Development of a high-frequency torsional impact generator for improving drilling efficiency

Abstract

The drilling of deep wells has to face problems to suppress stick-slip vibrations, especially for tough formations. Such problems induce frequent tool failures and poor well quality. Torsional impact drilling is an emerging drilling technology for improving the productivity of oil and gas by mitigating the stick-slip vibration. In this paper, a high-frequency torsional impact generator has been developed in order to investigate this drilling technology. Mechanism of torsional impact as a means of stick-slip mitigation is studied. Structure and operating principle of the tool have been presented. The finite element analysis approach is utilized in the analysis of applicability of the impact unit which is most significant for the tool. The analysis indicates that the impact unit operates successfully. An experimental apparatus is developed to examine the applicability of the proposed numerical method to the analysis of the impact unit. Laboratory tests with different impact frequency are conducted with the apparatus. It is verified that the impact system operates regularly, and high-frequency torsional impacts are generated. In addition, impact parameters of the apparatus which will be helpful to the study of the high-frequency torsional impact drilling are obtained.