Drill-String Vibration Mitigation via Multi-Frequency Spectral Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems are ineffective in mitigating stick-slip vibration in drill-strings during drilling processes, as they only reduce the lowest frequency of vibration while higher frequencies with comparable or stronger energy levels remain, leading to continued vibration issues that can damage equipment and increase drilling costs.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a sensor, processor, and controller that uses spectral analysis and numerical optimization to determine controller settings that reduce all vibration modes by targeting reflectivity and absorption bands, applying PID control and phase shifts to mitigate stick-slip vibrations effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional systems reduce the lowest frequency of vibration, then the lowest frequency vibration is reduced, but higher frequency vibrations with comparable or stronger energy levels remain, resulting in continued stick-slip vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration mitigation effectivenessVSAvoidcoverage of vibration modes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the vibration mitigation task by identifying and targeting multiple distinct vibration modes (fundamental frequency and higher harmonics) separately. The spectral analysis divides the frequency spectrum into discrete modes, and the controller applies specific dampening strategies to each mode independently, rather than treating vibration as a single-frequency phenomenon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-frequency control approach to a multi-dimensional frequency spectrum analysis. By examining vibrations across the entire frequency spectrum rather than at a single frequency point, the system can identify and mitigate multiple vibration modes simultaneously, adding the frequency dimension to the control strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single frequency target is used for vibration reduction, then the control system is simple, but it cannot address multiple vibration modes with different energy levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidvibration mitigation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring vibrations across the frequency spectrum and adjusting controller settings in real-time based on the identified vibration modes. The spectral analysis provides feedback on which modes are present and their energy levels, allowing the controller to adaptively modify dampening strategies for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes control parameters (such as PID controller settings) based on the identified vibration modes and their characteristics. Rather than using fixed parameters, the controller adjusts parameters like proportional, integral, and derivative gains according to the specific frequency modes detected, optimizing mitigation for each mode's energy level and characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3735512B1System and method for stick-slip vibration mitigation
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 CONOCOPHILLIPS CO
  • EP3735512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3735512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3735512B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stick-slip vibration mitigation system and a method of using the system are provided. The system includes a sensor, a processor, a non-transitory storage medium, and a controller. The system is operable to be used with a drill-string in a wellbore during a drilling process to mitigate stick-slip vibration of the drill-string.