PET 501:DRILLING

ENGINEERING 111

BY ENGR DR. NWACHUKWU, A.N

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEPT, FUTO

2019
 COURSE CONTENT
2

1. DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
 Definition & Reasons for Directional Drilling

 Reference Systems and Coordinates

 Types of Directional well trajectories

 Calculation of a well trajectory

 Deflection Tools

 Survey calculation methods

2. DRILLING SERVICES AND CONTRACTS
DEFINITIONS
3

Figure 1.1
 DEFINITIONS
4
 Kick off point (KOP):The
kick off point is defined as
the point below surface
location where the well is
deflected from the vertical.
 Target: A predetermined
point in the reservoir that
D.D should reaches to it.
 Horizontal departure or
displacement:
Horizontal distance
between rig location &
the target.
 REASONS FOR
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
5

 To reach multiple targets and reduce number of offshore

platforms
 Relief wells
 Side-tracking existing well (because of hole problems or fish or
reaching new targets)
 Restricted surface locations (inaccessible locations)
 Shoreline drilling
 Salt dome drilling (directing the well from the salt dome to
avoid casing collapse problems)
 To avoid intersecting fractures (Fault controlling)
 Horizontal Drilling
- To reach thin reservoirs (using horizontal wells)
- To avoid gas or water coning
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
APPLICATIONS
6
D.D applications (multiple targets)
7
D.D applications (relief well)
8
D.D applications
9 (side-tracking)
D.D applications (inaccessible locations)
10
D.D applications (shoreline drilling)
11
D.D applications (salt dome drilling)
12
D.D applications (fault drilling)
13
 D.D applications (horizontal well)
14

• The Inclination reaches to 90°through

reservoir section
 Reference Systems and Coordinates
15
 Depth references

 Measured Depth (MD)

- Pipe tally, wire line depth
counter, or mud loggers
depth counter
 True Vertical Depth
(TVD)
- calculated from the
deviation survey data
Depth references
(TVD & MD)
16
 Depth references
17

 There are a number of datum systems used in the depth

reference systems.
 The datum systems which are most widely used are:
• Mean Sea Level, MSL
• Rotary Table Elevation, RTE
• 20” Wellhead Housing
 The Mean Sea Level, MSL is a permanent, national
and well documented datum.
 Rotary Table Elevation, RTE only exists when the
drilling rig is on site.
 The top of the 20” Wellhead Housing is only
available when the wellhead housing has been installed
and will be removed when the well is abandoned.
 Inclination references
18
 Inclination: is the angle
(in degrees) between the
vertical and the well bore
axis at a particular point.
 Azimuth references
19

 For directional surveying there are three azimuth reference systems:

• Magnetic North (MN)
• True (Geographic) North (TN)
• Grid North (GN)

Figure
 Azimuth references
20

 Magnetic North (MN): This is the direction of the

horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field lines at a
particular point on the Earth’s surface.
 True (Geographic) North (NT):This is the direction of the
geographic North Pole which lies on the Earth’s axis of
rotation. Direction is shown on maps using meridians of
longitude
 Grid North (GN):Drilling operations occur on a curved
surface (i.e, the surface of the Earth) but when calculating
horizontal plane coordinates a flat surface is assumed.
 Since it is not possible to exactly represent part of the surface
of a sphere on a flat well plan, corrections must be applied to
the measurements.
 The grid lines on a map form a rectangular grid system, the
Northerly direction of which is determined by one specified
meridian of longitude. The direction of this meridian is called
Grid North.
 Azimuth references
21

 In the azimuth system, directions are expressed as a

clockwise angle from 0° to 359.99°, with North being
0°.
 Azimuth references (Quadrant Bearings)
22
 In the quadrant system , the
directions are expressed as angles
from 0°- 90° measured from
North in the two Northern
quadrants and from South in the
Southern quadrants

