Downhole Propulsion Generator Using Gyroscopic Flywheel Vibrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling strings, particularly coiled tubing, face significant resistance and sticking issues in well bores due to their flexibility and inability to transmit force effectively, especially in high-angle or horizontal wells, leading to difficulties in advancing the bottom hole assembly and increasing the risk of becoming stuck.
Innovation Solution
A downhole propulsion tool with a flywheel system that utilizes fluid flow to create gyroscopic vibrations, offset from the center of rotation, to generate propulsion and reduce sticking by applying sonic vibrations to the drilling motor and bit, allowing for both downward and upward movement of the drill string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coiled tubing is used to access remote well locations, then adaptability to high-angle and horizontal wells is improved, but resistance and sticking issues increase due to flexibility and inability to transmit force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibration generator that produces mechanical vibrations along the coiled tubing string. These vibrations reduce friction and resistance between the tubing and wellbore wall, enabling force transmission through the flexible tubing in high-angle and horizontal sections where conventional force transmission fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration generator operates periodically to create oscillating motion in the coiled tubing. This periodic action allows the tubing to overcome static friction and resistance forces intermittently, enabling progressive advancement of the bottom hole assembly through difficult wellbore sections.
2Productivity
If downhole motors are used to rotate the drill bit, then drilling capability is improved, but fluid flow restriction and motor fatigue increase due to pulsation inducing devices
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration generator applies mechanical vibrations to the drill string and bottom hole assembly, reducing friction and resistance forces. This allows downhole motors to operate more efficiently with unrestricted fluid flow, as the vibrations compensate for resistance rather than requiring pulsating flow to overcome it.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration generator acts as an intermediary mechanism between the drilling system and the wellbore environment. It mediates the interaction by reducing friction through vibrations, allowing fluid to flow freely while still enabling effective drilling in high-angle and horizontal sections.
3Length of moving object
If the bottom hole assembly is advanced deeper into the well, then drilling depth is improved, but risk of becoming stuck increases due to drag and potential sticking against well bore wall
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration generator continuously applies mechanical vibrations to the bottom hole assembly and drill string, preventing the buildup of static friction that leads to sticking. This allows the assembly to be advanced deeper into the well while maintaining the ability to overcome resistance forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration generator operates continuously during drilling operations, maintaining constant vibrational energy input to the drill string. This continuous action prevents intermittent sticking events and ensures reliable force transmission throughout the drilling process, enabling greater depths to be reached.
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 tool effectively advances the bottom hole assembly deeper into the well and reduces sticking by maintaining continuous fluid flow and applying vibrations that reduce friction, enabling efficient drilling and retrieval of the drill string.
Implementation Method 1
The flywheel may be sized and rotated at a speed to produce a gyroscopic effect
Implementation Method 2
The fly wheel receives energy for rotation in response to fluid flow through the fluid flow path
Implementation Method 3
The center of mass of the flywheel may be offset from the center of rotation, which results in vibrations being created during rotation
Implementation Method 4
applying sonic vibrations to the drilling motor and bit
Data Source
AI summary
A propulsion generator which employs one or more unbalanced rotors, such as fly wheels or other unbalance rotating members, which can be connected at a lower portion of a downhole coiled tubing string or other downhole tubular string for inducing propulsion of the coiled tubing. The unbalanced rotors may be oriented at different positions with respect to each other. The instantaneous fluid flow through the propulsion generator is substantially equivalent to the average fluid flow rate through the tool to provide relatively consistent fluid flow to downhole motors below the propulsion generator for operating the drill bit and/or cutters.