q922+de2+l09 v1
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.)
1. Necessity of Directional well
2. well’s trajectory
3. Major Types of Wellbore Trajectories
4. Trajectory rule of thumbs and terms
5. Trajectory Calculation
1. the Survey of a Well
2. Calculating the Survey of a Well
3. Deflection Tools and Techniques
4. Hydraulic Method (Jetting)
5. Mechanical Methods
survey stations
When drilling a well, inclination, azimuth and MD are measured at various so called “survey stations”. This is done with survey tools
to check the actual traverse of the well.
These measurements are then used for (a) estimation of the real trajectory path,
(b) comparison with the planned well trajectory and
(c) planning necessary steps to re-direct the well to reach the desired location.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 5
Survey tools
Sketch of a Single shot and Multishot tool Sketch of a gyroscopeSpring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 6
Survey tools
The tools to measure the inclination and azimuth at the survey stations can be as simple as dropping tools (totco, measures only
inclination, thus only used for vertical wells) like single (one measurement per tool run) or
multishot magnetic instruments and gyroscopes, or
sophisticated measurement while drilling tools that
• are assembled within the drillstring (close to the bit) and nearly continuously measure the desired directional parameters or
logging while drilling tools that • also make measurements of the formations penetrated for online
trajectory re-designing (e.g. following a geological horizon).
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 7
full survey
The direction angles obtained by magnetic tools must be corrected for true north and the gyroscope corrected for drift since the magnetic north does not coincides with the true north.
Next Figure shows a map of these correction angles for various locations.
With these corrected azimuth and inclination values, a so called full survey (containing TVD, horizontal departure, etc.) is calculated.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 8
Declination map
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 9
Full survey methods
To obtain the full survey from MD, inclination and azimuth, various methods that depend on different models are proposed.
Below is a list of the most popular ones:Acceleration methodAverage angle methodAngle-averaging methodBackward station methodBalanced tangential methodCircular arc methodCompensated acceleration
methodMercury methodMinimum curvature method
(the most accurate)
Quadratic methodRadius of curvature method
(the most accurate)
Secant methodTangential method
(the simplest one but gives inaccurate results)
Terminal angle methodTrapezoidal methodVector averaging method
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 11
Average angle method
α [◦] hole angle
𝜖[radian] azimuth
DMi [ft] measured depth between two survey stations
Li[ft] north/south coordinate between the two stations
Mi [ft] east/west coordinate between the two stations
The total north/south and east/west coordinates and the TVD value are computed with:
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 12
Radius of curvature method
where:
When < 0.25 [radians], F can be set to 1.0
𝛽[radians] curvature or the dogleg
F [1] ratio factor used to smooth the wellbore between the two survey stations
𝛼1 inclination at station 1
𝛼2 inclination at station 2
𝜖1 azimuth at station 1
𝜖1 azimuth at station 2
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 13
Minimum Curvature Method
where:DL [/100 ft] dog leg
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 14
Dogleg Severity
By definition, a dogleg is a sudden change of inclination and/or
direction of a well’s trajectory.
For description purpose, the change is usually expressed in a 100-[ft] interval ([◦/ 100 ft]) and
called “dogleg severity”.
As it has been seen in practice, large dogleg severities can lead to failure of drillpipe, drill collar or tool joints as well as
create so called “keyseats” which result in stuck drillstrings.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 15
Dogleg Severity Calculations
To obtain the dogleg severity, the survey calculated with one of the methods described above is used along with following equations:
δ [◦/100 ft] dogleg severityβ [◦] total angle of change (turn)αN [◦] new inclinationΔ𝜖 [◦] change in azimuth∆α [◦] change in inclinationLc [ft] length over which change of trajectory occurs
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 16
drillpipe protector
To reduce the wear-effect of large dogleg severities, the add of multiple steel or rubber drillpipe protectors which are
cylindrical pieces,
having an outside diameter equal to the outside diameter of the tool joints, have proven to be efficient.
drillpipe protectorsSpring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 17
actual vs. planned trajectory
The methods presented above calculate the trajectory path of the well as it is drilled. The actual trajectory is
constantly compared with the planned one and in case the actual one is
going of course (which it always does to some extend),correction steps to bring
the trajectory on course again have to be taken.
To correct the course of the well in case of minor
deflections, an experienced driller can
vary the individual drilling parameters (WOB, RPM, etc.) to adjust for the of-going trajectory.
In case the trajectory is largely of course, a deflection tool
has to be run and drilling in sliding mode (e.g. positive displacement motor (PDM)) carried out to make the necessary correction.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 20
The well direction determination
To determine the direction the well is drilled in sliding mode, the bottom hole assembly
containing the deflection tool is rotated from the surface by rotating the whole drill string.
Then, either a so called “Ragland vector diagram” or the following equations are applied to compute the tool face
orientation.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 21
Calculation of the new inclination and direction angles The computational results have shown to be more
accurate than the graphical one gained from the Ragland vector diagram. The tool face angle is given by:
The new inclination and direction angles are:
for γ is right of high side of the borehole:
and for γ is left of high side of the borehole:𝜖𝑁 [◦] new direction of the trajectory
αN [◦] new inclination of the trajectory
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 22
special deflection tools
Although rotary assemblies can be designed to alter the path of the wellbore, there are certain
circumstances where it is necessary to use special deflection tools, for example kicking-off and
sidetracking.
These special tools include jetting bits, whipstocks, and
downhole motors with a deflection device.
In drilling operations, the bit is forced under weight and rotation to cut a certain diameter hole. As the bit penetrates along
the vertical axis, it also moves laterally.
