SPE-177713-MS

Axial Oscillation Tool Significantly Mitigates the Vibration Level and

Enhances Drilling Performance in Conjunction With Standard RSS
Systems
Ibrahim M. Altamimi and Samir Mokrani, National Oilwell Varco (NOV) - Drilling & Intervention; Ahmed H. Zulkaf,
Qatar Petroleum

Copyright 2015, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 9 –12 November 2015.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect
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consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
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Abstract
Since the beginning of directional drilling, static friction between the drill string and the wall of the
wellbore has played a critical role in increasing the overall cost of the drilling operation. This is caused
by the waste of energy due to poor weight on bit transfer or downhole tool’s damages due to high vibration
levels encountered.
High friction of the drill string against the wellbore has become a major concern in the process of
drilling, whether it is in directional or horizontal drilling application. This source of additional torque and
drag will lead to lower rates of penetration, poor tool face control, induced torsional vibration, instable
drilling operation and higher rates of nonproductive rig time.
This paper presents the benefits of utilizing the axial oscillation tool in conjunction with standard RSS
drive systems in directional drilling applications, whereby the mechanism of axially oscillating the BHA
or drill string has substantially reduced drag and friction, resulting in improved weight transfer, more
consistent torque, and therefore, more consistent reactive torque. This provides a significant reduction in
stick slip vibration levels and more stable drilling operation in all modes of drilling.
With reference to the offset data, this paper also illustrates actual field runs that highlights the
significant improvement in WOB transfer, ROP and torsional vibration mitigation, encountered to
utilizing the Axial Oscillation Tool in conjunction with standard RSS system, which has led to more stable
and cost effective drilling operation.
Introduction
Drilling vibration and associated shocks to the drill string can cause significant damage to drill bits, drill
string components and downhole tools, which can lead to a huge increase in the cost of the drilling
operation.
Over the past decade, there has been an increasing focus on drilling vibration largely due to the
availability of more complex and expensive drilling systems, such as LWD and Rotary Steerable Systems.
The downhole electronics within the drill string are the most fragile part of any drilling system. Hence,
directional drilling companies developed systems to measure vibration in real time to protect their assets,
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reducing the mean time between failures and developing a better understanding about the vibrations root
causes.
TDI (Torsional Dynamic Indicator) is one of the indicators provided by directional drilling companies
that is used to determine the mode and severity of downhole torsional dynamic vibrations by recording
data downhole using MWD/LWD tools, and it takes into account both the stick slip average, and the
lateral vibration.
The use of axial oscillation tool in conjunction with the standard RSS systems has proven its effect in
mitigating TDI, leading to more stable drilling operations, extended downhole tool life and improved
drilling efficiency.
Design Review
The axial oscillation tool relies on three main mechanisms to operate; the power section, valve and bearing
section, along with the excitation section (Shock Tool).
The power section drives the valve to produce pressure pulses, which in turn activate the excitation
section, generating the gentle axial oscillations that travel along the drill string and break the static friction.

Figure 1—Axial Oscillation Tool (Operation Sequence)

Power Section
The power section is composed of 1:2 lobe configuration (similar to positive displacement motors).
As the drilling fluid is being pumped through the drill string, it passes through the power section of the
Axial Oscillation Tool, launching the rotor rotation. In turn, this motion causes the Oscillating Valve
Assembly (OVA) connected to the bottom end of the rotor to generate pressure pulses.

Figure 2—Axial Oscillation Tool (Power Section)

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There is no torque requirement for the power section; its function is simply to rotate the OVA, creating
pressure pulses. These pulses and how they ⬙excite⬙ the drill string are explained in the following section.

Valve and Bearing Section

The unique valve system is the heart of the tool; it converts the energy available from the pumped fluid
into a series of pressure fluctuations (pressure pulses). This is done by creating cyclical restrictions
through the use of a pair of valve plates. The valve opens and closes with the result that the total flow area
(TFA) of the tool cycles from maximum to minimum, where at minimum TFA, the pressure is high, and
at maximum TFA, the pressure is low.

