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Directional Drilling II

Course # 240

Course Description:

This 5-day intermediate level course concentrates on the essential knowledge that a
directional driller must possess in order to efficiently drill moderately complex well
geometries. The course provides classroom instruction in use of the Planning / Survey
modules of the WELLZ software to modify existing and create new proposals.
Assignments designed to measure the student’s understanding of the subject matter will
be administered throughout the course. A written assessment will be given upon
completion of the course material.

Note: The course will assume the students have successfully completed Course #140 –
Directional Drilling I and have had previous experience steering wells as a lead/senior
directional driller.

Course Outline:

Day One

Introduction
Course Overview

Driver Safety (Video)

Applications of Directional Drilling

Methods of Deflecting a Wellbore
Design Principles
Side forces
Fulcrum Principle
Weight on Bit
Reactive Torque
Whipstock
Jetting Assemblies
Rotary Bottomhole Assemblies
Build/Fulcrum Assemblies
Drop/Pendulum Assemblies
Hold/Packed Assemblies
Bottom Hole Assemblies
Principal Configurations
Rotate versus Slide

1 CROL_240_revB_0503 Proposed
HP48GX Calculator Functions (when available)
Basic data entry and operations
Polar and Rectangular Coordinate Conversions
Unit Conversions

Basic Math Calculations

Trigonometry Functions
Pythagorean Theorem
Polar and Rectangular Coordinates

Hole Direction Conversions

Quadrant/azimuth conversion calculation

Radius Calculations
Projecting to Bit and the next Survey Station
Determining Build Rate and TVD

Day Two

Quiz #1

Well Planning
Modifying Drilling Proposals
Changing the target co-ordinates due to well problems
Kick-off point “ahead of the line”
Insufficient Motor Performance (dogleg)
Correcting for changes in Elevation
Kelly Bushing (KB) and Ground Elevation (GL)
Consequences of not correcting for elevation changes or
declination errors

Creating Drilling Proposals

Complex Planning
Build and Turn
Sidetracking
• Determining sidetrack points
Anti-Collision
• Determining Well Separation

2 CROL_240_revB_0503 Proposed
Day Three

Quiz #2

Creating Drilling Proposals (continued)

Complex Planning
Multilaterals
Generating new drilling proposals using estimated dog leg severity

Motivational Material (Video)

Day Four

Quiz #3

Directional Surveying Basics

Introduction to Directional Surveying

Definitions
Course length, True Vertical Depth (TVD), Horizontal Displacement, Latitude,
Departure, Closure, Vertical Section (VS)

Directional Surveying Measurements

Inclination
Hole Direction (Azimuth)
Measured Depth
Magnetic Toolface
Highside (Gravity) Toolface

Gravitational and Magnetic Fields

Local Gravitational Field Strength
Local Magnetic Field Strength
Local Magnetic Dip Angle
Horizontal and Vertical Components of the Total Magnetic Field

Directional Survey Corrections

True North Reference Correction (Declination)
Grid North Reference Correction (Convergence)
Survey System Coordinate Descriptions

Directional Survey Accuracy

Survey System Accuracy Comparison (electronic / mechanical / gyro)
Factors Affecting Inclination Accuracy
Factors Affecting Azimuth Accuracy

3 CROL_240_revB_0503 Proposed
Additional Factors Affecting Survey Accuracy
Latitude, Inclination, Azimuth of Well
Wrong Magnetic Corrections Applied
BHA Misalignment in Borehole
Real-time MWD Transmission Resolution

Toolface Offset Calculations

Internal Offsets
External Offsets
Application of Offsets for each MWD/LWD system
Software Inputs

Wellz Examples
Surveys from well with OTF error
Build Rate to Target TVD Application for Horizontal Wells
Projecting to bit, projecting to next survey station

Day Five

FINAL EXAMINATION

4 CROL_240_revB_0503 Proposed
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MAGNETIC DECLINATION
CONTENTS
WHAT IS MAGNETIC DECLINATION?
Do compasses point to the north magnetic pole?
If unlike poles attract, then why doesn't the north tip of a compass point magnetic south?

HOW DO I COMPENSATE FOR DECLINATION AND INCLINATION?

Declination adjustment
Arithmetic compensation
Maps with magnetic meridians
Inclination compensation for specific latitude zones

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE DECLINATION?

(What is the precision of a compass?)
Location
Local magnetic anomalies
Altitude
Secular change
Where were/are/will be the magnetic poles?
Diurnal change
Solar magnetic activity
"Bermuda Triangle" type anomalies

HOW DO I DETERMINE THE DECLINATION DIAGRAMS ON MAPS?

Declination diagrams on maps
Grid north and declination diagrams
Isogonic charts
Declinometer

REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

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MAGNETIC DECLINATION
Many people are surprised to learn that a magnetic compass does not normally point to true north. In
fact, over most of the Earth it points at some angle east or west of true (geographic) north. The
direction in which the compass needle points is referred to as magnetic north, and the angle between
magnetic north and the true north direction is called magnetic declination. You will often hear the
terms "variation", "magnetic variation", or "compass variation" used in place of magnetic declination,
especially by mariners.

The magnetic declination does not remain constant in

time. Complex fluid motion in the outer core of the Earth
(the molten metallic region that lies from 2800 to 5000 km
below the Earth's surface) causes the magnetic field to
change slowly with time. This change is known to as
secular variation. An an example, the accompanying
diagram shows how the magnetic declination has
changed with time at Halifax. Because of secular
variation, declination values shown on old topographic, marine and aeronautical charts need to be
updated if they are to be used without large errors. Unfortunately, the annual change corrections
given on most of these maps cannot be applied reliably if the maps are more than a few years old
since the secular variation also changes with time in an unpredictable manner. If accurate declination
values are needed, and if recent editions of the charts are not available, up-to-date values for Canada
may be obtained from the most recent geomagnetic reference field models produced by the
Geological Survey of Canada.

The elements iron, nickel and cobalt possess electrons in their outer electron shell but none in the
next inner shell. Their electron "spin" magnetic moments are not canceled, thus they are known as
ferromagnetic.

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Earth's core has remained molten due to heat from ongoing radioactive decay. Convection currents
of molten rock containing ferromagnetic material flow in the earth’s outer core generating a magnetic
field. The magnetic poles of this field do not coincide with true north and south poles (the axis of
rotation of the Earth). In mid 1999, the average position of the modeled magnetic north pole
(according to the IGRF-2000 geomagnetic model) is
79.8° N, and 107.0° W, 75 kilometers (45 miles)
northwest of Ellef Ringnes Island in the Canadian Arctic.
This position is 1140 kilometers (700 miles) from the true
(geographic) north pole.

At the magnetic poles, the Earth's magnetic field is

perpendicular to the Earth's surface. Consequently, the
magnetic dip, or inclination (the angle between the
horizontal and the direction of the earth's magnetic field),
is 90°. And since the magnetic field is vertical, there is no
force in a horizontal direction. Therefore, the magnetic
declination, the angle between true geographic north and
magnetic north, cannot be determined at the magnetic
poles.

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The geomagnetic field can be quantified as total intensity, vertical intensity, horizontal intensity,
inclination (dip) and declination. The total intensity is the total magnetic field strength, which ranges
from about 23 microteslas (equivalent to 23000 nanoteslas or gammas, or 0.23 oersteds or gauss)
around Sao Paulo, Brazil to 67 microteslas near the south magnetic pole near Antarctica.

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Vertical and Horizontal intensity are components of the total intensity.

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The angle of the magnetic field relative to the level ground (tangent to the earth) is the inclination, or
dip, which is 90° at the magnetic north pole and 0° at the magnetic equator.

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Finally, the angle of the horizontal intensity with respect to the true north (geographic) pole is the
declination, also called variation in mariners' and aviators' jargon. In other words, declination is the
angle between where a compass needle points and the true North Pole.

If the compass needle points west of true north, this offset is designated as west declination. The
world standard, including in the southern hemisphere, is in reference to the magnetic north (MN)
declination.

In the context of astronomy or celestial navigation, declination has a different meaning. Along with
right ascension, it describes the celestial coordinates of a star, etc.
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

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Do compasses point to the north magnetic pole?

Most people incorrectly believe that a compass needle points to the north magnetic pole. But the
Earth's magnetic field reacts to the effect of complex convection currents in the magma, which must
be described as several dipoles, each with a different intensity and orientation, the compass actually
points to the sum of the effects of these dipoles at your location. In other words, it aligns itself with
the local magnetic field lines of force. Other factors, of local and solar origin, further complicate the
resulting local magnetic field. It may be all right to say that a compass needle points "magnetic north"
but it only roughly points to the magnetic north pole.

The table below compares examples of actual and incorrect declinations (using IGRF95 model for
1998.0, anomalies ignored).

Actual Model
Location Lat. Long. Declination Declination Error
(degrees) (degrees) (degrees)
(angle between (angle between
where a compass north magnetic
needle points dip pole and
and true north true north pole)
pole)

Sydney 34.0S 151.5E 13 E 13 E 00

Australia
Anchorage 61.5N 150.0W 23 E 20 E 03
USA
Buenos Aires 34.5S 058.0W 06 W 09 W 03
Argentina
Montreal 45.5N 073.5W 16 W 10 W 06
Canada
Los Angeles 34.0N 118.5W 14 E 03 E 11
USA
Perth 32.0S 116.0E 02 W 09 E 11
Australia
Rio de Jan- 23.0S 043.0W 21 W 10 W 11
eiro Brazil
St. Peters- 60.0N 030.5E 08 E 12 W 20
burg, Russia
Ostrov 77.0N 148.0E 11 W 33 E 44
Bennetta
New Siberian
Islands

If unlike poles attract, then why doesn't the north tip of a compass point magnetic
south?

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Should we be calling the north magnetic pole, the southern magnetic pole of the Earth, or should we
be referring to the south magnetized needle of the compass as pointing magnetic north? Neither. A
compass needle is a magnet and the north pole of any magnet is defined as the side which points
magnetic north when the magnet is freely suspended; its correct title is "north seeking pole," but it has
unfortunately been shortened to "north pole." Maps label the magnetic pole in the northern
hemisphere as the "North Magnetic Pole".

The cardinal points were defined long before the discovery that freely suspended magnets align to
magnetic north. When some curious person placed lodestone (magnetite) on wood floating on water,
or floated it directly on mercury, it was observed to align in a consistent direction, roughly pointing
north. The side of the lodestone that pointed magnetic north was called, naturally, the "north pole".
But that was before it was realized that like poles of magnets repel. So we must now make the
distinction that the real north pole is the Earth's north magnetic pole, and the poles of all magnets that
(roughly) point to it are north seeking poles.

HOW DO I COMPENSATE FOR DECLINATION AND

INCLINATION?
Since magnetic observations are neither uniformly nor densely distributed over the Earth, and since
the magnetic field is constantly changing in time, it is not possible to obtain up-to-date values of
declination directly from a database of past observations. Instead, the data are analyzed to produce a
mathematical routine called a magnetic
reference field "model", from which
magnetic declination can be calculated.

Global models are produced every one

to five years. These constitute the series
of International Geomagnetic Reference
Field (IGRF) models. The World
Magnetic Model Epoch 2000 (WMM-
2000), models. The latest IGRF and
WMM model was produced in 2000, and
is valid until 2005. The Canadian
Geomagnetic Reference Field (CGRF)
is a model of the magnetic field over the
Canadian region. It was produced using denser data over Canada than were used for the IGRF, and
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

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because the analysis was carried out over a smaller region, the CGRF can reproduce smaller spatial
variations in the magnetic field than can the IGRF. The latest CGRF was also produced in 2000 and
is valid until 2005. The accompanying declination chart is based on the CGRF.

Since magnetic field models such as the WMM, IGRF and CGRF are approximations to observed
data, a value of declination computed using either of them is likely to differ somewhat from the "true"
value at that location. It is generally agreed that the WMM and IGRF achieves an overall accuracy of
better than 1° in declination; the accuracy is better than this in densely surveyed areas such as
Europe and North America, and worse in oceanic areas such as the south Pacific. The accuracy of
the CGRF, in southern Canada, is about 0.5°. The accuracy of all models decreases in the Arctic
near the North Magnetic Pole.

Magnetic field models are used to calculate magnetic declination by means of computer programs
such as the Magnetic Information Retrieval Program (MIRP), a software package developed by the
Geomagnetism Program of the Geological Survey of Canada. The user inputs the year, latitude and
longitude and MIRP calculates the declination. MIRP is able to compute values for any location on the
Earth in the time period 1960 to 2000. For locations within Canada, MIRP computes values using the
CGRF. Outside Canada, values are calculated using the IGRF.

Below is an example of a Geomagnetic software package used to calculate many magnetic

parameters. Inputs required for this example are Latitude, Longitude, Elevation, Date and Model.
Output we
would
normally
use are
Magnetic
Field
Strength
(Incident
Field),
Magnetic
Dip angle
(Dip) and
Magnetic
Declination
(Dec).

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WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE DECLINATION?

Location

Each position on the Earth has a particular declination. The change in its value as one travels is a
complex function. If a navigator happens to be traveling along a rather straight line of equal
declination, called an isogonic line, it can vary very little over thousands of kilometers. However; for
one crossing isogonic lines at high latitudes, or near magnetic anomalies, the declination can change
at over a degree per kilometer (6/10 mile).

Local magnetic anomalies

Predictive geomagnetic models such as the World Magnetic Model (WMM) and the International
Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) only predict the values of that portion of the field originating in
the deep outer core. In this respect, they are accurate to within one degree for five years into the
future, after which they need to be updated. The Definitive Geomagnetic Reference Field (DGRF)
model describes how the field actually behaved.

Local anomalies originating in the upper mantle, crust, or surface, distort the WMM or IGRF
predictions. Ferromagnetic ore deposits; geological features, particularly of volcanic origin, such as
faults and lava beds; topographical features such as ridges, trenches, seamounts, and mountains;
ground that has been hit by lightning; downhole features such as casing, stuck bottom hole
assemblies, drill string and bottom hole assemblies can induce errors of three to four degrees.

