Copyright 2003, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference held in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1921 February 2003.

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, as presented, 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, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the SPE, IADC, their
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
for commercial purposes 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 where and by whom the paper
was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A.,
fax 01-972-952-9435.

Abstract
This paper presents a newly developed intelligent system
designed to avoid resonance and to reduce vibrations. The
system integrates real-time BHA dynamics software and real-
time downhole vibration data to provide accurate modeling
results and data analyses. Unlike conventional BHA dynamics
software that is run for well planning or post-run analysis, this
system uses real-time data (e.g., WOB, inclination, DLS) to
produce real-time updates of critical rotary speeds. The
updates are then displayed along with the rotary speed to show
if the rotary speed is too close to one of the predicted critical
rotary speeds. In addition, the modeling results can be
compared with actual real-time downhole vibration data to
corroborate the actual downhole condition. Field data have
shown that the new system is effective in identifying the
vibration mechanism and avoiding harmful vibrations.

Introduction
Severe vibrations have been shown to be harmful to downhole
equipment. Among them, lateral vibrations (particularly
backward whirl) are commonly associated with drillstring
fatigue failure (wash-outs, twist-offs), excessive bit wear, and
MWD tool failure
1-5
. Lateral vibrations are caused by one
common reason - mass imbalance through a variety of
sources: bit-formation interaction, mud motor, and drillstring
mass imbalance, etc.

A rotating body is unbalanced when its center of gravity does
not coincide with the axis of rotation. Due to the crookedness
or mass imbalance, centrifugal forces are generated while
rotating the unbalanced drillstring. The magnitude of the
centrifugal force depends on its mass, the eccentricity and the
rotary speed. In general, the higher the rotary speed, the larger
the centrifugal force. Thus, the common practice is to lower
the rotary speed when severe lateral vibration occurs.
However, vibration will not be reduced if the lower rotary
speed results in a resonant condition in the assembly. A
resonant condition occurs when the frequency of any one of
the excitation mechanisms matches the natural frequencies of
the BHA (often called the critical rotary speeds). Under a
resonant condition, the BHA has a tendency to vibrate
laterally with continuously increasing amplitudes, resulting in
severe vibration and causing drillstring and MWD failures.

Thus, it is important to identify and avoid critical rotary
speeds during drilling operation. A number of finite element
based computer programs have been developed to predict
critical rotary speeds. However, the accuracy of their
predictions is often limited due to the uncertainties in the input
data and boundary conditions. Conventional BHA dynamics
software is usually run during well planning or sometimes at
the rig when the BHA is made up. And a set of predicted
critical speeds, (CRPM), is provided to the driller to be
avoided. Common operational difficulties with this approach
are: (i) complex BHA modeling and results; (ii) inaccurate
results due to incorrect input data ;( iii) modeling results not
being used in conjunction with the real-time vibration data to
optimize the drilling process.

To provide accurate modeling results on a timely basis that
are easy to understand, an integrated drilling dynamics
system has been developed. The system combines real-time
modeling with downhole MWD vibration data. While running
the real-time mode, real-time data (e.g., WOB, inclination,
DLS, etc.) are used to produce real-time updates of critical
rotary speeds. The updates are then displayed along with the
rotary speed to show if the rotary speed is too close to one of
the predicted critical rotary speeds. The modeling results are
confirmed by actual real-time downhole vibration data for
accurate vibration diagnosis. To integrate the real-time
modeling and measurements, an integrated dynamics system
has been developed for data acquisition, display, diagnosis,
and optimization.

The Integrated Dynamics System
This integrated dynamics system consists of (1) a real-time
BHA dynamics software, (2) a MWD downhole vibration
sensor, and (3) an integrated rigsite information system.


