Assessing the Impact of Harmonics and Interharmonics of Top and Mudpump Variable Frequency Drives in Drilling Rigs

Declining extraction costs and process efficiencies have incented the revival of the oil and gas sector postrecession. The application of drilling rigs has been done more efficiently. These loads are very large, temporary in nature, and mobile. The drilling of each well can be done as quickly as a few hours and typically not more than a few days. These massive loads are complex to own, maintain, and operate, as a result few specialized drillers share the market. Because of the requirements for variable speed and control, drilling rigs are driven by variable frequency drives (VFDs), which are in their clear majority of older technologies such as six-pulse thyristor bridge or SCR-driven motors. These technologies are known to impose steep ramp rates (up and down) as well as rich harmonic content and variable, typically low, power factor. Furthermore, the locations of drilling rigs are typically remote, where distribution systems, if present, are weak, which lead to large background voltage distortions when such loads are present. This paper presents measurements, simulations, and analytical assessments of the characteristics and effects of harmonics and interharmonics (IHs) generated by top-drive and mud-pump VFDs in a large drilling rig operated in Alberta, Canada. Measurement results reveal very high harmonic and IH generation. To further refine the impact assessment of these harmonic emissions, the harmonic attenuation effect of the VFDs is quantified to avoid overestimating the harmonic generation of the loads. The thermal impact of the current harmonics on the coupling transformer is also quantified.