Drill-off Tests

PREPARED BY
ENGINEER

SHAHRUKH RAZA
PETROLEUM

Purpose of Drill off Test

The drill-off test is performed in order to determine

combination of

weight on bit (WOB) and

rotary speed to maximise penetration rate (PR).

Drill off tests should be done

1- at the start of the bit run.
2- on encountering a new formation.
3- if a reduction in rate of penetration (ROP) occurs .

Drill-off Test Procedure

Step 1
Maintain a constant rpm. Select a WOB (near to maximum allowable).
Step 2
Record the time to drill off a weight increment (5000 lb)
Step 3
Record length of pipe drilled during step-2.
Step 4
From step 2-3, the drill rate in ft/hr may be found.
Step 5
Repeat step 2 and 3 at least four times. The last test should be at the
same
value as the first test. This will determine if the formation has changed
or not.
Step 6
Select the bit weight which produced the faster ROP. Maintain this WOB
constant and repeat the above procedure for varying RPM values.

Example

Find the optimum WOB and RPM values with

the given Drill-off test data.
Drill Rate = (Footage x 3600) / Time
Bit weight
(lbs)

Time (sec)

Footage (ft)

Drill Rate
(ft/hr)

50000

59

0.5

30.5

45000

62

0.5

29.0

40000

68

0.6

31.8

35000

74

0.48

23.4

30000

78

0.45

20.8

50000

60

0.50

30.0

RPM Calculations
Drill Rate = (Footage x 3600) /
Time

RPM

Time to Drill -1/2

ft(sec)

Drill Rate (ft/hr)

100

70

25.7

90

65

27.7

80

60

30.0

70

64

23.1

60

69

26.1

100

72

25.0

Results

Optimum WOB = 40000 lbs

Optimum RPM = 80
rpm