Magnetic Variation Services, LLC

Helmerich & Payne Technologies, LLC

Zackary Whitlow

Stefan Maus

Jin Sun

Ngoc-Ha Dao

Systems and methods determine friction in a borehole during drilling operations. A drilling system applies oscillatory angular movement at the top of a drill string in a wellbore during drilling by the drilling system, and measures a torque applied to the drill string and an angular position of the drill string. Based on the measured torque and the measured angular position, the drilling system computes a friction between the borehole and the drill string. This can be repeated during drilling of the wellbore to determine multiple friction values, corresponding to various depths of the borehole. Based on the computed friction, the drilling system can perform one or more actions resulting in modified drilling operation. The systems and methods also include oscillating a casing in the borehole, measuring the torque and angular position of the casing, and determining a friction value, which can be repeated to develop a wellbore friction profile.

Wellbore friction depth sounding by oscillating a drill string or casing

Embodiments use a torque-and-drag model or fluid friction model for predicting a zero tension or zero pressure for various operations such as rotary drilling and sliding, in vertical, curve, and lateral sections of a well, without using a downhole sensor. By adjusting coefficients of friction, the model can be used to match the predicted hook load, torque, and pressure values with the measured hook load, torque, and pressure values, respectively. A control system can thus determine more accurate zero values for weight on bit and/or differential pressure, which can be used to maintain, alter, plan, modify, and/or predict drilling parameters and conditions.

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Denver, CO, United States of America

Zackary Whitlow