PGE 430

Bits & Drillstring Design

Prof. Dr. Eric van Oort

Lancaster Professor in Petroleum Engineering

1
 A Bit of History
Roller Cones
• 1909 - Roller Cone (“Twocone”) Bit
Patent by Howard Hughes
• 1930’s – Tricones with milled teeth
• 1949 – Introduction of Tungsten Carbide
inserts for hard-rock drilling
• 2000’s – Development of Kymera bits
Fixed-Cutter
• 1900’s – Fishtail or Drag Bits, two-bladed
• 1940’s – Use of natural diamond bits
• 1970’s – Development of thermally
stable polycrystalline (TSP) and
polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC)
• 1980’s – Modern PDC bit
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© Dr. Eric van Oort • 1990’s – Bicenter PDC bits
 Drag Bits -
Fish Tail Bits

Bits used in early drilling history,

still in use e.g. in geothermal
drilling operations

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Rock Bits, TCI Bits & PDC Bits

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Bit Types: Roller-Cone / Rock Bits
• Two Types: Milled Tooth or Tungsten Carbide Insert (TCI)
– Milled tooth: cutting structure milled from steel
– TCI: cutting structure made of hard inserts pressed into cone
• Drilling Action
– Suitable for large variety of formation types and applications
– Cutting action when string is rotated and teeth/insert roll and skid along
bottom of hole, causing rock crushing and scraping/ploughing
– Shape of teeth affect drilling action: larger teeth = more aggressive cutting
structures for softer formations
Formation Insert / Tooth Insert / Tooth ROP & Cuttings Cleaning Flow
Strength Spacing Properties Generation Rate
Soft Wide Long & Sharp High High
Medium Relatively Wide Shorter & Stubbier Relatively High Relatively High
Hard Close Short & Rounded Relatively Low Relatively Low
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cones for Soft & Hard
Formations

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cone Progression

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cone Bit Bearings Roller bearing

• The bearings inside of each cone are

what allow the cone to turn under a
load.
• Bearings come in several different types
– Unsealed roller bearings
– Sealed roller bearings
– Journal bearings
• Unsealed roller bearings allow drilling
fluid to enter and lubricate the bearing.
These are used for shallow surface holes
and are the least expensive.
• Sealed roller bearings have grease or oil
sealed in the bearing. These are used
for longer run life, but are more
expensive.

The ball bearings hold the cone on the shank.

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cone Bit Bearings

Roller cone bit: open bearing

Roller cone bit cut open across a cone

© Dr. Eric van Oort Roller cone bit: closed bearing 9

 Roller Cone Bit – Closed Bearing

• Journal bearings
allow the cone to
rotate about a
bushing that floats in
oil.

• The oil reservoir is in

the shank.

• This bearing has the

longest life and is the
most expensive.

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cone Bit Bearings
• There are several bearing life models that require actual bit run data to use.
• The manufacturers run-time rating should be used as a guide and the bit
performance monitored for signs of failure during the bit run.
• Indications of failure will be:
– Increased and/or erratic rotary torque
– Increased drillstring vibrations:
• Axial vibration: bit bounce
• Lateral vibration: whirl (forward, backward)
• Torsional vibration: stick-slip
– Sudden loss of penetration rate
• The ultimate bearing failure allows the bit cone to come off of the shank.
• The cone is left in the hole and must be fished out before drilling can
continue.
• Even in hard rock areas where cones are typically easily recovered the effort
still takes one additional trip with a boot basket and cone buster mill.
• In soft rock areas the cones may not be easy to recover and become a real
hindrance to drilling.
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cones: Carbide inserts for
optimum abrasion &
impact resistance

TCI Optional diamond

enhancement
for increased Premium bearing
gauge protection package with
hydrodynamic seal
silver plated journal
bushing and thrust
Full shirttail bearing
hardfacing

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Bit types: Fixed Cutter/Drag Bit - PDC
• PDC’s have no moving parts, no roller bearings (main
advantage over roller-cones)
• Rock failure by shear rather than crushing (less energy)
• Two Body Types:
– Steel-PDC bits machined from wrought, high-performance alloy steel; are
structurally stronger and tougher than matrix bits; are relatively easy to
manufacture and can be delivered relatively quickly; dimensionally more accurate
and more repeatable than cast bits; can be easily refurbished; must be protected,
however against abrasion and erosion with hardfacing
– Matrix bits are cast from matrix material (Tungsten Carbide grains with metallic
binder); are far more abrasion and erosion resistant than steel-bodied bits,
preferred in cases where the body is likely to be the cause of bit failure (e.g in
smaller diameter hole); require support from an internal, steel structure member
(a “blank”)
• Cutters have Tungsten Carbide substrate & Diamond
table
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 PDC Cutters

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 PDC Design Parameters
• Matrix or steel body
• Number & shape of blades
• Shape & size of PDC cutters
• Number of cutters, orientation & angle of attack
– Cutter orientation & bit configuration defined in terms of backrake,
siderake, exposure & blade height
– Low backrake makes bits more aggressive (potential for higher ROP)
but also more prone to impact damage
– Siderake influences bit stability: negative siderake improves stability
but may compromise bit cleaning; positive siderake improves cleaning
but has no effect on stability
– Cutter exposure determines how much “bite” a cutter will take;
increased exposure makes bits more aggressive, depending on cutter
size
– Blade height and open-face volume provide room for cuttings to peel
off the hole bottom without sticking to the bit’s body (global balling)
or packing off on the cutters themselves (bit balling)
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 PDC Bit Profiles

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Bit types: Fixed Cutter Bit – Impreg &
Diamond Bits
• Matrix PDC body (made form e.g.
Tungsten Carbide)
• Matrix impregnated with diamonds,
imbedded to prevent breakage
• Diamonds are small -> depth of cut is
small -> run at high RPM using
turbodrills or high-speed PDMs
• Sensitive to shocks & vibrations

