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Instantaneous Logging Based on a

Dynamic Theory of Drilling
J. Lutz, Societe Nationale des Petroles d’Aquitaine
M. Raynaud, Societe Nationale des Petroles d’Aquitaine
S. Gstalder, Societe Nationale des Petroles d’Aquitaine
C. Quichaud, Societe Nationale des Petroles d’Aquitaine
J. Ravnal.
-.—J -__, SPE-AIM E, Societe Nationale des Petroles d’Aquitaine
J. A. ‘Muckleroy, Amoco Production Co.

Introduction
The Societe Nationale des Petroles D’Aquitaine
(SNPA) has developed a dynamic theory of drilling
based on the creation by the dri!!ing bit of longitudinal
vibrations and the transmission of these vibrations
through the drillstem. The tricone bit is considered as
a generator of mechanical waves in a complex system
comprising the drillstem and derrick on one hand and
the rock o-n the other. A theoretical interpretation of
the dynamic behavior of the tricone bit permits us to
define the vibratory characteristics of the excitation
imparted to the rock and the drillstem. Only the tri-
cone bit is considered here.
A dynamic model of drilling operation can be de-
rived from this theory. In this closed-loop model, the
characteristics of the “simulated rock must be continu-
ously adjusted in order to obtain from the model a
signal that agrees with field measurements. In this
way, on the basis of the vibratory state measured at
the top of the drillstem, it is possible to obtain data on
the rock being drilled.
Simple recorders that are accurate and dependable
have also been developed to measure the vibrations
and the principal parameters. These recorders have
been used in the field for about 5 years.
Using the basic ideas derived from the dynamic
theory, a simplified means of treating the measure-
-.a..+mh..-
lllGll
,.&,~_.,*
L3 11L13 &l VGll all
;~.+~~~.~~fi,,.
#113LClIl Ltlll&”
la” ,,,
U3 ,“~
,-,cm ,,.o
“ b,“ab,
h . .
“a&. ,,2a u
ing. This knowledge can lead to better optimization of
drilling variables and more effective automation.
The importance of vibratory phenomena in drilling
rigs is well known to all drillers. Certain rotational
speeds must be avoided because they lead to reso-
nance phenomena in the drill string and the derrick
— phenomena that very quickly take on a spectacu-
lar aspect and that can also lead rapidly to severe
damage if they are not quickly stopped.
It has been verified many times in the field — in
particular in turbodrilling with a tricone bit, in which
the rotation of the drillstem can be stopped — that
the vibratory regimes observed at the kelly sometimes
vary quite markedly; the explanation that seems most
plausible to us is to be found in a modification of the
bit-rock coupling.
We have also been able to observe in the course of
numerous tests that the general behavior of tricone
bits on our test bench is not always comparable with
that in the field. The amount of rock destruction, in
particular at high values of drilling parameters,
seemed much better in the bench tests, a possible
cause being a bit-rock coupling that was more effec-
tive because of a more rigid structure.
On the other hand, the remarkable bottom-hole
data recorded by Esso Production Research C0.1”2
h..m
11(4. W
.hnwn
0,. ” . . . .
that
. . . . .
the
. ..”
l>it
“..
llni-l~rgy~
. . ..-w.
p~~2rnm@=~ v~p~~-

promising future in developing knowledge of the me- tions that are not detected in conventional surface
chanical characteristics of the ;ock at the-time of drill- measurements. It could be that the bit is in contact

‘ Vibrations from the tricone bit are measured at the kelly aria’interpreted at the derrick
In-.
]t~or to /j~6?
:..-.-....-------
l.. =
~pi Lrl>turltUrtCUU> LSJg -i
U] 4L’.
Lrlc 1-”-”
J(JI ;fim
IIbUtLWL Wlbb c
“’h:~n LL
‘4
.
is h ;un
ueblb~ Av;llnrl
UI AM
6SGGU. -lb
experimental version of the system has been used in the field for several years. Such
instantaneous knowledge is valuable in adjusting drilling variables, in correlating
formations, and in warning that a zone of abnormal pressure is being approached.

