generated and/or gathered by the wireline tool 202, can be transmitted from the tool processors to the tool power control and telemetry system 212 over the wireline telemetry.

The wireline winch system 204 functions to provide conveyance to the wireline tool 202 in operation in a wellbore. The wireline winch system 204 comprises a drive system for a drum. The drive system can be an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump or engine shaft driving the hydraulic pump. The wireline winch system 204 can also comprise a transmission between the drive system and the drum, a spooling guidance system for the wireline on the drum, a braking system for the drum, valves to provide mooring system, and a console with manual controls, e.g. a joystick for speed, switches for brake enable/disable. In providing conveyance to the wireline tool 202, the wireline winch system can control a tension of the line both at the wireline tool 202 and at the surface, a line speed change of the line in deploying the wireline tool 202 by controlling a speed power of the line. Further, the wireline winch system 204 can perform auto-spooling.

The wireline winch system 204 can communicate with the wireline winch controller 208 for controlling operation of the wireline winch system 204. Specifically, the wireline winch controller 208 can send commands to the wireline winch system 204 for controlling operation of the wireline winch system 204 itself. For example, the wireline winch controller 208 can send commands to the wireline winch system 204 for adjusting a power speed/winch speed of the line. Such commands for controlling the wireline winch system 204 can ultimately be generated by or caused to be generated by the master controller 206, as will be discussed in greater detail later, in an autonomous manner. The wireline winch system 204 can interface with a switch that allows for operation of the wireline winch system 204 through autonomous control or in a manual mode, e.g. through a joystick on the console by which a user can provide user inputs for the winch speed.

The master controller 206 functions to control operation of the wireline system 200. Specifically, the master controller 206 can control operation of the wireline system 200 in an autonomous manner. More specifically, the master controller 206 can control operation of the wireline system 200 based on wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system 200. In controlling operation of the wireline system 200, the master controller can control the wireline winch system 204, the power that is delivered to the wireline tool 202, and actual operation of the wireline tool 202. This control of the wireline tool 202 can be performed by the master controller 206 based on wireline information in an autonomous manner. Specifically, the master controller 206 can autonomously control the delivery of power to the wireline tool 202 based on wireline information.

Wireline information, as used herein, can include applicable information that is associated with operation of a wireline system in a wellbore. Specifically, wireline information can include information that is generated before actual operation of the wireline system. For example, wireline information can include a job/intervention plan for operating a wireline tool through a wireline system. The job/intervention plan can be developed and input to the controller 206 as part of user input. Further, wireline information can include information that is generated during actual operation of the wireline system. For example, wireline information can include wireline depth and tension measurements, wireline toll information, and safety issues/concerns detected during safety monitoring associated with operation of the wireline system. In various embodiments, wireline information can comprise tension of a line of the wireline system at a point at a surface of the wellsite, a depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, a line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, a downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof, the method further comprising autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the tension of the line of the wireline system at a point at the surface of the wellsite, the depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, the line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, the downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof.

In autonomously controlling operation of the wireline system 200, the master controller 206 can generate commands based on the wireline information. In turn, the master controller 206 can send those commands to appropriate controllers within the wireline system 200 or otherwise cause the wireline system 200 to operate according to the commands. The master controller 206 can generate the commands based on wireline information that is gathered during operation of the wireline system 200. For example, the master controller 206 can generate the commands based on a measured tension of a line of the wireline system at a point at a surface of the wellsite, a measured depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, a measured line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, a measured downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof. Further, the master controller 206 can generate the commands based on user input for the job logging/intervention plan such as speed schedule for logging/conveyance, definition of the tools in the tool string, well survey, type of wireline cable, and other applicable user input.

In autonomously controlling operation of the wireline system, the master controller 206 can receive a job plan for operating the wireline system 200, e.g. as part of user input. The master controller 206 can then modify the job plan based on gathered wireline information, e.g. in runtime during operation of the wireline system 200. As follows, the master controller 206 can implement the modified job plan by generating commands for controlling the wireline system 200 according to the modified job plan.