Figure 3—Axial Oscillation Tool (Valve & Bearing Section)

Excitation Section (Shock Tool)

The power section along with valve and bearing section will only create pressure pulses. Yet in order to
transform this hydraulic energy into a useful mechanical force in jointed pipe operation, a shock tool is
placed above the power section and the valve and bearing section.
The Shock tool contains a sealed mandrel, which is spring loaded axially. When internal pressure is
applied to the shock tool, the mandrel will extend due to pressure acting on the sealing area within the tool.
If the pressure is removed, the springs return the mandrel to its original position, and so the pressure pulses
will cause the shock tool to extend and retract, thus producing an axial oscillation that travels through the
drill string.
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Figure 4 —Axial Oscillation Tool (Excitation Section)

The gentle oscillations generated by the axial oscillation tool will travel through the drill string
resulting in breaking the static friction and providing more consistent weight transfer to the bit. Hence,
achieving the required DOC leading into improved drilling efficiency (higher ROP and longer interval
drilled with less MSE.) At the same time, this means delivering more consistent torque, therefore more
consistent reactive torque that will exponentially mitigate Torsional Vibration Levels resulting in the
following:
– More stable drilling operation
– Extended bit/BHA life because of the constant and improved weight transfer.
– Reduction in drill pipe compression as the weight is transferred effectively avoiding excessive
fatigue and side forces.
– Lower WOB will be required, therefore optimized drilling efficiency.
– Improved ROP.
– Less MSE and more efficient drilling operation due to the above.

Application Summary
The Axial Oscillation Tool was run in conjunction with standard RSS system within the 8.5⬙ directional
application, building from 30° to lateral, while drilling through limestone, dolomite and homogenous unit
of hard anhydrite. The offset wells have revealed the following as primary drilling challenges:
– Severe torsional vibrations, where TDI was ranging from 5 (medium) to 7 (severe), along with high
stick Slip vibration presence.
– Poor weight on bit transfer due to the well trajectory
– Poor ROP
Hence, the Axial Oscillation Tool was proposed as an optimum solution to reduce drag and friction and
mitigate the high torsional vibration levels (stick slip,) by facilitating the weight on bit transfer. This
should provide more consistent and reactive torque, leading to more stable drilling operation. At the same
time, it should maintain consistent depth of cut, resulting in higher ROP throughout the interval drilled.
SPE-177713-MS 5

Figure 5—Application Summary (8.5ⴖ Section)

It is noted that the subject wells and the offset wells had similar well trajectories, mud properties, drive
type, drill bit type and BHA designs.

Case Study (1) – (Onshore) – Qatar

Summary
6 ¾⬙ Axial Oscillation Tool was run in conjunction with 6 ¾⬙ standard RSS system and full set of
MWD/LWD tools, at a distance of 1100 ft from the PDC drill bit. It drilled an interval of 2218 ft while
building angle from vertical to 90° and achieving an outstanding ROP of 33.6 ft/hr, going mainly through
medium to hard dolomite, limestone and hard anhydrites.
BHA:
(8.5⬙ PDC Bit ⫹ 6.5⬙ Pivot Stab.⫹ 6.75⬙ standard RSS ⫹ 6.75 IDS ⫹ 6.75⬙ NDT ⫹ 6.75⬙ MFR ⫹
6.75⬙ HEL ⫹ 3⫻5⬙ HWDP ⫹ 6.5⬙ Drilling Jar ⫹ 2⫻5⬙ HWDP ⫹ 27⫻5⬙ DP ⫹ 6.75ⴖ Axial Oscillation
Tool ⫹ 18⫻5⬙ DP ⫹ 30⫻5⬙ HWDP ⫹ 5⬙ DP to surface)

Drilling performance Analysis

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Figure 6 —Case Study (1) - Vibration Logs Comparison

It is noted that Axial Oscillation Tool has been tested at the surface level applying the optimum
recommended flow rate based on the tool’s setup, whereby the axial oscillation tool frequency was
recorded ranging between 17-18 Hz, while the MWD/LWD tool’s frequency was ranging between 5-8 Hz.
Therefore, no interference or detection issues were faced throughout the run.
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Figure 7—Case Study (1) - Applied Weight on Bit logs

The use of the Axial Oscillation Tool within the subject well has help dramatically in breaking the
static friction and converting the static energy into a kinetic energy, which can be observed from the above
applied WOB logs.
The WOB applied within the subject well is about 25% less compared to the WOB applied within the
direct offset well, which can be referred to the direct effect of utilizing the Axial Oscillation Tool.
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Figure 8 —Case Study (1) - Cost Per Foot & Drilling Performance Analysis

Results of Case Study #1

It is clearly noted that the use of Axial Oscillation Tool in conjunction with standard RSS has helped in
optimizing the drilling operation by reducing drag and friction and improving the weight transfer to the
bit, which reduced the torsional vibration levels.
In terms of the improvement in the drilling performance, the overall section ROP was increased by
54% compared to the offset’s average, resulting in $51 cost per foot savings compared to the offset’s
average, and 3 days saved over the planned drilling program. As a result of the substantial reduction in
torsional vibrations, no lubricant was added, leading to further cost savings, while the offsets required
0.5% concentration of lubricants.
SPE-177713-MS 9