Anomalous declination is the difference between the declination caused by the Earth's outer core and
the declination at the surface. It is illustrated on 1:126,720 scale Canadian topographic maps
published in the 1950's, which included a small inset isogonic map. On this series, it is common to
observe a four-degree declination change over 10 kilometers (6 miles), clearly showing local
anomalies. There exist places on Earth, where the field is completely vertical; where a compass
attempts to point straight up or down. This is the case, by definition, at the magnetic dip poles, but
there are other locations where extreme anomalies create the same effect. Around such a place, the
needle on a standard compass will drag so badly on the top or the bottom of the capsule, that it can
never be steadied; it will drift slowly and stop on inconsistent bearings. While traveling though a
severely anomalous region, the needle will swing to various directions.

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A few areas with magnetic anomalies (there are thousands more):

-North of Kingston, Ontario; 90° of anomalous declination.

-Kingston Harbor, Ontario; 16.3° W to 15.5° E of anomalous declination over two kilometers (1.2
miles); magnetite and ilmenite deposits.

-Near Timmins, Ontario, W of Porcupine.

-Savoff, Ontario (50.0 N, 85.0 W). Over 60° of anomalous declination.

-Michipicoten Island in Lake Superior (47.7 N, 85.8 W); iron deposits.

-Near the summit of Mt. Hale, New Hampshire (one of the 4000-footers, near the Zealand Falls hut on
the Appalachian Trail) ; old AMC Guides to the White Mountains used to warn against it.

-Around Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.

-Ramapo Mountains, northeastern New Jersey; iron ore; compass rendered useless in some areas.

-Near Grants, New Mexico north of the Gila Wilderness area; Malpais lava flows; compass rendered
useless.

The USGS declination chart of the USA (GP-1002-D) shows over a hundred anomalies. The following
table lists the most extreme cases.

Anomalous (Lat. Long. Location

declination
degrees)
46.4 W 40.2 106.2 75 km.(45 mi.) W Boulder, Colorado
24.2 E 40.7 75.3 20 km. (12 mi.) NE Allentown, Pennsylvania
16.6 E - 12.0 W 46.7 95.4 250 km. (150 mi.) NW Minneapolis, Minnesota
14.8 E 33.9 92.4 85 km. (50 mi.) S Little Rock, Arkansas
14.2 E 45.5 82.7 In Lake Huron, Ontario
13.8 W 45.7 87.1 Escanaba, on shore of Lake Michigan
13.7 E 48.4 86.6 In Lake Superior, Ontario
13.5 E 48.5 122.5 80 km. (50 mi.) N Seattle, Washington
13.0 W 42.2 118.4 In Alvord Desert, Oregon
12.2 W 38.9 104.9 10 km. (6 mi.) W Colorado Springs, Colorado
11.5 E 47.8 92.3 120 km. (75 mi.) N Duluth, Minnesota

In 1994, the average location of the north magnetic dip pole was located in the field by the Geological
Survey of Canada. This surveyed north magnetic dip pole was at 78.3° N, 104.0° W, and takes local
anomalies into consideration. However; the DGRF-90 modeled magnetic dip pole for 1994 was at
78.7° N, 104.7° W. The 47-kilometer (29 mile) difference illustrates the extent of the anomalous
influence. In addition to surveyed dip poles and modeled dip poles, a simplification of the field yields
geomagnetic dipole poles, which are where the poles would be if the field was a simple Earth-

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centered dipole. Solar-terrestrial and magnetospheric scientists use these. In reality, the field is the
sum of several dipoles, each with a different orientation and intensity.

Distortion caused by cultural features is called deviation.

Altitude

(Negligible to 2 degrees)

This factor is normally negligible. According to the IGRF, a 20,000 meter (66,000 foot) climb even at a
magnetically precarious location as Resolute, 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the north magnetic
pole, would result in a two-degree reduction in declination.

Secular change

(2-25 years/degree)

Where were/are/will be the magnetic poles?

As convection currents churn in apparent chaos in the

Earth's core, all magnetic values change erratically over
the years. The north magnetic pole has wandered over
1000 kilometers (600 miles) since Sir John Ross first
reached it in 1831, as shown on this map at SARBC
(extend the path to north west of Ellef Ringes Island for
1999), or this map at USGS. Its rate of displacement has
been accelerating in recent years and is currently moving
about 24 kilometers (15 miles) per year, which is several
times faster than the average of 6 kilometers (4 miles)
per year since 1831. The magnetic pole positions can be
determined more precisely by using a calculator that
returns magnetic inclination. Latitudes and longitudes
can be entered by trial and error, until the inclination (I) is
as close as possible to 90°.

North Magnetic Pole Movement 1945-2000

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South Magnetic Pole Movement 1945-2000

A given value of declination is only accurate for

as long as it stays within the precision of the
compass, preferably one degree. Typical
secular change or variation (do not confuse with
mariners' and aviators' variation) is 2-25 years
per degree. A map that states: "annual change
increasing 1.0' " would suggest 60 years per
degree, but that rate of change just happened to
be slow on the year of measurement, and will
more than likely accelerate.

The magnetic field has even completely

collapsed and reversed innumerable times,
which have been recorded in the magnetic
alignment of lava as it cooled. One theory to
explain magnetic pole reversals is related to
large meteorite impacts, which could trigger ice ages. The movement of water from the oceans to
high latitudes would accelerate the rotation of the Earth, which would disrupt magmatic convection
cells into chaos. These may reverse when a new pattern is established. Another theory is that the
reversals are triggered by a slight change the angular momentum of the earth as a direct result of the
impacts. These theories are challenged by the controversial Reversing Earth Theory, which
proposes that the entire crust could shift and reverse the true poles in a matter of days, but that the
molten core would remain stationary, resulting in apparent magnetic reversal. The Sun would then
rise in the opposite direction.

Diurnal change

(negligible to 9 degrees)

The stream of ionized particles and electrons emanating from the Sun, known as solar wind, distorts
Earth's magnetic field. As it rotates, any location will be subject alternately to the lee side, then the
windward side of this stream of charged particles. This has the effect of moving the magnetic poles
around an ellipse several tens of kilometers in diameter, even during periods of steady solar wind
without gusts. The Geological Survey of Canada shows a map of this daily wander or diurnal motion
in 1994.

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The resulting diurnal change in declination is negligible at tropical and temperate latitudes. For
example, Ottawa is subject to plus or minus 0.1 degree of distortion. However; in Resolute, 500
kilometers (300 miles) from the north magnetic pole, the diurnal change cycles through at least plus
or minus nine degrees of declination error. This error could conceivably be corrected, but both the
time of day and the date would have to be considered, as this effect also varies with seasons.

Solar magnetic activity

(negligible to wild)

The solar wind varies throughout an 11-year sunspot cycle, which itself varies from one cycle to the
next. In periods of high solar magnetic activity, bursts of X-rays and charged particles are projected
chaotically into space, which creates gusts of solar wind. These magnetic storms will interfere with
radio and electric services, and will produce dazzling spectacles of auroras. The varied colors are
caused by oxygen and nitrogen being ionized, and then recapturing electrons at altitudes ranging
from 100 to 1000 kilometers (60 to 600 miles). The term "geomagnetic storm" refers to the effect of a
solar magnetic storm on the Earth (geo means Earth.

The influence of solar magnetic activity on the compass can best be described as a probability. The
chance that the declination will be deflected by two degrees in southern Canada over the entire 11-
year cycle is 1% per day. This implies about four disturbed days per year, but in practice these days
tend to be clustered in years of solar maxima. These probabilities drop off rapidly at lower latitudes.
During severe magnetic storms, compass needles at high latitudes have been observed swinging
wildly.

"Bermuda Triangle" type anomalies

(very rare)

Legends of compasses spinning wildly in this area of the Atlantic, before sinking a ship, or blowing up
an airplane, may be related to huge pockets of natural gas suddenly escaping from the ocean floor.
As the gas bubbles up, it could induce a static charge or could ionize the gas, which would create
erratic magnetic fields. The gas would cause a ship to lose buoyancy, or a plane flying through a
rising pocket of natural gas could ignite it. The ionized gas may show as an eerie green glow at night.
It could make people feel light headed and confused because the gas replaces the air, but it would
not have the mercaptans that gas companies add to gas to give it its distinctive odor.

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At enormous pressures and low temperatures (as at the bottom of the sea), water and gas molecules
form gas hydrates. These compounds resemble ice but, unlike ordinary ice, the water molecules
form cages that trap gas molecules such as methane. The solid hydrates retain their stability until
conditions, such as higher temperatures or lower pressures, cause them to decompose. The gas
may remain trapped under silt, until an earthquake triggers a release.

This phenomenon is not restricted to the "Bermuda Triangle". The insurance statistics at the Lloyds
of London have not revealed an unusual number of sunken ships in the triangle.

HOW DO I DETERMINE THE DECLINATION

DIAGRAMS ON MAPS?
Most topographic maps include a small diagram with three arrows: magnetic north, true north and
Universal Transverse Mercator grid north. The given value of declination, corresponding to the center
of the map, does not take local anomalies into account. The value is usually out of date, since it may
have drifted several degrees due to secular change, especially on maps of remote regions with
several decades between updates. Some maps, such as the 1:50,000 scale topographic maps by
the Canadian Department of Energy, Mines and Resources include the rate of annual change, which
is useful for predicting declination, but that rate of change is erratic and reliability of the forecast
decreases with time. A rate of change over five years old is unreliable for one-degree precision. The
United States Geological Survey's 1:24,000 scale maps do not even mention annual change.

For example, the approximate mean declination 1969 on the Trout River, Newfoundland map was 28°
33' west with annual change decreasing 3.0'. This implies a recent (1997) value of:

28° 33' - ((1997-1969) * 3.0) = 27° 93'

but IGRF 1995 for 1997 yields 23° 44', which is 3° 25' less, showing that the 28-year prediction was in
significant error.

Grid north and declination diagrams

(negligible to 2 degrees)

Grid north is the direction of the north-south lines of the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid,
imposed on topographic maps by the United States and NATO armed forces. UTM Provides a
constant distance relationship anywhere on the map. In angular coordinate systems like latitude and
longitude, the distance covered by a degree of longitude differs as you move towards the poles and
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

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only equals the distance covered by a degree of latitude at the equator. With the advent of
inexpensive GPS receivers, many other map users are adopting the UTM grid system for coordinates
that are simpler to use than latitude and longitude.

The problem with grid north is that is coincident with true north only at the center line of each UTM
zone, known as central meridians. The difference between grid north and true north can be over two
degrees. This might not be so bad if it were not for the different conventions with respect to
declination diagrams adopted by different countries. A declination diagram on a topographic
Canadian map or an Australian map shows magnetic north with respect to grid north, but a US map
shows magnetic north with respect to true north. Therefore, if you use declination from a
Canadian/Australian style declination diagram, be sure to take bearings to and from the map by
making the meridian lines on the compass parallel with the UTM grid (grid north). However, if you
use declination from a USGS style declination diagram or any of the other sources below, you must
make the meridian lines on the compass parallel with the edges of the map (true north). Canadian
maps show a blue fine-lined UTM grid, while some USGS 1:24,000 scale maps show black grid lines,
but the others only show blue grid tick marks on the map margins. The choice of grid lines or tick
marks on the US maps seems inconsistent by year or by region.

Printed Isogonic charts

Isogonic or declination charts are plots of equal magnetic declination on a map, yielding its value by
visually situating a location, and interpolating between isogonic lines. Some isogonic charts include
lines of annual change in the magnetic declination (also called isoporic lines). Again, the older, the
less valid. The world charts illustrate the complexity of the field.

A Brunton 9020 compass included a 1995 isogonic chart of North America, on a sheet copyrighted in
1992

The 1:1,000,000 scale series of World Aeronautical Charts include isogonic lines.

Hydrographic charts include known magnetic anomalies.

The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (1992 edition) provides a small world
chart under "geomagnetism."

The best is the 1:39,000,000 Magnetic Variation chart of "The Earth's Magnetic Field" series
published by the Defense Mapping Agency (USA). The 11th edition is based on magnetic epoch
1995.0 and includes lines of annual change and country borders. Ask for Geophysical Data Chart
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

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stock No. 42 (DMA stock No. WOBZC42) at a National (USA) Ocean Service navigation chart sales
agent or order from the NOS Distribution Division, about US$10. Size: 1.26 X 0.9 meters (50" X 35").
It covers from 84° N to 70° S. North and south polar areas are on Geophysical Data Chart stock No.
43 (DMA stock No. WOBZC43).

European marine chart distributors may have better availability for the 1:45,000,000 scale "The World
Magnetic Variation 1995 and Annual Rates of Change" chart published by the British Geological
Survey. However; it lacks country borders. Ask for No. 5374, about US$16.

A 1:48,000,000 world declination chart of "The Magnetic Field of Earth" series is published by the
United States Geological Survey's Earth Sciences Information Center. However; the most recent
edition is still based on magnetic epoch 1990.0. It does include lines of annual change and country
borders. Look it up at a university map library or order GP-1004-D from the United States Geological
Survey. Only US$4.00 (+ US$3.50 for shipping and handling). Size 1.22 X 0.86 meters (48" X 34").
Includes polar regions at 1:68,000,000 scale. A United States declination chart is also published.
Scale 1:5,000,000 (Alaska and Hawaii 1:3,500,000), epoch 1990.0, GP-1002-D, US$4.00 + US$3.50
S&H, 1.14 X 0.8 meters (45" X 34"), includes over 100 magnetic anomalies.

On-line Isogonic charts

North America 1990, Others 1995: South America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia,
Australia/New Zealand, Global: Ricardo's Geo-Orbit Quick Look satellite dish site

World, small: United States Geological Survey

World, larger, color, 1995: National (USA) Geophysical Data Center or Stanford University in
California

World, slightly more readable, 1995: National (USA) Geophysical Data Center

World, black and white, 1995, seven magnetic parameters, including polar projections: Kyoto
University in Japan

World, color, 1995, five magnetic parameters and their rates of secular change, click to zoom. USA
Department of Defense

Canada, CGRF95: Geological Survey of Canada

Canada, more detailed (caution: outdated--1985): Search and Rescue Society of British Columbia

United States, 1995, small, three magnetic parameters (note: longitudes are in 360° format): United
States Geological Survey

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Mexico, IGRF95: Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. The blue lines
are declination, and the red lines are annual change.

