# US 12,000,219 B2 · Tubular string make-up methods utilizing image processing

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- Number: US 12,000,219 B2
- Document ID: US12000219B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/053,666
- Filed: 2022-11-08
- Published: 2023-03-16
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-05-14
- Assignees: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
- Applicants: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
- Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann; David Geissler; Benjamin Sachtleben; Christina Hebebrand
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000219B2

## CPC

- E21B 19/165: {Control or monitoring arrangements therefor}
- B64U 20/87: Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
- E21B 17/042: Threaded
- G06T 7/0004: {Industrial image inspection}
- B64U 2101/30: for imaging, photography or videography
- F16L 15/001: {with conical threads}
- F16L 2201/10: Indicators for correct coupling
- F16L 2201/60: Identification or marking
- G06T 2207/30108: Industrial image inspection
- G06T 2207/30204: Marker
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A method of making-up tubular string components can include inputting to an image processor image data output from at least one camera, the image processor in response detecting positions of a tubular and a mark on another tubular, threading the tubulars with each other while inputting position data from the image processor to a controller, and the controller terminating the threading in response to the position of the mark relative to the position of the first tubular being within a predetermined range. Another method of making-up tubular string components can include, in response to inputting image data to an image processor, the image processor detecting longitudinal positions of two tubulars, threading the tubulars with each other, and a controller terminating the threading in response to the longitudinal position of one tubular relative to the longitudinal position of the other tubular being within a predetermined range.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making-up tubular string components for use in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
supporting a threaded first tubular relative to a rig floor;
engaging a threaded second tubular with the first tubular;
rotating the second tubular relative to the first tubular in a first direction, thereby producing at least one of a detectable vibration and a longitudinal displacement, when a thread start on the second tubular is azimuthally aligned with a thread start on the first tubular; and
then rotating the second tubular relative to the first tubular in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby threading together the first and second tubulars.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
inputting image data to an image processor, the image data being output from at least one camera; and
in response to the inputting, the image processor detecting the rotating of the second tubular relative to the first tubular in the second direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising:
inputting rotation data from the image processor to a controller, the rotation data being indicative of a total rotation of the second tubular relative to the first tubular in the second direction; and
the controller terminating the threading in response to the total rotation of the second tubular relative to the first tubular in the second direction being within a predetermined range.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising a sensor detecting the vibration produced when the thread start on the second tubular is azimuthally aligned with the thread start on the first tubular.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising a sensor detecting the longitudinal displacement produced when the thread start on the second tubular is azimuthally aligned with the thread start on the first tubular.