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IADC/SPE 11406
383
2 SHOCK ABSORBERS - ARE THEY NECESSARY SPE 11406
384
SPE 11406 STEPHEN WORFORD
In review, shock absorber design parameters
which will affect performance are listed below: insert breakage. Also, the reduction in impact
loading improves bearing life. Since the bit cuts ne
-damping mechanism rock when it is momentarily off the bottom, average
-capabilities of the damping mechanism penetration rates are lower when a shock absorber is
-torque system not used. Alternatively, the same penetration rate
-internal component support can be obtained with lower bit weight, thus prolong-
-tolerances and clearances ing bearing and cutting structure life. Second, the
-lateral stiffness insertion of a shock in the bottomhole assembly will
result in a change in the natural frequency of the
SHOCK ABSORBER BENEFITS drill string; again allowing optimum rotary speed and
bit weight. This has been demonstrated in studies by
Drill string vibration, or bouncing, is a Kreisle and Vance (Fig. 4).
condition that can develop during the drilling
operation. Frequencies of longitudinal vibration If optimum energy levels can be obtained for the
are usually three times the rotary speed as gener- hole condit ions present and rig limi tat ions, whi Ie
ated from the three-lobe shaped bottomhole patterns minimizing the drill string vibration, then favorable
characteristic of three-cone rock bits. When economic conditions should exist.
drilling at shallow depths, this movement can be
readily observed at the rig floor as vertical The basic benefits derived from using a shock
movement of the kelly. As depth increases, it is absorber are as follows:
also possible to have damaging vibration of the
drill string without visible evidence at the surface. -Minimize drill collar and drill pipe
In this condition, the damping effect of the drill damage due to reduced bouncing of the
pipe obscures vibration occuring in the lower drill string.
portion of the drill string. The impact loads on -Minimize damage to the derrick, block,
the bit and drill string may be of sufficient swivel, wireline, and other surface
magnitude to damage components without being evident equipment.
at the surface. -Increase bit life due to reduced shock
loading which protects both the cutting
Vibration can develop during the drilling structure and the bearings.
operat ion for several reasons. There is an energy -Keep the bit on the bottom of the hole.
level combination, dependent on hole condition, in -Increase drilling rates from application
which the rotary speed causes a natural resonance to of optimum energy levels.
occur in the drill string. Most vibration, however, -Reduce the amplitude and displacement of
is the result of a reaction between the bit and the vibration in the entire drill string.
formation. The vibration frequently occurs when
drilling medium to hard formations due to the DEVIATIONAL/DIRECTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
crushing, grinding drilling mechanism. This is
especially true if the formations are fractured or When deviational problems or direction drilling
broken. However, vibration can develop when drill- is anticipated, various design aspects of a shock
ing softer formations. In this condition, the absorber must be considered. A general claim is
vibration is a result of drilling non-uniform that a shock absorber contributes significantly to
intervals of the well (Le., sand and shale se- hole deviation as a result of lateral stiffness and
quences), where one formation is harder or softer a lack of tool stability. There are more shock
relative to the other formation. absorbers removed from the drill string for this
particular objection than for any other.
Measurements have been made that show the bit
can actually move off the bottom of the hole from It is a fact that the probability for hole
a fraction of an inch to as much as 1.7 inches. deviation does increase when a shock absorber is
As a result of this movement the actual weight on the placed in the drill string. This occurs since the
bit varied from 0 to 3.5 times the weight indicated rigidity of a shock absorber is less than for a
at the surface. It is this movement and changes in drill collar. It is possible, however, to minimize
momentum that cause the damage to the drill string, this probability.
bit, and other rig components.
Selection of the proper tool design is the
When excessive vibration occurs, the standard first step in minimizing the potential problem. The
procedure to minimize the potential damage is to clearances and tolerances between component parts of
reduce the energy levels applied to the bit. the shock absorber are critical in determining the
However, penetration rate is related to both the relative stiffness of the tool. Excessive clear-
bit weight (Fig. 2) and the rotary speed (Fig. 3). ances will allow wobble within the tool, and will
Thus, any reduction in the energy levels applied to react in a similar manner as a bent drill collar.
the bit results in a decreased penetration rate. In addition, excessive clearance can act as a
fulcrum on the bit as well as on the tool. This
Use of shock absorber will damp vibration, results in aggravated bending loads, which can add
allowing optimum energy levels while reducing the to deviation or directions 1 control problems and
dynamic loads on bit and drill string. The effect of increased s tresses on critical components. These
the shock absorber is two-fold. First, it keeps the design 1 imitat ions do, however, vary between shock
bit in contact with the formation, reducing the absorber manufacturers.
impact loads and the resulting axial displacement of
bit and drilling components. This helps protect the The next step involves bottomhole assembly (BHA)
cutting structure of the bit by minimizing tooth or designs. By designing the proper bottomhole assembly
for the specific hold condition anticipated, the
385
4 SHOCK ABSORBERS - ARE THEY NECESSARY SPF: 1140,
386
SPE 11406 STEPHEN wORFoRn ,
If the tool is placed higher in the drill shock absorber is necessary and becomes a vital tool
string, stabilization of the shock absorber must be in reducing the overall drilling economics.
considered. As previously discussed, design and
lateral stiffness of a particular shock absorber REFERENCES
must be also considered. An unstabilized tool may
be exposed to high bending loads which increase the 1. F. H. Deily, D. W. Dareing, G. H. Paff, J. E.
probability of fatigue failure. If placed imme- Ortloff, R. D. Lynn, "Downhole Measurements of
diately above a reamer/stabilizer the probability of Drill String Forces and Motions," Journal
a fat igue fai lure wi 11 be reduced s igni ficant ly. If of Engineering for Industry, Trans. ASME, Vol.
placed between two reamer/stabilizers, there is an -----9-0, Series B, No.2, May 1968.
even greater reduction in the fatigue failure.
Additionally, the probability for hole directional 2. Dareing, D. W. and Livesay, B. J. "Longitudinal
problems is also reduced by placing the shock and Angular Drill String Vibrations and Dampen-
absorber between two reamer / s tabi 1 izers s 1nce this ing," Journal of Engineering for Industry,
isolates the lateral movement of the tool. Trans. ASME, Vol. 90, Series B, Vol. 4, Nov.
1968.
CONCLUSIONS
3. Worford, S. W., "The Effects of a Shock Absorber
The use of a shock absorber does increase the on Drilling Economics," ASME Workshop and
service life of the drill string, improves the rock Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oct. 1979.
bit I s performance, and reduces stresses on surface
equipment. These benefits can result in an overall 4. Willcox, M. G., Karle, A. P., Chaver, H. R.,
reduction in the cost of drilling a well. "Downhole Shock Absorbers," Dri lling Technology
Conference of the International Association of
In order to determine if the shock absorber is Drilling Contractors, March 1977.
necessary, the cost reductions from these benefits
must be compared to the previously discussed 5. Kreisle, Leonard F., Vance, John M., "Mathema-
limitations. Through selection of the properly tical Analysis of the Effect of a Shock Sub on
designed tool and proper placement in the bottomhole the Longitudinal Vibrations of an Oilwell Drill
assembly for the formation conditions drilled, their String," Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal
limitations can be overcome and the benefits ob- (Dec. 1970) 349-356.
tained. If this condition does exist, then the
387
APPENDIX
Well A
Point Coupe~h, Louisiana
60-4S-9E
Well B
Panola ~, Texas
Well C
Burleson~y, Texas
Well D
Blaine C~ Oklahoma
29-l8N-13W
Well E
Woods County, Oklahoma
10-25N-13W
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