SPE/IADC 79888
Integrated Drilling Dynamics System Closes the Model-Measure-Optimize Loop in Real
Time
David C-K Chen, Mark Smith, and Scott LaPierre, Halliburton Sperry-Sun
2 D. C-K CHEN, M. SMITH, AND S. LAPIERRE SPE/IADC 79888
Real-time BHA dynamics software - WHIRL
In mid 1990s Sperry-Sun developed a BHA dynamics
program WHIRL for predicting the critical rotary speeds.
The program consists of three parts: (i) a BHA static analysis
using a semi-analytical method to predict the upper boundary
condition, (ii) a finite element based program to calculate the
natural frequencies
6
, and (iii) proprietary methods to calculate
the critical rotary speeds.

The WHIRL software has been upgraded to run in real-time
mode by using the data supplied from mud logging and MWD
data. Conventional mud logging data used in the model are
BHA configuration, WOB, RPM, and mud weight, etc. These
can be obtained from an integrated surface system, or via
WITS transfer from third party mud logging or other digital
rig monitoring systems commonly employed by drilling
contractors. MWD data used for the modeling are inclination,
DLS and hole size if the AcoustiCaliper is run. Fig. 1 shows
the flow chart of the WHIRL program and Fig. 2 shows the
display of the real-time WHIRL using the MWD and surface
drilling data.

MWD downhole vibration sensor - DDS
Real-time downhole vibration data are supplied by Sperry-
Suns DDS (Drillstring Dynamics Sensor) developed in
early 90s
7
. The DDS is located in the existing MWD tool
such as the Gamma Ray sub (see Fig. 3). Three mutually
orthogonal accelerometers are used to measure three axes of
accelerations: X, Y, and Z. The X-axis is used to measure both
lateral and radial accelerations. The Y-axis is used to measure
both lateral and tangential accelerations, and the Z-axis is used
to measure axial accelerations.

The signal from each axis is conditioned using three different
methods: average, peak and instantaneous (burst). The average
measurement ranged of 0 to 45 gs represents the average
acceleration over the sampled period. The peak measurement
ranged of 0 to 200 gs represents the highest acceleration
which has occurred over the sampled period. The
instantaneous (burst) measurement records high frequency
data for frequency analysis. Details of the DDS design can be
found in the SPE paper #26341.

Using three different accelerations and measurements, various
modes of downhole dynamics (e.g. bit and BHA whirl, bit
bounce and stick-slip, etc.) can be detected using proprietary
methods. Indications of destructive vibration mode(s) are then
transmitted to the surface. A traffic light display is used to
indicate the vibration severity (low, medium, high, and very
high). Recommendations are made to correct various modes
of downhole vibration that can be identified by the tool.
Note: a next generation of DDS is currently being developed
which will enhance the capability and also simplify the
diagnosis process.

Integrated rigsite information system - INSITE
The system will not work without an integrated rigsite
information system. Sperry-Suns Window NT based INSITE
(Integrated System for Information Technology and
Engineering) is used to acquire the mud logging and downhole
data, run the engineering software, and process and display the
data in real-time
8
. The integrated information is derived by
intelligent combination of the various data into useable
information and is displayed in an informative manner such as
the displays shown in Fig. 4. This information may be viewed
by any workstation on the network, which may include
locations such as the drilling office, rig floor, geologists and
company mans workstations. Real-time satellite or network
links can make the displays available in the operators shore
based office as well. Fig. 5 shows the network of INSITE
system that allows the rig information be shared in any place
in the world.

Field Tests
Three case studies presented in this paper involved the use of
bi-centered drilling assemblies in the Gulf of Mexico. Due to
their inherently high imbalance force, bi-centered assemblies
are prone to vibrations resulting in many MWD and BHA
failures. The first run shows a case without the integrated
dynamics system resulting in a parted motor. It illustrates that
vibration data alone may not be adequate to comprehend the
onset of bit whirl. The second and third examples show how
the integrated dynamics system can help to optimize the
drilling operation.

Case #1: Uncontrolled vibrations resulted in broken motor
A straight mud motor assembly with a 14.5 x 17.5 bi-center
bit was used to drill a vertical section in the Gulf of Mexico.
This section was drilled without the integrated dynamics
system. The run ultimately ended early as a result of a parted
mud motor.

