Reduce Torsional Vibration and Improve Drilling Operations
Jerome Rajnauth, Tennyson Jagai

Abstract
Torsional vibration can be very damaging to drill string components during downhole drilling operations. Reducing torsional vibration as a result of monitoring and implementing corrective actions can be very useful in drilling optimization. While downhole vibrations cannot be totally eradicated, if properly monitored and kept to a minimum, they are harmless. A software package was used during drilling operations on two wells off the East Coast of Trinidad. Results showed that severe slip stick vibrations were occurring and having major impact on downhole equipment such as bit, Measurement While Drilling (MWD) tools and motor. The computer program provides real time display of the magnitude of torsional vibration by utilizing Fourier Spectral Analysis on the data from drilling sensors.
This paper will look at the results from these two wells and show that there are benefits from monitoring and
reducing torsional vibrations. These include:
• reduction of the frequency of drill string/Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) failures;
• reduction in trip time and fishing time;
• increase in drilling rate and bit life

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