Devices and methods for translating tubular members within a well bore

Abstract

Devices and methods for translating tubulars within a wellbore and, as a result, effectively freeing a stuck tubular string within a wellbore. One or more vibrator devices are incorporated into a tubular string, such as a drill string. Each of the vibratory devices may be turned on or off independently, as needed, to help effectively free the tubular string from a stuck condition.

1 . A vibratory system for translating a string of tubular members within a wellbore, comprising:
 at least one vibratory assembly incorporated into the string of tubular members, the vibratory assembly creating vibration in response to a signal transmitted along the string of tubular members.   
   
   
       2 . The vibratory system of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of vibratory assemblies incorporated into the string of tubular members, and each of said vibratory assemblies is actuated independently. 
   
   
       3 . The vibratory system of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory assembly comprises:
 a housing having first and second axial ends adapted for incorporation into the string of tubular members;   the housing defining a central axial fluid flowbore;   an annular compartment defined within the housing;   a vibratory element contained within the compartment, the vibratory element causing vibration of the housing when rotated within the compartment; and   a motor for rotating the vibratory element within the compartment.   
   
   
       4 . The vibratory system of  claim 3  wherein the vibratory assembly further comprises:
 a sensor for detecting a condition within the fluid flowbore and generating a signal representative thereof; and   a programmable processor/controller to receive the signal from the sensor and selectively operate the motor in response thereto.   
   
   
       5 . The vibratory system of  claim 1  wherein the signal comprises a pulsed signal provided from a surface location. 
   
   
       6 . The vibratory system of  claim 1  wherein the signal comprises an MWD/LWD signal transmitted from an MWD/LWD pulser within the string of tubular members along a flowbore defined within the string of tubular members. 
   
   
       7 . The vibratory system of  claim 6  wherein the processor/controller is programmed to actuate the motor in response to a predetermined level of drill string torque detected within the MWD/LWD pulser signal. 
   
   
       8 . The vibratory system of  claim 6  wherein the processor/controller is programmed to actuate the motor in response to a predetermined depth detected within the MWD/LWD pulser signal. 
   
   
       9 . A vibratory assembly for incorporation within a string of tubular members and selectively actuatable to help free the string of tubular members from a stuck condition within a wellbore, the vibratory assembly comprising:
 a housing having first and second axial ends adapted for incorporation into the string of tubular members;   the housing defining a central axial fluid flowbore;   an annular compartment defined within the housing;   a vibratory element contained within the compartment, the vibratory element causing vibration of the housing when rotated within the compartment; and   a motor for rotating the vibratory element within the compartment.   
   
   
       10 . The vibratory assembly of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a sensor for detecting a condition within the fluid flowbore and generating a signal representative thereof.   
   
   
       11 . The vibratory assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a programmable processor/controller to receive the signal from the sensor and selectively operate the motor in response thereto. 
   
   
       12 . The vibratory assembly of  claim 11  wherein the processor/controller is programmed to actuate the motor in response to a predetermined level of drill string torque detected within an MWD/LWD pulser signal. 
   
   
       13 . The vibratory assembly of  claim 11  wherein the processor/controller is programmed to actuate the motor in response to a predetermined depth detected within an MWD/LWD pulser signal. 
   
   
       14 . The vibratory assembly of  claim 9  wherein the vibratory element comprises an annular ring body having first and second ring portions and wherein the first ring portion is heavier than the second ring portion. 
   
   
       15 . A method of translating a string of tubular members within a wellbore comprising the steps of:
 incorporating at least one vibratory assembly into a string of tubular members;   disposing the string of tubular members and at least one vibratory assembly into a wellbore;   actuating the at least one vibratory assembly via signal transmitted along the string of tubular members to vibrate and thereby permit free movement of the string of tubular members within the wellbore.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of actuating the at least one vibratory assembly further comprises transmitting an MWD/LWD signal to the vibratory assembly representative of at least one wellbore condition. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of actuating the at least one vibratory assembly further comprises transmitting signal from a surface location. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of determining an approximate location of a stuck location within the wellbore prior to actuating the at least one vibratory assembly.