Dynamic Analysis of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Under Extreme

Environmental Conditions
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the development of a floating offshore wind turbine
(FOWT) utilizing spar-type floating foundation. In order to design such a structure, it is
essential to evaluate the dynamic response under extreme environmental conditions. In
this study; therefore, a dynamic analysis tool has been developed. The dynamic analysis
tool consists of a multibody dynamics solver (MSC.Adams), aerodynamic force evaluation
library (NREL/AeroDyn), hydrodynamic force evaluation library (in-house program named
SparDyn), and mooring force evaluation library (in-house program named Moorsys). In this
paper, some details of the developed dynamic analysis tool are given. In order to validate
the program, comparison with the experimental results, where the wind, current, and wave
are applied simultaneously, has been made. In this paper, only parked conditions are
considered. The comparison shows that the principal behavior of the floating offshore wind
turbine with spar platform has been captured by the developed program. However, when
vortex-induced motion (VIM) occurs, the current loads and cross-flow responses (sway
and roll) are underestimated by the simulation since the simulation code does not account
for the effect of VIM.

Vibration Analysis of a Drillstring in Vibration-Assisted Rotary Drilling: Finite

Element Modeling With Analytical Validation
Abstract
Introducing sources of axial vibration into an oilwell drillstring has the potential to
improve the drilling efficiency. Vibration generator tools, such as drillstring agitators, are
under development or in current use to excite the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) axially in
order to increase power and weight at the bit, improve the rate of penetration (ROP),
reduce drillstring-wellbore friction, and accelerate the cutting removal process. Enhanced
drilling under the effect of intentional imposed vibration is called “vibration-assisted rotary
drilling” or VARD. While potentially enhancing the drilling process, VARD tools can also
excite many unwanted vibration modes of the drillstring. These unwanted vibrations can
cause fatigue damage and failure of BHA components such as “measurement while
drilling” (MWD) tools, bit and mud motors, and consequently, inefficient drilling. This
motivates a study of the complex dynamic behavior of an axially excited drillstring.
Transverse vibration is the most destructive type of drillstring vibration, and the coupling
between transverse and axial vibration of a drillstring subjected to an applied VARD force
is of great interest to the experts in the field. In this study, the coupled axial-transverse
vibration behavior of the entire drillstring under the effect of a VARD tool is investigated. A
dynamic finite element method (FEM) model of the vertical drillstring assuming a multispan
BHA is generated and validated with a coupled nonlinear axial-transverse elastodynamic
mathematical model. The effects of mud damping, driving torque, multispan contact and
spatially varying axial load are included. Geometry, axial stiffening and Hertzian contact
forces are sources of nonlinearity in the model. A mesh sensitivity analysis is conducted to
reduce computational time. The accuracy of the retained modes in the analytical equations
is verified by extracting the total effective mass derived by the FEM model. There is
agreement between the FEM and analytical models for coupled-transverse and axial
vibration velocities, displacements, resonance frequencies and contact locations and
behavior. While the analytical model has fast running time and symbolic solution, the FEM
model enables easy reconfiguration of the drillstring for different boundary conditions,
inclusion of additional elements such as shock subs, and changing the number and
locations of stabilizers.

Analysis of Postbuckling Drillstring Vibrations in Rotary Drilling of Extended-Reach

Wells
Abstract
One of the most serious concerns of extended-reach drilling is the dynamic
behavior of the drillstring and the cleaning of well. Good cleaning requires an increased
angular velocity. This paper presents a 3D nonlinear dynamic model of drillstring in a
wellbore of 3D profile. The model suggests possible contact/lift-off of drill pipes with/from
the wellbore wall. The interaction of lateral, torsional, and axial vibrations is taken into
account. The relation between the normal component of contact force and the deformation
of the wellbore wall is taken as quadratic-elastic. The friction force is described based on a
hysteretic dynamic model. The friction force model also takes into account, the transition
from a sliding to whirling. The equations of drillstring dynamics are solved numerically
using the method of lines. The DYNTUB software is developed to analyze the drillstring
time-varying processes under different loads. The program is used to study the effects of
angular velocity, compression load, torque, friction factor, well profile, and availability of
connectors on the drillstring dynamic behavior. From the study follows the key
conclusions: (1) The friction factor has a considerable effect on the drillstring rotational
behavior in the wellbore; (2) no whirling of drillstring at real value of rolling friction factor in
a horizontal well in the discussed examples could be seen at all; (3) when whirling takes
place, the contact force shows a dramatic times increase; and (4) snaking can be seen in
any wells at moderate compressive load and angular velocity.