IADCISPE, 2753fl ,

,, . . .. . . .-. ...

Performance Dril[ina: A Practical Solution to Drillstring Vibration

John Gallagher, Baker Hughes INTEQ;. Mike_.Wailer,. Shell (U.K.). E&n and John Ruszka,
Baker Hughes .INTEQ
IADCMernbm
. .. . . . ... . . . ..
CaPYrih! 1994 IADCJSPE milhg Coni+a.io,
,. ...
Tfi!sPaw,.as ww.nd 10, Pres,!adon a, ,k 199, ,4DCJSPE Ming CO,.,.,, hold% Oal,W Tom; ,6-,, Febmrj ,994.

Thk PWer .8, ml..tad !., we,ermlcm by an IACCISPE P,cq,an Commltee Mowing tiew d lnbrrm,lm Citaknd In a ab,trwl whmflmd by,h. .MI0,(3). Cuntmt% oftilePP.,,
- P,e,a,ed. have d ken MJewsd by ,W So.claly of Pet,olnu,n E,gin,em O, ,he I,tem,tl,,l timclal!or .1 Dn,llng Ca,@cWS and W, subjec+ ,. $orr@lnn by he author(,). Tim
,terkl, as P,,SO,,d, d,.e ,o!>,e_@y mllwi w F.M,b of !he UK ,, SP< S!,1, .31fl.cm, or mmbw. P.w,s P@w,e5 at l~C/SPE .6+Mw am ,bJect to Pblicakw
,evlw by Edi,m,d Commtlws d ,h, IADC and SPE, Pmi,,(., ,. cow h ,,str,d,d ,. m absl,aa of m! m,. mm .3c0 word,, IIIUSOMWS may M b, coP,,d. m, d+trac, should
cm!,! @rwicm Mnw,wgm,, O( wham and by whom ,W WWF h P,esun,m. WfitE Llbrar,m, SPE, P.O. s.<8s$936. W,hardsnn, TX 75083.3826 U.SA Tel,.. ,63245 SPET.

ABSTRACT
Recent research has greatly enhanced
appreciation of drillstring dynamic behaviour but, as is
often the case, this work has raised more questions
than it has answered. NOW that the inherent
limitations of rotary drilling are better ~derstood, the
search is on for a fnaans of closing tha efficiency
gap, ie, the short fail betwe,en the performance levels
that should be achievable with sophisticated modern
bits and the uncertain, frequently
results that are seen in the field.
This paper describes how ixmtem~orary mud motor
technology can be applied to drastically reduce the
efficiency gap by the simple expedient of providiig
the bit with the operating conditions for which it was
designed, rather than the harsh and destructive
environment imposed by rotary drillstring vibration.
INTRODUCTION
The last few years have seen so-me intentive research
irito.. the subject of drillstring behavibur, [%n As a
result, it has become clear that simple ccmceptual
models of how the drillstring works are inadequate in
two fundamental respects: they do ~t deaCdbe what
actually happens and they do not acccmnt for the
effects that are observed, . Straightiorward r6tation as
observed at surface is, iri reality, trarislited into
complex motion downhole which is iffeitid by many
variablea and i$ subject to change over time. Workers
heavy cost burden on the industry in terms of sub-
standard bit tierformance and drillstring tilure. .
the industrys
An issue. as complex as vjbratiOn dOes Ot ied it~e[f
to a single, dramatic solution, however now that the
main elements Df the problem have been defined it. is
possible to identify individual techniques that, taken
together, can greatly improve the situation. The
approach described here, the use of ultra-high torque
motors, has now been under evaluation in the Cantral
disappointing, North Sea for Dver two years. The quality and
consistency of the results achieved in this notoriously
unpredictable area suggest that motors can make an
important contribution to improving efficiency and
reducing costs. To appreciate why this is the case it
is necessary m consider two things, firstly the
specific dynamic effects that are being addressed
and, secondly, the. characteristics ,of modern PDMs
(positive displacement mud motors) that make them
particularly well adapted to the task.
DRILLSTRING DYNAMICS
Although this paper focuses ok one type of vibration
in partiitilar - torsional - it. may be useful to touch on
the other main form which significantly affecta drilling
performance.
~n
Lateral vibration of the drillbit (whirl) occurs when the
bit rotates about a point other than its ow cetre.