The DDS vibration data collected did not show high
magnitude of vibrations. The average lateral accelerations (X
and Y) were about 2 to 3 gs indicating a low to medium
severity. The axial accelerations (Z) were very low. See Fig. 6
for the DDS log with Gamma Ray and ROP data. The
majority of the vibrations from this run occurred while drilling
in sand as shown by the Gamma Ray data. While the
magnitudes of the lateral vibrations appear benign, frequency
analyses of the high frequency DDS burst data (recorded)
reveals sustained vibrations at a frequency about 8.3 Hz (see
Fig. 7). The vibration frequency matched to the motor rotor
speed suggesting that motor vibration was responsible for the
parting of the mud motor. However, the majority of vibration
energy was absorbed by the motor itself, thus was not picked
up by the vibration sensor located at the MWD tool.

Case #2: Integrated system run to verify the modeling
A rotary assembly with a 14 x 17.5 bi-center bit with two
14 stabilizers was used to drill a vertical section in the
GOM. Rotary speed was operated close to and away from
critical RPMs (CRPMs) to assess validity of the model using
DDS information. Good correlation between CRPM and the
increased lateral vibrations were seen as shown in Fig. 8. This
time-based plot shows drilling parameters, including rotary
speed in the 4
th
column along with calculated CRPMs #3 to
#5. In the 5
th
column accelerations (in gs) show the peak
measurements of each of the three accelerometers of the DDS
SPE/IADC 79888 INTEGRATED DRILLING DYNAMICS SYSTEM CLOSES THE MODEL-MEASURE-OPTIMIZE LOOP IN REAL TIME 3
tool. These curves are shaded according to the severity of
vibration present; green for low, yellow for medium, and red
for high severity. Recommended practice is to never operate a
drilling assembly under high severity vibration, since this
commonly results in component failure. During the period
between 01:00 and 01:10 the rotary RPM had been reduced
until, at around 105 RPM, it was close to the 4
th
CRPM which
triggered high severity vibrations as indicated by the DDS.

At 01:10 the rotary speed was increased to 130, placing it
between the 4
th
and 5
th
CRPMs, (a safe zone), and the
downhole vibration reduced immediately. Note that the
normal recommendation in the event of high severity vibration
is to stop drilling and shut down the rotary to allow string
oscillations to dissipate, then resuming drilling with a lower
rotary speed. In this case, according to the WHIRL prediction,
the RPM was increased to remove the resonant excitation and
the vibration stopped.

In order to further verify the predictions of the Whirl model,
the rotary speed was increased at 01:17 to around 155 RPM,
close to the 5
th
CRPM. As before, there was an increase in
vibration severity as a result of resonance in the BHA, which
continued until the RPM was reduced at 01:32. This time the
reduction in RPM did not completely cure the vibration, only
reduce its severity. The downhole shocks only reduced to a
benign level after the RPM was further reduced at 01:48 when
the string was picked up to back-ream prior to making a
connection. This observation proves that it is sometimes
necessary to stop drilling to fully eliminate resonant vibration.

Frequency analysis of some of the high frequency sampled
burst files taken around the first of these periods shows bit
whirl at a frequency around 4.9 Hz (or 294 RPM). See Fig. 9
for the frequency plots of the two lateral (X and Y)
accelerations. The vibration frequency of 249 RPM was very
close to twice the rotary RPM suggesting a correlation to the
bi-centered bit.

Case #3: Integrated system run to control vibrations
A straight mud motor assembly with a 14 PDC bit
combined with a bi-centre reamer tool that opened the hole to
17. This BHA incorporated three 14.5 stabilizers and
utilized real-time vibration sensor to monitor vibration
because of difficulties on previous bit runs.

