Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPECIFICATION
CLOUD COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME STREAMING OF WELL
LOGGING DATA WITH SELF-ALIGNING SATELLITES
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[00011 The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending
US Patent
Application Serial No. 13/356,519 filed on January 23, 2012, entitled "SYSTEM
FOR REAL-TIME STREAMING OF WELL LOGGING DATA WITH SELF-
ALIGNING SATELLITES," which claims priority to and the benefit of US
Provisional Patent Application Serial No.: 61/436,924 filed on January 27,
2011,
entitled "SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME STREAMING OF WELL LOGGING DATA
WITH SELF-ALIGNING SATELLITES." These references are hereby incorporated
in their entirety.
FIELD
[00021 The present embodiments generally relate to a cloud computing system
for real-time
streaming of well logging data with self-aligning satellites.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A need exists for a cloud computing based self-adjusting and
online configurable
satellite communication system for the transmission of drilling data.
[0004] A need exists for a cloud computing system for continuously
receiving drilling data
from on-rig client devices and monitors, processing the drilling data at the
drilling rig
into well logging data, and transmitting the well logging data back to on-rig
client
devices, while simultaneously transmitting the well logging data to a
satellite network
for transmission to a cloud computing server and to remote client devices.
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[0005] A need exists for a cloud computing system with a cloud computing
server that can
provide a secure connection with encrypted drilling data and well logs to
client
devices that are not located on the rig; allowing for fast safety decisions,
quickly
implemented changes in drilling direction, and the prevention of rigs from
catching
fire, exploding, or causing environmental damage.
[0006] A need exists for a cloud computing system for transmitting
drilling data to on-rig
and remote client devices quickly and efficiently, allowing for operators and
remote
executives to know a status of the drilling operation in real-time with
streaming data,
thereby allowing for fast and efficient decision making regarding the drilling
operations.
[0007] The present embodiments meet these needs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction
with the
accompanying drawings as follows:
[0009] Figure 1 depicts an overview of an embodiment of the cloud
computing system
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[00010] Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of a WITS data storage.
[00011] Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of an encryption module.
[00012] Figure 4 depicts an embodiment of a cloud computing server.
[00013] Figure 5 is a segment of an executive dashboard.
[00014] Figure 6 depicts an embodiment of a well log.
[00015] The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the
listed Figures.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[00016] Before explaining the present system in detail, it is to be understood
that the system is
not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or
carried out in
various ways.
[00017] The present embodiments relate to a cloud computing system to provide
continuous
real-time streaming of drilling data and well logging data from a drilling
rig, such as
an oil or gas drilling rig.
[00018] The cloud computing system can provide a unique way to collect,
compile, and
transmit drilling data to on-rig and remote client devices, providing a single
cloud
computing server for access of the drilling data by operators and other users.
The
cloud computing system can be used to provide a single access point for
drilling data
acquired from multiple electronic drilling recorder providers, mud logging
providers,
and other third party providers from multiple drilling rigs and/or locations
using the
cloud computing server.
[00019] The cloud computing system can provide WIFITM, Voice over Internet
Protocol
(VoIP) telephone communications, and Internet access from a plurality of rig
based
client devices on the drilling rig. For example, the cloud computing system
can use a
local area network of radio devices that can be in communication with self-
aligning
satellite dishes and a satellite network.
[00020] The satellite network can provide a secure communication with a
computing cloud
containing a cloud computing server for secure communication to non-rig based
remote client devices.
[00021] The cloud computing system can be used to receive drilling data and
well logging
data from rig based client devices and to transmit the drilling data to rig
based client
devices and remote client devices in a continuous real-time stream. Real-time
can
mean acquisition of data and transmission of the acquired data, wherein the
transmitted acquired data is received by an intended target with minimal
delay.
Minimal delay can be from about 1 millisecond to about 20 minutes. The
intended
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target can be a remote network, a device in communication with the
transmitting
device, or the like.
[00022] The phrase "WITS" as used herein stands for "well site information
transfer
specification," which can be a communications format used for the transfer of
a wide
variety of well site data from one computer cloud computing system to another.
[00023] The cloud computing system can include a rig based WITS processor that
can be in
communication with a WITS data storage and a power supply, such as a second
power supply.
[00024] The rig based WITS processor can be configured to receive the drilling
data from the
plurality of rig based client devices and form well logging data for
transmission to rig
based client devices and remote client devices through a rig based router and
switch.
[00025] The cloud computing system communicates from a computer cloud to the
rig based
WITS processor and the WITS data storage.