The master controller 206 can comprise a logging and job sequence controller comprising a processing unit which is communicatively coupled to the tool power control and telemetry system 212, the depth and tension measurement system 210, and the winch controller 208. The controller can determine the expected tension on the cable based on limits defined in user input. The controller can also compute maximum and minimum tensions expected at various depths and compare these expected tension values with the limits defined by the user input. In turn, this can be used to autonomously send control commands to the wireline winch controller 208 for ultimately controlling operation of the wireline winch system 204. In controlling the wireline winch controller 208, the master controller 206 can send commands either in runtime or before the job.

The master controller 206 can send initiate, abort, stop, hold commands to the wireline winch controller 208. Further, the master controller 206 can send control signals to tool power supplies in the tool power control and telemetry system 212. For example, the master controller 206 can control tool power delivery through the tool power control and telemetry system 212. The master controller 206 can also receive information on runtime depth of the wireline tool 202 and tension on cable by the depth and tension measurement system 210. In turn this information, as part of wireline information, can be used to control operation of the wireline system 200. The master controller 206 can also communicate through a graphical user interface with a user for configuring the service, entering job plan/well survey, controlling runtime running of wireline tools, and display log data gathered by the wireline tool 202.

The master controller 206 can autonomously control operation of the wireline system 200 based on log data that is generated by the wireline tool 202, e.g. as part of controlling operation of the wireline system 200 based on wireline information. Specifically, the master controller 206 can interpret log data gathered by the wireline tool 202 and then autonomously control operation of the wireline system 200 based on the interpretation of the log data. For example, the master controller 206 can determine whether gathered log data is of a suitable quality, e.g. with respect to a threshold. As follows, the master controller 206 can cause the wireline system 200 to regenerate the log data if it determines that the gathered log data is not of a suitable quality.

The wireline winch controller 208 functions to control operation of the wireline winch system 204, e.g. based on commands received from the master controller 206. In various embodiments, The wireline winch controller 208 can take either runtime or depth vs speed schedule command from the master controller 206 and control the wireline winch system 204, e.g. in runtime. The wireline winch controller 208 can comprise a controller for a spooling system, a drive system for the wireline drum, winch brakes, transmission shifts (for slow/high speed control), mooring control, auto to manual & manual to auto mode transition and slow speed controls.

The wireline winch controller 208 can receive the job logging/intervention plan, speed schedule for logging/conveyance, definition of the tools in the tool string, well survey, type of wireline cable etc. from the master controller 206 and get initiate, stop and modify commands from the master controller 206 in runtime. The wireline winch controller 208 can receive the runtime depth and wireline tension measurements from the depth and tension measurement system 210. In turn, the wireline winch controller 208 can control the wireline winch system 204 based on such information.

The wireline winch controller 208 can control the wireline winch system 204 in either automatic or manual modes. In automatic mode, the desired winch speed command is built into speed scheduler from the master controller 206. The wireline winch controller 208 then controls the winch speed in runtime based on the speed schedule from the master controller 206, unless wireline tension at surface, is above or lower than limits communicated by the master controller 206. The wireline winch controller 208 can also control the wireline winch system 204 based on downhole tension, e.g. as measured by downhole tension sensors. In this case, the tool power control and telemetry system 212 can receive the runtime downhole tension measurement values over wireline telemetry and provide such measurement to the wireline winch controller 208.

Either or both the master controller 206 and the wireline winch controller 208 can operate to autonomously control the operation of the wireline system 200. Specifically, either or both the master controller 206 and the wireline winch controller 208 can operate to autonomously control a speed power of the line of the wireline system 200, a tension in the line of the wireline system 200, performance of auto-spooling, or a combination thereof. Such autonomous control can be achieved based on the previously described wireline information.

The depth and tension measurement system 210 functions to generate wireline information related to depth and tension measurements. Specifically, the depth and tension measurement system 210 can measure surface tension of the wireline and depth based on an encoder wheel on the wireline. As follows, the wireline information generated by the depth and tension measurement system 210 can be sent to the master controller 206 and the wireline winch controller 208 for controlling/autonomously controlling the wireline system 200.

