Leidar Control System

Proactive model-based control for safer, faster and easier drilling

This video shows a brief introduction to Leidar in 2 minutes:

Using the latest technology in advanced adaptive control, the Leidar® Control System is a robust real-time controller, specialized in automated managed pressure drilling (MPD) and underbalanced drilling (UBD) operations. It allows the driller to maintain constant bottom-hole pressure by controlling the equivalent mud weight, adjusting it within seconds instead of hours.

This enhanced drilling control helps eliminate downhole incidents such as kicks and fluid loss, reduces non-productive time by recognizing transient operations and features an intuitive interface to give the driller an instant overview of the operation in real-time.

The control system consists of four modules:

Leidar Pressure Controller

The Leidar Pressure Controller is built on the latest technology in advanced adaptive control, typically used in autonomous aircrafts for extreme performance and robustness. The Leidar Pressure Controller allows the driller to choose one of four control modes*:

  • Choke pressure (single/dual)
  • Downhole pressure (requires Leidar® Hydraulic Model)
  • Standpipe pressure
  • Choke flow

The Pressure Controller is resilient against any sensor failures and downhole well incidents. It has been expansively tested against the highly-recognized Straume® Hydraulic Simulator and is currently field-deployed on many locations around the world (see News).

*Choice of control mode does not affect the overall performance

Leidar® Hydraulic Model

The Leidar Hydraulic Model is a high-performance, real-time downhole pressure estimator, tested and verified with field data. It captures the downhole dynamics and is both easy to configure and calibrate. The Leidar Hydraulic Model can be used standalone or with the Leidar® Pressure Controller.

Features:

  • Estimates downhole pressure at any location (virtual sensors)
  • Automatic Calibration
  • Continuous estimation between PWD updates (e.g. connections) or manual calibration (calculated)
  • Handles circulation, drilling, connections, multi-fluid operations, surge-swab and more

Leidar Influx-Loss Detection

Leidar Influx-Loss Detection module is a kick detection algorithm, able to detect symptoms of downhole incidents before they evolve into a well control event. It has been tested against the Straume® Hydraulic Simulator, in real-life and accounts for transient drill operations (connections, pressure set-point changes, surge & swab effects) to avoid false alarms.

Features:

  • Enable earlier detection of influx/loss
  • Avoid false alarms
  • Single-most cost-effective measure to reduce Non-Productive Time (NPT) caused by kick/loss-incidents

Leidar Contingency Management

Leidar Contingency Management allows for monitoring and automatic handling of sensor or equipment failure and downhole incidents.

Leidar Control System Package

The Leidar Control System is normally delivered on a PLC with a local HMI panel and optionally a remote HMI panel. It can be integrated into an existing control system or run as a standalone system.

Leidar (/læɪdɑr/)
Old Viking name for the North Star, used for navigation throughout centuries. Also, etymologically linked to the English word “leader”.
  • Robust
    • Resilient against sensor failures, downhole incidents and avoids false-alarms by recognizing transient operations.
  • Model-based
    • Compensates for changes in pressure or flow rate, no need for re-tuning depending on operating conditions
  • Real-time
    • Enhanced sensor package allows for remote surveillance and operation