[00026] The communication can be a multi-level format and can be used to
achieve entry
point with higher levels. At lower levels, a fixed format ASCII data stream
can be
used. At higher levels, a self-defining customizable data stream can be used.
A WITS
data stream can include discrete data records, each of which can be generated
independently of other data record types, and can have a trigger variable and
sampling interval.
storage with computer instructions in the cloud data storage that is adapted
to send
instructions to set or change certain parameters, including the type of data
transmitted
and the interval for transmission. The computing cloud can use computer
instructions
in the cloud data storage to instruct the cloud processors to specify a format
for data
transmission and define a basic set of pre-defined records to which user-
defined
record types can be added.
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[00028] A computing cloud, as the term is used herein, refers to one or more
cloud data
storage units and one or more cloud based processing units wherein the
computing
cloud is configured to provide at least one service and shared hardware and
software
resources.
[00029] A plurality of client devices connect to the computing cloud. The
client devices can
be servers, computers, laptops, cell phones, and other types of processing
equipment
with cloud data storage that have inputs and outputs to connect to a network
that
communicates with the computing cloud.
[00030] The rig based WITS processor can be used with the local area network
and rig based
client devices to do on-the-spot compiling of the drilling data and well
logging data,
as well as to provide alarms to operators on the drilling rig via continuous
executive
dashboards for operators and/or executives.
[00031] The cloud computing system can use computer instructions in the
computing cloud
data storage to provide alarms to executives of a drilling company using
continuous
remote executive dashboards via the self-aligning satellite dishes, satellite
network,
and encrypted communications with a network operations center and a cloud
computing server.
[00032] The cloud computing system can provide various benefits including
safety benefits,
operational benefits, geological benefits, and cost benefits.
[00033] The safety benefits of this system can include detecting hydrocarbons
and other gases
to prevent the occurrence of explosions, blowouts, poisoning, and other
dangerous
situations.
[00034] Operational benefits of this system can include allowing executives at
remote
locations to view real-time streaming data, enabling the executives to make
timely
decisions based on the real-time streaming data.
[00035] The geological benefits of this cloud based system are those of a
reduced cost in
locating hydrocarbon and gas reservoirs, as well as other geological benefits.
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[00036] The cloud computing system can include self-aligning satellites in
communication
with the rig based WITS processor for transmitting and receiving the drilling
data and
associated well logging data.
[00037] In one or more embodiment, the rig based client devices can receive
drilling data
from sensors; monitoring devices; or other measurement instruments, such as
chromatographs, mud pumps, mud volume totalizers, mud pit volume totalizers,
mud
pit monitors, drill switches, gas sensors, depth sensors, on-off bottom
switches, flame
ionization detectors, catalytic combustion detectors, thermal conductivity
detectors,
infrared gas detectors, other gas detection devices, other gas measuring
devices,
weight on bit transducers, drilling rig servers, the like, or combinations
thereof.
[00038] Examples of the drilling data, including the associated well logging
data, that can be
transmitted and received include: hole depth; drill bit depth; lag depth;
total gas;
methane content; ethane content; propane content; isobutane content; pump
pressure;
torque; carrier air pressure; casing pressure; fluorescence; drilling mud
content; well
bore depths; chromatograms; lag time information; rate of penetration into the
wellbore; weight on the drill bit; hook load; stand pipe pressure; pump stroke
rate;
rotary table speed; mud tank levels; measured depth of the wellbore; true
vertical
depth of the wellbore; measured depth of the drill bit; true vertical depth of
the drill
bit; measured depth at which the drilling data is received, such as a depth of
a
geological or gas sample, gamma ray reading data, resistivity readings,
caliber
readings, temperature readings, or any other data measured during the drilling
of a
wellbore; and other related drilling information.
[00039] Each rig based client device can be connected to, or otherwise in
communication
with, a power supply, such as an on-rig power supply. The power supply can be
batteries or another type of on-rig power source.
[00040] The rig based client devices can be a client indoor unit (CIDU) made
by Selman and
Associates, Ltd. of Midland, Texas, or other rig based client devices
configured to
receive and transmit the drilling data from the sensors, monitoring devices,
or other
measurement instruments using one or more communication pathways. For example,
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each rig based client device can have an Internet connection, a WITS
connection, a
Voice over Internet Protocol phone connection (VolP), and a WIFITM connection
for
communication of the drilling data and the associated well logging data. The
WITS
connection can be a port for receiving the drilling data and transferring the
drilling
data to the rig based WITS processor.