The tool power control and telemetry system 212 functions to generate wireline information related to components in proximity to and including the wireline tool 202. Specifically, the tool power control and telemetry system 212 houses communication hardware to send commands to the wireline tool 202 and receive data from sensors or the status of wireline tool controllers, e.g. through a telemetry connection. The tool power control and telemetry system 212 can also control provisioning of power to the wireline tool 202. For example, the tool power control and telemetry system 212 can provide more power to the wireline tool 202 when the wireline tool 202 is operating in a well intervention.

The safety monitoring system 214 functions to identify the occurrence of a safety concern in relation to operation of the wireline system 200. A safety concern, as used herein, includes an applicable event that occurs in relation to operation of the wireline system 200 and presents either an actual or a potential hazard to a human, a wellsite, or equipment at the wellsite. For example, a safety concern can include an intruder in the unsafe area near wireline, or wireline break. If a safety concern is detected, then the safety monitoring system 214 can present the concern to the master controller 206, e.g. as part of wireline information. As follows, the master controller 206 can control operation of the wireline system 200 based on the detected safety concern. For example, the master controller 206 can cause the wireline system 200 to perform an abort wireline operation, if an unsafe condition is detected by the safety monitoring system 214.

The safety monitoring system 214 can comprise a camera system and AI driven processor. Video stream from the camera system can be continuously analyzed to detect an unsafe operation. As follows an abort signal can be sent to either or both the master controller 206 and the wireline winch controller 208 to abort the operation by stopping the winch and applying brake.

All or applicable components of the wireline system 200 can have interfaces with edge devices that are accessible from a remote site. Specifically, the master controller 206 can be connected through a network to a remote user, otherwise connected at a remote site. In turn, a remote user can provide input for controlling operation of the wireline system 200 remotely, e.g. by remotely controlling operation of the master controller 206.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for an example method of autonomously performing a wireline service. The method shown in FIG. 3 is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. Additionally, while the example method is illustrated with a particular order of steps, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that FIG. 3 and the modules shown therein can be executed in any order and can include fewer or more modules than illustrated. Each module shown in FIG. 3 represents one or more steps, processes, methods or routines in the method.

At step 300, a well survey, tool string information, service sequence information, and a speed schedule for a wireline service are accessed. At step 302, tension limits vs. depth are determined for the wireline service based on the data that is accessed at step 300. At step 304, confirmation to initiate the wireline service is received. At step 306, commands are sent to the tool power and telemetry system and the wireline winch controller that cause the performance of the wireline service. At step 308, a command is sent to stop the wireline service. This can be done in response to completion of the wireline service or a need to abort the wireline service.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example computing device architecture 400 which can be employed to perform various steps, methods, and techniques disclosed herein. Specifically, the computing device architecture can be integrated with the electromagnetic imager tools described herein. Further, the computing device can be configured to implement the techniques of controlling borehole image blending through machine learning described herein.

As noted above, FIG. 4 illustrates an example computing device architecture 400 of a computing device which can implement the various technologies and techniques described herein. The components of the computing device architecture 400 are shown in electrical communication with each other using a connection 405, such as a bus. The example computing device architecture 400 includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 410 and a computing device connection 405 that couples various computing device components including the computing device memory 415, such as read only memory (ROM) 420 and random access memory (RAM) 425, to the processor 410.

The computing device architecture 400 can include a cache of high-speed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of the processor 410. The computing device architecture 400 can copy data from the memory 415 and/or the storage device 430 to the cache 412 for quick access by the processor 410. In this way, the cache can provide a performance boost that avoids processor 410 delays while waiting for data. These and other modules can control or be configured to control the processor 410 to perform various actions. Other computing device memory 415 may be available for use as well. The memory 415 can include multiple different types of memory with different performance characteristics. The processor 410 can include any general purpose processor and a hardware or software service, such as service 1 432, service 2 434, and service 3 436 stored in storage device 430, configured to control the processor 410 as well as a special-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporated into the processor design. The processor 410 may be a self-contained system, containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction with the computing device architecture 400, an input device 445 can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An output device 435 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanisms known to those of skill in the art, such as a display, projector, television, speaker device, etc. In some instances, multimodal computing devices can enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicate with the computing device architecture 400. The communications interface 440 can generally govern and manage the user input and computing device output. There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement and therefore the basic features here may easily be substituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.

