Identification and Mitigation of Friction- and Cutting Action-Induced Stick-Slip Vibrations with PDC Bits

Abstract

Abstract This paper provides some new insights into stick-slip vibration in drilling with polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits. Fifty-six field runs under various drilling conditions were collected with the help of on-bit vibration sensors. Stick-slip vibration occurrence during drilling was analyzed. Two types of stick-slip vibrations were identified: cutting action-induced stick-slip and friction-induced stick-slip. Methods were developed to determine whether a stick-slip occurrence is induced by cutting action or by friction. Statistical analysis found that bit drilling efficiency is well correlated with the occurrence of cutting action-induced bit stick-slip vibration. If a PDC bit is designed so that its drilling efficiency is greater than a critical value, then the cutting action-induced bit stick-slip vibration is not expected in drilling. Increasing the aggressiveness of the cutting structure of a PDC bit within a limited critical depth of cut is found to be helpful to mitigate bit stick-slip vibration.