Scaling Torsional Drilling Vibrations: A Simulation-Based Comparison of Downscale and Upscale Drill Strings Under Varying Torque Conditions
Torsional vibrations pose a serious challenge in drilling operations and can lead to effects such as stick-slip phenomena, tool wear, and reduced drilling efficiency. While previous research has been conducted on torsional vibrations, there is a notable gap in comparative studies that assess the sca...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2399 |
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| Summary: | Torsional vibrations pose a serious challenge in drilling operations and can lead to effects such as stick-slip phenomena, tool wear, and reduced drilling efficiency. While previous research has been conducted on torsional vibrations, there is a notable gap in comparative studies that assess the scalability of downscale models to real-world drilling conditions. This study fills this gap by systematically comparing torsional vibrations in downscale and upscale drill strings under different torque conditions at three different depths, shedding light on scaling effects in drilling vibrations. Numerical simulation was carried out taking into account non-linear interactions, damping effects, and torque variations. The laboratory set-up was for a well length of 15 m and was geometrically scaled to represent an upscale well of 450 m. Certain operational parameters such as rotation speed, torque, density, and friction coefficients were modified to keep realistic dynamic behavior, and all models were run at an identical speed of rotation to enforce consistency. The results show that both the upscale and downscale models exhibited stick-slip behavior, but differences in vibration intensity and stabilization trends point out how scaling affects torsional dynamics. Notably, the upscale bit first faced higher torsional oscillation than the set rotation speed after overcoming stick-slip before stabilizing, whereas the downscale bit went through prolonged stick-slip instability before synchronization. This study enhances the understanding of scaling effects in torsional drilling vibrations, offering a foundation for optimizing experimental setups and improving predictive modeling in drilling operations. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |