Helical Reamer Drill Pipe for Stuck Pipe Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stuck pipe incidents during drilling operations result in significant delays and costs due to differential sticking and borehole pack-off, where high-contact forces and debris accumulation cause drill pipes to become stationary and difficult to free.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a debris removal system with spiral notches on the drill pipe and a rotary dynamic system that allows continuous rotation of an outer sleeve independent of the drill pipe, along with a dissolvable layer on the drill pipe to facilitate movement when stuck, helps prevent and resolve stuck pipe incidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drill pipe remains stationary for extended periods, then mud cake accumulates and solidifies around the drill pipe causing it to become stuck, but continuous rotation may not be possible when stuck pipe incidents occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrill pipe mobilityVSAvoiddowntime due to stuck pipe incidents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a rotary dynamic system that allows the outer sleeve to rotate independently of the drill pipe. This enables the system to transition between stationary and rotating states dynamically, maintaining drill pipe mobility while allowing operation to continue even when the drill pipe itself is stuck, thereby reducing downtime and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the drill pipe system into separate rotating components (inner drill pipe and outer sleeve) that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows the outer sleeve to continue rotating to prevent mud cake accumulation even when the inner drill pipe is stuck, addressing the contradiction between maintaining mobility and reducing downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If spiral notches are added to the drill pipe to remove debris, then borehole pack-off is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris accumulationVSAvoiddrill pipe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the debris removal function into the existing drill pipe structure by integrating spiral notches directly into the outer sleeve. This combining approach allows the drill pipe to perform both drilling and debris removal functions simultaneously, reducing the need for separate tools and minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively addressing debris accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a dissolvable layer is applied to the drill pipe to facilitate movement, then stuck pipe incidents are resolved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrill pipe movementVSAvoidcoating application process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by using a dissolvable layer that is intentionally designed to be temporary and degradable. This layer is applied to facilitate easy movement during stuck pipe incidents and then dissolves after serving its purpose, eliminating the need for complex removal mechanisms. While the manufacturing process does become slightly more complex due to the coating application, the overall system simplicity and operational ease outweigh this minor increase in manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 the occurrence of stuck pipe incidents by maintaining drill pipe mobility and preventing mud caking, thereby minimizing downtime and costs associated with stuck pipes.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one spiral notch elevates at least one piece of debris from a bottom portion of the borehole when the drill pipe rotates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpiral geometry motion conversion: Helix

Implementation Method 2

at least one wear-resistant coating disposed on an exterior surface of at least one of the drill pipe and the at least one spiral notch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11319777B2Extended surface system with helical reamers

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A debris removal system includes: a drill pipe disposed within a borehole including a threaded portion disposed longitudinally above a bottom hole assembly (BHA). The threaded portion includes at least one spiral notch that wraps around the drill pipe. An outer diameter of the threaded portion of the drill pipe remains constant throughout a longitudinal length of the threaded portion.