Resonance tools for use in wellbores

A method of performing a desired operation in a wellbore, comprising:

• conveying a resonance tool adapted to induce pulses of energy in an object located in the wellbore and engaged with the resonance tool, said resonance tool having a sensor associated therewith for detecting response of the object to the induced pulses of energy and providing signals representative of said response of the object;
• engaging the resonance tool with the object in the wellbore;
• inducing pulses of energy in the object at frequencies within a range of frequencies;
• detecting response of the object with the sensor to the induced pulses of energy and determining therefrom an operating frequency;
• and
• inducing pulses of the energy at the operating frequency to perform the desired operation.

A drill string for use in drilling a wellbore, comprising:

• (a) a drill bit at the downhole end of the drill string;
• (b) a bottom hole assembly uphole of the drill bit having a first sensor for determining a parameter of interest associated with the wellbore;
• and
• (c) a resonator attached to the drill string uphole of the drill bit, said resonator operable at frequencies within a predetermined range of frequencies, said resonator inducing pulses of energy when operated at said frequencies;
• and
• (d) a second sensor providing signals corresponding to response of the drill string to the induced pulses of energy for determining an operating frequency for the resonator.

A method of freeing a pipe stuck at a stuck point in a wellbore, comprising:

• (a) determining the stuck point by a wireline tool conveyed in the pipe, said wireline tool determining the location of the stuck point from response of the pipe to acoustic signals transmitted by the wireline tool within the pipe;
• (b) conveying a string in the pipe, said string having a vibratory device for generating pulses of mechanical energy at a predetermined frequency within a range of frequencies, a sensor for detecting response of the pipe to the pulses of mechanical energy and for generating signals representative of the response of the pipe, and a control circuit for determining an operating frequency for the pipe from the sensor signals;
• (c) securing the string to the pipe at a predetermined distance above the stuck point;
• (d) operating the vibratory device at a plurality of frequencies within the range of frequencies;
• (e) determining the operating frequency from the response of the pipe to the plurality of frequencies;
• and
• (f) operating the vibratory device at the operating frequency to free the pipe.

A method of freeing an object located in a wellbore, comprising:

• (a) determining the location of the object within the wellbore;
• (b) securing a string to the object, said string having, a vibratory device for generating pulses of mechanical energy at a predetermined frequency within a range of frequencies, a sensor for detecting response of the object to the pulses of mechanical energy and for generating signals representative of the response of the object, and a control circuit for determining an operating frequency for the object from the sensor signals;
• (c) operating the vibratory device at a plurality of frequencies within the range of frequencies;
• (d) selecting an operating frequency from the response of the object to the plurality of frequencies;
• and
• (e) operating the vibratory device at the operating frequency to free the object.

A method of freeing a drill pipe stuck at a stuck point in a wellbore, said drill pipe having a landing collar inside the drill pipe above the stuck point, said method comprising:

• (a) conveying a string in the drill pipe, said string having,
• (i) a vibratory device for generating pulses of mechanical energy at a predetermined frequency within a range of frequencies,
• (ii) a sensor associated with the string for detecting response of the drill pipe to the pulses of mechanical energy and for generating signals representative of the response of the drill pipe, and
• (iii) a control circuit for determining an operating frequency for the drill pipe from the sensor signals and generating corresponding control signals;
• (b) securing the drill string at the collar;
• (c) operating the vibratory device by sweeping the frequency of operation within the range of frequencies;
• (d) determining the response of the drill pipe to the vibratory device frequencies;
• (e) selecting the operating frequency for operating the vibratory device;
• and
• (f) operating the vibratory device at the operating frequency to free the dill pipe.