OpenLab

The Web Enabled Drilling Simulator is accessible through live.openlab.app. To learn how to create an account, see the tutorial below.

If you have not signed up already, you may use a Google account, or request for an account by using the contact form. You will then be given a limited trial user account.

After logging in, you will be directed to the Home page, which gives an overview of your configurations and simulations (if any). Here you can create, mov,e and delete configurations. In the top right corner, you will find your personal settings and other user-specific information. You can always go back to the Home page by clicking the OpenLab icon (the door) in the top left corner.

For the best experience, use a Google Chrome web browser. It will also run on Edge, Firefox and Safari, however some of the components might look strange or not work properly. You can use the Web Enabled Drilling Simulator at any screen size including a mobile device, however some functionality is hidden for smaller mobile sizes

Configuration

The objective of the Web Enabled Drilling Simulator is to run simulations. However, to create a simulation, you need to have a valid configuration in place. It is important to understand that each simulation is based on a distinct configuration.

A configuration consists of hundreds of input parameters that are used by the computer models to calculate the well flow and drillstring behavior. When you change one or several of the input parameters in the configuration, it will affect the results when running a simulation.

In OpenLab we have tried to simplify the configuration process. The computer models behind OpenLab Drilling are extremely advanced, and the variety of input parameters are huge. It can be difficult for the user to know the exact value of each input parameter for all the elements and components. Therefore, you are given a set of template configurations to start with. To create your specific configuration, you can simply start from one of the existing templates and modify it. To avoid any unphysical configurations, and to avoid any input parameters that are outside the acceptable range of the computer model, a set of validation rules need to be satisfied. When changing a configuration, you may therefore see an error message when the input parameters are invalid.

All the template configurations in OpenLab Drilling are based on a back-pressure Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) setup. This does not mean that you need to use the MPD choke and back-pressure pump, though. Simply leave the MPD choke open, and your configuration is similar to a conventional drilling operation with respect to the circulation system and drillstring mechanics.

Versioning

Earlier versions of a configuration are stored and locked but can be used to generate new simulations. When a version is locked, it means that it has simulations associated to it, and therefore needs to be kept for reference. To keep track of the history of your configuration and the associated simulations, please navigate to the sidebar in your configuration view. You may need to expand this sidebar by pressing the expand button in order to see the versions. In the sidebar you can view earlier versions and create new simulations on them. However, if you want to edit an old (locked) version, you are asked to create a copy before you can edit. Locked configurations are indicated with a blue background color and a text field.

Simulation

A simulation in OpenLab can only be done after a configuration has been made. Every simulation is based on a distinct configuration. A simulation can be run from a web browser or from any other interface which can connect to the OpenLab web API. This section is about simulations in the web browser. Later in this document we will guide you through how to the setup for simulations from Matlab and Python.

Interactive

https://openlab.app/tutorial/drill/

Sequence

https://openlab.app/tutorial/run-a-sequence-simulation/

Auto Connection

During drilling, as the drillstring moves down, the top of string gets to a point, generally around 1 meter above the drillfloor, where it needs to be replaced with a new drillstring section in order to continue drilling. This process involves closing the slips, shutting off the pumps and circulation, transferring a new drillstring section onto the old top of string, fastening this connection, restarting the pumps, and opening the slips again. In OpenLab, we simulate this procedure for you automatically.

Import and Export

Import and export of data to and from the Web Enabled Drilling Simulator is possible through a CSV format. When exporting data, a CSV file is created and downloaded to your computer. This CSV file can then e.g. be shared with others and used for import to run Sequence simulations. Export and import of CSV files is possible for some of the input parameters in some of the configuration editors, as well as the simulation setpoints. In addition, results can be exported after (or during) running a simulation.

Teams

Your username can be associated with multiple teams. If part of multiple teams, your configurations and simulations will be kept separate in the respective users team. To see your current active team and the associated limits, click the user info button in the top right corner of OpenLab and click "My Profile" from the drop-down.

Inviting Someone To A Team

With a paid plan, a team manager can invite several users to a team. To invite a user, click the "User administration" section found in the user settings in the top right corner.

Afterwards, simply click on the "New user" button and decide which plan you want for the user. The main differences between the plans are maximum simulation time and capacity, which will be displayed when selecting the plan.

Removing A Team Member

There are 2 ways a team manager can remove a user(s) from a team. Both of which start by navigating to the "User administration" section found in the user settings in the top right corner.

Option 1) From the "User Administration" section, click on the "Users" tab menu and select the edit user button. Click on the more settings button the right side of the user, and an option to "Remove user from team" will appear. Click this to remove the team member.

Option 2) Navigate to the team page also found in the "User administration" section. Click on the "Teams" tab and select the "Edit" button of the team you want to remove the user from. Next, click on the "Members" tab and find the user you want to remove. Click on the more settings button on the right side of the user, and an option to "Remove user from team" will appear. Click this to remove the team member.

Switching Teams

If you are part of multiple teams, you switch between them by either clicking the team name in the top-left corner of the home page, or by going to your user settings and clicking "My Profile." This will switch all of configurations and simulations to those associated with the current team, and your simulation capacity and length limits will be changed to reflect your active team settings.

Other Features

The configurations and simulations can be shared to anyone with an OpenLab user account. Each configuration has a unique configuration ID, and each simulation has a unique simulation ID. These ID’s can be found in the URL of your browser. It will look something like this:

As you can see from the example URL, it contains a configuration ID, as well as a version ID (because there are multiple versions on this configuration), and there is a simulation ID associated with it. By clicking the “Share this page” button on the top right corner in OpenLab, you can copy this link to distribute it. Beware that when you share your configuration with others, the recipient needs to create their own copy to edit and run simulations. If you receive a shared configuration from someone you will see the following message in your OpenLab view:

Change Units

By clicking the more settings button in the top right corner in OpenLab, you can select different unit systems.

MatLab and Python Interfaces

Any user with a user account in OpenLab can also reach the web API through clients other than a web browser. We have currently prepared templates for running the OpenLab Web Enabled Drilling Simulator from Matlab and from Python. These templates can be downloaded from our webpage.

Matlab

https://openlab.app/tutorial/run-a-simulation-from-matlab/

Python

https://openlab.app/tutorial/install-python-client/

https://openlab.app/tutorial/drill-using-python/

https://openlab.app/tutorial/create-a-configuration-programatically/

Joystick Enablement

You can connect a joystick to your computer and control your setpoints in a browser.
OpenLab currently supports the following joysticks:

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
Logitech Attack 3

Connecting and Enabling Joystick

To connect any of the supported joysticks (see Supported Joysticks section), simply plug it in to any USB port once you are logged in. You should get a joystick connected notification similar to the one below.

The supported joystick is automatically enabled once a simulation has been initialized and manual mode is selected.
Additionally, once a joystick has been enabled, a Joystick button should appear in the interactive sidebar. Clicking this will open your specific joysticks button mapping and controls (see Summary of Joystick Controls section).
If at any time, you wish to stop using the joystick, simply unplug the joystick. You will see a notification like the one below to confirm you have disconnected the joystick.

Summary of Joystick Controls

Calibration

Joystick calibration can be done to reset the 0 value, or neutral resting state, of the joysticks analog axes. To do this, an interactive simulation must be open with the supported joystick plugged in. Once open, click on the joystick “Controls” button located in the sidebar above the setpoints. A pop out should display showing the button controls, and at the bottom, a calibration button. Ensure the joystick is in the desired “rest state,” and press this “Calibrate” button. A notification should display confirming calibration was performed.

User Guide Test