MWE

Horizontal Drilling

Lesson 4
Torque and Drag Calculations
1
4. Torque and Drag Calculations

Friction
Logging
Hook Load
Lateral Load
Torque Requirements
Examples
2
 Friction - Stationary

Horizontal surface N
No motion
No applied force

Fy = 0
N=W
W

N= Normal force = lateral load = contact force = reaction force

3
 Sliding Motion
N
Horizontal surface
Velocity, V > 0
N F
V = constant
Fy = 0
Vertically: N=W
W
Horizontally: F = N = W
4
 Sliding Motion - contd

Inclined surface
N N
V>0
V = constant I
I
F = 0 F
W
ar to surface: N = W sin I
Along surface: F = N - W cos I
5
 Friction resultant with pipe movement

Downward Movement
Rotation

Axial Drag
Tangential N = Wall Contact Force
Velocity
Component Direction of Drag
Axial Velocity Component

Resultant Velocity Component 6

 Drag through Doglegs
TENSION

N F

TENSION
7
Drag due to hole inclination

8
Forces acting on a drillstring element

F + F

NET SIDE LOAD

W
F
9
Forces acting on a drillstring element

F + F

+, +

Fn

Ff=Fn
,

F 10
W
 BHA drag in lateral cutting beds

Wall Contact

Stabilizer Bit

Hole Diameter

Cuttings Bed Cuttings Buildup

11
Frictionless, Inclined, Straight Wellbore:

1. Consider
a section
of pipe
in the
wellbore.

In the absence of FRICTION the forces acting on

the pipe are buoyed weight, axial tension and the
reaction force, N, normal to the wellbore. 12
Frictionless, Inclined, Straight Wellbore:

F =0 along wellbore : T = W cos I (1)

F =0 ar to wellbore : N = Wsin I (2)

These equations are used for ROTATING pipe.

13
 Effect of Friction (no doglegs):

2. Consider Effect of Friction ( no doglegs):

14
 Effect of Friction (no doglegs):

Frictional Force, F = N = W sin I

where 0 < < 1 ( is the coeff. of friction)

usually 0.1 < < 0.4 in the wellbore

(a) Lowering: Friction opposes motion, so

T = W cos I Ff

T = W cos I W sin I (3)

15
 Effect of Friction (no doglegs):

(b) Raising: Friction still opposes motion,

so T = W cos I + Ff

T = W cos I + W sin I (4)

16
 Problem 1

What is the maximum hole angle

(inclination angle) that can be logged
without the aid of drillpipe, coiled tubing or
other tubulars?
(assume = 0.4)

17
 Solution
From Equation (3) above,

T = W cos I W sin I (3)

When pipe (logging tool) is barely sliding

down the wellbore,
T 0
0 = W cos I 0.4 W sin I
18
 Solution

cot I = 0.4 or tan I = 2.5

I = 68.2 o

This is the maximum hole angle

(inclination) that can be logged
without the aid of tubulars.

Note: = cot I
19
 Problem 2
Consider a well with a long horizontal section.
An 8,000-ft long string of 7 OD csg. is in the
hole. Buoyed weight of pipe = 30 lbs/ft.
= 0.3

(a) What force will it take to move this pipe

along the horizontal section of the
wellbore?

(b) What torque will it take to rotate this pipe?

20
 Problem 2 - Solution - Force
(a) What force will it take to move this pipe
along the horizontal section of the wellbore?
N
F=? Fb = 0

W
N = W = 30 lb/ft * 8,000 ft = 240,000 lbf
F = N = 0.3 * 240,000 lbf = 72,000 lbf

Force to move pipe, F = 72,000 lbf

21
 Problem 2 - Solution - Force

(b) What torque will it take to rotate this pipe?

As an approximation, let us
assume that the pipe lies on T

the bottom of the wellbore.

d/2
Then, as before, F
N = W = 30 lb/ft * 8,000 ft = 240,000 lbf
Torque = F*d/2 = Nd/2 = 0.3 * 240,000 lbf * 7/(2 * 12) ft

Torque to rotate pipe, T = 21,000 ft-lbf

22
 Problem 2 - Equations - Horizontal
N=W
F = N T=F*x

Force to move pipe, F = W = 72,000 lbf

Torque, T = Wd/24 = 21,000 ft-lbf

An approximate equation, with W in lbf and d in inches
23
 Horizontal - Torque
(ii) More accurate evaluation:
Note that, in the above figure, forces are not
balanced; there is no force to balance the friction
force Ff.

The pipe will

tend to climb
up the side of
the wellbore
as it rotates

24
 Horizontal - Torque

Assume Equilibrium
at angle as shown.

F Along Tangent = 0 = Ff W sin I sin

N = W sin I sin (6)

F Perpend. to Tangent = 0 = N W sin I cos

N = W sin I cos (7)25
 Horizontal - Torque

Solving equations (6) & (7)

NW sin I sin
=
N W sin I cos
= tan
1
= tan ( ) (8)

26
 Horizontal - Torque
A more accurate equation for torque in a
horizontal wellbore may be obtained by taking
into consideration the fact that a rotating pipe will
ride up the side of the wellbore to some angle .

Taking moments about the point P: T F

Torque, T = W * (d/2) sin in-lbf d/2

o
Where = atan = atan 0.3 = 16.70 P

T = 240,000 * 7/24 * 0.2873 = 20,111 ft-lbf W 27

 Problem 3
A well with a measured depth of 10,000 ft.
may be approximated as being perfectly
vertical to the kick-off point at 2,000 ft., and
o
inclined at 60 beyond that point. A string of
7 OD csg. is in the hole; length 10,000 ft.

Buoyed weight
of pipe = 30 lbs/ft
= 0.3
28
 Problem 3 - contd
Please determine the following:

(a) Hook load when rotating off bottom

(b) Hook load when RIH
(c) Hook load when POH
(d) Torque when rotating off bottom

[ ignore effects of dogleg at 2,000 ft.]

{ Hook Load = Axial Tension at the surface } 29
 Solution to Problem 3(a)
Hook load when rotating off bottom:

30
Solution to Problem 3(a) - Rotating

HL = HL 2,000 + HL 8,000

lb lb
HL = 30 * 2,000 ft + 30 * 8,000 ft * cos 60 o

ft ft

HL = 180,000 lbf When rotating off bottom

31
Alt. Solution to Problem 3(a) - Rotating

Axial Force at bottom:

F10,000 = 0
Axial Force at dogleg:
F8,000 = F10,000 + WINCL * cos 60
o

lb
= 0 + 30 * 8,000 ft * cos 60 o = 120,000 lbf
ft
Axial Force at Surface:
F0 = F2,000 + WVERT = 120,000 + 30 * 2,000 = 180,000 lbf

HL = 180,000 lbf when rotating off bottom

32
Solution to Problem 3(b) - Lowering

Hook load when RIH:

The hook load is decreased by
friction in the wellbore.
In the vertical portion: Ff = N
lb
N = 30 * 2,000 ft * sin 0o = 0
ft

Thus, friction: Ff _ VERT = 0

33
 Solution to Problem 3(b) - lowering

In the inclined section,

o
N = W * sin 60
o
= 30 * 8,000 * sin 60

= 207,846 lbf
W

34
Solution to Problem 3(b) - Lowering

Thus, FINCL = N
= 0.3 * 207,846 = 62,352 lbf

HL = We_2,000 + We_8,000 - F2,000 - F8,000

= 60,000 + 120,000 - 0 - 62,354

HL = 117,646 lbf while RIH

35
Solution to Problem 3(c) - Raising

Hook Load when POH:

HL = We_2,000 + We_8,000 + F2,000 + F8,000

= 60,000 + 120,000 + 0 + 62,354

HL = 242,354 lbf POH

36
Solution to Problem 3 (a), (b) and (c)

Axial Tension, lbf

MD (b) RIH (a) ROT (c) POH

ft

0 117,646 180,000 242,354

2,000 57,646 120,000 182,354

10,000 0 0 0
37
Solution to Problem 3 (a), (b) and (c)
0
ROT
RIH
2,000
POH
MD
ft

10,000
0 60,000 120,000 180,000 240,000
Axial Tension, lbf 38
Solution to Problem 3(d) - Rotating

Torque when rotating off bottom:

In the Inclined Section:

Torque
N = W sin I = Force * Arm
d
Ff = N = Ff *
2
d
= N*
2
39
Solution to Problem 3(d) - Rotating

(i) As a first approximation, assume the

pipe lies at lowest point of hole:

d d d
Torque = Ff = N = W sin I
2 2 2

7 1
= 0 . 3 * 30 * 8000 * sin 60 * *
o

2 12

Torque = 18,187 ft - lbf

40
Solution to Problem 3(d) - Rotating
(ii) More accurate evaluation:
Note that, in the above figure, forces are not
balanced; there is no force to balance the friction
force Ff.

The pipe will

tend to climb
up the side of
the wellbore
as it rotates

41
Solution to Problem 3(d) - Rotating

Assume Equilibrium
at angle as shown.

F Along Tangent = 0 = Ff W sin I sin

N = W sin I sin (6)

F Perpend. to Tangent = 0 = N W sin I cos

N = W sin I cos (7)42
Solution to Problem 3(d) - Rotating

Solving equations (6) & (7)

NW sin I sin
=
N W sin I cos
= tan
1
= tan ( ) (8)

43
Solution to Problem 3(d) - Rotating

(ii) continued

Evaluating the problem at hand:

From Eq. (8),

= tan 1 ( ) = tan 1 (0.3)

= 16.70 o

44
Solution to Problem 3(d) - rotating

From Eq. (6),

Ff = W sin I sin

= 30 * 8,000 * sin 60 o * sin 16.70 o

Ff = 59,724 lbf

45
Solution to Problem 3(d) - Rotating

Evaluating the problem at hand:

d
From Eq. (9), T = Ff *
2
7 1
= 59,724 * *
2 12
Torque = 17,420 ft - lbf
46
Solution to Problem 3(d)

(ii) Alternate Solution:

47
 Solution to Problem 3(d)

Taking moments
about tangent point:

d
T = W sin I sin *
2
7
= 30 * 8,000 * sin 60 * sin 16.70 *
o o

2 * 12
T = 17,420 ft lbf
48
 Solution to Problem 3(d)

Note that the answers in parts (i) & (ii)

differ by a factor of cos

(i) T = 18,187
(ii) T = 17,420

cos = cos 16.70 = 0.9578

49
 Effect of Doglegs

(1) Dropoff Wellbore = dogleg angle

50
 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Axial Friction

(e.g. pipe rotating)

F along normal : W sin I + (T + T ) sin
2
+ T sin
2
N=0

sinI I++2T
WWsin sT sin + T sin N=0
2 2

N W sin I + 2T sin (10)
2
51
 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Axial Friction

F along tangent : (T + T ) cos
2
W cos I T cos
2
=0

T cos = W cos I
2

cos 1 T W cos I (11)
2
52
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction (Dropoff Wellbore)

While pipe is rotating

N = W sin I + 2 T sin (10)&(11)
2
T = WcosI

53
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction
While lowering pipe (RIH)

(as above)
N = W sin I + 2T sin
2

T = W cos I N

i.e. T = W cos I (W sin I + 2T sin ) (12)

2 54
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction
While raising pipe (POH)

T = W cos I + N

T = WcosI + (Wsin I + 2T sin ) (13)
2

d d
Torque = N (W sin I + 2T sin ) (14)
2 2 2 55
 Effect of Doglegs

(2) Buildup Wellbore = dogleg angle

56
 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Friction
(e.g. pipe rotating)

F along normal : W sin I (T + T ) sin T sin N = 0
2 2

W sin I 2T sin T sin N = 0
2 2

N W sin I 2T sin
2
57
 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Axial Friction

F along tangent : (T + T ) cos
2
W cos I T cos
2
=0

T cos = W cos I
2

cos 1 T W cos I (16)
2
58
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction (Buildup Wellbore)

When pipe is rotating

N = W sin I 2T sin
2 (15)&(16)

T = WcosI

59
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction
While lowering pipe (RIH)

N = W sin I 2T sin (15)
2
T = W cos I N

T = W cos I W sin I 2T sin
2 (17)
60
 Effect of Doglegs

While raising pipe (POH)

T = W cos I + N

i.e. T = WcosI + WsinI - 2Tsin
2 (18)

d d
Torque = N W sin I 2T sin
2 2 2 (19)
61
Problem #4 - Curved Wellbore with Friction

In a section of our well, hole angle drops at

the rate of 8 degrees per 100 ft.
The axial tension is 100,000 lbf at the
location where the hole angle is 60 degrees.

Buoyed weight of pipe = 30 lbm/ft

= 0.25
62
Problem
#4
- Curved
Dropoff
Wellbore
with
Friction

T = 100,000 lbf
63
 Evaluate the Following:

(a) What is the axial tension in the pipe 100 ft. up the
hole if the pipe is rotating?

(b) What is the axial tension in the pipe 100 ft up the

hole if the pipe is being lowered into the hole?

(c) What is the axial tension in the pipe 100 ft up the

hole if the pipe is being pulled out of the hole?

(d) What is the lateral load on a centralizer at incl.=64

o
if the centralizer spacing is 40 ft?
64
 Solution 4(a) - Rotating

Axial tension 100 ft up hole when pipe is rotating :

60 + 68
IAVG =
2

IAVG = 64 o

Pipe is rotating so frictional effect on axial load may

be neglected. 65
 Solution 4(a) - Rotating
T68 = 101,315 lbf
From equation (11),
T = W cos I
lb
= 30 *100ft * cos 64o
ft
= 1,315 lbf
T68o = 100,000 + 1,315 T60 = 100,000 lbf

T68 o = 101,315 lbf rotating

66
 Solution 4(b) - Lowering
Tension in pipe 100 ft Up-Hole when Pipe is
being lowered:
From equation (10),

N = W sin I + 2T sin
2
N = 30 *100 * sin 64o + 2 *100,000 * sin 4o
= 2,696 + 13,951

N = 16,648 lbf
67
 Solution 4(b) - Lowering

From equation 10,

Friction Force = N = 0.25 * 16,648

Ff = 4 ,162 lbf

From equation 12,

T = W cos I N
68
 Solution 4(b) - Lowering
T68 = 97,153 lbf
From equation 12,

T = (30 * 100 * cos 64 o ) 4,162

= -2,847

T68o = 100,000 2,867 (T + T)

T60 = 100,000 lbf

T68 o = 97 ,153 lbf

69
 Solution 4(c) - Raising
Tension in Pipe 100 ft Up-Hole when pipe is
being raised:
From equation (10),

N = W sin I + 2T sin
2
N = 30 *100 * sin 64o + 2 *100,000 * sin 4o
= 2,696 + 13,951

N = 16,648 lbf
70
 Solution 4(c) - Raising

Friction Force = N = 0.25 * 16,648

Ff = 4 ,162 lbf

From equation 12,

T = W cos I + N

71
 Solution 4(c) - Raising
T68 = 105,477 lbf
From equation 12,

T = (30 * 100 * cos 64 ) + 4,162

o

= 5477 lbf
T68 o = 100 ,000 + 5477 (T + T)
T60 = 100,000 lbf

T68o = 105,477 lbf

72
Solution 4(a, b and c)
SUMMARY

T60 T68

Rot 100,000 101,315

W = 1,315
RIH 100,000 97,153
Ff = 4,162
POH 100,000 105,477
73
Solution 4(d) - Load on Centralizer

Lateral load on centralizer if spacing = 40 ft.

(after pipe has been rotated):

From above, at = 64 o

N = 16,648 lbf

This is for 100 ft distance

74
Solution 4(d) - Load on Centralizer

for 40 ft distance,
40
N centr . = 16 ,648 *
100
= 6,659 lbf
i.e., Lateral load on centralizer,

N centr. = 6,659 lbf

lb
Note : 40 ft of pipe * 30 = 1200 lbf
ft 75
 4 (d) Alternate Approach

Lateral load on centralizer if spacing = 40 ft. (after

pipe has been rotated)

From above, at = 60o , T = 100,000 lbf

From above, at = 68o , T = 101,315 lbf

So, 30 ft up-hole,

T = 100 ,000 + 1,315 * (30 / 100 ) lbf

T = 100 ,395 lbf
76
 4 (d) Alternate Approach

From Eq. (10), N = W sin I + 2T sin
2
N = 30 * 40 * sin 64o + 2 *100,395 * sin(1.6o )
{4 * 40/100}
= 1,079 + 5,606

N = 6,685 lbf
for 40 ft centralizer spacing,
N centr . = 6,685 lbf (vs. 6,659 lbf)
77
Centralizer

78