Well Seeker X: WITS Setup Guide
1.0 - Introduction
The following document provides details regarding the WITS setup and functionality within Well Seeker X.
2.0 - WITS Types
WITS is a standardised format by which wellsite information is transferred e.g. bit depth, hole depth, rpm average etc.
At the rig site, WITS data is collected by the EDR (Electronic Drilling Recorder) system connected to the rig, which is usually provided by a company like PASON / TOTCO /NORALIS etc. Well Seeker X has three methods of retrieving this data:
Serial: WITS data from the rig is transferred to the DD laptop via a serial cable.
UDP/TCP: WITS data is transferred via an ethernet cable from the rig.
WITSML and MQTT WITS: Data from the rig is uploaded to a central server, that Well Seeker X can access via an internet connection.
2.1 - Serial WITS
Serial WITS uses a serial cable to transfer the data from the EDR to WSX. The EDR will have a serial port, but it is unlikely that the receiving laptop will have a serial port as these are not very common now in modern computers. As a result, a USB to Serial connection is usually used. This allows the USB end to be plugged into the laptop.
Where DD and MWD computers need a feed, but only one serial cable from the EDR (PASON / TOTCO) is installed, a serial splitter cable can be used.
The user will usually require USB to serial RS232 Adapter (which is a box with a USB wire coming out and a serial port) and a null modem cable. The null modem cable is a serial cable which will plug into the EDR serial port and then into the serial port on the adapter. It is important that it is a null modem cable and not a regular serial cable.
2.2 - UDP/TCP WITS
UDP/TCP WITS uses an ethernet cable to transfer data between the EDR and the laptop operating WSX. Note that some modern laptops do not have an ethernet port and will require an ethernet-to-USB adaptor. In Well Seeker X the user can set up UDP or TCP WITS using the Serial / TCP WITS Comms dialog.
UDP WITS requires the user to enter the port number that the data is being transmitted on. TCP WITS requires the user to enter the port number and the IP address of the computer outputting the EDR data.
2.3 - WITSML/MQTT WITS
Instead of transferring WITS data from the EDR using a physical cable, the rig uploads the data to a server. Using the correct login credentials, the Well Seeker X user can retrieve the data via an internet connection.
WITSML: The user enters the URL of the data server, along with login credentials provided to them by the EDR data provider. Once connected, they can select the relevant well and data stream to start receiving WITS data to their computer.
MQTT: MQTT WITS is similar to WITSML but is tailored to two specific providers: Digidrill and KLX Wireless WITS. If using one of these providers, the user enters the URL and login credentials like normal. Once they are connected, they automatically receive the WITS data stream for their well.
3.0 - WITS Setup
The following section describes the recommended steps to follow and settings to select when setting up a WITS feed in Well Seeker X. Follow the below workflow to fully utilize the WITS features in Well Seeker X:
Use WITS Mapping to match the WITS Mnemonics with the incoming data.
If you want to receive surveys over WITS, configure the WITS Survey Options and the Survey Update Email Template.
Configure the drilling parameter thresholds in the Rig States Settings. Note: This dialog must be left open.
Set up the WITS Data Reader and start receiving data. Note: This dialog must be left open.
Activate Live Rig States to begin automatically populating the slide sheet using the incoming WITS data.
To utilize all the features available within WS, to allow the slide sheets to be automatically populated, and to receive surveys and tool faces, as a minimum, the following channels need to be received.
WOB
STANDPIPE PRESSURE
RPM
MAGNETIC TF
TOTAL GPM
GRAVITY TF
BIT DEPTH
SURVEY MD
HOLE DEPTH
SURVEY INC
HOOKLOAD
SURVEY AZI
Block Position
Torque (Optional)
ROP (Optional)
3.1 - WITS Mapping
Before using serial, UDP or TCP WITS, you should configure the WITS Mapping. This step is not necessary if you are using WITSML or MQTT WITS. The WITS Mapping dialog is accessed via the main interface. Open it by clicking on the WITS icon in the Settings ribbonor by searching in the search bar at the top right of the screen.
The table contains each of the Mnemonic used in Well Seeker X and the corresponding channel Record and Field ID. The default Record and Field ID values come from WITS zero standard.
Configure the Record and Field ID for each Mnemonic so that they match with the Record and Field that is being output by the rig EDR system (e.g. PASON or TOTCO):
For example, the EDR system is outputting the bit measured depth on record ID 01, field ID 08. We must have the WITS mapping set to the same for bitMD mnemonic.
Note that EDR systems often output the hookload average and WOB average values on the hookload max and WOB max channels. Be aware of this and prepare to change the WITS mapping if required.
Hookload MAX is what is used when populating the PU/SO/ROT weights in the slide sheet.
There is no standard mapping for RAW survey values BX BY BZ, so this is something which will need to be double checked.
Editing the last row in the table will cause a blank row to be created at the bottom, allowing the user to add more mnemonics if they wish. Click on the Mnemonic cell to choose from the available options in the dropdown menu.
Once the user is happy with the setup, hit Apply and then Close.
3.2 - WITS Survey Options
If you intend to receive surveys via WITS, you should configure your WITS survey options. These are accessed via the Slide Sheet.
Open a survey, and then click on Slide Sheetin the Homeribbon. The WITS Surveys section is located at the right hand end of the menu ribbon.
Configure the options per your requirements:
Check for Surveys: If you wish to receive surveys via WITS, this option must be checked. When selected Well Seeker will display any WITS Surveys which are received. When unselected, WITS surveys will be ignored.
Inc/Azi or 6 Axis: Toggle between these options depending on the format of survey that you are receiving. If the WITS feed is sending surveys with the raw accelerometer and magnetometer values, select 6 Axis. If it is sending calculated inclination and azimuth value, select Inc/Azi.
QC Limits: Only relevant if 6 Axisis selected. Set the acceptable amount of tolerance for the dip, magnetic field strength and gravity field strength calculated from the raw survey data.
Bit depth as Svy Depth: If a new WITS survey is detected this option forces the survey depth to be set as the current bit depth.
Auto Accept: If this option is unchecked, the user will receive a message whenever a survey is transmitted. The message will allow the user to review the incoming survey and then either accept or reject it.
If this option is checked, when a WITS survey is detected at a depth deeper than the last entered survey, it will automatically be accepted and added to the survey listing without prompting the user.
Auto Send Email: If this option is checked, whenever a survey is accepted WSX will automatically send a survey update email. The survey update email and the intended recipients can be configured in the Survey Update Email Template dialog.
3.3 - Survey Update Email Template
The Survey Update Email Template dialog is accessed by clicking on the Survey Email option in the Tools section of the menu ribbon.
Add recipients to the mailing list by entering their email address (e.g., [email protected]) to the box at the top of the window and then clicking on the add button. Multiple addresses can be added at the same time by delimiting them with a comma (e.g., [email protected],[email protected]). Remove addresses by selecting them in the list and clicking on the delete button. Well Seeker X will save all emails entered into the recipient list after the window is closed.
The email subject and body are automatically generated from information in the Survey, Slide Sheet and Daily Reporting dialogs, and cannot be edited.
A curve projection can be added to the email body by checking the include checkbox in the Curve Projection section. This requires a principal plan to be assigned to the well. Well Seeker X will automatically find the landing point on the plan and then estimate the landing TVD, inclination and azimuth based on the current trend in the Survey and Slide Sheet.
A projection to bit can be added to the email body by checking the include checkbox in the Bit Projection section. This can only be used if the deepest MD in the slide sheet is deeper than the deepest MD in the survey listing. You can enter the motor yield of any unseen sliding in the Motor Yield box. The motor yield and toolface of any unseen rotation can be entered into the Rotand Rot TFboxes, respectively.
3.4 - Rig States Settings
The Rig States Settings dialog is accessed by clicking on the Settings option in the Rig States section of the menu ribbon.
The Rig States dialog is where the user can view the incoming WITS data from the WITS Data Reader, translated into readable values for the drilling parameters. It is also where the user configures the drilling parameter thresholds for real time state detection. The software uses these thresholds to deduce the current operation on the rig, allowing it to automatically record drilling and sliding activity.
When the WITS Data Reader is running, the incoming data will be displayed in the Current WITS Dataand Drilling Paramssections. Additionally, if toolface data is being received, this information will appear in the Sliding TFsection.
Set your drilling parameter thresholds in the Thresholdssection, as well as the RPM Buffer Size and RPM Buffer Threshold.