in this field have identified a group of related The condition occurs in Dvergauge hole which can,
phenomana, collact~vgly ..kno=wn .ISL. yibmtjgn., which. itself, be caused either by the bit having an inherent
are inherent to. all dr31~.ng operations and irhpose a tendency to whirl or by high external side-loading.
Two forms have been identified . .. Forward whirl

961

2 PERFORMANCE
DRILUNG:A PRACTICALSOLUTIDNTO DRILLSTRINGVIBRATION
arises when. the instantaneous centre of rotation hes
between the centre of the hole and the centre of the
bit. Becatise nearly all of the cutting structure is
traveling forward with respect to the formation the
effects are not particularly detrimental. Backwards
whirl is induced when the instantaneous centre of
rotation lies between the centre of the bit and the
borehole wall. The bit is caused to walk backwards
around the borehole, experiencing both lateral impact
against the side .of the ho!e and reverse motion of a
significant part of the cutting structure against the
formation. Although all bits experience whirl the.
consequences are particularly severe for PDCS since
the diamond table of the cutters, though enormously
strong in compression, is weak in tension. The
tendency to bsckwards whirl can be controlled by
modifications to the cutter distribution and the gauge
of the bit, and also by avoiding a combination of high
rotational apeed and low weight on bit.<, 2]
Torsional Vibration
As a transmission system the rotary drillstring has a
number of inherent limitations which stem f(om the
variety of other demanda that are made on it. Below
a certain depth all drillstring are effectively flexible in
torsion and assume characteristics which are usually
modelled .5s a spring With a hesvy mass of large
diameter [the BHA) attached at its lower end.(] When
rotation starts, torsional waves are induced in the
system from two main sources: , actual on-bottom
1) Static friction arising from contact between the
bottom hole assembly and the wall of the hole.
Given the inherent flexibility of drillpipe, torque is
absorbed (stored) in the drillstring up to a poinx
where the static friction acting againat it is
overcome: As the stored energy is released the
drillstring, including the BHA, accelerates until the
stored energy has been dissipated, and with the
effebis of iriertia the neutral condition .rnaY even
be exceeded, Fe, the BHA may over-rotste and
then rotate backwards as a result of the restoring
force. [41
2) Dynamic fricfion arising from contact between the
bit and. the bottom. of the hole. It has been
shown .th.at, for a constant applied weight, bit
reactive torque is .a function of rotational speed.
Pa~igularly in the case of PDC bits, which destroy
the rock matrix with. a.. ahearing action, reactive
torque decreases as speed of rotation increases
and this effect in itself is sufficient to-induce a
self-perpetuating to fsiotial wave in the drillstring.
Bit-induced..toraional vibration is also influenced
by weight on bit and, paradoxically, is most acute
with drilling parameters that would otherwise be
desirable, specifically high bit weight
maidmum cutter penetration and moderate rotary
=.
speed to avoid the onset of bit whirl.
SPE0275?.8
It is also
I
known that torsional vibradons originating at the I
bit are more likely to occur in hard formations and
when the bit is dull.(31
In either of the scenarios described above the torque
generated st the bottom of the hole is transmitted to
surface through the drillstring and then reflected
downwards again by the inertia of the rotary drive
which, in conventional systems, is designed to
maintain constant speed despite variations in--torque.
The net result is that a cyclic torsional wave is
generated whose frequency is primarily a function of.
depth. This effect, commonly known as slip-stick,
occurs to a greater or lesser extent in all rotary drilling
operations with consequences ranging from the
insignificant to the catastrophic while many wells are
drilled perfectly satisfactorily on rotary, others .sre
beset with problems of drillstring failure and Poor bit.
performance.
As recent developmenti Tii surface and downhole
vibration measurement have shown, slip-stick can be
an extremely powerful and destructive phenomenon,
Some of the effects that have been observed are
quite atarding. They include
Major fluctuations in bit speed. In the slip phase
of the cycle, ie, as stored energy is released and
the BHA accelerates, it has been auggeated that
rotational speed can excqed.
surface R.PM by a factor of between three and ten
times. [3]
Periods of zero rotation. At the end of the slip
phase there ia an interval when the bit is
stationav as the surface drive catches up with
the BHA and applies torque to overcome static
friction. The stationa~condhion can account for
as much as 500A of total drilling time and
obviously haa a major impact on penetration
rate .{l
Backward rotation. There is evidence both from
laboratory models and field testa thatit is possible
for the BHA to spin backwards during the
torsional cycle, causing serious ciitting element
damsge, particularly with PDC bits and in hard
formations. {3]
. Severe torque and shock loadings on the
drillstring tubulars. Experiments[s] have shown
that it is possible to induce instantaneous shock
values of up to 250g in drill collars depending on
speed of rotation: which can be very rapid at
some points in the slip-stick cycle. similarly,
torque build-up in the drillpipe during the stick
for phase can reach levels well in excess of those
specified for tool joint make-up. Over a period of
962
. .
,.