750 ~&M& /97= JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

with the rock only a part of the time.
All this draws attention to dynamic phenomena.
Since it is extremely diflicult or even impossible to re-
produce in the laboratory the real environment of a
bit.
_-., there
----- .–is an obvious need for field studies to obtain
a better knowledge of these phenomena, while build-
ing a theory to permit interpretation.
I%C. fnllnwko
* 1.* .“11” . . s..=
tayt
.-’..
nr~c~ntc
~. ““--.”
thr= work
----
for many years on vibratory phenomena by the re-
search team of SNPA’S drilling laboratory. It de-
scribes both theoretical aspects of the problems inves-
tigated and the field results obtained. We feel there is
work still to be done to achieve the dynamic picture of
the drilling operation that is presented here and to
rlariv-” f.nm
-“14. .4”s..
thic nifitnrt=
--.7 y.” . ...”
all the nnccihle
— .--” y“.”----
cedures. In particular, the field results presented in
this paper are used only to suggest di17erent possible
applications. But we think that the obvious potential
of our method justifies its publication in its present
form.
Description of Drilling as a
Dynamic Phenomenon
In the course of tricone bit rotation, the teeth succes-
sively support the vertical load of the bit on the rock.
In going from one tooth to the following one, there is
a slight vertical displacement: the tooth in effect forces
its way between two obstacles, the rock and tihe driii
collars. The totai displacement is distributed between
these two obstacles according to their relative resist-
ance. As for the frequency of these displacements, it
evidently depends on the design of the bit and its ro-
tational speed.
The bit can then be characterized in the following
way: it is a generator or rather a transformer of ener-
gy; that is, it receives from the drill string the energy
of torque times rotation, which it transforms — in
particular insofar as it works by percussion — into the
energy of force times vertical displacement. This trans-
formation occurs in variable degrees at relatively high
frequencies, from a few blows per second to some
dozens of blows per second.
We conclude that the concept of static weight on
the bit is but a partial explanation of the destruction
phenomenon in drilling. To represent the working of
the tncone bit, we can use the analogy of an electrical
transformer that transmits only an alternating energy;
the tricone then is seen as a source of energy that goes
into two parallel systems: the rock on one hand, and
the drill collars, drillstem, and derrick on the other.
The energy that is propagated into the rock circuit
serves to destroy the rock; the drilling speed will then
increase when this energy is at a maximum, other fac-
tors remaining the same. Seen from this viewpoint, the
problem of drilling becomes a problem of impedance
matching, which recalls the problem of matching an
electric circuit to the generator that is energizing it.
The electrical analogy is in addition made more evi-
dent by the fact that the equations of propagation of
mechanical waves in elastic media have the same form
as those that govern the propagation of electrical
waves.
The energy going upwards to the drill collars is pro-
.-. -.. *-A:.. ●L- AA1l.4.a...
. ...4 .,,:11 .4:.. -.--”. Athm- -A-a
ytgmcu Ill LUG Ulluatclu auu Wul Umappcu
JUNE, 1972
rapidly or less rapidly by damping — depending upon
its frequency; or by losses — depending upon the COU-
pling characteristics between the driiistem and the
mud or the drillstem and the walls of the well. How-
ever, a part of the energy can be detected in the kelly,
and it is clear from the preceding that this quantity of
energy should be representative of certain properties
., -----
carried
-------
mlt
--- Q! Lhe rock beirm
------ drilled.
—.....–. Logically, that part of the
energy received at the surface that is due to the bit-
rock reaction should be greater when the mechanical
impedance of the rock is higher. (This, of course, does
not exclude other energy that may arise from vibra-
tions from whipping of drillstem, resonances in the
system, etc.) We can attempt to record this energy in
nrm?tic%+l
y------—
nrn-
r-- grder to rn.ake from. it an instantaneous
_—----------- log of the for-
mation being drilled.
The verification and utilization of such a theory of
drilling assumes an extensive program of research; we
have not exhausted all the aspects. The research in-
volves:
1. Development of the dynamic theory described
above. This theory will necessarily carry an important
limitation, since it will consider only elastic, and there-
fore reversible, phenomena, whereas drilling is a phe-
nomenon involving destruction of rock, and this im-
plies leaving the elastic domain.
2. Study of the tricone bit (and other types of bits)
as generators and emitters of both longitudinal and
torsional impulses; study of the drillstem as a trans-
mission line to the derrick; study of the impedances
of rocks.
3. Development of measurement and detection
equipment adapted to the study of surface signals in
field drilling.
4. Study and elimination of parasitic signals.
5. Detection of the behavior of the drillstem and,
above all, of the drill collars, with the purpose of op-
timizing this behavior (determining vibratory regimes,
including those under the shock sub or bumper sub3).
6. Complete simulation of the dynamic process of
drilling, for the purpose of optimtilng it.
The remainder of this paper ciescriiies some of the
results obtained to date, theoretical and experimental,
in the laboratory and in the field.
The field data satisfactorily give, in our opinion, an
over-all justification of the drilling concept that we
have outlined. However, further work will still be ne-
cessary to arrive at complete agreement between the
theory and the field observations. Integrating the re-
sults of this work into drilling technique should be, we
believe, an important step in obtaining the software
necessary to a more effective optimization of this
technique.
Theory
The Tricone Bit Considered as a Vibration Generator
Interpretation of the measurements made on the test
bench and in the field shows that the cone bit is a gen-
erator of longitudinal and torsional vibrations. Obser-
vation of the work of the tricone leads us naturally to
consider the bit above all as a dkplacement generator,
characterized by the lift involved in passing from one
tooth to the other (Fig. 1). Experiments on the test
nnd tn
. . . thic
..-. ” hvnntheci~ -- meas-
bn.h .I]nw
Glcmei Ww.. ““--.1 w,” .. II.
. . tn
.“ rnnfinn
w.,-. ..J r- -.-”.. --- ----—
751

