Method to extend PDC bit life and improve drilling speed by mitigating slip-stick
OwnerKenneth L Nashinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system to improve drill bit performance of a PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) drill bit by releasing torsional energy in the drilling string produced by slip-stick. A slip apparatus is positioned in the drilling string for this purpose in or between a transition region of the BHA and the remaining drill pipe of the drilling string and the middle region of the drill pipe. Alternatively, the slip apparatus is positioned utilizing a computer programmed to select a position in the drilling string for releasing torsional energy produced by slip stick.
Claims18
A system to improve drill bit performance of a PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) drill bit by controlling slip-stick, said system comprising a slip apparatus connectable in a drilling string that is positioned in said drilling string to release torsional energy from said drilling string produced due to slip-stick during drilling of a wellbore, said drilling string extending from the surface to said PDC drill bit, said PDC drill bit being rotated by a drive that produces a rotational drilling force, said slip apparatus being connectable between a first tubular and a second tubular in said drilling string, said drilling string comprising drill pipe and a BHA (bottom hole assembly), a transition region between said drill pipe and said BHA, a middle region of said drilling string, said system comprising:
- a first component of said slip apparatus being threadably connectable with said first tubular;
- a second component of said slip apparatus being threadably connectable with said second tubular;
- said first component and said second component being mechanically connected to lock said first tubular and said second tubular together to transmit rotational energy produced by said drive through the first tubular and said second tubular while drilling with said PDC drill bit, said first component and said second component being mechanically connected to permit relative rotation between said first tubular and said second tubular in response to slip-stick;
- and said slip apparatus being positioned in or between said transition region and said middle region of said drilling string;
- and
- wherein said first component and said second component are mechanically linked to lock said first tubular and said second tubular together when said second tubular rotates at a velocity equal to or less than said first tubular, and permit relative rotation between said first tubular and said second tubular when said second tubular rotates at a velocity greater than said first tubular thereby releasing torsional energy from said drilling string.
A method for drilling a wellbore with a PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) drill bit, a slip apparatus connectable in a drilling string, said slip apparatus being positioned in said drilling string to release torsional energy from said drilling string produced due to slip-stick during drilling of a wellbore, said drilling string extending from the surface to said PDC drill bit, said drilling string comprising a BHA (bottom hole assembly) and a length of drill pipe longer than said BHA, a drive to produce rotational drilling force to rotate said PDC drill bit for drilling said wellbore, a transition region between said length of drill pipe and said BHA, a middle region of said drilling string, said method comprising:
- providing a first component of said slip apparatus, providing a second component of said slip apparatus, positioning said slip apparatus in or between said transition region and said middle region of said drilling string;
- and
- providing that said first component and said second component are mechanically connected to lock together to transmit said rotational drilling force while drilling with said PDC drill bit, and to permit relative rotation between said first component and said second component in response to slip-stick to thereby release torsional energy from said drilling string, said first component being connected to rotate with a first tubular and said second component being connected to rotate with a second tubular, wherein said first component and said second component permit relative rotation between said first tubular and said second tubular when said second tubular rotates at a velocity greater than said first tubular responsively to said slip-stick.
A method for drilling a wellbore with a PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) drill bit, a slip apparatus that is positioned in said drilling string to release torsional energy from said drilling string produced due to slip-stick during drilling of a wellbore, said drilling string extending from the surface to said PDC drill bit, said drilling string comprising a (bottom hole assembly) BHA and a length of drill pipe longer than said BHA, a drive to produce rotational drilling force to rotate said PDC drill bit for drilling said wellbore, a transition region between said length of drill pipe and said BHA, a middle region of said drilling string, said method comprising:
- providing that said slip apparatus is operable to drive said drilling string or to release torsional energy;
- utilizing a processor to make torque and drag calculations on said drilling string;
- said BHA comprising said PDC drill bit and components comprising one or more of a bit sub, drill collar, heavyweight drill collar, heavy weight drill pipe, stabilizer, reamer, shock, hole opener, downhole motor, rotary steerable system, directional equipment, measurement while drilling equipment, steering unit, near bit inclination, non-magnetic drill collar said length of drill pipe comprising one or more of a drill pipe, coiled tubing, heavyweight drill pipe, or a stabilizer;
- and utilizing said torque and drag calculations on said drilling string for determining a position for said slip apparatus in said drilling string to control torsional energy in said drilling string produced by slip-stick;
- and positioning said slip apparatus in said drilling string at the determined position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.