Downhole Vibration Tool Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Friction between drill strings and wellbores in complex wells, such as horizontal and multi-lateral wells, impedes movement and rotation, reducing the effectiveness of drilling operations by limiting the transfer of weight to the drill bit and affecting the rate of penetration.
Innovation Solution
Downhole tools that generate cyclical pressure waves in drilling fluid by restricting and then widening the flow area while venting fluid into the annulus, creating a sudden pressure drop, which increases the amplitude of the pressure wave and reduces friction between the drill string and the wellbore, maintaining a constant flow rate and utilizing mechanisms like rotating cams or reciprocating valves to control the venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If drilling fluid flow area is restricted to increase pressure, then pressure wave amplitude increases, but drill string pressure becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic opening and closing of the restriction valve to create cyclical pressure waves in the drilling fluid. This periodic action generates the desired pressure wave amplitude while maintaining overall pressure stability through controlled cycles of pressure increase and release
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards excess pressure by venting it to the annulus through the external vent, then recovers pressure by closing the vent and continuing fluid flow. This cycle allows pressure wave generation while maintaining average drill string pressure within acceptable ranges
2Force
If pressure wave amplitude is increased to reduce friction, then vibration strength increases, but friction reduction effectiveness decreases at static conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates mechanical vibrations in the drill string through pressure waves that propagate through the drilling fluid. These vibrations create cyclic lateral and axial movements that reduce friction between the drill string and wellbore wall, with enhanced effectiveness during dynamic conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of high drill string pressure into a beneficial pressure wave that propagates through the fluid to create vibrations. By restricting flow to build pressure and then releasing it, the system transforms static pressure into dynamic vibration energy that reduces friction
3Stress or pressure
If external venting is used to create pressure drop, then pressure wave amplitude increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the drilling fluid flow itself to power the restriction valve and venting mechanism. The pressure differential created by flow through the restriction automatically actuates the valve operations, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs hydraulic principles by using the drilling fluid under pressure to control the restriction and venting operations. The fluid pressure itself drives the valve mechanisms, simplifying the overall system design while achieving the desired pressure wave generation
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 effectively reduces friction along the drill string, allowing for stronger and more extensive vibrations that enhance the movement and rotation of drill strings in complex wells, thereby improving the rate of penetration and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
generate cyclical pressure waves in drilling fluid by restricting and then widening the flow area while venting fluid into the annulus, creating a sudden pressure drop, which increases the amplitude of the pressure wave
Implementation Method 2
The pressure wave propagates through the fluid and is of sufficient amplitude to vibrate the drill string in order to reduce friction between the drill string and the sides of the wellbore
Implementation Method 3
a constriction in the passageway through which drilling fluid flows through the tool that reduces the cross-sectional flow area for drilling fluid flowing through the tool to increase pressure
Implementation Method 4
opens an external vent to allow fluid in the tool to escape into an annulus between the drill string and the sides of the wellbore in which it is being run, thus creating a sudden drop in pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool for cyclically generating cyclical pressure waves in drilling fluids of sufficient magnitude to vibrate a drill string or coiled tubing to reduce friction between drill string or coiled tubing and a wall of an uncased or cased wellbore. A passageway through which drilling fluid flows through the tool is constricted to increase pressure of the drilling fluid while it continues to flow through the tool. A bypass around the constriction is cyclically opened by a rotary valve to increase the flow area through the tool for the drilling fluid while at the same time an axially shifting valve, shifted by a pair of rotating cams, opens to allow drilling fluid to vent to an annulus formed by the drill string or coiled tubing and a wall of the wellbore.