Fig. l—Movement of the W.
ure. while drilling, the amplitude of the elementary
lift between teeth. As the tooth penetration increases,
and vertical cone displacement approaches zero, the
signal is damped. In softer rocks, the bit teeth pene-
trate more, and less energy is sent to the surface.
The spectrum of the excitation shows the existence
of several characteristic frequencies in the working of
the bit at the bottom. The value of these frequencies is
evidently related to the velocity of rotation, N; the
principal frequencies found are 3N, 10 to 15N, and
18 to 25N (Fig. 2).
The frequency 3N is related to the ternary symme-
try of the tricone. The frequencies 10 to 15N and 18
to 25 N are emitted by the teeth of the intermediate
and exterior crowns of each cone. The exact value of
the frequency emitted, and of its amplitude, depends
on the type of bit and on drilling conditions.
In the field (Fig. 3), resonances in the derrick and
drill collars are mainly excited by the 3N frequency.
In fact, for the usual range of rotational velocities, the
impedance minima of the derrick are found at fre-
quencies currently attained in the 3N frequency; and
in the same way for the resonance frequencies of the
drill collars, whose values are between multiples of
a/4L and a/2L (where a is the velocity of sound in
steel, and L is the length of the drill collars) depend-
ing on the end conditions.
There is also parasitic generation of vibrations by
certain special parts of the drillstem, as for example
the blade stabilizers, which can introduce other mul-
tiples of N.
Transmission of Vibrations in the Drillstem
The vibrations emitted by the bit are transmitted to
the surface by the drillstem. In this transfer, the vibra-
tions undergo principally three distortions,
1. The internal damping in the drillstem and the
losses in the mud attenuate the amplitude of the vibra-
tions emitted.
2. Resonances in the drillstem deform the emis-
sion spectrum.
3. Resonances in the derrick modify the form of
the vibration spectrum received from the bottom.
To calculate the influence of these deformations we
use the method of mechanical impedances and quad-
ripoles. 4’5
The main advantage of the theory of impedances is
that it enables us to break up a complex mechanical
system into its components, each of which is charac-
terized by its response frequency. From one compon-
ent to the other, the frequency distortions affecting the
vibrations are much easier to visualize than with the
conventional method. Tine response of the i~’~1 sjjs-
tem is then the sum of the responses of each of the
components.
The equations governing propagation of vibrations
in a homogeneous prismatic rod are in the same form
as those that give propagation of current in an elec-
tric line. Here we shall treat only the longitudinal
case; in torsion the problem is perfectly analogous.
In either a stationary or a periodic regime, the rela-
tions between the vibratory state at the entrance to the
rod (the generating side carries the subscript e) and at
the exit (indicated by the subscript $ are given by:
= chy L Z,shy L
m
F,
v, sh Y L/Z, chy L 1[1 F,
V,

