Directional Drilling

And Surveying
 What is Directional Drilling?

Directional Drilling is the process of directing a

well bore along some trajectory to a
predetermined target.

Basically it refers to drilling in a non-vertical

direction. Even “vertical” hole sometimes require
directional drilling techniques.

Examples: Slanted holes, high angle holes (far from vertical),

Extended Reach Holes, and Horizontal holes.
Non-Vertical
Wellbore θ, α or I
Inclination Angle
t i on
lin a Z Axis (True Vertical
Inc e Y Depth)
P la n
North

Direction
Angle φ, ε or A

Direction Plane X
 Lease Boundary

Surface Surface Location for Well No. 1

Location for
Well No. 2
Bottom Hole Location for Well 2

Houses

Oil-Water
Contact

Figure 8.2 - Plan view of a typical oil and gas structure under a lake showing how
directional wells could be used to develop it. Best locations? Drill from lake?
 Top View

NOTE: All the

wells are
directional 5 - 50 wells
per platform

Figure 8.3 - Typical offshore development platform

with directional wells.
Drilling Rig Inside Building

Figure 8.4 - Developing a field under a city

using directionally drilled wells.
Why not
drill from Maximum
top of lateral
mountain displacement
?

Fig. 8.5 - Drilling of directional wells where the reservoir

is beneath a major surface obstruction.
Cement Plug Fish Lost in Hole
and Unable to
Recover
Sidetracked Hole
Around Fish

Figure 8.6 -
Sidetracking
around a fish.
 Figure 8.7 -
Using an old Oil Producing
Well Ready to
well to explore Abandon
for new oil by
Sidetracked
sidetracking Out of Casing
out of the
casing and Possible
New Oil
drilling
Old Oil Reservoir
directionally.
Horizontal
Departure
to Target
Type II
Build-hold and Drop (“S Type”)
Type I Build and Build-hold Drop and/or
Hold Type Hold (Modified “S” Type)

Type III Continuous

Build

Figure 8.8 - Major types of wellbore trajectories.

 Figure 8.10 -
Geometry of the
build section.

Build Section

θ Build Radius:
18,000
r1 =
π * BUR
Build Section:
Length of arc, L = r1θ1

Vertical depth = C’D’ = r1 sin θ1

Horiz. Depart. = DD’ = r1 (1-cos θ1 )

L 100
r1 = 1
=
θ π
1 θ 1 *
180
↑ ↑
rad deg

18,000
r1 = BUR = build rate in deg/100 ft
π * BUR
 Start of Buildup

End of Build
Type II

Drop Off

Target

Build-hold-and drop for the case where:

r1 < x 3 and r1 + r2 < x 4
 Kickoff

Type II End of Build

Maximum
Inclination
Angle
Build-hold-and
drop for the case Drop Off
where:
Target

r1 < x3 and r1 + r2 > x4

 Projected Trajectory
Projected
Trajectory with Left
Turn to Hit Targets

Target 1
Target 2
Target 3

Fig. 8-14. Directional well used to intersect

multiple targets
 N18E S23E
A = 157o

Fig. 8-15.
Directional
quadrants and
compass
measurements
N55W
S20W
A = 305o
A=?
 Lead Angle Projected Well Path

Surface
Location
for Well
No. 2
Target at a
Lake TVD 9,659

Figure 8-16: Plan View

Well profile
Directional Drilling Operation
Deviation due to Formation Dip
Deviation due to Hardness of
Formation
Deviation due to Miniature
Whipstock Theory
 Directional Tools
• (i) Whipstock
• (ii) Jet Bits
• (iii) Downhole motor and bent sub
 Whipstocks

Standard retreivable Circulating Permanent Casing

 Setting a Whipstock

• Small bit used to start

• Apply weight to:
– set chisel point &
– shear pin
• Drill 12’-20’
• Remove whipstock
• Enlarge hole
 Jetting Bit
• Fast and economical
Small Jets
• For soft formation
• One large - two small
nozzles
• Orient large nozzle
• Spud periodically
• No rotation at first
 Jetting
• Wash out pocket
• Return to normal
drilling
• Survey
• Repeat for more
angle if needed
 Mud Motors
Drillpipe
Non-magnetic
Drill Collar
Bent Sub
Mud Motor
Rotating
Sub
 Increasing Inclination
• Limber assembly
• Near bit stabilizer
• Weight on bit forces
DC to bend to low
side of hole.
• Bit face kicks up
 Hold Inclination
• Packed hole
assembly
• Stiff assembly
• Control bit weight and
RPM
 Decrease Inclination
• Pendulum effect
• Gravity pulls bit
downward
• No near bit stabilizer
 Packed Hole Assemblies

Drill
String String String NB
pipe
Stabilizer Stabilizer Stabilizer Stab
Monel
HW DP Steel DC Steel DC DC
Vertical Calculation Horizontal Calculation
3D View Dog Leg Angle
 Deflecting Wellbore Trajectory
0

270 90

180
 Bottom Hole Location
o
Direction : N 53 E
Distance : 2,550 ft
TVD : 10,000

E = 2,550 sin 53 o
= 2,037 ft
N = 2,550 cos 53 o
= 1,535 ft
Closure = 2,550 = E 2 + N2
⎛E ⎞
Closure Direction = tan ⎜ ⎟ = 53 o
-1

⎝N⎠
 Horizontal
N View

Vertical
View

We may plan a 2-D well, but we always

get a 3D well (not all in one plane)
 MD, α1, ε1

∆MD

β = dogleg
angle α2 , ε 2

Fig. 8-22. A curve representing a wellbore

between survey stations A1 & A2
Bottom Hole Location
Direction : N 53o E
Distance : 2,550 ft
TVD : 10,000
E = 2,550 sin 53 o
= 2,037 ft
N = 2,550 cos 53 o
= 1,535 ft
Closure = 2,550 = E 2 + N2
⎛E⎞
Closure Direction = tan ⎜ ⎟ = 53o
-1

⎝N⎠
 Survey Calculation Methods

1. Tangential Method
= Backward Station Method
= Terminal Angle Method

Assumption:
Hole will maintain constant
inclination and azimuth angles,
IB and AB , between survey points.
A
Known : Location of A
Distance AB
IA Angles IA , IB
Angles A A , A B
IB
Calculation : VAB = AB cosIB
HAB = AB sinIB
B
Poor accuracy!!
IB
Average Angle Method
= Angle Averaging Method

Assumption: Borehole is parallel to the

simple average drift and bearing angles
between any two stations.

Known: Location of A, Distance AB,

Angles I A , IB , A A , A B
A
Average Angle Method
(i) Simple enough for field use
IA (ii) Much more accurate than
“Tangential” Method
IB

IAVG ⎛ I A + IB ⎞
Iavg =⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
B
⎛ A A + AB ⎞
IAVG A avg =⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
A
Average Angle Method
Vertical Plane:
IA

IB ⎛ I A + IB ⎞
Iavg =⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠
IAVG
V AB = AB cos Iavg
B
H AB = AB sin Iavg
IAVG
N Average Angle Method
Horizontal Plane:

H AB = AB sin Iavg
AB

B ∆ E = AB sin Iavg sin A avg

AAVG ∆ N = AB sin Iavg cos A avg
∆N
AA ∆ Z = AB cos Iavg
∆E
E
A
Change in position towards the east:
⎛ IA + IB ⎞ ⎛ A A + AB ⎞
∆ x = ∆ E = L sin ⎜ ⎟ sin ⎜ ⎟..(1)
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
Change in position towards the north:
⎛ I A + IB ⎞ ⎛ A A + AB ⎞
∆ y = ∆ N = L sin ⎜ ⎟ cos ⎜ ⎟..( 2 )
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
Change in depth:
⎛ I A + IB ⎞
∆ Z = L cos ⎜ ⎟ ..( 3 )
⎝ 2 ⎠
Where L is the measured distance
between the two stations A & B (∆MDAB).
 Example
The coordinates of a point in a wellbore are:
x = 1,000 ft (easting)
y = 2,000 ft (northing)
z = 3,000 ft (depth)

At this point (station) a wellbore survey shows that

the inclination is 15 degrees from vertical, and the
direction is 45 degrees east of north. The
measured distance between this station and the
next is 300 ft….
Example
The coordinates of point 1 are:
x1 = 1,000 ft (easting)
o
y1 = 2,000 ft (northing) I1 = 15
o
z1 = 3,000 ft (depth) A1 = 45
L12 = 300 ft
o o
At point 2, I2 = 25 and A2 = 65

Find x2 , y2 and z2
Solution
⎛ I1 + I2 ⎞ ⎛ 15 + 25 ⎞
Iavg =⎜ ⎟=⎜ ⎟ = 20
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ A 1 + A 2 ⎞ ⎛ 45 + 65 ⎞
A avg =⎜ ⎟=⎜ ⎟ = 55
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

H12 = L12 sin Iavg = 300 sin 20 = 103 ft

∆E = H12 sin Aavg = 103 sin 55 = 84 ft
∆N = H12 cos Aavg = 103 cos 55 = 59 ft
∆Z = L12 cos Iavg = 300 cos 20 = 282 ft
Solution - cont’d

∆E = 84 ft
∆N = 59 ft
∆Z = 282 ft

x2 = x1 + ∆E = 1,000 + 84 ft = 1,084 ft
y2 = y1 + ∆N = 2,000 + 59 ft = 2,059 ft
z2 = z1 + ∆Z = 3,000 + 282 ft = 3,282 ft
Dog Leg
 Problem 3
Determine the dogleg severity following a jetting
run where the inclination was changed from 4.3o to
7.1o and the direction from N89E to S80E over a
drilled interval of 85 feet.
1. Solve by calculation.
2. Solve using Ragland diagram

α = 4 .3 o
L = 85 ft α N = 7.1 o

ε = 89 o
ε N = 100 o

∆α = 7.1 - 4.3 = 2.8. ∆ε = 100 - 89 = 11

 Solution to Problem 3- Part 1
1. From Equation 8.55
1/ 2
⎡ 2 ∆α
−1 2 ∆ε 2 ⎛ α + αN ⎞⎤
β = 2 sin ⎢ sin + sin sin ⎜ ⎟⎥
⎣ 2 2 ⎝ 2 ⎠⎦

1/ 2
⎡ 2 2 .8
−1 2 11 2 ⎛ 4 .3 + 7 .1 ⎞ ⎤
β = 2 sin ⎢ sin + sin sin ⎜ ⎟⎥
⎣ 2 2 ⎝ 2 ⎠⎦

β = 3.01 o
 Solution to Problem 3- Part 1

1. From Equation 8.43

the dogleg severity,

β 3 . 01
δ = (i) = ∗ 100
L 85

δ = 3 .5 o
/ 100 feet
Directional Drilling
Measurements
• The trajectory of a wellbore is determined
by the measurement of:
hinclination θ, α, I

hdirection φ, ε, A
hmeasured depth ∆MD, ∆L, L
Directional Drilling
Measurements - cont’d

• A tool-face measurement is required to

orient:
ha whipstock
hthe large nozzle on a jetting bit
ha bent sub or bent housing
Directional Drilling
Measurements - cont’d

• Tools available
hsingle-shot magnetic or gyroscopic
hmulti-shot magnetic or gyroscopic
hmagnetometers, accelerometers,
MWD tools
Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument
• Records
– inclination
– direction
– tool face position
on sensitized paper or photographic film
• Inclination may be determined by
– a float on a liquid
– a pendulum
Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument

• Unit may be triggered by:

– clock timer.
– inertial timer (after stop).

• Unit may be dropped (pumped down) and

later retrieved by wireline or the drillpipe.
Magnetic Single-Shot Instrument

• Single-shot instruments are used:

– to monitor progress of directional-control well.
– to monitor progress of deviation-control well.
– to help orient tool face for trajectory change.
Magnetic Single-Shot
Instrument - cont’d

• Procedure:
– load film into instrument
– activate timer (activate stopwatch)
– make up the tool
– drop the tool
– retrieve tool (wireline or drillpipe)
 Light
Housing
Center Post
Float
Fluid
Reference Mark

Main Frame
Photographic
Disc
A. 0-20o B. 0-70o
Angle-Compass Unit Angle-Compass Unit
Fig. 8.41: Schematic diagrams of magnetic single-shot
angle-compass unit (courtesy Kuster Co.).
 1. Pendulum
Fig. 8.43: 2. Circular Glass
Pendulum
3. Compass
suspended
inclinometer 4. Pressure equalization
and 5. Cover glass
compass
unit for a 0 to
oo
17 singe- Indicated inclination 5o.
shot unit. Direction of inclination
N 45 degrees 0’ or
azimuth 45 degrees.
A/C Units Plumb-Bob Units Incl. Only Units

Fig. 8.42:
Single-shot
film disks
(courtesy of
Kuster Co.).

• Inclination
• Direction
• Tool Face Angle
 Fig. 8.12:
Pendulum
assembly: a) plumb-
bob angle unit b) drift
arc inclinometer

Pendulum

Glass ring

Piston

(a) (b)
 Fig. 8.13: Hole direction with
Schematic reference to Magnetic North
drawing of
magnetic
single and
multi-shot
instruments.

o
N35 W
o
I = 5.5
Compass
Inclination Scale

Fig. 8.44:
Cardan suspended
compass and
inclinometer for a
single-shot
o o
5 to 90 unit.
 Wire Line Socket
Overshot Rope Socket
Swivel
Stabilizer
Stabilizer Fingers

Fig. 8.45:
Protective Case Typical
Orienting
magnetic
Anchor & Plug single-shot
tool with
Mule Shoe
Mandrel landing sub.
Bottom Hole
Orienting Sub
Bottom Landing Assembly

Takes time. Rig time is costly. Temperature limitation. May have to pump down.
 Ready to Free Falling Tool Retrieve
be Dropped to Bottom seated single shot

Fig. 8.46: Typical single-shot operation.

 Timer On
3 min.
Compass Unit Single Shot
Ready to be
*Single Shot Dropped
Instruments are
run on slickline if
there is a mule Single Shot
shoe sub in the Free Falling in
hole
Mud to Bottom

Fig. 8.46:
Non
Magnetic Typical
Drill Collar single-shot
Orienting Sub operation.
Sleeve
 3
Fig. 8.46: min. Wireline
Typical 10 min.
unit to
single-shot
Overshot retrieve
operation.
Used to single
Fish shot
Tool seated Single
in orienting Shot
sleeve or at
stop taking
picture
 Fishing Neck
Top View Non Magnetic Collar
Direction of Single Shot
Tool Face Mule Shoe Orienting Sub
Via Bent Sub
Orienting Sleeve Lined up with Bent Sub

Bent Sub
Mule Shoe Mud
Key Position Motor Fig. 8.47:
Arrangement of the
mule shoe for
Existing orienting a mud
Centerline motor.
New Centerline
Magnetic Multishot Instruments

• Are capable of taking numerous survey

records in one run.
• May be dropped down the drillpipe or run
on wireline in open hole.
• The unit contains a watch that is spring
wound and uses the power of the spring
to operate a timer cam.
Non-Magnetic Drill Collar(s)

Compass Position
Fig. 8.48:
Multi-shot Instrument
Typical
arrangement
for landing a
multi-shot
Landing Plate
instrument.
 Bottom Landing
Fig. 8.49:
Rope Socket
Stabilizer with Rubber Pins Drop
multi-shot
Battery Case
Battery
survey
Connector
Connector instrument
Shock
Absorber Protective Instrument Barrel
Watch
Angle Unit
Assembly

Barrel Lower Ball Plug

Aluminum Spacer Bar

Bottom Shock Absorber

Assembly
 Light
Switch
Geneva
Watch Section Motor Lever
Gear

Knife Geneva Drive

Winding Switch Motor Wheel Assembly
Stem Lever
Watch Switch Terminal Film Sprocket
Switch

Time Cycle Cam Takeup Film Supply

Spool Film Spool

Fig. 8.50: Views of the watch and camera

unit of a typical multi-shot tool.
Magnetic Multishot - cont’d

• The multishot tool is usually dropped down

the drillpipe and landed in the nonmagnetic
drill collar.

• During the trip out, a survey is taken every

90 ft, i.e. every stand.
Magnetic Multishot - cont’d

• More closely spaced stations could be

obtained by stopping the pipe more often,
and waiting for a picture.

• A stopwatch at the surface is synchronized

with the instrument watch.
 Fig. 8.51:
Use of the
surface
watch while
running a
magnetic
multi-shot
operation.

Synchronize with instrument watch by

starting at the instant camera lights go on.
Time Intervals:

A. 10 seconds -

Lights are on, exposing film

B. 15 seconds - Delay before moving.

This is an allowance for instrument
watch lag during survey.
Time Intervals - cont’d
C. 20 seconds - Instrument is
idle allowing movement of drill string
without affecting picture. Most moves
require sufficient time for taking one or
more shots while moving
D. 15 seconds - Minimum time for plumb
bob and compass to settle for good
picture, plus allowance for instrument
gain during survey.
 Fig. 8.52b:
Projection of
one survey
frame for
determining
inclination and
direction.
Steering Tools
• Used with mud
motors and bent sub Standard
• Can either pull every Measuring
Cable
stand or use a side
entry sub for
continuous drilling
Monel DC
Probe
Mule Shoe
Bent Sub

Mud Motor
MWD Tools
MWD Tools
 Gyroscopic Tools

• Non-magnetic drill
collars used to prevent
magnetic interference
from drillstring
• Gyros used if magnetic
interference is from
non drillstring source