TORQUE, DRAG (T&D) &

BUCKLING

06 T & D (v2r6) 1
Copyright © 2017 Merlin ERD Ltd
 TORQUE & DRAG
Content

• T&D Fundamentals
• Friction Factors
• T&D Modeling
• Operational Considerations
• Buckling

06 T & D (v2r6) 2
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 Why Consider T&D
• Potential showstopper if you get it
wrong - don’t just assume it’s going to
make it to bottom (lots of examples)
• T&D Loads must be within equipment
capabilities
• Analyze options for reducing T&D loads
• T&D loads tell us what’s happening
downhole – important tool for hole
cleaning and listening to what the well
is telling us

06 T & D (v2r6) 3
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 T&D Fundamentals
• As with hole cleaning, well must be broken up into
different regimes
• T&D generated differently at different points in the well

Vertical

Curved
Section

Inclined hole

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 T&D Fundamentals Tension/
Compression
Vertical Section:
• Pipe hangs vertically
• Theoretically no torque or drag
generated as no wall contact
• Minimal T&D seen in practice
• Some wall contact
• Pipe stiffness Rotation
• Fluid friction
• Other forces Pipe Weight

06 T & D (v2r6) 5
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 T&D Fundamentals
Inclined Section: Tension/
• Pipe weight changes in the Compression
DRAG
wellbore - higher tension at top
• > hole angle, more support by
borehole, lower the string tension
• Pipe supported on lowside hole by
contact force (normal force - Fn)
= Pipe Weight (gravity) x sin Ɵ Normal
Force
• Fn x COF = Drag (axial) or Torque
(rotation) TORQUE
Pipe Weight
• T&D act in opposite direction to Rotation
pipe movement
• T&D are cumulative – higher the
deeper you go in the wellbore
06 T & D (v2r6) 6
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 T&D Fundamentals
Tension/
Build Section: Compression
• Similar to inclined sections
• In build sections with high doglegs
or high string tensions, pipe may
contact the high side of the hole Normal
Force
• Band brake effect which increases
T&D

Pipe Weight TORQUE

DRAG
Rotation

06 T & D (v2r6) 7
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 T&D Fundamentals

High-side
Wall
Contact

High-side
Wall
Contact

06 T & D (v2r6) 8
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 Drag Fundamentals
Force is required to move the object
(static) and keep it moving (dynamic)

Drag = force required to move object

Drag = weight of object x FF

↑ Weight = ↑ drag
Normal
↑ FF = ↑ drag
Force

Pipe Weight
Same principle in wellbore
Same principle for torque

06 T & D (v2r6) 9
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 Example – Influence of Weight

Plan: FB 1-1 to Target 3 - Rev A.0 (FB 1-1/FB 1-1 to Target 3) Plan: FB 1-1 to Target 3 - Rev A.0 (FB 1-1/FB 1-1 to Target 3)

Operation: 9-5/8” Casing Run

Plan: FB 1-1 to Target 3 - Rev A.0 (FB 1-1/FB 1-1 to Target 3)

0
-2200 -2000 -1800 -1600 -1400 -1200 -1000 -800 -600 -400 -200 0 200 400 600 800 1000

-200

Trajectory: Build & Hold with a 60° turn

South(-)/North(+) [m]
18 5/8" 18 5/8"
-400
500 500
-600

Fluid: WBM 1.50 sg

True Vertical Depth [m]

True Vertical Depth [m]

-800

1000 13 3/8" 1000 -1000

13 3/8"

West(-)/East(+) [m]

How is the torque affected with 1500 1500

different weights of casing?

2000 2000

-2500 -2000 -1500 -1000 -500 -2500

0 -2000
500 -1500
1000 -1000
1500 2000
-500 2500
0 3000
500 1000
3500 1500
4000

Vertical Section at 226.49° [m] Vertical Section at 226.49° [

06 T & D (v2r6) 10
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 Example – Influence of Weight
Off Bottom Torque at Depth : Casing Weight Sensitivity (ft-lbf)
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000 55000

L EG END

47 ppf, 9.5/8", 1.50sg, OBTQFF : 0.30

43.5 ppf, 9.5/8", 1.50sg, OBTQFF : 0.30
500 36 ppf, 9.5/8", 1.50sg, OBTQFF : 0.30
53.5 ppf, 9.5/8", 1.50sg, OBTQFF : 0.30
62 ppf, 9.5/8", 1.50sg, OBTQFF : 0.30

1000
Run Depth (m)

1500

2000

2500

PPF 36 43.5 47 53.5 62

OBT
• 27 kftlbs 36 ppf
• 58 kftlbs 62 ppf
06 T & D (v2r6) 11
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 What is Friction Factor (FF)
• Constant to Account for variables :
– Mud system Lubricity
– Pipe Stiffness
– Cuttings beds
A Fudge
– Key seats
– Differential sticking
Factor for all
– Dogleg severity unknowns!
– Tortuosity
– Formation effects
– BHA & drillstring interaction with wellbore

06 T & D (v2r6) 12
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 Example – Influence of FF
Torque at Depth (ft-lbf)
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000 55000 60000 65000

L EG END

OBTFF = 0.10
500 OBTFF = 0.20
OBTFF = 0.30
OBTFF = 0.40
Rotate Off Bottom
OBTFF = 0.50
1000
Run Depth (m)

1500

2000

2500

FF 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

OBT
• 14 kftlbs FF=0.10
• 66 kftlbs FF=0.50
06 T & D (v2r6) 13
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 Definitions
• Rotating Off Bottom Weight (ROB)
Weight of drillstring in the hole with no drag (measured when rotating off bottom)

• Slack Off Weight (SOW)

Weight of drillstring in the hole minus drag (measured when RIH with no rotation)

• Pick Up Weight (PUW)

Weight of drillstring in the hole plus drag (measured when POOH and no rotation)

• Off Bottom Torque (OBT)

Measurement of torque at surface when rotating off bottom (no bit torque)

Tension = top joint of DP at the rig floor

Hookload = tension + block weight (what’s read on Martin Decker)

06 T & D (v2r6) 14
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 RWE dea
Mittelplate South - Plan 3a
Depth 12.1/4" x 13.1/2" Interval
(m)
TENSION

Definitions 0
Model Data Parameters
Trajectory: MPA South - Plan 3a
Operation: Drilling
Wellbore:
- 13.3/8" 72# VM110HC Vam SLIJ-II at 3800m
- 12.1/4" x 13.1/2" hole to 5100m MD
Drillstring:
- 40m RSS / MWD / LWD / HO
- 150m 5.7/8" 55# HWDP
- 5.7/8" 23.4# S135 Vam VX57 to surf.

1,000 MW: 1.40 sg LTOBM

Slack Off Weight (SOW)

Fann: 65 / 43 / 34 / 25 / 17 / 16
Tool ΔP: 50 bar
Bit TFA: 1.243 in 2 (assumed)
Model: TadPro v7.0.6, Soft String
HydPro v4.0.5, Herschel Bulkley
Engineer: RA, 05-Feb-2014
NB: Only valid for stated assumptions

Rotating Off Bottom Weight (ROB)

2,000

Pick Up Weight (PUW)

3,000

13⅜" to 3800m

4,000

5,000

FF 0.30 0.20 0.10 R.off.B 0.10 0.20 0.30

0 50 100 150 200

TENSION (MT)
S/O FF 0.10 S/O FF 0.20 S/O FF 0.30 Rot_Off_Bttm Weight

P/U FF 0.10 P/U FF 0.20 P/U FF 0.30 S/O Weight

Rot_Off_Bttm Weight P/U Weight Max Hookload Block Wt

06 T & D (v2r6) 15
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 InterOil
Raptor-1A
Depth 6" Hole Section

Definitions
(m)
Off Bottom Torque
0
Model Data Parameters
Trajectory: Raptor-1a_Option1_27-Jan-14-VA
Operation: Drilling 6" hole section
Wellbore:
500
- 7”, 29ppf, P110, Vam Top @ 3703m MD
- 6" open hole to 6128m MD
String: High Angle RSS BHA
- 4" DP, 16.15ppf (adj), S135, XT39 to surface
1,000 - 60m 4" HWDP & jar, 28.4ppf
- 50m, 4.75" BHA, 44ppf rotary assy
FF: CH=OH=0.1-0.5
MW: 12.5 ppg WBM
1,500 Travelling Assy Wt: N/A
Artificial Tortuosity:
1.2°/150m/100m from 3723m to 4218m
0.6°/150m/100m from 4218m to 5820m (tangent)
1.2°/150m/100m from 5820m to 6128m
2,000 Software: TadPro 7.1.6 soft string
Engineer: NRA 03-Feb-2015
NB: Only valid for stated assumptions

2,500

3,000

3,500

Off Bottom Torque (OBT)

7" to 3703m

4,000

4,500

5,000

5,500

6,000

0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Off-Bottom Torque (kft.lbs)

FF 0.10 FF 0.20
FF 0.30 FF 0.40
FF 0.50 Rot_Off_Bttm Torque
DP Connection TQ Limit (no tension) DP Connection TQ Limit (max tension)

06 T & D (v2r6) 16
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 Friction Factor (FF)
• Not the same for S/O, P/U and Torque
• Understand difference between soft-string and stiff-
string (rigid) model
• Not the same between different software models
• Not the same for drilling as for casing running (soft-
string models account for stiffness with higher FF’s)
• Proper calibration of FF’s from offsets critical
• For planning always perform sensitivity analysis at
range of FF’s
• Drilling – same CH/OHFF
• Casing running – different CH / OHFF
06 T & D (v2r6) 17
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 FRICTION FACTORS

Database 12 Offshore ERD Wells

06 T & D (v2r6) 18
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 T&D Modeling
• Drilling operations:
• SO / ROB / PU tensions
• Check ability to slide to TD at various WOB (buckling)
• OBT and drilling Torque
• Snapshot (element plots) if tapered strings being used

• Casing and tubing Running:

• SO / ROB / PU tensions (will it go to bottom, is it a one-way trip)
• OBT for liners or floated strings if rotation possible
• Ability to slack-off weight to set liners, packers, etc

06 T & D (v2r6) 19
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 T&D Modeling BHP Billiton BHP Billiton
SE Longtom ERD SE Longtom ERD
Depth Base Case Design ("J" Profile) Depth Base Case Design
(m) (m)
8.1/2" DRILLING TENSION 8.1/2"DRILLING TORQUE
0 0
Model Data Parameters Model Data Parameters
Trajectory: SEL-ERD/Base Case/Rev.01.txt Trajectory: SEL-ERD/Base Case/Rev.01.txt
Wellbore: Wellbore:
- 9.5/8" 53.5ppg Casing @ 7500m (2340m tvdrte) - 9.5/8" 53.5ppg Casing @ 7500m (2340m tvdrte)
- 8.1/2" hole to 8770m mdrte (2645m tvdrte) - 8.1/2" hole to 8770m mdrte (2645m tvdrte)
1,000 1000
Drillstring: Drillstring:
- 50m RSS/MWD/LWD, - 50m RSS/MWD/LWD,
- 90m 5.5" 52.22ppf HWDP VamVX - 90m 5.5" 52.22ppf HWDP VamVX
- 5.1/2" 21.9ppf S135 VamVX to surf . - 5.1/2" 21.9ppf S135 VamVX to surf .
2,000
FF: CH=OH FF: CH=OH
2000
MW: 1.45sg OBM MW: 1.45sg OBM
Pump hydraulic uplif t: 0 lbs Pump hydraulic uplif t: 0 lbs
Travelling Assy Wt: 0 lbs Travelling Assy Wt: 0 lbs
Model: TadPro v6.0.0, sof t string
Model: TadPro v6.0.0, sof t string
(RA, 3-March-2011)
(RA, 3-March-2011)
3,000 Note: Only valid f or stated assumptions 3000
Note: Only valid f or stated assumptions

4,000 4000

5,000 5000

6,000 6000

7,000 7000

9⅝" Csg @ 7,500m 9⅝" Csg @ 7,500m

8,000 8000

9,000
0.35 0.25 0.15 R.0ff.B 0.15 0.25 0.35 0.15 0.25 0.35
9000

-100 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Tension (klbs) Off-Bottom Torque (kft.lbs)
FF 0.15 FF 0.25 FF 0.35 Rot_Off_Bttm FF 0.15 FF 0.25 FF 0.35 Rot_Off_Bttm Torque
FF 0.15 FF 0.25 FF 0.35 S/O Weight
P/U Weight Rot_Off_Bttm Weight Max Pull (12 lines) Break-Over Torque DP M/U Torque TDS Torque (@180 rpm)

06 T & D (v2r6) 20
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 InterOil
Raptor-1 ST

T&D Modeling Depth 6" Hole Section (Tapered String)

(m) Drilling Torque Profile
0
0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.5

Elemental Plot 500

1000

4" DP Max MUT = 22.2 kft.lbs

• Shows torque (or tension) at 1500

all points up string 2000

• Used to identify margin

2500

3-1/2" DP Max MUT = 20 kft.lbs

between load and limit when 3000

the limits vary up string 3500

4000
Model Data Parameters
Trajectory: Prelim Option 1 (actual to 3707m)
Operation: Drilling 6" hole section
4500 Wellbore:
- 7”, 29ppf, P110, Vam Top @ 3,703m MD
- 6" open hole to 6186m MD
String: High Angle RSS BHA
5000 - 4" DP, 15.75ppf (adj), S135, XT39 to surface
- 2576m 3-1/2" DP, 17.03ppf (adj), G105, NC38
- 60m 4" HWDP & jar, 28.4ppf
- 50m 4.75" BHA, 44ppf rotary assy
FF: CH=OH=0.1-0.5
5500 MW: 12.5 ppg WBM
Travelling Assy Wt: N/A
Artificial Tortuosity: 1.2°/150m/100m from 3707m to TD
Software: TadPro 7.1.6 soft string
6000 Engineer: NRA 22-Dec-2014
NB: Only valid for stated assumptions
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Drilling Torque (kft.lbs)

FF 0.10 FF 0.20 FF 0.30 FF 0.40 FF 0.50 DP M/U Torque

06 T & D (v2r6) 21
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 T&D Operational Considerations
Low Angle Wells:
• Vertical to 30°
• Drag normally not an issue for drilling or casing runs
• Sliding easy
• Tensions can be high (depending on well depth)
– casing wear can be an issue
– High torque can be an issue

06 T & D (v2r6) 22
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 T&D Operational Considerations
Medium Angle and Complex:
• 30° to 70°
• Drag becomes more of an issue for drilling and casing
• Sliding may become more difficult towards TD
• Casing runs need to be modeled at realistic FFs
• Tensions / torque may be higher or lower depending
on well depths, inclination

06 T & D (v2r6) 23
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 T&D Operational Considerations
High Angle:
• > 70°
• Comprehensive T&D modeling becomes critical
• Drag becomes a significant issue
– Sliding difficult if not impossible
– Casing may not run to bottom conventionally and one way trips
– May be negative weight tripping in (drag > string weight)
– Buckling becomes a problem

• Torque becomes an issue

• Aggressive T&D management solutions

06 T & D (v2r6) 24
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 T&D Operational Considerations
Static Friction:
• Higher FF to get pipe moving

• Mainly seen with casing or

liner runs

• More evident with flotation

• Magnitude impacted by:

• String weight
• Drilling fluid conditions
• Overbalance
Allow for static friction in planning
• Stationary time
and operational practices

06 T & D (v2r6) 25
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 T&D Operational Considerations
Torque & Drag Reduction:
Lubricants
• Drilling WBM – Radiagreen
OBM – Ultra Lube II
– Mud Lubricity (OBM or Lubricants)
– Minimise BHA length and weight (no benefit from DC and
HWDP)
– Tapered drillstrings or HWDP (heavier pipe in low angle hole)
– Minimise doglegs (smooth wellbores)
– Maintain good hole cleaning
– NRP’s
– LoTAD’s etc

06 T & D (v2r6) 26
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 T&D Operational Considerations
Torque & Drag Reduction:
• Casing / Liner Running
– Lighter Weight Casing
– Inverted Casing designs
– Minimise centralisers (solid body only)
– Flexible shoetrack

06 T & D (v2r6) 27
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 T&D Operational Considerations

Stiff shoetrack – additional drag through build sections

Flexible shoetrack – no additional drag from ploughing

06 T & D (v2r6) 28
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 T&D Operational Considerations
Torque & Drag Reduction:
• Casing / Liner Running / Completions
– Drag reduction (LoDRAG)
– Drag and Torque reduction (LoTORQ)
– Completion – Cross coupling roller control
line protectors
– Casing / liner flotation

06 T & D (v2r6) 29
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 T&D Operational Considerations
SwivelMASTER Actual Run Example
Torque & Drag Reduction:
• Liner / Screen Running
– Tercel SwivelMASTER
– Allows rotation above tool
– Breaking axial drag releases weight
– Application specific
– Multi-cycle available

06 T & D (v2r6) 30
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 Buckling
• Ever tried to push a string through a tube
• Buckling results from compression in the string
• Fb - critical compression load where buckling starts
• Many different formulas for buckling, but basically for a
straight hole section:

E * I * Ag * sin 
Fb  2
r

06 T & D (v2r6) 31
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 Buckling
• Buckling is a function of the following:
– E and I - Young’s Modulus and Moment of Inertia (Stiffness) - Stiffer pipe
has more buckling resistance and stiffness increases with OD
– ρAg - tubular weight in mud - Generally, the higher the weight of the tubular,
the less prone it is to buckling
– θ - average wellbore inclination - As the inclination increases, buckling
resistance also increases (theoretically vertical well has zero buckling
resistance – sin 0 = 0)
– r - radial clearance between the wellbore and tubular - Large annular
clearances will result in less buckling tolerance as the tubular is less
constrained in the wellbore
– R - radius of curvature of the hole (for curved sections only). Buckling is
less likely in curved sections of the wellbore

E * I * Ag * sin 
Fb  2
r
06 T & D (v2r6) 32
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 Buckling
• Once Fb is exceeded sinusoidal
buckling commences
• Drillstring snakes along the hole
in a sinusoidal wave
• Prevents smooth weight transfer
• As WOB (or drag) increases, the
compression increases and
helical buckling commences
(suddenly)
• Drillstring locks up like a coil and
grips the side of the casing like a
set of slips
• Slacking off more weight will only
tighten the grip of the coil
06 T & D (v2r6) 33
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 Buckling
• Compression and buckling of the drillpipe (sinusoidal or
helical) does not damage the drillpipe – exception is small
pipe in large hole (plastic deformation)
• Rotating the drillpipe while buckled will damage it due to
rapid fatigue
• If buckling suspected always pick up the string weight prior
to starting to rotate
• It is possible to buckle rotated pipe, but difficult – very high
WOB required (e.g. damage to NRP’s when drilling with 50-
60k WOB).
• May still have plenty of weight left at surface, but buckling
downhole prevents further progress

06 T & D (v2r6) 34
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 Buckling
Intervals where Buckling most likely to occur

Vertical – theoretically zero

resistance, problem with deepwater
and large OD risers

Upper Tangent
- compression
due to high drag Near heel in
long horizontals

06 T & D (v2r6) 35
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 Buckling

Helical

Sinusoidal

06 T & D (v2r6) 36
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 Mitigating Buckling
• Use of HWDP higher in the string
• Use larger OD pipe to increase stiffness
• Tapered drill string
• Stiffen pipe with NRP’s (mid joint)
• Reduce drag with lower friction fluids
• Avoid sliding & equipment requiring high set down weight

06 T & D (v2r6) 37
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