J 30 ;0 120 1
I I
nau4e#rn c?Km/sEcc+m
!JL3Ll 30 40
WO14WCf
*’O
N CYCUS/SEC.
I do 1+
ONU WE:
PvxEu?otnesM:

ORU ~ : 14”-----$6.31 _ Mlsa:. ..--------fl 316-

ROlA710XA4vmOarY:. r5s Wm * 1/2”... s$.S5- oe3x:-------- .--t73o@EIm
c- . . . . 27,7SXEIERS R07Al10NALWLOUIV:.. --. WWt4
~oNml:s-lms

Fig. 2—Spect rum of the vibratory excitation of a

hard-rock 41~-in. bit, measured on Fig. 3--Spectrum of the acceleration signal,
drilling test assembly. measured at the surface in the Lanot well.

752 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

Here L is the length of the rod and Z, is its charac-
teristic impedance (see Appendix A).
We can then represent the mechanical assembly for
drilling in the most simple case as follows (Fig. 4): the
generating bit has on one side the impedance of the
rock and on the other the impedance of the drillstnng-
derrick system.
Dynamic Simulation of Drffffag. The preceding theory
permits us to simulate on the computer the dynamic
phenomena of drilling. A complete representation re-
quires powerful computing means, but by allowing
certain limitations we can be content with an electric
analog model, which is rapid and simple.
Here we are limiting consideration to the stationary
and monochromatic case. The mechanical-electrical
analogy, which equates force to voltage and velocity
to current, conserves the form of the equations, and
makes the following correspondences: mass and in-
~,.~t9m~~., .m&mcI
Wuw.-,sww .y.s,.~ fimmctamf and
w“ . . . .. . . -.S raparitanre.
-- ..--. --.--, damnino
--.--=—=
and resistance (see Refs. 5 through 7 and Appendix
B). But the use of such a method leads to a representa-
tion of the drill string through a great number of ele-
mentary cells.
One consideration permits us to reduce the number
in the presence of a sufficiently great viscous damping
in the drillstem (Appendix C). We then show that the
transfer between the top of the drill collars (indicated
by the subscript 3) and the derrick (subscript D) is in
the form:
F, = %e~~(FD+Z,V~),. . .
Z,= ZC . . . . . . . ...(2)
Eq. 2 shows that starting with a certain length, the
load of the driU collars is the characteristic impedance
spend much more to the resonance frequencies of the
drill collars and the derrick, which considerably limits
their number.
ll~tintifim
- ‘.-..r----
nf #he C.nmnlete !Mmulatnr
---- --...r---- _ _
The complete simulator is described in Fig. 5. The
measured signal, Fs, comes from the surface measure-
ments, as shown at the top ieft of the figures, then goes
to the comparator. The simulated signal, F, simulated,
including an electronic simulation of drill collars and
driU pipe, at the bottom of the figure, also goes to the
comparator. Starting with measurements at the sur-
face, FD and V~, an analog computer gives the force
at the top of the drill collars, F3, according to Eqs. 1
and 2. A generator controlled as a function of rota-
tional velocity simulates the excitation of the rock bit.
The control acts on the gain and the phase of this gen-
erator in order to annul the difference, at the derrick
floor level, between the simulated and the measured
vibrati~n~$ The value of the corrections to be made
gives a measure of the rock impedance.
The treatment apparatus, based on the principle
and theory described, has been claimed in different
patents filed in various countries.
This model permits us to study very easily the trans-
fer functions of the ditlerent types of driU string (Fig.
6), to predict their influence, to predict the influence
of special elements (for example the shock sub) and
to use those elements to the best advantage (Fig. 7).
Our principal aim, however, has been to investigate
the possibilities of such a model for a real-time com-
putation of the impedance of the rock as it is being
ihiiieci.
. (1)