1000411 Each rig based client device can be adapted to connect to the
computing cloud to
receive and transmit the drilling data and the associated well logging data,
send and
receive phone calls, send and receive queries over the Internet, send and
receive
communications using the WIFITM connection, or combinations thereof. For
example, the phone calls can be used to allow a rig manager or operator to
call
headquarters to update personnel and executives on a status of drilling
operations, to
call for help in emergency situations, to request supplies, or the like.
1000421 Providing for phone calls can be useful because many drilling rigs are
disposed at
remote locations where there is otherwise no phone service. For example, the
Internet
can be used by the rig manager, operator, or a drilling supervisor to send and
receive
reports, emails, and to access remote databases, such as company databases,
via the
Internet connection. For example, the WIFITM connection can be by the rig
manager,
operator, or drilling supervisor to send and receive reports, emails, and to
access
remote databases, such as company databases, using WIFITM enabled portable
devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, netbooks, and the like.
1000431 A plurality of rig based radio boxes, such as those made by Engenius
Technologies of
Costa Mesa, California, model number E005610, can be attached to the drilling
rig
and connected to the computing cloud. When activated, each rig based radio box
can
form a rig based local area network for connecting to and communicating with
each
rig based client device. Each rig based radio box can have a bidirectional
antenna, a
receiver, and a transmitter for receiving and transmitting signals. The rig
based local
area network can be a wireless network, a wired network, or combinations
thereof.
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[00044] A rig based router and switch can be connected to, or otherwise in
communication
with, the rig based local area network, a second power supply, and the
computing
cloud.
[00045] An illustrative rig based router and switch can include one made by D-
Link of
Fountain Valley, California. The second power supply can be a rig power
supply,
such as a generator or a bank of batteries.
[00046] The rig based router and switch can be configured to receive and
transmit signals
using the rig based local area network. For example, the rig based router and
switch
can transmit signals from the rig based local area network to both the rig
based WITS
processor and one or more self-aligning satellite dishes. An illustrative self-
aligning
satellite dish can include a General Dynamics Sentinel Cloud computing system,
Model 2985-140. The satellite network can include equipment made by HughesNet
in
combination with satellites in orbit.
[00047] In operation, the rig based WITS processor can receive the drilling
data from the rig
based client devices. The rig based WITS processor can then perform
compilation of
the received drilling data, can track changes of the received drilling data,
and can
connect to the computing cloud; enabling use of computer instructions in the
computing cloud data storage to further process the data. For example,
compilation of
the drilling data can include collecting the various distinct drilling data
points, as well
as storing the drilling data. An example of the tracking of the changes to the
drilling
data can include determining the presence of a change in a data point. For
example, if
a measured drill bit depth is first measured at 2545.3 feet, and then the
measured drill
bit depth is measured at 2545.8 feet, the rig based WITS processor can
determine the
presence of a change in that data point. The rig based WITS processor can be
configured to transmit the data point to rig based client devices and remote
client
devices only when the presence of a change is determined.
[00048] The rig based WITS processor can form well logging data for
transmission to the rig
based client devices and to the remote client devices after analysis using
computer
instructions in the computing cloud, forming compiled drilling data. For
example, the
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formation of the well logging data can include forming a table of the compiled
drilling data. The drilling data on the table of the compiled drilling data
can be
simultaneously indexed by measured hole depth, date stamp, and time stamp.
[00049] The rig based WITS processor can transmit well logging data and
drilling data
directly to the self-aligning satellite dish that is in communication with a
satellite
network and the computing cloud through the rig based router and switch.
[00050] The WITS data storage can include various computer programs and
computer
instructions.
[00051] The WITS data storage can include computer instructions to receive,
store, and send
the drilling data and the associated well logging data. For example, the WITS
data
storage can receive the drilling data and the associated well logging data
from the rig
based client devices. The WITS data storage can store drilling data and the
associated
well logging data therein. The WITS data storage can send the drilling data,
the
associated well logging data, and other WITS information to remote client
devices,
such as through the satellite network of the self-aligning satellite dish.
[00052] The other WITS information can include weather conditions, sea
conditions, operator
comments, well identification data, vessel motion and mooring status data, an
operator name, a well name, kelly bushing height of the well bore at the
surface, an
owner name for the well bore, cell phone numbers, other contact information,
and
other similar information.
[00053] The WITS data storage can include computer instructions to store
configurations and
settings for the plurality of rig based client devices, the rig based WITS
processor, the
rig based router and switch, or combinations thereof For example, a
configuration of
a rig client device can include inputting IP addresses, phone numbers, and
serial
communications port numbers into the rig based client devices. Configuration
of the
rig based WITS processor and the rig based router and switch can be similarly
performed.
