Master of Petroleum Engineering

DIRECTIONAL DRILLING

Directional Drilling
What is directional Drilling?
Purpose of Directional Wells
Coordinate Systems
Types of Trajectories & Trajectory Planning
Survey Calculation Methods
Survey Tools
Deflection Tools
Bottom hole Assemblies
2

What is directional Drilling?

It is the process of directing a wellbore
along some trajectory to a
predetermined target.
Basically it refers to drilling in a nonvertical direction, although directional
techniques are required to keep a
vertical well vertical.
Examples: Slanted holes, high angle holes (far from
vertical), Extended Reach Holes, and Horizontal holes.
3

Purpose of Directional Wells

Inaccessible locations
Natural or artificial barriers preclude the access from the
vertical of the target.

Relief wells
Technique used to combat a blowing up well. The relief
well reaches an area close to where the gas is entering
the well and mud with adequate weight is pumped to kill
the well.

Purpose of Directional Wells contd

Natural directional wells
To take advantage of the natural tendency of certain
formations to reach the target with lower cost (vertical
too expensive)

Horizontal wells
In thin formations, horizontal wells increase the area
exposed to flow, increasing production

Purpose of Directional Wells contd

Sidetrack
Change in the original trajectory due to pieces of metal
or that couldnt be recovered by fishing operation.

Geothermal Wells
Geothermal reservoirs can reach temperatures of 370 C,
and are used to generate steam from water pumped
from surface

Purpose of Directional Wells contd

Purpose of Directional Wells contd

Typical offshore
development
platform with
directional wells.

Purpose of Directional Wells contd

Sidetracking around an
unrecoverable fish

Global & Local Coordinate System

Global Coordinate System
Need to locate rigs and targets in a region
Latitude & Longitude (arcs from circles)
Lambert (conic projection)
UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator)

Local Coordinate System

Referenced to a known point (normally the
rotary table or the wellhead ad ML)

10

Projections

11

UTM Coordinate System

Cylindrical Projection
60 horizontal (transverse) projections of 6
of width
X coordinate at the central meridian of
each zone equals to 500,000 m
Y coordinates at the equator equals to
0 m in the northern hemisphere
10,000,000 in the southern hemisphere
12

UTM Coordinate System contd

13

UTM Coordinate System contd

Rectangular (conformal)
grid extremely accurate
to the centimeter
(military purposes)
Example:
Rig
XA = 135,800.00 m
YA = 2,251,220.00 m
Target
XB = 137,600.00 m
YB = 2,253,420.00 m

14

Relative Coordinates
Rotary table (onshore) or Wellhead
(offshore) are assumed as the origin of a
rectangular horizontal coordinate systems
oriented with respect to the geographical
directions.
Y-axis points to Geographical North
X-axis points to Geographical East

15

Relative Coordinates contd

Relative coordinate of point
B (target) with respect to
point A (rig)
e = XB XA
n = YB YA
Example:
e = 1,800.00 m
n = 2,200.00 m

16

Polar (Relative) Coordinates

The distance from A to B is
d = 2,842.53m (horizontal departure)
and the angle that the line connecting A to B makes with
the North axis is
= 39.2864

p
d = e2 + n2

= arctan
use ?

e
n

Polar Relative Coordinates are important in the project of the trajectory.

17

Well Trajectory Coord. System

Measured Depth
from the rotary table
Inclination
from vertical
Azimuth
clockwise from geographical North
18

Well Trajectory Coord. System contd

N

f
E

MD

V
19

Azimuth and Quadrant

Azimuth: clockwise from
North (0to 360)
Quadrant degrees from
North or South towards
East or West

322.1250
N37.8750W

29.0546
N29.0546E

113.9625
S63.0345E
228.8141
S48.8141W

20

10

Basic Types of 2D-Directional Wells

Build and Hold
Build, Hold, and Drop (S-type)
Build, Hold, and partial Drop
Continuous Build

21

Basic Types of 2D-Directional Wells contd

22

11

Other 2D-Directional Wells

Catenary
Natural shape of a drillstring suspended at the rotary table and the
target

Double Build (horizontal wells)

Reverse Double Build (horizontal well with
short horizontal departure)

23

Complex 3D-Directional Wells

Design Wells
Multi target wells
Constrains in Inclination and/or azimuth at the
target

Software applications like 3D3 to design

the trajectory
Double circle
Continuous Cubic
Spline in Tension
24

12

Elements of Design
BUR, DOR, DLS = curvature c
Radius of curvature (r)

r=

180
c

Build Up Rate
Drop Off Rate
Dog Leg Severity

Example: BUR = 3/100ft

180
r=
= 1; 909:86 ft
(3=100)

25

Elements of Design contd

Total Vertical Depth (TVD) of Target
Horizontal Departure of Target
KOP and DOP
Kick Off Point, Drop Off Point

Max Inclination
Various Design Constraints
26

13

Planning a 2D Directional
Well Trajectory
Rig UTM coordinated
Target UTM coordinated
Target Depth
Determine:
Relative East coord. of target (e)
Relative North coord. of target (n)
Horizontal departure of target (d)
27

Planning a 2D Directional Well Trajectory contd

N
n
R

v
V
28

14

Planning a Build & Hold Trajectory

In addition to e, n, and d, two out of the
following three parameters must be set,
and the third is calculated:
KOP
BUR
Max Inclination

29

Elements to determine the KOP, given

Maximum Inclination (q) and BUR

Planning a Build
& Hold Trajectory
18000
180 ?
p ?BUR
X3
tan q =
\ D3 - a = X 3 cot q
D3 - a
q a - D1
q
tan =
\ a - D1 = r tan
2
r
2
adding the two exppressions yields :
q
D3 - D1 = X 3 cot q + r tan
2
or
q
D1 = D3 - X 3 cot q - r tan
2
r=

Given:
Max. Inclination
BUR

D1

a
D2

O
q/2
q

D3

Calculate KOP

T
X2
X3

30

15

Planning a Build & Hold Trajectory

Calculate KOP

r=

180
c

D1 = D3 X3 cot r tan

31

Elements to determine the Maximum Inclination(q),

given KOP and BUR

Planning a Build &

Hold Trajectory

(valid for D 3>D1)

d 2 = ( D3 - D1 ) 2 + ( X 3 - r ) 2
s 2 = ( D3 - D1 ) 2 + X 32
from DKOT : s 2 = r 2 + d 2 - 2rd cos(f )

Given:
KOP
BUR

D1

D2

O
q

Calculate Max. Inclination

D3

? r 2 + d 2 - s2 ?
??
from DEOT : f = arccos??
2rd
?
?
r
cos(f - q ) =
d
?r ?
f - q = arccos? ?
?d ?
? r 2 + d 2 - s2 ?
?r ?
q = arccos??
?? - arccos? d ?
2rd
? ?
?
?

= 90+arcsin

= arccos

T
X2
X3

32

16

Planning a Build & Hold Trajectory

Calculate Max Inclination

d=

max

(D3 D1 )2 + (X3 r)2

r X3
= arc os
arccos r
d
d

33

Elements to determine the BUR, given KOP

and Maximum Inclination (q)

Planning a Build
& Hold Trajectory
tan q =

Given:
KOP
Max. Inclination

D1

a
D2

D3

q a - D1
q
=
\ a - D1 = r tan
2
r
2
adding the two exppressions yields :
q
D3 - D1 = X 3 cot q + r tan
2
D - D1 - X 3 cot q
r= 3
q
tan
2
18000
BUR =
p ?r
tan

q/2

Calculate BUR

X3
\ D3 - a = X 3 cot q
D3 - a

= =

180
?

T
X2
X3

34

17

Planning a Build & Hold Trajectory

Calculate BUR

D3 D1 X3 cot max
r=
tan max
2

c=

180
r

35

Planning a Build, Hold & Drop Trajectory

In addition to e, n, and d, four out of the
following five parameters must be set, and
the fifth is calculated:
KOP
BUR
Max Inclination
DOR
EOD (vertical end of drop)

36

18

Elements to determine the Maximum Inclination

(q), given BUR and DOR
(valid for D 4>D1)

Planning a Build, Hold

& Drop Trajectory

a = D 4 - D1

D1

r1
D2

Given:
KOP
BUR
DOR
EOD (vertical D4)

b = X 5 - (r1 + r2 )

O1

d = a 2 + b2

b
b
= arcsin
d
d
r1 + r2
r +r
cos =
= arccos 1 2
d
d
+ = 90 +

sin =

D3

D4

r +r
b
= 90 + arcsin - arccos 1 2
d
d

B
a

D5
d

Calculate Max.
Inclination

O2

r2

T
X2
X3
X5

37

Planning a Build, Hold & Drop Trajectory

Calculate Max Inclination

r1 =
a = D4 D1

180
c1

r2 =

b = X5 (r1 + r2 )

180
c2
d=

a 2 + b2

b
r + r2
max = 90 + arcsin d arccos 1
d

38

19

Planning a Build, Hold & Partial Drop

Trajectory
In addition to e, n, and d, five out of the
following six parameters must be set, and
the sixth is calculated:
KOP
BUR
Max Inclination
DOR
Hang Length
Hang Inclination (q2)
39

Elements to determine the Maximum

Inclination, given KOP, BUR, and Hang
Inclination

Planning a Build, Hold &

Partial Drop Trajectory

(valid for D4>D1)

D1

r1

Coordinates of point A :
D A = D5 - s cos q 2

O1

Given:
KOP
BUR
DOR
Hang Length s
Hang Inclination q2

X A = X 5 - s sin q 2
Coordinates of point B :
DB = DA + r2 sin q 2
X B = X A + r2 (1 - cos q 2 )

DA

DB

D5

A
q-q2

r2
q2
B

O2

Calculate Max.
Inclination

q2

XA
XB
X5

40

20

Planning a Build, Hold & Partial Drop Trajectory

Calculate Max Inclination

DB = D5 s cos 2 + r2 sin 2
XB = X5 s sin 2 + r2 (1 cos 2 )

With DB and XB , use results for Build, Hold, and Drop Trajectory

41

Planning a Double Build Trajectory

(Horizontal Wells)
In addition to e, n, and d, four out of the
following five parameters must be set, and
the fifth is calculated:
KOP
1st BUR
Slant Inclination
2nd BUR
Length of Horizontal Segment

42

21

Elements to determine the Slant Inclination, given

KOP, Horizontal length, 1st BUR, and 2nd BUR

Planning a Double
Build Trajectory

(valid for D4-D1>r2)

a = D 4 - D1 - r2
b = X 4 - r1
d = a 2 + b2

D1

Given:
KOP
1st BUR
2nd BUR
Length Horz.
Segment

b
b
= arcsin
d
d
r -r
r -r
cos = 1 2 = arccos 1 2
d
d
1 + = 90 +
sin =

r1-r2

D2

O1

r1
q

b
r -r
1 = 90 + arcsin - arccos 1 2
d
d
2 = 90 - 1

D3
D4
a

O2
A

r2
q2

Calculate Slant
Inclination

T
b

X3

43

X4
X5

Planning a Double Build Trajectory (Horizontal Wells)

Calculate Slant Inclination
a = D 4 D 1 r2

b = X 4 r1

1 = 90 + arcsin

d=

a2 + b

b
r r2
arccos 1
d
d

2 = 90 1

44

22

Planning a Reverse Double Build Trajectory

(Horizontal Wells)
In addition to e, n, and d, four out of the
following five parameters must be set, and
the fifth is calculated:
KOP
1st BUR
Slant Inclination
2nd BUR
Length of Horizontal Segment

45

Elements to determine the Slant Inclination, given

KOP, Horizontal length, 1st BUR, and 2nd BUR
(valid for D4-D1>r2)

Planning a Reverse
Double Build Trajectory

a = D 4 - D1 - r2
b = X 4 + r1
D1

d = a 2 + b2

O1

b
b
= arcsin
d
d
r +r
r +r
cos = 1 2 = arccos 1 2
d
d
1 + + = 90

D2

Given:
KOP
1st BUR
2nd BUR
Length Horz.
Segment

sin =

D3

r1

r +r
b
1 = 90 - arcsin - arccos 1 2
d
d
2 = 90 + 1
a

D4

r2

q2

O2

Calculate Slant
Inclination

T
X4
b

X5

46

23

Planning a Reverse Double Build Trajectory

(Horizontal Wells)
Calculate Slant Inclination
p
a = D 4 D 1 r2 b = X 4 + r1 d = a 2 + b2

1 = 90 arcsin

b
r + r2
arccos 1
d
d

2 = 90 + 1

47

Plan View
Although the trajectory plan is a 2D plan, it
is, in fact, a 3D object
Two Views are needed:
A Vertical Projection
A Horizontal Projection
(the same projections are used to monitor the well trajectory during drilling)

48

24

Plan View Vertical & Horizontal Projections

N

R
E

V
49

Lead Angle
N

T
target
azimuth

lead
angle

50

25

Example 1: Design of
Directional Well
Design a directional well with the following
restrictions:
Depth to kickoff point (KOP) = 2,500 ft
Total horizontal departure = 4,500 ft
True vertical depth (TVD) = 12,500 ft
Rate of build of hole angle = 1.5 deg/100 ft

51

Example 1: Design of Directional Well

Use a Build & Hold Trajectory
1) Determine the maximum hole angle
(inclination) required.
2) What is the total measured depth of the
hole (MD)?

52

26

Ex 1: Solution
Elements to determine the Maximum Inclination(q),
given KOP and BUR
(valid for D 3>D1)

D1 = 2,500 ft
D3 = 12,500 ft (TVD)

d 2 = ( D3 - D1 ) 2 + ( X 3 - r ) 2
s 2 = ( D3 - D1 ) 2 + X 32

X3 = 4,500 ft (horizontal departure)

from DKOT : s 2 = r 2 + d 2 - 2rd cos(f )

D1

BUR = 1.5/100 ft
D2

180
r=
c

? r 2 + d 2 - s2 ?
?r ?
q = arccos??
?? - arccos? d ?
2rd
? ?
?
?

D3

p
d = (D3 D1 )2 + (X3 r)2
max = arccos

O
q

? r 2 + d 2 - s2 ?
from DEOT : f = arccos??
??
2rd
?
?
r
cos(f - q ) =
d
?r ?
f - q = arccos? ?
?d ?

r X3
r
arccos
d
d

T
X2
X3

53

Ex 1: Solution contd
r=

d=

180
= 3819:72 ft

(1:5=100)

DV1

L1

(12500 2500) + (4500 3819:72)

L2

DV2

qmax

d = 10023:11 ft
DH1

max

qmax

DH2

3819:72 4500
3819:72
= arccos
arccos
10023:11
10023:11

max = 26:3
54

27

Ex 1: Solution contd
With the Maximum Inclination determined, all
other geometrical parameters can be obtained:
Length of curved Section:

q
26 .26
L1 = max =
= 1752 .67 ft
BUR 1 .5 / 100 ft

DV1

qmax

L1

Vertical Advance:

D V1 = r sin q max = 3819 . 72 sin 26 .29 = 1691 .81 ft

L2

DV2

qmax
DH1

Horizontal Advance:

DH2

D H 1 = r (1 - cos q max ) = 3819 .72 (1 - cos 26 .29 ) = 395 .10 ft

55

Ex 1: Solution contd
Vertical Advance in Slant Section:

D V 2 = TVD - KOP - D V1 = 12500 - 2500 - 1691 .81 = 8308 .19 ft

Horizontal Advance in Slant Section :

D H 2 = D V 2 tan q max = 8308 .19 tan 26 .29 = 4104 . 36 ft

Length of Slant Section:

L2 =

D V2
8308 .19
=
= 9266 .70 ft
cos q max cos 26.29

DV1

L1

qmax
r
L2

DV2

qmax
DH1

DH2

56

28

Ex 1: Solution contd

=KOP

Measured Depth (M.D.)

of a well is the Length
along the trajectory

DV1

L1

qmax
r
L2

DV2

qmax
DH1

DH2

MD = KOP + L1 + L 2 = 2500 + 1752.67 + 9266.70 = 13, 519 ft

57

Directional Drilling Tools

and Procedures
Drill the vertical (upper) section of the
hole.
Select the proper tools for kicking off to a
non-vertical direction.
Orient tool to the right direction
Build angle gradually
Monitor The drilled Trajectory
58

29

Directional Tools
Whipstocks
Jet Bits
Downhole Motors and Bent subs
Bottom Hole Assembly Engineering

59

Whipstocks

Standard retrievable

Circulating

Permanent Casing

60

30

Open hole Whipstocks

61

Cased hole Whipstocks

62

31

Jetting Bit
Fast and economical
For soft formation
One large - two small
nozzles
Orient large nozzle
Spud periodically
No rotation at first

63

Jetting Bit contd

64

32

Mud Motors
Uses the Hydraulic
Energy of the Drilling
Fluid to Power a Rotor
that Turns the Bit
Positive Displacement
Motors (PDM)

65

Mud Motors contd

66

33

Mud Motors contd

Drillpipe
Non-magnetic
Drill Collar
Bent Sub
Mud Motor
Rotating
Sub

67

Mud Motors contd

Three Point Geometry
(for small )

L + L2
R 1
2 sin

68

34

Deflecting the Wellbore Trajectory

0
High Side

270

(looking down the hole)

90

Low Side

180
69

Steering Tools
Used with mud motors and bent sub
Can either pull every stand or use a side
entry sub for continuous drilling
Drillstring cannot be rotated (use only with
downhole motors) (may be wrong, the drill
string can rotate, see lecture notes p161163)

70

35

Steering Tools- Point-the-bit

71

Steering Tools- Push-the-bit

A lateral force acted

on the bit

72

36

Stabilized BHA
Increasing Inclination
Limber assembly
Near bit stabilizer
Weight on bit forces
DC to bend to low side
of hole.
Bit face kicks up

73

Stabilized BHA contd

Hold Inclination
Stiff assembly
Control bit weight and
RPM
Packed hole assembly

74

37

Stabilized BHA contd

Decrease Inclination
Pendulum effect
Gravity pulls bit
downward
No near bit stabilizer

75

Typical Holding BHAs

76

38

Typical Dropping-off BHAs

77

Typical Building-up BHAs

78

39

Directional Drilling Measurements

Technological barrier to direct measurement of
bit position during drilling
Need to relate measured depth (MD) with local
coordinates of the trajectory

vi = vMDi

ni = nMDi
e = eMD
i
i
79

Directional Drilling Monitoring

Indirect trajectory monitoring from frequent
measurement of
Measured Depth at various points (stations) of the
trajectory while drilling
Inclination of the wellbore at every station
Azimuth of the wellbore at every station

Use of a dead reckoning method to

calculate the trajectory

80

40

Directional Drilling Monitoring contd

Measure and Setting the Tool-face for
trajectory orienting when:
Drilling with a whipstock
Drilling with jetting bits
Drilling with downhole motors and bent sub or
bent housing

81

Directional Drilling Monitoring contd

Several Tools Available:
Single-shot (magnetic or gyroscopic)
Multi-shot (magnetic or gyroscopic)
Electro/Electronic Sensors (magnetometers,
accelerometers) (MWD, LWD, Steering-tool)
Measurements are made as close as possible to the bit

82

41

Directional Drilling Monitoring contd

Single-shots and Multi-shots
Information (measurements) are recorded
photographically or mechanically and recorder
is retrieved to the surface for reading

MWD, LWD
Information are sent to surface by telemetry
(pressure pulses inside drillstring)

Steering-tool (seldom used nowadays)

Information are sent by electric cables
83

Magnetic Instruments
Magnetic compasses use the Earth
magnetic field and sensitive to magnetic
interference coming from the drillstring.
Requires the use of a length of Nonmagnetic drill collars
Cannot be used in cased sections of the
hole

84

42

Magnetic Instruments contd

85

Inclination angle

Magnetic Instruments contd

86

43

Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument

Records
inclination
direction
tool face position
on sensitized paper or photographic film

Inclination may be determined by

a float on a liquid
a pendulum
87

Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument contd

Unit may be triggered by:
clock timer.
inertial timer (after stop).

Unit may be dropped (pumped down) and

later retrieved by wireline or the drillpipe.

88

44

Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument contd

Single-shot instruments are used:
to monitor progress of directional-control well.
to monitor progress of deviation-control well.
to help orient tool face for trajectory change.

89

Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument contd

Procedure:
load film into instrument
activate timer (activate stopwatch)
make up the tool
drop the tool
retrieve tool (wireline or drillpipe)

90

45

Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument contd

Light
Housing
Center Post
Float
Fluid
Reference Mark

Main Frame
Photographic Disc
o

A. 0-20
Angle-Compass Unit

B. 0-70
Angle-Compass Unit
91

Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument contd

Hole direction
with reference
to Magnetic
North
o

N35 W
o
I = 5.5

92

46

Wire Line Socket

Overshot

Rope Socket
Swivel
Stabilizer
Stabilizer
Fingers

Typical
magnetic
single-shot
tool with
landing sub.

Protective Case
Orienting
Anchor & Plug
Mule Shoe
Mandrel
Bottom Hole
Orienting Sub

Bottom Landing Assembly

Takes time. Rig time is costly. Temperature limitation. May have to pump down.

Ready to
be Dropped

Free Falling
to Bottom

Tool
seated

Retrieve
single shot

Typical single-shot operation.

47

Fishing Neck
Non Magnetic Collar

Top View

Single Shot

Direction of Tool
Face Via Bent Sub

Mule Shoe Orienting Sub

Orienting Sleeve Lined up with Bent Sub so to get azimuth
Bent Sub
Mud Motor

Mule Shoe Key

Position

New Centerline

Arrangement of the
mule shoe for
orienting a mud motor
Existing
Centerline

to desired azimuth

Magnetic Single-Shot
Instrument contd

Single-shot
Running Gear
UBHO Running
Gear
(Universal Bottom Hole
Orientation Package)

96

48

Magnetic Single-Shot
Instrument contd

Mule-Shoe

97

Magnetic Multi-Shot Instrument

Are capable of taking numerous survey
records in one run.
The unit contains a watch that is spring
wound and uses the power of the spring to
operate a timer cam.

98

49

Magnetic Multi-Shot Instrument contd

The multi-shot tool is usually dropped
down the drillpipe and landed in the
nonmagnetic drill collar.
During the trip out, a survey is taken every
90 ft, i.e. every stand.

99

Magnetic Multi-Shot Instrument contd

100

50

Use of the
surface
watch while
running a
magnetic
multi-shot
operation.

Synchronize with instrument watch by

starting at the instant camera lights go on.

Magnetic Declination
Difference between the magnetic North
and the Geographic North
Isogonic Maps (same angles)
To obtain Geographic Azimuth:
Degrees East (add to Mag. Azimuth)
Degrees West (subtract from Mag. Azimuth)

102

51

103

Magnetic Declination

Example:
The magnetic
declination in Campos
Basin area in Brazil is
21W. Therefore one
should subtract 21
from any magnetic to
obtain the geographic
azimuth
104

52

Gyroscopic Tools
Gyroscope tools are
not affected by
magnetic sources

105

Gyroscopic Tools contd

Gyroscope tend to keep
its axis oriented to a fixed
direction in space.
Although not sensitive to
magnetic fields, gyro
measurements must be
corrected for the
movement of rotation of
Earth and for
imperfections in the
bearing system.

106

53

Geosteering System
These devices sense the
direction of rotation of the
Earth to orient their axis
with the Geographic
North (North seeking)
Gyroscope axis, if kept to
remain horizontal, the
earth rotation 1 will
generate a vertical torque
3 which orients the well
axis toward the North
Too Bulky.
107

MWD Measure While Drilling

Information sent to surface by pressure
pulses along the drillstring
Reduces waiting time
Higher information Density
Requires single-phase drilling fluid (liquid)
or parasitic pipe for UBD.

108

54

MWD Measure While Drilling contd

109

MWD Measure While Drilling contd

Electro
Magnetic
Telemetry

110

55

Survey Calculation
Process to obtain approximate coordinates
of points along the trajectory, starting from
a known point at the surface
Dead Reckoning: new position calculated
from the previous one based on the
distance drilled and measurements of
inclination and azimuth
Several Methods
111

Survey Calculation contd

Each method must make some
assumptions about how the trajectory is
recreated from the measurements.
There is no better method although some
are more reasonable than others
Non-informed methods (Mercury uses
some information about the tool)

112

56

Survey Calculation contd

No systematic way to measure accuracy
of the methods
Directional Well drilled in the border of
Grand Canyon
Minimum Curvature Method considered
the most accurate by industry
Survey density affect accuracy

113

Survey Calculation Methods

Average angle
Vector averaging
Radius of curvature
Minimum curvature
Tangential
Acceleration
Balanced tangential
Trapezoidal
Mercury
Circular arc
114

57

Survey Calculation Methods

Known point of the trajectory (P0)
Rotary table (onshore and fixed offshore)
Wellhead (floating offshore)
Any other point considered known
m0
q
0
f
P0 = 0
v0
no

e0

measured depth

(usually 0)

inclinatio n
azimuth
true vertical depth

(usually 0)
not defined for q = 0
(usually 0)

north( + )/south(-) coord.

east( + )/west(-) coord.

(usually 0)
(usually 0)
115

Survey Calculation Methods

From any known point PA (including P0), a
length of well is drilled and at measured
depth mB, a survey is run and inclination
qB and azimuth fB are obtained.
Now we have
station A:
mA qA fA vA nA eA
station B:
mB qB fB vB nB eB
(vB, nB, eB are shown in dark color because their values are, by now, not known)
116

58

Well Position and Well Unit Vectors

The coordinates v, n, and e of a station defines a vector
P given by

P = (v, n, e)
The Inclination q and Azimuth f known at a station
defines a tangent unit vector to the well trajectory w
whose components are given by

wv = cos q

w = wv , wn , we wn = sin q cos f
w = sin q sin f
Pointing to the drilling direction
e
117

Well Position and Well Unit Vectors contd

N

sin

sincosf

P
E

sinsinf

w
w=1

cos

118

59

Average Angle Method

Uses the angles measured at both the top and
bottom of the course length in such a fashion
that the average of the two sets of measured
angles is the assumed inclination and direction.
The borehole survey is then calculated
tangentially using these averaged angles over
the course length.
Average of azimuth may lead to errors:
fA = 40 and fB = 48 fave = 44
OK!
fA = 358 and fB = 6 fave = 182 NO!
-2
119

Average Angle Method contd

If Dm = mB mA is the measured distance between
stations A and B, the coordinates of station B is
given adding the components of the vector
Dm w
to the coordinates of station A, that is
PB = PA + Dm w
Where w is the unit vector calculated at the average
inclination and average azimuth of stations A and B
120

60

Average Angle Method contd

In formulas
q +q
q +q
f +f
q +q
f +f

D m w = D m cos A B , sin A B cos A B , sin A B sin A B

2
2
2
2
2

Dm = m B - m A

qA +qB
2
q +q
f +f
n B = n A + D m sin A B cos A B
2
2
q +q
f +f
eB = e A + D m sin A B sin A B
2
2
v B = v A + D m cos

121

Average Angle Method Example

The coordinates of a station A in a wellbore are:
vA = 3000 ft (depth)
nA = 2000 ft (northing)
eA = 1000 ft (easting)
At this station, a wellbore survey shows that the
inclination is 15from vertical, and the azimuth is
45. The measured distance between this station
and the next station B is 300 ft and the inclination at
B is 25and the azimuth at B is 65.
Calculate vB, nB, and eB.
122

61

Average Angle Method Solution

Dm = 300 ft
v B = v A + D m cos

qA +qB
2

v B = 3000 + 300 cos

n B = n A + D m sin

qA + qB
f +f
cos A B
2
2

n B = 2000 + 300 sin

eB = e A + D m sin

15 + 25
= 3281 .91 ft
2

15 + 25
45 + 65
cos
= 2058 .85 ft
2
2

qA + qB
f +f
sin A B
2
2

e B = 1000 + 300 sin

15 + 25
45 + 65
sin
= 1084 .04 ft
2
2

123

Average Vector Method

Like average angles method, assumes
trajectory connecting two points is a straight
line with length Dm.
Unit displacement vector:
Magnitude of resulting vector sum:
is the angle between two vectors

Inner, dot, scalar product

Displacement vector:
124

62

Average Vector Method contd

In formulas

= arccos cos q A cos q B + sin q A sin q B cos f A - f B

Dm = m B - m A
Dm
cos q A + cos q B
vB = v A +
2 cos 2
Dm
sin q A cos f A + sin q B cos f B
nB = n A +
2 cos 2
eB = e A +

Dm
sin q A sin f A + sin q B sin f B
2 cos 2

125

Radii of Curvature Method

Uses the sets of angles measured at the top and
bottom of the course length to generate a space
curve (representing the borehole path) that
develops as a circular arc on the surface of a
vertical cylinder (a helicoid) passing through the
measured angles at both the upper and lower
ends of the measured course.
Difference of azimuths may lead to errors:
fA = 40 and fB = 48 fB-fA = 8
OK!
fA = 358 and fB = 6 fB-fA = -352 NO!
126

63

Radii of Curvature Method contd

N

rH

fB-fA

PA
qA

Dv
Dm
PB
qB

Dh

127

Radii of Curvature Method contd

Dm
rV =
qB -qA

qi-1

(q in radians! )

qi

rv
qi-qi-1

Pi-1

D v = rV sin q B - sin q A
Dmi

Dvi

D h = - rV cos q B - cos q A
Pi
Dhi

128

64

Radii of Curvature Method contd

Dh
rH =
fB - f A

Pi
Dhi

(f in radians! )

Dni

Pi-1

D n = rH sin f B - sin f A

Dei

rH

rH

D e = - rH cos f B - cos f A

i-i-1

i-1

129

Radii of Curvature Method contd

rV =

Dm
qB -qA

D h = - rV cos q B - cos q A

rH =

Dh
fB - f A

v B = v A + rV sin q B - sin q A
n B = n A + rH sin f B - sin f A
e B = e A - rH cos f B - cos f A
130

65

Radii of Curvature Method contd

Special formulation must be used in case
either qA=qB or fA=fB (or both).
The change in inclination and the change
in azimuth are uncoupled (rV and rH).
Care must be exercised when the change
in azimuth is larger than 180.

131

Radii of Curv. Method Example

Calculate vB, nB, and eB for the data of the previous
example (Average Angles Method) using the Radii of
Curvature Method.
Solution:

rV =

Dm
qB -qA

D h = rV cos q A - cos q B
rH =

Dh
fB - f A

rV =

300
= 1718.87 ft
( 25 - 15) (p / 180)

Dh = 1718 .87 cos 15 - cos 25 = 102 .48 ft

rH =

102 .48
= 293 .57 ft
(65 - 45) (p / 180 )
132

66

Radii of Curv. Method Example

v B = v A + rV sin q B - sin q A

v B = 3000 + 1718 .87 sin 25 - sin 15 = 3281 .55 ft

n B = n A + rH sin f B - sin f A

n B = 2000 + 293 .57 sin 65 - sin 45 = 2058 .50 ft

e B = e A - rH cos f B - cos f A

e B = 1000 - 293.57 cos 65 - cos 45 = 1083.52 ft

133

Minimum Curvature Method

Uses the sets of angles measured at the top and
bottom of the course length to establish
coordinate velocities through which a space
curve (which represents the calculated path of
the borehole) passes in a manner that minimizes
its total curvature.
In fact the final path is an arc in the 3D space
with length equal to the distance between the
stations.

134

67

Minimum Curvature Method contd

Well Unit vectors:
w A = (cos q A , sin q A cos f A , sin q A sin f A )
w B = (cos q B , sin q B cos f B , sin q B sin f B )

Angle b between the two well unit vectors:

cos b = w A w B

b = arccos[cos q A cos q B + sin q A sin q B cos(f A - f B )]

135

Minimum Curvature Method contd

An arc of circle of angle b and length Dm has radius
or curvature r given by

r=

Dm
b

( b in radians! )

The secant of the arc bisects the two well unit

vectors, and its length is

S = 2 r sin

b
2

136

68

Minimum Curvature Method contd

The unit vector that bisects the two well unit vector
is
1

b=

2 cos

b
2

(w A + w B )

Therefore, the displacement vector from station A

to station B is
DP = Sb =

and

Dm
b
tan w A + w B
b
2

PB = P A + D P
137

Minimum Curvature Method contd

In terms of components
vB = v A +

Dm
b
tan cos q A + cos q B
b
2

nB = n A +

Dm
b
tan sin q A cos f A + sin q B cos f B
b
2

eB = e A +

Dm
b
tan sin q A sin f A + sin q B sin f B
b
2
138

69

Minimum Curvature Method Example

Calculate vB, nB, and eB for the data of the previous
example using the Minimum Curvature Method.
Solution:

b = arccos[cos q A cos q B + sin q A sin q B cos(f A - f B )]

b = arccos[cos 15 cos 25 + sin 15 sin 25 cos( 45 - 65 )] = 11 . 98 = 0 . 2091 rad

139

Minimum Curvature Method Example

vB = v A +

Dm
b
tan cos q A + cos q B
b
2

v B = 3000 +
nB = n A +

Dm
b
tan sin q A cos f A + sin q B cos f B
b
2

n B = 2000 +
eB = e A +

300
11 .98
cos 15 + cos 25 = 3281.85 ft
tan
0 .2091
2

300
11 .98
sin 15 cos 45 + sin 25 cos 65 = 2054.49 ft
tan
0 .2091
2

Dm
b
tan sin q A sin f A + sin q B sin f B
b
2

e B = 1000 +

300
11 .98
sin 15 sin 45 + sin 25 sin 65 = 1085.20 ft
tan
0 .2091
2
140

70

Dog-Leg Severity - DLS

The larger the Curvature, the shorter the Radius of
Curvature
R b = Dm

1
b
=
= curvature in radians/length
R Dm

Measure of the Curvature of the Trajectory Expressed in

/100ft or /30m

DLS ( / 100 ft) =

100 b ()
D m ( ft)

DLS ( / 30 m) =

30 b ()
D m ( m)
141

Dog-Leg Severity DLS contd

Serves to measure the
Curvature of a
Trajectory
And also the
Performance of a
Deflection Tool
(Whipstock, Jetting Bit,
PDM+Bent Sub)

142

71

Dog-Leg Severity - Example

Calculate the DLS of the Previous Examples
Solution:
Dm = 300 ft q A = 15 f A = 45 q B = 25 f B = 65

b = arccos[cos q A cos q B + sin q A sin q B cos(f A - f B )]

b = arccos[cos 15 cos 25 + sin 15 sin 25 cos( 45 - 65)] = 11.98
DLS =

11.98
= 3.99 / 100 ft
300 ft
143

Trajectory Change
Operation to change Inclination and/or Direction
Use of Deflection Tools
Orient the Tool Face with Respect to the H.S.
Current Data:

Inclination q
Azimuth f
DLS of the tool
Length of Correction Dm

144

72

Trajectory Change Example 1

A Whipstock is set at 705 m at 45at the left of high
side for a course Length of 10 m. The inclination
and direction are 7and N15W respectively.
Calculate the new inclination and new direction
after the operation. The whipstock delivers a
DLS=3/30m

145

Trajectory Change Example 1

b = DLS * Dm =

3
10 m = 1
30 m

q * = arccoscos q cos b - sin q sin b cos

sin tan b
Df = arctan
sin q + cos q tan b cos
f * = f + Df

q * = arccoscos 7 cos1 - sin 7 sin 1 cos 45 = 7.74

- sin 45 tan 1

Df = arctan
= -5.26
sin 7 + cos 7 tan 1 cos 45
f * = N15W - 5.26 = 345 - 5.26 = 339.74 = N 20.26W
146

73

Trajectory Change Example 2

Determine the tool face angle and the required
DLS for a jetting bit to go from azimuth 30to 10
and from inclination 3to 5in 60 ft.
Solution:
Overall Change of angle, b

b = arccos[cos q2 cosq1 + sin q2 sin q1 cos(f2 - f1 )]

b = arccos[cos 3 cos 5 + sin 3 sin 5 cos(10 - 30)] = 2.41
2.41 4.02
DLS =
=
60 ft 100 ft
147

Trajectory Change Example 2

cos =

cos q cos b - cos q *

sin q sin b

sin =

(cos b - cos q cos q *) tan D f

sin q sin b

b = 2.41
(in fact 2.4096784...)
cos 3 cos 2.41 - cos 5
cos =
= 0.705022
sin 3 sin 2.41
(cos 2.41 - cos 3 cos 5) tan(10 - 30)
sin =
= -0.708989
sin 3 sin 2.41
= 45 to the left of HS
148

74

Trajectory Change contd

What will be the New Inclination and New Direction?
(VECTOR APPROACH)
Calculate New Inclination q* and the change in Azimuth Df
Current Well Unit Vector:

w = (cos q , sin q cos f , sin q sin f )

Vertical Unit Vector :

v = (1,0 ,0 )
149

Trajectory Change contd

Final Azimuth: f* = f + Df
Rotate Coordinate System to Align with
Well (f=0 )
Calculate Df and restore Original System.
This simplifies Derivation

150

75

Trajectory Change contd

In the New System

w = (cos q , sin q , 0 )
v = (1,0 ,0 )

151

Trajectory Change contd

Side View of Hole

View Down the Hole

HS

HS

t
R

L
q

w
LS

LS

152

76

Trajectory Change contd

Need Horizontal Unit Vector

Need High Side Unit Vector

HS
u
u

HS

R
h

q
w
LS

LS

153

Trajectory Change contd

h = v x w / (sin q

h=

v w (1,0,0 ) (cos q , sin q , 0 )

=
= ( 0,0,1)
sin q
sin q

u=hxv

u = h v = ( 0 , 0 ,1) (cos q , sin q , 0 ) = ( - sin q , cos q , 0 )

154

77

Trajectory Change contd

HS

t = u cos h sin
+ = to the right of HS
- = to the left of HS

u
t

R
h

t = u cos h sin
t = ( - sin q , cos q , 0) cos (0,0,1) sin
t = ( - sin q cos , cos q cos , sin )

LS

155

Trajectory Change contd

Consider the Plane
Defined by the Well Unit
Vector w and the Tool
Face Unit Vector t.
Trajectory will Develop in
this plane as an Circle
Arc with radius r given by
the DLS of the Deflection
Tool, and Total Turn b
given by

b = DLS D m

W*

b
t
156

78

Trajectory Change contd

w* = w cos b + t sin b
W*

w
b
w* = w cos b + t sin b
w* = (cos q , sin q ,0) cos b + ( - sin q cos , cos q cos , sin ) sin b

w* = (cos q cos b - sin q cos sin b , sin q cos b + cos q cos sin b , sin sin b )

157

Trajectory Change contd

The components of the new Well Unit Vector w*
(after the deflection interval) are:

wv* = cos q cos b - sin q cos sin b

wn* = sin q cos b + cos q cos sin b
we* = sin sin b

158

79

Trajectory Change contd

In terms of q* and Df

wv* = cosq * = cos q cos b - sin q cos sin b

wn* = sin q * cos Df = sin q cos b + cos q cos sin b

we* = sin q * sin Df = sin sin b

159

Trajectory Change contd

Solving for q* and Df

q * = arccoscos q cos b - sin q sin b cos

sin tan b
Df = arctan
sin q + cos q tan b cos

New Azimuth

f * = f + Df
160

80

Trajectory Change contd

q * = arccos cos q cos b - sin q sin b cos

Solving for cos

cos =
and

cos q cos b - cos q *

sin q sin b

sin tan b
D f = arctan
sin q + cos q tan b cos

Solving for sin (and using expression for cos

sin =

(cos b - cos q cos q *) tan D f

sin q sin b

161

81