L
of the drill string (ZS = Zc), which means that, at
least generally, the drill pipe has very little influence D.__. ~ .-ZD_-.FD --ND
on the dynamic behavior of the mechanical system as
described in Fig. 4.
According to Eq. 1 the input impedance of the der-
rick, which is difficult to simulate with precision, can
be replaced by a simple am-dog computer. The com-
puter transfers to the input of the 5-in. driU pipe the
measurements taken at the head of the drillstem. Thus
we become independent of the type of derrick.
DRILL PIPE
Note. The approximation made above, valid as soon
as damping in the drillstem is relatively high, permits --- Zc
us to make coherent the theory and practical observa-
tions on the total dynamic behavior of a driUing rig.
In fact, the drillstem has a natural frequency that is 3 ____ .-.-Z3-- F3+
very low, and harmonics that are very close together.
If its own responses were not damped, it would be al-
most impossible to find rotational velocities that would DRILL COLLARS

be acceptable for the driUing rig. For shallow depths, l___.\

resonance will occur at almost aU rotational velo- SCHEMATIC BIT O .----
cities. At greater depths, because of damping, there
will be rotational speeds where there is no resonance, R-_--’
although large vibrations are still possible when there ROCK
is a large excitation at the right frequencies. In gen-
eral, the unacceptable rotational frequencies corre- Fig. 4-Schematic representation of drilling assembly.

JUNE, 1972 753

 Some problems have been encountered in this work,
such as those resulting from interaction between the
dynamic behavior of the system and the generator, or
from an inexact evaluation of the damping effect.’ As
a result, the completion of the model as described in
Fig. 5 has not yet been achieved. Nevertheless, by us-
ing a simpler way of treating the measurements picked
up at the top of the kelly on a drilling rig with specially
designed equipment, we succeeded in obtaining prac-
tical logs that will be of immediate value to the driller.
Field Measurements o.d~#’J 30 120
The field study required the development of an as- &N Cd’SSC
sembly of sensors to permit us to make both static and mMEuPofmlAculA -
dynamic measurements at the same time. The prin-
. . .1 AL. .----kI.. : . .nat.igl k~llv4n~nect~nQ
14-..-.---1*21-
clpal part OI me asscIm.JIy IS a apee.u. -W.lJ ------ _ 9. 1/2” -... U.o5WfEM

sub topped by a joint from which the signal is taken c’--.. -.. -27,75m

(Fig. 9). The forces are measured with the aid of Fig. 7—Velocity transfer furrcXon of
a string of drill collars.
strain gauges — on the shaft of the signai reiXNer f~i
the longitudinal forces, and below the connecting sub
underneath the rotary table for the torque. The cor-
responding accelerations are taken at the same places.
I
The output of the signals is through turning contacts I I I I t
(rings and brushes) in a pressurized space in which
“fresh” air is used as a safety measure. The rotatioml

~;~--,N
,, .,,
r
tt
1 1
i --- I
, t
—---- Wml-. sm

----------~ -.U

Fig. 8-influence of the shock sub on the force

‘cl=====+
Miu
transfer function of a string of drill collars.

Fig. 5-Schematic representation of

complete data treatment.

140L 1
30
mQuEuc+0m4
I

CYcus / SE&D

m4mJPoF 9nEDulucalMslm4G
14--------
I

16,21MEERS
120
I
1s0

KELLYCOCK
o-— TcxallsANo mssoNu AccEumAllom

9.1/2 ”---- .83.bSW5SRS --8 :Ty:

r-.--.-----mm

F}g.6-Force transfer function of Fig. 9-Schematic showing measurement

a string of drill collars. points on drilling rig.

754 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 ~ NEUTRO G. RAY I velocity is also measured at the receiver, and the speed
ce ,. -.. :~p:) I of advance of the drillstem is measured by sheave ro-
t- u (AYI) . .
+ tation at the crown block.
ti I 10

).
u. 50 -20(
——L—
The last version of the assembly has been entirely
satisfactory as to precision, stability, and strength of
the measurements for more than a year of field work.
It is simple to use and can be quickly installed on any
300 drilling rig.
4300
Instantaneous Logging
The intensive use of the measurement equipment we
4W m have briefly described has given us a great deal of
data, which have been studied in light of the theory
presented above,
i n:a–
Dmerem- _. .__.._
memmenk iiaVe beeil applied t~ the dlg-
nals received. The present state of our technology has

