Baker Hughes Launches GuardVibe

Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, announced the launch of the GuardVibe™ torsional vibration dampener, a new approach to limiting the impact of high-frequency torsional drill string vibrations.

Unlike traditional approaches that have focused on managing bit-induced stick-slip, GuardVibe uses internal inertia mass to counteract the effect of torsional vibrations. By removing previous mechanical and electrical failure mechanisms, this design eliminates the reliability concerns of existing solutions.

“The ability to drill longer horizontal wells and laterals is critical for today’s operators, but challenging formations can test the limits of BHAs,” said Greig Russell, vice president of well construction at Baker Hughes. “GuardVibe takes a new approach to a problem that has vexed the industry for decades, and the results are helping customers achieve higher rates of penetration, improved efficiency, and better control in demanding environments - all while expanding their drilling envelope.”

GuardVibe is deployed as part of a holistic BHA system, and Baker Hughes’ proprietary software program is used to optimize the overall BHA design. By tailoring the system for the unique demands of each well and monitoring conditions in real time, engineers are able to more effectively limit high-frequency torsional oscillation. GuardVibe is designed to work with all Baker Hughes rotary steerable applications, allowing deployment across complex BHAs.

The system has been tested on more than 350 drilling runs, primarily in the Permian Basin where long lateral wells are common. During these trials, the system eliminated high-frequency torsional oscillation during 98% of the drilling process, resulting in superior rate of penetration and weight on bit compared to BHAs with traditional vibration mitigation tools. Similar results have been recorded in other deployments in the Middle East and South America.