Storage device 430 is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk or other types of computer readable media which can store data that are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories (RAMs) 425, read only memory (ROM) 420, and hybrids thereof. The storage device 430 can include services 432, 434, 436 for controlling the processor 410. Other hardware or software modules are contemplated. The storage device 430 can be connected to the computing device connection 405. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particular function can include the software component stored in a computer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardware components, such as the processor 410, connection 405, output device 435, and so forth, to carry out the function.

For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology may be presented as including individual functional blocks including functional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps or routines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardware and software.

In some embodiments the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, and memories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit stream and the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readable storage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implemented using computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwise available from computer readable media. Such instructions can include, for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or a processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, source code, etc. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store instructions, information used, and/or information created during methods according to described examples include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can include hardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety of form factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops, smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digital assistants, rackmount devices, standalone devices, and so on. Functionality described herein also can be embodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality can also be implemented on a circuit board among different chips or different processes executing in a single device, by way of further example.

The instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computing resources for executing them, and other structures for supporting such computing resources are example means for providing the functions described in the disclosure.

In the foregoing description, aspects of the application are described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the application is not limited thereto. Thus, while illustrative embodiments of the application have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the disclosed concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art. Various features and aspects of the above-described subject matter may be used individually or jointly. Further, embodiments can be utilized in any number of environments and applications beyond those described herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the specification. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. For the purposes of illustration, methods were described in a particular order. It should be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the methods may be performed in a different order than that described.

Where components are described as being “configured to” perform certain operations, such configuration can be accomplished, for example, by designing electronic circuits or other hardware to perform the operation, by programming programmable electronic circuits (e.g., microprocessors, or other suitable electronic circuits) to perform the operation, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the examples disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or combinations thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

The techniques described herein may also be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Such techniques may be implemented in any of a variety of devices such as general purposes computers, wireless communication device handsets, or integrated circuit devices having multiple uses including application in wireless communication device handsets and other devices. Any features described as modules or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable data storage medium comprising program code including instructions that, when executed, performs one or more of the method, algorithms, and/or operations described above. The computer-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging materials.

The computer-readable medium may include memory or data storage media, such as random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, and the like. The techniques additionally, or alternatively, may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable communication medium that carries or communicates program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed, read, and/or executed by a computer, such as propagated signals or waves.

Other embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCS, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices that are linked (cither by hardwired links, wireless links, or by a combination thereof) through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In the above description, terms such as “upper,” “upward,” “lower,” “downward,” “above,” “below,” “downhole,” “uphole,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and the like, as used herein, shall mean in relation to the bottom or furthest extent of the surrounding wellbore even though the wellbore or portions of it may be deviated or horizontal. Correspondingly, the transverse, axial, lateral, longitudinal, radial, etc., orientations shall mean orientations relative to the orientation of the wellbore or tool. Additionally, the illustrate embodiments are illustrated such that the orientation is such that the right-hand side is downhole compared to the left-hand side.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “outside” refers to a region that is beyond the outermost confines of a physical object. The term “inside” indicates that at least a portion of a region is partially contained within a boundary formed by the object. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or another word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

The term “radially” means substantially in a direction along a radius of the object, or having a directional component in a direction along a radius of the object, even if the object is not exactly circular or cylindrical. The term “axially” means substantially along a direction of the axis of the object. If not specified, the term axially is such that it refers to the longer axis of the object.

Although a variety of information was used to explain aspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of the claims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements, as one of ordinary skill would be able to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further and although some subject matter may have been described in language specific to structural features and/or method steps, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. Such functionality can be distributed differently or performed in components other than those identified herein. The described features and steps are disclosed as possible components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended claims.

Moreover, claim language reciting “at least one of”' a set indicates that one member of the set or multiple members of the set satisfy the claim. For example, claim language reciting “at least one of A and B” means A, B, or A and B.

Statements of the disclosure include:

Statement 1. A method comprising: receiving a job plan for operating a wireline system including a wireline tool in relation to a wellbore at a wellsite; accessing wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system at the wellsite; modifying the job plan based on the wireline information to generate a modified job plan; and autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the modified job plan.