Figure : Conversion from Quadrant

to Azimuth Systems
 Conversion from Quadrant to Azimuth
Systems
23

Figure 2.5: (a)N18oE = Azimuth 18o (b) S23oE = Azimuth 157o (c) S20oW =
Azimuth 200o (d) N55oW = Azimuth 305o
 Parameters Defining the Well path
24
 Directional companies use some
common nomenclature for
describing parts of a directional
well.
 However, not all directional
contractors use the exactly the
same nomenclature.
 Figure 3.1 shows a typical Type
II wellbore and shows some of
the more common
nomenclature.
 The place where drilling depth
measurements begin is the KB
(Kelly Bushing), RT (Rotary
Table) or DF (Drilling Floor).
 If the well is drilled vertical
before starting the directional
work, the place where
directional drilling begins is the Figure 3.1: Parameters Defining the
KOP or Kick-off Point. Well path
 Parameters Defining the Well path
25

 The part of the wellbore where the inclination is increased is usually

called the Build Section or Build Curve.
 The point at which the building is complete is the EOB (End of
Build) or EOC (End of Curve).
 Usually, the inclination is held constant in the next portion of the
well and is called the Tangent Section or the Hold Section.
 The Drop Section is the portion of the wellbore where the
inclination is reduced. Not all wells have a drop section.
 The buildup rate and drop off rate (in degrees of inclination)
are the rates at which the well deviates from the vertical (usually
measured in degrees per 100 ft drilled).
 It must be remembered that not all wells fit a common directional
profile and can vary significantly, especially if the well has multiple
targets.
 When defining the trajectory of a directional well, three parameters
are combined and include: Kick-off Point; Buildup and Drop
off Rate and Tangent Angle of the well
 Parameters Defining the Well path
26

 The tangent angle (or drift angle) is the inclination

(in degrees from the vertical) of the long straight section
of the well after the buildup section of the well.
 The trajectory of the wellbore can be plotted when the
following points have been defined:
• KOP (selected by designer)
• TVD and horizontal displacement of the end of the
buildup section.
• TVD and horizontal displacement of the target (defined
by position of rig and target)

 Having fixed the target and the rig position, the next
stage is to plan the geometrical profile of the well to
reach the target.
Types of Directional well trajectories
27
 Types of Directional well trajectories
28

 There are many types of profiles available in

directional drilling. Common types include:
 Build and hold ( J type)
 Build-hole-drop (S shaped type)
 Build-hold-drop-hold (Modified S type)
 Continuous build
 Deep Kickoff and Build
 The horizontal type
 Build and hold ( J type)
29
 Features:
 Shallow kick-off point (KOP)
 Build-up section
 Tangent section
 It penetrate target at an angle equal
to the Max buildup angle
 No major changes in incl. & azimuth
After build up section
 Incl: 15 –55 deg or may be more

 Applications:
 Deep wells with large horizontal
displacements
 Moderately deep wells with
moderate horizontal displacement,
where intermediate casing is not
required
 Build-hole -drop (S type) & Build-hold -
drop-hold (modified S type)
30
 There are two major
variations:
 Build, hold & drop back
to vertical ( S type)
 Build, hold, drop & hold
(Modified S Type)
 Build-hole -drop (S type) & Build-hold -
drop-hold (modified S type)
31
 Features:  Disadvantages:
 Shallow KOP  Increased torque & drag
 Build-up section  Risk of key seating
 Tangent section  Logging problems due to
 Drop-off section inclination
 Applications:
 Multiple pay zones
 Reduces final angle in
reservoir
 Lease or target limitations
 Well spacing requirements
 Deep wells with small
horizontal displacements
 Continuous build
32
 Features:
 Decrease in torque &
drag
 Lowest risk of key
seating
 Continuous build rate
 Applications:
 This type occurs when
using down-hole motors
with bent sub.
 Deep Kickoff and Build
33
 Features:
 Deep KOP
 Build-up section
 Short tangent section (optional)

 Applications:
 Salt dome drilling
 Sidetracking
 Appraisal wells to assess the extent of a
newly discovered reservoir

