#flexfusion

FlexFusion is an elevated advancement in drilling automation that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technologies with Helmerich & Payne’s industry-leading FlexRig® fleet to deliver unparalleled performance and consistency. While it is not the first automation solution, it is the most comprehensive on the market today, designed to help operators achieve greater consistency, efficiency, and performance in their drilling operations.

Full Stand Automation

FlexFusion is a combination of industry leading control technologies designed to efficiently drill a stand. Together, these technologies are designed to mitigate the effects of bit bounce, bit whirl and stick-slip to improve ROP and extend BHA life.

• Autodriller Pro reduces effects of bit bounce by prioritizing stable block velocity.

• FlexTorque® technology mitigates stick-slip by actively responding to torque fluctuations.

• Sequenced automation helps manage the effects of bit whirl by consistently executing the process of applying and removing WOB.

Regardless of personnel changes, experience or knowledge level H&P rigs can seamlessly repeat these processes. Operators can also optimize these processes and communicate their desired set points via a parameter roadmap to further enhance drilling performance across their operations by applying their own best practices.

Consistent Execution at Scale:

• Standardize every connection for every rig using the same set points to eliminate variability.

• FlexFusion helps achieve consistent execution at scale, eliminating the variability that was previously challenging to manage.

Reduced Trips & Cycle Times:

• Improve ROP and minimize unplanned trips related to tool failure.

• Consistently stay engaged with the formation.

Agile Process Development & Optimization:

• Reduce human variability through automation.

• Enable optimization through process insights to tackle more challenging wells.

With Automation Demand Exceptional

FlexFusion represents the pinnacle of drilling automation, offering a comprehensive solution that addresses key challenges in the industry while delivering unmatched efficiency, safety, and consistency. With its innovative features and customizable capabilities, FlexFusion sets a new standard for automated drilling platforms, empowering operators to achieve optimal results in even the most demanding drilling environments.

Standout Features

Process Automation

Reduces pressure on the driller to provide both fast and consistent process execution, giving time back to the driller to lead the team.

Sequenced Automation

Serves as a handshake between different technologies to efficiently drill a stand, focusing on minimizing the effects of bit whirl, bit bounce and stick-slip.

Automated Parameter Execution

FlexApp parameters can be configured to automatically execute preplanned procedures for bit engagement/disengagement, slide set-up and stall recovery.

Safely Releasing Torque

With a novel control method, FlexFusion supports the safe release of top drive torque, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Improved application of WOB

FlexB2D® technology manages bit whirl, helping to extend bit and BHA life and reduce unplanned trips.

Faster bit disengagement and removal of WOB

Bit off bottom (BOB) helps to quickly disengage the bit while rotating, further mitigating bit whirl, extending tool life, and reducing unplanned trips.

Stall detection and recovery

StallAssist® technology detects and recovers from downhole motor stalls, minimizing costly downtime.

Automated pre- and post-slide processes

Improve consistency and reduce time associated with slide set-up.

Autodriller Pro

Industry-leading block velocity stability to keep the bit consistently engaged and reduce bit bounce related trips.

A Comprehensive Automation Package

FlexFusion is a pre-configured package that includes essential technologies needed to automate the process of drilling a stand. This creates a seamless process for operators to quickly get started in leveraging the enhanced performance that automation provides.

FlexFusion Package Enhancements

H&P’s Advanced Well Engineering team offers premium engineering services to maximize the efficiency of your well delivery process.

• Optimized Roadmap Creation: Leverage DrillScan® physics-based modeling software and advanced simulation techniques to create an optimized drilling roadmap. This unified approach considers operational constraints in combination with Predictive Vibration Mapping to identify resonant RPMs, mitigate downhole vibration, and comprehensively enhance the selection of drilling parameters.

• BHA Analysis: Harness the extensive experience of H&P’s engineering team and industry leading DrillScan® Digital Solutions to provide swift and comprehensive 3D predictions and analysis of bottom hole assembly (BHA) directional tendencies, including build/drop and rotating tendencies. Our teams leverage existing operational data to refine modeling precision for optimal design and equipment selection to reduce failure rates.

FlexFusion is automation elevated, offering a comprehensive solution that addresses key challenges while delivering unmatched efficiency and consistency at scale. By fusing a suite of advanced drilling technologies and automating key sequences, FlexFusion sets a new standard for automated drilling platforms, empowering operators to achieve optimal results in even the most demanding drilling environments.

Download the full fact sheet from here: https://www.helmerichpayne.com/media/product-literature/FlexFusion-Fact-Sheet_2024-02-28-193653_grwz.pdf.

For more information on how Helmerich & Payne can help you achieve better drilling outcomes, contact an H&P sales representative today or contact us through our website at helmerichpayne.com/contact. It’s time to follow through on your drilling performance potential.

​Integrating Data from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Inertial Management Units Makes Sure Precision Even Throughout GNSS Interruptions

Leti, a research study institute of CEA Tech, and Orolia, a leader in precision and efficiency for terrestrial, aeronautic and marine transport positioning, navigation & timing applications, today revealed a brand-new sensor-data-fusion engine that makes sure resistant positioning and navigation even in cases of worldwide navigation satellite system (GNSS) jamming or spoofing.

Called FlexFusion, the algorithm technology processes information from GNSS, inertial management systems (IMU) and odometers to offer exact positioning in all conditions.

FlexFusion’s style counts on a modelisation of GNSS and IMU (triple-axis accelerometer, triple-axis gyrometer and triple-axis magnetometer) output for artificial trajectory generation.

The blend method makes use of Bayesian estimators, e.g. Kalman filters. The very first algorithm was setup on modeling signals and its optimization counts on a comprehensive real-life sample database obtained through field test. This procedure utilized CEA-Leti’s HYLOC referral platform, which supplies a referral positioning of a couple of centimeters. More than 100 trajectory samples were gathered in city, rural, forest and mountain environments with various GNSS blackout conditions. 

The brand-new positioning technology supports edge AI since the data-fusion algorithm is carried out in your area to guarantee that positioning and navigation info is offered in your area and is failsafe even in case of jamming or spoofing of GNSS information.

“Recent events have demonstrated that it is possible to change the course of a ship or force a drone to land in a hostile area by simply spoofing GPS signals,” stated CEA-Leti CEO Emmanuel Sabonnadière. “The increasing reliance on a GNSS for the execution of military operations and terrestrial, aeronautic and naval transportation requires using positioning and navigation systems that are able to detect GNSS outages and provide resilient position and navigation features.”

A variation of FlexFusion that requires less of the CPU executes a loose coupling algorithm that utilizes GNSS receiver-output positions as entry of the algorithm. An innovative variation executes a tight coupling blend algorithm of GNSS and IMU information that considerably boosts the strength of positioning and navigation under real-world conditions.

This unique method makes it possible for overall control of treatments and filtering used to raw signals, which increases efficiency of the blend. It likewise enhances positioning efficiency in specific if there are less than 4 GNSS satellites offered, or when there are frequent multi-trajectories, which often happen in city canyons.

CEA-Leti has actually certified the trademarked FlexFusion algorithm to Orolia.

“Orolia is integrating FlexFusion in a new version of its VersaPNT product, the first compact, all-in-one and resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) system for vehicles and blue force tracking, tactical UAV navigation and marine applications,” stated Thierry Delhomme, EMEA General Supervisor, Orolia. “This powerful algorithm helps deliver on the promise of VersaPNT as an always-accurate PNT system that operates in any environment.”

FlexFusion advancement was supported and partly moneyed by the Easytech program of IRT Nanoelec thanks to the French National Program “Programme d’Investissement d’Avenir” ANR-10-AIRT-05″