The IADC Drilling Control Systems (DCS) Subcommittee, led by Terry Loftis, Transocean, recently formed four work groups to address specific deficiencies in the SPE/IADC WITSML-OPC Interface Initiative. The groups and leaders are:

• Transfer of Tool Ownership, led by Craig Brooks, National Oilwell Varco;
• User Interface Standardization, Clinton Chapman, Schlumberger;
• Well State/Phase Definition, Fred Florence, National Oilwell Varco;
• Cascade Effect of Control, Cesar Peña, Tesco.

The DCS Subcommittee, which operates under the IADC Advanced Rig Technology Committee, has undertaken the project in conjunction with the SPE Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section (DSATS).

The Transfer of Tool Ownership group will examine questions such as how to switch expert or supervisory control of one or all pieces of machinery under automation control. In addition, the group will seek to develop transfer protocol, control and operational prioritization, and establish how the driller will regain control of the drilling process. This last issue may involve authorization monitoring and disconnect sequencing. Further, it seeks to determine how transition of control(s) between different service firms will proceed (i.e., manual or automatic).

The User Interface Standardization group will examine whether the user interface should be developed as standalone or integrated into the driller’s console. Building on earlier work of the subcommittee, the group will examine de facto industry standards, address ergonomics, human factors and intuitive response.

Well State/Phase Definition seeks to define the state or phases of well construction and the drilling operation, as well as review and comment on use cases that the DSATS group is working on. The DCS Subcommittee will work to define where downhole communications and control integration bring value for specific well-construction phases.

Finally, Cascade Effect of Control will gauge the collateral impact of cascading intelligent controls systems, such as EDS or Autodriller with DCD. The group will also explore how auxiliary drilling functions might be compromised while expert systems drive (or control) the driller’s console.

To participate, please contact Mike Killalea or Holly Shock.

The IADC DCS Subcommittee will next meet at 0830 CDT on 2 August at IADC’s Houston headquarters. To attend either in person or via tele/videoconference, register online.

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