Statement 2. The method of statement 1, wherein the wireline information includes tension of a line of the wireline system at a point at a surface of the wellsite, a depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, a line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, a downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof, the method further comprising autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the tension of the line of the wireline system at a point at the surface of the wellsite, the depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, the line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, the downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof.

Statement 3. The method of either of statements 1 or 2, wherein autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on the wireline information includes controlling a speed power of the line of the wireline system, controlling a tension in the line of the wireline system, performing auto-spooling, or a combination thereof through a wireline winch controller.

Statement 4. The method of any of statements 1 through 3, further comprising: accessing log data gathered by the wireline tool operating to log at least a portion of the wellbore; interpreting the log data; and autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on an interpretation of the log data.

Statement 5. The method of any of statements 1 through 4, further comprising autonomously controlling operation of the wireline tool in logging at least a portion of the wellbore based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

Statement 6. The method of any of statements 1 through 5, wherein controlling operation of the wireline tool further comprises controlling delivery of power to the wireline tool based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

Statement 7. The method of any of statements 1 through 6, wherein the wireline information includes information indicative of a safety concern associated with the operation of the wireline system in relation to the wellbore, the method for comprising: detecting the safety concern based on the wireline information; and autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on detection of the safety concern.

Statement 8. The method of any of statements 1 through 7, further comprising: providing remote access to the wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system; receiving remote user input in relation to the operation of the wireline system that is generated based on remote access to the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system; and controlling operation of the wireline system at runtime based on the remote user input.

Statement 9. A system comprising: one or more processors; and at least one computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a job plan for operating a wireline system including a wireline tool in relation to a wellbore at a wellsite; access wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system at the wellsite; modify the job plan based on the wireline information to generate a modified job plan; and autonomously control the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the modified job plan.

Statement 10. The system of statement 9, wherein the wireline information includes tension of a line of the wireline system at a point at a surface of the wellsite, a depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, a line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, a downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof, and the instructions further cause the one or more processors to autonomously control the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the tension of the line of the wireline system at a point at the surface of the wellsite, the depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, the line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, the downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof.

Statement 11. The system of either of statements 9 or 10, wherein autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on the wireline information includes controlling a speed power of the line of the wireline system, controlling a tension in the line of the wireline system, performing auto-spooling, or a combination thereof through a wireline winch controller.

Statement 12. The system of any of statements 9 through 11, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to: access log data gathered by the wireline tool operating to log at least a portion of the wellbore; interpret the log data; and autonomously control the operation of the wireline system based on an interpretation of the log data.

Statement 13. The system of any of statements 9 through 12, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to autonomously control operation of the wireline tool in logging at least a portion of the wellbore based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

Statement 14. The system of any of statements 9 through 13, wherein controlling operation of the wireline tool further comprises controlling delivery of power to the wireline tool based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

Statement 15. The system of any of statements 9 through 14, wherein the wireline information includes information indicative of a safety concern associated with the operation of the wireline system in relation to the wellbore, and the instructions further cause the one or more processors to: detect the safety concern based on the wireline information; and autonomously control the operation of the wireline system based on detection of the safety concern.

Statement 16. The system of any of statements 9 through 15, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to: provide remote access to the wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system; receive remote user input in relation to the operation of the wireline system that is generated based on remote access to the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system; and control operation of the wireline system at runtime based on the remote user input.

Statement 17. A system comprising: a communication interface configured to: receive a job plan for operating a wireline system including a wireline tool in relation to a wellbore at a wellsite; access wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system at the wellsite; a controller configured to: modify the job plan based on the wireline information to generate a modified job plan; autonomously control the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the modified job plan.

Statement 18. The system of statement 17, further comprising: a depth and tension measurement system configured to gather the wireline information; a tool power control and telemetry system configured to gather the wireline information; a safety monitoring system configured to gather the wireline information; and the controller further configured to generate control instructions for controlling operation of the wireline system based on the wireline information gathered by the depth and tension measurement system, the tool power control and telemetry system, and the safety monitoring system.

