Deformable Elastomeric Bearing Collar for Torque Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the oil and gas industry, directionally drilled wellbores, especially high-angle or horizontal ones, experience significant torque and drag issues due to torsional friction, which existing methods like friction reducers and stabilizer sleeves fail to address effectively, leading to increased handling time, maintenance costs, and risk of tool detachment.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a deformable collar that can be configured to fit over tubular bodies, reducing friction by transitioning from a larger to a smaller diameter through swaging or crimping, eliminating the need for split or threaded attachments, and providing a fluid-lubricated bearing surface to minimize contact points with the borehole wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If friction reducing collars or stabilizer sleeves are installed on tubulars, then torsional friction is reduced, but the number of connections and handling time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is integrated directly into the tubular body as a monolithic structure, eliminating the need for separate collar components and their associated connections. This merging of the collar function into the tubular itself reduces the number of connections required while maintaining the friction reduction benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular body is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the drilling fluid passage, and incorporates the collar geometry directly into its structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate collar components and reduces handling time
2Ease of manufacture
If split sleeves or clamped devices are used to reduce friction, then installation is simplified, but the complexity and risk of detachment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is formed as an integral part of the tubular body through monolithic construction, eliminating split sleeves and clamped devices. This integration ensures that the collar cannot detach from the tubular, completely eliminating the risk of tool loss while maintaining ease of installation
3Loss of energy
If numerous friction reducing devices are installed in long horizontal sections, then torsional friction is reduced, but the number of contact points with the borehole wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with specific geometric features (such as bearing surfaces or reduced contact area regions) that are localized to the areas where contact with the borehole wall occurs. This local optimization reduces friction at the contact points while maintaining the overall structural integrity and function of the tubular
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces the coefficient of friction between tubulars and the borehole wall, from 0.25 to 0.1, enhancing torque transmission and reducing drag, thereby improving drilling efficiency and reducing maintenance and handling costs.
Implementation Method 1
providing a fluid-lubricated bearing surface to minimize contact points with the borehole wall
Implementation Method 2
reconfiguring the collar from a first, larger diameter configuration to a second, smaller diameter configuration
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method of manufacture and installation of a resizable, plastically deformable or crimpable elastomeric bearing collar (28) or stabilizer sleeve which can be installed over upset sections of rotary drilling and wellbore completion tubulars (12, 110, 112, 212) such as but not limited to subs, drill collars, drill pipe, wellbore casing, production liners and other drilling and production related tubulars that are run down-hole. In order to enable the reduction of rotational torque generated when directionally drilling and completing extended reach development (ERD) wells.