Well Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Automation (WERCIA), a Drilling Center of Excellence, at University of Houston presented it's current research activities at the Automation workshop organized by Technology Collaboration Center of Houston on August 24, 2017. The goal of the presentation and the workshop was to bring together the research centers from different industries and enable them to understand the challenges and problems faced by one another. One of the main objectives is to foster the interdisciplinary collaboration to solve the most challenging problems defining the future of these industries.

1. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Ongoing Research Activities:
Drilling Automation
Vikrant Lakhanpal
Assistant Director
Well Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Automation
Drilling Center of Excellence, University of Houston

2. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
I’m
coming…

3. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
With Great Data
comes a
Greater Responsibility!

4. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Oil and Gas Industry has been
Innovative.
&
It will innovate again.

5. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
The
Hype
Curve
The
Adoption
Rate

6. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
WERCIA,
a Drilling Center of Excellence
at University of Houston,
has taken the initiative of
doing this initial heavy lifting.

7. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Swamp of Continued Use
Trash Heap of Failures
Roundabout
of
Repackaging
We understand our responsibility and are ready for the
consequences…
Even if it means building the curve
again

8. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Research Eco and Real-time Assistive Systems
• To Change Paradigm
from Porespace to
Pipeline.
• Focus on real world
problems.
• Find an economical and
commercialized solution.

9. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Inter-disciplinary Research Advisors

10. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Inter-disciplinary Research – Example 1
Engineering Models Optimization Data Analytics Automation
Reliability & Integrity Analysis
• Analyze the performance of barrier (production
casing) in terms of change in reliability caused by
changing effectiveness (collapse, burst, and
tensile strength)
• Propose a model for computing well reliability
accounting for the factors that affect performance
of well barriers, including changing well
conditions (induced loads)
• Incorporate engineering calculations during
prediction of reliability
Engineering Models Optimization Data Analytics Automation

11. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Inter-disciplinary Research – Example 2
Engineering Models Optimization Data Analytics Automation
Visual Data Analytics:
Morphological Image Processing
Approach on the Evaluation of
Foamed Cement Quality
• To develop a methodology for evaluation of
foamed cement quality
• To emphasize the significance of image-
processing techniques combined with cluster
analysis in the petroleum industry

12. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Inter-disciplinary Research – Example 3
Engineering Models Optimization Data Analytics Automation
Using Mechanical and
Geometrical Parameters to
Design an Automated
Downhole Path
Correction Tool
• Algorithm to find optimal path
to return to planned path using
Samuel’s criterion
• Utilize survey methods like
Natural Curve, Minimum
Curvature and Balanced
Tangential method and utilizing
smooth curves like Catenary,
Clothoid and Cubic Spline to
bridge the actual path and
planned path.

13. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Collaboration?
• We combine “inside the box” concepts with “out of the box” thinking to solve all kinds
of industrial problems.
• How the technology collaboration will help?
• We have used some technologies in the past which were actually used in the other
sectors.
• We should never forget the First Principles of Physics.
• Understand the basis of each principle and apply accordingly.

14. Ongoing Research Activities on Drilling Automation at WERCIA, University of Houston
Automation Workshop | Technology Collaboration Center of Houston
Contacts
Dr. Robello Samuel
Executive Director and Chief Advisor, WERCIA
Chief Technical Advisor & Technology Fellow,
Halliburton
grsamuel@uh.edu
Vikrant Lakhanpal
Assistant Director, WERCIA
Production Engineer, Proline Energy
Resources Inc.
vlakhanpal@uh.edu
Thanks!