Shock and vibration

information
Mode of Real-Time Typical Potential Other DRILLING DYNAMICS GUIDELINES
Vibration Diagnosis Environment Cure Solutions

Axial shocks Topdrive or Hard formations, STOP Change to less- Axial vibrations, gn–RMS (log scales: 0 to 4)
kelly shaking, vertical holes, Change WOB aggressive bit,
downhole shocks roller cone bits and change rpm use a shock sub 0 to 1 Low No problem over time
1<2 Medium More than 25 hr, medium risk of failure
2<4 High More than 12 hr, high risk of failure
Bit whirl LWD caliper Aggressive STOP Change bit,
shows overgauge side-cutting bit Increase WOB use full-gauge >4 Severe More than 1⁄ 2 hr, severe risk of failure
hole but bit is and decrease rpm NB stabilizer
undergauge

Lateral vibrations, gn–RMS (log scales: 0 to 6)

BHA whirl Large downhole Washed out hole, STOP Use a stiffer BHA
shocks, increased BHA pendulum or Increase WOB 0 to 1 Low No problem over time
STOR unstabilized and reduce rpm
1 to 3 Medium More than 25 hr, medium risk of failure
3<6 High More than 12 hr, high risk of failure
Stick/slip Large surface Aggressive STOP Increase mud
torque and rpm PDC bits, high well- lubricity, use >6 Severe More than 1⁄ 2 hr, severe risk of failure
Reduce WOB
fluctuations, MWD bore BHA friction and increase rpm less-aggressive
peak-peak rpm bit, improve hole
cleaning
Torsional vibrations, ft-lbs RMS (log scales: 0 to 3000)

< 1,500 Low No problem over time

Bit Bounce Bending Stick/Slip BHA Whirl 1,500 to 2,500 Medium More than 25 hr, medium risk of failure
2,500 to 3,000 High More than 12 hr, high risk of failure
> 3,000 Severe More than 1⁄ 2 hr, severe risk of failure

Stick/slip ratio, stick_RT/rpm (log scales: 0 to 200 rpm)

< 50% 0 to 0.5 Low No problem over time

50% < 100% 0.5 to 1.0 Medium More than 25 hr, medium risk of failure
100% < 150% 1.0 to 1.5 High More than 12 hr, high risk of failure
> 150% > 1.5 Severe More than 1⁄ 2 hr, severe risk of failure
Axial Lateral Torsional Eccentered

CONVENTIONAL CURES WHILE DRILLING

LATERAL VIBRATION TORSIONAL VIBRATION

AXIAL VIBRATION (bounce)
(bit/BHA whirl) (stick/slip)
Place topdrive in high gear. Ensure soft torque operational

Increase WOB by 1 ton Decrease rpm by 10%

Decrease WOB by 5%
Decrease rpm Increase WOB by 10%
Repeat three times by same percentage Repeat three times Increase rpm by 10%
unless rpm limit Repeat three times
unless rpm limit
is exceeded unless rpm limit
is exceeded
is exceeded
Yes Yes
Does vibration continue? Does vibration continue? Yes
No Does vibration continue?
No
No

Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Set rpm at 40 to 50% of original Restart drilling with 70 rpm Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Increase WOB by 10 to 20% of original Increase WOB by 10% of original Restart drilling with 10% increased rpm
Gradually return rpm to original Increase rpm to original value Decrease WOB 15 to 20%

Vibration resumes? Vibration resumes?

No No Vibration resumes?
No
Yes
Yes
Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Set rpm at 40 to 50% of original value Restart drilling with 70 rpm
Restart drilling with 70 rpm
Increase WOB by 10 to 20% Increase WOB to target value
Increase WOB to 25% below original value
Gradually return rpm to 25% below original value Increase rpm to 25% below original value
Gradually return rpm to 15% above original value

