Tripping and Trajectory Control

Lecture 7
PET 356
Q 1 2015-2016

Abu Dhabi Polytechnic

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Tripping
Tripping is the act of pulling pipe out of or running pipe
into a well
- To change bits
- At the end of a hole section
- Mechanical problems
- Change bottom hole assembly (BHA)

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Tripping
- The kelly is removed
from the drill string
before tripping
- The kelly and swivel

are stored in the

rathole

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Tripping
The pipe is pulled or run using the elevators
attached to the hook

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Tripping practices
Determine initial overpull limit prior to tripping out of hole (0.5 of BHA Wt.).
If the tight spot at the same depth (WB G-Back ream).
If the tight spot moved up (Hole cleaning problem)
Determine initial set down limit (0.25 of the drill string overpull limit).
* 0.25 of (ST tension limit ST Wt. Up drag).

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Recording off BTM torque & Rotating weight

1- Position the bit off BTM about 20 ft.

2- Stop the pump.
3- Slowly increase the RPM to a preselected standard RPM.
4- Record rotating weight & off BTM torque after stabilization.

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Recording Up weight

1- Stop rotation.
2- Stop the pump.
3- Raise the string with a preselected standard Speed.
4- Record up weight after stabilization.

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Recording Down weight

1- Stop rotation.
2- Stop the pump.
3- Lower the string with a preselected standard Speed.
4- Record down weight after stabilization.

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Effect of circulating pressure

Stop circulation when
recording string weight
data
Recording string
weights without
circulation provides
actual string drag
information.

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Basic Rotary Assembly Types

Dropping Assembly (Pendulum)

Building Assembly (Fulcrum)

Holding Assembly (Packed Hole)

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Angle Dropping Assembly

wellbore contact
tangency length
To increase drop rate :
Increase stiffness
Increase bit/DC size ratio
Increase DC weight
Decrease WOB
Increase rotary speed
negative side force

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

The Pendulum Principle

Pendulum assemblies drop angle as a pendulum
creates negative side force

Fs = Wc x BF x TL x sin IN
Fs Side force on bit (lbs)
Wc Weight below tangency point (lbs/ft)

TL Length of pendulum (ft)

IN

Inclination at tangency point (deg)

BF Buoyancy factor (-)

tangency point
Fs

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Generic Angle Dropping (Pendulum) Assembly

Bit
Drill collar, 30-90ft
String stabilizer, full gauge
Drill collar, 30ft
String stabilizer, full gauge
Drill collar,90ft
HWDP, 90ft min.
Drill pipe

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

The Fulcrum Principle

The fulcrum uses a near-bit stabilizer
WOB (if sufficient) will cause the bottom DC to bend

In holes with inclination > 5, DC will bend towards the low

side of the hole

This bend will cause bit to exert a side force against the
high side of the hole, resulting in a build-up of angle as
drilling progresses
WOB

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Generic Angle Building (Fulcrum) Assembly

Bit
Near-bit Stabilizer, full gauge
Drill collar, 30-90ft
String stabilizer, full gauge
Drill collar, 30-60ft
String stabilizer, full gauge
Drill collar,90ft
HWDP, 90ft min.
Drill pipe, as required

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Packed Hole Assembly

The packed hole assembly is used to maintain
angle
or build/drop at mild rates
3 or more stabilizers are placed at specified
points to
control the deflection of the drill collar string
The increased straightness of the drill collars
reduces
or eliminates the bit tilt

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Generic Packed Hole Assembly

Bit
Near-bit Stabilizer, full
gauge
Short Drill collar, 6-20ft
String stabilizer, full gauge
Drill collar, 30ft
String stabilizer, full gauge
Drill collar,90ft
HWDP, 90ft min.
Drill pipe, as required

Normal Drilling Operations Practices

Typical Configurations - Summary

30 90 ft

30 ft

dropping

pendulum
9 27 m
as close as
possible

30 90 ft

9m

30 ft

building

fulcrum

9 27 m

5-20 ft

30 ft

9m

30 - 60 ft
packed hole

holding

1.5 6 m

9m

9 - 18 m

Operations Management
Basic Organization