Tubular String Surface Vibration for Wellbore Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Displacing a tubular string through a wellbore is challenging due to friction, including differential sticking, which impedes operations such as milling, drilling, stimulation, and testing, especially in long horizontal laterals where downhole vibratory tools are less effective.
Innovation Solution
Implementing systems and methods to induce axial vibration at the surface of the tubular string, using mechanisms like hydraulic or electric motors, fluid flow modulation, and vibration tools to create oscillating stress waves, which break static friction and enhance the displacement of coiled tubing or jointed pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If downhole vibratory tools are used to displace tubular string, then friction is reduced, but effectiveness decreases in long horizontal laterals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by applying vibration at the surface rather than downhole. The surface vibratory tool creates axial vibrations that travel through the tubular string from the top, reversing the traditional downhole vibration method and making it effective for long horizontal laterals where downhole tools fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular string itself acts as an intermediary, transmitting vibratory energy from the surface tool down through the entire length of the string to the downhole position. This allows vibration energy to be delivered effectively over long distances without requiring a downhole power source.
2Productivity
If surface vibration is applied to tubular string, then displacement efficiency improves, but equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface vibratory tool can be integrated with existing wellhead equipment and used for multiple operations including displacement, intervention, and stimulation. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile capabilities across different well operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the tubular string's own structural integrity to transmit vibration energy, requiring no additional downhole equipment or complex installation. The existing tubular string serves as the vibration transmission medium, eliminating the need for separate vibration delivery infrastructure.
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 surface-induced vibration effectively mitigates friction, allowing for smoother advancement of tubular strings into and out of wellbores, complementing downhole tools and improving the efficiency of operations like plug milling and intervention in horizontal sections.
Implementation Method 1
axially vibrating the tubular string at a surface location
Implementation Method 2
reducing friction between the tubular string and the wellbore due to the axially vibrating
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displacing a tubular string in a wellbore can include axially vibrating the tubular string at a surface location, and reducing friction between the tubular string and the wellbore due to the axially vibrating. The axial vibration may be imparted by operation of an injector assembly. The axial vibration may be imparted by operation of a vibration tool connected between the injector assembly and a wellhead or a support structure that suspends the injector assembly. The axial vibration may be imparted by varying a flow rate of fluid into the tubular string.