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[00054] The WITS data storage can contain computer instructions to configure
and
reconfigure online the rig based processor, the rig based router and switch,
and
combinations thereof, all while the network is operating without shutting the
network
down.
[00055] The WITS data storage can include computer instructions to perform
diagnostics on
the plurality of rig based client devices using diagnostic tools. For example,
the
diagnostic tools can include indicators that can indicate whether or not the
rig based
client devices are online, indicators of signal quality from the rig based
client devices,
indicators of ping times, indicators of current IP addresses, indicators of
whether or
not the rig based client devices capable of transmitting drilling data, and
the like.
[00056] The WITS data storage can include computer instructions to perform
diagnostics on
the local area network. For example, the diagnostic tools can include
indicators that
can indicate whether or not the local area network is online, indicators of
signal
quality from the local area network, indicators of ping times, indicators of
current IP
addresses, and the like. The indicators associated with the diagnostic tools
can be
visual indicators.
[00057] The WITS data storage can include computer instructions to store
configurations and
settings for the plurality of rig based client devices, the rig based WITS
processor, the
rig based router and switch, or combinations thereof thereon. For example, the
configurations and settings can include communication port numbers for the rig
based
client devices, IP addresses, a number or type of data points that each rig
based client
device is configured to send and receive, or the like.
[00058] The WITS data storage can include computer instructions to online
configure and
reconfigure the rig based WITS processor, the rig based router and switch, the
rig
based client devices, or combinations thereof, while the rig based local area
network
is operating without shutting down the rig based local area network. For
example,
during operation of the rig based local area network, the rig based WITS
processor,
the rig based router and switch, and the rig based client devices can be
configured as
described above and can then further be reconfigured as described above.
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[00059] A rig based satellite modem can be connected to, or otherwise in
communication
with, the rig based WITS processor, the rig based router and switch, the
second power
supply, and the one or more self-aligning satellite dishes, through the
satellite
network for communication with a computing cloud.
[00060] A computing cloud can be formed at a location apart from the rig, such
as from about
100 miles to about 2000 miles away from the drilling rig.
[00061] The computing cloud can include one or more cloud computing processors
and a
cloud computing data storage connected to, or otherwise in communication with,
the
one or more cloud computing processors. A display can be associated or in
communication with the cloud computing server. Information and other data from
the
cloud computing server can be displayed on the display and on displays of one
or
more remote client devices.
[00062] The cloud computing data storage can have various computer
instructions stored
thereon.
[00063] The cloud computing data storage can include computer instructions to
receive the
well logging data and the drilling data from the rig based WITS processor. The
well
logging data and the drilling data can be received by the cloud computing
server in
real-time using data streaming over the satellite network.
[000641 The cloud computing data storage can include computer instructions to
store the
received well logging data and the drilling data therein.
[00065] The cloud computing data storage can include computer instructions to
display the
well logging data and the drilling data using real-time streaming. The well
logging
data and the drilling data can be displayed on the display of the cloud
computing
server and on displays of remote client devices.
[00066] The cloud computing data storage can include computer instructions to
activate an
alarm when the drilling data and/or the well logging data exceeds or falls
beneath a
preset limit. The preset limit can be a user set preset limit that can be
input and stored
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into the cloud computing data storage. For example, a user can set a high
threshold
limit for the total hydrocarbon reading of a wellbore. If the measured total
hydrocarbon reading exceeds the preset limit set by the user, the alarm can be
initiated. The alarm can be any auditory alarm, visual alarm, or both. Another
example of the alarm can be an alarm that indicates that too much ethane is
detected
at the well bore.
[00067] The cloud computing data storage can have computer instructions to
form an
executive dashboard of the drilling data and associated well logging data. The
executive dashboard can be used by users, such as CEOs, Presidents, public
affairs
officers, safety officers, operators, executives, and other users at a
location remote
from the drilling rig to monitor progress and to initiate changes in drilling
plans. For
example, the user can monitor the drilling data. The user can initiate changes
to the
drilling plans if the user determines that the drilling data indicates a need
for the
change. For example, the drilling data might indicate that a change in a
direction of
the drilling is required, that a change in the drilling fluid is required,
that the drilling
needs to be stopped, or the like.
[00068] The executive dashboard can display all of the drilling data and
associated well
logging data disclosed therein, the name of the well, a time stamp for the
data, a view
time for the data, WITS information, weather conditions, sea conditions,
operator
comments, well identification data, vessel motion and mooring status data,
pump
speed, pump rate, composition of gasses coming from the wellbore, type of rock
in
the formation, and the like. The executive dashboard can present the data
graphically
and digitally.
