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A study of excitation mechanisms and resonances inducing BHA vibrations

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7199670
This paper presents a study of important excitation mechanisms and resonances that cause Bottom-Hole Assembly (BHA) vibrations during drilling operations. The study is based on dynamic vibration data gathered in a test well with the ARCO ''ADAMS'' surface measurement system. The data were gathered while three different BHA's were used to drill portions of this well to 800'. A case study for a large diameter hole in an actual field well is also presented. The data showed many RPM dependent excitation mechanisms including 1 x RPM, 2 x RPM, 3 x RPM, a drillstring walk mechanism, and drillstring whipping mechanisms that were dependent on the drillstring and hole geometries. The data also show important resonances that may be excited including lateral with strong local contributions, axial, and torsional modes. When the excitation mechanisms matched these resonances, damaging vibrations can be induced. This study identifies the presence of more fundamental excitation mechanisms than the 1 x RPM and 3 x RPM mechanisms. These should be used in models that predict drillstring and BHA vibrations. The study also shows important resonances that should be considered when predicting BHA vibrations.
Research Organization:
ARCO Oil and Gas Co.
OSTI ID:
7199670
Report Number(s):
CONF-861080-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English