J GALLAGHER,MWAiLER,j RUSZKA
I
SPE027538 3

time both effects canbe very detrimental to (Figs 1 b, 2b) were slower than their Predecessors and
overall drillstring integrity and the service life of had significantly more torque which, in turn, dictated
individual components. that they had to be much more robust internally.
Witlin a sh.ov space octime they had also become
Recently a sys~em haa been iritr0duced~71 &hich fully ateersble and were required not only to kick the
inhibits the development of torsional vibrations in the well off from vertical but also to perform the build to
drillstring. The soft torque rotary concept replaces tangent angle and then, frequently, maintain the
the conventional rotary flywheel with a drive desired wellpath to TD. The PDM manufacturetii
mechanism which responds to variations in rotary responded to the challenge, producing equipment
torque (as meaaured by the current demand of the which waa generally reliable, versatile and compatible
rotary drive motor) by adjusting the speed of rotation. with both rock bits and PDCS. Also, despite the
In the absence. of s hard reflestor torsional waves contifiuing perception within the industry that PDMs
reaching surfsce are no longer redire.~ed down the were exclusively directi.o.nal tools, a ,closer
drillstring but are damped out, producing a dynamic examination of the records shows that the second
condition which is much. smoother and less energetic. generation motors were actually capable of delivering
good bit. life a@ rapid penetration @tes when the
There. is good evidence thst soft torque rotsry drive is directional constraints were removed.
effective in reducing drillstring fatigue, which it was
primarily designed to do.. .However, its impict on The next stage of mo@~ d.i?velopment involved a
overall drilling efficiency as meaitirid -by bit ~unhdr increase in torque at the expense of some
performance is less clear-cut, The current. generation speed. (Figs 1c, 2c). These tools, which are now
of positive displacement mud motors offers a.n starting to come into widespread service, can truly be
alternative method of dealing with the effects of described as high torque: in the context of industrial
torsional vibration and, using the same criterion of bit machines their output can be compared to marine ancL.
performance, dramatically improves the amount of locomotive engines. For s.otie time. the third
useful energy available at the bottom of the hole. generation motors were, to some exttit, a solution in
search of a problem. For directional applications it
AN OVERVIEW OF PDM DEVELOPMENT waa felt thst fiey would cause problems of toolface
control and, ~n any case, at a time wh,en oil-base mud
Note In the discussion that follows the term was in general use existing motors were perfectly
generation should not be taken to. imply a strict, adequate for most situations.
chronological order in-motor development, rather it is
a convenient way of describing the general mix of In the late 80s, however, hcreasing environmental
torquelspeed characteristics that were prevalent in pressure to reduce oil discharges to the sea ,caused a
particular periods. Given the endless possibilities in number of offshore operators to revert to using
PDM power section design, many differant water-base f Iuids, particularly for exploration wells.
configurations are. availatile, and in use, at any one [n the North Sea, +s elsewhere, old problem% that had
time. . .,, . . . . .. . .... not been seen fcy a long time, immediately began to
..
recur. Sit pgforrnapc{ which had hjtherto been fairly
Since their introduction iii the: %d - 195-0;S poitive consistent became. erratic and unpredictable. A bit
displacement mud motors have primarily been previously thought to be. su[table for a Particular
regarded as directional d?illing tools. Early examplea formation might be pulled for low ROP and found to
(Figs 1a, 2a) were of 1/2 lobe configuration, (a layout be either very severely worn or, equally likely, hardly
which produces high rotational speeds at low torque) worn at all. The same I@d of inconsistency was
and had a limited operating life due to the fairly bsaic aPParEnt betyeen. similar wells in the same area,
design of their internal components. This some being relatively trouble-free, others inexplicably
combination of factors may have caused mud motors slow and difficult. With the downward trend in
to become regarded as something of a necessary evil. penetration rates water-sensitive formations were
While they undoubtedly revolutionised directional exposed for longer periods causing a variety of hole
drilling they alao caused ratid bit wear (because of prob[ems_and a marked increase in the incidence of
their high speed), were themselves prcme to early stuck pipe. It was in this environment that the
failure and introduced an additional cost element to concept of usinti high torqueliow speed motors purely
the drilling operation. to enhance F-.OPand run length,: Performance Drilling
- was introduced.
In the late 70;S and early 8~s. mud motor desi~n
underwent a period. of rapid evolution, not least
because of the highcy torque requirem$nta .of the new
PDC bits then coming into widespread use. The
second generation, multi-lobe motors that resulted