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Bit Selection
Formation Unconfined Suitable Suitable Suitable Suitable for
Description Compressive Strength for Milled for TCI ? for PDC? Diamond
Tooth? Impreg?
Very Soft < 4,000 psi Yes No* Yes No

Soft 4,000 – 9,000 psi Yes No* Yes No

Medium 9,000 – 15,000 psi No Yes Yes No

Hard 15,000 – 22,000 psi No Yes Yes Yes

Very Hard > 22,000 psi No Yes Possibly Yes

* Application of TCI is possible but would not be economically preferred

Selection Methodology
• Consider formation hardness and eliminate unsuitable bit types
• Consider bit economics using ROP, time savings, rig costs and bit prices (next slide)
• Consider the requirements of special factors such as directional requirements
• Note that the operating envelope for PDC’s continues to expand
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Basic Bit Response:
ROP vs. WOB

Full scale tests

of 6” bits at
10,000 psi

© Dr. Eric van Oort

 Latest Bit Innovations: Kymera Bits

Kymera (Chimaera) Hybrid Bits:

• Recently developed bits that “marry” essential
features of roller cones and PDC bits
• Meant to drill in relatively large-diameter hole in
medium/ hard formations (use of PDC) that are
interspersed with high-strength stringers, e.g.
chert (use of roller cone)
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Bi-Center PDC Bits

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drifting a Bi-Center Bit / RWD Tool

A = Pilot Diameter
B = Maximum Cutting Tool Diameter
C = Drill Diameter
D = Pass-Through / Drift Diameter 22
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Ream-while-Drilling (RWD)
• RWD systems are used in situations
where the borehole needs to be under-
reamed, e.g. to facilitate tight clearance
casing schemes in deepwater wells
• Drillstring is run in the hole with reamer
recessed to minimize pass-through
diameter
• When in open hole, the reamer is
activated from surface (mechanical,
hydraulic or RFID, e.g. by ball drop)
• When tripping out, the reamer is
deactivated from surface (e.g. by
another ball drop)
• Types: underreamers, roller reamers,
near-bit reamers, bicentered reamers, Examples of ream-while-drilling systems
RFID reamers, expandable reamers (images courtesy Schlumberger)
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cone Bits vs Drag Bits
• Roller cone bits are smoother because they tend to
roll. Thus they will have less vibration.

• Roller cone bits are also less expensive.

• In directional holes they are some times easier to

steer than a drag bit because they can have a less
aggressive cutting structure.

• They have a limitation on rotating hours because of

the bearing life.

• In small holes the bearings are smaller and not as

robust as the larger sizes.

• If they come apart, a fishing job ensues to recover

the lost cones before drilling can continue.

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cone Bits vs Drag Bits
• Drag bits have no moving parts. They do not
come apart leaving pieces in the hole that must
be fished.

• The PDC style come in a wide array of designs

applicable to almost any drilling environment.
They are more expensive than roller cone bits.

• The natural diamond bits are used for the

hardest and most abrasive rock and they tend to
be very expensive.

• The steel tooth drag bit is used for clean out and
cement drilling and perhaps some very soft
formation drilling.

• Drag bits are reusable so long as the steel matrix

is not destroyed.
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Roller Cone Bits vs Drag Bits
• The PDC drag bits are becoming the bit of choice for most applications
because of the longer run life of the bit. Cutters can be repaired and the
bit reused so long as the matrix is not damaged.

• Fewer bit trips save considerable money even though the bit itself costs
more than the comparable roller cone bit.

• The roller cone bits are the lower cost option where a hole section can be
drilled with one roller cone bit.

• Roller cones are typically used in soft, fast drilling (surface holes) or
extremely hard slow drilling where a suitable drag bit is not available.
• In the end it becomes an economic decision based on total rig cost per
foot drilled.

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Rock Mechanics & Drill Bit Selection
• To drill we must find a way to break rocks.

• The drill bit is the end of the drill string that is the cutting structure that
causes the rock to fail.

• In order to make the bit work we provide –

1. Compression loads through transferring part of the bottom hole assembly weight to the
bit. Otherwise known as weight on bit (WOB)
2. Torque can be supplied by rotating the bit with the drill string and/or a down hole
motor. Torque on bit (TOB)
3. Hydraulic horsepower and impact force through the circulation of the drilling fluid
through the bit nozzles.

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Rock Failure Mechanisms
• Crushing – compressive failure
• Grinding – compressive/shear failure
• Shearing – shear failure
• Erosion – fluid jet action

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Rock Failure – PDC Bits

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 State of Rock Stress: 2D Model, σ1 > σ3
Normal stresses are acting, no shear stress exerted from far-field…

σ1 = σmax

σ3 σ3 = σmin

σ1
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 State of Rock Stress: 2-D Model, σ1 > σ3
… yet shear stresses are acting in the
rock anyway. Shear stress values in the
σ1 directions of the normal
0 stresses are ZERO

270 90
σ3 σ3

180
Blue regions have anti- Orange regions have
clockwise shear stress = σ1 clockwise shear stress =
positive values. negative values.
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Normal Stress as a Function of Orientation

σ1 = σmax

σ3 = σmin

𝜎𝜎𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 𝜎𝜎1 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 2 𝜑𝜑 + 𝜎𝜎3 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠2 𝜑𝜑

σ1 = + 22 MPa
σ3 = + 12 MPa

ϕ
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Shear Stress as a Function of Orientation
σ1 = + 22
Point of Highest Shear Stress σ3 = + 12

1
𝜏𝜏𝜃𝜃 = 𝜎𝜎1 − 𝜎𝜎3 sin 2𝜑𝜑
2

33
© Dr. Eric van Oort ϕ
 What Mohr & Culman Found in the 19th Century
σ normal σ 1 *cos 2 ϕ + σ 3 *sin 2 ϕ

