Introduction
The Societe Nationale des Petroles D’Aquitaine ing. This knowledge can lead to better optimization of
(SNPA) has developed a dynamic theory of drilling drilling variables and more effective automation.
based on the creation by the dri!!ing bit of longitudinal The importance of vibratory phenomena in drilling
vibrations and the transmission of these vibrations rigs is well known to all drillers. Certain rotational
through the drillstem. The tricone bit is considered as speeds must be avoided because they lead to reso-
a generator of mechanical waves in a complex system nance phenomena in the drill string and the derrick
comprising the drillstem and derrick on one hand and — phenomena that very quickly take on a spectacu-
the rock o-n the other. A theoretical interpretation of lar aspect and that can also lead rapidly to severe
the dynamic behavior of the tricone bit permits us to damage if they are not quickly stopped.
define the vibratory characteristics of the excitation It has been verified many times in the field — in
imparted to the rock and the drillstem. Only the tri- particular in turbodrilling with a tricone bit, in which
cone bit is considered here. the rotation of the drillstem can be stopped — that
A dynamic model of drilling operation can be de- the vibratory regimes observed at the kelly sometimes
rived from this theory. In this closed-loop model, the vary quite markedly; the explanation that seems most
characteristics of the “simulated rock must be continu- plausible to us is to be found in a modification of the
ously adjusted in order to obtain from the model a bit-rock coupling.
signal that agrees with field measurements. In this We have also been able to observe in the course of
way, on the basis of the vibratory state measured at numerous tests that the general behavior of tricone
the top of the drillstem, it is possible to obtain data on bits on our test bench is not always comparable with
the rock being drilled. that in the field. The amount of rock destruction, in
Simple recorders that are accurate and dependable particular at high values of drilling parameters,
have also been developed to measure the vibrations seemed much better in the bench tests, a possible
and the principal parameters. These recorders have cause being a bit-rock coupling that was more effec-
been used in the field for about 5 years. tive because of a more rigid structure.
Using the basic ideas derived from the dynamic On the other hand, the remarkable bottom-hole
theory, a simplified means of treating the measure- data recorded by Esso Production Research C0.1”2
-.a..+mh..-
lllGll
,.&,~_.,*
L3 11L13 &l VGll all
;~.+~~~.~~fi,,.
#113LClIl Ltlll&”
la” ,,,
U3 ,“~
,-,cm ,,.o
“ b,“ab,
h . .
“a&. ,,2a u h..m
11(4. W
.hnwn
0,. ” . . . .
that
. . . . .
the
. ..”
l>it
“..
llni-l~rgy~
. . ..-w.
p~~2rnm@=~ v~p~~-
promising future in developing knowledge of the me- tions that are not detected in conventional surface
chanical characteristics of the ;ock at the-time of drill- measurements. It could be that the bit is in contact
‘ Vibrations from the tricone bit are measured at the kelly aria’interpreted at the derrick
In-.
]t~or to /j~6?
:..-.-....-------
l.. =
~pi Lrl>turltUrtCUU> LSJg -i
U] 4L’.
Lrlc 1-”-”
J(JI ;fim
IIbUtLWL Wlbb c
“’h:~n LL
‘4
.
is h ;un
ueblb~ Av;llnrl
UI AM
6SGGU. -lb
experimental version of the system has been used in the field for several years. Such
instantaneous knowledge is valuable in adjusting drilling variables, in correlating
formations, and in warning that a zone of abnormal pressure is being approached.
J 30 ;0 120 1
I I
nau4e#rn c?Km/sEcc+m
!JL3Ll 30 40
WO14WCf
*’O
N CYCUS/SEC.
I do 1+
ONU WE:
PvxEu?otnesM:
L
of the drill string (ZS = Zc), which means that, at
least generally, the drill pipe has very little influence D.__. ~ .-ZD_-.FD --ND
on the dynamic behavior of the mechanical system as
described in Fig. 4.
According to Eq. 1 the input impedance of the der-
rick, which is difficult to simulate with precision, can
be replaced by a simple am-dog computer. The com-
puter transfers to the input of the 5-in. driU pipe the
measurements taken at the head of the drillstem. Thus
we become independent of the type of derrick.