[00069] The cloud computing data storage can have computer instructions to
track drilling
progress on multiple wells simultaneously. For example, the cloud computing
server
can use the computer instructions on the cloud computing data storage to track
the
various drilling data from multiple drilling rigs simultaneously. A user can
track the
drilling data using the executive dashboard.
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1000701 The cloud computing data storage can have computer instructions for
scaling of
drilling data.
1000711 An example of scaling of drilling data, with a depth as the y-axis and
a data value as
the x-axis, can include changing a magnitude of the data value on the x-axis
to match
a scale to allow at least most of the data values to reside within the scaling
for the
entirety of the well log. For example, scaling can include fitting drilling
data on a
graph's x-axis by dividing each value by 100, making a graph that is scaled 0-
to-100.
Any value less than 100 on the scale will show up in the graph.
1000721 In one or more embodiment, if a data value exceeds the maximum point
on the scale,
the data value can appear on the scale with a visual indicator, indicating
that the data
value is equivalent to its position on the scale plus the maximum value of the
scale.
For example, if the maximum on the scale is 100, and the data value is 112,
the data
value can appear as 12 on the scale with a visual indication that the data
value has
gone over-scale, thereby indicating that the data value is actually 112.
1000731 The cloud computing data storage can have computer instructions for
transferring
drilling data and well logging data to remote client devices. The remote
client devices
can be client devices that are not located at the drilling rig.
1000741 The cloud computing data storage can have computer instructions to
generate a well
log using the drilling data. For example, the computer instructions can
generate a well
log by forming a well log table and by forming a graphical representation of
the
drilling data. For example, the computer instructions can plot drilling time,
plot
drilling depth, plot pump pressure, plot torque on the well drilling
equipment, plot
casing pressure, plot rotary table revolutions per minute, plot mud pit
volume,
perform mud pit totalizing, display total hydrocarbon readings, display the
drilling
data, the associated well logging data, or combinations thereof. All of the
data and
plotted data in the cloud computing data storage can be compiled and presented
on
the executive dashboard as the well log.
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[00075] The cloud computing data storage can have computer instructions to
perform
diagnostics on drilling rig based equipment and drilling rig based software.
For
example, an administrator can perform the diagnostics. The performance of
diagnostics can include the same of the diagnostics of that described above
with
respect to the rig based WITS processor and WITS data storage, with the
ability to
configure remotely.
[00076] The cloud computing data storage can have computer instructions to
reconfigure the
drilling rig based equipment and the drilling rig software on-line without
taking down
or shutting off all or a portion of the rig based local area network. For
example, while
at least a portion of the rig based local area network is running, the cloud
computing
server can use the computer instructions thereon to reconfigure the drilling
rig based
equipment and the drilling rig software by in a manner substantially similar
as
described above with respect to the rig based WITS processor and WITS data
storage,
but from a remote location. The drilling rig based equipment can include the
rig based
client devices, the rig based WITS processor, the rig based radio boxes, the
self-
aligning satellite dish, the rig based satellite modem, the rig based local
area network,
the rig based router and switch, and the like. The drilling rig software can
be any
software that is operating the drilling rig based equipment and is directly or
indirectly
accessible through the satellite network.
[00077] The cloud computing system can include computer instructions to
provide an
encrypted connection providing a secure connection between the network
operation
center and the cloud computing server.
[00078] The encrypted connection can be formed using encryption software. The
encryption
software can include symmetric encryption; asymmetric encryption, such as RSA
encryption; or combinations thereof. The encryption module can include
computer
instructions to provide a security certificate verifiable by a trusted third
party. For
example, an RSA encryption with security certificates verifiable by a trusted
third
party, such as VERISIGNTM, can be used.
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[00079] The encryption module can be installed in a cloud based data storage
to provide an
encrypted communication between the cloud based server and to provide secure
communication between users with remote client devices and the computing
cloud.
[00080] In one or more embodiment, the encryption module can include computer
instructions
to form a secure log-in. For example, the secure log-in can be formed by
requiring a
user name and password to access the cloud computing server. The encryption
module can encrypt any transmission of the required user name and password.
[00081] The encryption module can include computer instructions to verify the
log-in. For
example, the log-in can be verified by comparing a received user name and
password
with authorized user name and passwords stored in the cloud computing data
storage.
The encryption module can ensure that the user associated with the user name
and
password is authorized to access particular data in the cloud computing
server, and is
authorized to perform particular actions in the cloud computing server.
[00082] The encryption module can include computer instructions to encrypt
drilling data
with a symmetric data encryption algorithm. For example, the drilling data can
be
encrypted using a key and a cipher algorithm to encrypt and decrypt the
drilling data.