After entering your thresholds, you can optionally toggle Auto Thresholds on. If you set Auto Thresholds to YES, the thresholds will be locked and the software will dynamically adjust the RPM and Hookload thresholds as more data is received, to better deduce sliding and rotating activity. If set to NO, the thresholds need to be set manually.
You can also set the Stall Pressure. This is used for detecting and logging motor stalls. Logged stalls can be viewed by clicking on the Motor Stalls button in the menu ribbon.
The Rig States dialog uses the following logic to determine what is currently happening in the well e.g. Rotating, Sliding, Tripping, Circulating etc:
Is the Bit on Bottom?
Is (Bit MD – Hole MD) < On bottom threshold
If on bottom, are you drilling?
Pump Pressure > Threshold
WOB > Threshold
Hookload > Threshold
On bottom recorded when all 3 of the above are recorded = TRUE
If Drilling = TRUE, the logic is as follows
The user sets the RPM Threshold, RPM Buffer Size and RPM Buffer Threshold.
The software stores the number of RPM values entered in the [RPM Buffer Size] input, in the RPM Buffer.
If at least [RPM Buffer Threshold] number of values are larger than the [RPM Threshold] then the rig state is Rotating.
If not, then the rig state is Sliding.
For example if the RPM Buffer size is set to 10 and the RPM Buffer Threshold is set 7 and the RPM Threshold is set to 60, the buffer will store the last 10 RPM values received. If 7 or more of these values are 60 or above, then the rig states is rotating, otherwise the rig states does not see the pipe as rotating.
As an alternative to using the RPM Threshold, RPM Buffer Size and RPM Buffer Threshold, the user can toggle ON Advanced Slide Detect. In this mode, instead of inspecting the RPM, the software inspects the incoming torque values. If the torque values are oscillating in a sinusoidal pattern, the string is recognised as Sliding. If not, Rotating.
With the thresholds set up and the WITS Data Reader running, the Current Rig State section will now populate.
NOTE: If you want to use WITS data to automatically populate the Slide Sheet, you need to Minimize the Rig States dialog instead of closing it.
3.5 - WITS Data Reader
In order to receive WITS data, the WITS data reader needs to be running.
Well Seeker X has three WITS data readers, which are located in the WITS section of the menu ribbon in the Slide Sheet window. The data reader that you should use depends on the connection type:
Serial or Ethernet Cable: Use the Serial/TCP WITS reader.
WITSML: Use the WITSML reader.
Digidrill or KLX Wireless WITS: Use MQTT WITS.
3.5.1 - Serial / TCP WITS Comms
The Serial/TCP WITS Comms dialog is used to receive data via a serial or ethernet cable.
Set up the connection in either the Serial WITS Settings or Ethernet WITS Settings sections:
If you are receiving data via a Serial cable, make sure that the cable is connected and then select the Comm Port from the dropdown box in the Serial WITS Settings section. Leave the Baud Rate as 9600 unless specified by the WITS provider.
If you are receiving data via an Ethernet cable, select either UDP WITS or TCP WITS in the Ethernet WITS Settings section. Enter the IP address provided by the WITS provider in the IP box. If you are using TCP WITS, you will also need a Port number. You may also need to toggle on Client Mode – try toggling this on if you have issues receiving the data after you start reading.
The are some additional options in the Options section that are only relevant to specific WITS transmission systems:
Send Data Handshake (Pason): Toggle this OFF if you are running a Noralis MWD system and receiving data from a Noralis WITS system. Otherwise toggle this ON.
Use SoloBox Mapping: Toggle this on if you are receiving data from a SoloBox system. It will override the settings that you entered into the Serial WITS Settings or Ethernet WITS Settings sections.
Use RigSense Mapping: Toggle this on if you are receiving data from a RigSense system. It will override the settings that you entered into the Serial WITS Settings or Ethernet WITS Settings sections.
Click on Start Reading in the bottom left. Whilst the WITS feed is running, you can see incoming data and any error messages in the WITS Data Stream section. Pause the data stream by checking the Pause Messages checkbox – the WITS feed will continue in the background. This allows the user to scroll through and read any messages. Once unchecked, all messages which were received during the paused interval will appear. The Stop Reading button will stop the WITS feed. Whilst the WITS feed is running, the status can be seen in the WITS Status section.
