Correct placement of the rotary-speed sweet spot of a bottomhole assembly (BHA) provides multiple benefits toward achieving the ultimate goal of drilling to section total depth in a single trip. The process of BHA redesign and tuning for the desired operating parameters provides greater control over the drilling process. Vibration minimization through proper design and operation of the BHA facilitates drilling objectives that include reaching section depth in fewer trips and providing acceptable borehole quality to run casing to depth.

Introduction

A musician understands the basic principle of a stringed instrument: The frequency of the note made by the instrument varies with the length of the string span. Other parameters play a role, including the string properties and tension. However, once the instrument is tuned and the concert has begun, the musical notes are played principally by changing the length of the vibrating string.

As the finger position is changed on the fingerboard, the pitch of the note changes. Although this is a basic concept to a musician, it is not common today in the oil and gas industry for engineers to apply this concept to BHA design selection.