Vibrational Tool Rotatable Mass Coiled Tubing Friction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Coiled tubing in oil and gas operations faces challenges in pushing further into the wellbore due to insufficient weight to overcome frictional forces, especially in deviated or horizontal wells, where traditional drill strings fail to move the tubing effectively, and coiled tubing is prone to sticking and drag issues.
Innovation Solution
A vibrational tool with a rotatable mass mounted within a housing, utilizing drilling fluid flow to induce rotation and create axial vibrations, coupled with a mechanical interconnection to produce reciprocating motion, which helps overcome friction and stabilize the tubing by providing a gyroscopic effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If coiled tubing is used instead of traditional drill pipe, then setup cost and time are reduced, but drag and friction forces increase making it harder to push into the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a vibrational tool that generates axial vibrations to counteract frictional forces between the coiled tubing and wellbore. The vibration tool includes a rotatable mass that creates reciprocating motion to reduce drag and enable deeper penetration of the tubing into the wellbore.
2Force
If the weight of the drill string is increased to overcome friction, then downward movement is improved, but the flexibility and lightness of coiled tubing prevents sufficient weight accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrational tool generates axial vibrations that create additional downward force to overcome friction, compensating for the insufficient weight of the lightweight coiled tubing. The reciprocating motion produced by the rotatable mass provides the necessary force to push the tubing deeper without requiring increased weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the reliance on gravitational force (weight) with a mechanical vibration system. Instead of depending on the weight of the drill string to overcome friction, the system uses mechanically generated vibrations and reciprocating motion to achieve downward movement.
3Productivity
If coiled tubing is spooled and stored in a coiled configuration, then storage efficiency is improved, but the spiral effect creates more sticking points in the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrational tool generates vibrations that prevent the coiled tubing from sticking at multiple points along its length. The reciprocating motion disrupts the spiral configuration and reduces friction at potential sticking points, allowing the coiled tubing to move smoothly despite its spooled storage configuration.
4Force
If traditional vibrational tools are used to overcome friction, then downward movement is achieved, but the forces created are not efficient in utilizing the energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration through a rotatable mass that converts rotational motion into efficient reciprocating axial motion. This vibration mechanism creates more efficient force application compared to traditional vibrational tools, better utilizing the energy generated to overcome friction and move the tubing downward.
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 moves coiled tubing deeper into the wellbore by generating vibrations that counteract friction, reducing sticking and drag, and stabilizes the tubing through a gyroscopic effect, enhancing drilling efficiency in challenging well geometries.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable mass mounted within the housing for at least substantially symmetrical rotation within the housing around an axis of the housing, whereby the rotatable mass may be configured to rotate in response to flow of drilling fluid through the housing
Implementation Method 2
a first mechanical interconnection between the rotatable mass and the reciprocal member whereby the roational movement of the rotatable mass results in reciprocating movement of the reciprocal member
Implementation Method 3
A vibrational tool with a rotatable mass mounted within a housing, utilizing drilling fluid flow to induce rotation and create axial vibrations, coupled with a mechanical interconnection to produce reciprocating motion, which helps overcome friction and stabilize the tubing
Implementation Method 4
provide a stabilizing gyroscopic effect due to rotation of a symmetrical mass around the axis of the tool
Data Source
AI summary
A vibrational tool with tool axis rotational mass and method is disclosed, which may be utilized to assist in lowering a drill string into a wellbore. A reciprocating member and rotatable mass are mounted within a vibrational tool housing. A plurality of curved passageways are positioned to induce rotation in response to fluid flow through the tool housing. As the rotatable mass rotates, a mechanical interconnection causes the reciprocating member to reciprocate, and results in vibrational forces for moving a bottom hole assembly.