The Use of the Industry's First 3-D Mechanical Caliper Image While Drilling Leads to Optimized Rotary-Steerable Assemblies in Push- and Point-the-Bit Configurations

Sugiura, Junichi; Jones, Stephen J.

doi:10.2118/115395-ms

Cited by 21 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Linear stability analysis relies on postulating perturbed solutions of the form HðnÞ $ e an and solving for the characteristic complex conjugate roots with the largest real part. Here, a spectral approach was used (Wu and Michiels 2012). If all the roots are in the left-hand side of the complex plane, the system is stable.…”

Section: Propagation Equation and Stability Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Rotary-Steerable-System Design on Borehole Spiraling

Marck

Detournay

2016

SPE Journal

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The paper investigates the influence of the design of push-the-bit rotary-steerable systems (RSSs) on the tendency to drill spiraled boreholes by analyzing the directional stability of the bit trajectory. In this model, differences in RSS designs are accounted for conceptually by assigning a lateral stiffness to the RSS pads. This simple device, which introduces a dependence of the force on the pads upon the deflection of the bottomhole assembly (BHA) relative to the borehole axis, enables exploration of the influence of the actuation mechanism, with the RSS behaving at the ends of the spectrum either as a soft or as a stiff node of the drilling structure.According to this analysis, low pad stiffness has little consequence on the general behavior of the system. However, as the pad stiffness increases, any perturbation in the borehole geometry sensed by the pads alters the drilling direction of the bit and triggers, under certain conditions, self-excited oscillations in the borehole geometry. By increasing the transverse rigidity of the BHA in the vicinity of the bit, stiff RSS pads thus enhance the propensity of a drilling structure to drill spiraled holes and generate, if the system is directionally unstable, borehole oscillations with pitch that corresponds to the distance between the bit and the pads. In contrast, a directionally unstable BHA equipped with RSS characterized by a low stiffness produces spiraled holes with a wavelength corresponding to the distance between the bit and the first stabilizer.

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Section: Propagation Equation and Stability Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Rotary-Steerable-System Design on Borehole Spiraling

Marck

Detournay

2016

SPE Journal

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“…Their relevance in terms of amplitude, however, is not ascertained, as a smaller period should, in principle, corresponds to a smaller amplitude. Some frequency spectra of spiraled boreholes sometimes seem to identify these modes but, at the same time, confirm their small amplitudes (Sugiura and Jones 2008;Sugiura 2009). …”

Section: Influence Of ⌸ On the Directional Stability Of The Drilling mentioning

confidence: 83%

“…It corresponds to a rightmost-scaled root whose imaginary part is close to 2. This pitch corresponds to that typically observed in the field for spiraled holes, usually defined as the distance between the bit and the first contact between the BHA and the borehole -be it a stabilizer, the RSS pads, or an extra contact due to the deflection of the BHA (Sugiura and Jones 2008). Thus, this model is able not only to capture the geometrical feedback imposed by the relative positions of the stabilizers constrained by the borehole, but also to reproduce spirals as observed in the field.…”

Section: Influence Of ⌸ On the Directional Stability Of The Drilling mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Borehole spiraling is a common drilling dysfunction that still is not easily identified in real time without state-of-the-art downhole measurement devices (Sugiura and Jones 2008;Sugiura 2009). Smaller drift diameter (MacDonald and Lubinski 1951), lower-than-expected rates of penetration, damage, and fatigue to tools and components, as well as high levels of shocks and vibrations are common issues directly related to spiraled holes (Gaynor et al 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spiraled Boreholes: An Expression of 3D Directional Instability of Drilling Systems

Marck

Detournay

2015

Day 1 Tue, March 17, 2015

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The occurrence of borehole spiraling is predicted by analyzing the delay differential equations that govern the propagation of a borehole. These evolution equations for borehole inclination and azimuth are obtained by considering the following three model components: (i) a bit/rock interaction law that relates the force and moment acting on the bit to its penetration into the rock; (ii) kinematic relationships that describe the local borehole geometry from the bit penetration; and (iii) a beam model for the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) that can be used to express the force and moment at the bit from the external loads applied on the BHA and the geometrical constraints arising from the stabilizers conforming to the borehole geometry.The analytical nature of borehole propagation equations makes it possible to conduct a stability analysis in terms of a key dimensionless group that controls the directional stability of the drilling system. This group depends on the downhole weight on bit (WOB), on properties of the BHA, on the bluntness of the bit, and on parameters characterizing its response. The directional stability of a particular drilling system can be assessed by comparing the magnitude of this group with a critical value that depends only on the BHA configuration and on the bit walk. If this dimensionless group, which depends on the actual drilling conditions, is less than the bifurcation value, the system is deemed to be directionally unstable, and borehole spiraling is likely. Stability curves for an ideal BHA with two stabilizers are shown to depend on the bit walk. An application to a field example is discussed. Borehole simulations, based on solving the equations of propagation, also are presented to illustrate that, for unstable systems, the model reproduces spiraled boreholes with a pitch, comparable to what is observed in the field.

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“…al. 2006;Sugiura and Jones 2008). Whirl is a condition in which the BHA develops a sinusoidal vibration shape.…”

Section: Bit Gauge Lengthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extension of Gauge Length to Reduce Vibrations and Improve Drilling Performance

Smyth¹,

Evans²,

Babb³

et al. 2011

All Days

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During extended reach drilling operations at the Hibernia Platform, operated by Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. utilizing ExxonMobil Canada Ltd. resources, bit gauge length and profile have been systematically varied to improve drilling performance while using a standard bottomhole assembly (BHA) and bit design. Prior to developing the standard BHA design and implementing a global performance management process, the ExxonMobil Fast Drill Process, multiple bit runs were required to drill a typical high angle, 10,000-ft interval of 12¼-in. hole. Tool failure and bit damage caused by vibration resulted in multiple bit runs. In order to reduce vibrations and improve drilling performance, bit gauge length has been systematically increased in 1-in. increments while utilizing a standard BHA. Partially tapered gauge was used in conjunction with the increased gauge length to allow directional control. This paper presents the results of progressing from a 4-in. non-tapered gauge bit to a 5-, 6-, and 7-in. partially tapered gauge bit from 2005 to 2009. Mechanical specific energy (MSE), vibration, rotary steerable wear, and directional response data is presented to show the impact of the incremental changes in gauge length over a group of seven wells. The tapered profile and increased gauge length provided comparable directional response with significantly improved drilling performance, resulting in multiple field record rates of penetration (ROPs) and bit run lengths.

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The Use of the Industry's First 3-D Mechanical Caliper Image While Drilling Leads to Optimized Rotary-Steerable Assemblies in Push- and Point-the-Bit Configurations

Cited by 21 publications

References 12 publications

Influence of Rotary-Steerable-System Design on Borehole Spiraling

Influence of Rotary-Steerable-System Design on Borehole Spiraling

Spiraled Boreholes: An Expression of 3D Directional Instability of Drilling Systems

Extension of Gauge Length to Reduce Vibrations and Improve Drilling Performance

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