Australia, AGRF95 for 1997.5: Australian Geological Survey Organization (AGSO)

Finland, 1998.0: Finnish Meteorological Institute. It has wavy isogones in an attempt to include
magnetic anomalies from the Earth's crust.

Generate your own: Kimmo Korhonen at the Helsinki University of Technology, Finland wrote this
Java applet in which you specify a region and date. Great idea, but the maps lack detail.

On-line and downloadable declination data

Use an atlas to find your latitude and longitude before you can use the links below.

Pangolin in New Zealand features a Java applet that continuously returns magnetic variation as the
pointer is moved over a map of the world. Sorry, no zooms available, but it computes great circle
bearings and distances. http://www.pangolin.co.nz/magvar.html

Geological Survey of Canada: declination http://www.geolab.nrcan.gc.ca/geomag/e_cgrf.html

National (USA) Geophysical Data Center: seven magnetic parameters and their rates of secular
change. http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/seg/gmag/fldsnth1.pl

Interpex Limited: GEOMAGIX freeware can be downloaded.

http://geomag.usgs.gov/Freeware/geomagix.htm

Defense Mapping Agency: GEOMAG freeware can be downloaded.

ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/Solid_Earth/Mainfld_Mag/DoD_Model/Basic_Software/dmabasic.exe

Ed William's Aviation page: Geomagnetic Field and Variation Calculator freeware can be downloaded
in Mac, Linux, and DOS versions and are suitable for batch processing.
http://www.best.com/~williams

CBU Software: MAGDEC shareware (30-day trial) provides a plot of declination vs. years, latitude or
longitude and will transform bearings from one year to another. It covers USA only, from 1862 to
present. http://www.datacache.com/descript.htm

Declinometer/Inclinometer

A declinometer/inclinometer is sophisticated instrument makes precision measurements of declination

and inclination. It is used to calibrate compasses or to periodically calibrate continuously recording
variometers in magnetic observatories. The angle at which its electronic fluxgate magnetometer
reads a minimum value, is compared to a sighting through its optical theodolite. True north is
determined by sighting a true north reference target mounted some distance away, or is derived from
celestial navigation calculations on a sighting of the sun or another star.

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Link to references and acknowledgments.

Questions, comments, corrections, and additions are welcome. Please E-Mail me in French or
English at [email protected].

Copyright 1997-1999 by Chris M. Goulet..

Updates of this FAQ will be posted at:

Communications Accessibles de Montreal
http://www.cam.org/~gouletc/decl_faq.html

and at:Geocities
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/8998/decl_faq.html

Disclaimer (Lawyer Repellent): Permission is hereby granted to apply the information in this
document on the condition that be author not be held responsible nor liable for any damages.

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Directional Drilling Azimuth Reference Systems

This paper discusses the primary azimuth reference systems currently used in directional drilling.
This will include True North and Magnetic references with particular detail given to Grid
Coordinate systems (i.e. UTM, Lambert, Geographic, and Local). A simple field-proven method is
also presented to help avoid confusion when converting from one system to another.

More than one multi-million dollar directional drilling project has missed its intended target(s) due
to errors and/or misunderstandings surrounding the azimuth reference system in use. The
confusion arises primarily from the necessity to change from one system to another between the
well planning phase, where most maps are drawn with respect to a local Grid North, and the
drilling phase where surveying is performed with respect to a Magnetic or True North reference.
The field company representative is faced with a confusing array of possible conversions,
including declination corrections from Magnetic North to True North, True North to Grid North,
Magnetic to Grid North, or Grid to Magnetic North. Is the correction to be added or subtracted
from the survey measurement? Is the convergence magnitude and sign correct for the grid
system used? With all these questions, it is easy to see why this seemingly simple task is often
performed improperly and the
mistake not realized until the
target is missed. The rig
foreman often passes on the
responsibility for field
convergence application to
the service company
supplying the surveys or to
the directional driller. While
this practice may appear
sound in theory, it usually
creates additional confusion
as basic information is often
poorly communicated or
misconstrued. It is not
uncommon that on projects
where several service

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companies perform different surveys (i.e. MWD, single shots, multi-shots, and gyros) that each
supplier comes up with a different convergence value.

A case in point involved a recent high visibility multi-million dollar directional drilling project. In this
incident, a well known well planning company drew the well maps with respect to the local grid
coordinate system, with a footnote stipulating that the directional contractor would be responsible
for grid and magnetic declination convergence. When the operation began, the rig site was
manned by a company representative, two consulting drilling engineers, and a directional driller
all responsible for deviation control. The directional company was not accustomed to deriving grid
corrections and solicited help from the company representative. He assumed the local grid was
UTM (later learned to be state plane) and the appropriate UTM convergence was applied. He
then had the directional company’s office redraw the well maps rotated by that UTM correction.
The office complied and added in the magnetic declination as well. The directional driller missed
this fact, however, and continued to apply a declination correction at the rig site as drilling
continued. It was not until the project was
completed and the target missed that the errors
were realized.

This project was more closely supervised than a

normal directional well, yet it serves as a classic
example of how easily the relative relationships
between coordinate systems can be poorly
communicated and inappropriately applied. The
remainder of this paper will examine methods to
reduce these azimuth convergence errors by
utilizing field experience and suggested
communication procedures between all involved
parties.

AZIMUTH REFERENCES

Azimuth, (AZ) used in directional drilling, may be defined as the direction of the wellbore (at a
given point) projected into the horizontal plane measured in a clockwise direction from Magnetic
North, True North or Grid North after applying a North Reference system. Azimuth should be

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expressed as a value on a 0°-360o

compass system. Quadrant or
bearing systems (i.e. N45° 20’E) may
be easier to visualize, but make the
probability of convergence mistakes
higher than in an azimuth system. It
is therefore recommended to have all
survey printouts converted to an
azimuth system when making initial
convergence corrections. For
directional drilling and borehole
surveying, there are three primary
azimuth references. They are
Magnetic North (MN), True
(Geographic) North (TN), and Grid
North (GN).

Magnetic North is the direction of the horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic field lines at a
particular point on the earth’s surface pointing to the magnetic pole. A magnetic compass will
align itself to these lines with the positive pole of the compass indicating North. Magnetic North is
usually symbolized on maps by a half arrow head or the letters MN.

True or Geographic North is the horizontal direction from a point on the earth’s surface to the
geographic North Pole, which lien on the earths axis of rotation. The direction is shown on a
globe by meridians of longitude. True North i.e. normally symbolized on maps by a star at the tip
of the arrow or the letters TN.

Grid North is a reference system devised by map markers in “the complicated task of transferring
the curved surface of the earth onto a flat sheet. The meridians of longitude on a globe converge
toward the North Pole and therefore do not produce a rectangular grid system. A map can be
drawn such that the grid lines are rectangular, for some specified area of the earth, the northerly
direction of which is determined by one specified meridian of longitude. This direction is called
Grid North and is identical to True North only for that specified central meridian. It is normally
symbolized on a map by the letters “GN” at the tip of the arrow.

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GRID SYSTEMS

Geographic coordinates. One of the oldest systematic methods of location is based upon the
geographic coordinate system. While this information is basic, a short review is included for
reference. By drawing a set of east-west rings around the globe (parallel to the equator), and a
set of north- south rings crossing the equator at right angles and converging at the poles, a
network of reference lines is formed from which any point on the earth’s surface can be located.
The distance of a point north or south of the equator is known as latitude. The rings around the
earth parallel to the equator are called parallels of latitude or simply parallels. Lines of latitude run

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east-west, with north-south distances measured between them. A second set of rings around the
globe at right angles to lines of latitude and passing through the poles are known as meridians of
longitude or simply meridians. One meridian is designated as the prime meridian. The prime
meridian accepted by the majority of the world runs through Greenwich, England, and is known
as the Greenwich meridian. The distance east or west of a prime meridian to a point is known as
longitude. Lines of longitude (meridians) run north-south, with east-west distances measured
between them. Geographic coordinates are expressed angular measurement. Each circle is
divided into 360°, each degree into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds. The degree is
symbolized by (0), the minute by (’), and the second by (‘’). Starting with 0° at the equator, the
parallels of latitude are numbered to 90° both north and south. The extremities are the North
Pole at 90° north latitude and the South Pole at 90° south latitude. Latitude can have the same
numerical value north or south of the equator, so the direction N or S must always be given. It can
also be further defined as Geographic/Geodetic or Geocentric Latitude. Geodetic is the angle that
a line perpendicular to the surface of the earth makes with the plane of the equator. It is slightly
greater in magnitude than the Geocentric latitude, except at the equator and poles where it is the
same due to the earth’s ellipsoidal shape. The Geocentric latitude is the angle made by a line to
the center of the earth at the equatorial plane.

Starting with 0° at the prime meridian, longitude is measured both east and west around the
world. Lines east of the prime meridian are numbered to 0° to +180° and identified as east
longitude: lines west of the prime meridian are numbered to 0° to -180° and identified as west
longitude. The direction E (+) or W (-) must always be given. The line directly opposite the prime
meridian, 180°, may be referred to as either east or
west longitude.

Geographic Datum. For most atlas maps and any

directional drilling map, the earth may be considered a
sphere. Actually it more nearly resembles an oblate
ellipsoid flattened by approximately one part in three
hundred at the poles due to rotation. On small scale
maps this oblateness is negligible. However, different
ellipsoids will produce slightly different coordinates for
the same point on the earth and therefore warrant a
brief summary.

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More than a dozen principal ellipsoids have been measured in the past two hundred years which
are still in use by one or more countries. An official shape was designated in 1924 by the
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) and adopted a flattening ratio of exactly
one part in 297. This was called the International Ellipsoid and was based on Hayford’s
calculations in 1909 giving an equatorial radius of 6,378,388 meters and a polar radius of
6,356,911,9 meters. Many countries did not adopt this ellipsoid however, including those in North
America. The different dimensions of the other established ellipsoids are not only the result of
varying uncertainties in the Geodetic measurements that were made, but also are due to a non-
uniform curvature of the earth’s surface due to irregularities in the gravity field. It is for this
reason that a particular ellipsoid will be slightly more accurate in the areas it was measured,
rather than using a generalized ellipsoid for the whole earth. This also includes satellite derived
ellipsoids such as WGS72. The table below illustrates some of the official ellipsoids in use today.

Equatorial

Radius,a, PolarRadius Flattening

Name Date Meters b, metere f Use

GRS 19802 1980 6,378,137 6,356,752.3 1/298.257 Newly adopted

WGS 723 1972 6,378,135 6,356,750.5 1/298.26 NASA

Australian 1965 6,378,160 6,356,774.7 1/298.25 Australia

Krasovaky 1940 6,378,245 6,356,863.0 1/298.25 SovietUnion

Internat’1 1924 6,378,388 6,356,911.9 l/297 Remainderof the”world

Hayford 1909 6,378,388 6,356,911.9 1/297 Renainderof the world

Clarke 1880 6,378,249.1 6,356,514.9 1/293.46 Most of Africa;France

Clarke 1866 6,378,206.4 6,356,583.8 1/294.98 North America; Philippines

Map Projections. A map projection is a method of transferring part or all of a round body on to a
flat sheet. Since the surface of a sphere cannot be represented accurately on a flat sheet without
distortion the cartographer must choose characteristics he wishes to display precisely at the
expense of others. There is consequently no best method of projection for map making in
general. Different applications require different projections.

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Some characteristics normally considered in choosing a particular projection are: true shape of
physical features, equal area, true scale and size, great circles as straight lines, rhomb (compass
point) lines as straight lines, and correct angular relationships. A map of relatively small size,
such as a directional well
path, will closely achieve
most or all of these
characteristics with any
method of projection.

Map projections are

generally classified with
respect to their method of
construction in
accordance with the
developable surface from
which they were devised,
the most common being
cylindrical, conical, and planer.

An examination of these projections shows that most lines of latitude and longitude are curved.
The quadrangles formed by the intersection of these
curved parallels and meridians are of different sizes
and shapes, complicating the location of points and the
measurement of directions. To facilitate these essential
operations, a rectangular grid maybe superimposed
upon the projection.

Universal Transverse Mercator Grid (UTM). The most

common worldwide grid system used in directional
drilling is the UTM. The U.S. Army adopted this
system in 1947 for designating rectangular coordinates
on large scale military maps of the entire world. The
UTM is based on the Cylindrical Transverse Mercator
Conformal Projection, developed by Johann Lambert in 1772, to which specific parameters have
been applied, such as central meridians.
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

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The UTM divides the world into 60 equal zones (6° wide) between latitude 84°N and latitude
80°S. Polar regions are normally covered by a separate planer projection system known as
Universal Polar Stereo-graphic. Each of the 60 zones has its
own origin at the intersection of its central meridian and the
equator. The grid is identified in all 60 zones. Each grid is
numbered, beginning with zone 1 at the 180th Meridian,
International Date Line, with zone numbers increasing to the
east. Most of the North America is included in Zones 10-19.
Each zone is flattened and a square grid superimposed upon
it.

Any point in the zone may be referenced by citing its zone

number, its distance in meters from the equator (“northing”)
and its distance in meters from a north-south reference line (’easting”). These three components:
the zone number, easting and northing make up the complete UTM Grid Reference for any point,
and distinguish it from any other point on earth. The Figure below shows a zone, its shape
somewhat exaggerated, with its most important features. Note that when drawn on a flat map, its
outer edges are curves, (since they follow meridian lines on the globe), which are farther apart at
the equator than at the poles.

UTM zones are sometimes further divided into grid sectors although this is not essential for point
identification. These sectors are bounded by quadrangles formed every 8° in latitude both north
and south and are designated by letters
starting with C at 80° South to X at 72°
North, excluding I and O. Dallas for
example is in grid zone 14s covering a
quadrangle from 96° to 102°W and from
32° to 40°N. Sectors may be further
divided into grid Squares of 100,000
meters on a side with double letter
designations including partial squares of
10,000 meters, 1,000 meters and 100
meters designated by numbers and
letters.

