SPE/IADC 125457

Additional Parameters for Better Vibration Control

Mohammad M. Eltrissi, SPE, Halliburton

Copyright 2009, SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference & Exhibition
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference & Exhibition held in Manama, Bahrain, 26-28 October 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 in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE/IADC copyright.

Abstract
Excess vibration of the drillstring is a serious concern in drilling because it accelerates the fatigue process and reduces the life
of the bottomhole assembly (BHA). In extreme cases, excess vibration can lead to premature failure of the equipment.
Drillstring vibration can also produce borehole washout, increase the risk of sticking pipe, and reduce the rate of penetration
(ROP). Although weight-on-bit (WOB) and rotary speed are the primary parameters used to control vibration, the study of
other parameters, such as ballooning, contact and frictional forces between the drillstring and the wellbore, and the finite
displacement of the drillstring may provide additional tools and methods for controlling and minimizing drillstring vibration
during drilling. The dynamic behavior of an active drilling assembly is complex to simulate and analyze, and finite element
numerical models are used to investigate the influence of various factors on drillstring vibration.
The objective of this study is to derive additional options that will improve ROP by providing more flexibility in BHA
design than those provided by traditional WOB-rotary speed methods. We focus on the influence of mud density, borehole
inclination angle, and the choice of drilling fluid rheology model on the drillstring vibration.
Introduction
The current increase in the oil demands pushes the oil and gas industry to implement new technologies and increase the
efficiency of the drilling operation. Vibration is considered to be one of the causes of decreased efficiency of the operation.
Technically, however, resonance, rather than vibration, is the major problem. Vibration refers to the mechanical oscillations
about an equilibrium point. This oscillation may be periodic, such as the motion of pendulum, or total random motion, such
as what occurs during the drilling operation. Resonance, which was first observed in 1602 by Galileo Galilei, is the tendency
of the system to oscillate at larger amplitudes at some frequencies than at others. In the vibrational control analysis,
resonance is the main problem and the goal is to avoid operating in the resonance regions. Although vibration can waste
energy, create washouts and hole integrity problems, and lead to tool failure, stuck pipe, and decreased ROP, resonance
magnifies the damage and can lead to complete failure of the drilling operation.
Definitions
This section defines several terms used in this paper to discuss the issues associated with vibration control.
Drilling system refers to the definitive lithology, drillstring and BHA components, and hole conditions at a certain
depth, as well as various parameters that regulate the internal wall of the hole, such as friction factor and linear
capacity. Minor changes within these parameters can lead to a change in their interaction and alter the results of the
observation and the conclusion.
Resonance frequency of the drilling system refers to the frequency resonance that the system vibration does not
change with the changing amplitude, but reaches a state in which even small periodic driving forces can produce
large excessive amplitude of vibrations. Resonance occurs because, at this state, the system stores the vibration
energy during the other vibration frequencies and then re-produces when the vibration reaches the resonance
frequency. It creates a great deal of damage, or even a failure, of the drillstring and BHA, as well as hole integrity
problems.
Free vibration occurs when a mechanical system is set off with an initial input and then allowed to vibrate freely; it
is rarely exists in the drilling operation and has not shown any threat to the drillstring as a result of the use of a
viscous drilling fluid medium (mud).
Forced vibration occurs when an alternating force is applied to a mechanical system, which results in a vibration.

SPE/IADC 125457

In drilling, this is the compression resulting from the drillstring weight (weight-on-bit, or WOB) or applied
rotational motion that is found in the rotary motion of the bit and mud motor.
A drillstring can vibrate in three different modes:
Longitudinal vibration (axial vibration) occurs when the drillstring vibrates along its axis. This type of vibration is
observed in shallow vertical wells through the bouncing of the kelly and top drive and in the whipping of the drilling
lines. Longitudinal vibration causes damage to the BHA by destroying the cutters and bearings within the bit. It also
decreases the sensitivity of the downhole sensors and slows the ROP.
Transverse vibration (lateral vibration) occurs when the bit rotates around a non-concentric axis that is different
from the axis of the hole and causes a lateral vibration wave in the drillstring.
Torsional vibration is an irregular type of vibration wave. It occurs with the accumulation of the rotational motion of
one part of the drillstring that is released in another part, increasing its rotational speed dramatically. Torsional
vibration occurs when a smaller borehole size in one section leads to decreased rotational speeds of the drillstring
component that faces it and creates a torsional vibration wave that liberated in another part of the drillstring that
contacts a larger borehole size. This type of vibration decreases the ROP, affects the sensitivity of the measurement
tools while drilling, and most importantly, wastes a great deal of energy during the transfer of the waves along the
bit to the surface and back.
Purpose
The first line of defense to avoid vibrational damage to the BHA includes taking the technical limits and the achievement of
operational excellence into consideration during planning. However, the current vibrational control process in the planning
phase is limited to only one method. This traditional method does not permit much freedom in the design; it limits the
consideration of many variables that could be helpful in addressing vibrational issues and does not permit actual choices for
the well designer. The traditional method also eliminates the idea of achieving a desired ROP with the current or pre-used
(from offset wells) system. The traditional approach uses the following steps:
1.

