Fluidic oscillator bypass system

Abstract

A fluidic oscillator assembly can include at least one fluidic oscillator, and a closure that in one position prevents flow through the oscillator to an exterior of the assembly, and in another position permits flow through the oscillator to the exterior. A method can include flowing fluid longitudinally through a fluidic oscillator assembly in a well, then diverting the fluid to flow outward from the assembly via at least one fluidic oscillator, the fluid being prevented from flowing longitudinally through the assembly. A well system can include a drill string having a fluidic oscillator assembly, a drill bit, and a drilling motor disposed between the drill bit and the assembly. The assembly can include a closure that in one position prevents fluid flow through a fluidic oscillator to an annulus formed between the drill string and a wellbore, and in another position permits fluid flow through the oscillator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluidic oscillator assembly for use in a subterranean well, the assembly comprising:
 at least one fluidic oscillator formed in a structure; and   a closure that in a first position prevents fluid flow through the fluidic oscillator to an exterior of the assembly, and in a second position permits fluid flow through the fluidic oscillator to the exterior of the assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The fluidic oscillator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has a longitudinal bore extending through the structure, wherein fluid flow through the bore is permitted in the first position of the closure, and wherein fluid flow through the bore is prevented in the second position of the closure. 
     
     
         3 . The fluidic oscillator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has a longitudinal bore extending through the structure, and wherein the closure is sealingly and slidingly received in the bore. 
     
     
         4 . The fluidic oscillator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the closure has a longitudinal passage extending through the closure, and further comprising a plug received in the passage. 
     
     
         5 . The fluidic oscillator assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the closure is releasably secured against displacement relative to the structure, and wherein a predetermined pressure differential across the plug releases the closure for displacement relative to the structure. 
     
     
         6 . The fluidic oscillator assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined pressure differential across the plug displaces the closure from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The fluidic oscillator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, in the second position of the closure, fluid flow passes through the fluidic oscillator between the structure and an outer generally tubular housing in which the structure is received. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 flowing fluid longitudinally through a fluidic oscillator assembly in a well;   then diverting the fluid to flow outward from the fluidic oscillator assembly via at least one fluidic oscillator of the fluidic oscillator assembly, the fluid being prevented from flowing longitudinally through the fluidic oscillator assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the diverting comprises installing a plug in a longitudinal passage of the fluidic oscillator assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the diverting further comprises applying a predetermined pressure differential across the plug, thereby displacing a closure from a first position in which the closure prevents flow of the fluid through the fluidic oscillator to a second position in which flow of the fluid through the fluidic oscillator is permitted. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the passage is formed through the closure, and wherein the closure is sealingly and slidingly received in a structure, the fluidic oscillator being formed in the structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the flowing further comprises flowing the fluid through a drilling motor connected between the fluidic oscillator assembly and a drill bit. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the diverting further comprises preventing flow of the fluid through the drilling motor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the diverting further comprises the fluidic oscillator producing oscillations in the fluid flow, the fluid flow oscillations being communicated into the earth formation. 
     
     
         15 . A well system, comprising:
 a drill string including a fluidic oscillator assembly, a drilling motor, and a drill bit, the drilling motor being disposed between the drill bit and the fluidic oscillator assembly, and   wherein the fluidic oscillator assembly includes a closure that in a first position prevents fluid flow through a fluidic oscillator to an annulus formed between the drill string and a wellbore, and in a second position permits fluid flow through the fluidic oscillator to the annulus.   
     
     
         16 . The well system of  claim 15 , wherein fluid flow through the fluidic oscillator assembly to the drilling motor is permitted in the first position of the closure, and wherein fluid flow through the fluidic oscillator assembly to the drilling motor is prevented in the second position of the closure. 
     
     
         17 . The well system of  claim 15 , wherein the fluidic oscillator is formed in a structure, wherein the structure has a longitudinal bore extending through the structure, and wherein the closure is sealingly and slidingly received in the bore. 
     
     
         18 . The well system of  claim 15 , wherein the closure has a longitudinal passage extending through the closure, and further comprising a plug received in the passage. 
     
     
         19 . The well system of  claim 18 , wherein the closure is releasably secured against displacement relative to the fluidic oscillator, and wherein a predetermined pressure differential across the plug releases the closure for displacement relative to the fluidic oscillator. 
     
     
         20 . The fluidic oscillator assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined pressure differential across the plug displaces the closure from the first position to the second position.