Multiple Movement Isolators Reduce Drill String Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Borehole operations face inefficiencies due to friction and drag forces experienced by drill strings, particularly when sensitive tools require isolation from rotational movement, leading to suboptimal operational efficiency and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple movement isolators along the drill string, combined with movement motors in isolated sections, allows for controlled movement types and intensities, separating the drill string into portions with specific tools and motors to reduce friction and drag forces, while keeping sensitive tools stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the drill string is rotated to reduce friction force, then the friction force is reduced, but sensitive tools experience harmful rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is divided into multiple isolated portions using movement isolators. Each portion can be independently controlled - some portions rotate to reduce friction while others remain stationary to protect sensitive tools. This segmentation allows different sections of the drill string to have different movement states simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Movement isolators act as intermediary devices between the rotating drill string portions and the sensitive tools. These isolators transmit or block rotational movement selectively, allowing the drill string to rotate for friction reduction while preventing rotation from reaching sensitive tools located in isolated portions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single swivel segment is used to isolate tools from rotation, then tool protection is achieved, but the entire lower drill string must be isolated reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of isolating the entire lower drill string with a single swivel, multiple movement isolators divide the drill string into separate portions. This allows only the necessary portions to be isolated from rotation while other portions can rotate freely to reduce friction, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the drill string are given different movement characteristics based on local requirements. Sensitive tools are located in isolated portions that remain stationary, while other portions can rotate to reduce friction. This localized approach optimizes both tool protection and operational efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If multiple movement isolators are used to create isolated portions, then precise movement control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement isolators are designed as standardized components that can be used repeatedly in different positions along the drill string. Each isolator performs the same function of transmitting or blocking rotational movement, allowing for modular assembly and simplified control systems compared to custom isolation mechanisms for each portion.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure presents apparatuses and systems to reduce drag and friction forces on a drill string located downhole a borehole. The drill string can have two or more movement isolators to allow a movement sensitive tool to be movement isolated from other portions of the drill string that have powered movement. The other drill string portions can be powered by a surface equipment or by a downhole movement motor attached to the drill string, such as a rotational mud motor, an agitator, a jar motor, or a rotary steerable. Portions of the drill string located further downhole than the movement sensitive tool can utilize a movement motor attached to the drill string to provide movement to reduce drag and friction force where the movement isolators can reduce the movement force experienced by the movement sensitive tool.