Oscar Castillo

Directional Driller Specialist

+4034724271
Ol.castillo28@gmail.com

Optimization Assessment – The RTOC Group

12/18/2024

Scenario 1
The client is drilling a 171mm (6.75 in) lateral section with a motor-driven Orbit
RSS bha. The BHA is set up to provide static confirmation of PDinc, PDazi, and
downlink acceptance after pump recycle but no other RT data.
Current drilling parameters being used:
Surface rotary: 100rpm
WOB: 10kdaN (22.5 klbf)
Pump rate: 1.25m3/min (330.2 gpm)

Geosteering has requested to maintain 90.2° inclination. The tool has been
confirmed to be set for 90.3° inclination.
Drilling along in the lateral, the MWD continuous inclination is showing inclination
fluctuating from 89.2° to 90.5° and last 5 surveys have averaged 89.6°
inclination.
Client questions why the RSS is not holding the desired setpoint, and what possible
mitigations can be done to improve the steering accuracy. Explain:
Information provided:
Hole Size: 171mm (6.75 in)
BHA Config: Motor-driven Orbit RSS
Dir Control: Azi and Inc
Drilling Parameters:
Surface rotary: 100rpm
WOB: 10kdaN (22.5 klbf)
Pump rate: 1.25m3/min (330.2 gpm

Assumptions about Mud Motor and RSS:

Speed Range from 150 to 280 RPM Effective on rotor output.
Drilling Instruction:
->>> Maintain 90.2° inclination
Tool Settings:
->>> Maintain 90.3° inclination
Data Recorded:
inclination fluctuating from 89.2° to 90.5°
The last 5 Surveys averaged 89.6° inclination.
The client questions why the RSS is not holding the desired setpoint, and
what possible mitigations can be made to improve the steering accuracy
Answer 1:
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According to the above characteristics we can assume RSS is working under
specifications,
1. 4 3/4in PD RSS, 5.25" Atlas 6:7 Lobe 8.8 Stage Hard Rubber (Total RPM = 225 + 100
= 335). Flow is Below 355 gpm for RSS.
2. Range of Inclination Is oscillating 89.2 – 90.5 = 1.3 deg, and Svy Avg is 89.6 °, so we
can consider wellbore tends to drop inclination and PD is working to
build.
3. We need to monitor azimuth as well, perhaps the PD steering cycle has
been used to control azimuth tendency in the intervals in which inclination
recorded is below 90°.
4. The settings are in static condition PDAzi, PDInc, 90.3° but RT
Measurements are affected by Vibrations and string dynamics.
5. So, I propose to monitor drilling vibrations and modify Drilling parameters
to find sweet spot, perform a step test increasing WOB from 10 to 25
klbf (5klbf each step), and evaluate dynamic readings for Inclination and
Azimuth.
6. By nature, RSS Push the bit systems improve steerability by reducing
WOB and increasing RPM. If the formation is hard enough and bit HSI was
calibrated correctly, we can increase the Flow 340 to 350 gpm to increase
downhole RPM and Pressure across the PADS (Be careful with the Seals
Limit Orbit Version is above 700psi).
7. Monitor hole quality, if above actions did not work try reducing Flow in 10 to
15 % and compensate downhole rotation (Surf to 120). Sometimes
unconsolidated or soft formations cause over gauge wellbore segments. This
causes poor contact between wellbore and RSS PADS.
8. Keep 100 RPM and monitor for Lateral Vibs and SSLIP. If necessary, reduce
Inst ROP (80 to 70%) to improve steering action per meter drilled, the
more cycles achieved in less footage the better the steering control.
9. Drill one stand using controlled parameters and evaluate Survey
output, Compare and record offset from dynamic reading s and
 Survey Data, use the new offset values to set parameters in the new
stand. If necessary, increase to 90.6 to 90.8 Inc.

Scenario 2:
Using the same wellbore/BHA and information from Scenario 1; Geo-steering
indicates that wellbore has been moving down in structure slowly and that current
bed dip is calculated at 89.9°, but nearing the base of the target window and they
would like to come up 2m in TVD over the next 150m (492 ft 5.5 Stands).
Answer 2:
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1. Assuming Last Svy Inc: 89.6° and Constant Azm 100°
2. We need to build above bed dip ASAP, so the next Svy station is
projected to be 90.5°.
3. The new settings for PD will have to be increased to 91.3° on
static values.
4. Evaluate new parameters in the next 2 stations and increase to
91.8°. Record new offset between dynamic readings and Svy
values.
5. If necessary, increase PD Inc Setting to 92.3°, to achieve a 91.5
deg in Svy station.
6. These calculations were made going up 2m in 150 m course
length. Using Minimum curvature method and Lubinsky DLS.
7. The DLS required is less than 1°/30m which is a conservative
value to keep a smooth trajectory.
8. In case they want to come down in inclination again parallel to
bed dip it will be required 1.6°/30m in one stand, worst case
scenario.

Measure
Vertical Dogleg
d
No Course Inclination Azimuth Northings Eastings
. Length (°) (°) Depth (ft) (ft) Rate
Depth
(ft) (°/100ft)
(ft)
2 90.00 4000.00 89.60 100.00 1595.53 -380.08 2409.83
3 90.00 4090.00 90.50 100.00 1595.45 -395.70 2498.47 1.000
4 90.00 4180.00 90.50 100.00 1594.66 -411.33 2587.10 0.000
5 90.00 4270.00 91.00 100.00 1593.49 -426.96 2675.72 0.556
6 90.00 4360.00 91.50 100.00 1591.52 -442.58 2764.33 0.556
7 4450.00 91.50 100.00 1589.17 -458.21 2852.93 0.000
 Measure Vertical Dogleg
No Course d Inclination Azimuth Northings Eastings
. Length Depth (°) (°) Depth (ft) (ft) Rate
(m) (ft) (°/30m)
2 27.44 1219.51 89.60 100.00 486.44 -380.08 2409.83
3 27.44 1246.95 90.50 100.00 486.42 -395.70 2498.47 1.000
4 27.44 1274.39 90.50 100.00 486.18 -411.33 2587.10 0.000
5 27.44 1301.83 91.00 100.00 485.82 -426.96 2675.72 0.556
6 27.44 1329.27 91.50 100.00 485.22 -442.58 2764.33 0.556
7 1356.71 91.50 100.00 484.50 -458.21 2852.93 0.000

CL 150m Delta TVD 2m

Scenario 3:
Drilling a 171mm 3-D curve with a bent-housing motor BHA (1.83° ABH). Motor
output has been consistent and sliding performance has been reasonable.
The last 3 slides have been holding a consistent 40°R tool face as desired, and
surveys have been coming up showing a calculated tool face of 35°R. Next survey
shows similar motor output but zero turn and a calculated tool face of 0°.
Explain possible reasoning for the change in calculated tool face and proposed path
forward:
Answer 3:
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1. The obvious answer will be that the slide was not done properly and most
of the time the Tool face was pointing towards High Side, however the motor
yield was consistent with the footage drilled.
2. The second option could be a Formation tendency pushing towards left-up,
however the turn expected was cancelled by the formation effect, and the
remaining build was associated to the combination of steering footage plus
Formation tendency.
3. The third option could be over torque of Adjustable Bend Housing while
drilling; to be honest this never has happened to me in the field, but it is still
a possibility.
4. To achieve this type of effect the mud motor must be submitted to high
differential pressure (stalls) which means high downhole TQ, some motor
5in models can reach up to 10 – 12 klbf-ft Downhole TQ (Max Stall TQ),
this value is comparable with the TQ applied to 3 ½ IF Con Threads. If this is
the case the next slide should be done considering, the new scribe line offset
“calculated”.
Scenario 4
Identify possible dysfunction/optimization opportunities from the screenshot and
explain possible mitigation strategies.
Answer 4:
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1. From the chart above we can observe the WOB is oscillating heavily up to
10klbf, this effect is replicated by the differential pressure and
consequential in the TQ.
2. It is very likely that the tools are been submitted to high SSLIP levels, so
this is a torsional dysfunction. This dysfunction can lead to other problems
like poor directional performance in RSS assemblies.
3. In this case I will try to increase surface and downhole RPM, by
increasing Top Drive rotary speed and Flow, decrease WOB to 50% and
perform a step test increasing WOB 2 to 5 klbf every 8 -10 min, this is a
good procedure to identify the founder point.
4. Additionally, it is important to double check setting for auto drillers
sensitivity, sometimes the time constant is too high, so the system tries to
 reach setpoints (WOB, ROP, TQ) in a short period of time creating
external oscillations (resonant intervals) in the drilling system.

Supplemental Information and Datasheets:

RSS Specifications PD
Some mud motors applicable to this BHA
Motor Model Flow Range Max RPM Factor Speed Range
(gpm) Differential
Pressure (psi)
5.00" Atlas 150 -350 1700 0.800 120-280
6:7 Lobe 6.4
Stage
Evenwall
5.00" Atlas 200-400 1400 0.522 105 -210
7:8 Lobe 5.7
Stage Hard
Rubber
5.25" Atlas 150 – 400 2050 0.68 102 -272
6:7 Lobe 8.8
Stage Hard
Rubber
5.76" Atlas 150 -400 2050 0.68 102-272
6:7 Lobe 8.8
Stage Hard
Rubber