SPE/IADC 119260

Drill String Vibration Mitigation During Simultaneous Drilling and

Hole Enlargement
Stefano Mancini, Graham Hitchcock, Jrn Opsahl, and Luk Servaes, Halliburton Drill Bits and Services

Copyright 2009, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1719 March 2009.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE/IADC 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 or the International Association of Drilling Contractors and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not
necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or
storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors is prohibited. Permission to reproduce
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Abstract
Drill string vibrations (torsional, axial, and lateral uncontrolled movements) can create issues with equipment, drilling
performance and wellbore quality. With respect to equipment, prolonged excessive drill string vibration exposure can lead to
fatigue failure such as drill string 'twist off', downhole tool breakage, shorter mean time between failure (MTBF) for
measurement-while-drilling (MWD)/logging-while-drilling (LWD), and, in general, for directional drilling components. In
rotary steerable drilling, a moderate to high drill string vibration can result in poor directional control, reduced penetration rate,
and loss of time. This can result from reactive changes in drilling parameters intended to reduce detected drill string vibrations.
Wellbore quality can suffer if the vibrations cause the bit to not drill a smooth borehole.
Simultaneous drilling and hole enlargement are sometimes associated with drill string vibration because of complex
bottomhole assembly (BHA) dynamics involved in creating two hole sizes. Sources of drill string vibration during hole
enlargement can be the drill bit, hole enlargement tool, or BHA. Mitigation of drill string vibration with respect to hole
enlargement tools is of major interest because this can lead to reduced drilling costs, longer tool life, and improved wellbore
quality.
This paper discusses specific expandable hole enlargement tool technologies that contribute to a reduction of vibration
levels. Case history data is used to demonstrate these technologies, which have been shown to minimize drill string vibration
during drilling and simultaneous enlargement operations, leading to the successful completion of well objectives.

Introduction
Simultaneous drilling and hole enlargement can be one of the most challenging operations when it comes to controlling drill
string vibration. In rotary steerable applications, drilling efficiency can be compromised by the presence of a hole enlargement
tool in the BHA.
Drill string vibration in general represents a portion of the drilling energy that is dissipated and not used to create the
borehole. Vibration consists of uncontrolled and unwanted axial, torsional, and lateral movement. In standard drilling
applications, it is well known that drill bit vibrations can be attributable to the drill bit cutting structure engaging the rock.
Drill bit technology advances have made the transformation of drilling energy to work more efficient (i.e., building the
borehole), reducing the vibration energy dissipation at the drill bit. These technical discoveries improved the design and
application of the drill bit from a cutting structure point of view and from a geometrical point of view, using spiralled blades,
gauge pad configurations, and other features.
Fixed cutter and roller cone drill bits can be force balanced to keep the vibrations under control and to allow a higher level
of drilling optimization (Chen and Dahlem, 2001; Clayton, Chen, and Lefort, 2005).
Each time a cutting structure interfaces the rock, several opportunities to dissipate energy can be created, such as whirl,
stick-slip, and bounce. Within the industry, steps have been taken to measure and control the applied energy on the rig in real
time to establish the founder point, or optimum weight-on-bit (WOB), for a drill bit in any given formation (Dupriest and
Koederitz, 2005). The founder point can be affected by vibrational behaviors generated from the cutting structure, whether
from the drill bit, reamer, or both as a system.
In simultaneous hole enlargement operations, the presence of a second cutting structure at the hole enlargement tool
increases the complexity for two main reasons: (a) the hole enlargement tool cutting structure is engaging the rock in a

SPE/IADC 119260

formation that is different from the one at the drill bit; and (b) the hole enlargement tool is positioned where inefficiencies can
be transmitted into the BHA, thus reinforcing vibration levels that can reduce drilling effectiveness and efficiency.
The ability to reduce vibration sources intrinsic to the hole enlargement tool can result in an overall quieter reaming BHA.
The subject hole enlargement conventional reaming tool is designed specifically to minimize interference with the drilling
BHA and to minimally affect the BHA founder point from a vibration aspect. After this is accomplished, the BHA can be
further optimized to avoid bending/resonances arising from the directional drilling plan and operative window needed to
optimize the rate of penetration (ROP).
This is indeed a true BHA optimization in that vibration generation is reduced with a quieter reamer in the BHA. True
BHA optimization delivers most of the energy at the cutting elements to optimize ROP; the net effect is a better overall
performance of the BHA and faster ROP because a majority of the energy is used to drill and only a minimal amount is
dissipated.
This paper describes and explains specific articulated hole enlargement conventional reaming tools technology features
designed to minimize vibrations. Case studies using standard directional drilling (DD) software are shown, indicating the use
of these specific technologies results in minimzing vibration induced by the reamer.