2.
3.
4.

Analyze the system vibrational behavior over a specific range of rotational speed and WOB (Fig. 1)
Determine the critical speed regions (CSR) of the system
Optimize the WOB and rotary speed parameters, depending on the objective function
Develop vibration control guidelines to avoid operating in the CSR

0,650
L EG EN D

0,600

Average Net Lateral Displacement

0,550

0,500

Displacement (in)

0,450

0,400

0,350

0,300

0,250

0,200

0,150

0,100
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 1The traditional method at a specific WOB.

140

160

180

200

SPE/IADC 125457

With a more in-depth assessment of the previous method, we find that the rig crew is obliged to break away from and to
avoid operating at a rotational speed of the vibration resonance regions or the CSR for a specific WOB. This process,
however, may not be compatible with the achievement of a desired ROP, which could result in a failure to reach the desired
economical goal. As shown in Fig. 1, the CSRs between 14 and 28 rpm, 58 and 78 rpm, and 132 and 162 rpm should be
avoided. Using the traditional method, the only means of adjusting these conditions is to change the WOB, which results in
changing the system. To compute the guidelines for a changed system, a new vibrational analysis must be performed and a
loop of iterations begins. This option is available only during the early planning phase and may not be a feasible option for
the rig crew; in addition, this process requires more planning time.
If this is the case, however, why doesnt the vibration lead to a major failure each time the rig crew experiences a
vibration-caused problem? The answer is that we are functioning blindly: we increase the WOB without actually knowing
whether or not it will create the desired effect. The WOB change may migrate the position of the CSRs on the rpm scale, or it
may move the risk into a gray area that is not fully understood and affect other bottomhole parameters.
Methodology
This paper proposes performing a series of observations by analyzing a specific parameter that affect the vibration of the
drillstring by isolating its effect and separating it from the other drilling system parameters. By setting the entire system
parameter as a constant except for the parameter to be analyzed, the effect of the analyzed parameter on the vibration control
process can be observed. This method provides alternatives to the traditional approach of optimizing the WOB and rotary
speed or changing the structure of the BHA. The influences of drilling fluid density, borehole inclination angle, and the
drilling fluid rheology model on the drillstring vibration can be considered as potential parameters to be analyzed.
The paper analyzes several parameters and their effects on BHA vibration, as well as compares these effects with the
traditional method of addressing BHA vibrations by changing the WOB. The parameters analyzed include the following:
A minor change in the drilling fluid density (0.2 ppg)
A major change within the drilling fluid density (2 ppg)
A change in the drilling fluid properties; regarding the change of the plastic viscosity (PV) and yield point (YP)
A change in the governing rheology model used in drilling fluid
A change of the value of torque at bit
A change in borehole inclination; presented by the change in the directional difficulty index (DDI)
This paper also describes simulations for two drilling systems that contain a packed BHA, which includes the stabilizers
spaced to create a stiff assembly, to eliminate the directional tendency of the other BHA options.
Simulation Details
The observations described were made by performing a series of simulations using the critical speed analysis module and the
dynamic analysis model in WELLPLAN 2003 software. The dynamic analysis model is based on a forced frequency
response (FFR) analysis, which is an engineering analysis technique used to solve the resonant frequencies of the drillstring
(Samuel et al. 2006). It also considers the torque created as a result of drillstring friction with both drilling fluid and the
wellbore. This method uses a nonlinear finite element solution set to include intermittent contact/friction, finite displacement,
buoyancy, and other effects that occur while drilling.
The simulation begins by performing a structural solution to determine the displaced shape of the drillstring and the
forces acting on it. This structural solution is accomplished through the use of the mathematical finite element analysis
(FEA). The goal of the structural solution is to determine the points of contact between the drillstring and the wellbore; this
information is used in the vibrational analysis segment of the simulation. Any contact points found during the structural
solution are assumed to remain in contact with the drillstring during the vibrational analysis. Other points of contacts between
the drillstring and the wellbore may be found to vibrate and these points may lead to displacement of the drillstring outside
the wellbore. After the structural solution determines the displaced shape of the drillstring, the software performs a
vibrational analysis to calculate the CSR of the system or the resonance regions.
Considering the full transit response analysis of any nonlinear finite element model involves the finite integration of the
equation of motion (Samuel et al. 2006).
{P(t )} = {I (u, t )} + [C ]{u ' (t )} + [ M ]{u ' (t )}
(1)
Where:
{P(t)}

= applied load vector at time t

{u(t)}

= displacement vector at time t

{I (u,t)}

= internal force vector at time t and displacement state {u}

[C]

= damping matrix

SPE/IADC 125457

[M]

= mass matrix

{}

= vector quantity

[]

= matrix quantity

()
= differentiation with respect to time t
After assuming the cyclic behavior of the drillstring and a number of transit effects, such as impact force on the drillstring
and wellbore friction through a steady state displacement, the equation becomes:

{Pc } + i{Ps } = ([ J ] 2 [ M ] + i[C ])({u0 } + i{u s })

(2)

Where:
[J]

= Jacobian matrix containing the effect

= The complex number

= angular frequency of the drilling system; the combination of the total rpm of the drillstring, including the
bit rpm and the additional rpm of the mud motor

In equation (2), the mass matrix [M] is based on the following classes of effects:

Structural primary mass matrix, based on the drilling system

Fluid additional term included to account for the weight of the fluid inside the drillstring
Inertial includes the effects of acceleration of mud outside the drillstring
Non-structural mass includes miscellaneous masses that may be attached to the drillstring and are not
accounted for in any other way
Equation (2) also shows that the mass matrix implemented in the simulation is a lumped mass matrix. The composition of
the matrices shows that the material component description (ID, OD, weight, and material) and the fluid descriptions
(density, PV, and YP) are important data for correctly determining the vibrational response and is consequently directly
dependent on the parameters previously selected for the analysis (such as drilling fluid density, PV, YP, and the rheology
model used to govern it). It also supports the traditional concept of changing the BHA assembly (by adding stabilizers).
The damping matrix partially limits the magnitude of the response to the excitation. An important implication of
including damping in the model is that, although the response of the BHA will be at the same frequency as the excitation, it
may not be in phase with it. The damping matrix also includes the effects of the interaction between the BHA and the
formation, drilling fluid effect, inertial effects of the acceleration of mud outside the drillstring, and mass damping produced
by BHA structure. The damping matrix term is a function of beam element length; outer diameter and constant coefficients
are also assigned for lateral, axial, and torsional vibration. Including the damping matrix term is also an important part of the
simulation analysis. Removing the damping matrix term would simplify the equation; however, if damping is not included,
the resulting displacement vs. rotation speed (the backbone of this analysis) will show an extremely steep curve and relatively
narrow peaks of critical speed. Three damping mechanisms are set for running the simulations:
Structural damping Accounts for energy loss as a result of mechanical means
Fluid damping Accounts for energy loss as a result of fluid movements on the drillstring; this damping does
not use fluid viscosity and applies to the axial and torsional directions only
Lateral fluid damping Accounts for energy loss as a result of viscous fluid damping and is applied to lateral
direction only (Gabriel et al. 1997)
The lateral fluid damping type in the damping matrix term emphasizes the need to analyze the previously selected
parameters of PV and drilling fluid rheology described in this paper.
The simulation assumes a forcing function at the bit and, for every rotation of the bit, several forcing function impulses
occur, as specified by the term excitation frequency factor. At a specific rotational speed, the forcing impulse occurs at the
rate of (rpm excitation frequency factor) per minute. This forcing impulse specifies the rate at which energy enters the
drillstring at the bit. The rotation speed value required in equation (2) is the rpm of the bit face relative to the formation,
because the bit rpm multiplied by the excitation frequency factor provides the forcing function frequency. Equation (2)
includes only one value for the rpm. Consequently, for any additional rpm (such as the mud motor rpm), the value must be
directly added to the rpm in the equation. According to Samuel et al. (2006), experiments indicate that the excitation
frequency factor value for the tri-cone bit is three. For the PDC bits, the value is associated with the blade patterns or cutters
distribution; the greater the complexity of the pattern, the greater the excitation frequency factor (Besaisow and Payne 1988).
If the drillstring combines a tri-cone bit with a 4-blade stabilizer, the simulation becomes more complex because the
simulation assumes that the excitation factor at the bit (which is the true value) will be the same at other places. In this paper,
however, this is not the case because both drilling systems are set with a matching number of stabilizer blades and bit cones.

SPE/IADC 125457

The simulation generates a mesh with 150 elements in three different sections. Various values could be set for section
length, total mesh length, and the length of each element. The FEA method used in the simulation analyzes small portions
initially, and then combines the individual analyses into a complete analysis for the entire drilling system. This paper uses the
same values for both systems:

Aspect ratio 1 20
Aspect ratio 2 100
Aspect ratio 3 500
Length of section 1 500 ft
Length of section 2 2,500 ft
Length of section 3 the remaining length of the drillstring

The aspect ratio is used to generate the length of the element within a specific section by multiplying the item OD of the
drillstring (regarding the length of the item) by the aspect ratio of this section. This will result in short length in section 1,
which is the section starting from the bit, because it has the lowest aspect ratio. Consequently, the analysis for this section is
more detailed than the other sections, which is consistent with our interest having a more detailed analysis in the BHA
section of the drillstring.
Simulation Profile
Two drilling systems are used in the simulation; both are set to simulate 12 -in. hole case. For Drilling System 1, the mud
values are measured and tested at 14.7 psia and temperature of 120 F. Table 1 shows the hole description and Table 2
shows the BHA and drillstring component.
Table 1Hole Conditions of Drilling System 1
Section Type (in.)
Casing 18 5/8
Casing 13 5/8
Open hole 12 1/4

Depth (ft)
12,534.00
16,131.00
17,968.00

Length (ft)
12,534.00
3,597.00
1,837.00

Shoe Depth (ft)

12,534.00
16,131.00
-

ID (in)
17.5
12.375
12.25

Friction Factor
0.20
0.20
0.30

Table 2Drillstring Components for Drilling System 1 (Top to Bottom)

Body
Item
Drill pipe
Heavy weight drill pipe
Jar
Heavy weight drill pipe
Drill collar
Stabilizer
Drill collar
Stabilizer
Drill collar
Stabilizer
MWD tool
Mud motor
Sub
Tri-cone bit 12 in.

Length (ft)
17,045.00
60.00
33.00
300.00
390.00
5.00
30.00
5.00
31.00
5.00
30.00
30.00
3.00
1.00

Depth (ft)
17,045.00
17,105.00
17,138.00
17,438.00
17,828.00
17,833.00
17,863.00
17,868.00
17,899.00
17,904.00
17,934.00
17,964.00
17,967.00
17,968.00

OD (in)
5.00
5.00
6.25
5.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
6.00
12.25

ID (in)
4.28
3.00
2.25
3.00
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.40
-

Weight (lbf)
19.50
49.70
90.88
49.70
154.33
154.36
154.33
154.36
152.76
154.36
154.36
154.36
79.51
267.00

SPE/IADC 125457

Fig. 2Drilling System 1.

For Drilling System 2, the mud values are measured and tested at 14.7 psia and temperature of 70 F. Table 3 shows the hole
description and Table 4 shows the BHA and drillstring components.
Table 3Hole Conditions for Drilling System 2
Section Type (in.)
Riser
Casing 13 5/8
Open hole 12

Depth (ft)
30.00
11,940.00
20,000.00

Length (ft)
30.00
11,910.00
8,060.00

Shoe Depth (ft)

11,940.00
-

ID (in)
20.00
12.38
12.25

Friction Factor
0.20
0.20
0.30

Table 4Drillstring Items for Drilling System 2 (Top to Bottom)

Body
Item
Drill pipe
Drill pipe
Heavy weight drill pipe
Mechanical jar
Heavy weight drill pipe
Drill collar
Integral blade stabilizer
Drill collar
Integral blade stabilizer
Non-magnetic drill
collar
Integral blade stabilizer
MWD tool
Restrictor sub
Cross over
Tri-cone bit 12 in.

