Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Issues

Directional Drilling

Selection of kick-off / sidetrack options

Deflection Methods
Alignments
Tool Orientation

Direction of sidetrack relative to original

hole

wellbore separation

Kick-off point selection

open hole
cased hole

formation hardness
stability
casing condition

Nudging needed ?

Sperry Drilling Services

2007

Sidetracking a Vertical Well

Kick-off / Sidetrack Options

survey stations

Open hole kick-off or sidetrack

from

kick-off / tie-on point

open hole bottom

cement plug
[off whipstock]

new wellbore
original wellbore

Cased hole sidetrack

through milled casing section, or
casing window (off whipstock)

TD
new target
no preference in direction

Deflection Tools

Sidetracking a Deviated Well

Preferred direction :
on low side of original wellbore

Rotary assembly :

Steerable assembly : - from open hole bottom

kick-off / tie-on point

survey stations

- Gilligan tool
- jetting

sidetrack,
new borehole

original wellbore

- from whipstock, set to

- cement plug, or
- packer
- via milled casing section

new target
TD

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

Page 1

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

WOB

The Gilligan Tool

DC

Jetting Needs a Deflection Bit

Smith Tool
type BHDJ rock bit

stabilizer (optional)
Emergency method of deflection
The drillpipe bends under the WOB and
points the bit to an arbitrary direction

bending
1 joint of drillpipe

Stabilizers increase the effectiveness

near-bit stabilizer (optional) / bit sub

direction of deflection

Bit Displacement (1)

The Mechanism of Deflection with Bent Element

A bent element in the bottom hole assembly displaces the bit from the
borehole centerline

The bit displacement results in bit-borehole interference

Bent sub

Lateral distance from the BHA centerline to

the bit center

BD = Lt x sin [in]
Lt

The interference creates side force acting on the bit

The side force pushes the bit sideways, thus it drills axially and
laterally, too

As the assembly drills, the curvature of the wellbore is increasing until

the side force is significant

At equilibrium build rate (curvature) the side force becomes 0, and the
curvature is not increasing further

Bd

Lt

Lt (in) length from bend to bit

() bend angle

Bit Interference

Bd

Distance the bit would displace beyond the wall

of the wellbore if not constrained by formation.
Dh
Dm

_______________________________________
Example :
9 5/8 Sperry-Drill, 6/7 lobe, 5.0 stage
Lt = 129.4
= 1.5

BD = 129.4 x sin 1.5 = 3.39 in

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

9 5/8 Sperry-Drill, 6/7 lobe, 5.0 stage

Lm = 32.14 ft
Lt = 32.14 + 1.0 = 33.14 ft = 397.68
= 1.5
BD = 397.68 x sin 1.5 = 10.41 in

Lateral distance from the motor centerline to

the bit center

where :

Lt (in) length from bend to bit

() bend angle

_______________________________________
Example :

Bit Displacement (2)

BD = Lt x sin [in]

where :

Db

Bi = BD + 0.5(DM +DB)-DH [in]

where : BD (in)
DM (in)
DB (in)
DH (in)

bit displacement
OD of the motor
bit size
hole size

Bi

Page 2

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Bent sub

Bit Interference Bent Sub

Bd = 10.41 (in)
Dm = 9.625 (in)
Db = 12.25 (in)
Dh = 12.25 (in)

Bit Interference Bent Housing Motor

bit displacement
OD of the motor
bit size
hole size

BD = 3.39 (in)
DM = 9.625 (in)
DB = 12.25 (in)
DH = 12.25 (in)

bit displacement
OD of the motor
bit size
hole size

Dh

Dh

Bi = BD + 0.5(DM +DB)-DH
= 10.41 + 0.5(9.625 + 12.25) - 12.25
= 9.098 in

Dm

Bi = BD + 0.5(DM +DB)-DH
= 3.39 + 0.5(9.625 + 12.25) - 12.25
= 2.077 in

BH

Dm
Db

Db

Fs side force at the bit

Bd

Bi

Bi

Side Force at Bit - Examples

Side Force Calculation

B S 3. 0
Fs = i c
L3
t

where

4 D 4
Sc = I E and I = Do
i
64

Fs side force at the bit

Assuming a 9-5/8"Sperrydrill with 3" equivalent ID :

moment of inertia
I = 4173 in4
stiffness coefficient SC = 12.102 x 109
bit to bend distances Lt = 397.7 and 129.4 in
Side forces at the bit :

Bi
Sc
Lt
Fs
I
E
Do
Di

bit interference, in
stiffness coefficient, lb/in2
distance of bend from bit, in
side force, lbf
moment of inertia, in4
modulus of elasticity, 29 x 106 psi
outside diameter, in
inside diameter, in

Bent sub on top of a straight motor = 5,252 lbf

Motor with bent housing ------------- = 34,803

Sidetracking from Cement Plug

Kick-off in Open Hole

Time drilling :

The bit, motor and stbilizers form 3 contact points

for a defined circular path
3-point geometry applies

4-5 in/hr progress

low WOB
monitor cement to formation
cuttings ratio

side force
100% cement

no wall contact
at the bend

WOB

50% cement
50% formation

resultant
force

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

WOB

side force
resultant
force

100% formation

cmt plug

Page 3

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Preparations for
Running a Whipstock

CCL

drill collar

Bottom Trip Whipstock

orienting sub
UBHO
Window must not start
at casing coupling

casing collar
starter mill

place for the window

Open the window from

here

Set 100-150ft cmt plug

and dress it

shear pin

whipstock

window

hinge
slips
bottom trip trigger

Alternatively, a packer could be set

below the casing coupling

cement plug

Stiffback Whipstock

drill collar

PackStock Whipstock

orienting sub
UBHO
casing collar
starter mill

shear pin

This whipstock might be set

upside down

shear pin

whipstock

whipstock

no hinge

hinge

slips

window

slips
orienting stinger

bottom trip trigger

cement plug

PackStock Whipstock

packer

drill collar
orienting sub
UBHO

key for orientation

Packer + Whipstock
casing collar

casing collar

starter mill

shear pin

high pressure
hose

whipstock
tilted back
pin sheared
window

window

whipstock
hinge
slips
packer

slips activated
stinger sits on key

key for orientation

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

Page 4

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Starter Mill

Mill with Drilling Cutters

the bolt comes to here

PDC cutters allow the mill to drill some

distance out of the window
Note the blades left hand spiralling !

The Shape of the Window

String Mills for Dressing the Window

bottom

Result of a surface experiment

top

Note the blades left hand spiralling and barrel shape

The Shape of the Window

Orientation of the Whipstock

top

HS
HS

30

An other surface experiment. Note

the twisting shape of the window.

the tip must rest

on the casing wall

bttm

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

Note : for LS orientation use

stiffback whipstock !

Page 5

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Roll-off Compensation
HS

Retrievable Whipstock Detail

5-10
tip of the whipstock

planned
direction
whipstock face
after setting

slot

hook from
HOMCO

Preparations for
Casing Section Milling

CCL

Mill a Section of the Casing

Milling must not start

at casing coupling !

Clean the hole from steel debris

casing removed

Mill away about a joint length

remove casing

Start here

Set a cmt plug to here

Fill the Open Section

with Cement

Dress off the Cement

Set an overlapping cmt plug

Wait on cement for sufficient time !

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

casing removed

casing removed

Drill and dress the cement below

the top of the milled section (~10ft)

Page 6

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Sidetrack

Tricone Bit for Drilling Abrasive Formations

Orient the assembly

Shaped, active gauge cutters

Sidetrack the well via

the open section

100% cement

Low friction inserts on bit legs

100% formation

DBS Hypersteer Bit

DBS Hypersteer Bit

Designed for the push-the-bit rotary steerable systems. Aggressive, short

gages are appropriate for high dogleg requirements. These bits are also
designed with longer, more passive gauges where hole quality is of
concern.

Designed for point-the bit rotary steerable systems. Generally feature

longer, more passive gauge lengths. Like the others, they are optimized
to match the mechanical system, the formation, and the required dogleg
severity.

DBS Fulldrift Bit

Toolface Direction with Bent Sub

and Straight Motor or Turbine
bent sub
The direction of bend is marked
with a scribe-line (machined groove)

Common bend angles :

0.25 0.50 - 0.75 1.00 etc.

The extended gauge of the bit matches the requirements of the Geo-Pilot
system, providing excellent steerability, hole quality, and low vibration level.

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

Page 7

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Toolface Direction with Bent Motor

or Turbine

Toolface Direction with Bent Sub

and Bent Motor or Turbine

bent sub

Represents the orientation of the bent sub or

the bent housing on a mud motor

The TF direction could be :

The bent sub scribeline has to be aligned

with the motor / turbine toolface !

Magnetic North referenced

Magnetic Toolface (MTF) given as Azimuth
High Side referenced
Gravity Toolface (GTF) given as
X degrees Right or Left ( from the recent
hole direction known from the last survey)

MWD to Motor Toolface Alignment

Bent Sub Alignment to the Motor Toolface

If bent sub is used on top of a bent housing motor :
MWD HOC

A
B

The motor toolface and bent sub scribeline has to be lined up !

offset

chalkmark

toolface

scribeline

scribeline

TFO

cut off
direction of bend on bent sub

mud motor
or
turbine
Why do we need this?
shims

direction of bend on motor

Sensor Configuration in Electronic Survey Systems

toolface

The X Direction Marked on Hang-off Collars

probe axis

Gy

Gx
Magnetic toolface : Gx,Gy,Gz
Bx,By,Bz

Acceleration vectors

Gz

Gy
By

Gravity toolface : Gx,Gy

index key

By

Bx

Magnetic field vectors

Gx
Bx

Bz
TF

TF

The toolface must be pointing

in the X direction !
The machined notch is called scribeline

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

Page 8

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Measuring the Toolface Offset

Measuring the Toolface Offset with Protractor
MWD HOC

scribeline

TFO
offset

chalkmark

TFO =

MWD scribeline

chalkmark
mtr toolface position

or

mud motor

AB
360 (degrees)
ODDC

TFO = AB 360 (degrees)

AA

Note : AB distance is in the same units

as AA or ODDC
toolface

TFO (toolface offset) is measured

in degrees

Toolface Offset Calculation - Example

Magnetic North Referenced Toolface Direction
Distances measured :
AA = 50.3 in (8 inch hang-off collar)
AB = 4.7 in

MN
A

B
TFO

4.7
TFO = AB 360 =
360 = 33.6
AA
50.3

Magnetic Toolface (MTF)

TF

scribeline

motor
toolface

Used if inclination is < 5-8

Referenced to Magnetic North
Less accurate than high-sideTF

Note : check the method of angle measurement with the directional drilling company !

Note : The toolface direction is mechanically transferred

to the survey tools

Magnetic Toolface vs. High-side Toolface

High-side Referenced Toolface

Gravity Toolface (GTF)
HS

MN

TF
high side

Referenced to the high-side

(direction) of the borehole
Used if inclination is >5-8
Given as X Right or Left from
the HS

Note : the toolface direction is LEFT from HS here

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

HS

MN
TF
MTF

HS or hole direction
GTF

Note : the HS could be referenced to either magnetic- or true North !

Page 9

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Toolface Examples
Drilling a Deviated Well
MN
20L

AZ 315 MN

HS

HS

Drilling modes :

MTF ?

GTF ?

Oriented the TF is set to the required direction and

drilling performed without drillstring rotation
Rotated the drillstring is rotated, the hole drilled is
straight
E

Resulting curvature :

DLS =
MTF ?

AZ 135 MN

37R

DLSoriented Loriented + DLSrotated Lrotated

Loriented + Lrotated

MTF 110
GTF ?

HS 170 MN

Tool Alignment vs. Orientation

Required Oriented Ratio

Alignment

DLSrequired DLSrotated
L
Roriented = oriented =
L total
DLSoriented DLSrotated

Roriented

Loriented
Ltotal

oriented length ratio to total drilled

length of hole drilled oriented
length of hole drilled (total)

Calculation of the Required Toolface Setting

For Wellpath Correction

Adjust position of bent subs, kick pad(s) to motor toolface

Align survey instrument to bent sub / motor toolface

Measure toolface offset to MWD

Orientation

Note : enter drop rate as negativ number

Where is the toolface position ?

- on fixed housing : marked
- on adjustable bent housing : where the numbers met

Orient the motor toolface when on bottom

- compensate for reactive torque
- adjust toolface direction as drilling progresses

Vectorial Sum and Difference

The Ragland diagram

Polar graph paper
The Ouija board (slide rule)
Computer programs (Pluto, DrillQuest)

A B

A +B
A

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

Page 10

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

The Ragland Diagram

Building Inclination and Changing Direction

I2 > I1

Scales !

I2

I2
DL

AZ

AZ
TF

I1

DL

HS

TF

I1

HS

Note : DLS or BUR = DL / MD

HS is gravity highside
Ragland Diagram

Ragland Diagram

Dropping Inclination and Changing Direction

Example

I2< I1

.6
I 2 =13

I2
DL

AZ = 20.17

AZ

TF = 110
HS

HS

TF

I1

DL = 5
I1 =14.5

Note : Complete the change while drilling 100 ft with 110 GTF
resulting in DLS = 5/100 ft
Ragland Diagram

Ragland Diagram

Dropping Inclination without Changing Direction

I2< I1

I2 > I1

TF = 180

AZ = 0
I2
0

Building Inclination without Changing Direction

AZ = 0
I2

DL

I1

TF = 0

DL
HS
0

I1

Ragland Diagram

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

HS

Ragland Diagram

Page 11

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Changing Direction without Changing Inclination

Maximum Direction Change

I2

I2 = I1

I2

DL

DL

Az

Azmax
TF

I1

HS

Note : TF > 90 !

I1

TF

HS

Note : TF > 90 !

Ragland Diagram

Ragland Diagram

Polar Graph Paper

Calculation :

DL
deg
AZ max = a sin
I1
TF = 90 + AZmax

I2 = I12 DL

Example :

DL = 5

I1 = 14.5

5
AZmax = a sin
= 20.17
14.5

GTF = 90 + 20.17 = 110 from HS

2
I2 = I12 DL = 13.6

I2 < I1

Note : the maximum direction change causes inclination drop

The Ouija-board

Ouija Board Calculation

(DrillQuest)

initial inclination

direction change

TF rotation from HS

DL circles

final inclination

Note :
The Ouija-board is based on the same vector calculations as the Ragland diagram

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

Projection to
target TVD

Corr. run length

Page 12

Sperry Drilling Services

2007.1

Inclination to the End of the Target

Direction to the Side of the Target

recent position
left
R
TC

IN1
INTC
IN2

d
direction to
target center

recent position, P

right

TVD

MD2

MDTC

MD1

d1
dTC
d2
near

Directional Drilling Deflection Methods

far
TC

Page 13