It is also possible to send data back to the server. In the Server Data Sync section , the IP and Port cells should be greyed out and not editable, and should already be filled with your company’s details. If not, you are likely using the incorrect license, and should contact your company administrator. Check the Send Data box to begin pushing data back to the server. The WITS Status section will indicate if the last push to the server was successful.
The WITS Out section allows you to transmit the WITS data that you are receiving to other computers at the rig site via a null serial cable. Toggle Send WITS Out to activate the feature. Choose the mnemonics that you want to send by checking the Send checkbox and entering a channel value beside each one. Note that this feature is only available to select when a serial cable has been connected to the computer and a Comm Port has been selected in the Serial Wits Settings section.
Minimize the WITS Comms window. Do NOT close it, as this will stop the incoming WITS data.
3.5.2 - WITSML Comms
The WITSML Comms dialog is used to receive data by accessing a WITSML Server via an internet connection. To use the WITSML reader, the user needs valid login credentials for a WITSML server, provided by the server host.
Fill in the Server URL, Username and Password boxes in the WITSML Server section using the information provided by the server host. You also need to know the version of the server – either 1.3.1or 1.4.1 – and select it from the dropdown box. You can check your credentials by clicking the Test Connection button. A message will display in the Messages section indicating if the connection was successful or not.
Click on the Load Wells button to get a list of wells and logs stored on the server. Select the desired log and trajectory by clicking on them in the list. Note that Well Seeker uses time-based logs for its paramater data, and trajectory logs for surveys.
Map the WITSML mnemonics to the Well Seeker mnemonics in the Curve Mapping section. There is no industry standard set of WITSML mnemonics, so you must set them manually. The Well Seeker internal mnemonics are listed on the right, with a column for the WITSML mnemonics on the left. Well Seeker will attempt to automatically match mnemonics that have the same name. The user should set the WITSML mnemonic by clicking on a row and selecting from the dropdown box.
Click on the Start Reading button. The Selected Data section will update to display the selected well, wellbore, log, and trajectory. Whilst the WITS feed is running, the user will see values in the Value column in the Curve Mapping section. They will also receive status and error messages in the Messages section. Pause the data stream by using Pause Messages button – the WITS feed will continue in the background. This allows you to scroll through and read any messages. Once unchecked, all messages which were received during the paused interval will appear. The Stop Reading button will stop the WITS feed.
It is also possible to send data back to the server. The ICDS IP and ICDS Port should already be greyed out and filled with your company’s details. If not, you are likely using the incorrect license, and should contact your company administrator. Check the Send data to server box to begin pushing data back to the server.
Minimize the WITSML Comms window. Do NOT close it, as this will stop the incoming WITS data.
3.5.3 - MQTT/Wireless WITS
MQTT or Wireless WITS is used to receive wireless WITS data from two specific providers – Digidrill and KLX Wireless WITS. The user will need valid login credentials, provided by the service provider.
Select the service provider from the Source dropdown.
Enter the URL of the data source in the Server URL box. Enter your provided credentials into the Usernameand Password boxes. You can check if your credentials are correct by clicking on the Test Connectionbutton. The message box below will display a response from the server.
Click on Start Reading to begin receiving data. Acknowledgement of incoming data packets will be displayed in the message box. The Pause Messagesbutton will prevent the dialog from receiving any new messages allowing you to scroll up, while the data feed continues in the background. Clear Messages will delete all messages in the message box and Write to File will create a text file containing all messages in the message box. The Stop Reading button will stop the WITS feed.
It is also possible to send data back to the server. The ICDS IP and ICDS Port should already be filled with your company’s details. If not, you are likely using the incorrect license, and should contact your company administrator. Check the Send data to server box to begin pushing data back to the server.
No WITS mapping is required here.
Minimize the Wireless WITS window. Do NOT close it, as this will stop the incoming WITS data.
3.6 - Start Live Rig States
If you wish to use the WITS data to automatically fill in your slide/rotate activity and drilling parameters, you need to start Live Rig States. To do so, go to the Rig States section in the menu ribbon, and click on Start.
While Live Rig States is running, the phrase ‘Live Rig States’ will appear at the top of the slide sheet, and it will begin automatically populating. You will not be able to manually edit the slide sheet. If you have configured the survey options to do so you will also begin receiving surveys.
To stop the Live Rig States, go back to the Rig States section in the menu ribbon, and click on Stop.
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