Effects of weight on bit on torsional stick-slip vibration of oilwell drill string

The stick-slip phenomenon is a type of dysfunction detrimental to the drilling operation. Field application shows that stick-slip phenomenon is inclined to appear when using a large Weight on bit (WOB). In this paper, effects of the WOB on the stick-slip vibration are investigated. Based on a lumped torsional pendulum model of the drilling system, equation of motion of the drill bit is obtained. By using parameters commonly used in field applications, the bit dynamics are analyzed and the stick-slip vibrations are discussed. During the stick-slip motions, the negative damping effect occurs in the transition from the stick phase to the slip phase. With the increasing WOB, the bit behavior may change from the stable motion to the stick-slip vibration once the WOB reaches the critical value. In case of stick-slip vibration, the phase trajectory ultimately converges to a limit cycle which represents periodical bit motion. With increases in the WOB, the limit cycle enlarges. For cases without stick-slip vibrations, the drill bit vibrates damply and finally converges to a state of uniform motion. The results presented in this paper can be applied to interpret some of the field phenomena related to WOB.