963
4 PERFoRMANCEDRILLING:A PRACTICALSOLUTIONTO DRILLSTRINGVIBRATION SPE027538

PERFORMANCE DRILLING IN THE CENTRAL NORTH

Size .. 9% OD
SEA
Flow Range 395-740 GPM
In the UK offshore sector the area referred to as the. Output Speed : 100-190 RPM
Central North Sea extends from Quadrant 9 in the Operating Pressure : 870 psi
;
north to ,Quadrant 31 in the south,
. .. a distqgce of some Operating Torque 6870 ft lbs
300 km?.. The region contains a pumtie~ Of maiof Oi! P6Wer Output : 189-273 HP
an,d .gaa fields. which produce from two main Lobe ConfiguratiCm : 5/6
horizons, the,. Eocene/Paleo.gene, generally above
8000 ft TVD, and the Ju%isic which can ~cCUr Motor drilling this section was not without its
anywhere between 10000 and 16000 ft TVD. Wells problems and in hindsight can be seen as a classic
targeted at the Jurqssic have to penetrate the learning-curve eiperieiice. Due to an unforeseeable
formations of the Upper and Lower Cretaceous, a opemtional problem three POC bits wsre used when
sequence of carbonate rocks consisting of limestones two would have been sufficient; a sustained period of
in, the upper ,part followed by marls and calcareous running at very high weight on bit (60000 Ibs)
claystones at the bottom. While the Chalk Groqp can revealed a weaknesa in the motor transmission
vary _greatly in vertical thickness (from 1000 tO 5000 system, [the problem was subsequently rectified by a
ft) the character of the rock types is reasonably de&tin modification); and the caliper log of the
consistent. The Iimestcmes. are, firm to hard wi~ kmeStOne section .$howed clear evidence of hole:
sonic tranait tirn.es of 40-65 w/ft, the mar!s and spiraling which is detrimental to ROP but can easily
claystones considerably softer and more plastic in the be eliminated by the use of a short (twboback)
range 65-90 !.&ft. stabiliser positioned immediately behind the bit.
.,, ...
Shell UK Exploration and Pr6dictiori~ operator. in the Despite the problems, however, the potential of the
UK sector of the Florth Sea for Shell and Esi.o, has rpotor technique for drilling the Cretaceous was easy
had an ,extemsive, exploration programme in this area to see. A comparison with the best available offset,
for. many yeara and has concentrated much of its drilled two years earlier on the block immediately to
effort in the Central Graben where the Juraaaic the north-east, shows whw
reservoirs lie particularly deep and the overlying m
Cretaceous sediments are very thick. In common
with other operators Shell Expro had experienced
I
persistent problems in drillin~ the Chalk, even with
oil-base mud but particularly with water-base.
Despite the advaq~e>, in PDC bit ddsign which had
Cretaceous Footage
.3@ Used
Trips
3706
3 .,.
3
3214
9
13
I
I
transformed. drilling ,performance elsewhere a Drillin~ Houfs 199.8 393.8
consistently successful solution. for: the Cretaceous Average ROP 18.5 ft/hr 8.2 ft/hr
had pmv.ed hard .to find.., , Estimated Cost per Foot !Z185 f411