DRILL PIPE
Note. The approximation made above, valid as soon
as damping in the drillstem is relatively high, permits --- Zc
us to make coherent the theory and practical observa-
tions on the total dynamic behavior of a driUing rig.
In fact, the drillstem has a natural frequency that is 3 ____ .-.-Z3-- F3+
very low, and harmonics that are very close together.
If its own responses were not damped, it would be al-
most impossible to find rotational velocities that would DRILL COLLARS
sub topped by a joint from which the signal is taken c’--.. -.. -27,75m
(Fig. 9). The forces are measured with the aid of Fig. 7—Velocity transfer furrcXon of
a string of drill collars.
strain gauges — on the shaft of the signai reiXNer f~i
the longitudinal forces, and below the connecting sub
underneath the rotary table for the torque. The cor-
responding accelerations are taken at the same places.
I
The output of the signals is through turning contacts I I I I t
(rings and brushes) in a pressurized space in which
“fresh” air is used as a safety measure. The rotatioml
~;~--,N
,, .,,
r
tt
1 1
i --- I
, t
—---- Wml-. sm
----------~ -.U
‘cl=====+
Miu
transfer function of a string of drill collars.
140L 1
30
mQuEuc+0m4
I
CYcus / SE&D
m4mJPoF 9nEDulucalMslm4G
14--------
I
16,21MEERS
120
I
1s0
KELLYCOCK
o-— TcxallsANo mssoNu AccEumAllom
).
u. 50 -20(
——L—
The last version of the assembly has been entirely
satisfactory as to precision, stability, and strength of
the measurements for more than a year of field work.
It is simple to use and can be quickly installed on any
300 drilling rig.
4300
Instantaneous Logging
The intensive use of the measurement equipment we
4W m have briefly described has given us a great deal of
data, which have been studied in light of the theory
presented above,
i n:a–
Dmerem- _. .__.._
memmenk iiaVe beeil applied t~ the dlg-
nals received. The present state of our technology has
)
not allowed us yet to apply the most elaborate treat-
ments arising from the theory. However, even with a
5200 simplified treatment involving only the acceleration
m
measurement at the top of the string, we have been
able to produce “SNAP Logs” such as those shown
6500 in Figs. 10 through 14. Figs. 10 and 11 are small-scale
Imrl representations of the SNAP log obtained in two
12M -in. holes drilled through compacted shales and
limestones in the Aquitanian Basin of southwestern
5800 France.
800 Their correlations over large footages with certain
conventional logs show clearly that we have here in-
~1
stantaneous information coming from the bottom, and
Fig. lG-Well SFT3, uitanian Basin, Jul: 1968. related ,to the characteristics of the rock itself.
Bit diar :er—121~ in. The excursions on the log are very generally in con-
formity with what the theory allows us to predict: the
received signal increases when the velocity of sound in
the rock increases; in this case, in fact, the impedance
of the rock increases and the energy delivered by the
SONIC G. RAY I
bit to the drill collars also increases.
l.lS/Fl) (API) ! Fig. 12 is a small-scale representation of a parti-
+
w
u
cular case where our equipment has been used in
k
upper soft shaly formations. This example shows
clearly that, in this case, the SNAP log has been able
to detect shale compaction in a way very similar to
asoo
the sonic log. Somefimes, as in this figure, the SNAP
iog is able to pick up thin, hard streaks, verifiabk by
Ssw cuttin~s.~-, that —-- Qhscured in the averaging process
----- are
involved in the sonic log. In addition, it has the ad-
vantage of giving an instantaneous indication, rather
a900 than an after-the-fact one. This could lead us to a very
x
interesting application in the case of drilling in over-
D-
a ma burden-pressure areas.
w Figs. 13 and 14 show detailed correlation between
0
a SNAP log and a conventional sonic log in sandy and
ma shaly calcareous formations.