Case Study (2) – (Onshore) – Qatar

Summary
6 ¾⬙ Axial Oscillation tool was run in conjunction with 6 ¾⬙ standard RSS system and full set of
MWD/LWD tools, at a distance of 1150 ft from the PDC drill bit, drilling an interval of 1557 ft while
building angle from 28° to 90°. The section was completed in one run and achieved an outstanding ROP
of 29.9 ft/hr, mainly through medium to hard dolomite, limestone and hard anhydrites.
BHA:
(8.5⬙ PDC Bit ⫹ 6.75⬙ standard RSS ⫹ 6.75 IDS⫹ 6.75⬙ NDT ⫹ 6.75⬙ MFR ⫹ 6.75⬙ HEL ⫹ Float
Sub ⫹ 6.5⬙ MOCS ⫹ 3⫻5⬙ HWDP ⫹ 6.5⬙ Drilling Jar ⫹ 2⫻5⬙ HWDP ⫹ 27⫻5⬙ DP ⫹ 6.75ⴖ Axial
Oscillation Tool ⴙ 9⫻5⬙ DP ⫹ 30⫻5⬙ HWDP ⫹ 5⬙ DP to the surface)
Drilling performance Analysis

Figure 9 —Case Study (2) - Vibration Logs Comparison

The Axial Oscillation Tool has been tested at the surface level applying the optimum recommended
flow rate based on the tool’s setup. The Axial Oscillation Tool frequency ranged between 17-19 Hz, while
the MWD/LWD frequency ranged between 4-8 Hz. Therefore, no interference or detection issues were
faced throughout the interval drilled.
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Figure 10 —Case Study (2) - Cost Per Foot & Drilling Performance Analysis

Results of Case Study #2

Once again, the Axial Oscillation Tool successfully optimized the drilling operation by reducing drag and
friction, which significantly reduced the stick slip average and bit whirl in the subject well throughout the
interval drilled.
In terms of the improvement in the drilling performance, the overall section ROP was increased by
20% compared to the direct offset. This resulted in a $47 CPF savings compared to direct offset. As a
result of the substantial reduction in torsional vibrations, no lubricant was added leading to further cost
savings, while the offsets required 0.5% concentration of lubricants.
SPE-177713-MS 11

Conclusions
The Axial Oscillation Tool proved to be an effective tool in optimizing drilling operations, and showed
great compatibility with standard RSS systems in directional drilling applications.
The gentle oscillations induced by the Axial Oscillation Tool travelling through the BHA has played
a major role in breaking static friction (converting static energy into a kinetic energy,) and maintaining/
facilitating the weight transfer to the bit at a close to constant rate. This resulted in more consistent torque
and reactive torque, leading to lower torsional vibration levels in general, and reduced stick slip vibration
levels in specific, aiding a more stable drilling operation.
Facilitating the weight transfer to the bit, also helped achieve and maintain the required DOC, which
has led to dramatic improvement in terms of the overall section ROP and therefore, a more efficient
drilling operation.
The use of the Axial Oscillation Tool in conjunction with a standard RSS system in directional drilling
applications also proved huge cost savings in the overall cost of the drilling operation due to the following
facts:
– Improved ROP and optimized drilling efficiency.
– Optimized drilling operation due to reduction in drag/friction and facilitated WOB transfer.
– Extended downhole tool life due to reduced vibration levels and a more stable drilling operation.
Therefore, the Axial Oscillation Tool has shown great compatibility with standard RSS systems and
enabled the performance throughout the different trials to be further improved by reducing vibration levels
and improving the ROP, leading to more stable and efficient drilling operations that result in significant
cost savings.

Glossary
BHA – Bottom Hole Assembly
RSS – Rotary Steerable Systems
WOB – Weight on Bit
RPM – Revolutions per Minute
ROP – Rate of Penetration
MSE – Mechanical Specific Energy
MWD – Measurement While Drilling
GPM – Gallons per Minute
DOC – Depth of Cut
Hz – Hertz

References
1. National Oilwell Varco, Drilling Agitator Tool Handbook, ©2012-REV04.
2. Weatherford® International, standard RSS vibration Logs.
3. Lane, P., Yosef, A. Amiraslani. ⬙Converting Static Friction to Kinetic Friction to Drill Further and
Faster in Directional Holes⬙ SPE/IADC SPE 151221, presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling
conference Exhibition held in San Diego, California, USA, 6-8 March 2012.
4. Steve Barton, Franklin Baez, Aref Alali. ⬙Drilling Performance Improvements in Gas Shale Plays
using a Novel Drilling Agitator Device⬙ SPE/IADC SPE 144416, presented at the SPE North
American Unconventional Gas Conference and Exhibition held in The Woodlands, Texas, USA,
14 –16 June 2011.