College of Technological Studies

petroleum engineering technology

DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETION

PEE 241

Fall 2022

Prepared By:

Eng. Rashed Alazemi

Table of Contents

1 Introduction to Drilling 1
1.1 Types of Drilling Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Drilling Well Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Types of Drilling Rigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Drilling Fluid 7
2.1 Types of Drilling Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Functions of Drilling Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3 Drilling Fluid Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.4 Drilling Fluid Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.5 Experiments of Drilling Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3 Drilling Fluid Calculations 14

4 Hydrostatic Pressure 24
4.1 Hydrostatic pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.2 Pressure Gradient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.3 Formation Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.4 Fracture Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

5 Rotary Drilling 30
5.1 Power System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.2 Hoisting System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.3 Fluid Circulating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5.4 Rotary System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5.5 Well Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.6 Well Monitoring System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

6 Rotary Drilling Calculations 36

7 Drilling Hydraulic 45
7.1 Well Static condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7.2 Well Non-Static Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

8 Casing and Cementing 54

9 Well Completion 56
9.1 Well Stimulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Chapter 1

Introduction to Drilling

Drilling Well is used to create holes that allow the extraction of oil and natural gas
from the reservoir to surface.

Drilling Rig is a complex equipment that is used to extract the oil from reservoir to
surface.

1
Conventional Drilling is vertical well drilling allows access to oil reserve directly below
the surface.
Directional Drilling is a deviated drilling used to reach targets that might be impos-
sible to reach with a vertical well.
Horizontal drilling is a directional drilling with an angle of more than 80 degrees to
increase contact oil area or impossible to reach in vertical drilling.
Workover refers to a process of repairing or stimulating an existing production well in
order to restore or enhance hydrocarbon production.

1.1 Types of Drilling Well

1. Exploration drilling well is a borehole which is drilled to find out if there is any
oil or gas in a place.
2. Development drilling is drilled to a depth that is likely to be productive, so as
to maximize the chances of success.

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1.2 Drilling Well Methods
1. Cable Tool Drilling is the first drilling method used for hydrocarbon wells by
lowering a wire line or cable into the hole.
2. Rotary Drilling is a drilling method that uses a sharp rotational drill bit to drill
into the hole to reach an oil reservoir.

Cable Tool Drilling vs. Rotary Drilling

1.3 Types of Drilling Rigs

1. Onshore Rigs: As the name implies, these rigs are primarily used on land. There
are two different types of land rigs, conventional and mobile drilling rigs.

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 2. Offshore Rigs: is a mechanical process where a wellbore is drilled below the
seabed. The major types of offshore rigs are:

ˆ Floating rigs : such as Semisubmersible and Drillships

ˆ Bottom-supported rigs : such as Platform, Barge and Submesrsible.

There are many factors to be considered in selecting the best rig for the job.

1. Surface location (land, inland water, offshore)

2. Estimated maximum hole depth

3. Horsepower requirements

4. Cost

5. Availability

4
History of Drilling
ˆ Oil has been used for lighting purposes for many thousand years.

ˆ Dark’s Well was the first commercial oil well drilled in 1859 in Pennsylvania.

ˆ Cable tool drilling technique was used to drill to a final depth of 70 ft (21.18 m).
It took one and a half year to reach the above depth.

ˆ In 1900 the rotary drilling technique was invented by Lucas.

ˆ The first successful attempts at offshore drilling occurred between 1910 and 1920.

ˆ In about 1920 mud was used instead of water to circulate the cutting out the hole.

ˆ The first directional drilling recorded instance of a well being deliberately drilled
along a deviated course was in California in 1930.

ˆ First horizontal well in Kern County ,California at Edison field in 1980

Drilling Team
The people directly involved in drilling a well are employed either by the operating
company, the drilling contractor or one of the service companies.

ˆ Tool Pusher supervises all drilling operations and is the leading man of the drilling
contractor on location. Which is the highest position at the drilling location, re-
sponsible for every crew.

ˆ Company Man is in direct charge of all the company’s activities on the rig site.
He is responsible for the drilling strategy as well as the supplies and services in
need.

ˆ Driller is the crew supervisor on a drilling rig, working under the tool pusher.

ˆ Floor Man Works on the rig floor during tripping operations as directed by the
driller.

ˆ Derrick Man works on the so-called monkey-board, a small platform up in the

derrick, usually about 90 ft above the rotary table.

ˆ Mud Engineer The service company who provides the mud almost always sends
a mud engineer to the rig site. A person responsible for testing the mud at a rig
and for mud treatments to maintain mud weight, properties and chemistry within
recommended limits.

ˆ Roustabout is a unskilled worker, especially one who works in a port or at an

oil well. Roustabout maintaining equipment, unloading supplies and helping the
drilling team.

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6
Chapter 2

Drilling Fluid

ˆ Drilling Fluid or also called drilling mud is a mixture of water, oil, clay and
various chemicals.

ˆ Drilling Fluid is providing as primary well control of subsurface pressures.

ˆ Drilling fluids are most often circulated down the drill string, out the bit, and
back up the annulus to the surface so that drill cuttings are removed from the
wellbore.

ˆ Drilling fluid system is commonly known as the “mud system”.

ˆ The most common fluid additives that are used in drilling fluids are the chemical
additives such as barite, bentonite, caustic soda and many more

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 2.1 Types of Drilling Fluid
ˆ There are several different types of drilling fluids, based on both their composition
and use. The three key factors that drive decisions about the type of drilling fluid
selected for a specific well are:

– Cost
– Technical performance
– Environmental impact

ˆ Selecting the correct type of fluid for the specific conditions is an important part of
successful drilling operations.

Water Based Muds

ˆ Water Based Mud(WBM) are used to drill approximately 80% of all wells.

ˆ The base water may be fresh water, seawater, brine.

ˆ Water-based drilling fluid has the advantages such as :

– Cheap.
– Control filtrate losses.
– Formation evaluation.
– Disposal.

Oil Based Muds

ˆ Oil-based muds were developed to prevent water from entering the pore spaces and
causing formation damage.

ˆ Oil-based systems were developed and introduced in the 1960s to help address
several drilling problems such as :

– Formation clays that react and swell.

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 – Increasing downhole temperatures.
– Formation contaminants.
– Stuck pipe and torque.

ˆ Oil-based Muds (OBMs) in use today are formulated with diesel, mineral oil.

2.2 Functions of Drilling Fluid

ˆ The primary function of drilling fluids was to bring the cuttings from the bottom
of the hole to the surface. Today it is recognized the drilling fluid has at least more
than important functions such as :

– Removal of cuttings from the bottom of the hole.

– Cool and lubricate the bit.
– Control formation pressures.
– Minimizing formation damage.
– Support of Weight of Drill Pipe.
– Maximize penetration rates

ˆ If formation pressure increases, mud density should also be increased, often with
barite (or other weighting materials) to balance pressure and keep the wellbore
stable.

ˆ Heat is generated from mechanical and hydraulic forces at the bit and when the drill
string rotates. Cool and transfer heat away from source and lower to temperature
than bottom hole.

ˆ Most common damage; Mud or drill solids invade the formation matrix, reducing
porosity and causing skin effect.