Statement 19. The system of either of statements 17 or 18, wherein the tool power control and telemetry system are further configured to implement the control instructions to control the operation of the wireline system.

Statement 20. The system of any of statements 17 through 19, further comprising a wireline winch controller configured to implement the control instructions to control operation of the wireline system.

Statement 21. A system comprising means for performing a method according to any of statements 1 through 8.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a job plan for operating a wireline system including a wireline tool in relation to a wellbore at a wellsite;

accessing wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system at the wellsite;

modifying the job plan based on the wireline information to generate a modified job plan; and

autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the modified job plan.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireline information includes tension of a line of the wireline system at a point at a surface of the wellsite, a depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, a line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, a downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof, the method further comprising autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the tension of the line of the wireline system at a point at the surface of the wellsite, the depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, the line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, the downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on the wireline information includes controlling a speed power of the line of the wireline system, controlling a tension in the line of the wireline system, performing auto-spooling, or a combination thereof through a wireline winch controller.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing log data gathered by the wireline tool operating to log at least a portion of the wellbore;

interpreting the log data; and

autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on an interpretation of the log data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising autonomously controlling operation of the wireline tool in logging at least a portion of the wellbore based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein controlling operation of the wireline tool further comprises controlling delivery of power to the wireline tool based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireline information includes information indicative of a safety concern associated with the operation of the wireline system in relation to the wellbore, the method for comprising:

detecting the safety concern based on the wireline information; and

autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on detection of the safety concern.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing remote access to the wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system;

receiving remote user input in relation to the operation of the wireline system that is generated based on remote access to the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system; and

controlling operation of the wireline system at runtime based on the remote user input.

9. A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

at least one computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a job plan for operating a wireline system including a wireline tool in relation to a wellbore at a wellsite; access wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system at the wellsite; modify the job plan based on the wireline information to generate a modified job plan; and autonomously control the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the modified job plan.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the wireline information includes tension of a line of the wireline system at a point at a surface of the wellsite, a depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, a line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, a downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof, and the instructions further cause the one or more processors to autonomously control the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the tension of the line of the wireline system at a point at the surface of the wellsite, the depth of the wireline tool in the wellbore, the line speed change of the line of the wireline system in deploying the wireline tool in the wellbore, the downhole tension of the line in proximity to the wireline tool deployed in the wellbore, or a combination thereof.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein autonomously controlling the operation of the wireline system based on the wireline information includes controlling a speed power of the line of the wireline system, controlling a tension in the line of the wireline system, performing auto-spooling, or a combination thereof through a wireline winch controller.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

access log data gathered by the wireline tool operating to log at least a portion of the wellbore;

interpret the log data; and

autonomously control the operation of the wireline system based on an interpretation of the log data.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to autonomously control operation of the wireline tool in logging at least a portion of the wellbore based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein controlling operation of the wireline tool further comprises controlling delivery of power to the wireline tool based on the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the wireline information includes information indicative of a safety concern associated with the operation of the wireline system in relation to the wellbore, and the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

detect the safety concern based on the wireline information; and

autonomously control the operation of the wireline system based on detection of the safety concern.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

provide remote access to the wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system;

receive remote user input in relation to the operation of the wireline system that is generated based on remote access to the wireline information associated with the operation of the wireline system; and

control operation of the wireline system at runtime based on the remote user input.

17. A system comprising:

a communication interface configured to: receive a job plan for operating a wireline system including a wireline tool in relation to a wellbore at a wellsite; access wireline information associated with operation of the wireline system at the wellsite;

a controller configured to: modify the job plan based on the wireline information to generate a modified job plan; autonomously control the operation of the wireline system at the wellsite based on the modified job plan.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a depth and tension measurement system configured to gather the wireline information;

a tool power control and telemetry system configured to gather the wireline information;

a safety monitoring system configured to gather the wireline information; and

the controller further configured to generate control instructions for controlling operation of the wireline system based on the wireline information gathered by the depth and tension measurement system, the tool power control and telemetry system, and the safety monitoring system.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the tool power control and telemetry system are further configured to implement the control instructions to control the operation of the wireline system.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a wireline winch controller configured to implement the control instructions to control operation of the wireline system.