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The two most important features of the zones are the equator, which run east and west through
its center, and the central meridian. Easting and northing measurements are based on these two
lines. The easting of a point represents its distance in meters from the central meridian of the
zone in which it lies. The northing of a point represents its distance in meters from the equator.

By common agreement, there are no negative numbers for the castings of points west of the
central meridian. Instead of assigning a value of 0 meters to the central meridian of each zone,
each is assigned an arbitrary value of 500,000 meters, increasing to the east.

Since along the equator at their widest points, the zones somewhat exceed 600,000 meters from
west to east, easting values range from approximately 200,000 meters to approximately 800,000
meters at the equator, with no negative values. The range of possible casting values narrows as
the zones narrow toward the poles. Northings for points north of the equator are measured
directly in meters, beginning with
a value of zero at the equator
and increasing to the north. To
avoid negative northing values
for points south of the equator,
the equator is arbitrarily
assigned a value of 10 million
meters, and points are
measured with decreasing, but
positive, northing values heading
southward. Some maps,
particularly in the U.S., have
converted UTM coordinates from
meters to feet.

In utilizing the Transverse

Mercator Projection, the central
UTM meridian has been reduced
in scale by 0.9996 of True to
minimize variation in a given
zone. This scale factor (grid
distance/true distance) changes
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

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slightly as you move away from the central meridian and should be considered if very accurate
measurements are desired. However, this error is very small in directional drilling maps and is
usually ignored.

Approximately 60 countries use the

UTM as the most authoritative and
general use projection within the world,
although some also use secondary local
projections and grid references. The
Russia, China and other European
countries use the Transverse Mercator
(Gauss-Kriiger) with 6° zones.
Approximately 50 countries use other
projections. Lambert Conformal Conic
Projection. The Lambert System is
based on a conformal conic projection
and is particularly useful in mapping
regions that have a predominately east-
west expanse. This system has heavy
use in North America and is the official
U.S. state plane coordinate system for
more than half of the 48 contiguous
states, including the majority of those where oil is drilled and produced (i.e. Texas, Louisiana,
Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Michigan). The remainder of the states,
including Wyoming, uses the Transverse Mercator with Alaska using a combination.

This projection was first described by Lambert in 1772, but received little use until the First World
War where France revived it for battle maps. The features of this conic projection include:

• Parallels of latitude are unequally spaced arcs of concentric circles

• Meridians of longitude are equally spaced radii cutting the parallels at right angles

• Scale is normally true along two defined parallels, but can be true along one

• Pole in same hemisphere is a point, other pole is at infinity

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Since there is no distortion at the parallels, it is possible to change the “standard parallels” to
another pair by changing the scale applied to the existing map and recalculating standards to fit
the new scale. Each state or area has it’s own standard parallels, or sets of the same depending
on its size, to reduce distortion at the center. For example, Louisiana is divided into three zones
as shown in the Table below.

Zone STANDARD PARALLELS ORIGIN

Long. Lat.

North 31° 10* N 32° 40t N 92° 301 w 30° 401 N

South 29° 18’ 3C” 42* 91° 201 28° 40’

Offshore 26° 10’ 27° 501 91° 201 25° 40’

The grid origins for most states are measured in feet, with the east-west axis starting at 2,000,000
feet and the north-south axis set at 0 feet.

Local Grid systems. There are numerous local grid systems in use around the world today.
These systems all have different base line coordinates and projections, covering different sizes of
surface areas, but all serve the same basic purpose as outlined for UTM and Lambert. In the
U.S. lease lines often are used as a convenient grid reference, as well as other privately surveyed
grids. Outside the U.S., local grids are used in Holland, the U.K., Brunei, Australia, and other
countries. Several countries have also shifted the starting of the UTM grid zones to fall inside
their own territory.

In some situations when using standard grid coordinates, the well’s target location may lie in a
different zone from the surface location. In these cases creating a nonstandard zone normally
produces a special local grid. This is done by either extending the surface location zone by a few
miles to include the target, or shifting the zone center, as sometimes is done with UTM, 3° to the
zone boundary.

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AZIMUTH REFERENCE SYSTEM CONVERSIONS

Most well proposals are generated from rectangular coordinates derived from the UTM or local
grid system. The surface location to target direction will therefore be referenced to Grid North.
Since wells must be surveyed with sensors that reference direction to either Magnetic or True
North, it will be necessary to convert between these references.

Magnetic Declination
Correction. Magnetic
declination correction converts
azimuth values between the
Magnetic North and True North
systems. The magnetic
declination correction is the
angle between the horizontal
component of the earth’s
magnetic field lines and the lines of longitude. When Magnetic North lies to the west of True
North, the magnetic declination is said to be westerly, and if to the east, easterly.

Values of magnetic declination change with time and location. Magnetic Declination models are
updated every year. Their values and rates of change can be obtained from Computer programs
like GEOMAG or “world magnetic variation charts” or “isogonic charts” which are issued by all
major hydrographic institutes in the world once every five years (1980, 1985, ’90, etc.). Computer
programs like GEOMAG use current magnetic models and calculate up-to-date local declination
figures. The most accurate method to determine local declination is to measure the magnetic
field with a magnetic transit.

When magnetic results are

recorded, the declination and
the date must be included. Local
values of magnetic declination

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should be stated in the well program to plus or minus 0.1O.

Grid Correction Angle. A grid correction converts azimuth readings between the True North
systems and the specified grid system. The angle of correction is the angle between the
meridians of longitude and the Northings of the grid system at a specified point. The magnitude
of the correction angle depends upon its location within the grid and its latitude. The closer the
point is to the grid central meridian and to the equator, the smaller the correction.

The computation of the grid correction angle or angle of convergence will require special
mathematical techniques depending on the type of projection of the curved earth’s surface on to
the flat grid. The directional software packages will at minimum handle UTM and Lambert
conformal conic convergence. The chosen sign convention displays Grid North as “x” number of
degrees east or west of True North. For example, when you convert the geographic coordinates
latitude N 30° 00’ 00” and longitude W 95° 00’ 00” to UTM coordinates (using the Hayford Inter-
national - 1924 Ellipsoid), the computer will display the following results:

UTM Coordinates:

Hemisphere = North

Zone = 15

Northing = 3320517.348

Easting = 307077.096

Grid Convergence = W 1° 0’ 0”

This listing indicates a grid convergence of 1o 00’ 00”. Grid convergence as calculated by the
directional software package is the angular difference in degrees between True North and UTM
Grid North. UTM Grid North is said to be “X” number of degrees either east or west of True
North. When working with the UTM system, the calculated direction between two UTM
coordinates is referenced to Grid North. To convert this UTM Grid North direction to a True North
direction, you must apply the grid convergence to the calculated UTM Grid North direction. This
sign convention is not necessarily the same for all contractors and should be clearly
communicated and understood before drilling begins.

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System Conversions. Once accurate magnetic declination and grid convergence angles are
acquired, all that is needed to change reference systems is to add or subtract these angles from
one another. While this seems a simple task, misunderstandings surrounding the relationship
between these references can cause a target to be missed. To avoid this confusion,
declination/grid conversion polar diagrams should be drawn on all maps and clearly defined on all
survey printouts. With this in mind, the following procedure is suggested:

1. Convert quadrant/bearing readings, including declination and grid convergence, to a 0-

360 degrees azimuth system.

2. Draw a polar diagram showing True North at 0 degrees azimuth (12 o’clock).

3. Draw an arrow for Magnetic North using an exaggerated angle east or west of True North
showing the declination angle (east declination is east of True North and west is west).

4. Draw an arrow for Grid North using an exaggerated angle east or west of True North
showing the grid convergence angle (be sure of the sign convention of the grid
convergence value used, for example does a west convergence angle put Grid North
west of True North or visa versa?).

5. Draw an arrow pointing east (azimuth of 90°) for an arbitrary borehole azimuth reference.

6. Label the borehole azimuth with reference to each system.

True North azimuth will equal 90°; Magnetic azimuth will equal 90° plus/minus declination; Grid
azimuth will equal 90° plus/minus grid convergence. With these three references it is a simple
matter to determine whether declination and/or convergence need to be added or subtracted to
switch from one system to the other.

Example one depicts a situation with a 3.0o west grid convergence and a 5.0 o
east magnetic
o
declination. The diagram clearly shows the arbitrary True North azimuth of 90 to equal 93.0 o
Grid North reference and 85.0 o Magnetic North reference. To convert from Magnetic azimuth to
True azimuth add 5.0 o to all Magnetic North azimuths and so forth. The chart adjacent to the
polar diagram shows all possible combinations to change between systems. The survey printout
should include, under an azimuth reference heading, the following data: 1) Grid North is 3.0°W
(CCW) from True North; 2) Magnetic North is 5.0° (CW) from True North and 8.0°E (CW) from
Grid North, December 1987; and 3] Survey printout is referenced to Grid North. Example two
depicts a similar situation with a 3.0° east grid convergence and an 8.0° east magnetic
declination.

Az Ref Systems.doc 8/30/00 2-14 Doc. # TD2002.rev A

Computalog

COMMUNICATION

Accurate communication, both written and oral, is the key to avoiding convergence errors. This
function can generally be divided into two or three groups depending on the size of the
organization and the complexity of the project.

The initial group will normally consist of seismic crews, geophysical and geology departments,
who will be responsible for developing structure maps and choosing targets with respect to a
common coordinate system. The next group might be land/hydrographic survey crews, geology,
drilling engineering, and a directional service company who might be responsible for developing
well plans to the proposed targets from selected surface locations. At this point the grid
convergence and magnetic declination angle should be computed, cross checked, and
documented on the well prognosis and directional maps using a polar grid convergence diagram.
All groups should be in agreement with these values before release to operations. The final
group might consist of drilling engineering, operations drilling foremen, and directional drillers who
will be responsible for drilling the well to target as planned. This is the stage where most errors
and miscommunication are likely to occur. Never assume the man on the rig will understand your
written communications. A meeting should be held, at the rig site if necessary, to assure that all
parties understand the map azimuth reference and the magnitude and sense of necessary
correction angles.

CONCLUSION

A missed target for any reason can be a financial disaster; a missed target for azimuth reference
convergence error is inexcusable. This mistake can be avoided by:

• TRAINING responsible personnel basic grid systems, magnetic declination, convergence

angle corrections, and use of polar grid convergence diagrams.

Az Ref Systems.doc 8/30/00 2-15 Doc. # TD2002.rev A

Computalog

• COMMUNICATION, both written and oral, of azimuth references and conversion

corrections to all responsible parties from geophysics to geology to drilling engineering to
operations to directional drilling contractors.

• PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION provided by drilling engineering, operations drilling

superintendents, rig foremen, and directional drilling contractors.

NOMENCLATURE

GN Grid North

MN Magnetic North

TN True North

UTM Universal Transverse Mercator Grid System

x, y Equatorial Earth’s Radius

z Polar Earth’s Radius

REFERENCES

1. Synder, John P.: Map Projections Used by the U.S. Geological Survey, United States
Government Printing office, Washington, D.C. (1982) Page 15

2. Synder, John P.: Map Projections Used by the U.S. Geological survey, United States
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. (1982) page 60.

3. Gillan, C. and Wadsworth D.: “Automated Drilling Data Provides Instant Insights into
Complex Problems” American Oil and Gas Reporter

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Judson, Sheldon, and Left, Don L.: Physical Geology, Prentice-Hall, Inc, Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey, (1965)

2. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, (1965) & Piloting, Naval Institue Press, Annapolis,
Maryland (1985)
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

Az Ref Systems.doc 8/30/00 2-16 Doc. # TD2002.rev A

Computalog

3. Synder, John P.: Map Projections Used by the U.S. Geological Survey, United States
Government Printing office, Washington, D.C. (1982)

Az Ref Systems.doc 8/30/00 2-17 Doc. # TD2002.rev A

Coordinate Systems

Geographic Coordinates One of the most accurate means of depicting a point on the earth’s surface is by
referring to its geographic coordinates. The earth, as a sphere, is divided into
theoretical lines (or meridians) of longitude (running from pole to pole) and
parallels of latitude (running parallel to the equator). The meridians of longitude run
180° east and west of 0° (running through Greenwich). The parallels of latitude run
90° north and south of the equator (0° latitude). In this way, any point on the earth's
surface can be referred to by its latitude and longitude. While this system is very
accurate for defining the position of a point with reference to the center of the earth,
it becomes quite an involved process to refer two points to each other and to
represent them in two dimensions.

EARTH

Parallels of Latitude

ß
ø
Point: P
Meridians of Longitude
can be expressed in
terms of degrees of
Latitude: ß
and degrees of
Longitude: ø

2-18
Universal Transverse Mercator System

Universal Transverse Mercator System

In the UTM System, the world is divided up into 60 equal zones (each 6° wide)
between 80° north and 80° south; polar regions are covered by other special
projections. Each zone has its own origin at the intersection of its central meridian
and the equator. Each zone is flattened and a square imposed on it. Thus, its outer
edges are curved when drawn on a flat map since they follow the meridian lines on
the globe. Each of the 60 zones is numbered, starting with zone 1 at the 180th
meridian. The areas east and west of the Greenwich Meridian are covered by zones
30 and 31.

Any point on the earth may be identified by its zone number, its distance in meters
from the equator (northing) and its distance in meters from a north south reference
line (easting). Zones are sometimes divided into sectors representing intervals of 8°
latitude, starting with zone C at 80° S and ending with zone X at 72° N (omitting I
and O). It is not essential to use the grid sector letter to identify the position of a
point on the globe. To avoid negative values for eastings, the central meridian in
any zone is assigned the arbitrary eastings value of 500,000 meters. Along the
equator a zone is about 600,000 meters wide, tapering towards the polar region.
Eastings range in value from approximately 200,000 to 800,000. For points north of
the equator, northings are measured directly in meters, with a value of zero at the
equator and increasing toward the north. To avoid negative northing values in the
Southern Hemisphere, the equator is arbitrarily assigned a value of 10,000,000
meters and displacements in the southern hemisphere are measured with
decreasing, but positive, values as one heads south.

