RFID based Drilling Operations Tracking System
In the Oil & Gas Industry, every second counts. Since pipe failure can result in multi-million dollar losses, deriving the greatest return on your investment requires maximum uptime. The Drilling Operations Tracking System (DOTS®) developed by Trac ID™ in Norway, and distributed by Libramation in Canada, reduces operational downtime by preventing drill string failures that can rapidly ruin your bottom line. Drill string components must perform under the harshest conditions, with high loads and heavy wear incurring significant losses through drill pipe failures. By attaching a small RFID tag to each joint of drill pipe, the Trac Tag solution tracks the individual life cycle of these components through real time data, allowing for proactive maintenance, optimized operations, and improved logistics. Trac Tags have been rigorously tested on offshore rigs, and have been proven to withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and chemical exposures of the drilling process. Monitoring fatigue damage during drilling operations allows either a specific section, or the entire drill pipe length to be evaluated under real-time operating conditions. Analysis starts at spud, and is performed on each joint of pipe as it travels along the well path to TD. This allows a quantitative evaluation of relative fatigue damage, accumulated joint-by-joint for the drill string. It also provides the opportunity to manage logistics, forecast pipe inspections and position pipe sections to mitigate cumulative drill string fatigue damage. The solution also allows for you to know when a tagged piece of equipment has been used, as well as the temperature, chemicals, pressure and depth to which it has been exposed. RFID is a robust, time-saving technology with a host of benefits:
|
 |
|---|---|
|
System Component
|
Passive RFID Responders The enabler for DOTS are the RFID transponders mounted in the tooljoint of the drill pipes and other drill string components. These transponders enable the unique identification of each individual drill string component as they enter the well through the rotary table. The transponders are passive and are proven to withstand temperatures and pressures present in oil & gas exploration and production wells (177C / 350F at 1 050 bars / 15 000 PSI. | |
|
RFID Well Center Reader The DOTS well centre reader system identifies all RFID equipped items entering the well, at velocity up to 2 m/s. The data is sent to the TRAC Rig server for generation of an electronic tally and calculation of usage parameters and fatigue development. The system is easy to install, does not interfere with the ongoing drilling operation and requires low level of maintenance. All adjustments and tuning can be done electronically through remote onshore support. The well centre antenna is placed below the rotary table, and can be customized to fit with the specific rig configuration. The reading performance is not affected by steel, mud, temperature or other challenges in the well centre environment. | |
|
DOTS Reg Server Software The "DOTS- RIG Server" is the heart of the system. It connects the different system components together and manages the flow of data between the well centre reading system and the real time drilling control system. This software provides an automatic drill tally, inspection advisory, fatigue predictor, operational error alerts and drill pipe logistics. | |