Remote drilling and completions management

Abstract

A methodology reduces the needed number of personnel on a rig by enabling performance of a variety of functions from a remote location. The method comprises utilizing a plurality of observation devices which monitor rig parameters remotely. Data from the observation devices is transmitted to a remote operations center used to analyze the data for determining operational changes to the rig. Control instructions may then be transmitted to the rig to implement the operational changes.

1 . A method for constructing a well, comprising:
 obtaining real-time digital measurements of parameters on a rig;   automatically transmitting the real-time digital measurements to a remote operations center;   processing the real-time digital measurements at the remote operations center to determine rig operational changes;   transmitting data on the rigged operational changes back to the rig; and   implementing the rig operational changes.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein obtaining comprises utilizing sensors mounted on the rig. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein obtaining comprises utilizing cameras located on the rig. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein obtaining comprises utilizing microphones located on the rig. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting a rotary steerable system via a downlink-to-rotary steerable system. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting the operation of a mud pump. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting the weight on a drill bit. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting a block position on the rig. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting the RPM of a drilling system. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting a toolface position of a downhole motor. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting a toolface position of a downhole turbine. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein implementing comprises automatically adjusting fluid properties of a mud fluid. 
     
     
         13 . A method for constructing a well, comprising:
 monitoring rig parameters via a plurality of different types of observation devices;   sending data on the rig parameters to a processing system at a remote operations center;   processing and analyzing the data at the remote operations center; and   controlling rig operational changes from the remote operations center based on results obtained from processing and analyzing the data.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein monitoring comprises obtaining real-time digital measurements. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein sending comprises automatically sending real-time digital measurement data to the remote operations center. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein processing and analyzing comprises processing and analyzing the data on a computer-based processing system and outputting results to a graphical user interface. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein controlling comprises utilizing the computer-based processing system and the remote operations center to automatically control the rig operational changes. 
     
     
         18 . A method for efficient well construction, comprising:
 reducing the number of personnel on a rig;   utilizing a plurality of observation devices to monitor rig parameters remotely;   making decisions regarding operational changes to the rig at a remote operations center; and   implementing the operational changes from the remote operations center.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein making decisions comprises processing data from the observation devices on a computer-based processing system located at the remote operations center. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein implementing comprises automatically changing a plurality of functions on the rig.