Nonlinear dynamic modeling of drill string in horizontal well - A geometrically exact approach

A new nonlinear dynamic model of drill string in horizontal well is established based on geometrically exact beam theory and quadrature element method. The model proposed in this paper takes into account the geometric nonlinearity of the drill string and the nonlinear contact between the drill string and the borehole. Benefiting from the accuracy of the geometric description of the geometrically exact beam, the model uses a geometrically exact method to describe the contact between the drill string and the borehole. Comparison with experimental results shows that the geometrically exact model can accurately describe the nonlinear characteristics of the drill string. Finally, the characteristics of the movement of drill string under different drilling pressure and rotation speed are analyzed. Drilling pressure and rotational speed have an effect on the buckling of the drill string. Before buckling, the drill string moves periodically at the bottom of the wellbore. After buckling, the movement of the drill string becomes disordered. The model presented in this paper provides a new method for dynamic analysis of drill string.