From our past experience, which includes 14,000
-+~..
lliGLb13
,441-,4
U,,,, bU
(A<
\7d,
fmn f~)
”v” .s,,
IX7= p~m fiI-wwIId~
vvu WCLSZ WV,,W, UUW
that
b.,...
cmr
v...
moo
logging method is now reliable and efficient, at least
in our drilling conditions. We have obtained a signi-
rnw ficant log at the maximum depth of 3,300 m (10,000
ft) in a 12!4-in. hole.
Of course, the responses of SNAP and conventional
Moo logs are sometimes different. These differences are to
be expected if the following facts are kept in mind:
the basic physical phenomenon logged (blows of bit
Fig. n-Well UCH1, Aquitanian Basin, Jan., 1970. teeth on rock) is a very particular one; the rock thick-
Bit diameter—121~ in, ness involved in the generation of the signal is very
JUNE, 1972 755
small compared with the spacing of conventional log-
1 .C.,.h”:”.la :. t.lzwalt,
ging took; and Oiir g~il~i~l KWI,,~W IS ~lU=w.J .W.-.w=
R=latm’1 II . . ..—
SONIC
1
to dnl!ing conditions, which in some cases can gen- ~& ===2
erate some parasitic signals.
Progress in the field of interpretation will no doubt
r’v//&
come about through improvement in the application 5
of the theory and through a better knowledge of bit 5!5
behavior. A more general use of the method should
.-—,——-L -.. . :.- . . .. . . .. . .-A :rnnvnxr.=m*nt ~&~ ~~
DXIIIg ZUJUUL 11> GA LG1lSIW CUIW MALPV. . .... ..
1
iONIC G.RAY
Fig. 13-Detailed correlation between SNAP log and
)lS/FT) (API) conventional sonic log, Well LMC1, Aquitanian
0-..;
Da>lll,
. a....il la7n
r!p, l,, *=,”.
Rit Aiamatar—1
“!. “o”. ..-. -. --
71A in:
.“
in
)-. $--z
z
1-
a.
w
0
Fig. 12—SNAP log obtained in homogeneous shale Fig. 14--Detailed correlation between SNAP log and
formation, Well SST1, Aquitanian Basin, conventional sonic log, Well SFT12, Aquitanian
Feb., 1969. Bit diameter—171/2 in. Basin, April, 1971. Bit diameter—12% in.
r = acceleration where
Y =a+j~
A = coefficient of proportionality
~ = phase angle
P = mass per unit volume
u = angular frequency, radians\sec andbth[fil
and aretielimi’ingcOndtiO
of the rod;
[:1
Original manuscript received in Society of petroleum Engineers This matrix allows us to determine the behavior of
office June 29, 1971. Revised
Psper (SPE 3604) was presented
manuscript received Dec. 30, 1971.
at SPE 46th Annuel Fall Meeting.
any mechanical system as far as y and L are known.
held In New Orlaen~ Oct. 3.6, 1971. ~ copyright 1972 Americen
Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, end Petroleum Engineers, Inc. Expression of y, and ZJ
This pepsr will be printed in Transactions volume 253, which will
cover 1972. Placing y = a + j ~, we get
c
a=~s ‘
If the following condition is satisfied, the precision
P=;, is better than 1 percent.
ZCS apS.
(Ax)2 < ~& .
t~a .W..e.- Of
., ~ l-nct~ -- - Celis to the
-- the
TL:. --...-.4: - - I.**.
1 nls cquduOU ~~IaL*=
APPENDIX B
wave length. If we limit ourselves to 100 cycles/see,
(From Refs, 5 through 7) the length simulated by a cell represents 3 meters of
drill string.
.Mechanical-Electrical Analogy
When a small bar element of length dc is subject to a
sinusoidal vibratory excitation, the propagation of the APPENDIX C
longitudinal vibrations is governed by Eqs. A-1 and (From Ref. 5)
A-7
----
HYect of Viscous Damping cm ilie ~ilpiii
dF
—= — (jOpS+c) Impedance of the 5-in. Drillstem
V,. . . . , (B-1 )
dx We note that for a large value of x the values of the
div’ functions ch(x) and sh(x) tend to be equal.
—— –jE~ F...... (B-2)
dx = For a value of x sufficiently great, we can write: