DAMPING VIBRATION IN COILED TUBING

Abstract

A body defines a feedthrough passage. Bow springs surround and connect to an outer periphery of the body. The bow springs extend radially outward from the body. An internal coil spring is arranged to actuate axially within the body. A mandrel abuts an end of the coiled spring. The mandrel is arranged to move within the body, the mandrel having sufficient inertia to dampen vibrations.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to coiled tubing operations within wellbores.

BACKGROUND

Extended-reach wells (ERWs) are long, horizontal wellbores that often have open completions. A well is classified as “extended-reach” based off of measured depth to the true vertical depth ratio. Generally, extended-reach wells have a measured depth to the true vertical depth ratio greater than two. For example, if the total vertical depth is 6,000 feet, to be classed as an extended-reach well, the measured depth should be at least 12,000 feet. Extended-reach wells are useful as a large volume of a reservoir can be produced from a single location.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes technologies relating to damping vibrations in coiled tubing.

An example of the subject matter described within this disclosure is a coiled tubing vibration damper with the following features. A body defines a feedthrough passage. Bow springs surround and connect to an outer periphery of the body. The bow springs extend radially outward from the body. An internal coil spring is arranged to actuate axially within the body. A mandrel abuts an end of the coiled spring. The mandrel is arranged to move within the body, the mandrel having sufficient inertia to dampen vibrations.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can be combined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The body includes corrugated metal tubing.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can be combined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Electrical cables extend through the feedthrough passage.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can be combined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The feedthrough passage is fluidically isolated from an environment outside the body.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can be combined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The bow springs include three bow springs.

Aspects of the example coiled tubing vibration system, which can be combined with the example coiled tubing vibration damper alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Sliding collars encircle the body. The sliding collars are connected to each end of the bow springs. The sliding collars are configured to axially move responsive to deflection of the plurality of bow spring.

An example of the subject matter described within this disclosure is a method with the following features. Axial and lateral vibrations are received by a coiled tubing vibration damper. The axial and lateral vibrations are dampened by the coiled tubing vibration damper. The coiled tubing vibration damper includes mass-spring damping components.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Damping the vibration by the coiled tubing vibration damper includes damping axial vibrations by a mandrel and an internal coil spring within a body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Damping the vibrations by the coiled tubing vibration damper includes damping lateral vibrations by a plurality of bow springs.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The bow springs are in tension. The bow springs surround and connect to an outer periphery of a body of the coiled tubing vibration damper. The bow springs extend radially outward from the body.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The bow springs are in tension.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The bow springs are collapsed such that a radial extension of the bow springs is reduced. The coiled tube vibration damper is passed through a slim section of a wellbore.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The bow springs, are expanded such that the radial extension of the bow springs is increased after passing through the slim section of the wellbore.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Damping the vibrations includes damping lateral vibrations by a corrugated metal body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Damping the vibrations includes damping axial vibrations by a corrugated metal body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

Aspects of the example method, which can be combined with the example method alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Vibration is received from a vibration sub by the coiled tubing vibration damper.

An example of the subject matter described within this disclosure is a wellbore system with the following features. A vibration sub is attached to a length of coiled tubing. A logging tool is attached to the length of coiled tubing. A vibration damper is attached to the length of coiled tubing. The vibration damper is between the vibration sub and the logging tool. The vibration damper includes a body defining a feedthrough passage. Bow springs surround and connect to an outer periphery of the body. The bow springs extend radially outward from the body. An internal coil spring is arranged to actuate actually within the body. A mandrel abuts an end of the coiled spring. The mandrel is arranged to move within the body. The mandrel has sufficient inertia to dampen vibrations.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with the example wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The body includes corrugated metal tubing.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with the example wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Optical cables extend through the feedthrough passage.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with the example wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. The feedthrough passage is fluidically isolated from an outside environment.

Aspects of the example wellbore system, which can be combined with the example wellbore system alone or in combination with other aspects, can include the following. Sliding collars are coupled to the body. The sliding collars are connected to each end of the bow springs. The sliding collars are configured to axially move responsive to deflection of the plurality of bow spring.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following advantages. The subject matter described herein reduces the mean time between failures of logging tools used in vibrational assisted coiled tubing for extended-reach wells. Alternatively or in addition, the subject matter described herein can improve logging data quality by removing vibrations when the mechanical vibration tool is running. Such damping can result in better quality data for all logging sensors within the logging sub.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example well system.

FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of an example coiled tubing damper.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method that can be used with aspects of this disclosure.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Successful reservoir surveillance and production monitoring is used to manage field production strategy. For production logging in open-hole, horizontal extended-reach wells, one of the major challenges to logging long horizontal sections is to cover the entire open-hole to target depth. Real-time production logging for extended-reach wells is sometimes deployed on coiled tubing. Frictional and drag forces act on the coiled tubing and increase cumulatively the further the coiled tubing travels along the horizontal section. For the extended-reach wells, these forces eventually cause sinusoidal buckling, followed by helical buckling, and finally no further downhole progression can be made. To increase the reach along the hole for extended-reach wells, a downhole mechanical vibration sub is placed on the bottom hole assembly (the downhole end of the coiled tubing) adding axial vibration. In some instances, vibration subs are powered hydraulically by pumping a selected fluid from the surface, and the hydraulic energy is converted by the sub to generate pressure pulses that excite the coiled tubing. The pulses cause the coiled tubing to break physical contact between the coiled tubing and the inner surface of the extended-reach wellbore, reducing the frictional forces and delaying the onset of coiled tubing helical buckling. The friction reduction results in more efficient weight transfer, quicker coiled tubing travel downhole, and increased downhole reach. However, vibration subs can cause issues with logging tools on the same string of coiled tubing. The excessive vibration can damage the delicate mechanical devices, sensors, and electronics of the logging tools.

This disclosure relates to damping vibrations in a coiled tubing string that uses vibrational assist for horizontal extended-reach wells. The damper is placed between the vibration sub (located, for example, at the downhole end of the coiled tubing string) and a logging tool on the end of the string. The damper includes corrugated metal tubing with an electrical feed-through. Additionally, bow springs surround the corrugated metal tubing, and coiled springs extend through the damper at least the length of the bow springs.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example well system 100. The example well system 100 includes a wellbore 102 within a geologic formation 104. At an uphole end of the wellbore 102 is a topside facility 106. The topside facility 106 includes any pumps, compressors, separators, and safety devices for wellbore operations. From the topside facility extends a workstring 108 extending from the topside facility 106 towards a downhole end of the wellbore 102. In some implementations, a derrick 103 can be used to support the workstring 108. While illustrated as being supported by the derrick 103, the workstring can be supported in other ways, for example, by a coiled tubing truck.

The workstring 108 itself can include coiled tubing 110, production tubing, a drill pipe, or any other type of tubular suitable for wellbore operations. Throughout this disclosure, coiled tubing 110 is primarily described as the tubular for the workstring 108; however, other tubulars can be used without departing from this disclosure. As illustrated, the workstring 108 includes a length of coiled tubing 110 with a vibration sub 112 attached to a downhole end of the coiled tubing 110. Similarly, a logging tool 114 is attached to the coiled tubing 110 near the downhole end of the coiled tubing 110. Between the vibration sub 112 and the logging tool 114 is a vibration damper 116 attached to the length of coiled tubing 110. While illustrated as including a vibration sub at a downhole end of the workstring 108, the vibration sub 112 can be placed anywhere along the length of the workstring 108 as the vibration assists in the workstring 108 traveling through the wellbore 102. Regardless of the location of the vibration sub 112, a vibration damper 116 is located between a logging tool 114 and a vibration sub 112.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example coiled tubing vibration damper 116. The damper 116 includes a body 202 that defines one or more feedthrough passages 204. In some implementations, such feedthrough passages are used to move drilling fluids, move well fluids, or to extend cables (such as optical or electrical) through the damper 116. Such feedthrough passages are isolated from the outside environment (such as a wellbore) within the body 202 of the damper 116. In some implementations, the body is made of corrugated metal tubing 205. The corrugated metal tubing 205 allows for protection of components within the damper 116 while providing enough flection to at least partially dampen axial, lateral, and torsional vibrations

The damper 116 includes bow springs 208 that surround and connect to an outer periphery of the body 202. The bow springs 208 extend radially outward from the body 202 and can at least partially center the vibration damper 116 within the wellbore 102. The bow springs 208 are attached to the damper 116 by sliding collars 212 encircling the body. The sliding collars 212 are connected to each end of the plurality of bow springs. The sliding collars 212 are configured to axially move responsive to deflection of the bow springs 208. For example, if the bow springs 208 are deflected towards the body 202, then the collars 212 will slide axially away from one another. In general, the bow springs 208 are arranged equidistant around the central axis of the body 202 to surround the body 202. For sufficient damping, centering, or both, multiple bow springs 208 are used on the damper 116. For example, in some implementations, three bow springs 208 are used. In some implementations, four bow springs 208 are used. In some implementations, five bow springs 208 are used. In some implementations, six bow springs 208 are used. Other counts of bow springs can be used without departing from this disclosure.

Within the body 202 is one or more internal coiled springs 206 arranged to actuate axially within the body 202. A mandrel 210 abuts an end of the coiled spring 206. In some implementations, the mandrel 210 is attached to the internal coiled spring 206, for example, by welding, brazing, sintering, or securing by a fastener. Regardless of the internal coiled spring 206 being attached, the mandrel 210 is arranged to move axially within the body 202. In some implementations, the mandrel 210 moves in unison with the end of the internal coiled spring abutting the mandrel 210. The mandrel 210 has sufficient inertia, through friction or mass, to at least partially dampen vibrations.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 that can be used with aspects of this disclosure, such as operating with the damper 116. At 302, axial and lateral vibrations are received by a coiled tubing vibration damper 116. At 304, the axial and lateral vibrations are dampened by the coiled tubing vibration damper 116. The coiled tubing vibration damper 116 includes mass-spring damping components. Several components within the coiled tubing vibration damper 116 are used to dampen the vibrations. For example, in some instances, axial vibrations are at least partially dampened by the mandrel 210 and the internal coiled springs 206 within the corrugated metal body 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116. In some implementations, lateral vibrations are at least partially dampened by the bow springs 208. In some implementations, lateral vibrations are at least partially dampened by the corrugated metal body 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116. In some implementations, axial vibrations are at least partially dampened by a corrugated metal body 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116. In some implementations, torsional vibrations are at least partially dampened by a corrugated metal body 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116.

In some instances, the vibration is received by the coiled tubing vibration damper 116 from the vibration sub 112. In some instances, the vibration is received from fluid flowing through the coiled tubing 110. In some instances, the vibration is received from the coiled tubing traveling through the wellbore 102.

As previously described, the bow springs 208 are in tension, surrounding and connecting to the outer periphery of a corrugated metal body 202 of the coiled tubing vibration damper 116. The bow springs 208 extend radially outward from the body and can be used to dampen vibrations as well as center the damper 116 within the wellbore 102.

In some instances, parts of the wellbore 102, such as a slim section, have a smaller diameter than the rest of the wellbore 102. In such instances, the bow springs 208 are collapsed such that a radial extension of the bow springs 208 is reduced. Such a reduction is possible due to the sliding collars 212. Once the damper 116 encounters the smaller diameter portion of the wellbore, the bow springs 208 impact the wall of the wellbore 102, and collapse responsive to the interference created by the wellbore 102 and the bow springs 208. The collapse of the bow springs 208 presses the sliding collars 212 away from one another. Once collapsed, the coiled tube vibration damper 116 is passed through a slim section of the wellbore 102. After passing through the slim section of the wellbore 102, the bow springs 208 are expanded, such that the radial extension of the bow springs 208 is increased.

While this disclosure contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations. Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

Thus, particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. A coiled tubing vibration damper comprising:

a body defining a feedthrough passage;

a plurality of bow springs surrounding and connected to an outer periphery of the body, the plurality of bow springs extending radially outward from the body;

an internal coil spring arranged to actuate axially within the body; and

a mandrel abutting an end of the coiled spring, the mandrel arranged to move within the body, the mandrel having sufficient inertia to dampen vibrations.

2. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim 1, wherein the body comprises corrugated metal tubing.

3. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim 1, wherein electrical cables extend through the feedthrough passage.

4. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim 1, wherein the feedthrough passage is fluidically isolated from an environment outside the body.

5. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bow springs comprise three bow springs.

6. The coiled tubing vibration damper of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sliding collars encircling the body, the plurality of sliding collars connected to each end of the plurality of bow springs, the sliding collars configured to axially move responsive to deflection of the plurality of bow spring.

7. A method comprising:

receiving axial and lateral vibrations by a coiled tubing vibration damper; and

damping the axial and lateral vibrations by the coiled tubing vibration damper, the coiled tubing vibration damper comprising mass-spring damping components.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein damping the vibration by the coiled tubing vibration damper comprises damping axial vibrations by a mandrel and an internal coil spring within a body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein damping the vibrations by the coiled tubing vibration damper comprises damping lateral vibrations by a plurality of bow springs.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of bow springs are in tension, the plurality of bow springs surround and connect to an outer periphery of a body of the coiled tubing vibration damper, the plurality of bow springs extend radially outward from the body.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

collapsing the plurality of bow springs such that a radial extension of the bow springs is reduced; and

passing the coiled tube vibration damper through a slim section of a wellbore.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

expanding the plurality of bow springs, such that the radial extension of the bow springs is increased, after passing through the slim section of the wellbore.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein damping the vibrations comprises damping lateral vibrations by a corrugated metal body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein damping the vibrations comprises damping axial vibrations by a corrugated metal body of the coiled tubing vibration damper.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving vibration from a vibration sub by the coiled tubing vibration damper.

16. A wellbore system comprising:

a length of coiled tubing;

a vibration sub attached to the length of coiled tubing;

a logging tool attached to the length of coiled tubing; and

a vibration damper attached to the length of coiled tubing, the vibration damper being between the vibration sub and the logging tool, the vibration damper comprising: a body defining a feedthrough passage; a plurality of bow springs surrounding and connected to an outer periphery of the body, the bow springs extending radially outward from the body; an internal coil spring arranged to actuate actually within the body; and a mandrel abutting an end of the coiled spring, the mandrel arranged to move within the body, the mandrel having sufficient inertia to dampen vibrations.

17. The wellbore system of claim 16, wherein the body comprises corrugated metal tubing.

18. The wellbore system of claim 16, wherein optical cables extend through the feedthrough passage.

19. The wellbore system of claim 16, wherein the feedthrough passage is fluidically isolated from an outside environment.

20. The wellbore system of claim 16, further comprising sliding collars coupled to the body, the sliding collars connected to each end of the plurality of bow spring, the sliding collars configured to axially move responsive to deflection of the plurality of bow spring.