This movement can range from very small to considerable displacement. This displacement
can be represented in three dimensions.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 23
The various methods of deviations
Directional drilling is to cause the bit to deviate in a controlled manner.
The various methods used to induce the bit to build, drop and turn can be classed into mechanical and hydraulic methods
besides the natural formation effects.
Mechanical techniques include whipstocks, bottom hole assemblies, and down hole motors
with bending device.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 24
Different methods to deflect the trajectory of a borehole
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 25
Natural Formation Effects
The formations encountered when drilling oil wells are very rarely homogeneous and isotropic. One is more likely to find a sequence of different layers,
with each layer having its own drillability characteristics.
The bit may have to drill through alternating layers of hard and soft rocks.
Furthermore, these strata may not be lying evenly in horizontal beds
but instead be dipping at some angle.
The geology may be further complicated by faulting and folding of the strata.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 26
Effect of dipping on well deviation
As the bit drills across a formation boundary, it will tend to be deflected from its original course.
Experience has shown that where the formations are steeply dipping
(greater than about 60◦) the bit tends to drill parallel with the bedding planes.
Where the formation dip is less steep, the bit tends to drill at right angles to the bedding planes.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 27
Bit walk & drilling related effects
In addition to changes in inclination there may also be changes in direction in which case the bit will tend to walk. Under normal rotary drilling,
the bit will tend to walk to the right,
but with a downhole motor the effect of reactive torque may force it to the left.
Drilling parameters such as: weight on bit, RPM, and hydraulics,
will also affect the amount of deviation.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 28
Jetting technique
This method of changing the trajectory of a wellbore requires the use of a jetting bit
to wash away the formation.
Water or drilling mud is pumped through a large jet that is oriented in the direction of the desired trajectory change.
Jetting is a technique best suited to soft-medium formation in which
the compressive strength is relatively low and hydraulic power can be used
to wash away a pocket of the formation to initiate deflection.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 30
Bit design of jetting technique
The amount of inclination produced is also related to the type of bottom hole assembly used with the jetting bits.
There are two commercial bits especially designed for the jetting technique. One is a two-cone bit
with an extended jet replacing the third cone and the second one is a conventional three cone bit
with two small and one large “big eye” jet.
The actual design of the jetting process is a function of hole size, pump capacity, expected formation hardness, and the desired bit cleaning efficiency while drilling.
Compared to trajectory deflection using a whipstock or downhole motors, jetting is the most approximate method.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 31
Procedure of jetting technique
On any particular run, the bit is mounted on an assembly, which
includes an orienting sub and a full-gauge stabilizer near the bit. Once the bit touches the bottom,
the large nozzle is oriented in the required direction. Maximum circulation rate is used
to begin washing without rotating the drill string. The pipe is worked up and down with continuous jetting,
until a pocket is washed away. At this stage the drill string can be rotated
to ream out the pocket and continue building angle
as more weight is applied to the bit. Surveys are taken frequently
to ensure that the inclination and direction are correct.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 32
pros and cons of jetting technique
Advantages of this method are: several attempts can be made to initiate deflection
without pulling out of the hole, a full gauge hole can be drilled from the beginning.
Disadvantages of this method are: the technique is limited to soft-medium formations, severe dog-legs can occur
if the jetting is not carefully controlled, on smaller rigs there may not be enough pump capacity
to wash away the formation.
In summary, jetting is a very cost-efficient giving that kicking-off takes place under suitable geological conditions.
In general it requires a good directional monitoring.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 33
mechanical methods
All mechanical methods rely on the application of an appropriate side force
which causes the bit to deviate. When the imposed side force on the bit is positive,
an angle is build up,
when it is negative, the force drops the angle.
Common mechanical techniques used to deflect the bit are: whipstocks,
downhole motors with bending device,
and bottom hole assembly.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 35
Whipstocks
The whipstock method to deviate a bit is the oldest technique and,
if properly used, the most reliable one.
In comparison with other alternative methods, it is the most time consuming one.
A whipstock can be as simple as a kick-off sub at the end of
a conductor pipe or casing, or it can be
a more sophisticated retrievable jetting whipstock.
Although there are a number of variations all whipstocks work on the principle of creating a curvature.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 36
Whipstock application
The successful use of a whipstock is largely a matter of knowing when to run a whipstock in relation to other mechanical or hydraulic devices.
In today’s industry, the whipstock is predominately used for sidetracking out the casing pipe, which is called “casing whipstock”.
also it can be used to side-track out the open hole when hydraulic jetting or running a mud motor
fails to deviate the well. Which is called “open hole whipstock”.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 37
Deflection with a Whipstock
A whipstock can be described as a steel wedge with a chisel shaped point at the bottom. This chisel shape
prevents the whipstock from turning when drilling begins.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 38
The whipstock installation
The whipstock, that is run down hole, is attached to the lower end of the drill string
by means of a shear pin.
It is either set on the bottom or anchored and locked in a packer which was previously installed in a casing string.
A modern whipstock has a tapered concave groove, called the tool face,
which helps in orienting the whipstock.
Once it is installed down hole, it guides the bit or the mill against the casing or
the open hole wall to drill in the desired direction.
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 39
Sample of whipstocks
Spring14 H. AlamiNia Drilling Engineering 2 Course (2nd Ed.) 40
1. Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang F. Prassl. “Drilling Engineering.” Master of Petroleum Engineering. Curtin University of Technology, 2001. Chapter 9
1. Whipstock Running Procedures
2. Adjustable bent sub above motor
3. Motor housing with one or two bends
4. Offset Stabilizer on Motor
5. While Drilling TechniquesA. Data Transfer