Methods and apparatus for attenuating drillstring vibrations

• US 20080066965A1
• Filed: 09/20/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation Incorporated In The State of Texas
• Inventors: Sihler, Joachim, Hsu, Chaur-Jian, Pabon, Jahir Alfonso, Pafitis, Demosthenis Georgeou
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/56
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/07 Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are described for highly attenuating vibrations of a drillstring assembly while drilling. In one embodiment, vibrations are attenuated by introducing one or more vibration attenuation modules at appropriate assembly locations. For example, vibration attenuation modules may be inserted at locations where vibration energy is expected to be maximal. In one embodiment the vibration attenuation modules include cavities loosely packed with particles of solid material such as sand or metallic powder. In one embodiment, the cavity walls are rough and/or include geometric features that enhance vibration energy transfer to the loosely packed particles in the cavity(ies). The vibration energy is dissipated via friction and inelastic particle-particle and particle-wall collisions that occur as a result of drillstring motion.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising;

an oilfield drillstring vibration attenuation module, the oilfield drillstring vibration attenuation module comprising;

a mandrel, the mandrel comprising;

an outer surface and an inner surface;

the inner surface defining a passageway through the mandrel;

an annular cavity between the inner and outer surfaces;

particles packed in the annular cavity.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mandrel comprises first and second threaded ends configured for insertion between adjacent drill pipes.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mandrel comprises:

a first pipe;

a second pipe threadedly attached to and disposed at least partially inside of the first pipe;

wherein the annular cavity is disposed between the first and second pipes.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mandrel comprises:

a first pipe;

a second pipe threadedly attached to and concentric with the first pipe;

wherein the annular cavity is disposed between the first and second pipes.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mandrel comprises an insertable stabilizer configured for modular placement in a drillstring.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the insertable stabilizer comprises a plurality of protruding blades, wherein the blades comprise the annular cavity and each is packed with the particles.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mandrel comprises a stabilizer ring configured for attachment about a drillstring.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the stabilizer ring is attached around a collar.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the stabilizer ring comprises a plurality of protruding blades, wherein the blades comprise the annular cavity and each is packed with the particles.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises an internal wall having features that enhance transfer of vibration energy from the internal wall to the particles.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the internal wall features comprise a spiral.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the internal wall features comprise a plurality of grooves and protrusions that increase particle/wall collisions.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the internal wall features comprise a roughened surface.

14. An apparatus, comprising;

an oilfield drillstring, the drillstring comprising;

at least one vibration attenuation module, the at least one vibration attenuation module comprising;

concentric pipes;

a cavity formed between the concentric pipes;

particles packed in the cavity.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cavity comprises internal wall features that enhance transfer of vibration energy from the drillstring to the particles.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the internal wall features are geometrically shaped to facilitate transfer of axial, lateral, and torsional vibration energy from the internal wall to the particles.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the internal wall features comprise a spiral.

18. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the internal wall features comprise a plurality of grooves and protrusions that increase particle/wall collisions.

19. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the internal wall features comprise a roughened surface.

20. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the internal wall features comprise a zig-zag pattern and a roughened surface.

21. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the particles are loosely packed in the cavity.

22. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the particles are solid.

23. An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of vibration attenuation modules.

24. An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of vibration attenuation modules, each of the plurality of vibration attenuation modules placed at anticipated maximum vibration locations of the drillstring.

25. A oilfield apparatus, comprising:

a drillstring, the drillstring comprising;

drill pipe;

a bottomhole assembly, the bottomhole assembly comprising;

concentric cylinders and an annular cavity;

particles of solid material loosely packed in the annular cavity.

26. An apparatus, comprising;

an oilfield drillstring, the drillstring comprising;

at least one vibration attenuation module, the at least one vibration attenuation module comprising;

a stabilizer ring including a plurality of hollow blades arranged around a collar;

wherein at least one of the hollow blades is loosely packed with particles.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein each of the hollow blades is loosely packed with particles.

28. A method, comprising:

attenuating drilling induced vibrations in an oilfield drillstring, the attenuating comprising;

inserting at least one particle-damping-based vibration attenuation module at one or more locations of the drillstring;

absorbing vibrational energy with the at least one vibration attenuation module.

29. A method according to claim 28, further comprising strategically inserting multiple vibration attenuation modules along the drillstring to reduce vibration.

30. A method according to claim 28, further comprising inserting multiple vibration attenuation modules along the drillstring at locations where vibrational energy is expected to be maximal.