Swivel Mechanism for Drilling Assembly Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drilling methods require switching between rotary and sliding drilling techniques, leading to reduced overall drilling performance and increased costs due to the need for specialized tools and complex control systems, particularly in directional drilling applications.
Innovation Solution
A drilling apparatus and method that incorporates a rotation restraining device and swivel, allowing for adjustable rotation of the drilling assembly relative to the borehole, enabling continuous drilling with reduced friction and improved weight-on-bit control without the need for rotary steerable tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rotary steerable tools are used for directional drilling, then directional control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling system is segmented into independent functional components: the drill pipe rotates independently while the bottom-hole assembly maintains directional control through the swivel mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without requiring complex integrated rotary steerable tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rotating drill pipe and the stationary bottom-hole assembly. It transfers rotational motion from the drill pipe to the drill bit while allowing the bottom-hole assembly to maintain its orientation for directional control, eliminating the need for complex rotary steerable tools.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rotary drilling is used, then friction is reduced, but weight-on-bit control becomes difficult in directional drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotation and movement characteristics through the swivel mechanism. The drill pipe can rotate continuously to reduce friction, while the swivel allows dynamic adjustment of the bottom-hole assembly's position and orientation, maintaining weight-on-bit control despite the rotational motion.
3Manufacturing precision
If sliding drilling is used for directional control, then directional accuracy is improved, but friction increases and drilling performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel mechanism enables periodic adjustment of the bottom-hole assembly's orientation while the drill pipe rotates continuously. This periodic action maintains directional accuracy similar to sliding drilling, while the continuous rotation eliminates static friction, improving drilling performance.
4Productivity
If rotary drilling with fixed connection is used, then drilling performance is improved, but directional control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel mechanism introduces dynamic adaptability to the system, allowing the bottom-hole assembly to adjust its orientation periodically while the drill pipe rotates continuously. This maintains drilling performance while restoring directional control capability that would otherwise be lost with a fixed connection.
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
Enhances drilling performance by maintaining optimal weight-on-bit and directional control, reducing friction, and lowering operational costs by eliminating the need for rotary steerable tools, while allowing for both non-directional and directional drilling with improved efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
dynamic friction (resulting from rotation of the drill pipe during rotary drilling) is typically less than static friction (resulting from sliding drilling), which may result in less reduction in weight-on-bit due to friction during rotary drilling than during sliding drilling
Implementation Method 2
dynamic friction (resulting from rotation of the drill pipe during rotary drilling) is typically less than static friction (resulting from sliding drilling), which may result in less reduction in weight-on-bit due to friction during rotary drilling than during sliding drilling
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling apparatus connectable with a drill pipe and connectable with a drilling assembly comprising a drilling assembly housing, for use in drilling a borehole, including a rotation restraining device actuatable between a retracted position and an extended position, a rotation restraining device actuator for actuating the rotation restraining device between the retracted position and the extended position, a swivel actuatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a swivel actuator for actuating the swivel between the locked position and the unlocked position. A method for drilling a borehole, including connecting a drilling assembly with a drill pipe, wherein the drilling assembly comprises a drilling assembly housing, drilling while rotating the drill pipe and thereby rotating the drilling assembly housing, and drilling while rotating the drill pipe relative to the drilling assembly housing.