TRUE
NORTH

# #
GRID NORTH

GRID NORTH

NORTHERN NORTHERN
HEMISPHERE HEMISPHERE
# #
CENTRAL MERIDIAN

EQUATOR

# #

SOUTHERN SOUTHERN
UE

HEMISPHERE HEMISPHERE
RT
TR
NO

2-19
UTM System

UTM System
Convergence is the difference between grid north and true north. Clearly, at the
central meridian, grid north equals true north. Convergence will vary with distance
away from the central meridian and with distance away from the equator.

TRUE
NORTH

GRID NORTH GRID NORTH

(West of True North) (East of True North)

GRID
PROJECTION

LATITUDE 90° 80°

70°
60°

50°

40°

30°

LONGITUDE 20°

10°

0° E

O R
AT
EQU
100°
90°

CENTRAL MEDIAN 80°

70°
60° 10°
0°
True North = Grid North 50° 40° 30° 20°

2-20
UTM System continued

UTM System continued

The well proposal is usually derived from coordinates in a grid system and,
therefore, directions will be in terms grid north. However, the well surveys will use
sensors that reference either magnetic or true north, the user must, therefore, be able
to convert from one reference to the other.

True North

Grid North

Corrected
Borehole
Azimuth
ß

Grid Convergence is ß° West

ø
True Azimuth is Ø°
Grid Azimuth is (Ø + ß)°

Magnetic Declination Magnetic Declination Correction is the angle between magnetic north and true
Correction north. Values of magnetic declination change with time and location. As the
movement of magnetic north is constant and predictable, magnetic declination can
be calculated for any given point on the earth at any given time. Charts depicting
the various declinations and rate of change (usually expressed as an annual change)
are widely used. An easterly declination is expressed as a positive value and a
westerly declination is expressed as a negative value. Although converting from
one reference to another appears a simple task, considerable care is needed,
depending on the relative directions of convergence and magnetic declination.
True
North

Magnetic
North

ß Hole Direction

ø
Magnetic Declination is ß° West
Magnetic Hole Direction is Ø°
Corrected Hole Direction is (ß - Ø)°

2-21
Leaseline or Boundaries

Leaseline or Boundaries
In some countries, oil and gas leases are sold. These leases are normally
administered by local governing bodies or agencies and have clearly defined
boundaries. Any point within a lease can be defined in terms of distance from any
two adjoining boundaries.

Northern Boundary

Eastern Boundary
SURFACE
LOCATION

y
tor
ajec
r
dT
Western Boundary

ose
op
Pr

TARGET

Southern Boundary

Hardlines Lines drawn on the plot which should not be crossed for geological and legal
reasons.

Land Locations Planning a directional well presupposes some limiting factors in the positioning of
the surface location. With land wells, the surface location of the well will usually be
determined by the factors originally prompting the decision to drill a directional
well as opposed to a vertical well.

Offshore Locations The main difference between positioning a surface location on land and offshore is
that offshore directional programs tend to be drilled from multiwell structures and
are not normally as restricted as on land (mountains, jungles, cities, etc.). In most
cases, an offshore drilling rig can be placed anywhere above a reservoir. The
decision concerning the placement of the surface structure tends to be more affected
by reservoir management considerations than geographic necessity.

2-22
Bottomhole Targets

Bottomhole Targets

Geological Requirements The first step in planning any well is to define the objective(s). A directional well
can have one or more objectives:
• Geological structures
• Coring points
• Geological features (such as faults or pinch outs)
• Other wellbores (as with relief well drilling)
• Combination of these

In this section, we look at the way in which targets are defined. As we have seen,
there are various means of referring to a surface location (UTM, geographic, etc.).
The same is true for the target location with the addition of the vertical depth of the
target.

Partial Coordinates When planning and drilling a well, it is simpler to use partial coordinates when
referring to the target. This involves using the surface location as a reference point
(surface reference point) and attributing this point with the value 0,0. All other
coordinates can then be referred back to this point, thus simplifying calculation and
plotting procedures. The Surface Reference Point (SRP) is usually the rotary kelly
bushing, the wellhead or the platform reference point.

Once the exact location of the surface reference point and the target are known, the
partial coordinates can easily be determined. Normally, these are either rectangular
or polar.

North

SURFACE Rectangular
LOCATION
Coordinate: East
East
Polar
Coordinates
Azim

De
pa
uth

rt
ure

Rectangular
Coordinate: South
TARGET

2-23
Bottomhole Targets

Bottomhole Targets

North

SURFACE Rectangular
LOCATION
Coordinate: East
East
Polar
Coordinates

Azim

De
pa
uth

rtu
re
Rectangular
Coordinate: South
TARGET

Rectangular Rectangular coordinates are usually given in feet/meters north or south and east or
west of the SRP. They can easily be derived by subtracting the UTM coordinates of
the SRP from those of the target. For example:

N/S (feet) E/W (feet)

UTM Coordinates Target 62,354,500.00 N 5,262,744.00 E

UTM Coordinates Surface -62,355,000.00 N -5,262,544.00 E

Partial Coordinates -500.00 200.00

A positive value denotes north or east; a negative value denotes south or west. The
target in the above example is 500 feet south (-ve) and 200 feet east (+ve) of the
SRP.

2-24
Bottomhole Targets

Bottomhole Targets

North

SURFACE Rectangular
LOCATION
Coordinate: East
East
Polar
Coordinates

Azim

De
pa
uth

rtu
re
Rectangular
Coordinate: South
TARGET

Polar Polar coordinates are derived from the rectangular coordinates and are expressed as
a distance (departure) and a direction (either quadrant or azimuth). These are
derived from the rectangular (or Cartesian) coordinates as follows:

Azimuth = tan-1( E/W Coord ÷ N/S Coord ); or, in this case: tan-l( 200 ÷ 500 ) = 21.8°

As we know, the target is south and east of the surface reference point, we know the
direction of the target from the rig is:

S 21.80 E in quadrant format or 158.2° Azimuth

2 2 2 2
Departure = ( E/W Coord + N/S Coord ) , or in this case: = ( 200 + 500 ) =
538.5

We can refer to our target in polar coordinates being 538.5 feet (or meters) at
Azimuth 158.2°.

2-25
Bottomhole Targets

Bottomhole Targets

Target Size During the drilling phase of a directional well, the trajectory of the wellbore in
relation to the target is constantly monitored. Often, costly decisions have to be
made in order to ensure that the objectives of the well are met. A well-defined target
is essential in making these decisions. The technology available today allows us to
drill extremely accurate wells. The cost of drilling the well is largely dependent on
the accuracy required, so the acceptable limits of the target must be well-defined
before the well is commenced.

Cost versus accuracy is the key consideration. In many cases, operating companies
adopt an arbitrary in-house target size (or radius of tolerance), particularly in multi-
well projects. The size of the target radius often reflects the convention rather than
the actual geological requirements of the well. It is common for specific restrictions
or hard lines to be specified only when they depict critical features such as:
• Fault lines
• Pinch outs
• Legal restrictions
• Lease line boundaries

Many directional wells have been unnecessarily corrected or sidetracked in order to

hit a target radius which, in fact, did not represent the actual objective of the well.

2-26
HOW TO DETERMINE

MUD PULSE & EM

TOOLFACE OFFSETS

3-1 Toolface Offset Determination

NEGATIVE PULSE OFFSET TOOL FACE
OFFSET TOOL FACE (OTF) SHEET

This sheet is possibly the most important form that must be filled
out correctly. All other work and activity performed by the MWD Operator
means naught if the well must be plugged back with cement because of
an incorrect OTF calculation (or the correct OTF not being entered into the
TLW 2.12 software). Ensure that the OTF calculation is correct,
entered into TLW 2.12 correctly and verified by the Directional Driller.

The procedure for measuring the OTF is as follows:

1. Measure in a clockwise direction the distance from the MWD high side
scribe to the motor high side scribe. Record this length into the OTF work
sheet as the OTF distance. In the following example, this value is 351
mm.

2. Measure the circumference of the tubular at the same location where

the OTF distance is being measured. Record this length into the OTF
work sheet as the Circumference of Collar.

3. Calculate the OTF angle using the following formula:

OTF Angle= OTF Distance x 360

Collar Cirumference

From the above example, if the collar circumference is 500 mm,

OTF Angle= (351/500) x 360

= 0.702 x 360
= 252.72o

A sample form is as follows:

3-2 Toolface Offset Determ

ination
NEGATIVE PULSE OFFSET TOOL FACE
(O.T.F. MEASUREMENT)

Well Name: Enter in the Well Name here Date: Enter in date OTF taken

LSD: Enter in the LSD here Time: Enter in time OTF taken

Job #: Enter in the MWD job number here Run #: Enter in the run number

TOP VIEW OF MWD

MWD SCRIBE

PROPER
DIRECTION
OF OTF
MEASUREMENT

MOTOR SCRIBE (HIGH SIDE)

O.T.F. Distance (Anchor Bolts to Collar Scribe): 351 mm

Circumference of Collar: 500 mm

O.T.F. Angle (Distance / Circumference) x 360: 252.72 degrees

O.T.F Angle entered into Computer as: 252.72 degrees

O.T.F. Distance measured by: Both MWD Operator Names

O.T.F. Calculated by: Both MWD Operator Names

O.T.F Entered into computer by: Both MWD Operator Names

O.T.F. Measurement and calculation Witnessed by: Directional Driller(s)

Name(s)

3-3 Toolface Offset Determination

NEGATIVE PULSE OFFSET TOOL FACE

252.72

3-4 Toolface Offset Determination

POSITIVE PULSE Toolface Offset

INTERNAL TOOL FACE OFFSET (TFO) SHEET

Note: For the positive pulse MWD, the OTF is zero. Ensure that a zero OTF has
been entered into TLW 2.12. The positive Tool Face Offset (TFO) sheet entries
are as follows:

1. Positive Pulse Pulser Set to High Side / Directional Driller: Enter the names
of the MWD Operator and Directional Driller respectively.

2.Positive Pulse T.F.O. from PROGTM: Enter the T.F.O. value reported from the
high side tool face calibration from TLW 2.12.

TFO internal toolface offset

3-5 Toolface Offset Determ

ination
POSITIVE PULSE T.F.O. MEASUREMENT

Well Name: Enter in the Well Name here Date: Enter in date OTF taken

LSD: Enter in the LSD here Time: Enter in time OTF

taken

Job #: Enter in the MWD job number here Run #: Enter in the run
number

ROTATE PULSER TO HIGH SIDE

PULSER KEY WAY

PROPER
DIRECTION
OF TFO
MEASUREMENT

DAS HIGH SIDE TAB

Positive Pulse Pulser Set to High Side: Name of MWD hand Witness

Directional Driller: Name of Directional hand Witness

Positive Pulse T.F.O. from PROGTM: 163.25 degrees

Gravity Tool Face (gtface) Should Equal Zero: 0.00 degrees

Motor Adjustment: 2.12 / G degrees/setting

Alignment of Mule Shoe Sleeve Key to Motor Scribe: Name of 2nd MWD hand Witness

O.T.F.=0, Entered into Computer by: Name of MWD hand

All Calculations Witnessed by: Signature of Directional

Driller

3-6 Toolface Offset Determination

MWD - Positive Pulse

OTF – External Drill Collar Offset

Magnetic Declination

Toolface switch over

3-7 Toolface Offset Determination

EM MWD Toolface Offset

Magnetic Declination

The “Bearing Display” GEOGRAPHIC radio button must be selected for the Declination
value to be applied (by the surface software) to the transmitted magnetic hole direction.

3-8 Toolface Offset Determination

Toolface Offset

Zero tool face offset G4 – this is the internal offset for the CDS probe; this value must
always be entered as a NEGATIVE number from 0 to –360; this value is applied by the
surface software.

Tool face offset DC – this is the external (drill collar) offset; must be measured
clockwise (looking toward bit) from the muleshoe boltholes to the mud motor scribeline
(if using a stinger). For slimhole, measure from the CSGx locking bolts to the mud motor
scribeline. When using a bipod measure from the tool carrier scribeline to the mud motor
scribeline.

3-9 Toolface Offset Determination

The main page software display can be checked to verify that the appropriate declination
and toolface offset are being applied to the transmitted data.

3-10 Toolface Offset Determination

Toolface Offset Summary

Mud Pulse
Negative Pulse Positive Pulse
System

None Directional Probe (DAS)

Internal Offset DAS highside is mechanically Determine offset as per procedure
oriented to align with pulser and PROGTM into the DAS
anchor bolts

Surface Software Surface Software

Measure clockwise from anchor Typical: Muleshoe sleeve is
bolts to motor aligned with motor scribeline,
therefore offset = 0°
External Offset 0° to +360° values permitted
Optional: If muleshoe sleeve is
not aligned with motor scribeline,
calculate offset as per procedure

0° to +360° values permitted

3-11 Toolface Offset Determination

EM System
Electromagnetic Telemetry

Surface Software
Determine offset as per procedure and always enter value as a
Internal Offset
NEGATIVE number. (Zero toolface offset G4, “Job Data” screen)

0° to -360° values permitted

Surface Software
Bipod: Measure clockwise from the tool carrier key to the mud motor
scribeline. 0° to +360° values permitted.
External Offset
Stinger: Measure clockwise from muleshoe boltholes to mud motor
scibeline. 0° to +360° values permitted.

Slimhole: With CSGx module, measure clockwise from the CSGx

locking bolt to mud motor scribeline. 0° to +360° values permitted.

3-12 Toolface Offset Determination

Precision LWDTM Tool Face Offset
The Tool Face Offset is an external (drill collar) offset and must be measured
clockwise, looking downward toward the bit from the HEL tool scribeline to the mud
motor scribeline. This is one of the most important measurements that the LWD
Engineer makes and MUST be done correctly. All other work and activity performed
by the LWD Engineer means naught if the well must be plugged back with cement
because of an incorrect TFO calculation (or the correct TFO not being entered into
the Spectrum software). Ensure that the TFO calculation is correct, entered into
Spectrum correctly and verified by the Directional Driller.