Length (ft)
7,500.00
11,568.00
60.00
30.00
270.00
450.00
5.00
30.00
5.00

Depth (ft)
7,500.00
19,068.00
19,128.00
19,158.00
19,428.00
19,878.00
19,883.00
19,913.00
19,918.00

OD (in)
5.00
5.00
5.00
6.25
5.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00

ID (in)
4.00
4.28
3.00
2.25
3.00
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50

Weight (lbf)
29.35
21.92
49.70
90.88
49.70
154.33
154.36
154.33
154.36

31.00
5.00
17.00
3.00
3.00
1.00

19,949.00
19,954.00
19,971.00
19,974.00
19,999.00
20,000.00

8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.00
12.25

2.50
2.50
2.50
3.00
2.50
-

152.76
154.36
154.36
154.35
154.35
267.00

SPE/IADC 125457

Fig. 3Drilling System 2.

Table 5 and Table 6 set the investigated parameters. The starting (basic) is an intermediate value and both higher and
lower values are set to run for the investigation. When investigating the effect of one parameter, the other drilling system
parameters must be constant; they are set to the basic value.
Table 5Input Values for the Simulation of Drilling System 1
No.

Investigated Parameter

Basic
Value

Higher
Value

Lower
Value

Units

Minor change in the mud density

(0.2 ppg)

15.1

15.3

14.9

ppg

Major change within the mud density

(2 ppg)

15.1

17.1

13.1

ppg

Change in mud properties; as for the

change of the plastic viscosity and
yield point

4
5

6
7

Change within the governing fluid

rheology of mud
Change of the value of torque at bit
Change in borehole inclination
(maximum inclination angle),
depending on DDI
Change in WOB (traditional method)

PV
24.0

YP
7.0

PV
38

YP
10

PV
12

YP
6

PV
cp

YP
Tau0

Bingham
Plastic
3,000

Power
Law
6,000

HerschelBulkley
2,000

ft-Ibf

24
20

35
25

26.4
15

Degree
Kip

Table 6Input Values for the Simulation of Drilling System 2

No.
1
2

3
4
5

6
7

Investigated Parameter
Minor change in the mud density
(0.2 ppg)
Major change within the mud density
(2 ppg)
Change in mud properties; as for the
change of the plastic viscosity and
yield point
Change within the governing fluid
rheology of mud
Change of the value of torque at bit
Change in borehole inclination
(maximum inclination angle),
depending on DDI
Change in WOB (traditional method)

Basic
Value

Higher
Value

Lower
Value

Units

13.8

14.0

13.6

Ppg

13.8
PV
YP

15.8
PV
YP

11.8
PV
YP

PV

35

18

cp

20.0

8.0

Ppg
YP
Tau0

Bingham
Plastic
2,000

Power
Law
1,000

HerschelBulkley
3,500

ft-Ibf

60.0
25

75
30

46
20

Degree
Kip

Because it is difficult to compare the effect of the borehole complexity based on the change in the maximum inclination angle
in one drilling system, the importance of using an empirical model to match and compare the complexity of the trajectory

SPE/IADC 125457

profile is emphasized. The reason behind the selection of these values for investigating this parameter is the DDI (Oag and
Williams 2000). Table 7 shows the corresponding DDI for each selected maximum angle of inclination in each drilling
system.
Table 7Corresponding DDI Values for Maximum Angles of Inclination in the
Drilling Systems
Drilling System

Basic Value

Higher Value

6.44

6.529

Lower Value
5.416

6.365

7.408

6.289

The term CSR is used to demonstrate the peaks in the amplitude of displacement (state of the vibration waves resonance
occurrence) vs. different rotational speed (rpm). The CSR is set as the rotational speeds that should be avoided during the
drilling operation in a specific hole established by the drilling guidelines. Because the determination of the start and end of
the CSR may vary somewhat from one viewer to another, this study set the value of 0.13 in. as the determiner of the start and
the end of the CSR. Consequently, when the displacement of the drilling system reaches the value of 0.13 in., this will be
considered to be the beginning of the displacement peak (CSR) that will continue to increase gradually. When the peak is
decreasing, the value of 0.13 in. will be considered to be the end of the CSR.
Observations
Change in Drilling Fluid Density (Difference of 0.2 ppg and 2 ppg). The result of investigating the minor change (0.2
ppg difference) in mud density shows that, although the mass matrix term [M] in equation (2) considers the mass of the fluid
to be inversely proportional to the amplitude of the displacement of the drillstring, the results indicate that it is not a vital part
of the vibrational control process. This observation of Drilling System 1 is shown in Fig. 3 in which the use of a light density
mud results a high-value displacement in the first and second CSR, whereas at the third CSR, the effect is shifted and the use
of a light density mud results in less vibration than the denser control mud used in the other drilling system for the
experiment. Fig. 4 shows that for Drilling System 2, the denser mud will result in more displacement than the lighter one. A
major change in mud density, however, creates additional complications. Fig. 5 shows the Drilling System 1 observations
and Fig. 6 shows the Drilling System 2 observations; both observations magnify the previous results acquired from the minor
changes in mud density. Both systems show contradicting results.
Another observation is that the increase in the mud density shifts the CSRs toward a higher rpm than the lighter density
mud. This observation is not as obvious in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, but is clearly shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 when a larger density
difference in the drilling fluid is used. This observation provides a useful point in the vibration control by shifting the CSRs
for a certain rpm.

SPE/IADC 125457

0.650

0.600

L EG EN D

0.550

Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 15.1 ppg

Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 15.3 ppg
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 14.9 ppg

0.500

Displacement (in)

0.450

0.400

0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

150

160

170

180

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 4Result of the minor change in mud density for Drilling System 1.
L EG END
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 13.8 ppg
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 14.0 ppg
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 13.6 ppg

1.20

1.10

1.00

0.90

Displacement (in)

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 5Result of the minor change in mud density for Drilling System 2.

170

180

190

200

10

SPE/IADC 125457

0.600

0.550

L EG EN D

0.500

Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 15.1 ppg

Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 17.1 ppg
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 13.1 ppg

0.450

Displacement (in)

0.400

0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

150

160

170

180

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 6Result of the major change in mud density for Drilling System 1.
1.80

1.70

1.60

1.50

1.40

L EG END
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 13.8 ppg
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 15.8 ppg
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 11.8 ppg

1.30

1.20

Displacement (in)

1.10

1.00

0.90

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 7Result of the major change in mud density for Drilling System 2.

170

180

190

200

SPE/IADC 125457

11

Change in the Drilling Fluid Properties. A series of simulations was performed to investigate the effect of changing the
drilling fluid properties, particularly the effect of the plastic viscosity of the mud on the vibration to which the drillstring is
subjected. The terms [C] (fluid damping matrix) and [M] (mass matrix) in equation (2) show the effect of the changing mud
properties on the vibration wave in the study. For Drilling System 1, Fig. 8 shows that the use of a mud with a lower PV
value results in a higher displacement with a significant difference. Fig. 9 confirms the result for Drilling System 2.

0.600

L EG END
Average Net Lateral Displacement@ PV=24, YP=7
Average Net Lateral Displacement@ PV=38, YP=10
Average Net Lateral Displacement@ PV=12, YP=6

0.550

0.500

Displacement (in)

0.450

0.400

0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 8Change in plastic viscosity of Drilling System 1.

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

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SPE/IADC 125457

1.30

1.20

1.10

L EG EN D

1.00

Average Net Lateral Displacement @ PV=20 cp

Average Net Lateral Displacement @ PV=35 cp
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ PV=18 cp

Displacement (in)

0.90

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 9Change in plastic viscosity of Drilling System 2.

Change in the Drilling Fluid Rheology Model and Change in Applied Torque at Bit. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show that the
change in the governing rheology model of the drilling fluid will not significantly affect the vibrational control process in
Drilling System 1 or Drilling System 2. Neither drilling system shows changes in the amplitude or in the position of the CSR
regarding resonance occurrence. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show the same result for changing the torque applied at the bit at the
same WOB.

SPE/IADC 125457

13

0.600

0.550

L EG EN D
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ Bingham Plastic
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ Pow er Law
Average Net Lateral Displacement@ Herschel-Bulkley

0.500

0.450

Displacement (in)

0.400

0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

140

150

160

150

160

170

180

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 10Change in mud rheology model in Drilling System 1.

1.20

1.10

1.00

L EG EN D
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ Bingham Plastic
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ Pow er Law
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ Herschel-Bulkley

0.90

Displacement (in)

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 11Change in mud rheology model in Drilling System 2.

130

170

180

190

200

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SPE/IADC 125457

0.550
L EG EN D
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 3000 ft-lbf
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 6000 ft-lbf
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 2000 ft-lbf

0.500

0.450

Displacement (in)

0.400

0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

140

150

160

150

160

170

180

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 12Change in the torque at bit for Drilling System 1.

1.20

1.10

1.00

L EG EN D
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 2000 ft-lbf
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 1000 ft-lbf
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 3500 ft-lbf

0.90

Displacement (in)

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 13Change in torque at bit for Drilling System 2.

130

170

180

190

200

SPE/IADC 125457

15

Change in the Wellbore Inclination. The observations prove that the change in the borehole profile has major effects on the
vibration control process, including a shift in the CSR position and a change in the displacement amplitude without a
proportional change in the wells DDI or the maximum inclination. Interesting observations are encountered in both Drilling
Systems 1 and 2 in that the lower DDI shows higher amplitude of displacement in the first CSR; it is shifted later in the
second and third CSR. This is perfectly matched in both drilling systems. Although the DDI does not have a direct
relationship with equation (2), its effect can be translated as an indirect effect on number of terms in the equation as the
change in the direction of the force, displacement, and/or load vectors. Additional studies must be performed to account for
this effect.
0.700

0.650

L EG EN D
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 26 degree
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 35 degree
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 24 degree

0.600

0.550

Displacement (in)

0.500

0.450

0.400

0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100
5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 14Change in the borehole complexity and maximum inclination angle for Drilling System 1.

100

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SPE/IADC 125457

1.20

1.10

1.00

L EG END
Average Net Lateral Displacement@ 60 degree
Average Net Lateral Displacement@ 75 degree
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 46 degree

0.90

Displacement (in)

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 15Change in the borehole complexity and maximum inclination angle for Drilling System 2.

Change in WOB. Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 show the effect of changing the WOB in both Drilling Systems 1 and 2 respectively.
Although the change in the WOB proves its efficiency as a useful method for decreasing the amplitude of the vibration cause
in the borehole, the result indicates that this change does not produce the major effect expected. Although increasing the
WOB for Drilling System 1 shifts the CSRs to a higher rpm, it has the opposite effect with Drilling System 2. In Drilling
System 2, an increase of the WOB affects the amplitude of the displacement, rather than the position of CSR. The expected
result of decreased displacement after increasing the WOB does not occur for Drilling System 2 for the first CSR. The
underlying cause of this result must be studied at a later time. This observation indicates that the effects of changing the
WOB are not fully understood and that further study to analyze its effect is essential because of the wide current use of this
practice.

SPE/IADC 125457

17

0.600

0.550

0.500
L EG END
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 20 kip WOB
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 25 kip WOB
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 15 kip WOB

Displacement (in)

0.450

0.400

0.350

0.300

0.250

0.200

0.150

0.100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

140

150

160

150

160

170

180

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 16Change in WOB in Drilling System 1.

1.40

1.30

1.20
L EG EN D
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 25 kip WOB
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 30 kip WOB
Average Net Lateral Displacement @ 20 kip WOB

1.10

Displacement (in)

1.00

0.90

0.80

0.70

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Rotational Speed (rpm)

Fig. 17Change in WOB in Drilling System 2.

130

170

180

190

200

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SPE/IADC 125457

Conclusion
Many interpretations can be made from the results provided in this paper. The purpose of this paper is to highlight tools that
can be used during the well planning stage when the vibration control is one of the concerns of the well planner. These tools
can also be used as parameters to be quickly adjusted during the drilling operation to limit the vibration or to shift the critical
speed from the current operating rotational speed. The following conclusions can be useful for these purposes:

The density of drilling fluid used in hole is directly proportional to the tendency of the CSR to occur at a lower rpm.
This relationship can be used in the planning phase to migrate the CSRs to a higher rpm by decreasing the mud
density, or to migrate the CSRs to a lower rpm by increasing the drilling fluid density.
The change in PV of the drilling fluid has a significant and major effect in the vibration control. Increasing the PV
of the drilling fluid will decrease the vibration significantly without changing the position of CSR region. This
finding can be used during the drilling operation if a violent vibration is encountered. Increasing the PV of the
drilling fluid will decrease the resonance displacement peak without changing rpm or WOB to achieve the same
ROP.
The use of a drilling fluid that has a different rheology model has a negligible effect on the vibration control process
and it has no effect on changing the torque applied on the bit.
The planning of a simple, easy-to-drill well trajectory, based on the empirical method of the DDI (Oag and Williams
2000), will not be a good idea from the vibration control standpoint when operating at a low rpm. The simulation
shows that in the case of a low DDI (5.4 < DDI < 6.4), violent vibration will occur in the first CSR of the system and
will slightly decrease in the next CSR; for a well with a high DDI (DDI > 6.4), the vibration will be much lower in
amplitude in all the CSRs. Consequently, a comparison between the financial benefits and the cost of damage caused
by the vibration must be made.
The outcome of the traditional method of changing WOB is proved to be unclear. Changing the WOB may lead to a
minor change in the amplitude of the displacement in the early CSRs, and it leads to a reversible and more violent
vibration with larger amplitude in the high CSR rpm. This outcome is displayed in both Drilling System 1 and 2.
The unpredictability of this parameter shows the need for planning that is independent of this method as the major
method for lowering the vibration until a proper analysis is considered.

Furthermore, the simulation led to some observations that need additional future work, including the following:

Some parameters affect the early (low rpm) CSRs based on the rotational speed, which later shows a reversible
effect in the late (high rpm) CSRs. The change in the WOB and the change in DDI parameters are considered to be
good examples.
Drilling fluid properties changes (change in PV) result in a more efficient and predictable method for decreasing the
displacement of the drillstring during vibration more than changing the WOB for the same Drilling System. Many
reasons may affect this comparison; such as the economical aspect, history matching and the actual case study.

Summary
This study highlights some parameters that may be used by the well planner in the early stage of wellbore planning, rather
than relying on the traditional method of changing WOB. The findings of this study are not substitutes for the mechanical
methods of vibrational control that prove their efficiency through changing the BHA components and structure, but these
parameters can be used as alternative methods if changing the current BHA is not an option to provide more freedom for the
designer. The study results can also be useful during the drilling operation to provide additional methods for decreasing the
vibration if an unexpected aggressive vibration occurs. Additional studies and analyses are required to compare the strength
of each parameter in decreasing the vibration. The study does not generalize the effect of one parameter for all systems in
vibrational analysis, but it emphasizes the existence of a unique character of each borehole within even a single well. In
conclusion, this study presents a key parameters for the vibrational analysis of each hole section within the single well if the
vibration is considered to be an important item based upon the offset-data.
Nomenclature
Drilling System = The combination of definitive lithology, drillstring and BHA components, and hole conditions at
a certain depth.
CSR
= Critical speed region. It is the region where a high displacement peak because of the vibration
wave resonance of the drillstring occurs through a certain range of rotational speed (rpm) of
combined bit and any additional rotational speed (as mud motor, if exits). It should be avoided
during drilling operation to avoid a destructive vibration occurrence.
BHA
= Bottomhole assembly; items located below the drill pipe in the drillstring
WOB
= Weight on bit, exerts pressure by the compression of the drillstring weight on the bit.
FEA
= Finite Element Analysis
PV
= Plastic viscosity of the drilling fluid, measured in centipoise (cp)
YP
= Yield point measured in (Tau0)

SPE/IADC 125457

ROP
Packed BHA

19

= Rate of penetration
= A technique for designing the bottomhole assembly in which the stabilizers are spaced out to
create a stiff assembly. This technique is used to maintain the current angle in the hole.

References
Besaisow, A.A. and Payne, M.L. 1988. A Study of Excitation Mechanisms and Resonances Inducing Bottomhole-Assembly Vibration.
SPEDE 3 (1): 93-101. SPE-15560-PA
Oag, A.W. and Williams, M. 2000. The Directional Difficulty Index A New Approach to Performance Benchmarking. Paper SPE/IADC
59196 presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 23-25 February.
Samuel, G. R., Schotte, G., and Gupta, D.B. 2006. Vibration Analysis, Model Prediction, and Avoidance: A Case History. Paper
SPE/IADC 102134 presented at the SPE/IADC Indian Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition, Mumbai, India,
16-18 October.
Sotomayor, Gabriel P.G., Placido, J.C., and Cunha, J.C. 1997. Drill String Vibration: How to Identify and Suppress. Paper SPE 39002
presented at the Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 30 August-3 September.