Flow-Through Pulsing Assembly for Downhole Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole drilling systems face issues with stalling and slip-stick, friction, and bore hole deviation due to drag and excess friction, which can damage components and slow down drilling operations, and require disassembly for adding or removing friction tools, consuming valuable time and labor.
Innovation Solution
A flow-through pulsing assembly with a selectively activatable motor and rotating variable choke assembly that allows for controlled fluid flow and pulsing, enabling activation or deactivation of friction reduction tools without disassembly, using a ball catch sub and variable choke assembly to manage fluid flow and pressure variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If friction tools are used to reduce friction and drag in the drill string, then drilling performance is improved, but the tool must be disassembled and reassembled when needing to be activated or deactivated, consuming valuable time and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The friction tool is designed with movable components that allow it to transition between active and inactive states while remaining installed in the drill string. The tool includes a movable piston or valve mechanism that can be actuated to open or close flow passages, enabling dynamic control of friction reduction functionality without requiring physical disassembly or reassembly of the tool itself.
2Productivity
If the friction tool is installed in the drill string, then friction reduction is achieved, but the tool cannot be deactivated without pulling it to the surface and reassembling the drilling string
Solution Approach 1:
The friction tool incorporates a self-actuating mechanism that allows it to transition between active and inactive states through changes in fluid flow conditions or pressure differentials. The tool may use a spring-loaded piston or valve that automatically opens or closes based on downhole pressure conditions, eliminating the need for external control systems or complex actuation mechanisms.
3Productivity
If friction tools are run during the entirety of drilling operation, then continuous friction reduction is achieved, but it is unnecessary or undesirable at shallow depths or certain stages where vibration is problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The friction tool incorporates sensors or feedback mechanisms that monitor downhole conditions such as pressure, temperature, or position, and automatically adjust the tool's active state accordingly. The system can detect when the drill string reaches certain depths or when drilling conditions change, and dynamically activate or deactivate the friction reduction function to match the current drilling stage requirements.
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
Enables efficient operation of friction or oscillation tools by controlling fluid flow and pressure variations, reducing friction and improving drilling efficiency without disassembly, thus enhancing drilling performance and reducing component damage.
Implementation Method 1
downhole drilling can be accomplished with a downhole drill powered by a mud motor. The drilling fluid used to drive the motor
Implementation Method 2
the ball catch sub provides a means of blocking fluid flow to thereby activate or deactivate the motor section
Implementation Method 3
rotating variable choke assembly that allows for controlled fluid flow and pulsing
Implementation Method 4
applying a vibrational or oscillating effect to the drill string components can improve performance of a downhole drill
Implementation Method 5
Friction tools are often used to overcome these problems by vibrating a portion of the drill string to reduce friction or hole drag
Data Source
AI summary
A flow-through assembly for use in a downhole drilling string includes a Moineau-type motor, means for selectively activating the motor such as a ball catch component that selectively causes drilling fluid to enter into or bypass the motor, and a rotating variable choke assembly that is driven by a rotor of the motor. The choke assembly varies the flow rate of drilling fluid as rotation causes ports of the choke assembly to enter into and out of alignment with each other. In one embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a faceted rotary component including bypass ports on the facets of the component. In another embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a tapered rotary component that rotates in a complementarily tapered stationary component.