[00083] At least one remote client device can be connected to, or otherwise in
communication
with, a network, such as the Internet, a cellular network, or any other
communications
network. The remote client device can communicate with the cloud computing
server.
Each remote client device can be a laptop, desktop computer, mobile phone,
personal
digital assistant, netbook, or the like. Each remote client device can be
configured to
receive data from the cloud computing server in a real-time stream including:
the
drilling data, associated well logging data, the well log, and the executive
dashboard.
For example, the remote client devices can receive and present the data on a
web
browser. As such, users can remotely view the executive dashboard of the
drilling
data and the well logging data.
[00084] In one or more embodiment, the remote network operations center can be
a virtual
network operations center that is run from additional servers connected to the
CA 02827254 2013-09-18
network. Also, a virtual network operations center can be used in conjunction
with a
physical remote network operations center.
[00085] In one or more embodiment, the network can be a combination of at
least two
networks. The network can be a satellite network, the Internet, a cellular
network, a
fiber optic network, another wired network, a category 5e network, another
wireless
network, a WIFITM network, or combinations thereof.
[00086] Each power supply can be a plurality of batteries, a bank of
batteries, a wind
generator, a solar array, a rig generated power supply, or another power
supply.
[00087] In one or more embodiment, the cloud computing server can include a
plurality of
processors, such as from about 2 processors to about 20 processors, that can
be
connected in parallel or in series to a switch, the cloud computing data
storage, and a
third power supply.
[00088] The plurality of processors can use the central polling drop point to
pick up drilling
data from other manned logging units, record the drilling data, store the
drilling data,
and post the drilling data provided from the rig based client devices and the
other
manned logging units. The central polling drop point can be a folder or
directory
accessible via a file transfer protocol (FTP) server, a folder or directory
that is
accessible via a website using various HTTP protocols or instructions, or the
like. The
other manned logging units can be mobile field laboratories that create
hydrocarbon
well logs via automatic processes and/or manual analysis. The drilling data
can be
transmitted to the rig based WITS processor, fig based client devices, the
remote
client devices, and to a website presented by the cloud computing server. The
website
can be streamed through the network for presentation on web browsers of the
remote
client devices. The plurality of processors can increase efficiency, speed,
and
reliability of the cloud computing system.
[00089] In one or more embodiment, the cloud computing server can have client
accounts
stored therein. The client accounts can include user names, passwords, names,
and
contact information for each user.
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[00090] In one or more embodiment, the cloud computing server can have
information input
therein. The information can include information and data received from the
other
manned logging units, including information about the wellbores; well header
information, such as operator names; location information; well names; and the
like.
[00091] In one or more embodiment, the cloud computing server can monitor, or
can be used
to monitor, data traffic to the central polling drop point for the central
server
processor. For example, monitoring the data traffic to the central polling
drop point
can include identifying when new files arrive to a folder or directory, and
transferring
that new data to at least one of the central server processors for storage and
filing.
Monitoring the data traffic can include compiling the data with existing data
in
already existing folders or directories.
[00092] In one or more embodiment, the cloud computing server can monitor, or
be used to
monitor, drilling data for use in generating the well log and storing and
displaying the
drilling data as a real-time stream. The monitoring of the drilling data for
use in
storing and displaying as real-time streaming drilling data can include
determining a
presence of a change in the drilling data for real-time streaming of the
drilling data.
[00093] Turning now to the Figures, Figure 1 depicts a diagram of the cloud
computing
system at a drilling rig 9.
[00094] Two rig based client devices 10a and 10b can each have an internet
connection 13a
and 13b, a WITS connection 15a and 15b, a VoIP connection 17a and 17b, and a
WI-
FITm connection 21a and 21b. As such, each rig based client device 10a and 10b
can
have multiple communication channels for receipt and transmission of drilling
data 8
and for other communications.
[00095] Each rig based client device 10a and 10b can be in communication with
first power
supplies 11 a and 11 b for receipt of power therefrom.
[00096] Each rig based client device 10a and 10b can be in communication with
one of a first
rig based radio box 14a and/or a second rig based radio box 14b. At least one
of the
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CA 02827254 2013-09-18
rig based radio boxes, such as the second rig based radio box 14b, can be
connected
to one of the first power supplies, such as the first power supply lib.
[00097] A third rig based radio box 14c can be connected to or in
communication with one or
both of the first and second rig based radio boxes 14a and 14b. The
combination of
the first, second, and third rig based radio boxes 14a-14c can form a rig
based local
area network 16.