The procedure for measuring the TFO is as follows:

1. Measure in a clockwise direction the distance from the HEL tool’s

high side scribe to the motor high side scribe. Record this length into
the TFO work sheet as the TFO distance. In the following example,
this value is 351 mm.
2. Measure the circumference of the tubular at the same location where
the TFO distance is being measured. Record this length into the TFO
work sheet as the Circumference of Collar.
3. Calculate the TFO angle using the following formula:
TFO Dis tan ce
TFO Angle = ∗ 360
Collar Circumference
From the above example, if the collar circumference is 500 mm,
351
TFO Angle = ∗ 360 = 0.702 ∗ 360 = 252.72o
500
A sample form is as follows:

Computalog USA, Inc. This document contains Company proprietary information which is the confidential property of Computalog
Drilling Services and shall not be copied, reproduced, disclosed to others, or used in whole or in part for any other purpose or reason except for the
one it was issued without written permission.
Computalog USA, Inc. This document contains Company proprietary information which is the confidential property of Computalog
Drilling Services and shall not be copied, reproduced, disclosed to others, or used in whole or in part for any other purpose or reason except for the
one it was issued without written permission.
Computalog Drilling Services

Directional Sensors

Survey intro.doc date 4-1 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

Computalog Drilling Services

INTRODUCTION

The Directional Sensor is made up of electronic printed circuit boards, a Tensor Tri-Axial
Magnetometer and a Tensor Tri-Axial Accelerometers, and Temperature sensor. These
modules are configured into a directional probe and are run in the field mounted in a
nonmagnetic drill collar. The Directional Sensor provides measurements, which are used
to determine the orientation of the drill string at the location of the sensor assembly.

The Directional Sensor measures three orthogonal axis of magnetic bearing, three
orthogonal axes of inclination and instrument temperature. These measurements are
processed and transmitted by the pulser to the surface. The surface computer then uses
this data to calculate parameters such as inclination, azimuth, high-side toolface, and
magnetic toolface.

The sensor axes are not perfectly orthogonal and are not perfectly aligned, therefore,
compensation of the measured values for known misalignments are required in order to
provide perfectly orthogonal values. The exact electronic sensitivity, scale factor and
bias, for each sensor axis is uniquely a function of the local sensor temperature.
Therefore, the raw sensor outputs must be adjusted for thermal effects on bias and scale
factor. Orthogonal misalignment angles are used with the thermally compensated bias
and scale factors to determine the compensated sensor values required for computation of
precise directional parameters.

Survey intro.doc date 4-2 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

Computalog Drilling Services

DIRECTIONAL SENSOR HARDWARE

The figure above shows the basic configuration of the Directional Sensor probe. The
directional probe is mounted to the MWD assembly and keyed into a Non-Magnetic Drill
Collar. The nominal length of the sub is 30 feet. The nonmagnetic collar is usually
referred to as Monel.

DIRECTIONAL SENSOR COMPONENTS

Contained inside the assembly is a Single Port MPU, Triple Power Supply and a Digital
Orientation Module. The Single Port MPU is a modular micro-controller assembly based
on the Motorola MC68HCll microprocessor implementing Honeywell's qMIXTM
communications protocol (qMIX/ll TM). The Triple Power Supply provides regulated
power for the complete assembly.

The microprocessor provides the control and timing to interface the logic circuit controls
the analog power switch. With the analog power switch off only the 5 volt circuits are
active and the current drain from the sub bus is approximately 8 milliamps. When the
logic board switches on the analog power switch, battery power is directed to the 12 volt
regulator on the analog circuit. The current drain with the analog power switch on and
the sensors off is approximately 80 milliamps. With the accelerometers powered up the
current drain is approximately 120 milliamps. With the magnetometer powered up the
current drain is approximately 140 milliamps.

Survey intro.doc date 4-3 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

Computalog Drilling Services

ANALOG Circuit

The Analog Circuit provides an interface with the inclinometer, magnetometer, and
pressure transducer sensors. The 16 channel multiplexer on the analog circuit takes input
from various sensor outputs and sends the data to the logic circuit for transmission. A
sensor power switch takes power from the 12 volt regulator and selectively powers up the
accelerometers and magnetometers. A 5 volt excitation supply from the 12 volt regulator
is used to power the pressure transducer. The status voltages appear on the surface probe
test and are defined as follows:

1. Sub Bus Voltage - battery voltage on the sub bus.

2. 5 Volt Supply - the 5 volt excitation supply from the 12 volt regulator that
powers the pressure transducer.

3. Accelerometer Power Status - voltage that is currently being supplied to the

inclinometer (0 or 12.5v).

4. Magnetometer power Status - voltage that is currently being supplied to the

magnetometer (0 or 12.5v).

5. Steering Mode Status - 4.5 volts when steering mode is set.

TENSOR INCLINOMETER

The TENSOR Tri-axial Accelerometer measures three orthogonal axes of inclination

(Gx, Gy, and Gz) and also includes a temperature sensor. The inclinometer has a 1g full
scale output in survey mode and a 7 g full scale output in steering mode. The sensor
operates within the following parameters:

1. Input Voltage +/- 12.5 to 15.5 volts

2. Input Current < 80 ma/g

3. Accelerometer Output 3.0 ma/g

Survey intro.doc date 4-4 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

Computalog Drilling Services

AC C ELER O M ETER

ACCELER ATIO N

CAPACITAN CE U PPER M AG N ET
PICKO FF

TO R Q U ER CO IL

CH EM ICALLY M ILLED
H IN G E
Q U AR TZ PR O O F
M ASS
LEAD SU PPO R T PO STS

LO W ER M AG N ET

The inclinometer is made up of three accelerometers. The operation of the accelerometer

is based on the movement of a quartz proof mass during acceleration. The figure above
is a diagram of a accelerometer. The accelerometer consists of two magnets and a quartz
disc with a coil attached to it. The quartz disc is a proof mass with a hinge that has been
chemically etched to allow movement in one direction. A torquer coil is attached to the
proof mass, which is suspended between the two permanent magnets. The proof mass
position is maintained by applying current to the torquer coil. The magnets have
reference plates, which measure the capacitance between the two magnets. When a force
is applied to the accelerometer, movement of the proof mass changes the capacitance. A
circuit detects the change in capacitance and applies current to the torquer coil to restore
the proof mass to its original position.

The amount of current required to restore the proof mass to its original position is a
function of the amount of force applied to the accelerometer. Force is related to
acceleration by F = ma. We measure the acceleration of gravity in g's (gravity units) in

Survey intro.doc date 4-5 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

Computalog Drilling Services

three orthogonal directions relative to the Directional Sensor probe. This allows us to
calculate the inclination of the tool relative to vertical.

The scaling of the X and Y accelerometer channels depends on the operational mode
(survey or steering), while the Z channel and the temperature sensor have the same
scaling for both modes. The full scale output voltage sensitivity for each mode is as
follows:
CHANNEL SURVEY STEERING

1. X Accelerometer 4.5 v/g 642 mv/g

2. Y Accelerometer 4.5 v/g 642 mv/g
3. Z Accelerometer 4.5 v/g 4.5 v/g
4. Temperature 10 mv/deg K 10 mv/deg K

TENSOR MAGNETOMETER

The Tensor Tri-axial Magnetometer measures three orthogonal axes of magnetic bearing
(Bx, By, and Bz) as well as temperature. The Tensor Model 7002MK Magnetometer has
an output operating range of plus and minus 100,000 Nanotesla (the earth's field is about
50,000 Nanotesla) and operates within these parameters:

1. Input voltage +/- 12 - 18 vdc

2. Input current 25 milliamps
3. Flux Gate Output 1 mv / 20 Nanotesla
4. Temperature Output Voltage 10 mv / oK

Survey intro.doc date 4-6 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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TEN SO R R IN G C O R E FLU X G A TE M A G N ETO M ETER

EXTER N A L O U TPU T
PEA K D ET
M A G N ETIC AM P
FIELD
O SC D R IVER

SER VO
AM P

The Tensor magnetometer is a saturable core device. It consists of two coils with a
core between them, which has a certain magnetic permeability. A magnetic field
produced by one coil travels through the core and induces a current in the other
coil. The core will only transmit a certain amount of magnetic field, that is , when
the level of magnetic flux gets to a certain point the core will become saturated
and greater amounts of flux will not pass through the core. The point at which a
substance becomes saturated is a property of that substance, i.e. certain metals will
saturate sooner than others. The magnetometer continually drives the core to
saturation. In the presence of an external magnetic field the point that the core
saturates is shifted. The signal shift is detected, amplified, and fed back as a
bucking magnetic field to maintain the core at a balanced around zero magnetizing
force. The servo amplifier offset caused by the signal shift is further amplified and
presented as the output of the magnetometer.

In the tri-axial set of magnetometers, the three flux gate channels and temperature
channel are supplied power conditioned by a common pair of internal regulators.
The individual magnetometer transducers come in biaxial sets. The magnetometer
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electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

Survey intro.doc date 4-7 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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package contains two biaxial magnetometers, of which only three axes are used.
The sub bus around the magnetometer requires particular attention because the
current through the sub bus is alternating current, any change in that current will
produce a magnetic field that can affect the magnetometer.

DIRECTIONAL SENSOR MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATION

The measurements that we make with the DIRECTIONAL SENSOR are made relative to
these axes. The X-axis is perpendicular to the tools long axis and is in the direction of the
scribe line etched on the DIRECTIONAL SENSOR nonmag sub. The Y-axis is also
perpendicular to the long axis. The Z-axis is along the long axis of the DIRECTIONAL
SENSOR; in the direction the hole is being drilled. The scribe line on the
DIRECTIONAL SENSOR sub allows measurement of the relationship between the tools
axis and the bent sub or mud motor scribe line. This measurement is called the toolface
offset. The toolface offset is measured by extending the bent sub scribe line to the
DIRECTIONAL SENSOR scribe line and measuring the degrees offset with a compass.
The measurement is made from _________ scribe line to _____________ scribe line
using the right hand rule, thumb pointing in the direction of the hole, measure in the
direction the fingers of your right hand are pointing. Running a highside orientation
program in the MWD software can also make the measurement.

TO O L PH YSIC A L A XIS

scribe line

Y
Z

Survey intro.doc date 4-8 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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The main parameters that we calculate with the raw data from the DIRECTIONAL
SENSOR are as follows:

Highside Toolface is the angle between the deflection tool scribe line and the top or
highside of the hole. This is calculated using the X-axis and Y-axis inclinometer
measurements.

Magnetic Toolface is the direction that the deflection tool scribe line is pointing relative
to true or grid north. This is calculated using the X-axis and Y-axis magnetometer
measurements.

Survey intro.doc date 4-9 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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Inclination is the angle between vertical and the wellbore in the vertical plane. We
measure this angle by measuring the direction that gravity acts relative to the tool.
Gravity acts in a vertical direction and has a magnitude of 1 g at sea level at the equator.

Azimuth is the direction of the wellbore relative to true or grid north in the horizontal
plane. We measure this angle by measuring the direction of the earth's magnetic field
relative to the tool.

Magnetic Declination is the difference in degrees between magnetic north and true north
or grid north for a particular location on the earth. This value changes with time and
location and must be determined using the software program. On a directional well it is
important that the value for magnetic declination that we use is the same one that the
directional driller is using. Usually there will be a difference between the value that the
software calculates and the one that the directional driller provides, however, always use
the value provided by the directional driller.

Magnetic Field Strength is the total magnitude of the earth's magnetic field in Nanotesla
for a particular location on
the earth. This value also
changes with time and
location and can be
determined using the
software program.

Magnetic Dip Angle is the

angle between horizontal
and the earth's magnetic
field force lines. This angle
increases as you go north
toward the magnetic north
pole. If you were exactly on
top of the magnetic north
pole the angle would be 90
degrees.

Survey intro.doc date 4-10 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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HIGHSIDE TOOLFACE

The X-axis and Y-axis inclinometer measurements are required to calculate highside
toolface. The figure below is a vector diagram showing the highside toolface
measurement. On the left is a diagram of the tool and its relationship to the X - Y plane
and the gravity vector, along with the components of gravity in the X - Y plane and on
the Z-axis. Gxy is the vector sum of the X and Y components of the gravity vector

measured by the tool. On the right is a diagram of the X - Y plane showing the X and Y
components of the gravity vector and the sum Gxy. Highside toolface is the angle
between the X axis and the highside of the hole and is calculated as follows:
Gxy = ( Gx2 + Gy2)1/2
COS ( HSTF) = -Gx / Gxy
SIN (HSTF) = Gy / Gxy

HSTF = ATAN ( Gy / -Gx ) or HSTF = ATAN2 ( Gy, -Gx)

Where: Gx = Gravity vector in the X direction

Gy = Gravity vector in the Y direction
Gxy = Sum of the X and Y vectors
HSTF = Highside toolface
and all vectors are in gravity units.
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

Survey intro.doc date 4-11 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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MAGNETIC TOOLFACE

The X-axis and Y-axis magnetometer measurements are required to calculate magnetic
toolface. Bxy is the vector sum of the X and Y components of the magnetic vector
measured by the tool. Magnetic toolface is the direction the scribeline is pointing and is
calculated as follows:
Bxy = ( Bx2 + By2)1/2

MTF = ATAN ( By / -Bx ) or MTF = ATAN2 ( By, -Bx)

Where: Bx = Magnetic vector in the X direction

By = Magnetic vector in the Y direction
Bxy = Sum of the X and Y vectors
MTF = Magnetic toolface
and all vectors are in gravity units.

Survey intro.doc date 4-12 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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INCLINATION

To calculate inclination we use the X, Y, and Z inclinometer measurements. The

figure shows a diagram of the tool and the relevant axes. Again, Gxy is the sum of
the X and Y components of the gravity vector as calculated above. Gz is the Z
component of the gravity vector as measured by the tool. Gtotal is the total gravity
vector and is the sum of the X, Y, and Z components. This sum should be equal to
1 g, as long as your elevation is relatively close to sea level. Inclination is the
angle between the Z axis and vertical and is calculated as follows:
Gtotal = ( Gxy2 + Gz2 )1/2
Sin ( INC ) = Gxy / Gtotal or INC = ASin Gxy
Cos ( INC) = Gz / Gtotal or INC = ACos Gz

INC = ATAN ( Gxy / Gz )

INC = ATAN2 (Sin (HSTF) Gy – Cos (HSTF) Gx, Gz)

Survey intro.doc date 4-13 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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Where: Gxy = the sum of X and Y gravity components

Gz = the Z axis gravity component
Gtotal = the sum of the X, Y, and Z gravity components
INC = inclination
units are in g's.

Note that since we know that Gtotal is 1 g, we can calculate inclination from only the X
and Y measurements, or only the Z measurement if one of the accelerometers fail,
however, if only Gz is known the accuracy at low angles is less because the Z
accelerometer is near full scale.

For Gz only:

Not accurate for inclination less than 15o

+/- 1/2o accuracy for inclination greater than 15o and less than 30o
+/- 1/4o accuracy for inclination greater than 30o and less than 45o
+/- 1/8o accuracy for inclination greater than 45o

LONG COLLAR AZIMUTH

To calculate azimuth using the conventional method the following data is required:

1. Bx = magnetic field vector in the X direction

2. By = magnetic vector in the Y direction

3. Bz = magnetic vector in the Z direction

4. HSTF = highside toolface

5. INC = inclination

Azimuth is referenced in the horizontal plane to true or grid north. The magnetic field
that we measure, however, is at some angle from the horizontal, that is the magnetic dip
angle. Therefore to reference our measurement to true north in the horizontal plane we
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electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

Survey intro.doc date 4-14 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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must project the magnetic vector to the horizontal. This is why you need HSTF and
inclination to calculate azimuth.

Where: Bn = horizontal component of the magnetic vector

Btotal = total magnetic field strength
DIP = magnetic dip angle

Combining the above equations for raw azimuth yields the following:

Bx Sin (HSTF) + By Cos (HSTF)

AZ = ATAN {--------------------------------------------------------------------------}
(Bx Cos (HSTF) - By Sin (HSTF)) Cos (Inc) + Bz Sin (Inc)

Survey intro.doc date 4-15 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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SHORT COLLAR AZIMUTH

Traditional compass type surveying instruments with their ability to sense only the
direction of the local magnetic field vector must be used in conjunction with
enough nonmagnetic drill collars so that the local magnetic field vector is
uncorrupted by drill string magnetization. With solid state magnetometers and
their ability to measure 3 orthogonal axes of the local magnetic vector it is
possible to compensate for axial magnetization and use much shorter lengths of
nonmagnetic material. Azimuth is defined as any azimuth measurement made
with respect to the local magnetic field without correction, ie. the long collar
azimuth. When there is no magnetic interference the azimuth is the true azimuth,
otherwise an extraneous magnetic field produces a systematic error in the azimuth
measurement and the long collar azimuth differs from the true azimuth. The short
collar azimuth is based upon a patented technique that uses the magnitudes of the
magnetic field components Bx and By in conjunction with the known values of the
earth's magnetic field strength and dip angle to compensate for the corrupted Bz
measurement. An instrument used with the corrected azimuth technique requires
highly accurate calibration, because the absolute magnitudes of the field vector
components are required. The long collar azimuth, however, requires only ratios of
the magnitudes of these components, thus reducing the calibration complexity and
scale factor errors for this measurement.

SURVEY QUALITY
The following items will be used to validate a MWD survey:

Gtotal = (Gx2 + Gy2 +Gz2 ) ½

G total - this value is equal to (Gx2 + Gy2 + Gz2)1/2, and should be within
+0.003 g of the local gravity, which is 1.000 g in most locations. A Gtotal value
outside of these limits may indicate that the Directional Sensor did not achieve
stability during accelerometer polling, there was a hardware failure, BHA
movement or improper misalignment and/or scale/bias values were used.

Survey intro.doc date 4-16 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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Btotal = (Bx2 + By2 +Bz2 ) ½

B total is equal to (Bx2 + By2 + Bz2)1/2, and should trend consistently over the interval
of a bit run. Under ideal conditions, i.e., no cross-axial or axial magnetic interference,
Btotal should read the earth's local magnetic field strength. Abrupt variations in Btotal
during a bit run will be caused by a "fish", a nearby cased well bore, certain mineral
deposits, solar events, localized magnetic anomalies, or a hardware failure. Since all of
the above will typically affect all three magnetometer responses, magnetic interference
will be detectable by tracking the Btotal value.

As a general guideline, Btotal should not vary by more than +- 350 Nanotesla from the
local magnetic field strength or from survey to survey during a bit run. The local
magnetic field strength is determined by using magnetic modeling software or directly
measuring it through infield referencing. Surveys which do not conform to this guideline
should alert the field engineer that some magnetic interference is probable or that there
was a hardware failure. Btotal may also change abruptly from bit run to bit run due to a
change in BHA configuration, which does not have the correct Monel spacing.

Magnetic Dip Angle should trend consistently over the interval of a bit run.
Under ideal conditions, (i.e., no cross-axial or axial magnetic interference or pipe
movement), MDIP should read the earth's local magnetic dip angle. Abrupt
variations in MDIP during a bit run will be caused by a "fish", a nearby cased well
bore, certain mineral deposits, solar events, localized magnetic anomalies, pipe
movement or a hardware failure.

(Bx * Gx) + (By * Gy) + (Bz * Gz)

MDIP = ASIN {-------------------------------------------------------}
Gtotal * Btotal

As a general guideline, MDIP should not vary by more than +- 0.3 degrees from
the local magnetic dip angle or from survey to survey during a bit run. The local
magnetic dip angle is determined by using magnetic modeling software or directly
measuring it through infield referencing. Surveys which do not conform to this
guideline should alert the field engineer that some magnetic interference or pipe
movement is probable, or that there was a hardware failure. MDIP may also
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electronically or used for any purpose without the expressed written consent of Computalog.

Survey intro.doc date 4-17 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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change abruptly from bit run to bit run due to a change in BHA configuration,
which does not have the correct Monel spacing.

MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE

Magnetic interference problems when surveying a well are usually due to casing
or a fish that has been left in the hole. Unfortunately, the majority of the magnetic
interference problems occur when the accuracy of our azimuth is very critical. A
well is usually kicked off just below a casing shoe or through a window in the
casing. The casing is a large concentration of magnetic material, the ends of which
act like magnetic poles from which the curving flux lines cause magnetic
interference. On production platforms or pads nearby wells can cause interference
as well.

The magnetic interference that we are primarily concerned with is in the X and Y
direction. This is due to the fact that magnetic toolface uses the X and Y
magnetometers to calculate toolface. Also with the Short collar method of
surveying, only the X and Y magnetometers are used. A good way of determining
how much magnetic interference we are getting on the Z-axis with the Short collar
method is to compare Btotal measured with Btotal calculated.

The X and Y magnetometers will react to magnetic interference in the same

manner as the Z magnetometer. This would mean that a perpendicular distance of
about 30' would be required when kicking off near casing. The orientation of the
casing with respect to the magnetometers may have some effect on how much
azimuth is affected. As the tool is rotated, X and Y interference changes, but
Btotal should stay the same.

Survey intro.doc date 4-18 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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Non-Mag Spacing

When kicking off a well below casing, it is necessary to have at least 10 diameters
of clearance between the shoe and the DIRECTIONAL SENSOR. When kicking
off next to another well or a fish, where the magnetic interference is perpendicular
to the tool, up to 30' clearance may be required to obtain good magnetic toolface
or surveys.

Take special care when running a magnetic survey to prevent the effects of
magnetic interference. Such interference can be caused by proximity to steel
collars and by adjacent casing, hot spots in nonmagnetic collars, magnetic storms,
and formation with diagenetic minerals.

Nonmagnetic drill collars are used to separate the electronic survey

instrumentation from the magnetic fields of Drill string both above and below and
prevent the distortion of the earth's magnetic field at the sensor. The collars are of
four basic compositions: (I) K Monel 500, an alloy containing 30% copper and
65% nickel, (2) chrome/nickel steels (approximately 18% chrome, 13% nickel),
(3) austenitic steels based on chromium and manganese (over 18% manganese)
and (4) copper beryllium bronzes.

Currently, austenitic steels are used to make most nonmagnetic drill collars. The
disadvantage of the austenitic steel is its susceptibility to stress corrosion in a salt
mud environment. The K Monel and copper beryllium steels are to expensive for
most drilling operations; both however are considerably more resistant to mud
Confidential and Proprietary information of Computalog USA and Computalog LTD. This material is not to be reprinted, reproduced
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Survey intro.doc date 4-19 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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correction than austenitic steels. The chrome/nickel steel tends to gall, causing
premature damage to the threads.

When the electronic survey instrumentation is located in a nonmagnetic collar

between the bit and steel collars the distortion of the earths magnetic field is
minimized and it is isolated from drill string interference generate both above and
below the electronic survey instrumentation unit. The number of required
nonmagnetic collars depends on the location of the well bore on the earth and
inclination and direction of the well bore. The figure above is a compilation of
empirical data that are fairly reliable in selecting the number of nonmagnetic drill
collars.

First, a zone is picked where the well bore is located either zone 1, 2 or 3. Then
the expected inclination and direction are used locate the curve, either A, B or C.

Example, on the north slope of Alaska a well plan calls for an inclination of 60
degrees and a magnetic north azimuth of 50 degrees.

Solution, The north slope of Alaska is in zone 3. From the chart for zone 3 at 60
degrees inclination and 50 degrees magnetic north azimuth, the point falls in Area
B, indicating the need for two 30’ magnetic collars with the electronic survey
instrumentation unit 8 -10 feet below the center.

This is just a recommendation and the survey should always be checked to make sure it is
with in acceptable tolerances of the (non-corrupted) earth's magnetic field.

Survey intro.doc date 4-20 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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Empirical Data Charts for Nonmagnetic Drill Collar Spacing

ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3

90 90 90
80 80 80
70 70 70
60 60 60
50 50 50
40 40 40
30 30 30
20 20 20
10 10 10

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Direction Angle from Magnetic N or S Direction Angle from Magnetic N or S Direction Angle from Magnetic N or S

Compass Spacing Compass Spacing Compass Spacing

Area A 18’ collar: 1’ to 2’ below center Area A 30’ collar: 3’ to 4’ below center Area A 60’ collar: at center
Area B 30’ collar: 3’ to 4’ below center Area B 60’ collar: at center Area B 60’ collar: 8’ to 10’ below center
Area C tandem 18’+25’: center of Area C 90’ collar: at center Area C 90’ collar: at center
bottom collar

Survey intro.doc date 4-21 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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SURVEY ACCURACY

Survey accuracy is a function of both instrument related uncertainties and

systematic uncertainties. Instrument related uncertainties include such things as
sensor performance, calibration tolerances, digitizer accuracy, and resolution. This
is defined as the baseline uncertainty and it is present in all survey sensors.
Systematic uncertainties are a function of magnetic interference from the drill
string and can be reduced by housing the instrument in a longer nonmagnetic drill
collar. The total uncertainty is equal to the baseline uncertainty plus the systematic
uncertainty.

The long collar azimuth, when measured in an environment free from magnetic
interference, will always provide the most accurate azimuth, the only uncertainty
being the baseline uncertainty. The Short collar algorithm corrects for systematic
uncertainties due to the presence of magnetic interference along the Z axis of the
magnetometer. For the Short collar method, the systematic uncertainty is in the
values that we obtain for the magnetic field strength and dip angle. Due to the fact
that this uncertainty is along the Z axis, survey accuracy will be a function of
inclination and azimuth, as well as dip angle and magnetic field strength.

If we consider only the baseline uncertainty, in the absence of magnetic

interference, survey accuracy will be a function of inclination and magnetic dip
angle. This relationship is shown in figures below, where Bn (Bnorth) is defined
as the projection of the magnetic field vector in the horizontal plane, Berror is
defined as the baseline uncertainty and has a constant value, and Bref is defined as
the measured magnetic field vector (Bref = Bn + Berror).

As shown in the figure below, as the inclination increases, the horizontal

projection of Berror is a larger percentage of Bref resulting in a decrease in survey
accuracy. In the figure below, the effect of magnetic dip angle on survey accuracy
is shown. As the magnetic dip angle increases, the size of the horizontal

Survey intro.doc date 4-22 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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S U R V E Y A C C U R A C Y A S A FU N C TIO N
O F IN C LIN A TIO N

B error B ref @ IN C 2
B ref @ IN C 1
N O R TH

B n2
IN C 1
B error IS A LA R G E R
P E R C E N TA G E O F B ref A T
IN C 2 H IG H E R IN C LIN A TIO N S

B n1

V E R TIC A L

projection of Bn decreases, resulting in a larger percentage of Berror in Bref. Thus

anything that causes the horizontal projection of Berror to increase or Bn to
decrease results in a decreased survey accuracy.

For systematic uncertainty, the uncertainty is along the Z-axis. This will result in
decreased survey accuracy when drilling east or west as opposed to drilling north or
south. This is due to the fact that Berror will tend to pull Bref in the direction of the Z-
axis, away from Bn. This relationship is shown in the figure below.