In part the problem had been identified as insufficient [The method used for calculating comparative cost
torque delivery at the bit caused by high frictional per foot is described in Appendix 1).
drag on the d.rillstfing (of necessity, deep CNS wells
frequently have ,lOng, open hole sestions in the 12X: Although one-off comparisons between offset wells
phase). In the light of this analyaia Shell Expio were have to be treated with caution, and are not
receptive to the idea of running a mud motor which necessarily conclusive. Shell Expro were sufficiently
would deliver a quantifiable level of torque directly at encouraged by the outcome of We!l A to continue
the bit. Th<ee brief caae-historic.i are presented with their evaluation .qf the .mcfor in the straight-hole
below showing the development of Performance application. From this ptint it also became standard
Drilling over a two-year period. practice to set fixed performance targets in advance
of a motor run, usually based on cost per foot, to
Cas@1:,Well A The_flrst opportunity to evaluate the quantify the economic benefit the motor was
mOtOr solution wai 611 8 deep high pressurbihigh expected to produce and to provide a yard8tick for
temperature well in. quadrant.. 29... The 12?4 measuring its effectiveness.
Cr$xaceO.us +@ctiog tqtalled some 3700 fi of .tihich
aPPrOxi!qatelY 2700 fr was limestone ..and Over succeeding wells the motor contiiiued to deliver
.,. , ,..=..- .. .1,., @e
remainder claystoneimad. 9-5\d casing point was consistently good results, and a trend started to
below 14000 ft and mud weight ovar 14 ppg. emerge which has since become a hallmark of
Performance Dflllirig, namely ths predictability of both
The motor used was a typical second generation PDM ROP and bit life when a stitible motor is used... On
with the f o11owing chara ct erisfiis the third well, however, a potential limi~tiori of the

.
964
SPE027538 J GALLAGHER,M WALLER,J RUSZKA 5

seccmd generation PDM became apparent. [n8tead of

being Clean limestone, aa is usually the case, the U LE&... . . _.
Upper Cretaceous contained numerous bands of marl
and claystone. In water-base mud this intirbedded 12X Footage .6177ft 4508 ft
formation produced very erratic bit torque causing Bits Used 6 8
frequent stalling of the motor at the weight levels Trips ~~~ -6 10
required to optimise ROP. It was apparent. that, in Drilling Hours . 293.1 355.3
some 3ituaiions, an-even higher level of torque output Average ROP 21.1 ftlhr 12.7 ft/h]
was called for. After discussion Shell Expro agreed to Estimated Cost Per Foot f167.3 f273.2
test a new, third generation motor which appeared to
have the right mix of characteristics. In fact the figures for Well F would have been even
more impressive but for the. fact that the PDC bit
Size 9fi OD programmed for the Ch81k was run too early and was
Flow Range ~~ ~~~ :.. ..:. 475-795 GPM destroyed by chert in the top of the Cretaceous, a
familiar hazard in the Central North Sea. ,.
OutpUt Speed ~ .: : .80-130 RPM
(7peratitig Pressure : 870 psi
Operating Torque : 11060 ftlbs _. Case 3 Well G By the time well G was drilled in
Power Output 7 169-273 hp early 1993 the process of evaluating data, defining
Lobe Configuration i -718. objectives and managing the drilling operation had
become quite finely-tuned.. [n most of the previous
Designs of this type are highly flexible iri terms of cases the offsets had primarily shown evidence of
their range of applications. Although originally torsional vibration, but in this instance the problem
perceived as a solution to a particular problem with was moreobscure. On the face of it the 12X. phase
PDC . bits; they also clearly have excellent of the offset well should have been atraightforward;
characteristics for drilling with tricones and, at Shell the well itself was relatively shallow, the 12X
Expros instigation, it was decided that the new section was short and the aonic loga showed the
motor would b.e evaluated with both types of bit formations to be quite soft by Central North Sea
when a suitable opfmrtunity arose. standards. In practice, however; it had proved
impossible to find a bit, eithar PDC or tricone, that
Case 2 Well F Well F waa another deep Central would drill satisfactorily in water-bake mud, and
Graben location, on thi8 accasim-in Quadrant 22... ..TD although penetration rates were consistently poor
was p[anneii to be 16000. ft. Tricmne bits would b..? ntost of the bits showed very little. waar when pulled.
used for the Eocene-and Paleocene formations
comprising rou~hly the firat 3000 ft of the 12U The problem was diagnosed as being insufficierit
section, and PDCS for theCretaceous as before. in torque delivery at the bit and it was-concluded that,
this case the offset well was close by, had been using the motor, it would be feasible to drill the
drilled leas than a year earlier, and was fully aect[on with two metal-seal tricones and one F?DC.
representative of rotary performance in the area. Target ROP was set at 24ft/hr, athreefold increase
on what had been achieved previously. This was
%mewhatt othesurpriseof all concerned, the motor perceived as being i pretty ambitious objective but
Produced the same order of improvement i the theacWalresuk waseven better than hoped for.
tricone results as had previously been seen with
PDCS, ie, a marked increase in both rate of m Qm.a
penetration and footage. It also demonstrated an
ability tohandle the PDC/water-base situation by 12?4 Footage .1953 ft 2720 fl
maintaining gocid ROP over the la8t 600 ft of the Bits Used 2 . ...8
12% section where the sticky marls produced some Trips 2 11
very difficult drilling conditions. Drilling Hours 51.5 344.8
Average ROP 37.9 ftflw 7.9 ftfhr
A graphical representation of Well F and its offset Estimated Cost Per Foot f 125.8 f454.6
are shown in Fig 3. The statistics for the two wells
show justhow effective the third generation PDMs In ttra event only one tricone and one pDC were used,
can be for straight-hole work. and the dull grading of the tricons was so good that it
might actually have been feasible to drill the whole
section with just one bit. We[l G is an excellent
example of how using the right motor can simplify
- seeiningly intractable drilling problems and produce
major cost saving8 in the process.