[00098] A rig based router and switch 18 can be in communication with the rig
based local
area network 16, a rig based satellite modem 40, and a rig based WITS
processor 20.
[00099] The rig based WITS processor 20 can be in communication with a WITS
data storage
22, which can be a flash drive, a hard drive, a disc drive, or another form of
data
storage.
[000100] A second power supply 19 can be connected to the rig based WITS
processor 20, the
rig based router and switch 18, and the rig based satellite modem 40 for
supplying
power thereto.
[000101] The rig based satellite modem 40 can be in bidirectional
communication with a self-
aligning satellite dish 38. The self-aligning satellite dish 38 can be in
communication
with a satellite network 42. The satellite network 42 can be in communication
with a
first manned logging unit 88a, a second manned logging unit 88b, and a network
operations center 44.
[000102] The network operations center 44 can be located remote from the
drilling rig 9. The
network operations center 44 can be in communication with a virtual network
operations center 45.
[000103] An encrypted connection 63 can provide encrypted communication
between the
network operations center 44 and a computing cloud 59 containing a first cloud
computing server 46a and a second computing cloud server 46b. The cloud
computing server 46 can be in communication with a first network 62a and a
second
network 62b. The first and second networks 62a and 62b can be cellular
networks, the
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CA 02827254 2013-09-18
Internet, or other networks disclosed herein. Each server 46a or 46b has a
processor
connected to data storage and communication ports for input and output.
[000104] The computing cloud 59 has one or more cloud data storage units and
one or more
cloud based processing units, wherein the computing cloud is configured to
provide at
least one service and shared hardware and software resources.
[000105] Three remote client devices 64a, 64b, and 64c can be in communication
with the first
network 62a, the second network 62b, or combinations thereof.
[000106] In operation, the rig based client devices 10a and 10b can receive
the drilling data 8
from sensors, monitors, measurement devices, and other such instruments used
for
collecting data on the drilling rig 9, such as from a sensor 71. The rig based
client
devices 10a-10b can transmit the drilling data 8 to the rig based radio boxes
14a, 14b,
and 14c through the rig based local area network 16.
[000107] The rig based radio boxes 14a-14c can transmit the drilling data 8 to
the rig based
router and switch 18 through the rig based local area network 16. The rig
based router
and switch 18 can transmit the drilling data 8 to the WITS data storage 22,
such as by
communication with the rig based WITS processor 20. The drilling data 8 can
then be
stored on the WITS data storage 22.
[000108] The rig based WITS processor 20 can use one or more computer
instructions in the
WITS data storage 22 to form well logging data for transmission to the remote
client
devices 64a, 64b, and 64c through the rig based router switch 18, the
satellite network
42, and the computing cloud 59.
[000109] The rig based WITS processor 20 can use one or more computer
instructions in the
WITS data storage 22 to transmit the drilling data 8 through the rig based
router and
switch 18 to the rig based satellite modem 40. The rig based satellite modem
40 can
transmit the drilling data 8 to the self-aligning satellite dish 38 and
through the
satellite network 42 to the network operations center 44.
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CA 02827254 2013-09-18
[000110] The network operations center 44 can receive the drilling data 8 from
the self-
aligning satellite dish 38 and other drilling data from the manned logging
units 88a
and 88b. The network operations center 44 can transmit the received drilling
data 8
from the self-aligning satellite dish 38 and other drilling data from the
manned
logging units 88a and 88b to the cloud computing servers 46a and 46b.
[000111] The cloud computing server 46a can receive, compile, and store the
received drilling
data 8. The cloud computing server 46b can perform various tasks and
operations on
the drilling data 8 using the various computer instructions stored in data
storage
which forms part of the cloud computing server or is a data storage apart from
a cloud
server but connected to one of the computing cloud servers 46a or 46b.
[000112] For example, the cloud computing server 46a can form an executive
dashboard and a
well log of the drilling data 8 for presentation to user. The cloud computing
server
46a can transmit the drilling data 8 through the first and second networks 62a
and 62b
to a plurality of remote client devices, such as the remote client devices
64a, 64b, 64c.
As such, remote users can receive real-time streaming drilling data 8 on an
executive
dashboard from a remote location from the drilling rig 9. The cloud computing
server
46a can activate an alarm 33 if the drilling data 8 exceeds or falls below a
preset limit.
[000113] Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of the WITS data storage 22.
[000114] The WITS data storage 22 can include computer instructions to
receive, store, and
send the drilling data and the associated well logging data 24.
[000115] The WITS data storage 22 can include computer instructions to store
configurations
and settings for the plurality of rig based client devices, the rig based WITS
processor, the rig based router and switch, or combinations thereof 26.