Due to the salt formation, DDS data indicate sustained high
magnitude lateral vibrations. Fig. 10 shows the time based plot
of the rotary speed (green) along with calculated critical RPMs
#2 and #3. For the first 30 minute interval the rotary speed was
close to the 3
rd
CRPM. After the connection at 00:00, drilling
was resumed with a rotary speed close to the 2
nd
CRPM. At
01:25 the speed was increased again to be right on the 3
rd

CRPM. Throughout this period there was medium to high
severity vibration detected by the MWD tool, but the vibration
often interfered with MWD detection, resulting in no real-time
data. Thus, real-time vibration data should not be the only
means to detect vibrations as it could become unavailable
during high vibrations when it is most needed.

At 01:45 the rotary speed was reduced to be less than the 2
nd

CRPM, but as with the previous example, reduction did not
immediately eliminate the downhole dynamics. Vibration
severity remained medium severity until after 02:15, when a
slight reduction in WOB decreased the vibration to a benign
level. Note that the lower vibration coincided with an increase
in ROP suggesting that reducing vibrations not only prolong
bit and BHA life but also can improve the ROP.

Fig. 11 shows a scatter plot of DDS data versus operating
rotary speeds. The higher severity of vibrations was associated
with 43 RPM (2
nd
CRPM) and 60 RPM (3rd CRPM), whereas
other rotary speeds produced a distribution across the range of
severities. Post-run frequency analyses of the DDS burst data
confirmed this motion to be whirl with a frequency at about 9
Hz.

Conclusions
1. Resonance is an important cause of BHA and bit whirl.
Good correlation between the critical rotary speed
predictions and the onset of BHA and bit whirl confirm its
importance.
2. Frequency analyses of the high frequency burst vibration
data are effective in identifying the vibration mechanisms
and supporting the accuracy of the modeling.
3. Because the input parameters are constantly being
updated, real-time modeling is more accurate than
conventional pre-run modeling.
4. BHA instability due to an enlarged hole is an important
cause of BHA and bit whirl. Wells drilled by bi-centered
bits or by downhole reamers commonly used in the Gulf
of Mexico frequently produce BHA and bit whirl.
Available field data show that avoiding critical RPMs
mitigates the vibration created by BHA instability.
5. Combining the real-time modeling and real-time
downhole vibration data in an integrated system is
effective in identifying the vibration mechanism and in
avoiding harmful vibrations, even for unstable BHA such
as those in the enlarged wellbore.

Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the management of Halliburton
Company for permission to publish this paper.

References
1. Allen M.B., "BHA Lateral Vibrations: Case Studies and
Evaluation of Important Parameters, SPE/IADC paper
#16110, presented at the 1987 Drilling Conference in
New Orleans, Louisiana.
2. Mitchell, R.F. and Allen M.B., "Case Studies of BHA
Vibration Failure, SPE paper #16675, presented at the
1987 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
Dallas, Texas.
3. Close, D.A., Owens, S.C., and MacPherson, J. D.,
Measurement of BHA Vibration Using MWD",
IADC/SPE paper #17273, presented at the 1988 Drilling
Conference, Dallas, Texas.
4. Vandiver, J.K., Nicholson, J.W., and Shyu, R.J., Case
Studies of the Bending Vibration and Whirling Motion of
Drill Collars, SPE/IADC paper #18652 presented at the
4 D. C-K CHEN, M. SMITH, AND S. LAPIERRE SPE/IADC 79888
1989 Drilling Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
5. Dykstra, M.W., Chen, D. C-K, Warren, T.M., and Azar,
J.J., Drillstring Component Mass Imbalance: A Major
Source of Downhole Vibrations, SPE/IADC paper
#29350 presented at the 1995 SPE/IADC Drilling
Conference in Amsterdam.
6. Dykstra, M. W.,Nonlinear Drill String Dynamics, Ph.
D. Dissertation, The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma,
1996.
7. Zannoni, S.A., Cheatham, C.A., Chen, D. C-K., and
Golla, C.A., Development and Field Testing of a New
Downhole MWD Drillstring Dynamics Sensor, SPE
paper #26341 presented at the 1993 SPE Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition in Houston.
8. Hudson, P., Riley, E.D., and Gidley, J.K.,A New Model
for Integrity in Management Systems, SPE paper 46694,
presented at the 1998 SPE International Conference on
Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas
Exploration and Production held in Caracas, Venezuela.


