Soft Torque Rotary System

Advanced Control System has developed a soft torque rotary system. We are offering this to existing customers that have our PLC-based control system and to new customers that require a stand-alone system.

• Easy to retrofit
• Available for all rigs with AC or DC driven Top Drive or Rotary Table
• Extends the top-drive performance due to optimized torque use
• Significantly increases the rate of penetration
• Reduces drill bit wear
• Reduces the number of Bit trips
• Improves well quality
• Protects the bottom-hole assembly

The ACS SOFT TORQUE ROTARY SYSTEM is designed to significantly enhance drilling performance by preventing the stick-slip effect. The stick-slip effect refers to torque fluctuation depending on the weight on bit and the drive speed. This effect causes extremely high operating cost due to higher bit wear, decreased rate of penetration, increased wear of the bottom hole assembly, and more Bit trips.

The ACS SOFT TORQUE ROTARY SYSTEM is based on the Process Function Block which was developed to counteract drill string fluctuation. The Function Block precisely calculates set parameters for the drive controller by taking into account the behavior and conditions of drill string and drive system dynamics. The combinations of the SOFT TORQUE ROTARY SYSTEM and top drive act as a damper for torsional vibrations. This results in a significant reduction of torque fluctuations and stick-slip behavior, which in turn increases the rate of penetration, protects the drilling equipment, and results in significant cost savings. Furthermore, if the SOFT TORQUE ROTARY SYSTEM is active, the drill torque can be increased.

 The system is also available as a retrofit package which can be easily installed in existing drilling rigs. The SOFT TORQUE ROTARY SYSTEM can either be delivered with an additional Human Machine Interface or integrated into the Advanced Control System PLC system.