σ 1 − σ 1 ( sin 2 ϕ + cos 2 ϕ ) + σ 1 *cos 2 ϕ + σ 3 *sin 2 ϕ

σ normal =

σ1 σ 3 σ1 σ 3
σ normal = + + − − σ 1 *sin 2 ϕ + σ 3 sin 2 ϕ
2 2 2 2

σ1 + σ 3 σ1 − σ 3 
σ normal = + (1 − 2sin 2 ϕ ) 
2  2 

σ1 + σ 3 σ1 − σ 3 
σ normal
= + cos 2ϕ 
2  2  This is a circle in (σ,τ) space
known as the Mohr circle
= σ mean + [τ cos 2ϕ ]
σ normal

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Mohr’s Stress Circle – 2D 𝜎𝜎1 = 22 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
𝜎𝜎3 = 12 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀

Maximum shear stress

Minimum effective Maximum effective

normal stress σ3 normal stress σ1

Each point on Mohr circle describes

combination of effective normal stress
and shear stress on plane orthogonal to
2D stress system.
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Types of Rock Deformation Experiments

© Dr. Eric van Oort

 “Mapping” a Mohr-Coulomb Failure Envelope

𝜏𝜏 = 𝐶𝐶 + 𝜎𝜎𝑛𝑛 tan 𝜃𝜃

C = cohesion
θ = friction angle
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Mohr-Coulomb Failure Envelope

𝜏𝜏 = ± 𝐶𝐶 + 𝜎𝜎𝑛𝑛 tan θ

1 1
𝜎𝜎𝑛𝑛 = 𝜎𝜎1 + 𝜎𝜎3 − 𝜎𝜎 − 𝜎𝜎3 cos 2φ
2 2 1
1
𝜏𝜏 = 𝜎𝜎 − 𝜎𝜎3 sin 2φ 900 = θ + 2φ
2 1 38
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Example Problem
A rock sample under a 2,000 psi
confining pressure fails when
subjected to a compressive
loading of 10,000 psi, along a
plane that makes an angle of
27o with the direction of the
compressive load. Using the
Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion,
determine the angle of internal
friction, the shear stress at
failure, and the cohesive
dA1 strength of the rock material

NOTE: the 10,000 psi compressive

load is what is generated by
weight-on-bit (WOB) and torque-
on-bit (TOB)
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Example
Solution
𝜏𝜏 = ± 𝐶𝐶 + 𝜎𝜎𝑛𝑛 tan 𝜗𝜗

1 1
𝜎𝜎𝑛𝑛 = 𝜎𝜎 + 𝜎𝜎3 − 𝜎𝜎 − 𝜎𝜎3 cos 2φ
2 1 2 1
1
𝜏𝜏 = 𝜎𝜎 − 𝜎𝜎3 sin 2φ 900 = 𝜗𝜗 + 2𝜑𝜑
2 1

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Rock Failure – Roller Cones

41
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Faster ROP with Clean Fluids: Chip
Hold-Down Effect
Pm Spurt Loss & Filtrate Pm
Invasion (reduced in
high-solids muds)

Po
Filtrate Volume

Clean, Low Solids Mud

Clean, unweighted drilling fluids
generally drill faster by having higher
High Solids Mud
spurt loss, better pressure invasion in
Spurt
fractured/failed rock, causing better
Loss
evacuation of this rock from the bit tool
face – reason to adopt managed
𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 pressure drilling (MPD – why?) 42
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Bit Automated Image Detection &
Grading

Grading of
Individual
Cutters
Drill Bit Cutter
Image Detection

Cutting Structure Bearing Gauge Remarks

1. Inner Rows 2. Outer Rows 3. Primary 4. Location of 5. Bearing & 6. Undersize 7. Other Dull 8. Reason
- Average - Average Dull Primary Dull Seals 16th’s inch Characteristic Pulled
Cutter Wear Cutter Wear Characteristic Characteristic
 Automated Drill Bit Grading
Blade No. Cutter No. Good Algorithm Equivalent Blade No. Cutter No. Good Algorithm Equivalent
Cutter Assigned IADC Cutter Assigned IADC
Area % Grading Grading Area % Grading Grading

1 1 87.20% 1 1 3 8 96.81% 0 0
1 2 95.77% 0 0 4 1 90.89% 1 1
1 3 98.55% 0 0 4 2 94.47% 0 2
1 4 92.62% 1 1 4 3 66.04% 3 4
1 5 66.22% 3 3-4 4 4 80.02% 2 3
1 6 0.00% 8 8 4 5 100.00% 0 0

1 7 98.52% 0 0 4 6 97.09% 0 0
1 8 97.80% 0 0 5 1 97.53% 0 0
2 1 85.21% 1 1 5 2 98.52% 0 0
2 2 0.00% 8 8 5 3 100.00% 0 0

2 3 70.39% 2 3 5 4 92.85% 1 0
Average Good Average
Cutter Area % Algorithm 2 4 88.44% 1 2 5 5 64.73% 3 3
Assigned Grade 2 5 95.49% 0 0 5 6 66.81% 3 7
80.99% 2 3 1 100.00% 0 0 5 7 98.15% 0 0

3 2 97.45% 0 0 5 8 95.94% 0 0
3 3 95.54% 0 0 6 1 80.88% 2 2
3 4 74.16% 2 3 6 2 34.82% 5 5
3 5 0.00% 8 8 6 3 60.22% 3 3
3 6 87.50% 1 1 6 4 98.10% 0 0
3 7 98.06% 0 0 6 5 96.85% 1 1
 Bit Forensics
12,000
Well 1

10,000
Bad RO DMF
(rev*klb/ft)

Start to RO,
Start worse
to RO, than Run 4 Run 4
Wear Indicator

8,000 Nose + worse than

shoulder Start to to
Start RORO
(Run 4) 4)
(Run
6,000
Wear only Wear only Nose + damage
shoulder damage
Slight wear (Run 5) 5)
Slight wear (Run
rev/ft*WOB

4,000

2,000
Gauge + cone damage
0
16,000 18,000 20,000 22,000 24,000 26,000 28,000 30,000
Well 1 - Run 5 Well 1– Run 4 Depth (ftMD) Well 1 – Run 6 Well 1 - Run 7
 The Drill String - DS
• Transmits rotary power (torque) to the bit
• Provides weight-on-bit (WOB)
• Controls well trajectory (deviation & azimuth)
• Transports drilling fluid to the bit
• Enables monitoring / logging while drilling (MWD/LWD)
– Currently done through mud pulse telemetry
– In near-future, done with wired / intelligent drillpipe

Mud-Pulse Telemetry Wired “Intelligent” Drillpipe 46

© Dr. Eric van Oort
 What Moves the DS & Bit?
• Surface: Kelly and Rotary Table:
– Rotary Table rotates the Kelly Master Bushing, which rotates the Kelly
Bushing, which rotates the Kelly
– Kelly rotates the entire drill string and thus the bit
• Surface: Top Drive:
– Top Drive rotates the Drill String and thus the bit
– Rotary Table still available but generally not used (only when TD is
offline)
• Downhole: Mud Motor / Turbine “Sliding”
– Drilling Fluid pumped from the mud pumps to the swivel to Drill String
– Drilling Fluid ‘forced’ through Mud Motor above bit
– Mud Motor Stator and Drill String remain stationary, but rotor & bit
rotate in preferred direction
• Surface & Downhole: Rotary Steerable System (RSS)
– Top Drive rotates the Drill String
– RSS steers the orientation of the bit through push-the-bit or point-the-
bit technology
47
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill String Components Overview

Not shown:
BHA
components
such as
downhole
motors,
MWD/LWD
equipment
etc.

48
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 A Very Simple
Drillstring

49
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drillpipe Characteristics
• Length
– Range 1: 18-22 ft (now Allowable DP body
obsolete) Singles, Doubles & elongation range is
– Range 2: 27-30 ft Triples (Stands) 0.5% for grade E, 0.6%
for grades X & G, 0.7%
– Range 3: 38-45 ft
for grade S
• Size & Weight
– Common: 3 ½”, 4 ½”, 5”
– Uncommon: 2 3/8”, 2 7/8”, API Grade API Yield Strength Tensile Strength
4”, 5 ½”, 5 7/8”, 6 5/8”
Min (ksi) Max (ksi) Minimum (ksi)
– Larger DP for large
diameter hole, lower E-75 75 105 100
frictional pressure loss, X-95 95 125 105
high torsional strength
(ERD & DW) G-105 105 135 115
S-135 135 165 145
• Grade & API Z-140 140 160 150
Classification V-150 150 180 160 50
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Tool Joints / Connections

Pin

Box

51
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Tool Joint & Drillpipe End

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Tool Joints/Connections - 1
• Tool joint is threaded coupling element
for DP, with tapered threads and seating
shoulders to:
– Suspend weight of the drillstring
– Transmit the torque
– Withstand frequent make-up & break-out
– Provide a leak-proof seal (prevent “washout”)
– Withstand bending loads
• Tool Joints are connected to the pipe
body by:
– Flash Welding
– Friction Welding
– Inertia Welding
– Screwed-On

53
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Tool Joint Inertial Welding

54
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Tool Joints/Connections - 2 Internal
upset
External
• Upset = wall thickness is increased at end upset

of DP to improve strength of welding area

& transition from tube to connection
• 3 types:
– Internal Upset (IU)
– External Upset (EU) Pressure seal
– Internal/External Upset (IEU) shoulder-shoulder
contact
Internal Flush
(I.F)

Hardfacing
(Tungsten carbide)

Flash/intertia/friction
wel area
TCM 7857/1

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Tool Joints/Connections - 3
• Common API Thread connections:
– Regular (REG)
– Full Hole (FH)
– Internal Flush (IF)
• Non-API: Hydril, SST, HT, etc
• Connection does not seal along the
threads, only at the shoulders
• Minimum Yield: 120 ksi, Minimum
Tensile Strength: 140 ksi

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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Pipe Compression & Failure
• Drill pipe is (generally) not to be run in compression. Compression causes the drill
pipe to buckle causing early fatigue failure in the tool joint threads.
• Twist offs in the tool joint are a common result of allowing the drill pipe to be run
in compression.
• Twist offs are seen at the surface as a sudden loss of hook load.
• Wash outs in a tool joint result because of worn or loose threads allowing drilling
fluid to erode a channel past the threads and escape to the annulus.
• Wash outs are seen at the surface by a sudden loss of pump pressure.

Wash Out Fatigue Failure

57
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Pipe Connection Failures
Thread Wobble
Thread Galling

Split Tool Joint Box

58
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Collars
• Drill collars are large diameter, thick tubes that are very heavy.
• They are connected using a similar thread to the drill pipe.
• These heavy tubes are used to provide weight at the bottom of
the well.
• Therefore, they are run in compression and are asked to survive a
severe load.
• In order to make sure the drill pipe is not in compression it is
common to not use more than 80% of the buoyed drill collar
weight.

59
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Collar Characteristics
• OD: 4 ¾”, 6”, 8”, 9 ½”
• ID: 2”, 2 ½”, 2 3/8”, 3”
• Length: Typically Range 2
• Material: (stainless)
steel, monel (non-
magnetic drill collars-
NMDC)
• Connection: 6 5/8” REG,
NC-50, etc. cut (not
welded) at both ends
• Spiral (reduced contact
area), square, etc.
60
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Collar
Sizes
Drill Collar size
affected by following
factors:
• Bit size
• OD of casing
(coupling) to be run
in hole
• Formation dip &
heterogeneity
• Hydraulics program
• Directional program
(max. DLS)
• Required WOB
• Possibility of fishing
operations
61
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Non-Magnetic Drill Collars (NMDC)

• The magnetic compass (“magnetometer”)

measurements from the directional instruments
must be taken inside a non-magnetic drill collar.
• The non-magnetic collar insulates the compass
from magnetic effects of the surrounding steel drill
string.
• The non-magnetic collar needs to be placed as
close to the bit as possible because measurements
at the bit give us the true bottom hole location.
• For a very large number of applications, one non-
magnetic drill collar will be sufficient.
• In some areas and at some inclination and azimuth
combinations more than one non-magnetic collar
will be required to insulate the directional tools.
• Figure 8.66 in the text can be used to estimate the
number of non-magnetic drill collars required for a
given place, hole inclination, and azimuth.

62
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 NMDC
Placement

63
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Heavy Wall Drill Pipe (HWDP)
• Heavy Wall Drill Pipe (“Hevi-Wate”) is intermediate weight
between drill collars and regular drill pipe
• Heavy-wall tubes with upset in middle (central wear pad) and long
tool joints
• Serves to make DC <-> DP crossover more gradual. HWDP more
resilient to fatigue, compression
• Used in slim-hole and high deviation applications, instead of DC’s
(lower contact area, less differential sticking risk)
• Less torque, higher tripping speeds, no loss of BOP control (pipe
rams same as regular DP)

Weight ID (in) Wall Thickness Tooljoint Tooljoint

(lbs/ft) (in) ID (in) OD (in)
5” DP 22.79 4.276 0.362 3 1/4 6 5/8
5” HWDP 52.34 3 1.0 3 1/16 6 5/8
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© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Stabilizers
• Centralization
– Help keep string more central in hole, depending on
distance between stabilizers, size, hole size and number
• Directional Effect
– Act as fulcrum in directional drilling, highly dependent
on position BHA
• Prevention of Buckling
• Torque & Drag
– Profound increase in torque, limiting maximum number
of stabs typically to 4
• Rock Cutting Effect (secondary)
• Vibration Effect +/-
• Stuck Pipe Effect +/-

65
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Miscellaneous String Components
• Subs
– Crossover subs/collars (box/box, pin/pin, pin/box)
– Float subs
– Dart subs
– Circulating Subs
– Bent subs / orienting sub
– Shock subs
• Jars & Accelerators
– Bumper subs
– Jars (drilling & fishing)
– Accelerators
• MWD / LWD Tools (GR, RES, neutron density/porosity, sonic,
formation pressures, etc.)
66
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Turbines & Downhole Motors

Motor
Turbine

67
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Land Drilling - Vertical Drillstring
12 1/4" BHA -- Packed Assembly
Number OD Average
Component Acronyms:
of Joints (in) Length (ft)
HWDP = heavy wall drillpipe
Drill Pipe To Surface 5 as applicable
DC = drill collar
HWDP 14 5 434 IBS = integral blade stabilizer
Crossover 1 6.5 3 NBS = near bit stabilizer
DC 9 6.5 275
Crossover 1 8 2
DC 3 8 90
IBS 1 8.25 5
DC 1 8 31
IBS 1 8.25 5
Pony Collar 1 8 10
NBS 1 8.25 5
Bit 1 12.25 1 Pony = Short Horse
Pony Collar = Short Drill Collar

68
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Actual Deepwater Drillstring
WATER DEPTH + RKB 7,875
DEPTH IN 17,800
DEPTH OUT 21,500
TOTAL 3,700

OBJECTIVE: Drill ahead 12 1/4" hole to the planned 9 3/8" casing point.
Hole must be maintained at or near vertical. MW = 12 0.81663
ITEM GAUGE BODY BODY DOWN UP UNIT ACCUM. AIR CUM AIR BUOYED
NO. DESCRIPTION VENDOR OD OD ID CONN CONN LENGTH LENGTH WT/FT WT WT WEIGHT

1 12 1/4" BIT 12.25 6 5/8 R P 2.0 2.0 200 400 400 327
2 9 1/2" T1H Turbine STC 12.13 12.75 3.00 6 5/8 R B 7 5/8 R B 45.0 47.0 210 9450 9850 8044
3 IB STRING STABILIZER BHI 12.13 9.50 3.00 7 5/8 R P 7 5/8 R B 7.0 54.0 210 1470 11320 9244
4 MWD (Dir/Res/Gam/PWD/TC) W/Scre BHI 9.50 3.00 7 5/8 R P 7 5/8 R B 60.0 114.0 210 12600 23920 19534
5 IB STRING STABILIZER BHI 12.13 9.50 3.00 7 5/8 R P 7 5/8 R B 7.0 121.0 210 1470 25390 20734
6 X-OVER SUB (BOTTLENECK) RIG 9.50 3.00 7 5/8 R P 6 5/8 R B 4.0 125.0 210 840 26230 21420
7 PBL SUB DHD 8.25 2.81 6 5/8 R P 6 5/8 R B 8.0 133.0 180 1440 27670 22596
8 (3) 8 1/4" DRILL COLLARS BHI 8.25 2.81 6 5/8 R P 6 5/8 R B 90.0 223.0 180 16200 43870 35825
9 WBRRT RIG 12.25 8.00 3.00 6 5/8 R P 6 5/8 R B 7.0 230.0 180 1260 45130 36854
10 X-OVER SUB RIG 8.25 2.81 6 5/8 R P 6 5/8 FH B 3.0 233.0 150 450 45580 37222
11 (9) 6 5/8" HWDP RIG 6.63 4.50 6 5/8 FH P 6 5/8 FH B 270.0 503.0 75 20158 65738 53684
12 DRILLING JAR 7.00 2.88 6 5/8 FH P 6 5/8 FH B 30.0 533.0 150 4500 70238 57358
13 (8) 6 5/8" HWDP RIG 6.63 4.50 6 5/8 FH P 6 5/8 FH B 240.0 773.0 75 17918 88157 71991
14 6 5/8" S-135 DP (27.7# ) RIG 6.63 5.90 6 5/8 FH P 6 5/8 FH B 10000.0 10773.0 33 334700 422857 345316
15 6 5/8" S-135 DP (34# ) RIG 6.63 5.58 6 5/8 FH P 6 5/8 FH B 10727.0 21500.0 43 461261 884118 721993
0 422857 345316