965
6 PERFORMANCE
DRILLING:A PRAcTICALSOLUTIONTO DRILLSTRINGVIBRATION
Altogether Shell Expro have now used Performance
Drilling in a tDtal of nin6 CNS exploration wells, five
of which have been with the third generation tools.
The technique has been @dated fDr hOle ?iz~ Of
16, 12?4 and 8-3/8 and cumulative savings
against offset wells are currently estimated at some
E3.8 niilliofi. Figures 4 and 5 show as drilled coat
per foot against offset and target costa for eight of
the wells (the ninth example is in 8-3/8 hole whereas
the offset was 12%:, making accurate comparison
difficult). Apart from the magnitude of the aavinga,
the most. interesting aspectof thk comparison is how
close the target and as-drilled numbers are, indicating
the improved predictive capability that comes with
motor drilling.
.On the basis of Shell Exproa experience other
operators have also been persuaded of the economic
benefits to be. gained. On development wells in
quadranta 14 and 15, for instance, the motor has
doubled. penetration rates in the Cretaceous to over
60 ft/hr and the Chalk is regularly drilled with one
PDC bit as DppOaed to three or four on rotary. It is
also interesting to note that one particularly hard band
of. crystalline limestone, previously thought to be
undrillable with PDC bits, is now daalt with as a
matter of routine and ca,uses no more than a brief
reduction in ROP.
DRILLING WITH HIGH TORQUE MUD MOTORS
In some respects the success of high torque motors
in straight-hale rather begs the question of what is
happening (or not happening) to produce the results
that are observed, espedally considering the apparent
similarities between motor and rotary drilling with
respect to bit selectirm, operating parameters
(particularly weight and speed) mud properties, etc.
(n the absence of a. full suite of comparative dynamic
measurements fm the motor-drilled wells. and the
offsets; it can reamnably be inferred that the main
effect of the motDr is to improve the torsional
environment atthe bit. It seems likely that there are
two distinct mechanisms at work here, one affecting
the amount of energy available at the bit, the other
affecting how that energy is delivered.
The research into torsional vibration makes clear what
was probably already known intuitively, ie, that a
significant proportion of input rotary torqfie
dissipated in overcoming drillstring friction.
extent of the torque loss ia related to such factora as
hole condition, well profile, lubricity of the mud, BHA
configuration, etc but is often of a high order as
down hole torque measurements by MWD show.L8) In
two examples picked at random, a 49 well with 10-
12000ff Ibs recorded at surface showed 2:5000 ft
Ibs at the bit, and a near vertical well with only 2.5
inclination had 15-16000 ft Ibs at surface and 4-6000
SPE027538
ft Ibs downho[e. It is a notable feature of third
generation motors that they are able to sustain very
high differential pressure, indeed they frequently need
to be handled with care ao as not to exceed the
maximum operating limits. Since torque output is a
direct function of differential pressure it-n be stated
with confidence that the tools are usually operating
close to their quoted output torque. In the case of
the 9% design used by Shell Expro, the values are
11060 ft Ibs at 870 psi: it is doubtful whether even
the most powerful top drive systems are capable of
consistently matching this figure in terms of tmque
actually delivered at the. bit. (On the general subject
of drilling hydraulics, it haa been found that the motor
pressure drop is not so high as to compromise other
important areas such as available flow rate .or bit
hydraulic horsepower. Working to a maximum
surface pressure of around 4000 psi it has usually
been possible to maintain flow rates well in excess of
700 GPM, even in the deepest 12% sections.)
As regards the mode of delivery, the motor should be
seen not so much as a cure for torsional vibration as
a means of circumventing it and eliminating its moat
harmful effects. Because positive rotation is always
maintained the bit does not experience the no-
rotations condition and cannot spin backwards, both
characteristics of slip-stick. Additionally, althmgh the
bit is connected to the drillstring via the rotwtstator
of the PDM there is a decoupling effect called
slippage by which the bh does not experience the
full amplitude of. variations in drillstring rotational
speed during the slip-stick cycle. To an extent the
mOtOr acts as a torsional shock-absorber, not
dissimilar to the concept of an overrunning clutch
which has been discuaaed elsewhere.<%]
The net effect is that the bit is working in conditions
close to thDse for which it was designed.
Considering a PDC bit in a hard fcwmation like the
Upper Cretaceous Chalk, for instance, the bit can be
run at high weight and at moderate (and reasonably
constant) rotary speed. It is largely isolated from
extraneous dynamic effects acting on the drillstring
and operates below the threshold parameters at
which whirl is induced., With a stable dynamic
erwimn.ment and high energy input, the bit is enabled
to deliver its full potential and the efficiency gap is
greatly reduced.
is
The A number of interesting consequences flow from this.
Because bit performance is altogether more
predictable and consistent in a given formation, it is
possible to use analytical tools such as fithology, bit
records and [particularly) sonic logs with much
greater precision. The drilling problems presented .by
a particular well can be clearly defined and the best
solutions identified with a considerable degree of
certainty. Because the risk of premature bit failure is
966
,,.. . \