)
not allowed us yet to apply the most elaborate treat-
ments arising from the theory. However, even with a
5200 simplified treatment involving only the acceleration
m
measurement at the top of the string, we have been
able to produce “SNAP Logs” such as those shown
6500 in Figs. 10 through 14. Figs. 10 and 11 are small-scale
Imrl representations of the SNAP log obtained in two
12M -in. holes drilled through compacted shales and
limestones in the Aquitanian Basin of southwestern
5800 France.
800 Their correlations over large footages with certain
conventional logs show clearly that we have here in-
~1
stantaneous information coming from the bottom, and
Fig. lG-Well SFT3, uitanian Basin, Jul: 1968. related ,to the characteristics of the rock itself.
Bit diar :er—121~ in. The excursions on the log are very generally in con-
formity with what the theory allows us to predict: the
received signal increases when the velocity of sound in
the rock increases; in this case, in fact, the impedance
of the rock increases and the energy delivered by the
SONIC G. RAY I
bit to the drill collars also increases.
l.lS/Fl) (API) ! Fig. 12 is a small-scale representation of a parti-
+
w
u
cular case where our equipment has been used in
k
upper soft shaly formations. This example shows
clearly that, in this case, the SNAP log has been able
to detect shale compaction in a way very similar to
asoo
the sonic log. Somefimes, as in this figure, the SNAP
iog is able to pick up thin, hard streaks, verifiabk by
Ssw cuttin~s.~-, that —-- Qhscured in the averaging process
----- are
involved in the sonic log. In addition, it has the ad-
vantage of giving an instantaneous indication, rather
a900 than an after-the-fact one. This could lead us to a very
x
interesting application in the case of drilling in over-
D-
a ma burden-pressure areas.
w Figs. 13 and 14 show detailed correlation between
0
a SNAP log and a conventional sonic log in sandy and
ma shaly calcareous formations.
From our past experience, which includes 14,000
-+~..
lliGLb13
,441-,4
U,,,, bU
(A<
\7d,
fmn f~)
”v” .s,,
IX7= p~m fiI-wwIId~
vvu WCLSZ WV,,W, UUW
that
b.,...
cmr
v...
moo
logging method is now reliable and efficient, at least
in our drilling conditions. We have obtained a signi-
rnw ficant log at the maximum depth of 3,300 m (10,000
ft) in a 12!4-in. hole.
Of course, the responses of SNAP and conventional
Moo logs are sometimes different. These differences are to
be expected if the following facts are kept in mind:
the basic physical phenomenon logged (blows of bit
Fig. n-Well UCH1, Aquitanian Basin, Jan., 1970. teeth on rock) is a very particular one; the rock thick-
Bit diameter—121~ in, ness involved in the generation of the signal is very
JUNE, 1972 755
small compared with the spacing of conventional log-
1 .C.,.h”:”.la :. t.lzwalt,
ging took; and Oiir g~il~i~l KWI,,~W IS ~lU=w.J .W.-.w=
R=latm’1 II . . ..—
SONIC
1
to dnl!ing conditions, which in some cases can gen- ~& ===2
erate some parasitic signals.
Progress in the field of interpretation will no doubt
r’v//&
come about through improvement in the application 5
of the theory and through a better knowledge of bit 5!5
behavior. A more general use of the method should
.-—,——-L -.. . :.- . . .. . . .. . .-A :rnnvnxr.=m*nt ~&~ ~~
DXIIIg ZUJUUL 11> GA LG1lSIW CUIW MALPV. . .... ..

why the method is now being studied by a service

company, which is evaluating the possibilities of com-
mercial application of the technique.
Finally, since this method gives instantaneous in-
formation on a mechanical characteristic of the rock
being drilled, we believe that it will be useful at this
stage in predicting the occurrence of abnormal pres-
sures and in optimizing some drilling variables, and
that in the future it may be applied to automatic con-
trol of these variables.
Conclusions
The dynamic theory of drilling presented is based on
creation by the drilling bit of longitudinal vibrations,
and transmission of these through the drillstem. A

1
iONIC G.RAY
Fig. 13-Detailed correlation between SNAP log and
)lS/FT) (API) conventional sonic log, Well LMC1, Aquitanian
0-..;
Da>lll,
. a....il la7n
r!p, l,, *=,”.
Rit Aiamatar—1
“!. “o”. ..-. -. --
71A in:
.“

in
)-. $--z

z
1-
a.
w
0

Fig. 12—SNAP log obtained in homogeneous shale Fig. 14--Detailed correlation between SNAP log and
formation, Well SST1, Aquitanian Basin, conventional sonic log, Well SFT12, Aquitanian
Feb., 1969. Bit diameter—171/2 in. Basin, April, 1971. Bit diameter—12% in.

