Drill String Motion Mapping from Acceleration Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for analyzing drill string vibrations using tri-axial accelerometers only provide qualitative evaluations and do not offer insights into the actual motions of the drill string, failing to visualize how the drill string deviates from ideal conditions, which hinders rapid detection and mitigation of drilling dysfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that maps three orthogonal accelerations into drill string motions, providing 2D/3D visualizations to quantify drilling dysfunctions, using transformations to convert acceleration data from a local moving coordinate frame to a global stationary frame, and employing vector cross products to estimate tangential, radial, and axial accelerations, allowing for real-time optimization and control of drilling operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If tri-axial accelerometers are used to measure vibrations, then vibration magnitude can be evaluated, but insight into actual drill string motions is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration magnitude measurementVSAvoiddrill string motion information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces coordinate transformation as an intermediary process that converts acceleration measurements from the sensor frame to the wellbore frame, enabling extraction of motion information that is not directly observable from raw acceleration data alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the problem from analyzing acceleration magnitudes in three orthogonal directions to visualizing drill string motion trajectories in 2D/3D space by integrating acceleration data and transforming coordinate systems, adding spatial dimensionality to the analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If qualitative drilling risk index is produced, then vibration evaluation is simplified, but rapid detection of drilling dysfunctions is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration evaluationVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces qualitative risk indexing with quantitative motion visualization by substituting the traditional vibration evaluation mechanism with a coordinate transformation and integration mechanism that directly reveals drill string motion patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses 2D/3D visualizations to represent drill string motions, where the visual representation changes according to the motion characteristics, enabling rapid identification of drilling dysfunctions through visual patterns rather than numerical indices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If 2D/3D visualization of drill string motions is provided, then drilling dysfunctions can be rapidly identified, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedysfunction detection reliabilityVSAvoidcomputational processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex 3D motion analysis into manageable steps: coordinate transformation, integration of acceleration data, and separate 2D/3D visualization components, making the computational process more tractable while maintaining high detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 and proactive detection of drilling dysfunctions, reducing equipment failures and improving drilling efficiency by providing a clear visualization of drill string motions, thus enhancing the rate of penetration and minimizing well bit failures.

Implementation Method 1

Tri-axial accelerometers have been widely used in the drilling industry to measure three orthogonal accelerations related to shock and vibration during drilling operations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration measurement: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

using transformations to convert acceleration data from a local moving coordinate frame to a global stationary frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordinate transformation:

Implementation Method 3

employing vector cross products to estimate tangential, radial, and axial accelerations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVector cross product:

Data Source

PatentUS10655453B2System and method for determining drill string motions using acceleration data

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 CONOCOPHILLIPS CO

AI summary

Systems and methods compute dysfunctions via mapping of tri-axial accelerations of drill pipe into drill-string motions. The methods remove gravitational and centripetal accelerations to yield corrected acceleration data due to the vibration only, transform the corrected acceleration data, and maps resulting transformed acceleration data into continuous drill-string positions. The maps provide 2D/3D visualization of drill-string motions to enable real-time optimization and control of well drilling operations and other scenarios where proactive detection of temporal events in automated systems may aid in avoiding failures.