WEIGHTS AND LENGTHS ARE APPROXIMATION ONLY MWD = Monitoring While Drilling
FLOAT INSTALLED IN MOTOR X-Over = Cross-Over
PBL = Bypass Circulation Sub
FLOW RATES: 700 - 800 GPM BHA AIR WEIGHT (Lbs): 88,157 WBRRT = Wear Bushing Running / Retrieving Tool
MUD WEIGHTS: 11.6 - 13.3 PPG BHA WT IN MUD (Lbs): 71,991
HWDP = Heavy Weight Drillpipe
MUD TYPE: SEAWATER (w/gel sweeps) BELOW JARS (Lbs): 57,358
WOB: As Required
69
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill String Design Overview – Axial & Torsional
Loads Only
• Dry Weight
• Buoyant Weight
• Weight-on-Bit (WOB) & Neutral
Point (NP)
Com-
• Buckling Tension pression

– Vertical Hole NP
– Deviated Hole
• Loads on drill string
– Tension Loads
– Bending Stresses
– Combined Tension & Torsional Loads
70
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Axial Tension: Weight in Air / Dry Weight

Which string (A,B,C or D)

produces the highest
tension at surface?

𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂2 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼2
𝑊𝑊𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 𝜋𝜋 × 𝜌𝜌 ×
4

Total Depth (TD)

71
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Buoyancy & Archimedes
• A body immersed in a
fluid experiences a
buoyant force equal to
the weight of the fluid it
displaces
• The buoyant force will
reduce the effective
weight of the body
accordingly
𝜌𝜌𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 = 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 × 𝑊𝑊𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 , 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 = 1 −
𝜌𝜌𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
𝜌𝜌𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝)
𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠: 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 = 1 −
65.5 72
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Weight-on-Bit (WOB) and Neutral Point (NP)
Hookload
Compression Tension
0
Weight slacked-
off on surface
Effective DS
weight after
slack-off

DS weight fully
supported by
Neutral hookload
Point (NP)

~ 90% of BHA
weight generated
by DC’s (& HWDP)
Weight-on-Bit
(WOB) 73
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Collar Equations

• Weight (lb/ft) 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = 𝜋𝜋 × 𝜌𝜌 ×

𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂2 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼2
= 2.67 × 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂2 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼2
4

• Recommended Collar 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 = 2𝐷𝐷𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 − 𝐷𝐷𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵

Size (in) Diameter of the casing collar
that is going to be run in the
hole

• Required Length 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊

(ft) for WOB 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 =
𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 × cos 𝜑𝜑

DF is a design / safety factor

that is included to guarantee
that the NP is located in BHA
74
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Example Simple Drill Collar Calculation
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊
𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 =
𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 × cos 𝜑𝜑

𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂2 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼2
𝑊𝑊𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙/𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 𝜋𝜋 × 𝜌𝜌 × = 2.67 × 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂2 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼2
4

One joint of DC -> 30 ft (Range 2 pipe)

635 / 30 -> 22 joints minimum required
Design Factor included to keep neutral point
within the BHA and avoid buckling DP
75
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Example Problem & Solution * Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

76
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Pipe and Compression
• The common rule of thumb of not applying more than 80% of the buoyed weight of
the BHA is normally acceptable in near vertical wells (DF ~ 1.2 - 1.25).
• It may be necessary to use some of the drill pipe weight for WOB in high angle
holes.
• This is to avoid having to use the large diameter drill collars in high angles where
the likelihood of becoming stuck increases.
• An acceptable amount of compression in the drill pipe can be tolerated up to the
point where the drill pipe buckles.
• In a vertical or near vertical well it takes almost no compression load to buckle the
drill pipe. (See the Euler buckling equation in the casing design section for this
analysis.)
• However, as the hole angle increases, so does the compression load the drill pipe
can withstand without buckling.
• The amount of compression load to cause buckling is called the critical load.

77
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drillstring on Bottom: Drillpipe and Compression

78
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Buckling – Vertical Hole

Lubinski (1957, 1981):

First Order Buckling: 𝑊𝑊𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶,𝐼𝐼 = 1.94 × 𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 × 𝑚𝑚
First buckle contacts wellbore wall

Second Order Buckling: 𝑊𝑊𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶,𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 3.75 × 𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 × 𝑚𝑚

Second buckle contacts wellbore wall

3 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤: 𝑚𝑚 =
𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝐸𝐸 = 𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑌𝑔𝑔′ 𝑠𝑠 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
𝜋𝜋
𝐼𝐼 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂4 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼4
64

79
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Buckling –
Vertical Hole
Calculation
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011,
Ch.9

3 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
𝑚𝑚 =
𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏

𝑊𝑊𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶,𝐼𝐼 = 1.94 × 𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 × 𝑚𝑚

𝑊𝑊𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶,𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 3.75 × 𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 × 𝑚𝑚

80
© Dr. Eric van Oort How would you handle this situation?
 Buckling – Deviated Hole

Dawson & Paslay (1983):

Sinusoidal or Snaking Buckling:

𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 × 𝐸𝐸 × 𝐼𝐼 × sin 𝜑𝜑
𝑊𝑊𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 =2
𝑟𝑟𝑐𝑐

𝑟𝑟𝑐𝑐 = 0.5 × 𝐷𝐷𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 − 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷

Where:

E = Young’s Modulus [lbf/ft2]

I = Moment of Inertia [ft-4]
Wb = buoyed weight [lbm/ft]
rc = characteristic radius [ft]
φ = hole angle [degrees or rad]
81
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Buckling – Deviated Hole Calculation
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 × 𝐸𝐸 × 𝐼𝐼 × sin 𝜑𝜑
𝑊𝑊𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 =2
𝑟𝑟𝑐𝑐