756 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

study of the entire mechanical drilling system makes
it possible to build instrumentation with which the
vibrations received can be compared with the signals
from a simulated model of the formation. Adjustment
of the simulated signals will give instantaneous data
on the hardness of the rock being drilled. Today, the
most sophisticated model is not yet available, but a
simplified treatment unit, associated with sensors and
recorders, has been used in the field for several years.
An experimental method of instantaneous logging has
been developed, which allows one to obtain a log (the
SNAP log) related to the hardness of the rock. There
is an excellent correlation, as would be expected, be-
tween the SNAP log and conventional logs, especially
the sonic log.
The information received is of value in formation
correlation and in optimizing drilling variables, in-
cluding making decisions on bit changes. The log is
expected to be important in detecting the approach to,
and the entrance into, abnormally pressured forma-
tions since it reflects the greater hardness of the cap-
rock above them and the lesser hardness and density
of the abnormally pressured shales themselves.
NQrnenC!atUre
damping, decibels . 1965) 87, No. 2, 110-114.
velocity of propagation = ~E
coefficient of viscous damping’ per unit length
et + e-z
hyperbolic cosine, ch x = * 13, ASME (1962).
Young’s modulus; also voltage
fnrc~
.“. .,-, .F = -F (x) ~~ fOJ~+ 0)
current
–1
length of the drill string
inductance
velocity of rotation, rpm
cross-sectional area; also used as time unit,
seconds
fp —
hyperbolic sine, sh x = ~ ax
Subscripts
D = derrick
e = generating side
R = rock
s = exit side
O= subscript indicating bit
1 = subscript indicating input to drill collars
3 = subscript indicating output from drill collars
References
1. Deily, F. H., Dareing, D. W., Paff, G. H., Ortloff, J. E.
and Lynn, R. D.: “Downhole Measurements of Drill-
String Forces and Motions,” paper 67-PET-1 3 presented
at ASME 22nd Annual Pet. Mech. Eng. Con f., Phila-
delphia, Sept. 17-20, 1967.
2. Cunningham. R. A.: “Analysis of Downhole Measure-
ment of Drill-String Force and Motions,” paper 67-PET-
12 presented at ASME 22nd Annual Pet. Mech. Eng.
Conf., Philadelphia, Sept. 17-20, 1967.
3. Greenfield, W. D. and Lubinski, A.: “The UsC of Bumper
Subs When Drilling from Floating Vessels,” J. Pet. Tech.
(Dec., 1967) 1587-1591.
4. Colloquium on Mechanical Impedance Methods, R. Plun-
kett, Ed., Pmt., ASME Annual Meeting, New York
(mC., 1958).
5. Lutz, J.: Etude et simulation analogique des vibrations
auxquelles est soumis un train de tiges de forage, doctorate
thesis, U. of Paris (July, 1971).
6. Angona, F. _A.;-. “Drill String Attenuation and Its Effect
on Surface Oscillator Driiiing System,” J. Eng. ins’. (May,
7. Kern, G. A. and Kern, T. M.: Electronic Analog and
Hybrid Computers. McGraw Hill Book Co., Inc., New
o York ( 1964).
8. Paslay, P. R. and Bogy, D. B.: “Drill String Vibration
Due to Intermittent Contact of Bit Teeth,” paper 62-PET-
9. Bradbury, R. E.. Jr., and Wilhoit, J. C., Jr.: “Effect of
Tool Joints in Passage of Plane Longitudinal and Tor-
sional Waves Along a Drill Pipe} paper 62-PET-32,
ASME ( 1962).
APPENDIX A
(Prom Refs. 4 and 5)
The equations of propagation of a longitudinal wave
in a prismatic rod are written:
e-t
av
—= —— 1 aF
— (A-1)
Es at’””’””

time, seconds and

velocity, V = V (x) e~ ‘W~+ ~) aF __ av
impedance = F/V Ps —+CV
af . . . (A-2)
ax ( )
characteristic impedance of the drill string,
(Z. x ~ a S, with ~ small) The result of these equations, in a sinusoidal vibra-
tory regime written in matrix form, is:
“=+ F, = chy L ZCshy L F.
[Hv, sh Y L/Z. chy L 1[1Ve ‘

r = acceleration where
Y =a+j~
A = coefficient of proportionality
~ = phase angle
P = mass per unit volume
u = angular frequency, radians\sec andbth[fil
and aretielimi’ingcOndtiO
of the rod;
[:1