CONTINUE DRILLING

07-DR-286 July 2007

Copyright © 2007 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.
 Shock and vibration
mitigation
FACTORS AFFECTING VIBRATIONS VIBRATION PREVENTION
Generalizations only—vibrations often result from complex interplay of factors  Run Drilling Office* software/BHA-V—This drilling  Know procedures for dealing with high vibrations
office application analyzes BHA and predicts resonant from drilling hard streaks and reaming
 Inclination—more axial vibrations closer to vertical; tendency for more vibrations
frequencies—stay away from bad rpm; compare
as angle increases, but can also be “dampened” by angle  Identify vibration generation mechanism—bit, BHA, formation,
calculated with actual values
drilling parameters, on or off bottom—and use counteractive measures
 BHA design—higher vibrations with slick and pendulum assemblies
 Always run multivibration chassis (MVC) in MWD  Optimize correct real-time shock/vibration variables
 BHA components—undergauge stabilization generates vibrations; tools for real-time vibration communication
straight-blade stabilizers, smaller drill collars usually have higher vibrations; from MWD tool for predicted vibration environment
high-torque and aggressive mud motors may have higher vibrations  Within limitations, design BHA, especially stabilization,  Set tight alarms on all vibration variables and monitor closely—
and select PDC bit with vibration prevention in mind
display for driller to see
 Bits—PDC bits generate higher vibrations; aggressive features like larger cutter
size, lower number of cutters, fewer blades, and low backrake angle  Help train drillers in vibration reduction—ensure LWD  Optimize drilling parameters—WOB, rpm, flow rate—for vibration
engineers have vibration training
prevention/reduction and ROP
 Higher friction factors will generate higher vibrations
 Be aware of high-vibration operations—backreaming,  Torque feedback—soft-torque system (may mask stick/slip)
 Expect higher vibrations in formations that are hard/abrasive and/or have high opening a pilot hole, reaming, hole opening while drilling,
coefficients of friction and restitution—conglomerates, boulders, cherts, interbed- drilling out of casing/liner  Increase mud lubricity to reduce friction and, thereby, vibrations
ded/intercalated formations, sandstones, and limestones  Keep offset log of formations if available—track lithology
 Know vibration reduction procedures for each type
 Large ratio of hole size to BHA/tool OD size will generate more vibrations of vibration—see Cures below for upcoming vibration risks
 Poor hole conditions, such as poor hole cleaning, washouts, and ledges
can sometimes generate vibrations

DETECTION/SYMPTOMS
AXIAL VIBRATION PERFORM LATERAL VIBRATION (bit/BHA whirl) PERFORM STICK/SLIP TORSIONAL VIBRATION PERFORM
ENGINEER ENGINEER ENGINEER
SURFACE SURFACE SURFACE
 Large WOB fluctuations DRILLER  Increased mean surface torque DRILLER  Topdrive stalling—increased and erratic surface torque
 Rig/topdrive shaking  Loss of toolface, steering problems  Rpm/torque cycling
 Loss of toolface, steering problems  Reduced and inconsistently slow ROP  Loss of toolface, steering problems
 Reduced and inconsistently slow ROP DOWNHOLE
 Reduced and inconsistently slow ROP

DOWNHOLE  Increased mean downhole torque DOWNHOLE

 Increased axial vibrations  High-frequency downhole shocks (10 to 50 Hz)  Increased/erratic downhole torque
 Increased shocks  Increased lateral vibrations  Increased torsional vibrations, from MWD tool
 Intermittent transmission or loss of MWD signal and downhole data  Increased torsional vibrations and shocks  Increased stick/slip

POSTRUN
 Intermittent transmission or loss of MWD signal and downhole data  Collar rpm greater than surface rpm
 Early bearing failure POSTRUN
 Intermittent transmission or loss of MWD signal and downhole data
 Broken/chipped cutters or inserts—no specific location  Cutters/inserts damaged on shoulder or gauge
 Increased lateral vibrations and shocks
 MWD/LWD failure  Broken/damaged PDC bit blades POSTRUN
 Worn hybrids with minimal cutter wear  Cutters/inserts damaged on nose or taper
 Overgauge hole from calipers  Overtorqued/damaged pin/box connections
 One-sided/eccentric wear on stabilizers and BHA components  Drillstring damage—twist-offs and washouts
 MWD/LWD failure  MWD/LWD failure

CURES

LATERAL VIBRATION TORSIONAL VIBRATION

AXIAL VIBRATION (bounce)
(bit/BHA whirl) (stick/slip)
Place topdrive in high gear. Ensure soft torque operational

Increase WOB by 1 ton Decrease rpm by 10%

Decrease rpm Decrease WOB by 5%
Repeat three times by same percentage Repeat three times Increase WOB by 10%
Repeat three times Increase rpm by 10%
unless rpm limit unless rpm limit
is exceeded unless rpm limit
is exceeded
is exceeded
Yes Yes
Does vibration continue? Does vibration continue? Yes
No No Does vibration continue?
No

Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Set rpm at 40 to 50% of original Restart drilling with 70 rpm Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Increase WOB by 10 to 20% of original Increase WOB by 10% of original Restart drilling with 10% increased rpm
Gradually return rpm to original Increase rpm to original value Decrease WOB 15 to 20%

Vibration resumes? Vibration resumes?

