Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Society
iADC/SPE 39391
of Petroleum
Engineers
1998, lADC/SPE
Drilling Conference
Drilling
Conference
Introduction
held in
~is
psper MS selected for presentation
by an lADC/SPE Program Comtittee
following
review of information contained In an abstrsct submitted by the author(s). Contents of the
paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the International
Association
of Drilling
Contractors
or the Society of Petroleum En~ineers and are subpct to correction
by the
author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the IAM. or
SPE, their officers, or members. Papers presented at the lADC/SPE meetings are subject to
publication review by Editorial Committees
of the IADC and SPE. Electronic reproduction,
distribution, or storage of any pert of this paper for commercial purposes without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print
ia restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 word% illustrations may not be copied. The
abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment
of tiere
and by whom the paper was
presented. Write Librarian, SPE, PO. Box 833636, Richardson, TX 75083-3836,
U. S. A., fax
01-972-952-9435.
Abstract
Presently wells are drilled in the North Sea approaching a
horizontal reach of 8 km. Plans for the near future is to extend
these towards and beyond 12 km. Well friction is one of the
most important limiting factors in this process.
Torque and drag prognosis are today developed on in-house
simulators. Although a good tool for planning, improvements
are made on an trial and error basis, and, these simulators have
limited availability. To provide more insight into the frictional
aspect, a larger study was undertaken. Explicit analytical
equations are derived to model drill string tension for hoisting
or lowering of the drill string. The equations are developed for
straight sections, build-up sections, drop-off sections and side
bends. Both constant curvature models and a new modified
catenary model are derived. The new catenary model is
developed for arbitrary entry and exit inclinations. Equations
to determine well friction in fully 3-dimensional well profiles
are also given. Furthermore, based on the tension equations,
expressions for torque and drag are developed. Equations for
combined motion and drilling with motor are also given.
Using these equations, the total friction in a well is given by
the sum of the contributions from each hole section.
819
lADC/SPE 39391
WASCOS
(2)
The same principle also applies for the rotating friction, the
torque. The applied torque is equal to the normal moment
(wAsr) multiplied with the friction factor A The torque
becomes:
(3)
T = ,uwAsrsina
For this case the axial force has no influence. The torque can
be considered independent of the direction of rotation. Later
in this paper combined rotation and pulling will be addressed.
Provided the straight drill string section has a length A, the
vertical and horizontal projections shown in Fig. 1b are:
Ax= Assina
(4)
Az=Ascosa
The unit mass of the drillpipe, or the weight must always be
corrected for buoyancy. The buoyancy factor is given by:
The paper use the models to analyze the drilling phase of the
well. However, the equations are valid for other phases as well
completions, provided a correct scenario is defined.
@=~_
Pm~~
(5)
Pdrillpipt.
Pwdrillpipe
(6)
(7)
F = rngcosa - ptlgsin a
This is a Coulomb friction model. From a stationary position,
increasing or decreasing the load an equal amount will lead to
upward or downward movement of the drillstring. For a
drillstring of weight nlg (=w4) and an inclination a, the axial
weight and the drag force in a straight section becomes (Fig.
lb):
(1)
F2 = F1 + vtIAs(coscY &pina)
The plus sign defines pulling of the pipe, whereas the minus
sign defines lowering of the pipe. The first term inside the
The top force when pulling the pipe through a drop-off bend
(Eqn. Al .4), and the top force when lowering the pipe through
820
lADCISPE 39391
WELLS
ltIR
(1 pz)(sinaz
ep(a-a) sinal)
(8)
(13)
wheie:
L(~2-~1) ~os~, )
1
[ 2p(cosa2 e
Here a sign constant is used;
~ = +1, for pulling in a drop-off bend
l+p2
F2 =Fle
A.s=R(@2 -@,)
AX= R(cos #l
~=~(Fl+@~sin~l)(~2
-~l)+2~~~R(os~2
The arc length of the bends presented in Fig. 2a and 2b, and
the displacements in the x and y directions are is given by:
F2
(15)
-cos~l)
(lo)
Ax= aR(cosal
COS $2
wR(sin a2 sin al )
(14)
T= pr(@2 - @l)~w
~ F22bui[d
.r
drop
F;
sidebend
(16)
Torque:
(12)
T =
b~ild
or drop
,~debend
(17)
(18)
...
IADCISPE
As= Raz
&=
WAS
+@Ftan-*
F,
COS a,
COS a,
AF (20)
tan-
Ft.P
~c)p
F2
Fmu(i
Fbit
(28)
~,
FI sin al
(27)
R(l-cosa2)
Ay = R sin O!z
(19)
F, sin a,
39391
(21)
}
T+
Tmud
~it
WAS+ F1 cos al
ATCot= prAF tan~
F, sin al
(22)
}
sin al sinh
[{
F, sin al
+ sinh -(cot~l)}-cosffl]
(23)
w
cosh
[{
F, ~~al
cosh{sinh(cot
al )}
1
(24)
and the inclination at the top of the catcnary is obtained by
inserting the measured length (Eqn. 23) into Eqn. B 1.2:
WAS+ FI
tan a2 =
COS ~,
F, sin al
(25)
R=
(26)
The length along the wellpath and the x and z axis projections
822
IADCISPE 39391
FRICTION ANALYSIS
FOR LONG-REACH
WELLS
(30)
()
+ Fz = (#wAs)2 = FC,lP
Thus, if the bit speed when drilling with a motor is for example
twice the rotary speed during conventional drilling, the
corresponding bit torque is just one half. Equation 30 above
can be used to normalize torque data for motor drilling, to be
made comparable to rotary drilling data. Also, using downhole
motor may be a mean to minimize torque when there are
severe torque limits on the rig:
Field case
In the following a friction analysis will be performed on a
long-reach well in the Yme field in the North Sea. It was
decided to drill a well into a target which was located at a
depth of 2950 mTVD (measured from RKB). The total well
depth is 3100 mTVD with a horizontal reach of 7528m. A
jack-up rig is permanently located and is serving as a
production platform. The rig has a hoisting capacity of
4454kN ( 1,000000 Ibs), and a top drive torque of 35 kNm
(25,800 ft-lbs). The hoisting capacity is sufficient, but it was
found that the top drive was a limiting factor. It was decided
to investigate which well profile would result in lowest
friction. Fig. 4 shows a comparison of the planned well with
the present record welis.
(29)
The term on the right side of this equation is given by the drag
under no rotation, and may be defined as the frictional capacity
of the pipe. If combined axial and rotational movement is
applied, Eqn. 29 can be used to compute the reduction both in
torque and drag. The angle 71is (.lcfined from the velocities:
q= tan- (v, / v~), wher e v, is the tangential (peripheral)
speed and )1,,is the axial speed of the drillpipe. From Fig. 3b
we deduce that the axial drag is reduced to a minimum while
reaming out of the boreholc.
Torque when drilling with downhole motor is an issue to be
discussed. Using downhole motor or turbine, the drill bit
rotates at a much higher speed than during rotary drilling.
The bit speed is the sum of the speed of the motor, and the
rotational speed of the drill string. The string is often rotated
at a low speed to reduce axial friction, as explained above.
IADCISPE 39391
Fz = 1252 -t-0.786x0.34016kN
I mx300m = 1332kN
Table 2 shows the torque for the four well profiles. The
modified catenary profile gave lowest torque. The
undersection profile gave a little higher torque, but were better
than the standard well profile. and the minimum dog-leg
profile. Most of the torque is generated in the long sail section.
The hook loads for the four well profiles are shown in Table 3.
The hook loads are similar, but the standard profile gives a
higher pick-up load than the other profiles. The maximum
load is still less than half of the capacity of the drill pipe.
Therefor tension is not the limiting factor.
Guidelines
The pulling load at the top of the sail section is the load at the
entrance of the build-up section. The section builds from
vertical to 81.47 degrees, an angle of 8 1.477r/I 80 =
1.422rad. 5 I/Z in. drillpipe is used from the start of the sail
section to surface. The pulling load at the top of the build
section becomes (Eqn.9):
This
F2 = 501.6e015-*4z2
+ 0.786x0.34016(kN
3. If different pipe sizes are used, place the heaviest pipe in the
vertical section.
The tension at the top of the well isthe tension at the kick-off
point plus the weight of the vertical pipe, or:
lADC/SPE 39391
FRICTION ANALYSIS
FOR LONG-REACH
7. Use low weight drill pipe, with small outer diameter tool
joints and hard banding, with self-lubricating matrix. This
reduces weight, increases buoyancy and results in less well
friction.
Due to the fact that most of the drill string is located in the sail
section, the hook load is reasonably low. Table 4 shows the
results. The hook load is not a limiting factor during drilling
of the well.
WELLS
Table 5 shows the torque for the case of using 5.5 in. drillpipe
throughout. The total predicted torque is 53.9 kNm.
Although a few drilling rigs can handle torque of this
magnitude, it is too high for Yme, which has an upper torque
limit of 35 kNm.
The wells will often be designed with a constant sail angle into
the reservoir. The transition from vertical to this sail angle
may follow a modified catenary curve or a minimum dog-leg
profile, as these will provide minimum friction.
Other elements
of long-reach
wells
In long wells hydraulic friction may limit the flow rate, thus
leading to poor hole cleaning. Increased pipe size will reduce
this problem. Since increased pipe size leads to increased pipe
weight, drill pipes of alternative materials may be required.
825
B. S. AAUNUY AND
l~u~/arK
K. ANDtH5kN
dY6Y
References
1. Sheppard, M. C., Wick, C. and Burgess, T. Designing well
paths to reduce drag and torque. SPE Drilling Engineering,
Dec., 1987, pp. 344-350.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Tor Iver Sakkestad, Statoil Bergen
and Odd Bj@rnar Ness, Statoil R&D for support in developing
the models. Also, we wish to acknowledge Statoil as. for
permission to publish the paper.
Nomenclature
X,y = coordinates in the horizontal plane
z = vertical coordinate
S, A.s= measured length along hole section
~, ,4y, & = projected distances
w = unit weight of drillpipe (kg/m)
F= force along drillstring (kN)
F1 = force at bottom of section
826
iADC/SPE
39391
FRICTION ANALYSIS
FOR LONG-REACH
Appendix
Al:
P = wRdacosa
~Fx = O:
(F+ dF)cosd&
ZFZ = O:
N -0 -(F+
- Fcosdd2-
dF)sind&
Q-P =O
- Fsindd
=O
12. Gou, R., Lee, R.L. and Miska, S.. Constant curvature
equations improve design of 3-D well trajectory. Oil and Gas
Journal, Apr. 19, 1993, pp. 38-47.
13. Wiggins, M. L., Choe, J. and Juvkarn-Void, H.C. Single
equation simplifies horizontal, directional drilling plans. Oil
and Gas Joltrnal, Nov. 2, 1992, pp. 74-77.
(A1.2)
dF=
{FF +wR(pina
(A1.3)
+ cosa)) da
6336
Fz = Fe#t%-alj
WR
+
1+p2
and O = wRda.rina
WELLS
(1p2)(sina2e
[ 2p(cos a2 e
(Al .4)
,u(a2-cY,
) Cos ~, ~
}
io
N= Fda+O=Fda
+wRdasina,
following differential equation:
IADCISPE
Finally, for the case of lowering the pipe through the build-up
bend results in: dF = Q - P
resulting in the
dF=
dF=
{pF+i~tR(/6ina-cr~sa}da,
39391
{,F-wR(pinci
+ cosaj da
(A2.5)
solution:
(A1.5)
-~(az-ffl ) +)ltR sin~~ e -P(az-rrl) sina,
{
}
Fz = Fle
F1e~(a2-al)
F,=
_ WR
Fzis
l+p2
[
(A1.6)
F = F, wR(sin a sin al )
2p
(A2.6)
~r{(F1
+wRsinal)(~2
-~l)}+2~wRr(cos~2
-coSal)
(A2.7)
Appendix A3: Drag and torque in side-bends
(A1.7)
T= JprN
Integrating the equation above, the resulting torque for a dropoff bend becomes:
T=pr
Appendix
F1wRsincil
Figure A3. 1 shows the situation. One extreme is that the drill
pipe is weightless. For this case pure tension applies, and the
pipe will assume a position in the middle of the borehole.
Based on previous derivations, we can define the end force of
the bend due to tension as:
}(~2-~1)-~~R(cos~2-cos~l)
(A1.8)
A2: Drag and torque in build-up bend
(F -t dF)cosd&
ZFy = O:
N + O -(F+
- Fcosdd2-
dF)sind&
F21 = F1ep(&4)
Q-P =O
- Fsindd2
=O
dF= Q + P = Q -!-wrdacosct
(A2.1)
(A2.2)
- cosa)) da
p(az-a2 )
F2=F1e -~(ff~-ffl) _ wIR sin az e
sin al
{
}
(A3.2)
dN, = Fd@
dF=
(A3.1)
(A3.3)
(A2.3)
(A2.4)
dN = ~dN;
828
+dN;
(A3.4)
lADC/SPE 39391
11
WELLS
EFr=O+Fcosa
FOsincrl
=0
ZFZ =O+Fsina
ws F1cosal
=0
or combined:
dF=p~F2
+(wR)2d@
(A3.5)
F =
(B1.1)
,og{F+-}=PfP+c
(A3.6)
ws+ F, COSal
dz
tarif f=-=
dx
(BI.2)
F, sin a,
ds2=dx2+dz2+
s(x)=]
(BI.3)
1+ ~
o /7
Combining Eqns, B 1.2 and B 1.3 results in the following
differential equation:
(A3.7)
A similar expression results for lowering of the pipe. The
difference is that the exponents changes sign.
The pipe position on the borehole wall can be determined by
defining a tangential force balance as seen from Fig. A3. 1:
dx
F, sin al
Inserting zero friction into Eqn. A3.7, one observe that F2 = Fl.
For pure rotation , the torque is generated by a constant normal
force (weight) as defined in Eqn. A3.4. The total torque
becomes:
=~e(@2
Appendix
-@*)
u = F, sin al
X+c,
(A3.9)
Wx
{ F, sin a,
+sinh-l
(cot al)
}
F, sin al
w
cosh
w~.~
{ F1 sin al
+sinh-l
(cot al
+ C2
}
z=
Fl sin al
cosh
[{
w
Wx
Fl sin al
+ sinh l(cota,)}-cosh{sinh(cotal)}]
(B 1.4)
829
12
Equation B 1.4 gives the shape of the curve. The total length
measured along the string tnust be determined next. From
Eqn. B 1.2, the total length of the string becomes:
F1
s =;
F2 i- AFCal
F] sin al
+ sinh -I(c~t~,)}-cos~,]
Ft AFCa,
Appendix
profiles.
Appendix
curve
F2
(B1.6)
Figure B 1.2 shows that the catenary starts at an angle crz from
vertical. We will choose to add a short constant curvature
build-up section on top to go to vertical. To make the
transition smooth, we will design the intersection between the
two functions to have the same curvature.
Eqn. B 1.6 defines the curvature for the modified catenary.
the top of the catenary, the inclination and curvature is:
tanaz
dz
==
dx
ws + FOCOSal
FOsin al
da2
WFOsin al
.
ds F02+ (WS)2 + 2WSF0 cOSal
At
(B3.1)
(B3.2)
the drag
As = Rcr2
(B3.3)
(B2.2)
Inserting Eqn. and B 1.6 into B2.2, and integrating, the
following equation results:
AFCut = pAF tan
(B2.6)
to the catenary
~_
()
{Ws;::
2wsFl COSal
(B2.5)
(B 1.5
By inserting Eqn. B 1.5 into B 1.1, the total tension at any point
in the string can be determined.
x=
(B2.4)
}t:Y
sin al sinh
[{
da
IADCISPE 39391
(B3.4)
(B2.3)
-{VS;::;U}
WFOsin al
(B3.5)
The total load at the top of the catenary during tripping is now
given by:
830
Well
Le&~h
Kisk-off
Total
length(m)
profile
;tidg;p
depth (MTVD)
~nd (~)
sestbn (m)
Build rate
(=/3omfi
Sail angle
():
t
Modified
catenary
9125
300
2340
6485
0.57-3.1
81.47
Minimum
dog-log
8003
300
2755
5948
0.89
81.47
9327
1225
1221
8861
81.47
8102
300
1093
8709
72.85
Under-section
Standard
,Tablel:
Geometry
ofwell
profiles.
Toque
hold section
(kNm)
Surface
Well
buil;p;
Static
Well
profile
pick-up
hmk load
(kN)
load (kN)
Slack-off
load (kN)
profile
;?$:
Modified
catenary
28.57
7.11
21.46
Modified
catenary
845
1360
593
Minimum
dog-log
30.91
11.04
19.87
Minimum
dog-log
843
1332
609
Under-section
29.51
6.88
22.63
Under-section
842
1321
568
30,42
9.05
21.37
Standard
858
1350
543
Standard
Table2:
Torque forthevarious
well profiles.
Bit torque not included.
Length
(m):
)n~ww;~
Drillcoliar, 8
33
3186
82.1
Jar, 8
10
1481
24.9
Heavy weight
drill pipe, 51/2
18
723.3
10
I end of build
340.16
Component:
rota~~:ghl
2755m
Table 4: Composition
of drill string.
Torque (kNm)
Steel
Titanium
Composite
Hold
eedmn
Total
Static
10.2
43.7
53.9
6.2
26.9
33.1
B;~d~~*
Drillpipe
3.7
16.0
19.7
Pulling
Slack-oft
175
179
60
130
133
60
101
102
60
:{-:;,l
I
I
x
a) Forceson Inolinedobject
b) Geometry
and forces
for straight
inclined
hole
,
I
Ax
K
F2
It
Az
Az
As
Az
As
K
x
a) DrW.off
eeetlon
Ax
\;
b) Build-up aesfien
Y
e) The mcdifled ~tenary
profile
F2
t
Ax
az
el
Az
{~
Riihl sidebend
1 i
Ax
Ax
c)
F,
ca!enary
Torque/radius
PWAS
T/r
F=PWAS
T/r.pwAs
Horizmtal dapanure, m
4W0
2m
Im
5m
z-t
#
, ----
. ..
00
\
>,0
-.
~ 4000
.
0
o
7m
6~
,,
-\\
.L . . . .
w,,~r!
Ula
0
00
YEe
\\
\
\
7000
4:
Figure
90-
85-
1225- \*.\.
2000-
81.47
\.\
..-
80-
___
I
I
.-
3ow-
I
75-
I
I
70
I
0.15
0.10
Figure
6:
[
O.w
0120
I
0.40 COeffj~ietOf
friction, u
Im
2000-
3m
4000
1
nTVO
1Oco
2W0
3m
4m
Sm
7m
J
eooo
r
Im
1
Ilow
m horizontal
,
Izm
reach
-.
d.
F+dF
/fl
F+dF
\
x
\
>
/
\v
wrda
Figure A2.1:
Figure Al.1:
F2
Ax
I
U2>
/
/
/,
I
I
,
/
Figure A3. I: Drill pipe position in the borehole for a side bend.
WFZ,.;%$:
.~~
L
*a)
Figure BI.1:
b)
J
z
J
x
F1
al