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2.3 Drilling Fluid Properties
Density
ˆ Density or mud weight is the mass per unit volume.
ˆ Density is most often reported in pounds per gallon (lb/gal or ppg);
ˆ Density is used to determine the hydrostatic pressure of the mud column.

Viscosity
ˆ Viscosity is a measure of the drilling fluids internal resistance to flow.
ˆ Mud viscosity is a factor that affects carrying rock cuttings to the surface.
ˆ Drilling fluids are non-Newtonian, meaning that their viscosity is not constant
for all shear rates.
ˆ These non-Newtonian fluids behave very differently than liquids like water or oil
which are Newtonian with a constant viscosity regardless of shear rate.

Plastic Viscosity

ˆ Plastic Viscosity is the resistance to flow caused by mechanical friction resulting

from solids concentration, size and shape of solids as well as viscosity of the fluid
phase.

Yield Point

ˆ The ability to suspend the cuttings while circulation is a function of the fluid’s yield
point.

Gel Strength

ˆ Gel strength is very important to keep the cuttings suspended even if the mud
circuit stops flowing for a short time.

pH
ˆ pH is a value representing the hydrogen ion concentration in liquid and it is used
to indicate acidity or alkalinity of drilling mud.

Filtration or fluid loss

ˆ Filtration or fluid loss is a relative measure of the liquid that could invade a per-
meable formation through deposited mud solids.
ˆ This liquid is called filtrate and the deposited solids are called filter cake or mud
cake. High fluid loss and thick filter cakes significantly increase the possibility of
having differential stuck pipe.

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2.4 Drilling Fluid Additives
ˆ Weighting Agents: The most important weighting additive in drilling fluids is
barium sulfate (barite). Also, Hematite (Fe2O3) is used as a weighting material to
increase the density of the drilling fluid.

ˆ Viscoifier: Bentonite is the most common viscosifier used in drilling fluids.

ˆ pH Control: Caustic soda is used in most water-base muds to increase and main-
tain pH and alkalinity.

ˆ Lost of circulation material: Calcium carbonate lost circulation materials for

use in subsurface formation operations.

Density of most Drilling Fluid

ˆ The density of most drilling fluid as following table:

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2.5 Experiments of Drilling Fluid
Mud Balance
ˆ A mud balance, also known as a mud scale is a device used to measure the density
(weight) of drilling fluid.

Marsh Funnel
ˆ The Marsh funnel is used to monitor relative changes in viscosity and is commonly
reported as “funnel viscosity”.
ˆ The Marsh funnel viscosity is reported as the number of seconds required for a
given fluid to flow a volume of 1 qt into a graduated mud cup.

Direct-indicating Viscometer
ˆ A direct indicating rotational viscometer is used to measure the viscosity at different
shear rates to determine the rheology model coefficients.
ˆ The viscometer also can be used to determine rheological parameters the describe
non-Newtonian fluid behavoir.
ˆ The viscometer used to measure plastic viscosity, yield point and gel strength of
drilling mud.

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API Filter Press
ˆ API Filter Press can measure fluid loss under certain pressure and in a period of
time.

ˆ It also can measure mud cake thickness.

pH Determination
ˆ pH is a value representing the hydrogen ion concentration in liquid and it is used
to indicate acidity or alkalinity of drilling mud.

ˆ The pH of a fluid can be determined using either a special pH paper or pH meter.

ˆ pH of the drilling fluids is generally between 8.5 and 9.5 ( Alkalinity).

ˆ pH is important because it effects the solubility of certain organic thinners and

dispersion of clays present in the mud.

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Chapter 3

Drilling Fluid Calculations

Viscosity
The apparent viscosity (µa ):

300 θN
µa = (3.1)
N
Where

θN : the dial reading in degrees

N : rotor speed in revolutions per minute.

The plastic viscosity (µp ):

µp = θ600 − θ300 (3.2)

Where

θ600 : the dial reading with the viscometer operating at 600 rpm .
θ300 : the dial reading with viscometer operating at 300 rpm.

The yield point(τy ):

τy = θ300 − µp (3.3)

Example 3.1:

A mud sample in a rotational viscometer equipped with a standard torsion spring gives
a dial reading of 46 when operated at 600 rpm and a dial reading of 28 when operated
at 300 rpm.

1. Compute the apparent viscosity of the mud at each rotor speed.

2. Compute the plastic viscosity.

3. Compute the yield point.

4. Is this is Newtonian fluid ? why?

14
solution

1. The apparent viscosity

For the 300 rpm dial reading:

300 θN 300(28)
µa = = = 28 cp
N 300

For the 600-rpm dial reading:

300 θN 300(46)
µa = = = 23 cp
N 600

2. Compute the plastic viscosity.

µp = θ600 − θ300 = µp = 46 − 28 = 18 cp

3. The yield point.

τy = θ300 − µp = 28 − 18 = 10 lbf /100f t2

4. This is non-Newtonian fluid because that τy 6= 0 and µa300 6= µa600

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Density
Unit Conversion
1 bbl = 42 gal

×
1 bbl
1. Convert 84 gallons to barrel. 84
gal = 2 bbl
42
gal


×
42 gal
2. Convert 3 barrel to gallons. bbl
3 = 126 bbl
bbl
1

P
mi
ρmix = P (3.4)
Vi

X X
mmix = mi = ρi V i , (3.5)

X X ρi
Vmix = Vi = , (3.6)
mi

Example 3.2:

Calculate the volume and density of a fluid composed of 25 lbm of bentonite, 60 lbm of
barite, and 1 bbl of fresh water.

solution:
The volume and the mass of the mixture are:
42 gal 25 lbm 60 lbm
Vmix = 1 bbl × ( )+ + = 44.87gal
1 bbl 21.7 lbm /gal 35 lbm /gal
42 gal lbm
Mmix = 1 bbl × ( ) × 8.33 + 25 lbm + 60 lbm = 434.9 lbm
1 bbl gal
434.9 lbm
ρmix = = 9.69lbm /gal
44.87 gal

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Mixing Fluids of Different Densities
ˆ If two substances having different densities are mixed then the density of the mixture
is a function of the quantity and density of the components of the mixture.

ˆ This relationship can be expressed as follows:

V1 ρ1 + V2 ρ2 = Vf ρf (3.7)

where:
V1 :Volume of the first substance,bbl.
V2 :Volume of the second substance,bbl.
ρ1 :Density of the first substance;ppg
ρ2 :Density of the second substance;ppg
Vf :Final volume ,bbl.
ρf :Final density,ppg.

ˆ Final Volume Unlimited

Example 3.3:
Determine the density and volume when the two following muds are mixed together.
V1 = 400 bbl ρ1 = 11.0 ppg

V2 = 400 bbl ρ2 = 14.0 ppg

solution:

V1 ρ1 + V2 ρ2 = Vf ρf

(400)(11.0) + (400)(14.0) = 800 ρf

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 4400 + 5600 = 800 ρf
10, 000
ρf = = 12.5 ppg
800
Final Volume = 800 bbl & Final Density = 12.5 ppg

ˆ Final Volume limited

Example 3.4:
Determine the volume of 400 bbl of 11.0 ppg mud and 400 bbl 14.0 ppg mud required
to build 300 bbl of 11.5 ppg mud.

Solution:
V1 ρ1 + V2 ρ2 = Vf ρf

V1 (11) + V2 (14) = (11.5)(300) ............... (1)

V1 + V2 = Vf ........... V1 + V2 = 300 .......V1 = 300 − V2 ...........(2)

(300 − V2 )(11) + V2 (14) = (11.5)(300)

3300 − V2 (11) + V2 (14) = 3450

−V2 (11) + V2 (14) = 3450 − 3300

V2 (3) = 150........V2 = 50 bbl

V1 = 300 − 50 = 250 bbl

Increased Mud Density

ˆ Usually with use of barium sulfate (BaSO4 ) commonly called barite or any sub-
stance in table below

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ˆ For Example , To calculate Weight of barite in pound (lbm ) using equation below

W t.B = ρB × VB (3.8)

ˆ Final Volume Unlimited

Example 3.5:
It is desired to increase the density of 200 bbl of 11 lbm /gal mud to 11.5 lbm /gal using
barite. The final volume is not limited. Compute the weight of barite required.

Solution:
V1 ρ1 + VB ρB = Vf ρf

(200)(11) + VB (35) = Vf (11.5) .............. (1)

V1 + VB = Vf ........... 200 + VB = Vf .......Vf = 200 + VB ...........(2)

(200)(11) + VB (35) = (200 + VB )(11.5)

2200 + VB (35) = 2300 + VB (11.5)

VB (35) − VB (11.5) = 2300 − 2200

VB (23.5) = 100...........VB = 100/23.5 = 4.255 bbl

wt.B = (35 lbm /gal) × (4.255 bbl) × (42 gal/1 bbl) = 6255 lbm

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ˆ Final Volume limited

Example 3.6:
It is desired to increase the density of 800 bbl of 12lbm /gal mud to 14lbm /gal. One
gallon of water will be added with 100lbm sack of barite to prevent excessive thick-
ening of the mud. A final mud volume of 800bbl is desired. Compute the volume
of old mud that should be discarded and mass of barite to be added.

Solution:
V1 ρ1 + VB ρB = Vf ρf

V1 (12) + VB (35) = (800)(14) ................. (1)

V1 + VB = Vf ........V1 + VB = 800........V1 = 800 − VB ...........(2)

(800 − VB )(12) + VB (35) = (800)(14)

9600 − VB (12) + VB (35) = 11200

−VB (12) + VB (35) = 11200 − 9600

VB (23) = 1600............VB = 1600/23 = 69.56 bbl

Should be Discard 69.56 bbl from 800 bbl to add barite

wt.B = (35 lbm /gal) × (69.56 bbl) × (42 gal/1 bbl) = 102, 260 lbm

ˆ If 1 sacks of Barite = 100 lbm then

No. of Sacks of Barite = 102, 260/100 = 1022sacksof barite

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 Reduced Mud Density ( Dilution)
ˆ To reduced density of mud by adding WATER

ˆ Final Volume Unlimited

Example 3.7:
Calculate the amount of water required to reduce the density of 1500 bbl of 15.0
lb/gal mud to 14.5 lb/gal.

Solution:

V1 ρ1 + VW ρW = Vf ρf

(1500)(15) + VW (8.33) = Vf (14.5)..................(1)

V1 + VW = Vf ......... 1500 + VW = Vf .......... Vf = 1500 + Vw .......... (2)

(1500)(15) + VW (8.33) = (1500 + Vw )(14.5)

22500 + VW (8.33) = 21750 + Vw (14.5)

22500 − 21750 = Vw (14.5) − VW (8.33)

750 = Vw (6.17)............ Vw = 750/6.17 = 122 bbl

ˆ Final Volume limited

Example 3.8:
Dilute 300 bbl of 16.0 lbm /gal mud to 14.0 lbm /gal and maintain a final volume of
300 bbl. How much water must be added and mud discarded?

21
Solution:
V1 ρ1 + VW ρW = Vf ρf

V1 (16) + VW (8.33) = (300)(14)........................ (1)

V1 + VW = Vf ........ V1 + VW = 300...........V1 = 300 − VW ........... (2)

(300 − VW )(16) + VW (8.33) = (300)(14)

4800 − VW (16) + VW (8.33) = 4200

4800 − 4200 = VW (16) − VW (8.33)

600 = VW (7.67)..........VW = 600/7.67 = 78.2 bbl

We must discard 78.2 bbl of mud to add same value of water

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Exercises
1. A mud sample in a rotational viscometer equipped with a standard torsion spring
gives a dial reading of 50 when operated at 600 rpm and a dial reading of 25 when
operated at 300 rpm.

(a) Compute the apparent viscosity of the mud at each rotor speed. (Answer: µa300 =

25cp, µa600 = 25cp)

(b) Compute the plastic viscosity. (Answer: µp = 25cp)

(c) Compute the yield point.(Answer: τy = 0)

(d) Is this is Newtonian fluid ? why?

2. Calculate the volume and density of a fluid composed of 40 lbm of bentonite, 85 lbm
of barite, and 45 gal of fresh water. (Answer: V= 49.27 gal, ρ = 10.16 ppg)

3. Mix 200 bbl of 16 ppg mud with 500 bbl of 18 ppg mud. Calculate the final density
of the mixture. (Answer = 17.4 ppg)

4. Calculate how many 100 sacks of BARIOD are required to increase the density of
1000 bbl of 12.5 lb/gal mud to 13.5 LB/gal.
Calculate also the final mud volume.(Answer = 678.872 sacks)

5. Weight 200 bbl of 12.0 LB/gal mud to 15 LB/gal and maintain exactly 200 bbl of
mud. How much BARIOD will b needed and how much mud must be dumped?
(Answer wt.= 38121.552 lbm ,Vdumped =25.64 bbl )

6. Calculate the amount of water required to reduce the density of 500 bbl of 14.0
LB/gal Mud to 13.0 LB/gal. (Answer Vw = 107 bbl)

7. Dilute 600 bbl of 15.0 lb/gal mud to 13.5 lb/gal and maintain a final volume of
600 bbl. How much water must be added and how much mud must be dumped
initially? (Answer Vw = 135 bbl)

8. Calculate how much water and BARIOD must be mixed exactly 500 bbl of 14.0
LB/gal mud. (Answer Vw = 395 bbl , W t.B = 156, 114 lbm )

23
Chapter 4

Hydrostatic Pressure

4.1 Hydrostatic pressure

ˆ Hydrostatic pressure (HP): The pressure exerted from the weight of fluid
column.
ˆ Mud hydrostatic: The pressure exerted by a static column of mud such as
that in the well bore.
HP (psi) = 0.052 × F luid density (ppg) × Depth T V D(f t) (4.1)

ˆ Effect of density on Hydrostatic pressure.

ˆ Effect of depth on Hydrostatic pressure.

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 ˆ True Vertical Depth (TVD) vs. Measured Depth (MD)

Example 4.1:

Calculate the hydrostatic pressure at Point A and Point B if mud density in well is
11.0 ppg.
Solution:
At Point A: HP = 0.052 × 11.0 × 10, 000 = 5720 psia
At Point B: HP = 0.052 × 11.0 × 10, 000 = 5720 psia

Example 4.2:
Calculate the hydrostatic pressure for each of the following systems.

(a) 10,000 ft and 12.0 ppg mud.

Solution:
HP = 0.052 × 12.0 ppg × 10,000 ft = 6,240 psi
(b) 12,000 ft and 10.2 ppg mud.
Solution:
HP = 0.052 × 10.2 ppg × 12,000 ft = 6,552 psi

Example 4.3:

Fill in the gaps

Mud Density, ft Depth (TVD),ft Hydrostatic pressure, psi

12 10000
11.5 12500
9780 5390
13430 10475
9.7 4237

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 4.2 Pressure Gradient
ˆ Pressure Gradient (PG): The hydrostatic pressure for each vertical foot of
fluid.
Hudrostatic pressure
PG = = 0.052 × F luid density (ppg) (4.2)
Depth T V D
Example 4.4:

Calculate the hydrostatic pressure exerted by a mud with a gradient of 0.6 psi/ft
in a well 15000 feet true vertical depth (TVD).
Solution:
HP = P ressure gradient × T V D = 0.6 (psi/f t) × 15, 000f t = 9000 psi

Example 4.5:
Fill in the gaps

Mud gradient, psi/t Depth (TVD),ft Hydrostatic pressure, psi

0.75 12550
0.91 15880
9050 5647
7450 4098
0.8 13440

4.3 Formation Pressure

ˆ Formation (or pore) pressure: The pressure exerted by the fluid in the pore
spaces of a formation.
Example 4.6:
A well is 10000 feet deep and the formation pressure is normal (0.465 psi/ft). What is
the formation pressure at 10000 feet?
Solution:
Hydrostatic pressure (psi) = P ressure gradient (psi/f t) × T V D (f t)
Hydrostatic pressure (psi) = 0.465 × 10000 = 4650 psi
Formation Pressure =4650 psi

26
 ˆ Normal formation pressure: is equal to the hydrostatic pressure of a column of
formation fluid extending from surface to subsurface formation.

ˆ Abnormal formation pressure: is defined as any pore pressure that is greater

that the hydrostatic pressure.

Example 4.7:
A well is 10000 feet deep and the formation pressure is normal (0.465 psi/ft). What mud
weight would be required to balance this pressure?
Solution:
Hydrostatic pressure (psi) = P ressure gradient (psi/f t) × T V D (f t)
Hydrostatic pressure (psi) = 0.465 × 10000 = 4650 psi
Formation Pressure =4650 psi
Hydrostatic pressure 4650
M ud W eight (ppg) = = = 8.94 ppg
0.052 × depthT V D 0.052 × 10000

Example 4.8:

Well depth is 10000 feet (TVD)

Mud weight is 12 ppg
Formation pressure gradient is 0.61 psi/ft
Is the well overbalanced?
Solution:

The mud hydrostatic:

M ud hydrostatic (psi) = M udweight (ppg) × 0.052 × T V D (f t)

HP = 12 × 0.052 × 10000 = 6240 psi

The formation pressure:

F ormation pressure (psi/f t) = F ormation pressure gradient (psi/f t) × T V D (f t)
F P = 0.61 × 10000 = 6100 psi

The well is 140 psi overbalanced.

27
4.4 Fracture Pressures
ˆ Fracture pressure: The pressure required to fracture the formation and to cause
mud losses from a wellbore into the induced fractures.

Example 4.9:
Well data:
Depth (TVD) : 12500 ft
Formation pressure gradient : 0.624 psi/ft
Fracture pressure gradient : 0.936 psi/ft
Calculate:

1. The minimum mud weight required.

2. The maximum or fracture mud weight.

Solution:

1. The minimum mud weight required.

F ormation pressure (psi/f t) = F ormation pressure gradient (psi/f t) × T V D (f t)

F P = 0.624 × 12500 = 7800 psi

F ormation pressure (psi) 7800

M ud weight (ppg) = = = 12 ppg
0.052 × T V D(f t) 0.052 × 12500
2. The maximum or fracture mud weight.

F racture pressure (psi/f t) = F racture pressure gradient (psi/f t) × T V D (f t)

F P = 0.936 × 12500 = 11700 psi

F ormation pressure (psi) 11700

M ud weight (ppg) = = = 18 ppg
0.052 × T V D(f t) 0.052 × 12500

28
Exercises
1. Calculate the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the drilling mud in the following wells.

(a) Measured Depth (MD) 15000 ft

True Vertical Depth (TVD) 15000 ft
Mud gradient 0.5 psi/ft(Answer = 7500 psi)

(b) MD 15000 ft
TVD 12000 ft
Mud gradient 0.5 psi/ft (Answer = 6000 psi)

(c) MD 17500 ft
TVD 17500 ft
Mud gradient 0.728 psi/ft(Answer = 12740 psi)

(d) MD 16430 ft
TVD 9850 ft
Mud gradient 0.55 psi/ft (Answer = 5417.5 psi)

(e) MD 5520 ft
TVD 2590 ft
Mud gradient 0.52 psi/ft(Answer = 1346.8 psi)

2. Well depth is 16000 feet (TVD)

Mud weight is 12 ppg
Formation pressure gradient is 0.638 psi/ft
Is the well overbalanced? (Answer = - 224 psi)

3. Well data:
Depth (TVD) : 9000 ft
Formation pressure gradient : 0.68 psi/ft
Fracture pressure gradient : 0.75 psi/ft
Calculate:

(a) The minimum mud weight required. (Answer = 13 ppg)

(b) The maximum or fracture mud weight. (Answer = 14.4 ppg)

29
Chapter 5

Rotary Drilling

ˆ The most common drilling rigs in use today are rotary drilling rigs.

ˆ The main components of a rotary drilling:

– Power System
– Hoisting System
– Fluid Circulating System
– Rotary System
– Well Control System
– Well Monitoring System

30
5.1 Power System
ˆ The power system of a rotary drilling rig has to supply the following main com-
ponents: (1) rotary system, (2) hoisting system and (3) drilling fluid circulation
system.

ˆ The largest power consumers on a rotary drilling rig are the hoisting and the cir-
culation system, these components determine mainly the total power requirements

ˆ The power itself is either generated at the rig site using internal-combustion diesel
engines, or taken as electric power supply from existing power lines.

ˆ The power requirements for most rigs are between 1,000 to 3,000 [hp].

5.2 Hoisting System

ˆ The hoisting system is to lower and raise the drillstring into or out of the well.

ˆ The principle components of the hoisting system are:

(1) The derrick and substructure.
(2) The block and tackle.
(3) The drawworks.

31
 Derrick and Substructure
ˆ The function of a derrick is to provide the vertical height required to raise sections
of pipe from or lower them into hole.
ˆ Derricks that can handle sections called stands, which are composed of two, three,
or four joints of drillpipe.
ˆ The height of derricks are rated according to their ability to withstand compressive
loads and wind loads.
ˆ The substructure is space below the derrick floor to provide working for pressure
control valves called blowout preventers.

Block and Tackle

ˆ The block and tackle is comprised of:
(1) The crown block.
(2) The traveling block.
(3) The drilling line.
ˆ The principle function of the block and tackle is to provide a mechanical advantage,
which permits easier handling of large loads.

Drawworks
ˆ The drawworks provide the hoisting and braking power required to raise and lower
the heavy strings of pipe.
ˆ The principle parts of the drawworks are:
(1) The drum.
(2) The brakes.
(3) The transmission.
(4) The catheads.

32
5.3 Fluid Circulating System
ˆ The circulating system is used to circulate drilling fluid to carrying the drilled
cuttings.

ˆ The principle components of the mud circulation system are:

(1) mud pumps.
(2) mud pits and tanks (settling tank, mixing tank, suction tank).
(3) mud mixing equipment (mud mixing hopper).
(4) contaminant removal equipment (shale shaker, desander, desilter, degasser).
ˆ Nowadays there are two types of mud pumps in use (duplex pump, triplex pump).

5.4 Rotary System

ˆ The function of the rotary system is to transmit rotation to the drillstring and
consequently rotate the bit.

33
ˆ The main parts of the rotary system are:
(1) Swivel.
(2) Kelly.
(3) Rotary drive.
(4) rotary table.
(5) drillstring ( drillpipe , drillcollars and bit ).

ˆ The swivel is suspended by the hook of the traveling block and allows the drillstring
to rotate as drilling fluid is pumped to within the drillstring.

ˆ The kelly has a square or hexagonal cross-section and provides the rotation of the
drillstring.

ˆ The drillstring on a drilling rig is a column, or string, of drill pipe that transmits
drilling fluid (via the mud pumps) and torque (via the kelly drive or top drive) to
the drill bit.

ˆ The major portion of the drillstring is composed of drillpipe.

ˆ The lower section of rotary drillstring is composed of drill collars. The drill collars
are thick-walled heavy steel tubulars used to apply weight to the bit. The drill
collars helps to keep the hole straight.

ˆ Drilling bit depends on several factors, such as the condition of the bit, the weight
applied to it, and the rate at which it is rotated.

ˆ Three principal types of bits are used in a rotary drilling operation:

(1) Drag of fish-tail bits.
(2) Rolling–cutter bits more commonly called rock bit.
(3) Diamond bits.

ˆ Most drilling bits are rock bits.

34
5.5 Well Control System
ˆ The well control system prevents the uncontrolled flow of formation fluids from the
wellbore.

ˆ Primary Well Control: Hydrostatic pressure provided by drilling fluid more than
formation pressure but less than fracture gradient while drilling.

ˆ Blowout Preventer (BOP) which is used when the primary well control is lost. BOP
is used to prevent fluid escaping from a wellbore.

ˆ Kick: A flow of formation fluids into the wellbore during drilling operations. If the
flow is successfully controlled, the kick is considered to have been killed.

ˆ Blowout: The uncontrolled release of fluid or gas that occurs as a result of the kick.

5.6 Well Monitoring System

ˆ The well monitoring system is devices that display and simultaneously record most
of the important parameters related to the drilling operation.

ˆ These Devices record or display parameters such as depth, penetration rate, hook
load, rotary speed, rotary torque, pump rate, pump pressure, mud density, mud
temperature, mud salinity, gas content of mud, hazardous gas content of air, pit
level and mud flow rate.

35
Chapter 6

Rotary Drilling Calculations

Power System
ω.T
P = (6.1)
33, 000

ω = 2.π.N (6.2)
where:
P : Shaft power developed by engine, hp.
ω : Angular velocity of the shaft , rad/min.
T : Torque ft-lb.
N : Shaft speed, rev./min.
Qi = 0.000393.Wf .ρf .H (6.3)
where:
Qi : Heat energy consumption by engine, hp.
Wf : Fuel consumption, gal/hr.
ρf : Density of fuel, lbm /gal.
H : Heating value, BT U/lbm
P
E= (6.4)
Qi
where:
E : Overall power system efficiency, fraction.

36
Example 6.1:

A diesel engine:
T = 1740 f t − lbf
N = 1200 rpm
Wf = 31.5 gal/hr
1. What is the output power ?
2. What is the overall efficiency of the engine?
Solution
1. The output power
ω = 2.π.N = 2.π.1, 200 = 7, 539.8 rad/min
ω.T (7, 539.8)(1, 740)
P = = = 397.5hp
33, 000 33, 000

2. The overall efficiency of the engine

Qi = 0.000393.Wf .ρf .H = 0.000393(31.5)(7.2)(19, 000) = 1, 695.4 hp
P 397.5 hp
E= = = 0.2344 or 23.44%
Qi 1.695.5 hp

Hoisting System
Buoyancy

 
ρm
We = 1− W (6.5)
ρs
where:
We : Effective weight,lbf
ρm Mud density, lbm /gal
ρs Steel density(approximately 65.5 lbm /gal )
W : Weight on air,lbf

Example 6.2:

Ten thousand feet of 19.5 lbf /f t drillpipe and 600 f t of 147 lbf /f t drill collars are sus-
pended off bottom in a 15.0 lbm /gal mud. Calculate the effective hook load that must
be supported by the derrick.
Solution:
The weight of drillstring in air is given by

W = 19.5(10, 000) + 147(600) = 283, 200 lbf

The effective weight of drillstring in mud:

   
ρm 15.0
We = 1 − W = 1− 283, 200 = 218, 300 lbf
ρs 65.5

37
Fluid Circulating System

ˆ Duplex Pump
P O = 0.000162 × Ls × (2d2l − d2r ) × Ev (6.6)

ˆ Triplex Pump
P O = 0.000243 × Ls × (d2l ) × Ev (6.7)
where:
P O : Pump Output, bbl/stroke
Ls : Stroke Length, in.
dr : Piston rod diameter,in.
dl : Liner diameter,in.
Ev : Volumetric efficiency,fraction.

Example 6.3:
Compute the pump output for duplex pump having 6.5 in. liners, 2.5 in. rods, 18
in. strokes, and a volumetric efficiency of 90 %.
Solution:
P O = 0.000162 × Ls × (2d2l − d2r ) × Ev
P O = 0.000162 × 18 × (2(6.52 ) − (2.52 )) × (0.9) = 0.2053 bbl/stroke

ˆ To calculate the number of strokes to pump a volume of mud .

V olume mud to P ump (bbl)
Stroke = (6.8)
P ump Output (bbl/stroke)
ˆ Time calculations
N o. of Stroke(stk)
T ime = (6.9)
P ump Rate(SP M )
Example 6.4:
Calculate the number of strokes and time :
Volume to pump = 156.8 bbl
Pump output = 0.109 bbl/stroke
Pump rate = 50 spm
Solution:
156.8 bbl
Stroke = = 1438.5 stroke
0.109 bbl/stroke
1438.5 stroke
T ime = = 28.7 mins
50 Stroke/minute)

38
 Rotary System
Capacity and Volume

π in3
ˆ Area of circle is A = d2 2
in =
4 n
ˆ Capacity is the amount (volume) that something will hold, or its internal volume.

D2
A= bbl/f t (6.10)
1029.4

ˆ Volume of cylindrical

V =A×L bbl (6.11)

ˆ Capacity of drillstring ( Drillpipe and Drill collars)

2
IDdp
Adp = bbl/f t (6.12)
1029.4

2
IDdc
Adc = bbl/f t (6.13)
1029.4

ˆ Volume of drillstring ( Drillpipe and Drill collars)

Vdp = Adp × Ldp bbl (6.14)

Vdc = Adc × Ldc bbl (6.15)

ˆ Annulus is the place a pipe inside another pipe there is a space between them.

ˆ Capacity of annulus ( Drillpipe and Drill collars)

d2h − ODdp2
Aadp = bbl/f t (6.16)
1029.4

d2h − ODdc2
Aadc = bbl/f t (6.17)
1029.4

ˆ Volume of annulus ( Drillpipe and Drill collars)

Vadp = Aadp × Ldp bbl (6.18)

Vadc = Aadc × Ldc bbl (6.19)

39
Example 6.5:
Well data:
Hole diameter: 121/4 in
Hole Depth : 9000 ft
8 in Drill collars (ID 2.81 in) Length 1,000 ft
5 in drill pipe (ID 4.276 in)

1. Drill string volume (bbl)

2. Annular volume (bbl)

Solution:

1. Drill string volume (bbl)

2
IDdp 4.2762
Capacity of drill pipe Adp = = = 0.01776 bbl/f t
1029.4 1029.4
Volume of drill pipe Vdp = Adp × Ldp = 0.01776 (bbl/f t) × 8000 (f t) = 142.1 bbl
2
IDdc 2.812
Capacity of drill collars Adc = = = 0.00767 bbl/f t
1029.4 1029.4
Volume of drill collars Vdc = Adc × Ldc = 0.00767 (bbl/f t) × 1000 (f t) = 7.67 bbl

VOLUME of Drill string = 142.1 + 7.67 = 149.77 bbl

2. Annular volume (bbl)
12.252 − 82
Capacity of annulus drill collars Aadc = = 0.0836 bbl/f t
1029.4
Volume of annulus drill collars Vadc = 0.0836 × 1000 = 83.6 bbl
12.252 − 52
Capacity of annulus drill pipe Aadp = = 0.1215 bbl/f t
1029.4
Volume of annulus drill pipe Vadp = 0.1215 × 8000 = 972 bbl

VOLUME of annulus = 83.6 + 972 = 1055.6 bbl

40
Example 6.6:
Hole diameter : 121/4 in
Hole depth : 12000 ft
6 in Drill collars (ID 2.5 in) Length 800 ft
5 in Drill pipe (ID 4.276 in)
Pump output: 0.119 bbl/stroke
Calculate:

1. Drill string volume (bbl).

2. Annular volume (bbl).
3. Total well volume (bbl).
4. No. of Strokes to circulate from surface to bit.
5. No. of Strokes to circulate from bit to surface.
6. No. of Strokes for a complete circulation of the well.
7. Time for a complete circulation of the well at 80 spm.

Solution:

1. Drill string volume (bbl)

2
IDdp 4.2762
Capacity of drill pipe Adp = = = 0.01776 bbl/f t
1029.4 1029.4
Volume of drill pipe Vdp = 0.01776 (bbl/f t) × 11200 (f t) = 198.912 bbl
2
IDdc 2.52
Capacity of drill collars Adc = = = 0.00607 bbl/f t
1029.4 1029.4
Volume of drill collars Vdc = 0.00607 (bbl/f t) × 800 (f t) = 4.86 bbl
VOLUME of Drill string = 198.912 + 4.86 = 203.77 bbl
2. Annular volume (bbl)
12.252 − 62
Capacity of annulus drill collars Aadc = = 0.1108 bbl/f t
1029.4
Volume of annulus drill collars Vadc = 0.1108 × 800 = 88.64 bbl
12.252 − 52
Capacity of annulus drill pipe Aadp = = 0.1215 bbl/f t
1029.4
Volume of annulus drill pipe Vadp = 0.1215 × 11200 = 1360.8 bbl

VOLUME of annulus = 88.64 + 1360.8 = 1449.44 bbl

3. Total well volume (bbl). = Vdrillstring +Vannulus = 203.77+1449.44 = 1653.21bbl

4. No. of Strokes to circulate from bit to surface.
V olume of drillstring 203.77 bbl
N o. of Stroke = = = 1712 stroke
P ump Output (bbl/stroke) 0.119 bbl/stroke
5. No. of Strokes to circulate from bit to surface.
V olume of annulus 1449.44 bbl
N o. of Stroke = = = 12180 stroke
P ump Output (bbl/stroke) 0.119 bbl/stroke
6. No. Strokes for a complete circulation of the well = 13892 stroke
7. Time for a complete circulation of the well at 80 spm.
N o. of Stroke(stk) 13902.8 stk
T ime = = = 174 nims (2 hrs and 54mins)
P ump Rate(SP M ) 80 stk/min

41
Displacement of Pipe
ˆ Pipe displacement, normally in bbl/ft is steel volume per length of steel pipe.

ˆ When we either pull out of hole or trip in hole for any kind of pipes such as drill
pipe, you should know how much fluid to displace steel volume.

OD2 − ID2
P ipe displacement (bbl/f t) = (6.20)
1029.4
Example 6.7:
The drill string consists of:
9,000 ft if 5 in drill pipe (ID 4.276 in).
1,000 ft of 8 in drill collars (ID 3 in).
Calculate the volume of drilling fluid required to fill the hole if the entire string is
tripped out dry.
Solution:
Drillpipe :
52 − 4.2762
P ipe displacement = = 0.0065 bbl/f f
1029.4

V olume of displacement = 0.0065 × 9000 = 58.5 bbl

Drill collars :
82 − 32
P ipe displacement = = 0.053 bbl/f f
1029.4

V olume of displacement = 0.053 × 1000 = 53.0 bbl

Total volume of pipe removed = drill pipe + drill collars = 58.5 + 53.0 = 111.5 bbl

ˆ Tripping: The operation of pulling pipe out of the well or running pipe into the
well.

ˆ 1 stand consist of 3 pipes.

42
Pressure drop or Reduction in BHP
ˆ to Calculate Equivalent Height of bbl required to fill the hole.

V olume required to f ill hole (bbl)

Height drop (f t) = (6.21)
Hole capacity (bbl/f t)

Reduction in BHP (psi) = 0.052 × M ud density(ppg) × Height drop (f t) (6.22)

Example 6.8:

What’s reduction in BHP if we pull 5 stand drillpipe ?

If metal displacement of drillpipe =0.008 bbl/ft.
Hole capacity 0.1458 bbl/ft.
Mud density 12 ppg.
Assume 1 stand = 90 ft

Solution:

V olume metal displacement (bbl) = 0.008 bbl/f t × (5 × 90 f t) = 3.6 bbl

3.6
Height drop = = 24.7 f t
0.1458
Reduction in BHP = 0.052 × 12 × 24.7 = 15.4 psi

43
Exercises
1. The following data were obtained on a diesel engine operating in prony brake:

Engine Speed (rpm) Torque (ft-lbf) Fuel Consumption (gal/hr)

1,200 1,400 25.3
1,000 1,550 19.7
800 1,650 15.7
(a) Compute the brake horsepower at each engine speed.
(Answer: 319.9, 295.1, 251.3.)

(b) Compute the overall engine efficiency at each engine speed.

(Answer: 0.235, 0.278, 0.297.)

2. A 15000 ft drillstring is composed of 14400 ft 5 in. 16.25 lbf /f t and 600 ft 81/4 in.
158 lbf /f t drillcollars . The mud density is 13 lbm /gal. Calculate the effective hook
load that must be supported by the derrick. (Answer =263542 lbf )

3. Well data:
Hole diameter: 13 3/8 in
Hole Depth : 8000 ft
61/2 in Drill collars (ID 2.0 in) Length 700 ft
41/2 in drill pipe (ID 3.64 in)

(a) Drill string volume (bbl) (Answer = 96.68 bbl)

(b) Annular volume (bbl) (Answer = 1217.92 bbl)

4. Hole diameter = 9.875 in

Hole depth : 7000 ft
8 in Drill collars (ID 2.75 in) Length 500 ft
5 in Drill pipe (ID 4.408 in)
Pump output: 0.1781 bbl/stroke
Calculate:

(a) Drill string volume (bbl). ( Answer = 126.36 bbl)

(b) Annular volume (bbl). ( Answer = 474.17 bbl)

(c) No. of Strokes to circulate from surface to bit. (Answer = 709.51 stroke)

(d) No. of Strokes to circulate from bit to surface. (Answer = 2662.37 stroke)

(e) Time for a complete circulation of the well at 30 spm. (Answer = 112 min)

5. What’s volume required to fill hole if we pull 5 stand (1 stand = 90 ft) 5 in drillpipe
(ID 4.408 in) Dry ? (Answer = 2.43 bbl)

6. What is the bottom hole hydrostatic pressure reduction when pulling 600 ft of 5”
drill pipe dry without filling the hole.
Well Data:
Casing capacity : 0.1522 bbls/ft
Drill pipe steel displacement : 0.00652 bbls/ft
Mud density : 10.5 ppg (Answer = 14.0 psi)

44
Chapter 7

Drilling Hydraulic

7.1 Well Static condition

ˆ The pressure at any point in a column of fluid caused by the weight of fluid above
that point.
ˆ Bottom hole pressure when static (not circulating) is the mud hydrostatic pressure.

BHP = M ud Hydrostatic (7.1)

Example 7.1
Well data:
Depth (TVD) : 10000 feet
Mud weight : 10.0 ppg
Calculate the Bottom hole pressure (BHP) when static (not circulating).
Solution:

BHP (psi) = mudhydrostatic

BHP = mud weight (ppg) × 0.052 × T V D (f eet)

BHP = 10.0 × 0.052 × 10000 = 5200psi

45
 Hydrostatic Pressure in Complex Fluid columns
ˆ During many drilling operations, the well fluid column contains several sections of
different fluid densities.

P1 = 0.052ρ1 (D1 − D0 ) P2 = 0.052ρ2 (D2 − D1 ) P3 = 0.052ρ3 (D3 − D2 )

n
X
p = 0.052 ρi (Di − Di−1 ) (7.2)
i=1

Example 7.2
Calculate the Bottom hole pressure ?

Solution:
BHP = 0.052 × (9 × 3000 + 11.5 × (8000 − 3000) + 13 × (12000 − 8000))

BHP = 7098 psi

ˆ Equivalent Density

P ressure (psi)
Equivalent M ud W eight (ppg) = (7.3)
0.052 × T V D (f t)
Example 7.3
Calculate the Equivalent mud density in Example 7.2 ?
Solution:
7098
Equivalent M ud W eight = = 11.4 ppg
0.052 × 12000

46
7.2 Well Non-Static Condition
ˆ At circulating pressures we can split the circulating system into four component
parts

-Surface lines: from the mud pump to the top drive or kelly.
-Drill string: the drill string including drill pipe and drill collars.
-Bit: the nozzles or flow path through the bit.
-Annulus: from the bit back up to surface
ˆ Pump pressure: The sum of all the pressure losses in the system from the pump
back to surface.
Example 7.4:
While circulating at 80 spm the pressure losses around the circulating system are:
Surface lines: 150 psi
Drill string: 950 psi
Bit: 1000 psi
Annulu:s 200 psi
Calculate the pump pressure.

Solution:
The pump pressure would be 150 + 950 + 1000 + 200 = 2300 psi

47
 Changes in pump rate
ˆ If we change the pump rate then the pump pressure will also change. Increasing
the spm will cause the pressure to increase

ˆ The actual pressure for a new pump rate can be estimated using the following
formula:
 2
N ew spm
N ew pump = Old pressure × (7.4)
Old spm

Example 7.5:
When circulating at 100 spm the pump pressure is 2300 psi. What will the new
pump pressure be at 120 spm ?
Solution:  2
120
N ew pump = 2300 × = 3312 psi
100

Changes in mud weight

ˆ A change in mud weight will also affect pump pressure. Increasing the mud weight
will cause the pressure to increase

ˆ The actual pressure for a new pump rate can be estimated using the following
formula:
N ew mud weight
N ew pump = Old pressure × (7.5)
Old mud weight
Example 7.6:
When circulating with a mud weight of 10 ppg the pump pressure is 3000 psi. What
would the pump pressure be if the mud weight was increased to 12 ppg?
Solution:
12
N ew pump = 3000 × = 3600 psi
10

48
The effect of circulating pressures on bottom hole pressure
ˆ The annular pressure loss (APL) is the only pressure which will have any effect on
Bottom Hole Pressure (BHP).

ˆ When the mud is being circulated, a pressure equal to the APL acts on the bottom
of the hole. This will have the effect of increasing BHP.

ˆ When circulating, bottom hole pressure increases by the amount of annular pressure
losses.

ˆ Bottom hole circulating pressure (BHCP) :

BHCP = M ud hydrostatic + AP L (7.6)

Example 7.7
Well data:
Depth (TVD) : 10000 feet
Mud weight : 10.0 ppg
Pump pressure at 100 spm : 2300 psi
Annular pressure loss at 100 spm : 200 psi
Calculate the Bottom hole Circulating pressure (BHCP) when circulating.

Solution:

BHCP (psi) = mudhydrostatic + AP L

BHCP = mud weight (ppg) × 0.052 × T V D (f eet) + AP L

BHCP = 10.0 × 0.052 × 10000 + 200 = 5400psi

49
 Equivalent circulating density
ˆ while circulating the bottom hole circulation pressure (BHCP) is higher than the
mud hydrostatic.

ˆ BHCP can be expressed as a value in pounds per gallon (ppg), this is known as the
Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD).

ˆ ECD can be calculated from the bottom hole circulating pressure by converting this
to an equivalent mud density.

BHCP (psi)
ECD (ppg) = (7.7)
0.052 × T V D (f t)

Example 7.8
Well data:
Depth (TVD) : 10000 feet
Mud weight : 10.0 ppg
Annular pressure loss at 100 spm : 260 psi
Calculate the Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD).

Solution:
BHCP = 0.052 × 10.0 × 10000 + 260 = 5460 psi
5460
ECD = = 10.5 ppg
0.052 × 10000

Velocity in Drill string and Annulus

ˆ The velocity inside drillstring :
17.16 × q
v= (7.8)
ID2

ˆ The velocity in annulus :

17.16 × q
v= (7.9)
Dh2 − OD2

Where:
v: Velocity in ft/sec.
q: Flow rate in bbl/min.

ˆ We can calculate the flow rate by:

q (bbl/min) = spm(stroke/min) × P.O(bbl/stroke) (7.10)

50
Example 7.9
Well data:
Hole diameter : 121/4 in.
Hole depth : 9000 ft
8 inch Drill collars (ID 2.81 inch) Length 750 feet
5 inch Drill pipe (ID 4.276 inch)
Pump flow rate : 80 spm
Pump output : 0.12 bbl/stroke
Calculate :

1. The average velocity in the drillpipe.

2. The average velocity in the drillcollars.
3. The average velocity in the annulus opposite the drill pipe.
4. The average velocity in the annulus opposite the drill pipe.

Solution:

q (bbl/min) = 80 × 0.12 = 9.6 bbl/min

1. The average velocity in the drillpipe.

17.16 × 9.6
vdp = = 9.0 f t/sec
4.2762
2. The average velocity in the drillcollars.
17.16 × 9.6
vdc = = 1.9 f t/sec
2.812
3. The average velocity in the annulus opposite the drill collars.
17.16 × 9.6
vadc = = 1.9 f t/sec
12.252 − 82
4. The average velocity in the annulus opposite the drill pipe.
17.16 × 9.6
vadp = = 1.3 f t/sec
12.252 − 52

51
Exercises
1. Calculate the following:

(a) The bottom hole pressure (BHP).(Answer =7235.8 psi)

(b) The equivalent mud density. (Answer =12.1 ppg)

2. A vertical well is 5500 feet deep and filled with 11.2 ppg mud. While circulating at
100 spm the friction losses in the well are as follows:
150 psi through surface equipment.
900 psi in drill string.
1,700 psi through bit nozzles.
100 psi in annulus.
What is the bottom hole pressure when the pumps are running at 100 spm?
(Answer=3303 psi )

3. Well data :
Depth (TVD) : 11250 feet
Mud weight : 13.2 ppg
Pump pressure at 80 spm : 3750 psi
Annular pressure loss at 80 spm : 175 psi
Calculate :

(a) Bottom hole pressure (BHP) when static (not circulating). (Answer =7722 psi)

(b) Bottom hole circulating pressure (BHCP) (when circulating). (Answer =7897 psi)

4. Well data:
Depth (TVD) : 7950 feet
Mud weight : 11.9 ppg
Pressure losses at 100 spm
Surface lines : 75 psi
Drill string : 725 psi
Bit : 850 psi
Annulus : 100 psi
Calculate:

(a) Bottom hole pressure (BHP). (Answer =4919 psi)

(b) Bottom hole circulating pressure (BHCP). (Answer =5019 psi)

(c) The Pump pressure.(Answer =1750 psi)

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5. Well data:
Depth (TVD) : 12000 feet
Mud weight : 11 ppg
Annular pressure loss at 80 spm : 250 psi

(a) Bottom hole pressure (BHP).(Answer =6864 psi)

(b) Bottom hole circulating pressure (BHCP). (Answer =7114 psi)

(c) the Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD). (Answer =11.4 ppg)

6. Calculate the following:

Old stroke (spm) New stroke (spm) Old pressure (psi) New pressure (psi)
75 40 2450
30 60 400
100 60 3000
Old Mud Wt. (ppg) New Mud Wt. (ppg) Old pressure (psi) New pressure (psi)
11.5 12.2 2500
11.0 9.0 400
10.5 12.0 1500

7. At 60 strokes/minute, with a mud weight of 12 ppg, the circulating pressure is 600

psi. What would be the approximate circulating pressure (at the same spm) if the
mud weight were raised to 13 ppg? (Answer=650 psi )

8. When pumping at 80 SPM the pump pressure = 4000 psi. What would be approx-
imate pump pressure if pumps were slowed to 40 SPM? (Answer=1000 psi)

9. Well data:
Hole diameter : 9 5/8 in.
Hole depth : 7990 ft
6 1/2 inch Drill collars (ID 2 1/4 inch) Length 750 feet
5 inch Drill pipe (ID 4.408 inch)
Pump flow rate : 60 spm
Pump output : 0.158 bbl/stroke
Calculate :

(a) The average velocity in the drillpipe. (Answer =8.37 ft/sec)

(b) The average velocity in the drillcollars.(Answer =32.13 ft/sec)

(c) The average velocity in the annulus opposite the drill pipe. (Answer =2.40 ft/sec)

(d) The average velocity in the annulus opposite the drill pipe.(Answer =3.23 ft/sec)

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Chapter 8

Casing and Cementing

ˆ Casing: Steel pipe cemented in place during the construction process to stabilize
the wellbore.

ˆ The main functions of casing are :

– Preventing the formation wall from caving into the wellbore.

– Isolating the different formations to prevent the flow or crossflow of formation
fluid.
– Providing a means of maintaining control of formation fluids and pressure as
the well is drilled.

ˆ The casing string provides a means of securing surface pressure control equipment
and downhole production equipment, such as the drilling blowout preventer (BOP)
or production packer. Casing is available in a range of sizes and material grades.

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ˆ Cement is used to hold casing in place and to prevent fluid migration between sub-
surface formations.

ˆ Cement is used to fill the space between casing and the wellbore where it provides
structural support;

ˆ The main principal functions of the cementing process are:

– Supports the casing

– To restrict fluid movement between the formations.
– Protect the casing from corrosion

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Chapter 9

Well Completion

ˆ Well completion is the process of making the well ready for production.

ˆ Type Of Well Completion

– Openhole Completion.
– Perforated completions.
– Uncemented Liner Completions.
– Multiple Zone Completion.
ˆ Perforating is a process used to establish a flow path between the near reservoir
and the wellbore.

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ˆ The wellhead is the equipment used to maintain surface control of the well.

ˆ The wellhead consists of three components: the casing head, the tubing head, and
the ’Christmas tree’.

ˆ Christmas Tree is an assembly of valves, spools, pressure gauges and chokes fitted
to the wellhead of a completed well to control production.

ˆ Packer is a piece of downhole equipment used in completions as a sealing device.

ˆ Tubing is the normal flow conduit used to transport produced fluids to the surface.

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9.1 Well Stimulation
ˆ Well Stimulation: A treatment performed to restore or enhance the productivity
of a well.

ˆ Well stimulation will involve the two main types of operation which are acidizing
and fracturing.

1. Acidizing is a process of cleaning the formation face to allow fluids to enter

the wellbore.
2. Fracturing is a process that uses high- pressure pumps to develop fluid pressure
at the bottom of a well sufficient to actually break (crack) the formation.

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