No No Vibration resumes?
No
Yes
Yes
Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Pick up off bottom and allow string torque to unwind
Set rpm at 40 to 50% of original value Restart drilling with 70 rpm
Restart drilling with 70 rpm
Increase WOB by 10 to 20% Increase WOB to target value
Increase WOB to 25% below original value
Gradually return rpm to 25% below original value Increase rpm to 25% below original value
Gradually return rpm to 15% above original value

CONTINUE DRILLING

07-DR-286 July 2007

Copyright © 2007 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.
 Drilling optimization
workflow

Vibrations—Recognize Conventional Cures Vibrations—Recognize Conventional Cures Vibrations—Recognize Conventional Cures

the Symptoms While Drilling the Symptoms While Drilling the Symptoms While Drilling

SURFACE MEASUREMENT
AXIAL VIBRATION (bounce) SURFACE MEASUREMENT LATERAL VIBRATION SURFACE MEASUREMENT TORSIONAL VIBRATION
OR SYMPTOM OR SYMPTOM (bit/BHA whirl) OR SYMPTOM (stick/slip)
 Large WOB fluctuations  Increased mean surface  Topdrive stalling Place top drive in high gear;
torque ensure soft torque operational.
 Rig/topdrive shaking  Increased delta surface
 Loss of toolface torque
 Loss of toolface Increase
WOB by 1 ton  Reduced ROP Decrease rpm Decrease
 Rpm/torque cycling WOB by 5%
 Reduced ROP by 10%
Decrease Increase  Loss of toolface Increase
rpm by same WOB by 10% rpm by 10%
percentage  Reduced ROP

DOWNHOLE Repeat three DOWNHOLE Repeat three Repeat three

MEASUREMENT times unless MEASUREMENT times unless times unless
WOB limit WOB limit WOB limit
 Loss of real-time data/ is exceeded  Increased mean downhole is exceeded is exceeded
measurement torque
 Increased shock count  High-frequency downhole
Yes Does shocks— 10 to 5 0 Hz Yes Does Yes Does
 Increased axial vibrations vibration vibration vibration
continue?  Increased lateral shocks continue? DOWNHOLE continue?
No No No
 Increased torsional MEASUREMENT
Yes acceleration Yes Yes
 Increased delta downhole
Pick up off bottom  Loss of real-time torque
Pick up off bottom and
and allow string torque data/measurement allow string torque to
Pick up off bottom and
 Increased torsional allow string torque to
to unwind unwind
 Increased shock count acceleration unwind
Set rpm at 40 to 50% Restart drilling
of original
 Increased stick/slip indicator Restart drilling
with 70 rpm
with 10%
Increase WOB by Increase WOB  Downhole collar rpm greater
increased rpm
10 to 20% of original by 10% of original than surface rpm
Decrease WOB
Gradually return rpm Increase rpm  Loss of real-time 15 to 20%
to original to original value data/measurement
 Increased lateral shocks

No No
 Increased shock count No
Vibration Vibration Vibration
resumes? resumes? resumes?

Yes Yes Yes

POSTRUN EVIDENCE POSTRUN EVIDENCE POSTRUN EVIDENCE
Pick up off bottom Pick up off bottom and
 Early bearing failure  Cutters/inserts damaged typi- Pick up off bottom
 Cutters/inserts damaged allow string torque to
and allow string torque
cally on shoulder or gauge and allow string torque typically on nose and taper unwind
 Broken/chipped cutters to unwind
and inserts— no  Broken PDC blades to unwind  Overtorqued connections
Set rpm at 40 to 50% Restart drilling
specific location Restart drilling with 70 rpm
of original  Worn hybrids (equivalents)  Twist-offs and washouts
with 70 rpm
 BHA failure with minimal cutter wear Increase WOB
Increase WOB by
Increase WOB
 BHA failure to 25% below
10 to 20% of original  Overgauge hole to original value original value
from calipers
Gradually return Increase rpm to 25% Gradually return
rpm to 25%  One-sided wear on stabilizers below original value rpm to 15%
below original and BHA above original
 BHA failure

CONTINUE CONTINUE CONTINUE

DRILLING DRILLING DRILLING

07-DR-286 July 2007

Copyright © 2007 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.