The EKD-FL makes use of a complex set of fuzzy logic rules to elaborate an “intelligent” alarm. The Kick Risk % output is a measure of the confidence that the events detected are related to a well influx rather than to operative conditions.
Fuzzy logic is a powerful problem-solving methodology with myriad of applications in various industries. As the complexity of a system increases, it becomes more difficult and even impossible to make a precise statement about its behaviour, eventually arriving at a point of complexity where the fuzzy logic method born in humans is the only way to get at the problem.
The KickDetector is fully integrated with the WellWired family of software products. It reads the data from a realtime relational database, the WellWired. AggreGator. The Aggregator gathers drilling data via a WITS0 stream on a TCP-IP network or by means of a serial port connection with the system used for data acquisition.
Alarms and displays can be viewed in various locations via the rig local netwoork (rigfloor, C/o man office, etc.). It is also possible to view the data and displays into town if a remote connection, such as satellite link, is available. EKD-FL can be connected to all types systems used by drilling or mudlogging contractors and it can be used with all types of hardware. For demanding early kick detection applications reliable and accurate flowmeters should be used. EKD-FL is a specialised application of the WellWired.SmartAlarm Software.