SPE027538 J GALLAGHER,M WALLER,J RUSZKA 7

low there is a knock-on effect with regard to time and del!vgr an. exceptionally high [evtj of contimow
cost planning in that wells are more likely to come in torque at speeds w~ch can be tailored to the type of
ahead of the curve and under budget. In an era bit being used and the nature of the formatiom
when an increasing number of drilling contracts secondly they isolate the bit from the moat
involve some form of time-related incentive, there is detrimental affecta of torsional drillstring vibration,
potentially a major gain for the contracting side of the specifically erratic torqua and speed, backward
industry in a tachnique which can greatly reduce the rotation and periods of no-rotation.
uncertainty of drilling operations, particularly where
conditions are difficult. As well as being demonstrably more afficient than
rotary drilling, particularly in hard formations, the
There are alao implications for the nature of the motor technique produces results which are I@h[y
commercial relationship between the service sector predictable and consistent. As a consequence it is
and the operating companies, who are driving the possible to forecast the cost and duration of wells
development of concepts such as partnerin~ and risk- more accurately and there are significant potential
sharing. Since Perforrnance Drilling was introduced it benefits where incentive or risk-sharing contracts are
has been a basic axiom that motors must pay their concerned.
way in straight-hole applications and that they have
no place unless they can deliver a clear-cut economic ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
advantage to the end user. From the outset the
commercial philosophy has been that the cost paid for The authora would like to thank Shell UK Exploration
the service should be in proportion to the benefit and Production and Baker Hughas INTEQ for
derived, basically the principle of no cure, no pay. permission to publish this paper.
As confidence has grown, a number of possible
options have evolved within this basic frarnework REFERENCES
including scaled charges based on cost Per foot and.
lump sum costings based on predicted results. It 111 Warren, T M et al: Development of a Whirl-
says much about the reliability of Performance Drilling Resistant Bit, SPEDE, December 1990, 267-74
that, wifiout exception, these essentially open-ended
agreements have worked to the satisfaction of all (21
Langeveld, C J: PDC Bit Dynarhics, lADC/SPE
concerned. 23867, presented at the 1992 lADC/SPE Drilling
conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, 18-21
Finally, with regard m future development of the February, 1992
Performance conc~pt, it ia becoming clear that the
(31
separate solutions that have been devised for Bretfj J F The Genesis of Bit-[ nduced Tocsionil
different types of vibration could be combim?d to Drillstring Vibrationsn, SPE/IADC 21943, .
produce a very effitient, integrated system. In presanted at the SPEIIADC Drilling Conference,
addition to high torque motors such a system would Amsterdam, 11-14 March 1991
incorporate anti-whirl bits, hydraulic thrusters (to
absorb axial movement and permit a shorter BHA) and [4) Dufeyte, M-P and Henneuse, H: Detection and
soti-torque rotary controls. The net result would be Monitoring of the Slip-Stick Motion: Field
beneficial across a wide spectrum of vibmtion-related Experiments, SPE/lADC 21945, pri?sented at the
problems and the drilling process would ba optimised SPEIIADC Drilling Conference, Amsterdam, 11-14
to the full extent of current knowledge and March 1991
technology.
16)
Kyllingstad, A and Halsey, A: A study of Slip-
CONCLUSION Stick Motion at the Bit, SPEDE, December 1988,
369-73
Ultra-high torquellow speed mud motors have been
extensively evaluated for their straight-hole drilling 161 Aldred, W O and Sheppard, M C: Drillstring
capabilities in i series of Central North Se8 wells. Vibrations: .A New Generation Mechanism and
The motors have been run in a variety of formations Control Strategies, SPE 24582, presented at the
and hole sizes with both POC and tricone bits, and 67th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition
have shown a consistent improvement over offset of the SPE, Washington, DC, 4-7 October 1992
rotary performance in terms of bit life and rate of
penetration. The enhanced performance has resulted 171
Javanmardi, K and Gaspard, D T Application of
in significant reductions in overall drilling costs. Soft-Torque Rotary Table in Mobile Bay, lADC/
SPE 23913, presented at the lADC/SPE Drilling
k i8 believed that the mechanism by which the Conference, 18-2T February 1992
motors assist bit operation is twofold. Firstly they

967
8 PERFORMANCE
DRILLING:A PRACT!CALSOLUTION TO DRILLSTRING VIBRATION SPE 027538

[8) C[OS8, D A, ,Owens, S C 8fld McPherson, J. D: the offset snd as-drilled cost multiplied by the as-
Measurement of BHA Vibration Using MWD, drilled footage.
lADC/SPE 17273, presented at the [ADC/SPE
Drilling Conference, Dallas, Texas, 28 February-2
..
March 1988

APPENDIX 1: CALCULATION OF COMPARATIVE

COST PER FOOT

Cost per foot comparisons between wells drilled at

different points in time ire affected by a number of
variables. which can have...a significantly distorting
effect. They include:

. Price movements in the rig market

Variations in exchange rates
The effects of inflation on the cost of products
and services
Differences in rig performance
Differences in operating procedures

Given enough data it is ceit&nly fipssible tocalcylate

true cost per foot for a well or wells, but the resulting
figures may not be particularly useful for the purposes
of comparing drilling performance. .On the other hand
if some of the variables are standardised the figures
will no longer be real but they will give a clearer
picture of the relative efficiency of different
wwaches to the same problem. All cost data
presented here are based on this method of
calculation. The ground rules that have been used are
the following:

1. No accountis taken of such activities as-making

connecdona, reafhing, ci?kulating or of dead time
eg, making up the BHA.

2. Trip time is standardised at 1000 ft/hr round trip.

3. .The sa~e inclusive d%ly operating cost for the rig

is applied to all wells considered.
...
4, Where assumptions have had tO be made about
bit costa, they intentionally favour the @f.set
referdnqe yell. Actual, bit (and motor) costs are.
used to calculate tar~et and as drilled crest per
foot but lower, asiumed values for the offset
case. Otherwise the standard industry method of
calculation is used. For .~otary drilling:

. ,,.
: .,7
For ri15t75Fdrilling an additional term, uDrilling
Time x Hourly Motor Cost is added on the -right-
hand side of the eauation. Where. a taraef cost
per foot is set ttie. required number o~ drilling
hours (and hence ROP) can be derived by
rearranging the equatims. The figures quoted for
cost savings are simply the difference between

968
-.. -

~,: ?; ~.fvw ,;-, ,, * . , :., .

.

.4-
a.

u-
%

J
..

m
.

%-Had

,-m
L

969
. ., .--..
 _s~~27538

12%HOLE :CASE HISTORY

WELL F
VS OFFSET

Offset Well F
(Rotary) (Performance)

Estimated Saving : E654,000

Fig 3: Cost/Performance Comparison between Well F and Closest Offset

970