Reactive Torque Balancing for Screw Drilling Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
In directional and horizontal well drilling, screw drilling tools experience high axial friction due to non-rotating drill strings, leading to low Rate of Penetration (ROP) and stability issues, which existing technologies attempt to address by using expensive rotary steering tools.
Innovation Solution
A reactive torque automatic balancing device for screw drilling tools, comprising a cylindrical upper joint, core cylinder, and automatic balancing assembly driven by hydraulic pressure, allowing the drill string to rotate and balance friction torque with reactive torque, thereby reducing axial friction and increasing ROP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drill string is rotated to reduce axial friction and increase ROP, then the Rate of Penetration improves, but the tool face stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the drill string into rotating and non-rotating sections. The upper joint and core cylinder rotate to reduce friction, while the lower joint and screw drilling tool remain stationary to maintain tool face stability. This segmentation allows independent optimization of both ROP and steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic balancing assembly acts as an intermediary between the rotating upper joint and the stationary lower joint. It absorbs and balances the reactive torque generated by the screw drilling tool, enabling the upper section to rotate freely while maintaining tool face stability at the lower section.
2Productivity
If rotary steering tools are used to control wellbore trajectory and rotate the drill string, then the Rate of Penetration and trajectory control improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic balancing assembly uses the reactive torque naturally generated by the screw drilling tool's operation as its power source. The friction between the stator and rotor automatically balances this reactive torque without requiring external power sources, complex control systems, or additional energy consumption, making the device simple and cost-effective.
3Stability of the object's composition
If sliding drilling is used to maintain tool face stability, then the tool face control improves, but the axial friction increases and ROP decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces dynamic rotation capability to the previously static upper joint and core cylinder. By allowing these sections to rotate while the lower joint remains stationary, the system dynamically adapts to reduce axial friction and improve ROP while maintaining tool face stability through the automatic balancing mechanism.
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 device stabilizes the tool face of the screw drilling tool, significantly increases ROP, and reduces drilling costs by using a simple and cost-effective structure, allowing for efficient directional and combined drilling.
Implementation Method 1
an automatic balancing assembly, which is arranged between an outer wall of the core cylinder and an inner wall of the upper joint, and driven by hydraulic pressure generated by a part of the drilling fluid flowing through the inner chamber of the upper joint
Implementation Method 2
the automatic balance assembly enables a friction torque generated between the upper joint and the core cylinder equal to a reactive torque generated on the housing of the screw drilling tool
Data Source
AI summary
A reactive torque automatic balancing device for a screw drilling tool includes an upper joint (1); a core cylinder (9) having an inner chamber in communication with the screw drilling tool (305) located downstream, so that drilling fluid from the inner chamber of the upper joint (1) flows to the screw drilling tool (305) through the inner chamber of the core cylinder (9) to allow the screw drilling tool to perform drilling; a lower joint (16) fixedly arranged at a lower end of the core cylinder (9); and an automatic balancing assembly, which is arranged between an outer wall of the core cylinder (9) and an inner wall of the upper joint (1), and driven by hydraulic pressure generated by a part of the drilling fluid flowing through the inner chamber of the upper joint (1).