Hole Enlargement
In hole enlargement applications, it is generally believed that concentricity alone could create sufficient protection against drill
string vibration. In some cases, it has been proven, using vibration capabilities available for drill bits, that the noisiest
component in a BHA could be the hole enlargement conventional reaming tool. Concentricity alone may not be sufficient
protection from vibration; additional technologies must be introduced to support the concentricity to reduce hole enlargement
vibration contribution and to recover the ability to add components without losing founder point optimization.
A typical expandable hole enlargement tool is designed with a cutting structure capable of extending outside a concentric
body on demand (Fig.1). The expandable hole enlargement tool is controlled by the systems hydraulic differential pressure,
flow rate, applied WOB, or a combination.
Initially, the expandable hole enlargement tool is required to remain in the closed state while drilling and is then opened to
produce the enlarged hole profile. In a simultaneous hole enlargement application with a rotary steerable BHA, the expandable
hole enlargement tool must remain closed while drilling the shoe within the casing restriction, as well as to the activation
point. This scenario typically requires the drill bit to be 100 to 150 ft. below the casing shoe at the activation of the hole
enlargement tool. A comparison of vibration data between the closed and then activated reamer provides a qualitative
indication of the contribution of the tool to the systems vibration levels.
The vibration levels as the drill bit reaches the activation point for the expandable expandable hole enlargement tool are, in
general, lower than the levels recorded after the tool is activated and the simultaneous enlargement operation is carried out. It
is worth analyzing in more detail, the reasons for the increased vibration levels that are observed.

Articulated Hole Enlargement Technologies Self-Body Stabilization

As opposed to drill bits, the essential requirement of a string rotary steerable system (RSS) hole enlargement tool is its
directional behavior passivity. Any directional tendency of the hole enlargement articulated reaming tool can have a
detrimental effect on the RSS performance in achieving the planned path. Because of the position of the tool in the drill string,
any tendency for whirl at the cutting structure can lead to sub-optimal performance of the system up to failure. The industry is
currently fighting this problem by adapting or modifying the BHA stabilization to limit the lateral aggressiveness of the tools
during hole enlargement operations.
The subject articulated hole enlargement tool embeds self-body stabilization technology. The self-body stabilization
absorbs the side loads and controls the side movement where the loads are the highest: at the cutting structure of the tool.

SPE/IADC 119260

Fig. 1Articulated hole enlargement tool through transition.

The self-body stabilization of the articulated tool effectively dampens the lateral vibrations generated while reaming and
drilling a deviated hole, and while crossing transitions between heterogeneous rock, contributing to a reduction in the vibration
signature of the BHA.
Stabilizing Cutting Structures: Articulated Deployment
The first operation carried out for conventional reaming tool hole enlargement is the collaring operation, i.e., the expansion of
the conventional reaming tool cutting structure into the borehole formation to cut the first enlarged window in the rock. This
operation is performed once during a drilling and enlarging operation and is performed with the drill bit off-bottom. The
collaring operation requires the presence of a cutting structure with high lateral aggressiveness to initiate the cut and efficiently
use the energy available to expand the arms. This operation is required only during this initial phase; after the fully enlarged
diameter is achieved, simultaneous drilling and hole enlargement can ensue.
A laterally aggressive cutting structure is extremely detrimental to directional stability while enlarging and drilling ahead.
A passive gauge pad cutting structure is known to considerably reduce the tendency to deviate from the borehole. (AADE
07-NTCE-10)
The hole enlargement cutting structure required during deployment and collaring has a direct effect on the vibration
signature of the enlargement tool if left in a laterally aggressive state in subsequent simultaneous hole enlargement and
drilling. Articulated deployment is a dynamic mechanism embedded in the subject hole enlargement that provides an
aggressive lateral side cutting action. This evolves into a completely passive gauge pad configuration and a large reaming
surface after the arms are fully deployed (Fig. 2).

SPE/IADC 119260

Fig. 2Articulated deployment of the articulated hole enlargement tool.

The true passive gauge will smooth the reaction of the reamer cutting structure to side forces generated from the BHA from
directional drilling, as well as from formation changes while drilling.
Cutting Arm Autoblocking
Stick-slip results from torsional fluctuation induced by the rotation and the contact with formation. Stick-slip vibrations are
extremely detrimental to hole enlargement performance. They can cause a spring-fluctuating load between the reamer and the
drill bit, resulting in a complex vibration output that is difficult to control.
In simultaneous drilling and hole enlargement applications, stick-slip vibration may be induced by pure hydraulic hole
enlargement tools resulting from the relationship between flow rate and WOB applied to the system. Flow rate determines the
differential pressure forces used to maintain the cutting structure engagement of the tool with the formation, while the axial
weight applied can be considered the opposite because this determines the amount of reaction force the formation will exert to
collapse the cutting structure. The engagement area of the cutting structure of the tool is a complex function of these two basic
parameters.
For simplicity, consider a purely differential pressure-operated hole enlargement tool, the drill bit and the reamer in the
same formation operating with a fixed differential pressure. An increase of the system WOB relates to a decrease of the reamer
cutting structure engagement and a simultaneous increase of the same at the drill bit. Note that the relationship at the tool is the
opposite of what would be the naturally expected behavior.
Changes in the engagement areas between the drill bit and the tool can initiate a stick-slip vibration mode because of the
resulting changes in torque loading of the reamer. To avoid changes of the engagement areas and subsequent initiation of
stick-slip in response to an increase of system WOB, both the reamer and the drill bit should increase the engagement area.
Consequently, both should increase the torque generated. Of course, in drilling the formation, unknown heterogeneity can
make the system uncontrollable; therefore this stick-slip issue is unavoidable given these conditions.
Autoblocking is an added technology of the subject articulated hole enlargement tool which negates the relationship
between WOB, differential pressure, and engagement areas. Autoblocking re-establishes the desired behavior in which
increasing WOB is equivalent to increasing the engagement areas at a fixed flow rate for the drill bit and the reamer.
Consequently, the presence of autoblocking means the articulated reaming tool cutter engagement area is unaffected by
unforeseen changes in flow rate during hole enlargement, provided that hole enlargement is occurring.

SPE/IADC 119260

Autoblocking is a dynamic technology that is in play only when it is desiredduring reaming. When the articulated tool
cutting structure is engaged with the rock, the resultant cutter forces act to keep the arms out. In fact, autoblocking transforms
the articulated arms in a solid block as long as the reaming operation is being carried out. After the BHA is off-bottom, the
articulated arms close and open depending on the actual differential pressure across the tool, thus enhancing the safety for the
pull out of hole (POOH) operation.

Fig. 3Directional drilling pan performed in Well 1 GOM, similar path were used for the offsets.

Field Application
In this section, a selection of offset runs from different regions with different directional drilling companies are used to
demonstrate application of the technology benefits used in the subject articulated hole enlargement tool.
In an application in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), an operator was disappointed with past experiences using alternative hole
enlargement tools that negatively affected drilling efficiency and ROP. Analyzing the systems total vibration noise signature,
a noise amplification at a high energy levels were observed in the offsets.
It was believed by the authors that the vibration noise amplification was a direct consequence of transition drilling at an
angle and the absence of self-body stabilization in the competitor hole enlargement tool. The use of the subject articulated
reaming tool was selected by the customer to regain efficiency in vibration control.
The BHA with the subject articulated reaming tool used in Well 1-GOM was derived from the customers past experience
and offsets. No particular changes on stabilization points where made compared to the previous offsets. The formation drilled
in this application was the typical shale Gulf of Mexico below the 16-in. liner. The directional drilling plan performed in the
section is shown in Fig. 3.
The directional drilling work was performed by the same rotary steerable system and directional drilling company in the
current well as the previous offsets. Formations drilled, drilling parameters used, and the directional plans between
Well 1-GOM and offset wells were as equal as possible in a drilling environment.
At the end of the run, the vibration noise signature, as it had been recorded by the LWD tool, was analyzed using the
typical energy scale (Level 0 to Level 7). The subject articulated tool vibration noise behavior is compared with the average
offset data available in Fig. 4. This methodology provides a good comparison of the capabilities of different hole enlargement
tools in controlling and mitigating their own source of vibrations.
All vibration modes (stick-slip, drill bit bounce, and lateral BHA) are maintained in the very low energy scale (Level 0 and
Level 1), and none of the vibration is amplified above Level 1. This confirms the efficiency of the articulated reaming tool
antivibration technologies to dampen the vibration at the reamer level, rather than acting to amplify.
The subject articulated tool vibration noise signature observed in Well-1 GOM application is also visible in other types of
applications. In Well-1 Norway, the hole was enlarged while drilling with point-the-bit RSS system.

SPE/IADC 119260

12-in. Articulated
hole enlargement tool

Offsets

Fig. 4Articulated hole enlargement tool noise signature compared to average offset signatures.

In this example, we do not have a direct comparison with similar offsets using an alternative hole enlargement tool. The
BHA was different from Well-1 GOM. In this case, there was no added stabilization below the subject articulated reaming
tool, which was connected directly to the MWD collar. The directional drilling path was similar to Well-1 GOM: a build
section with a maximum dogleg of 4.3 deg/30m.
In spite of the differences in the directional drilling company RSS technology, the formations crossed, and the BHA
configuration, the subject articulated hole enlargement tool vibration noise shows the same damping behavior (see Fig. 5),
minimizing vibration above Level 1.
12-in. Articulated hole enlargement
tool
WellWell
1 Norway
XR1200:
1 - Norway
60000

Avg-X
Avg-Y
Avg-Z

Number of Counts (Log Scale)

50000

40000

30000

20000

10000

0
Level 0

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

Fig. 5Well 1-Norway. The articulated hole enlargement tool shows equivalent noise signature compared to Well 1-GOM even if BHA,
directional drilling company, and formation drilled and reamed were different.

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7
8-in. Articulated hole enlargement tool
XR800:
2 Norway
Well
2 Well
Norway

35000

Avg-X

30000

Avg-Y
Avg-Z
25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
Level 0

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

Fig. 6Well 2-Norway the 8-in. articulated hole enlargement tool shows the same damping signature. No vibration is present above
level 1

For Well 2Norway, the noise signature of the subject articulated reaming tool is shown in Fig. 6. Again, the damping
effect of the vibration mitigation technology used on the articulated hole enlargement tool is evident.
In this application, a point-the-bit RSS system was again used in conjunction with the subject articulated reaming tool to
build and turn the well into the reservoir. The formations are different than the previously drilled offsets, and the BHA used in
this 8-1/2-in. application included a stabilizer below and above the tool.
The absence of noise at high energy levels, derived from the combination of self-body stabilization, articulated
deployment, and autoblocking, are particularly evident at the entry to the salt, which historically requires a higher level of
drilling energy than other formations to be drilled efficiently.
When the drill bit enters the salt transition, the vibration pattern remains constant. However, when a alternative hole
enlargement tool enters the transition and later the salt, the vibration log shows clearly the diminished efficiency of the system,
with vibration levels that are at considerably higher levels (see Fig. 7).

Fig. 7Salt entry vibration log. The drill bit and the reamer enter the transition at different instances. A standard articulated reaming
tool causes a sustained change in vibration pattern even when both reamer and drill bits are in the salt. The 16-in. articulated hole
enlargement tool salt entry, vibrations disappear as soon as the transition is crossed, the vibration trend is unchanged.

SPE/IADC 119260

Conclusions
We have shown that the ability to control vibration in a simultaneous drilling and hole enlargement application can be
improved with the anti-vibration technologies introduced in the subject articulated tool design.
Specific anti-vibration technologies, including self-body stabilization, articulated deployment, and autoblocking, have been
applied to a new generation of hole enlargement tools. The characteristic vibration signature of the subject articulated hole
enlargement tool has been analyzed and the field data provided validates that this tool exhibits low vibration in rotary steerable
simultaneous drilling enlargement operations.

References
Chen, S. and Dahlem, J. 2001. Development and Field Applications of Roller Cone Bits with Balanced Cutting Structure. SPE paper 71393MS presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, 30 September-3 October, New Orleans, La.
Clayton, R., Chen, S., Lefort, G. 2005. New Bit Design, Cutter Technology Extend PDC Applications to Hard Rock Drilling. SPE paper
91840-MS presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, 23-25 February, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Dupriest, F.E., and Koederitz, W.L. 2005. Maximizing Drill Rates with Real-Time Surveillance of Mechanical Specific Energy. SPE paper
92194 presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, 23-25 February, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
AADE 07-NTCE-10. 2007.