Conclusion: buckling in deviated hole will usually require much

higher WOB than in vertical hole, usually outside of the
recommended range for effective drilling
82
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Convex
Uniaxial Tension:
Bending
Concave

83
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Bending Stresses
• In drilling ops, the DS frequently undergoes
bending because of hole curvature (doglegs)
• Bending adds to the axial tensile loading of the DS
𝑀𝑀𝑏𝑏 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 =
2𝐼𝐼
𝐸𝐸 × 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝑀𝑀𝑏𝑏 = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝜅𝜅𝑏𝑏 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 =
2 × 5,729.6 × 12
1
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝜅𝜅𝑏𝑏 = 𝐸𝐸 ≅ 30 × 106 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
𝑅𝑅
360 × 100 5,729.6
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝑅𝑅 = =
2𝜋𝜋 × 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 ≅ 218 × 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑/100𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

84
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Torque & Torsional Stress
* Text by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

85
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Handling Combined Loads with VME Stress
1 2 2 2
𝜎𝜎𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 = 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 − 𝜎𝜎𝜗𝜗 + 𝜎𝜎𝜗𝜗 − 𝜎𝜎𝑟𝑟 + 𝜎𝜎𝑟𝑟 − 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 + 6𝜏𝜏 2
2
σa = Total axial stress includes buoyant Torsional Stress
axial stress and bending stress

Ignoring tangential (σθ) and radial (σr) stresses, Von Mises

Equivalent stress reduces to:
2
𝜎𝜎𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 = 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 3𝜏𝜏 2
To check the load-bearing capacity, the Von Mises Equivalent stress
should be compared with the API yield strength Sy of the pipe:
𝜎𝜎𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 ≤ 𝑆𝑆𝑌𝑌

86
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Loads on Drill String during Drilling Operations

Operation Effective String Weight (hookload Rotary Torque

ex. Traveling equipment)
Rotating Off ROB weight = along-hole
ROB torque = rotary friction that
Bottom (ROB) component of buoyant string
develops along the string
weight
Rotary Drilling ROB Torque + Torque on Bit
ROB weight – WOB
(TOB)
Sliding Drilling
(no string ROB weight – WOB – Drag TOB
rotation)
Tripping Out (no
ROB weight + drag 0
rotation)
Tripping In (no
ROB weight - drag 0
rotation)
Note: All drilling operations are characterized by
© Dr. Eric van Oort
some kind of combined loading condition 87
 Handling Combined Loads with VME Stress
1 2 2 2
𝜎𝜎𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 = 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 − 𝜎𝜎𝜗𝜗 + 𝜎𝜎𝜗𝜗 − 𝜎𝜎𝑟𝑟 + 𝜎𝜎𝑟𝑟 − 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎 + 6𝜏𝜏 2
2
σa = Total axial stress includes buoyant Torsional Stress
axial stress and bending stress

Ignoring tangential (σθ) and radial (σr) stresses, Von Mises

Equivalent stress reduces to:
2
𝜎𝜎𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 = 𝜎𝜎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 3𝜏𝜏 2
To check the load-bearing capacity, the Von Mises Equivalent stress
should be compared with the API yield strength Sy of the pipe:
𝜎𝜎𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 ≤ 𝑆𝑆𝑌𝑌

88
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 DS Design Criteria
• Load capacity of any DS member (divided by Design Factor SF)
should be greater or equal to maximum permissible load (API Yield
Strength)
• Neighboring elements should be compatible in bending stress ratio
(BSR)
• DS geometric properties should be selected in conjunction with
optimum hydraulics, hole & casing programs
• In deviated wells, DS rotation should not produce excessive casing
damage (casing wear)
• The total cost of the DS should be optimized
• The DP is typically owned by the rig contractor and leased by the
operator

89
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 DS Design Safety Margins
• Design based on Margin of Overpull (MOP)
– Local experience / conditions
– History of Stuck Pipe
– Prediction of drag up values
– MOP = Max. Allowable Tension Load - Calc. / Estm. Load
• Design based on Safety Factor (SF)
– Commonly used SF is 1.15 (range typically 1.1 – 1.2)
– SF = Max. Allow. Tension Load divided by Calculated Load
(σyield / Fload)

90
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Typical DS Design Safety Factors

• Tension SFT 1.15

• Excess BHA weight SFBHA 1.15
• Collapse SFC 1.125
• Burst SFB 1.176
• Margin of Overpull 50,000 to 150,000 lbs.
• Applied torsion is limited to make-up torque on
connections

91
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Simple “Bottom Up” DS Design Process
(Axial Loads only)
Determine a desired Margin
of Pull (MOP)

Calculate the required length

Include Design Factor (e.g.
of DC’s and HWDP based on
1.2) for NP in BHA
desired WOB
Calculate the axial tensile
load on the DS to surface,
take into account torsion
Consider
Include appropriate Design Check axial load with API stronger pipe
Factor (1.15) tensile strength of pipe to meet
strength
requirement
Strength NO
OK?
YES
92
© Dr. Eric van Oort Finalize Design
 DS Design for Vertical Well Based on
Tensile Pull Load Case

93
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Calculations for a Deviated Well including
Bending

Angle Build
Up Section

Angle Drop
Off Section

94
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Calculations for Combined Loads

95
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Drill Pipe
Parameters

DP spec’s
summarized
in API RP 7G
96
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Example 1 & Solution
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

Lbf
97
© Dr. Eric van Oort (75,000 x 4.3037 = 322,777 lbf without torsion)
 Example 2 & Solution
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

𝐸𝐸 × 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 =
2 × 5,729.6 × 12
𝜎𝜎𝑏𝑏 ≅ 218 × 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 × 𝐷𝐷𝑜𝑜

= 13,460 ft.-lbf

98
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Example 3 * Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

99
© Dr. Eric van Oort
 Remember This Diagram when Designing a DS

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 Example 3 – Solution I
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

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 Example 3 Solution - Governing Equations

Von Mises correction of maximum 𝐴𝐴𝑥𝑥

2
2
load capacity for torque 𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = 𝐹𝐹 𝑡𝑡−3
𝑍𝑍𝑥𝑥
𝑇𝑇 𝑥𝑥 = 1, 2, 3 … . .

First section of drillpipe

𝐹𝐹1
= 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 + 𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑊𝑊𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 + 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 + 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆

𝐹𝐹1 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑊𝑊𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀

𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = − − −
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 × 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 × 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 × 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷

Additional sections of drillpipe (in case LDC + LHW + LDPx < total depth of well)
𝐹𝐹2
= 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 + 𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑊𝑊𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 + 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 + 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷2 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷2 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 + 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆

𝐹𝐹2 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑊𝑊𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀

𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = − − − −
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆×𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 ×𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷2 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 ×𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷
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 Example 3 – Solution II
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

2
𝐴𝐴𝑥𝑥
𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = 𝐹𝐹 2𝑡𝑡−3 𝑇𝑇 𝑥𝑥 = 1, 2, 3 … . .
𝑍𝑍𝑥𝑥

𝐹𝐹1 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑊𝑊𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻

𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = − −
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 × 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 × 𝑤𝑤𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷

𝐹𝐹2 𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑊𝑊𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑊𝑊𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻

𝐿𝐿𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = − − −
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆×𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 ×𝑤𝑤𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷2 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 103
 Example 3 – Solution III
* Problem by Mitchell & Miska, 2011, Ch.9

DC’s HWDP DP1 DP2 Kb

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 Drill String Weight and Drag
• The buoyed pipe weight can be calculated using the same formula used for the
drill collars.

( LDP wDP + LBHA wBHA )(1 − 0.0153ρm )

WDS =
WDS = buoyed drill string weight ( lb f )
LDP , LBHA = lengths of the drill pipe and bottom hole assembly ( lbf )
wDP , wBHA = unit air weight of the drill pipe and bottom hole assembly ( lb f /ft )
ρ m = drilling fluid density ( ppg )

• This buoyed drill string weight is if the pipe is not moving.

• If the pipe is moved, either up or down, friction will add more weight to the
pipe in order to keep it moving.

• The extra force due to friction is called “drag” and it can be estimated using the
classical friction equation shown on the next slide.

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 Drag
• The drag (friction) force is -

FD µ=
= N µ F sin α
FD = drag due to friction (lb f ) r
µ = coefficient of friction
N = normal force (lb f )
F α
F = axial force (lb f )
N
α = hole inclination (degrees) FD

• The axial force is the buoyed drill string weight.

• The friction coefficient is often in the range of 0.2 to 0.6, but can be higher.
• In a truly vertical well where the hole angle is zero, there is no drag.
• However, no hole is truly vertical, so some drag will always exist.

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 Weight Indicator while running a drillstring in the hole
• The weight shown by the rig weight indicator will the sum of the buoyed drill string
weight, the drag if the pipe is being moved, and the weight of the traveling
equipment in the derrick.

Example of a real-time hook-load plot

dedicated to preventing stuck pipe
during string / casing runs, with
planned pick-up and slack-off curves
shown with real-time data overlay

Wind = WDS + FD + WTE

Wind = weight shown on the weight indicator ( lb f )
WDS = buoyed weight of the drill string ( lb f )
FD = drag due to friction (lb f )
WTE = weight of the traveling equipment ( lb f )
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 Drilling Torque
• Torque is the resistance to pipe
rotation.
r

• With the bit off bottom, torque is

a function of the forces that
cause drag – multiplied through F α

the radius of the pipe. N

FD

• With the bit on bottom and

drilling the drag torque is joined
by formation side forces and the
reactive torque created by the
rotation of the bit.

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 Torque Requirements at the Bit
• The torque required to break rock when the bit is on bottom can be measured at
the well site and is often simply a mater of experience.
• Several models exist (see Chapter 8) to estimate the torque.
• One empirical model by Warren is:

 ROP 
Tb 3.79 + 19.17
=  dWb
 Nd 
Tb = torque required at the bit ( ft-lb f )
ROP = anticipated drilling rate ( ft/hr )
N = bit speed ( rpm )
d = bit diameter ( in )
Wb = weight applied to the bit (1, 000 lb f )

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 Off Bottom Torque
• Torque is important because all
elements of the drill sting have a
torque limit beyond which r
failures occur.

• Off bottom torque is a parasitic F α

torque that we must over come in N

FD
order to rotate the pipe and drill.

• Limiting off bottom torque allows

more torque to be available for
drilling purposes.

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 Off Bottom Torque
• Off bottom torque due to drag
(friction) forces is -

r r r
=Td = µN µ F sin α
12 12
Td = off bottom torque due to friction (ft-lb f )
µ = coefficient of friction
F α
N = normal force (lb f )
F = axial force (off bottom string weight) (lb f ) N
FD
α = hole inclination from vertical (deg)
r = radius of pipe (in)

• The axial force F is the buoyed drill

string weight.
• The friction coefficient is often in the
range of 0.2 to 0.6, but can be higher
(and is often a function of mud type
and its composition).

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 Total Torque Requirements
• The total torque is the off bottom torque caused by friction plus the on bottom
torque required to break rock.

r  ROP 
=T µ F sin α + 3.79 + 19.17  dWb
12  Nd 
T = torque required at the bit ( ft-lb f )
ROP = anticipated drilling rate ( ft/hr )
N = bit speed ( rpm )
d = bit diameter ( in )
Wb = weight applied to the bit (1, 000 lb f )
F = axial force (off bottom string weight) ( lb f )
α = hole inclination from vertical (deg)
µ = coefficient of hole friction (between 0.2 and 0.6)
r = drill pipe radius ( in )

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