Original manuscript received in Society of petroleum Engineers This matrix allows us to determine the behavior of
office June 29, 1971. Revised
Psper (SPE 3604) was presented
manuscript received Dec. 30, 1971.
at SPE 46th Annuel Fall Meeting.
any mechanical system as far as y and L are known.
held In New Orlaen~ Oct. 3.6, 1971. ~ copyright 1972 Americen
Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, end Petroleum Engineers, Inc. Expression of y, and ZJ
This pepsr will be printed in Transactions volume 253, which will
cover 1972. Placing y = a + j ~, we get

JUNE, 1972 757

 E and 1 of Eqs B-1 and B-2 are approximated by a
Tayior’s S3rk:

w’ /1+ ++ :2 \ E= EO+AXjrO(l)+ % LO(’)

+...,
p2 =____\ ~
S2W2P 2]”

For a small value of c, that is to say, small a, where

c
a=~s ‘
If the following condition is satisfied, the precision
P=;, is better than 1 percent.
ZCS apS.
(Ax)2 < ~& .

t~a .W..e.- Of
., ~ l-nct~ -- - Celis to the
-- the
TL:. --...-.4: - - I.**.
1 nls cquduOU ~~IaL*=
APPENDIX B
wave length. If we limit ourselves to 100 cycles/see,
(From Refs, 5 through 7) the length simulated by a cell represents 3 meters of
drill string.
.Mechanical-Electrical Analogy
When a small bar element of length dc is subject to a
sinusoidal vibratory excitation, the propagation of the APPENDIX C
longitudinal vibrations is governed by Eqs. A-1 and (From Ref. 5)
A-7
----
HYect of Viscous Damping cm ilie ~ilpiii
dF
—= — (jOpS+c) Impedance of the 5-in. Drillstem
V,. . . . , (B-1 )
dx We note that for a large value of x the values of the
div’ functions ch(x) and sh(x) tend to be equal.
—— –jE~ F...... (B-2)
dx = For a value of x sufficiently great, we can write:

For a smaii eiement of an ei~G&&ii ihie of length

dx, made up of two parallel conductors in which there
flows a sinusoidal current 1 under the effect of a Now, for large values of aL:
sinusoidal potential difference E, if L*, R, and C are, e(. +jf3)L + e–(a+jP)L
respectively, the inductance, the resistance, and the chyl. = ch (a + j~)L =
capacitance (all per unit of length), we have: 2
e(a+jfl)L eyL
= =—
dE 2 2
––(jwL*+R)l,
~— e(d+~8)L — e-(~+jB)L
shyl. = sh(a + jpj L =
2

As these two equations show, the mechanical and

electrical equations have the same form, so one can In this approximation, the transfer matrix of a pris-
define a proportionality of velocity with current and matic rod is simplified into a new matrix expressed as:
of force with voltage.
This gives the relations between mechanical and
electrical quantities and allows simulation of the vib-
ratory response of the drill string by an electrical line Applying this formula to calculation of the input
with the following correspondence: impedance of the 5-in. drill pipe, the result is that
Mass - AInductance
Z3+=
3
F;D+Z’V”=Zc.
Damping z x Resistance T+VD
StifIness w A/Capacity
In other words, with a sufficiently great viscous
Mechanical Impedance z x Electrical Impedance damping, the input impedance of the 5-in. drillstem is
approximately constant and equal to its characteristic
Discretization impedance.
In a practical way, the drill strings are simulated by a With the values of damping found in drilling wells,
discretized electrical line made up of cells connected it is estimated that this approximation can be applied
in series; each cell represents the length dx. starting at a depth of about 1,500 to 2,000-meters; at
The systematic error introduced by this discretiza- shallower levels the influence of the drillstem is in any
tion is calculated by the method of finite ditlerences’: event small. JPT

758 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY