Hydraulic Pipe String Vibrator Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe string friction reducing apparatuses (FRA) are susceptible to deterioration in wellbore environments and cannot facilitate the use of ball or dart activated downhole tools, requiring additional trips and being ineffective in inducing vibration across the entire pipe string.
Innovation Solution
A tubular housing with interconnected mandrels, a reciprocating tubular shifter, and a valve that creates fluid pressure fluctuations to induce vibration along the pipe string, allowing for the passage of a ball or dart to activate downhole tools and maintaining safe fluid pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Moineau power sections with rubber sealing mechanisms are used to induce pipe string vibration, then vibration can be generated, but the rubber seals are subject to deterioration over time due to wellbore temperatures, pressures, drilling fluids, and chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rubber seal components from the vibration generation system. Instead of using Moineau power sections with rubber seals, the invention employs a vibratory generator that creates vibrations through mechanical impact elements striking an anvil, eliminating the deteriorating rubber seal mechanism while maintaining vibration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive, long-lived but vulnerable rubber seal system with a simpler, more durable mechanical impact system that uses wear-resistant metal components. The impact elements and anvil are designed to withstand the harsh wellbore environment without the deterioration issues plaguing rubber seals
2Reliability
If a typical FRA is used to reduce friction, then vibration is generated, but the FRA must be removed before a ball or dart activated tool can be used, requiring additional trips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the vibratory generator with a central bore that allows drilling fluid and ball/dart objects to pass through freely. This universal design enables the FRA to perform its friction reduction function while simultaneously allowing the wellbore to be used for ball or dart activated tools, eliminating the need to remove the FRA between operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the vibration generation function with the fluid flow path in a single integrated device. The central bore serves dual purposes: allowing fluid circulation for vibration generation and permitting ball/dart passage for tool activation, merging two previously separate operational requirements into one unified system
3Power
If reciprocating impact elements are used to generate vibration, then localized vibration is produced, but the vibration is only generated at a localized segment of the pipe string
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vibratory generator with impact elements that strike an anvil to create mechanical vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted through the pipe string, and by positioning the generator at a strategic location, vibrations propagate along the entire length of the pipe string, affecting a much larger area than localized impact elements alone could achieve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from localized linear impact to distributed vibrational energy transmission. By generating vibrations that propagate through the pipe string in multiple directions and along its length, the system expands the effective area from a localized point to the entire pipe string, utilizing dimensional propagation of vibrational energy
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 pipe string, enabling deeper wellbore penetration and concurrent use with ball or dart activated tools without the need for additional trips, while maintaining safe fluid pressures and resisting environmental degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a valve that creates fluid pressure fluctuations to induce vibration along the pipe string
Implementation Method 2
induce vibration to a pipe string to reduce the coefficient of friction between the pipe string and the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A friction reduction apparatus (FRA) positioned onto a pipe string comprises a tubular housing, upper and lower mandrels having variously configured fluid flow passages and ports, a valve and a shifter. Fluid travelling through the apparatus causes the valve and shifter to reciprocate, repeatedly opening and closing flow passages. Each of these cycles creates a pulse in the fluid column creating vibrations that reduce friction in the pipe string. The FRA can be used in conjunction with a ball or dart activated tool positioned downhole from the FRA.