Torsional osciallation control tool generating high-amplitude at variable frequencies

Abstract

A lateral oscillation tool for using in a drill string performing a drilling operation includes a fluid driven, positive displacement motor and a rotating mandrel coupled to the positive displacement motor. At least one unbalanced mass is coupled to the rotating mandrel to generate lateral oscillation of the lateral oscillation tool. The unbalanced mass may include a plurality of tuning channels into which a high-density material may be selectively introduced to alter the positional mass of the unbalanced mass. When paired with the or variable electric drive motor turbine powered, lateral impact forces may be adjusted real-time and through the downhole adaptive learning software.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lateral oscillation tool, comprising:
 a motor;   a rotating mandrel coupled to the motor; and   a first unbalanced mass coupled to the rotating mandrel to generate lateral oscillation of the lateral oscillation tool.   
     
     
         2 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating mandrel is coupled to the motor by a flex shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first unbalanced mass comprises a cylindrical body having a first central axis and an inner annulus having a second central axis offset from the first central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first unbalanced mass has a plurality of tuning channels therein, and   a high-density material is selectively introduced into one or more of the plurality of tuning channels.   
     
     
         5 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 4 , further comprising a second unbalanced mass coupled to the rotating mandrel. 
     
     
         6 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow diverter for diverting a flow of drilling fluid through a central annulus of the mandrel. 
     
     
         7 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 4 , wherein the high-density material comprises tungsten. 
     
     
         8 . A drill string for operations in a wellbore, the drill string comprising:
 a plurality of assembled pipe sections;   a bottom hole assembly; and   at least one lateral oscillation tool disposed between two of the plurality of pipe sections, the lateral oscillation tool including:
 a motor; 
 a rotating mandrel coupled to the motor; and 
 a first unbalanced mass coupled to the rotating mandrel to generate lateral oscillation of the lateral oscillation tool. 
   
     
     
         9 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating mandrel is coupled to the motor by a flex shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 8 , wherein the first unbalanced mass comprises a cylindrical body having a first central axis and an inner annulus having a second central axis offset from the first central axis. 
     
     
         11 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 10 , wherein the first unbalanced mass has a plurality of tuning channels therein, wherein a high-density material is selectively introduced into one or more of the plurality of tuning channels. 
     
     
         12 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 11 , further comprising a second unbalanced mass coupled to the rotating mandrel. 
     
     
         13 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 8 , further comprising a flow diverter for diverting flow of drilling fluid through a central annulus of the mandrel. 
     
     
         14 . The lateral oscillation tool of  claim 11 , wherein the high-density material comprises tungsten. 
     
     
         15 . A method of performing operations in a wellbore, comprising:
 providing a lateral oscillation tool in a drill string, the lateral oscillation tool comprising:
 a motor; 
 a mandrel coupled to the motor; and 
 a first unbalanced mass coupled to the mandrel to generate lateral oscillation of the lateral oscillation tool; and 
   controlling rotation of the motor to cause rotation of the mandrel and the first unbalanced mass, such that lateral oscillation of the drill string is produced.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising coupling the rotating mandrel to the motor by a flex shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first unbalanced mass comprises a cylindrical body having a first central axis and an inner annulus having a second central axis offset from the first central axis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing a plurality of tuning channels in the first unbalanced mass; and   selectively introducing a high-density material into one or more of the plurality of tuning channels.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a second unbalanced mass coupled to the rotating mandrel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a flow diverter for diverting flow of drilling fluid through a central annulus of the mandrel.