 Disadvantages:
 Formations are harder so the initial
deflection may be more difficult to
achieve
 Harder to achieve desired tool face
orientation with down hole motor
deflection assemblies (more reactive
torque)
 Longer trip time for any BHA changes
required
 Build up rate is more difficult to control
 Horizontal type
34
 Features
 Kick off point well below
surface 3000 –5000-ft
 For fault or salt dome
drilling
 For redrills or sidetracks
 Has the highest inclination
of all.
 Disadvantages
 The inclination keeps
increasing right up to or
through the target.
Calculation of a well trajectory
( build-hold where X3 < r1)
35
 Radius of curvature:
180 1
𝑟1 = ×
𝜋 𝑞
where q=build rate (deg/100 ft)
 Maximum inclination angle
angle 𝜃 , when 𝑋3 < 𝑟1 :
𝑟1
 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 sin
𝑟1 −𝑋3 2 + 𝐷3 −𝐷1 2

𝑟1 −𝑋3
-𝑎𝑟𝑐 tan
𝐷3 −𝐷1
 Length of arc DC:
𝜋
 𝐿𝐷𝐶 = × 𝑟1 × 𝜃
180
 Calculation of a well trajectory
( build-hold where
36
X 3 < r 1 )
 Alternatively Length of arc
DC can be obtained by:
𝜃
𝐿𝐷𝐶 =
𝑞
 Horizontal departure at the
end of build section:
 𝑋2 = 𝑟1 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
 The total measured depth
𝜃 𝑟1
 𝐷𝑀 = 𝐷1 + +
𝑞 𝑡𝑎𝑛Ω
 TVD at the end of build
section:
 𝐷2 = 𝐷1 + 𝑟1 . 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
Calculation of a well trajectory
( build-hold where X3 < r1)
37
 Another way of expressing maximum
inclination angle, in term of r1, D1, D3
and X3 for X3 < r1 is:
𝐷3 −𝐷1
 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛 -
𝑟1 −𝑋3
𝑟1
 𝑎𝑟𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ቄ ×
𝐷2 −𝐷1
Calculation of a well trajectory
( build-hold where X3 < r1)
38
 Calculation of a well trajectory
( build-hold where X3 < r1)
39
 The new measured depth for
any part of the buildup is
𝜃′
 𝐷𝑀𝑁 = 𝐷1 +
𝑞
 The new measured depth at a
TVD of D’ can be determined
from triangle PP’C
𝜃
 𝐷𝑀𝑃 = 𝐷1 + + 𝐶𝑃
𝑞
𝐶𝑃′
 𝐶𝑃 =
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
Where,
 𝐶𝑃 ′ = 𝐷 ′ − 𝐷1 − 𝑟1 . 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜃 𝐷′ −𝐷1 −𝑟1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
 𝐷𝑀𝑃 = 𝐷1 + +
𝑞 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
 Calculation of a well trajectory
(build-hold where X3 > r1)
40

 The maximum inclination angle, ɵ can be calculated

by:
𝐷3 −𝐷1
 𝜃 = 180 − 𝑎𝑟𝑐 tan -
𝑋3 −𝑟1
𝑟1 𝐷3 −𝐷1
 𝑎𝑟𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 × 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝐷3 −𝐷1 𝑋3 −𝑟1
 Example
41

 It is desired to drill under the lake to a location

designated for well 2. For this well, a build and hold
trajectory will be used. Horizontal departure to the target
is 2655 ft at a TVD of 9650 ft. The recommended rate of
build is 2.0o/100 ft. The kickoff depth is 1600 ft.
Determine (1) the radius of curvature r1; (2) the
maximum inclination angle 𝜃 ; (3) the measured depth to
the end of the build; (4) the total measured depth; (5) the
horizontal departure to the end of the build; (6) the
measured depth at a TVD of 1915 ft; (7) the horizontal
displacement at a TVD of 1915 ft; (8) the measured depth
at a TVD of 7614 ft and (9) the horizontal departure at a
TVD of 7614 ft
 Solution
42

180 1 180 1
 1. 𝑟1 = × = 𝑟1 = × = 2865 ft
𝜋 𝑞 𝜋 2°Τ100 𝑓𝑡
 Since X3 < r1 , we use eqn
𝑟1
 2. 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 sin
𝑟1 −𝑋3 2 + 𝐷3 −𝐷1 2

𝑟1 −𝑋3
-𝑎𝑟𝑐 tan
𝐷3 −𝐷1
2865
 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 sin
2865−2655 2 + 9650−1600 2
2865−2655
-𝑎𝑟𝑐 tan = 20.84o – 1.5o = 19.34o
9650−1600
 Solution
43

 3. the measured depth to the end of the build:

𝜃 19.34°
 𝐷𝑀 = 𝐷1 + = 1600 + × 100 𝑓𝑡= 2567 ft
𝑞 2°
 4. the total measured depth
𝜃 𝑟1
 𝐷𝑀 = 𝐷1 + +
𝑞 𝑡𝑎𝑛Ω
 To obtain the value of Ω, we note that
𝑟1 2865
 sin Ω = =
𝑟1 −𝑋3 2 + 𝐷3 −𝐷1 2 2865−2655 2 − 9650−1600 2
2865
 =0.3559
8050
 Ω = arc sin 0.3559 = 20.85o
𝜃 𝑟1
Therefore the total measured depth is: 𝐷𝑀 = 𝐷1 + + =
𝑞 𝑡𝑎𝑛Ω
2865 𝑓𝑡
2567 + = 10,089 ft
tan(20.85)
 Solution
44

 5. the horizontal departure to the end of the build can be obtained using:
 𝑋2 = 𝑟1 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 2865 ft (1- cos 19.34)
= 162 ft
 6. the measured depth at a TVD of 1915 ft
 At a TVD of 1915 ft, the measured depth at the rate of build of 2o/100 ft can
be determined by first calculating the inclination at 1915 ft. Using eqn 8.10
 1915 ft = 1600 ft + 2857 sin 𝜃
315 𝑓𝑡
 𝜃 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐 sin = 6.31o
2865 𝑓𝑡

 the arc length of the build to 6.31o can be calculated using the following
equation:
𝜃 6.31o
 𝐿𝐷𝐶 = = 2.0° × 100 𝑓𝑡 = 315.5 𝑓𝑡
𝑞

 ∴the measured depth at a TVD of 1915 ft = 315.5 + 1600 = 1915.5 ft

 Which is only 0.5 ft more than the TVD

 Solution
45

 7. the horizontal displacement at a TVD of 1915 ft;

 The horizontal departure at a TVD of 1915 ft is found from eqn 8.11
𝑋𝑁 = 𝑟1 − 𝑟1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ′ = 𝑟1 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
 𝑋1915 = 2865 ft 1 − cos 6.31 = 17.36 𝑓𝑡
 8. the measured depth at a TVD of 7614 ft is
𝜃 𝐷′ −𝐷1 −𝑟1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
 𝐷𝑀𝑃 = 𝐷1 + +
𝑞 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
19.34° 7614−1600−2865sin(19.34°)
 𝐷𝑀𝑃 = 1600 + + = 7934 ft
2° cos(19.34°)
 9. the horizontal departure at a TVD of 7614 ft is calculated with the
following eqn:
′
 𝑋𝑁 = 𝑟1 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝐷 ′ − 𝐷1 − 𝑟1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 tanθ
 𝑋 ′ 7614 = 2865 𝑓𝑡 1 − cos 19.34 + 7614 𝑓𝑡 − 1600 − 2865 𝑠𝑖𝑛19.34 ×
tan 19.34 = 1935 𝑓𝑡
 Calculation of a well trajectory (S type)
46

 The second type of trajectory is the build, hold and drop

or S-shape curve which is depicted by figure 3.10 for the
cases where 𝑟1 < 𝑋3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 > 𝑋4 and in figure 3.11 for
the cases where𝑟1 < 𝑋3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 < 𝑋4 .
 In both cases, the maximum inclination is reduced to
zero at 𝐷4 with drop radius 𝑟2 , which is derived in the
same manner as the build radius 𝑟1 .
 The equations for calculating maximum angles are for
𝑟1 + 𝑟2 > 𝑋4 and 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 < 𝑋4 are given below.
Calculation of a well trajectory
(S type)
47
 Build, Hold, Partial drop and Hold
(Modified “S”) Trajectory
48
 The Build, Hold, Partial
drop and Hold (Figure 3.12)
is the modified S type of
wellbore path.
 The equation for calculating
maximum angle is given as
shown.
 For any of the S- shape
curves, the measured depths
and horizontal departures
can be calculated in the same
way they are calculated for
the build and hold trajectory.