A new active vibration damper tool autonomously adapts to changing downhole bottom hole assembly (BHA) motion in real time, reducing drilling dysfunctions and ultimately leading to faster, more efficient drilling, says Norwegian services company PSW Group.
The firm says the SureDrill-AVD developed by U.S. based APS Technology Inc. has proven itself on several runs on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS), significantly improving drilling efficiency and extending bit life.
A major Norwegian sector operator and service company employed the AVD tool to drill a 1,656m 12 ¼” section from casing point to casing point in a 66-degree tangent section in one run. According to PSW, the run was the best in the field, drilling more footage at a faster penetration rate than the previous eight wells, and more importantly saved the cost of one or more trips for BHA changes.
The SureDrill-AVD is said to be the drilling industry’s first “smart” self-adapting vibration suppressor, applying the technology behind adaptive shock absorbers from the automotive industry for downhole drilling applications. Based on real-time data, the tool automatically adjusts the damping using fluid viscosity changes. This reduces torsional, axial and high frequency vibrations, as well as stick slip. The AVD essentially decouples vibrations from the lower BHA from the rest of the drill sting, which minimizes drill string dysfunction, resulting in cost savings both on drilling operations and equipment.
PSW Group has signed an exclusive partnership agreement with APS Technology which includes both distribution and continued development of the AVD tool for offshore application worldwide. In connection with the partnership, PSW Group said it is increasing capacity to handle international demand, and has established field offices in several central locations.
Oddbjørn Haukøy, CEO of PSW Group, said, "With the results we have seen, we believe that this tool will improve drilling efficiency globally. Expanding into markets such as Australia, Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico is a natural step for us to be closer to drilling operations”.