Method and apparatus for reducing stick-slip in drilling operations

Abstract

The present application describes methods and apparatuses for reducing stick-slip in drilling operations. An example apparatus may include a cylindrical tool body and a first roller disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a first location. The first roller may be at least partially disposed within a first cavity at the first location. The apparatus may also include a second roller disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a second location. The second location may be offset laterally and circumferentially from the first location on the cylindrical tool body. The second roller may be at least partially disposed within a second cavity at the second location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for reducing stick-slip in drilling operations, comprising:
 a cylindrical tool body;   a first roller disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a first location; and   a second roller disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a second location, wherein the second location is offset laterally and circumferentially from the first location on the cylindrical tool body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first cavity within the cylindrical tool body, wherein the first roller is partially disposed within the first cavity; and   a second cavity within the cylindrical tool body, wherein the second roller is partially disposed within the second cavity.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first roller and the second roller comprises an elongated structure longitudinally parallel to the cylindrical tool body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cylindrical tool body defines an internal bore; and   the apparatus further comprises a feedthrough positioned within the internal bore.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the feedthrough is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical tool body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rollers correspond to a 9 7/8 inch borehole. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical tool body is non-magnetic. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a third roller disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a third location, wherein the third location is offset laterally and circumferentially from the first location and the second location on the cylindrical tool body. 
     
     
         9 . A method for reducing stick-slip in drilling operations, comprising:
 coupling a downhole tool to a drill string, wherein the downhole tool comprises
 a cylindrical tool body; 
 a first roller disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a first location; and 
 a second roller disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a second location, wherein the second location is offset laterally and circumferentially from the first location on the cylindrical tool body; and 
   positioning the downhole tool within a borehole.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the downhole tool further comprises:
 a first cavity within the cylindrical tool body, wherein the first roller is partially disposed within the first cavity; and   a second cavity within the cylindrical tool body, wherein the second roller is partially disposed within the second cavity.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first roller and the second roller comprises an elongated structure longitudinally parallel to the cylindrical tool body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the cylindrical tool body defines an internal bore; and   the downhole tool further comprises a feedthrough positioned within the internal bore.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the feedthrough is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical tool body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second rollers correspond to a 9 7/8 inch borehole. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the cylindrical tool body is non-magnetic. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the downhole tool further comprises a third roller disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a third location, wherein the third location is offset laterally and circumferentially from the first location and the second location on the cylindrical tool body. 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing a downhole tool for reducing stick-slip in drilling operations, comprising:
 positioning a first roller on an outer surface of a cylindrical tool body at a first location; and   positioning a second roller on the outer surface of the cylindrical tool body at a second location, wherein the second location is offset laterally and circumferentially from the first location on the cylindrical tool body.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cylindrical tool body comprises:
 a first cavity at the first location; and   a second cavity at the second location.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 positioning the first roller at a first location comprises disposing the first roller within the first cavity; and   positioning the second roller at the second location comprises disposing the second roller within the second cavity.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the cylindrical tool body defines an internal bore; and   the method further comprises positioning a feedthrough within the internal bore.