BHA Design Optimization: Strategic Position of the Torsional and Axial Vibration Mitigation Tool in the Ixachi Field

This paper examines the Torsional and Axial Vibration Mitigation (TVM) technology deployed in the Ixachi field in Veracruz, Mexico. The results confirm the effectiveness of TVM in protecting the bottomhole assembly (BHA) components, improving drilling efficiency, and reducing operational costs. Enhancing drilling efficiency is crucial, especially in complex environments characterized by high temperatures and pressures. Vibrations and shocks cause significant energy loss, making the inclusion of specialized tools in the drillstring essential. The Ixachi field poses significant geological challenges, including calcareous shale, sandstone intercalations, and mudstone conglomerates with varying uniaxial compressive strengths (UCS), all of which heighten vibration risks. High bottomhole temperatures (BHT) further complicate the performance of drillstring components. Drilling a J-shaped well profile under these conditions involves significant operational challenges and demands careful navigation of shocks and vibrations. Preemptive parameter adjustments and a meticulously planned BHA with vibration mitigation tools were essential to minimize the risk of string component damage and reduce the number of trips. In offset wells, the 8½-in. and 6½-in. sections encountered several operational challenges, including multiple trips, lost BHAs, and a sidetrack run. High shocks and vibrations were identified among dysfunctions, leading to lost communication with downhole tools. To address these issues, a TVM Tool was incorporated into the packed BHA for drilling the tangent 8½-in. section. This technology provided dual protection for the BHA, guarding against both torsional and axial vibrations, whether on-bottom or off-bottom. Throughout the run, the TVM tool significantly reduced shocks and vibrations, enabling a higher rate of penetration. Additionally, the lower temperatures recorded in the measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool's memory indicated more efficient vibration management, resulting in 192 m drilled versus the 112 m planned. The debut near-bit TVM placement, with stabilizers on either side, proved to be highly successful. Buoyed by this success, the 5-in. TVM tool was deployed in the next section (6½ in.) with a similar BHA placement. The tool once again protected the MWD and logging-while-drilling (M/LWD) tools, allowing the driller to reach the section's total depth of 7,645 m in one run. This well became the first in the field where telemetry tools maintained full functionality, achieving a greater penetration rate than anticipated. The TVM technology has demonstrated its effectiveness as a cost-efficient solution for extending the BHA's service life. Its versatility in BHA placement enables targeted vibration management and optimization of drilling parameters. The rugged design ensures its efficacy in compression, tension, and at the neutral point. When properly tuned and positioned within the BHA, the TVM technology can help achieve longer footage with enhanced efficiency, making it a valuable tool for improving overall drilling performance.