SPE/IADC 79888 INTEGRATED DRILLING DYNAMICS SYSTEM CLOSES THE MODEL-MEASURE-OPTIMIZE LOOP IN REAL TIME 5



















Fig. 2 The real-time WHIRL display shows the real-time input data on the right. The program is
automatically rerun every 30 seconds to 3 minutes (selected by the user) using the updated data. The
main screen shows the critical RPM (red lines) to be avoided and the operating rotary speed (yellow
line).
Mud Logging Data
(WOB, RPM Mud Wt.)
MWD Data (Inc., DLS,
hole size, etc.)
Real-Time WHIRL Module:

(1) Static BHA analysis to calculate
the upper boundary condition.
(2) Finite element based program to
calculate the natural freqs and mode
shapes
(3) Proprietary methods to calculate
the critical rotary speeds
Drillstring Data
Display input
data and the
current RPM
with the
predicted
RPMs
Fig. 1 Flow Chart of Real-Time WHIRL program



















Fig. 3 The Drillstring Dynamics Sensor (DDS) is located at the MWD tool like the Gamma Ray sub.
Three accelerometers (X, Y, Z) are used to measure lateral, axial, and torsional vibrations.





Fig. 4 The display of the integrated drillstring dynamics system. The intelligent information is derived
from raw data and is displayed in an informative manner. It includes the real-time critical RPMs vs. the
operating RPM, the downhole vibration data (severity and mechanisms) with remedy
recommendations, and time and depth based vibration log.
SPE/IADC 79888 INTEGRATED DRILLING DYNAMICS SYSTEM CLOSES THE MODEL-MEASURE-OPTIMIZE LOOP IN REAL TIME 7

Fig. 5 Layout of the Integrated Rigsite Information System INSITE. INSITE can be used to link
information between rig floor and offices outside the rig using Internet, satellite or direction
connection.




Fig. 6 Depth-based vibrations from the DDS show lateral vibrations occurring while drilling sands.
8 D. C-K CHEN, M. SMITH, AND S. LAPIERRE SPE/IADC 79888






Fig. 7 Frequency analyses of the DDS burst File clearly show motor vibration at a frequency of 8.3 Hz,
close to the motor rotor speed. The motor vibration resulted in a parted motor.


SPE/IADC 79888 INTEGRATED DRILLING DYNAMICS SYSTEM CLOSES THE MODEL-MEASURE-OPTIMIZE LOOP IN REAL TIME 9


Fig. 8 Time-based drilling parameters and MWD vibration data compared to real-time Whirl Critical
RPM predictions (CRPM). The results show that critical rotary speeds correlated well with high
downhole vibrations.




10 D. C-K CHEN, M. SMITH, AND S. LAPIERRE SPE/IADC 79888



Fig. 9 Frequency analyses of the DDS burst File clearly show bit whirl with lateral vibrations at a
frequency of 4.88 Hz, close to twice the rotary RPM of around 150, which is close to the 5
th
CRPM





SPE/IADC 79888 INTEGRATED DRILLING DYNAMICS SYSTEM CLOSES THE MODEL-MEASURE-OPTIMIZE LOOP IN REAL TIME 11




Fig. 10 Time-based drilling parameters and MWD vibration compared to real-time Whirl Critical RPM
predictions (CRPM). The results verify the modeling when drilling with mud motor coupled with a bit
and a simultaneous reaming device.


12 D. C-K CHEN, M. SMITH, AND S. LAPIERRE SPE/IADC 79888


Fig. 11 Cross-plot of MWD vibration versus rotary RPM shows higher severity vibrations occurred
when rotating at predicted critical rotary speeds of around 43, and 60 RPM