[000116] The WITS data storage 22 can include computer instructions to perform
diagnostics
on the plurality of rig based client devices using diagnostic tools 27.
[000117] The WITS data storage 22 can include computer instructions to online
configure and
reconfigure the rig based WITS processor, the rig based router and switch, the
rig
CA 02827254 2013-09-18
based client devices, or combinations thereof, while the rig based wireless
local area
network is operating, without shutting down the rig based wireless local area
network
28.
[000118] The WITS data storage 22 can include computer instructions to perform
diagnostics
on the rig based wireless local area network 30.
[000119] Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of the encryption module 70, which can
include
computer instructions to form a secure log-in 72, computer instructions to
verify the
secure log-in 74, computer instructions to provide a security certificate
verifiable by a
trusted third party 76, and computer instructions in the encryption module to
encrypt
the drilling data with a symmetric data encryption algorithm 78.
[000120] Figure 4 depicts an embodiment of a cloud computing server 46. The
cloud
computing server 46 can include a plurality of cloud computing server
processors
47a, 47b, 47c and 47d connected in parallel to a switch 80. The plurality of
cloud
computing server processors 47a, 47b, 47c and 47d can be connected to two
different
power supplies 82a and 82b and a plurality of cloud data storage units.
[000121] The cloud computing server 46 can include a cloud computing data
storage 49 with a
central polling drop point 84, computer instructions for presenting a website
86, and
the encryption module 70.
[000122] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
to receive the
drilling data and the well logging data from the rig based WITS processor, and
to
store and display the drilling data and the well logging data using real-time
streaming
48.
[000123] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
to activate an
alarm when the drilling data and/or the well logging data exceeds or falls
beneath a
preset limit 50.
[000124] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
to form an
executive dashboard of the drilling data and the well logging data 52.
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CA 02827254 2013-09-18
[000125] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
to track
drilling progress on multiple wells simultaneously 53.
[000126] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
for scaling of
the drilling data 54.
[000127] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
for
transferring the drilling data to remote client devices 56.
[000128] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
to generate a
well log using the drilling data 58.
[000129] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
to perform
diagnostics on drilling rig based equipment and drilling rig based software
60.
[000130] The cloud computing data storage 49 can include computer instructions
to
reconfigure the drilling rig based equipment and the drilling rig software on-
line
without taking down or shutting off all or a portion of the rig based wireless
local area
network 61.
[000131] Figure 5 depicts a segment of an executive dashboard 500 that can be
viewed by
operators, executives, and the like.
[000132] The executive dashboard 500 can include a graphical representation of
drilling data
508, a representation of calibrated drilling data related to flow rates 506,
an acquired
drilling data section 507, a calibrated pump data section 518, a calibrated
draw works
section 520, a graphical representation of chromatograph data 522, an alarm
set
section 542, and an acquired chromatograph data section 524. The acquired
chromatograph data section 524 can display important voltage parameters for a
chromatograph monitoring device acquiring the drilling data.
[0001331 The executive dashboard 500 can also include operator data track
sections 504a,
504b, 504c, and 504d. The operator data track sections 504a, 504b, 504c, and
504d
can display calibrated drilling data associated with one or more drilling
operations.
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CA 02827254 2013-09-18
For example, the operator data track sections 504a, 504b, 504c, and 504d can
display
hydrocarbon data, pump data, or other drilling data.
[000134] The alarm set section 542 can include a section for an operator to
input or select
alarm criteria. For example, the operator can set a low value alarm point, a
high value
alarm point, or both. As such, if drilling data reaches one of the alarm
points, an
alarm can be issued.
[000135] Figure 6 depicts a display of a well log 850 that can be presented on
a remote client
device as live stream data. The remote client device can display various
drilling data,
calibrated data, or combinations thereof for one or more drilling operations
in a real-
time stream. The drilling data can be displayed using a plurality of digital
data
displays 810. The plurality of digital displays 810 can include a current data
display
area 812 showing a currently measured data point, a units section 830 showing
the
unit associated with the currently measured data point, and a name section
820. The
name section 820 can identify the property associated with the drilling data
related to
the currently measured data point.
[000136] The remote client device can include various portions of the drilling
data disclosed
herein, such as hole depth, bit depth, lag depth, total gas, methane, ethane,
propane,
iso-butane, nor-butane, drill rate, hook load, pump pressure, pump stroke
rate, lag
strokes, torque, carrier pressure, vendor name or number, temperature, flow
rate, fuel
level, a wellbore identification number to identify the wellbore being
monitored, and
the like.
[000137] While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the
embodiments, it
should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the
embodiments
might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
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