Scientific ApplicationThe Rig Instrumentation System (RIS) on the R/V JOIDES Resolution (JR) is an industrial-grade data acquisition system (RigWatch™) that can capture drill-ing/coring data. The ability of the RIS to present real-time data and drilling parameters in digital and graphical formats provides a powerful tool for operations personnel to improve deci-sion making and possibly core recov-ery. The data export feature allows scientists to merge and correlate drill-ing data with the physical properties of recovered core. This comparison allows for enhanced assessment of poor core recovery intervals. The data recording and post-processing features of the RIS provide information to analyze bit and downhole tool operation and bottom-hole assembly (BHA) performance.

OperationsDrilling data sensors and analog/digital signals are routed directly to a databox located in the subsea shop, just below the rig floor. The databox converts the signals and outputs them to a master computer/server.

The master computer is linked to the IODP ship’s network and broadcasts in real time to remote RIS workstations, such as in the Co-Chief Scientist, IODP Operations, and JR Offshore Installation Manager offices. The remote workstations are available for data analyses and report creation. Each user has inde-pendent control over how the data are displayed.

FeaturesData

RigWatch™ records nearly 50 channels of data, 24 hours per day during drilling operations. Over 100 channels (variables) are available. There are three types of data:

• collected from sensors,

• collected from other devices via communication links, or

• calculated from one or more variables by math functions in the software.

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RIS

Rig Instrumentation System

There are two live data displays: graphical (next page) or data table (shown). The data table is the default screen. To move to the graphical display, one clicks on the menu button (lower left) and then “Graphs."

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Up to 45 variables can be displayed on the data table screen. Each variable can be set independently with its own filter, refresh rate, and display resolution. Each variable may be saved at its instan-taneous, maximum, minimum, or average value over the save period.

Expandable

When measurement/logging-while-drilling (M/LWD) tools are run, the downhole data can be sent to the RIS. Certain sets of RIS data can in return be sent to the M/LWD data acquisition system. When continuous tracer injection is required for micro-biology sampling, the RIS can control the tracer pump, automatically adjusting the injection rate to maintain constant tracer concentration with vary-ing mud pump rates.

Data Analysis

Drilling data analysis is initially based on a review of drilling parameters and interpretation of the RIS graphical display, where historical curves are reviewed for trends and to identify abrupt events.

A data set can be studied in both time and depth domains to help understand the contribution of the individual drilling parameter. Curves can be overlaid and tracks can be rearranged to correlate sets of parameters. Zoom-in and zoom-out fea-tures aid in the analysis. Further analysis can be performed by exporting the data in ASCII format and then can be imported into other graphics and analysis programs (e.g., Excel and LabView). The science party can acquire exported and corrected ASCII files from IODP Operations office for data analysis.

Plotting

Hard copy plots of the data can be used for analyz-ing drilling performance. There are several available

“canned” plot formats, but the user can also create custom formats. Up to six channels can be overlaid on each track; however, the number of tracks is limited to what can be viewed within the available space. The output scales of each variable are user defined as well as the range of depth or time. The graphs may be printed to a printer or plotter.

Data Management

Data for IODP holes created during the expedition are archived at the end. Scientists may later access RIS data via exported ASCII files, which can be requested through IODP Operations. This enhances the level and scope of research that can be done.

Operating Range• Operating Range: Records all operations 24/7

(when drilling or coring).

• Sampling Rate: All 100 variables are sampled and displayed every 0.5 s.

• Data Save Rates: All 100 variables are saved at 1 s for the time-based database and at every 1.0 m for the depth-based data. Other rates are avail-able.

• Selected Save Rates: A subset of variables can be saved at various rates using a “capture” device.

Graphical live data display.

RIS

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• Format: The data can be exported to ASCII.

• Live-Data Displays: All 100 variables can be dis-played on a strip-chart type log (graphical) or data table display.

• The graphical display can monitor five channels with two traces per channel at one time. A scroll-ing feature allows viewing of up to 20 channels maximum in five-channel increments.

• Graphs can be viewed as time-based (1 to 50 hr) or depth-based (10-250 m) data.

• Up to 45 variables can be monitored at one time in the data table display.

• The user can set the range and scale for each vari-able.

LimitationsDepth and ROP Measurement

On a riserless vessel, there is no fixed reference to the seafloor (such as a riser) to directly measure drill pipe advancement (i.e., depth and rate of penetra-tion). The RIS constantly collects block position, compensator position, and heave data; however, the current method of obtaining an absolute depth measurement on the JR relies on manually tracking the motion of the traveling block, which is refer-

enced from the drill floor. The ability to output a dependable calculated bit depth is limited because:

1. Tide variations are not measured, and

2. Heave measurement’s null position is continually being recalculated.

Raw Data Quality

Since the RIS works 24 hours a day during opera-tions and manpower resources are limited, there can be periods where one or more channels of data become suspect. The quality of the raw data must be verified prior to distribution and may need to be manually corrected for sensor calibration changes.

RIS

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Variable Description

AD Hook Load Calculated Weight on Bit (WOB)

Bit Depth Depth of bit, meters below rigfloor

Bit On Bottom Hrs Bit time on bottom since reset

Block Position Position of blocks, meters above rigfloor

CEM Pmps TOT SPM Total pump rate for cement pumps #1 and #2

CEM Pmps TOT STKS Total pump strokes for cement pumps #1 and #2

CEM Pump #2 SPM Pump rate for cement pump #2

CEM Pump Pressure Cement pump manifold pressure

CEM TOT RATE Total pump rate of cement in barrels per minute

CEM TOT VOL Total barrels cement pumped since counter zero

Cement Pump #1 SPM Pump rate for Cem pump #1

Cement pump #1 STKS Cement pump #1 total strokes since reset

Cement Pump #2 STKS Cement pump #2 total strokes since reset

Compensator stroke Passive Compensator stroke in meters

Core Number Core number, when entered by driller.

Coreline Depth Coreline Depth, meters below rigfloor

Coreline Tension Coreline Tension in kilo pounds

Depth Bit BSF Depth of Bit, meters below seafloor

Depth Hole Total Depth of Hole, meters below rigfloor

Depth, Penetration Total Depth of Hole, meters below seafloor

Depth, Sea Floor Depth of Sea Floor, meters below rigfloor

HEAVE (ft) Ship HEAVE (ft)

HEAVE (m) Ship HEAVE (m)

Hook Load Total load hanging off of crown in klbs

Iron Roughneck Torque Iron Roughneck Torque

MUD Pmps TOT SPM Total pump rate for mud pumps #1 and #2

MUD Pmps TOT STKS Total strokes for mud pumps #1 and #2

MUD pump #1 SPM Pump rate for mud pump #1

MUD pump #1 STKS Total strokes for mud pump #1 since reset

MUD pump #2 SPM Pump rate for mud pump #12

MUD pump #2 STKS Total strokes for mud pump #2 since reset

Mud Pump Pressure #1 Mud Pump #1 Pressure

Mud Pump Pressure #2 Mud Pump #2 Pressure

MUD TOT VOL Total barrels mud pumped since counter zero

Off Bottom Bit distance off of bottom in meters

On/Off Bottom Bit either on or off of bottom

Pipe Counter Number of stands passed through stabber onto rigfloor

PITCH Ship PITCH

ROLL Ship ROLL

ROP Depth/hr Rate of formation penetration, m/HR

Slips Set Slips Set YES/NO

Stand Pipe Pressure Mud pump pressure in stand pipe

TD AMPS Top Drive Current

TD RPM Top Drive Revolutions Per Minute

TD TORQUE Approximated Top Drive torque value

Data Recorded