NEW MEXICO TECH

CENTENNIALSYMPOSiUM

SPE 20{50

Horizontal Well PlanningBuild Curve Design

Frank J. Schuh, Drilling
Technology,k.

-ktht

Iw% SOMY of Petroleum Engineer%Inc.

This peper wee prepsred tw pre8&Matin t the Cenlermiaf Symposium Pefro#w#r 7kohrWgy /nro ffre Second Cwrtury ! New Mexlco Teoh, socorro, tJM, @fm

1S-19, lW,

This peper wee eefectedfc ~pfeeermion by the New Mdoo Tech Oentennml SympoeiumOommk ee. Contonfe of the peper, M pmeented, have not -a
review d by the SOckfy
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ifs Moore, or membere. If timed
for pubtiiim,
this peper ie eubpct to publioetion review by Ediioriel ComrMfeee of the society of Petroleum En@uere. Pumbebn to ccw
ie reefrkted to 8n ~
of rwt mu. then 300 wofds, Illuefrotlorrsmey not be copied. The abetrwt should oontetn conepicuoueacknowtedgmemof whom end by whom the geper
b ~nled.
Write PuMcatione Mwu~r, WE, P,O. Sox SSSSSS,Ricfrerdeorr,TX 750S3.3S3S.Telex, 730SS9SPEDAL.

A!2m.x2

forces dominate the torque and drag effects in the

horizontal hole, the optimum design requires the
selection of the lightest possible drillstring
components that will not be buckled during drilling operations.

The goal of most horizontal dri11ing projects is

to place a long horizontal hole in a narrow vertical target. To accomplish this objective in the
most economical manner, requires a buiId design
that wil1 hit the target without numerous bottom
hole assembly changes and a rig that can handle
the torque and drag loads produced by the dri11This paper destring in the horizontal hole.
scribes several methods for designing the build
curve that offer improved methods for hitting a
smal1 horizontal target while using a single bottom hole assembly for the angle building portions
The paper also presents a novel
of the hole.
method for estimating the torque and drag forces
for typical drillstring in a horizontal hole.

Build Curve QQQl

The %implest possible build curve design is a
single uniform curve that begins at the near vertical kickoff point and reaches 90 at the end
of the curve in a single continuous arc. If the
variability of the performance of the angle-build
motor provides an error in the vertical depth at
the end of the cur~e that is less than the allo
able tolerance of the horizontal target, .hls+
build curve design is in fact the optimum design.

Jrttroduction
Unfortunately, the variability and uncertainty of
performance of most angle-build motors greatly
exceeds the allowable tolerance of the horizontal
It, therefore, becomes necessary to
targets.
design adjustment intervals in the build curve to
compensatefor these uncertainties.

The two character sties that most clearly differentiate horizontal drilling from conventional directional drilling are the use of angle-build motors
and specialized build curve designs. A good build
curve design is nearly as important as selecting
the best directionaldrilling contractor.
The optimum length for a horizontal hole is
reached when the incremental cost of additional
length is greater than the value of the production
from the additional length. Since the productive
performance continues to increase with increasing
length, the optimum is probably close to the maximum length that can be successfullydrilled. The
mechanical limits for horizontal holes are primarily related to torque and drag limits for the rig
and drillstring equipment. To reach the maximutti
possible length, one needs to minimize the torque
Since buckling and gravity
and drag forces.

Build curve design begins with a definition of the

horizontal target. There are basically two types
of horizontaltargets:

47

A defined vertical depth target

A defined structuralposition in a
reservoir

For horizon-ialwells in gas and/or #ater coning

applications, i? nay be most effective to drill a
truly horizontal hole in a TVD target that is
located a f!:.~ddistance from the gas/oil and/or
~Oi,iaCts.
For this type horizontal well
the target angle will be 90.

Water/oil

Referencesand illustrationsat end of paper.

=20150
HORIZONTAL WELL PLANNING

The following sections will cover three build

curve types which we have identified as:
1. The simple tangent build curve;
2. The complex tangent build curve;
3. The ideal build curve.

The purpose of the build curve design is to

provide the operator with an efficient method of
hitting the horizontal target within the prescribed tolerance without utilizing numerous BHA
changes. The build curve design must provide a
balance between the following consideraticms:
Avoid problem formations.

Minimize the displacemeritof the end of

the curve.

Minimize the drilled length of the build

curve.

Provide an adjustment interval for handling other than the ideal build rate.

NMTECH 890008

will use the maximum available build rate. If the

horizontal sertion is to be drilled with surface
rotation, one should limit the hole curvature to
the curvature limit of the drill string componentsm
Another important consideration is to
provide a curvature that will not inhibit the
selection of ordinary conventional production
tools during the completion and future production
operations.

The most common type horizontal target is not

necessarily horizontal but is a lateral path that
tracks a specific structural position in the
reservoir. For coning applications, this may be
either t!,e top o? bottom of the reservoir. It
also might be a specific position that has been
selected to assure full consrrunication
with the
reservoir from hydraulic fractures initiated at
that depth. Horizontal tar~ets in these cases
will not be horizontal but will attempt to track
the selected structural position or be drilled
along a path that is ex~zcted to track the
structuralposition. The allowable height of this
path representsthe target tolerance.

B1LO CURVE DESIGN

The dimensions of these build curves can be calculated from the geometric relationshipsof strai@t
li;lesand circular arcs. FCC the simple tangent
build curve where we intend to keep the toolface
of the beri housing motor pointed up and maximize
the angle building rate of the tool, the path can
be described as a circular arc in a vertical
plane.
The key equations for
See Figure 1.
calculatingthe height, displacement and length of
a vertical circular arc are:

R=

5730
. . (1)
B

Allow the utilization of structural markers encountered in the build interval to

adjust the final target depth.

V=

R*

(sin Iz-sin

Il)

. . ...(2)

Meet the target tolerance limits.

H=

(COSI1-COS

12)

. . ..$(3)

Provide a curve that will allow a full

length horizontal hole to be drilled.

100 0 (12 - 11)

. ..,,.

L=
0

Provide a completable hole that will

permit the use of all necessary production
tools and equipment.

. . . (4)

B
For the complex and ideal build curves that utilize build and turn segments, the path can be
approximated by the geometry of circular arcs
projected to the vertical plane. See Figure 2.
The key equations for the geometry of the build
turn segments are:

The optimum build rate for a specific horizontal

hole must both provide the directional corltrol
needed to hit the target as well as a build curve
height that avoids including troublesome formations in the build interval. If, for example, an
especially troublesome formation is located 850 ft
above the horizontal target, one would probably
select a kickoff point below that formation and
use the remaining height to dictate the required
build rate curvatures.

Rvm

5730
. (5)
Be

If one only considers the requirements of drilling

the build curve, the best design will use the
highest curvature rate that can be obtained.
Since the build curvature also affects all subsequent operations, one needs to balance the advantage of high curvature with the impact of that
curvature on the future operations. Table I lists
several of the curvature limits that should be
considered.

V=RV

(sin 12 -sin

H=RV

. (COS 11 -COSIZ)

L=

.-

. . ...(7)

100 (Iz - 11)

. . . . . . . . . (8)
Bv

If one plans to steer the entire horizontal section and no production equipment or tools will be
run through the curve, the optimum build curve

Ii).....(6)

SQE20150

NNTECtl890008

FRANKJ. SCHUH

6T
DL=([z-I1)*

.*
BV

(9).

**

cos DL - cp~ 11 . Cos 12

Cos 4AZ

o .

(lo)

sin 11 sin 12
Bv
cos~=

.,*...

. . . . . . (11)

8T

interval is adjusted so that the second build

curve reaches the target if it builds at the same
rate as the first curve, This limits the error in
hitting the target to the difference between the
actual second build and the adjusted planned second build. If the first build curvature on our
?xample were actually 8.6/100 ft the planned
If the
second build height would be 1S5.9 ft.
second build actually builds at 8.3/100 ft.
the actual second build height would be 161.5 ft,
which is 5.6 ft lower than planned. If a single
curve without a tangent had been used, an error of
.3/100 ft would have missed the target by 26
feet.

Lastly, the appropriate equations for the straight

adjustmentintervals are:
V-L.COSI
H-L

Jhe Swe

sin I

Sele~$ing the appropriate tangent lepqth is very

important because few of the tan~ent drilling
assemblies actually drill at constant angles.
Fortunately, it is not necessary to drill a tangent interval at a constant angle provided one !Ias
a good judgement of the final angle at the bit.
The minimum recommended length of the tangent
interval is 120 ft. This is based on the typical
NUD survey spacing and the desirabilityofminimizing the tangent length. Uith a typical steerable
MD package used for drilling the tanger,tinterval, the HUD inclinationsensor will be positior?d
about 60 ft above the bit. Assuming one takes
surveys at 30 ft spacing, the survey .f the first
30 ft of the tangent interval is not available
until 90 ft of the tangent section has been
drtlled. At this point only one third of the
tangent interval has been surveyed and that portion will also include any transition affects
caused by placing the angle-holding steerable
motor assembly in the bottom of the highly curved
angle-build portion ~f the hole. After drilling
120 ft of section, %e deepest ND survey will
provide data on the first half of the 120 ft interval, Since we must predict the angle at the bit
in order to correctly Judge the depth at which to
start the second build interval, we must extrapolate the performance measured above the NW sensor
to the bit.

, , , . , , . . , (12)

. , . . . . . . . . . (13)

Tanaent Build Curve

The oldest and most widely used build curve design

is the simple tangent build curve. Figure 3 is a
sketch of a typical simple tangent build curve.
The simple tangent build curve divides the build
arc into two segments that are separated by a
straight tangent adjustment interval.
It iS
generally assumed that both build curve segments
will be drilled with the same angle-build motor
assembly and that the rate of build in the second
build will also equal the rate of build experi,encedwhile drilling the first build segment.
The concept for the simple tangent build curve
comes from the observationsthat an angle-build
motor will give highly consistent curvature performance on a given well in a specific area, even
though its performance may vary significantly
between wells with different target formations or
in other areas, Uith this design, the operator
utilizes the observed build curvature in the first
build to calculate the most likely height of the
second build and from that the required length of
the tangent interval and depth of the second kickoff point. This reduces the error in hitting the
end of curve target to the relatively small difference between the actual and predicted heights of
To be successful with
the second build curve.
this technique, it is essential that the kickoff
point and the planned build curve be designed
using the lowest possible build rate for the selected angle-buildmotor assembly.

The final selection in.a simple tangent build-curve design is the angle for the tangent fnterval.
One of the most consnan choices is 45*.
With the tangent at 45, the end of the curve
falls at the same position regardless of the
curvatureof the angle build portions of the hole.
Increasing the tangent angle lowers both the
height and the magnitude of the potential error in
the second build. The height of the second build
~5\reases rapidly as YC. increase the angle above
For example, the height of a second
buiid at 8/100 ft decreases from 209 ft for a
45* tangent to 96 ft with a 60 tangent.
Placing the tangents at angles greater than
45* increases the length of the hole and the
It also
displacement of the end of the curve.
makes the length and displacementsensitive to the
actual curvatures in the first and second build.
These considerations make tangent angles above
One other consideration in
60 unacceptable.
choosing the position of the tangent interval Is
to provide the ability to intersect any crttical
structuralmarkers in the tangent interval so that
one can adjust the second build kickoff point

Table 2 shows the step by step calculations required to calculate the dimensions of the build
curve design shm
in Figure 3. The key decisions
required of the designer are the curvature rates,
the angle of the tangent interval and the length
of the tangent interval. The design build rate
must be no greater than the minimum expected build
rate for the angle-buildmotor selected.
If the actual build rate in the field exceeds the
planned (minimum) rate, the length of the tangent
.-

48

HORIZONTAL WELL PLANNING - BUILD CURVE DESIGN

NMTECH 890008

remaining height, The build turn interval also

has a greater total curvature than the build of a
simple tangent design, however, the increase is
not large, For the example case, the total dogleg
in the build curve is only 10% larger than for a
completingsimple tangent design.

based on the actual observed position in the stratigraphiccolumn.

A ComDleLLanaent Build Curve

The complex tangent build curve provides the next
logical step in controlling the accuracy of hitA typical complex
ting a small TVD target.
tangent build curve design is shown in Figure 4.
The design calculations for the example are
included in Table 3. For this build curve design,
one utilizes the first build interval to establish
the performance levels of the angle-build motor
selected for the job just as is done with the
simple tangent method. However, instead of using
this same curvature in selecting the kickoff point
for the second build curve, the concept is to use
a lower design rate than was actually experienced
in the upper part of the hole,

Thls desitn has its greatest applicationfor hor~zontal holes that are drilled to a structural
target. It is quite useful when the final target
position is defined by the tops of formationsthat
are located within the second build curve.
Although one can certainly not make large corrections, the size of the adjustment can be significant.
For example,
in our 6-1/2/100 ft
design build case, we will reach 70 when
we
are 53 ft above the horizontal target. At that
point, it is possible to reach the horizontal
target with our maximum 8/100 ft build rate
in a vertical height of only 43 ft by turning the
toolface straight up.
This would allow a 10 ft
upward vertical adjustment from only 53 ft above
the target. It is also possible to achieve downward target adjustments byincreasing the toolface
angle.

In the example case, he have designed the first

build
at the expected
minimum
rate of
8/100 ft and designed the second build with a
build rate that is 1.5*/lCO ft less than the
first build rate or 6-1/2/100 ft.
One of the
key concepts of this technique is that the lower
Wjgn
rate for the second build can be obtained
the same angle-build motor as the first
builc! by orienting the toolface to the right or
The 6-1/2/100 ft vertical
left of vertical.
build rate can be obtained from the 8/100 ft
angle-buildtool used in the first build by turning the toolface of the angle-build motor to
35 left or right of vertical,

The complex build curve provides a trade-off between target TVD accuracy and target position and
direction, Table 4 summarizes the effect of the
trade-offs. To use this design most effectively,
the well designer needs to establish a greater
latitude in end of curve displacement and direction to maximize the control of the vertical
target.

The well could be designed to place all of the

turn in one direction if that were desired.
However, in most situations it is better to turn
the well to either the left or right for about
half of the second build and then in the opposite
direction for the final half. In our example we
chose to turn the well left for the first half and
right for the second half. This strategy produces
a change in azimuth of 16,8 to the left folThe
lowed by a turn to the right of 14.7.
approximate vertical section and other key dimensions of the second build can be computed using
the build turn equations 5 through 11.

ItLQIdeal Build Curve

The ideal build curve is shown in Figure 5. It is
simply a complex build curve without a tangent
interval, It could therefore be drilled with a
single angle-buildmotor run unless limited by the
bit life. Obviously this would provide the lowest
cost method for drilling a build curve. It would
also require that the expected range of performance of the angle-build tool would be less than
could be absorbed by the adjustment of toolface
angle while drilling the second build and turn
section, Although we can probably not predict the
build rate performance of angle-buildmotors precisely enough to use the Ideal build curve on the
first well in an area, it should be considered.for
the second or third well in an area,

The complexbuild curve design is not intended to

produce a straight well bore path but to provide
the driller with the ability to adjust the curvature rate both upward and downward whi1e dri11ing
the second build curve,
Comparing this example
with the example of the simple tangent build curve
shows some of the advantages and disadvantagesof
this design, The greatest disadvantage of this
design is that the length, height and displacement
of the second build are increased The length of
the second build is increased from 500 ft to
615 ft. The height is increased from 168 ft to
206 ft, and the displacement length is increased
from 460 ft to 567 ft, The principal advantage of
this design is that the actual height of the
second build curve can be adjusted both up and
down. The maximum vertical adjustment is as much
as 38 ft upward if the change is known at the
beginning of the second build curve. This would
provide a maximum height adjustment of 18% of the

JOraue and Drag

After one has designed the optimum build curve for
the well, one of the next questions is how far CGFI
you drill horizontally, The problem now shifts
from directionalcontrol to torqiis~nd drag, IrIa
given hole, the maximum horizontal length is
reached or perhaps exceeded when you can no longer
rotate the pipe or sufficiently load the bit to
drill. Table 5 1ists the current record horizontal lengths as a function of hole size and build
curvature rates.
Although we do not know how
close these record lengths were to the limits, it
is assuring to realize that the limit is not less
than these lengths, The wel1 designer needs to
-.

SPE20150

t
NMTECH 890008

understand the torque and drag consequencesof hls

alter~atedesign choices.

force at the end of the curve is equal to the

weight on the bit.

One solution adopted by many operators on their

first attempt is to plan for a horizontal length
on the low side of the spectrum. That concept
will probably generate 500 ft as super safe,
1,000 ft as reasonable, 2,000 ft as aggressive,
and 4,000 ft would equal the record. If one stays
under the 2,000 ft mark, it is unlikely that true
torque and drag limits will be reached. Operational problems with torque or drag in this length
would indicate some other problem such as cuttings
accumulationor wall sticking. However, to opti- I
mize the cost of horizontal holes, one must come
to grips with the true limits. Table 6 lists the
most important factors affecting the torque and
drag limits.

ForU08c

To plan for 2,000 ft horizontal well length, it is

probably necessary to consider the torque and
drag. The torque and drag analysis must include
predictions of the torque and drag while rotating
off bottom, drilling with surface rotation, drilling while steering a down hole motor, and the drag
forces while tripping. It ts also important to
know the stresses on the drillstring components
due to the curvature of the hole and these loads.

For example, lets consider a horizontal hole with

a build curve radius of 850 ft and a horizontal
length of 1,000 ft.
Uhat is the torque while
rotating off bottom with 30,000 lb on the bit?
Assuming that we are using 9.2 lb/gal mud and
5 in. Heviwate drillpipe throughout the build
curve and horizontal interval, the buoyant wetght
50 lb/ft. The torque
of the pipe is Urn= .86
in the horizontal part of the hole would be:

There are a number of proprietary and commercial

torque and drag computer models that can be used
to prepare the best possible estimates of torque
If the well
and drag for a horizontal hole.
course is quite complex or if the well is a combination directional well with a shallow kickcff
point and a long tangent section, these programs
offer the only reasonable method for analyzing the
problem. However, for a typical on-shore horizontal hole that uses a deep kickoff point and a
relatively compact build curve, it is possible to
estimate the torque and drag using some relatively
simple approximations. If one assumes that:

o
o

The same size and weight of pipe are used

throughout the build curve.

The hole is approximatelyhorizontal.

None of the pipe in the horizontal hole is

buckled. (See Appendix 2).

The coefficient of friction is equal to .33.

oo.wm

1+4

OD o UOB
+
46

. . . . (16)

6.5

(.86 50) 1000

Th =
72

I
I
I

Th = 3,882 ft-lbf.
The torque in the build curve while rotating off
~gttom when UOB = O is calculated from equation
la.

6.5 (.86 50)

850

Tb =

Tb = 1650 ft-lbf.
The total torque rotating off bottom is:
T=Th+Tb

. . . ....o-.-. ..-.zo~(l7)

T =3882+

1650= 5532 ft-lbf

Uith 30,000 lb on the bit, the force at the end of

R and the torque in
the curve exceeds .33 . U
the build curve is calcula~ed from equation 16.

OD*
Th. _

Um*L
. . . . . .

. . (14)

72
6.5
The torque for rotating pfpe in the 90 build
depends on the magnitude of the axial force applied to the end of the curve. Mhile drilling a
horizontal hole with surface rotation, the axial

.33 w Urn R:

Tb = .

Torque for the pipe in the horizontal hole is:

. . . . . (15)

.,..*
72

ForUOB>

The torque and drag relationships can be reasonably approximatedby the following relationships.

1
1

Wm R

Tb =

144

The build curve can be represented by a

simple 90 arc.

.33 . IimJ R:
OD

FRANKJ. SCHUH

(.86 50) . 850

Tb =
144

I
81

Tb=

5,889 ft-lbf.

6.5
+

30,000

46

=20150
6

(.86

;~~ ~~otal torque rotating with 30,000 lb on the

:

50)

*
MHTECH 890008

HORIZONTAL WELL PLANNING - BUILD CURVE DESIGN

850
+ .69 + 44,333

Db =
4

T= Th+Tb
Db=9,]37
T-

+30,390

3,882 + 5,889 = 9,771 ft-lbf

Db = 39,727 lb

The axial drag while lowering the pipe on a trip

or whilo steering with a downhole motor can be
calculat~d from the following approximations. For
the pipe in the horizontal hole, the axial drag is
given by:
% = .33* MmL

. . . . . . . ..(18)

The total drag is:

D=Dh+Db
D=

. . . . . . . . . . ..(22)

14,333+39,727

D = 54,960 lb
The drag for the pipe in the build curve is a
function of the axial force on the pipe at the end
of the curve as it enters the horizontal hole.
This force is equal to the weight on the bit plus
the drag of the pipe in the horizontal. If the
bottomhole assembly is expected to provide significant stabilizer drag, this force should be
included in the end of curve force. This force at
the end of the curve is given by:
Fo=Dh+U06+f3HA

. . . . . . ..(19)

The drag for the pipe in the build curve is dependent on the magnitude of the axial force at the
end of the curve.
If Fo<.25

To drill with 30,000 lb, it will be necessary to

slack off the bit load pl{sthe drag or 84,060 lb
in this example.
To calculate the hoisting drag, the steps are
quite similar. The drag in the horizontal portion
of the hole is given by:

Wm*R:

Db = .4 .Wm.
IfFo>.25.

R,

. . . . . . . . .(20)

WmR:

Db = .25 .

Dh = .33 WML

The tensile drag in the build Interval is a function of the tensile load on the pipe at the end of
the curve. This force is equal to the frictional
drag for the pipe in the horizontal interval plus
any nongravity frictional loads such as might be
caused by stabilizer hanging or other such affects. The drag around the build curve is calculated as follows:
Fot=Dh+BHA

Wm R+.69.

F0

. . ..(21)

IfFot<.85.

IfFot>.85.
Dbt=.69*

. . . . . . . . . ..(23)
Wm.R

Dbt = .33* WM.R

The drag for the example well described above

while drilling with 30,000 lb bit load in the
steeringmode is calculated as follows:
(.86

. . . . . . . . ..(18)

. . . . . . . ..(24)

Wm~R
Fot-.25.

ifm*R

. ..(25)

50) . 1000

Dh =
3
oh=

14,3331b

Fo=

14,333+30,000

These relationships can be used to estimate the

magnitude of torque and drag for most horizontal
well designs. When these evaluations are coupled
with an analysis of the critical buckling force
included in Appendix B, it is possible to evaluate
the affect on torque and drag by changing components in the horizontal drillstring. Reducing the
weight of the pipe in the horizontalwill decrease
torque and compressive drag as long as the lighter
pipe does not buckle. If conditions dictate that
buckling will occur, the analysis need go well
beyond these simple relationships.

F. = 44,333 lb
.250WM0
.25 s Wm

(.86

R=

.Z5

R=

9,1381b

50) +850

Therefore: F. > .25 Wm s R

52

SPE 20150
7

FRANKJ. SCHUH

NMTECH 890008
v

I -1

I eferences
1.

Build Rate (/100 ft).

BT

Total curvature for build-turn segment,

Oawson, Rapier; Exxon Production Research CO.,

and Paslay, P. P.; Consultant: Drillipe
Buckling in InclinedHoles, JPT, (Oct. 1984).

(/100 f) .
2. Morites, Guntes: Worldwide Horizontal Drilling
Surges, Oil & Gas Journal, (Feb. 27, 1989).

Bv

Vertical build rate for build-turn segment, (/100 ft).

BHA

Nongravity induced axial frictional force

in the bottom hole assembly, (lbf).

AppENDIX A

Total drag (lbf).

Q!&

Db

Compressive
(lbf).

Tensile drag in the build, (lbf).

Dh

Axial drag while pulling or lowering the

pipe in the horizontal portion of the
hole without rotation, (1bf).

Drag

in the

Joraue and Dr aa ADoroximations for A Uniform Build

Let: D=

build curve,

Tnol joint OD, (in.).

F= Axial force on the pipe at any point in

the curve.

DL

Total dogleg
(deg).

F.

The axial compressive force on the pipe

at the end of the curve, (lbf).

f.

Coefficientof friction.

1= Angle of hole above horizontal.

I =0 atend of curve, (horizontal).
I =90 at KOP in radius.

in a build-turn segment,

R=

Radius of build curve, (ft).

T=

Torque in the build curve.

w.

Unit buoyant weight of the pipe in the

curve, (lb/ft).

Fot

Axial tension at the end of the curve,

(lbf).

Displacement, (ft).

11

Initial inclinationangle, (deg).

12

Final inclinationangle, (deg).

F. = Ax~~oompressive
.

Length of hole or pipe segment, (ft).

OD = Tool joint OD in build curve, (ft).

OD

Outside
(in).

AT= Torque produced along_a A@ 1ength

diameter

Fc = Lateral contact force in curve,

(lb/ft).

of

the

tool joints,

force on the pipe at

element of pipe, (ft lb).

Build radius of a segment or the overal1

build curve radius for torque and drtig
estimate, (ft).

Rv

Vertical build radius, (ft).

Total torque (ftOlbf).

Tb

Rotating
(ft-lbf)

Th

Rotating torque for pipe in a horizontal

portion of the hole, (ft. lbf).

torque

in the

For these derivations it is more useful to define

the coordinate system for angle as beginning with
zero at the horizontal end af curve Dosition and
90 as the angle for the vertical kickoff
point.
The torque produced along an elemental length of
pipe in a circular build curve is given by:

build

curve,

2
v

Vertical height, (ft).

Um

The averaoe buoyant wei~ht of the Dine

. .
(ibm/ft).-

UOB

Weight on bit, lbf).

[1

AT=f~ABS;+wcos

I A!

. . .

(A-1)

The force at any point along the build curve is

given by:
F.Fa

Azimuth change, (deg).

-wsinI

Toolface angle, (deg).

CombiningA-1 and A-2:

5$

. . . . , . . . . (A-2)

sPE20~50
NNTECH 890008

HORIZONTAL UELL PLANNING - BUILD CURVE DESIGN

*
UOB>.33
F.
AT=

-wsin

f~ABS

2R

I+wcos

IA4

. .,.

.(A-3)

OD.WOR
Tb =.

. .

(A-1O)

46

Compressive Drag, while drilling in the steering

mode or while lowering the pipe in the hole:

AI.......,..

let Ft = force at the top of the curve.

. . (A-4)

The change in axial force along the sliding pipe

in a circular build curve is given by:

A-3 and rearranging to a dimen-

SubstitutingA-4 in
sionlessform:

OD*WOB
+

144

For a Circular build arc:

A4=R.

WM*R

AT

F.

f,D.w~R

=lABS2
[WOR

sin

[1

AF=f.

I + cos I AI

ABS~
R

. . . . . (A-5)

+wcos

IAi!-w(sin

I)*A@

. . . . . (A-n)

The axial force at any point in the build curve is

also affected by the axial drag below that point:

T
=
f*D.w.R

Fi =Fi-l+AF

I=x/2 1

F.

~-ABS-

1=0 2

. . . . . . . . ..

(A-129

sin i + cos I AI

[w . R

At the bottom of the curve where I = O the axial

force is:

. . . . . (A-6)
Using an iterative numerical procedure, we solved
equation A-6 in terms of (F~wR) and plotted the
results in Fig. 5.

Fi=o=Fo

~fABs[:+cOs
sin)
A1
. . . . . (A-14)

R/3

T=(f.Dw*R)/2

Ft

. . . . . ..(A-7)

=
WOR

Fo>w*R/3

. .(A-8)

woBc.33.
OD*

[w.

(sinl)

AII

. . . . . (A-15)

.33 and WOB = F. these

wmR

I Of=
I

The drag force Df in the build curve is given by:

Ft - Fo+w

WM*!I

Dividing
by w
dimensionless:

. . . (A-9)

Tb =

Fi
+

f ABs[A+cOsllA1

4-w*R

In oil field units for f=

become:

I=fi/2
~:.

F.

[1
x.

T=(f.OD.w.R)/4+

(A-13)

Substitutingfor At!and dividing to make the form

dimensionlessgives:

In light of the significant uncertainty in the

magnitude of the friction factor and radius, we
believe that these results can be adequately
approximated by the two straight dashed lines
shown on the figure. The resulting approximation
in equation form is given by:
ForFocw

. . . . . . . . . . ..

72-

54

R ...................(A-16)

o R

to

make

the

solution

SPE20~50

NMTECH 890008

FRANK J. SCHUH

.
Df
=
w*R

Ft

F.
. +1

w-R

. .

. (A-17) ,

WOR

Using an iterative numerical procedure,we pre

fared the plot of (Df/wR) versus (F~wR)
= .33 shown in Fig, 7.

for

The approximation shown by the dashed lines in

Fig. 7 is oilfield units forf=
.33 is:

Pi
w-R

F.
-

Ft
wok

(A-26)

1....

w*R

The numerical solution for the tensile drag is

shown in Fig 8 for f = .33.
The approximationfor tensile drag is shown by the
dashed lines in Fib. 8 and in oilfield units is:
for Fot < .85 Urn. R:

For Fot < .25 . Urn

R:
o~t = .33. UmOR

Df=,4.

Wm*R

. . . . . . . ..

ForFo>.85*w
ForFo>

.25 Wm

*R:

R:

Dbt=.69.
Df = .25 c Um

. . . . . . .. (A-27)

(A-18)

R+

.69 F.

Fot-.25

WmR

. . (A-28)

. . . (A-19)
tkwn

To solve for the tensile drag (pulling out of

hole):
let F. = tensile force at end of curve.

dix 4

Torque and drag force approximationsfor the horizontal portion of a hole assume that none of the
pipe is buckled.
Critical buckling force for a pipe in horizontal
hole was derived by Dawsoni.

Fi
AF=f*ABS-.-wcos
[
lR

I .A@+w(sin
1

I)Ae

. ..-

EI

Umsinel2

~+@i~~AI
FC=2

=fABs[A-cOsll
w*K

12.r

. . . . .

(B-1)

Fc = critical buckling force, (lb).

. . . . . (A-21)

Where:
Fi=Fi.l+AF

. . . . . . . . ..

(-22)
E = 29.6

Fi=O=Fo

. . . . . . . . . . . . .(A-23)

10s psi steel.

I =momentof

inertia, (int).

urn= buoyant weight of pipe, (lb/ft],

[1
ABs[A-cOsllA+
(sir)

65.5 - MU

Wm= Wa

. . . . . . . (B-2)

A!

. ...*
The tensile drag force Df IS P;ien
Df=Ft-Fo-w

65.5

*Ii

.,

(A-24)

b:

. . . ..(A-25~

In dimensionlessform it becomes:

Ua = average weight of pipe and tool joints

in air, (lb/ft).
NW= Mud density, (lb/gal).
r = radial clearance between pipe and hole,
(in).

There has been considerableconcern over the appropriate radial clearance to use with coupled or
If the pitch of the buckled
tool jointed pipe.
pipe is I&rge compared to the distance between

sPE 20150
10

tool joints the radjal clearance is ~sfined by the

tool joint 011 rather than the OD of the pipe
body. Sinc& this is generally the case for.horizontal drilling applications we define the radial
clearanceas:
r=

NNTECH 890008

HORIZONTAL UELL PLANNING - BUILD CURVE DESIGN

WVATURE
IJMIIS
o

Rotate conventional steering tools 3-4/100 ft

Rotate nonmag drill collars

Use conventionalproduction tools

6-7/100 ft

(Dh - Dtj)/2...................+....(B-3)

O = hole angle 90 for horizontal hole

o Rotate 5 Heviwate drill

Dh=diameter

of hole, (in).

pipe

10/100 ft
12-15/100 ft

Motor drilling without rotation

30+/100 ft

Dtj =diameter of tool joint, (in.).

In oilfield units for a horizontal hole:
PLF TANGE~

Fc=550.

lua

(25.5 - Mu) 12
. . (8-4)

Dh - Dtj

Given:

Expected
angle
9.5/100 ft.

Torque for rotating nonlwckled pipe in a straight

inclinedhole:

build

performance,

8* to

Minimum tangent length, 120 ft.

Tangent angle, 50.

T=

OD . Wm . L+fsinO

Target angle 90 at 9000 ft TVD.

. . . . . (B-5)

24
Solution:
T = torque, (ft lbs).
In oilfield units with f=
hole:

T.

Use the minimum expected build rate to plan the

build curve.
.33 and for a horizontal
Use the same build rate for first build and
second build intervals.

OD w Wm L
. . . . . . . . . . (B-6)

5730
5730
Build radius: R= ==716ft
B8

72
Axial drag for pulling or pushing nonbuckled pipe
in a straight inclined hole:
D=Hm

L. fsin9

Height first build:

V=R.

(sin Iz-s

n 11)

V-716

(sin50-

sinO) = 549 ft

. . . . . . (B-7)

Where:
Height of tangent:
D= drag force, (lb).
V=L
In oilfield
f= .33:

units

Dh=.33~tim*L

for a

COSI

horizontal hole with

v=

. . . . . . . ..(B-8)

120

Cos (50) = 77 ft

Height of second build:

V=

716 . (sin90 - sin 50)= 168ft

KOP= 9000 - 349 - 77 - 168 =8,206 ft

SPE20150
11

FRANK J. SCHUH

N?4TECH890008
.

Displacement,first build:
ti=R
H=

716

It -

(COS

COS

12}

(eos O - cos 50) =256

ft

Displacementof tangent:

I
I

H=

L.

Planned height of build curve:

549+ 77 + 168 = ?94 ft
RequiredTangent Height:
794- 603 = 191 ft

sin I

H=120.

Length of Tangent:

sin50=92ft

L.=
Cos 1

Displacementof second build:

H-716

. (COS

so

COS

90) =460ft

Length of first build:

L.

100

L=

LEX TANGM

$
EXANPLE PROB~

(12 - rl)
8

10G

191

= 297 ft
Cos 50

GIVEN:
Expected angle build performance
8 to 9.5/100 ft.

(50 - O)
= 625 ft
8

Minimum tangent length - 120 ft.

Tangent angle - 50.

Length of second build:

Target angle 90 at 9,000 ft.

L=

100

(90 - 50)

Second build
first build

500 ft

1.5/100 ft

less

than

the

SOLUTION:

Neasured Depths:
Atend of first build:

8206 + 625 = 8831 ft

At end of tangent:

8831 + 120 = 8951 ft

At end of second build: 8951 + 500 = 9451 ft

Use the 8/100 ft minimum

rate for the first build.

expected

build

Use 8 - 1.5 = 6.5/100 ft for second build.

First build radius:

If build rate is 9.5/100 ft, how long is the

tangent section?

5730
5730
R1 = ==716ft
68

5730
Build radius: R=

= 603 ft
9.5

5730 5730
R2=
- =882ft
6.5
B

Height first build:

603 (sin50 - sin O) = 462 ft

Height first build:

V-R

. (sin 12 - sin Ii)

Height second build:

V = 716 . (sin 50 - sin O) = 549 ft
603 (sin90 - sin 50) =Jm
Total

603 ft

Height of tangent:
VmL.

coSI=120.

coS51)= 77ft

I
97

SPE 20150
12

liOR120NTAL
NELL PLANNING -

Height of second buiId:

V

MMTECH 890008

WI1O CURVE OESIGN

cos DL - Cos 11 * Cos 12

882 s (sin 90 - sln 50)

206 ft

cos AAZ =

slrr11 sin 12

KOPR 9,000 - 549 - 77 - 206 ~8,168 ft

AA = arc ~os COS 49,23 - COS 50 X COS 90
= 31,5*
z
sin 60 x stn 90

Displacementfirst build:
H=R

~ (COS

H = 716 *

Ii

COS

(COS

Iz)

Azimuth change if first half of second build fs

turned left and secondhalf is turnedright.

50) = 256 ft

COS

Displacementtangent:
H=

Losln

First half: II M 50 II

In120.

8,0
Total dogleg: OL R
6,5

Displacementof second 8uild:

H=

70

stn50=92ft
(70 - 50)

50- COS 90) =567 ft

882 ~ (COS

COS 24,62 - COS 50

Cos AAZ

Length of first build:

L.

100 (12

24.62

COS

70
m .96

sln 50 s sin 70

11)

AAZ

~rc cos (,96)m 16,76l~ft

B
Secondhalf:It ~ 70 12 R90

L.

100 $ (50 - o)
= 625 ft

8.0
DLu
(9070)= 24,62
6,5

8
Length tangent: L

120 ft
AA2

Lengthof seccmdbuild:

COS 24,62 - Cos ?0 8 Cos 90

arc cos
100 $ (90 - 50)

- 616 ft

L=

sin 70 ~ sln 90

= 14.65right

6,5

[1

6,6
Toolfacermgl@2nd build~ arc cos
8*O

Totaldirectionchang~irrsecondbuild:
35,7
~z

=16,76(left)+ !4,6$(right)

Azimuthchangein secondbutld,
Totaldoglq in secondbuild {s:

~2,11(left)

1, Target TVD VS, position and dfrectlon of the

8,(.)
DLMuwm.n
(90 = !iO)~49023
6,5

end of curve
i?,EOC posltllonvs

.d direction,

3, Target TVD, Qoc position and d!ractlonaccuracy

If all turn Is In tho same direction the azimuth

changets:

VS* cost*
I
--

=20150
FRAHKJ. SCHLJH

H!I?TECH
890008

~
Type

Size
k++

Short

$3/4

Mediurn

;-1/2

Long

Radius

Length
425
889

;:

8-1/2

300
300
400-800

1,300
2,200
3,350

8-1/2
12-1/4

l,0~O~;b500
s

4,000
1,000

P
NTAL TA!IoET
TRADE.OFFS
1. Target TVD vs. position and direction of
the end of curve.

2.

EOCposit$on vs. EOCdirection.

3.

Target TVD, EOC position and direction

accuracy vs. cost.

m
ORS ~TING

TOROUE AND DRA~

Length of Horizontal Hole

DrillstringDesign
- Heviwate

- Drillpipein horizontalhole
-

Required bit loads

Coefficient of Friction
- Mud type

Rig Capacity
- Torque
- Axial
- Top drive

Horizontal Drilling Technique

- Surface rotation
- Steering mode

13

SpEz

O1~~CH

890008

HORIZONTAL UELL PLANNING - BUILD CURVE DESIGN

1A

VERTICAL
SECTION

R
549

1
716
77

EOC
t+

PLAN
VIEW

8 deg/100 ft Build rate

50 deg Tangent angle
120 ft Tangent length
Fig. 3-Simple tangent build

Fig. i-Basic build curve geometry.

7i6

5U

549

77
206
2.

PLAN

PLAN
VIEW

VIEW

8deg/iOO ft motor build

t-l=+

rate
6.5deg1100 2ndbuild rate
120 ft tmgont t 50 deg ngle

A/k

Fig. 4-Complextangent build curve.

Fig. 2-Build and turn geometry.

w

-f

SPEU)150

,#.

a.

15

FRANK J. SCHUH

NMTECH 890008
i

549
d

206

567

l--f
2.

a d8g/loo ft Total Curvatwe rate

a deg/loo ft First build r8te
6.S dag/100 ft *d Euild rate

Fig. 5-Ideal build rate.

Fig. 7-Compwstie

drag in build curve.

3.00

2.s0

-2.00
$
~
y.so
s!
0
1.00

Ii

0.s0

O*OO
O*O i

F@. 6-Torque k the build curve,

Fig. 8-Tensile

EOC )FC

drag in buiid curve.

I