Survey intro.doc date 4-23 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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SU R VEY A C C U R A C Y A S A FU N C TIO N
O F M A G N ETIC D IP

C O N STA N T
B ref
B error
B ref
N O R TH

A S M A G D IP IN C R EA SES
B error IS A LA R G ER PER C EN TA G E
Bn O F B ref

Bn
IN C R EA SIN G
M A G D IP
VER TIC A L

E F F E C T D R IL L IN G E A S T O R W E S T
O N SURVEY ACCURACY

N O R TH

B re f = B n + B e rro r
Bn
A Z IM U T H Z A X IS
ERRO R
IN
A Z IM U T H
B e rro r
EAST

Survey intro.doc date 4-24 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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DIRECTIONAL SENSOR CALIBRATION

The accuracy of borehole azimuth and inclination measurements are largely

dependent on our ability to identify and correct constituent errors in the individual
sensors that are used to calculate the directional parameters of the well bore. These
sensors include the three orthogonal accelerometers and three orthogonal
magnetometers. The calibration process is based upon the known value of the total
field intensity of both the gravity and magnetic fields at the location of the
calibration. Each sensor is rotated through the known field and its output is
compared with known values. This process yields a set of values for bias, scale
factor, and alignment corrections over a range of temperatures from room
temperature to the upper operating limit. The data is fit to a third order polynomial
so that the correction factors can be applied at any given temperature within the
operating range of the tool. To be certain that the a calibration technique will meet
the performance as well as maintenance objectives it must meet the following
objectives:

1. Total package evaluation

2. Repeatability
3. Tolerant of positioning errors during calibration
4. Reliability under down hole conditions

The calibration is performed at the highest level of assembly through the

instruments data acquisition system and final housing. This allows a total package
model to be built so that errors do not accumulate as separate modules are
incorporated into each other. Repeatability and tolerance to positioning errors
during calibration is achieved by establishing specific performance standards for
each sensor and through the methodology of the calibration itself. Reliability
under down hole conditions is addressed at the Materials Testing Laboratory by
exposing each sensor to vibration and thermal cycling while monitoring their
output. Reliability is also achieved through failure analysis and design and
modification of the sensor package.

Survey intro.doc date 4-25 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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CALIBRATION METHODOLOGY

The calibration procedure consists of rotating the sensor through the field of
investigation for each axis and comparing the output with known values. Examine
the ideal response of a single axis rotation, at 0 degrees the sensor axis is aligned
with the field and the output voltage is at a maximum. As you rotate the sensor
counter clockwise the voltage decreases until at 90 degrees the output goes to 0
volts. As you continue to rotate the sensor counter clockwise the output voltage
goes negative above 90 degrees and reaches a maximum negative value at 180
degrees. The response as you go from 180 to 360 degrees is similar. Note that this
response applies to both accelerometers and magnetometers when rotated through
the gravity or magnetic field.

Scale factor corrections scale the output of the sensor to a given standard so that
all sensors will have the same voltage response to a given field. Alignment errors
are positioning errors between the individual transducers and the DIRECTIONAL
SENSOR probe true physical axis.

The computation of bias, scale factor, and alignment corrections based on the
examination of a single axis would put considerable accuracy requirements upon
both the calibration fixtures and the personnel that operate them. By performing an
analysis using data simultaneously obtained from multiple axes greatly reduces
sensitivity to positioning errors and improves repeatability.

Survey intro.doc date 4-26 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

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REFERENCES

1. Estes, R. A., and Walters, P. A., "Improvement of MWD Azimuth

Accuracy by use of Iterative Total Field Calibration Technique and Compensation
for System Environmental Effects", SPE paper presented at the 1986 MWD
Seminar, May 16.

2. Russell, A. W., and Roesler, R. F., "Reduction of Nonmagnetic Drill Collar

Length Through Magnetic Azimuth Correction Technique" , paper SPE / IADC
13476 presented at the 1985 Drilling Conference, New Orleans

Survey intro.doc date 4-27 Doc. # TD2007.rev A

This page intentionally left blank.
Goxy = (gx2 + gy2) 1/2 Boxy =(bx2 + by2) 1/2

Gtotal = (gx2 + gy2 +gz2 ) 1/2 Btotal = (bx2 + by2 +bz2 ) 1/2

HSTF = ATAN (Gy / -Gx) this does not correct for quadrant

HSTF = ATAN2 ( Gy, -Gx) this does correct for quadrant

MTF = ATAN (By/ -Bx) this does not correct for quadrant

MTF = ATAN2 (By, -Bx) this does correct for quadrant

INC = ATAN (Goxy / Gz) this does not work above 90o

INC = ATAN2 (Sin (HSTF) Gy – Cos (HSTF) Gx, Gz) this works above 90o

INC = ASIN (Goxy)

INC = ACOS (Gz)

Bx Sin (HSTF) + By Cos (HSTF)

AZ = ATAN {--------------------------------------------------------------------------}
(Bx Cos (HSTF) - By Sin (HSTF)) Cos (Inc) + Bz Sin (Inc)

(Bx * Gx) + (By * Gy) + (Bz * Gz)

MDIP = ASIN {-------------------------------------------------------}
Gtotal * Btotal
This page intentionally left blank.
Take special care when running a magnetic survey to prevent the effects of magnetic
interference. Such interference can be caused by proximity to steel collars and by adjacent
casing, hot spots in nonmagnetic collars, magnetic storms, and formation with diagenetic
minerals.

Nonmagnetic drill collars are used to separate the electronic survey instrumentation from the
magnetic fields of Drillstring both above and below and prevent the distortion of the earth’s
magnetic field at the sensor. The collars are of four basic compositions: (1) K Monel 500,
an alloy containing 30% copper and 65% nickel, (2) chrome/nickel steels (approximately
18% chrome, 13 % nickel), (3) austenitic steels based on chromium and manganese (over
18% manganese) and (4) copper beryllium bronzes.

Currently, austenitic steels are used to make most nonmagnetic drill collars. The
disadvantage of the austenitic steel is its susceptibility to stress corrosion in a salt mud
environment. The K Monel and copper beryllium steels are to expensive for most drilling
operations; both however are considerably more resistant to mud corrosion than austenitic
steels. The chrome/nickel steel tends to gall, causing premature damage to the threads.

When the electronic survey instrumentation is located in a nonmagnetic collar between the
bit and steel collars the distortion of the earths magnetic field is minimized and it is isolated
from drill string interference generate both above and below the electronic survey
instrumentation unit. The number of required nonmagnetic collars depends on the location of
the wellbore on the earth and inclination and direction of the wellbore. The figure above is a
compilation of empirical data that are fairly reliable in selecting the number of nonmagnetic
drill collars.

First, a zone is picked where the wellbore is located either zone I, II or III. Then the
expected inclination and direction are used locate the curve, either A, B or C.

Example , on the north slope of Alaska a well plan calls for an inclination of 55 degrees and
an azimuth of 40 degrees.

Solution, The north slope of Alaska is in zone III. From the chart for zone III at 55 degrees
inclination and 40 degrees azimuth, the point fall just below curve B, indicating the need for
two magnetic collars with the electronic survey instrumentation unit 8 – 10 feet below the
center.

This is just a recommendation and the survey should always be checked to make sure it is
with in acceptable tolerances of the (non-corrupted) earth’s magnetic field.

Tolerances
Total Magnetic Field +/- 0.003 gauss
Magnetic Dip Angle +/1 .15 degrees

Reference
Bourgoyne, Millhelm, Chenevert, Young: “Applied Drilling Engineering” SPE textbook
series, vol. 2, 1991.
Basic Math Concepts
Module Objectives

Basic Math Concepts

Directional drillers require a knowledge of basic math concepts, including a minimum
competence in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. You generally perform any
calculations required at the rigsite using a computer or programmable calculator, but it
is useful to check them by hand.

Module Objectives

Solve simple trigonometric equations.

Understand basic trigonometric functions.

Geometry

The directional driller may be asked to perform calculations involving angles, right
triangles, and similar triangles.

6-1
Basic Math Concepts
Geometry

Right Triangles
A right triangle is one in which one of the angles equals 90o. Consequently, the
sum of the other two angles is also 90o.

In the illustration below, if b = 28o15’, find angle a.

c = 90°
a
b = 28° 15’

c
b

Figure 1 Finding missing angles in a right triangle

c = 90o

b + a = 90o

a = 90o - 28o15’

a = 61o45’

6-2
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

The directional driller may be asked to solve simple trigonometric equations.

In a right triangle, such as the one shown below, the side opposite to the right angle
(side C) is called the hypotenuse.

C
B

c = 90°
b
A
Figure 2 Relationship of angles to sides in a right triangle

6-3
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Sines, Cosines, Tangents, and Cotangents

The following trigonometric functions are defined:

a
C(

B (Adjacent)
Hy
po
ten
use
)

c = 90°
b
A (Opposite)

Figure 3 Trigonometric functions for angle a

Opposite A
sin a = ------------------------------- = ----
Hypotenuse C

Adjacent B
cos a = ------------------------------- = ----
Hypotenuse C

Opposite A
tan a = ------------------------ = ---
Adjacent B

6-4
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

C
B

c = 90°
b
A

Figure 4 Relationships among complementary angles in a right triangle

A B B A
sin a = ---- cos a = ---- sin b = ---- cos b = ----
C C C C

Therefore, sin a = cos b and cos a = sin b.

In a right triangle, the sum of the two complementary angles is 90o. The sine of
one complementary angle is the same as the cosine of its complement. The cosine
of one complementary angle is the same as the sine of its complement.

If the complementary angle of a right triangle are 60o and 30o, then:

sin 60o = cos 30o = 0.866025

cos 60o = sin 30o = 0.5

The components of a right triangle are three sides and two angles (the third angle is
90o). Knowing the value of two components, you can solve for the other components.

6-5
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

a = 60°
C
=?

B = 30
c = 90°
b
A=?

Figure 5 Solving for components in a right triangle

Given B = 30 and a = 60o:

B B 30
cos a = ---- C = ----------- C = --------------
C cos a cos 60
30
cos 60 = 0.50 Therefore, C = ---------- = 60
0.50
A
sin a = ----
C

A = C × sin a

A = 60 × sin 60

sin 60 = 0.866025

A = 51.96

6-6
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Derivations of Sine
Opposite
sin a = -------------------------------
Hypotenuse
Using the equation for sine, we can use algebra to find for any of the variables.

Use the Sine equation to find the Hypotenuse:

Opposite
sin a = ------------------------------- Multiply both sides by the Hypotenuse
Hypotenuse

Opposite
sin a × Hypotenuse = ------------------------------- × Hypotenuse Cancel the Hypotenuse.
Hypotenuse

sin a × Hypotenuse = Opposite Divide both sides by sin a.

sin a × Hypotenuse Opposite

------------------------------------------------ = ------------------------ Cancel the sin a.
sin a sin a

Opposite
Hypotenuse = ------------------------ Finally, we get an equation to find the Hypotenuse.
sin a

Use the Sine equation to find the Opposite:

Opposite
sin a = ------------------------------- Multiply both sides by the Hypotenuse
Hypotenuse

Opposite
sin a × Hypotenuse = ------------------------------- × Hypotenuse Cancel the Hypotenuse.
Hypotenuse

sin a × Hypotenuse = Opposite Switch the equation.

Opposite = sin a × Hypotenuse Finally, we get an equation to find the Opposite.

Use the Sine equation to find the Angle:

Opposite
sin a = ------------------------------- Multiply both sides by the inverse of sin (asin).
Hypotenuse 1
Note: The inverse of Sine (asin) is the same as -------
sin

Opposite
asin sin a = asin ------------------------------- Cancel the sin and asin.
Hypotenuse

Opposite
a = asin ------------------------------- Finally, we get an equation to find the Angle.
Hypotenuse

6-7
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Derivations of Cosine
Adjacent
cos a = -------------------------------
Hypotenuse
Using the equation for cosine, we can use algebra to find for any of the variables.

Use the Cosine equation to find the Hypotenuse:

Adjacent
cos a = ------------------------------- Multiply both sides by the Hypotenuse
Hypotenuse

Adjacent
cos a × Hypotenuse = ------------------------------- × Hypotenuse Cancel the Hypotenuse.
Hypotenuse

cos a × Hypotenuse = Adjacent Divide both sides by cos a.

cos a × Hypotenuse Adjacent

------------------------------------------------- = ----------------------- Cancel the cos a.
cos a cos a

Adjacent
Hypotenuse = ----------------------- Finally, we get an equation to find the Hypotenuse.
cos a

Use the Cosine equation to find the Adjacent:

Adjacent
cos a = ------------------------------- Multiply both sides by the Hypotenuse
Hypotenuse

Adjacent
cos a × Hypotenuse = ------------------------------- × Hypotenuse Cancel the Hypotenuse.
Hypotenuse

cos a × Hypotenuse = Adjacent Switch the equation.

Adjacent = cos a × Hypotenuse Finally, we get an equation to find the Adjacent.

Use the Cosine equation to find the Angle:

Adjacent
cos a = ------------------------------- Multiply both sides by the inverse of cos (acos).
Hypotenuse

Adjacent
acos cos a = acos ------------------------------- Cancel the cos and acos.
Hypotenuse

Adjacent
a = acos ------------------------------- Finally, we get an equation to find the Angle.
Hypotenuse

6-8
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Derivations of Tangent
Opposite
tan a = ------------------------
Adjacent
Using the equation for Tangent, we can use algebra to find for any of the variables.

Use the Tangent equation to find the Adjacent:

Opposite
tan a = ------------------------ Multiply both sides by the Adjacent.
Adjacent

Opposite
tan a × Adjacent = ------------------------ × Adjacent Cancel the Adjacent.
Adjacent

tan a × Adjacent = Opposite Divide both sides by tan a.

tan a × Adjacent Opposite

----------------------------------------- = ------------------------ Cancel the tan a.
tan a tan a

Opposite
Adjacent = ------------------------ Finally, we get an equation to find the Adjacent.
tan a

Use the Tangent equation to find the Opposite:

Opposite
tan a = ------------------------ Multiply both sides by the Adjacent
Adjacent

Opposite
tan a × Adjacent = ------------------------ × Adjacent Cancel the Adjacent.
Adjacent

tan a × Adjacent = Opposite Switch the equation.

Opposite = tan a × Adjacent Finally, we get an equation to find the Opposite.

Use the Tangent equation to find the Angle:

Opposite
tan a = ------------------------ Multiply both sides by the inverse of tan (atan).
Adjacent

Opposite
atan tan a = atan ------------------------ Cancel the tan and atan.
Adjacent

Opposite
a = atan ------------------------ Finally, we get an equation to find the Angle.
Adjacent

6-9
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Summary of Derivations of Sine, Cosine, and Tangent

a
C(

B (Adjacent)
Hy
po
ten
use
)

c = 90°
b
A (Opposite)

Figure 6 Trigonometric functions for angle a

Opposite Adjacent
sin a = ------------------------------- cos a = -------------------------------
Hypotenuse Hypotenuse
Opposite Adjacent
Hypotenuse = ------------------------ Hypotenuse = -----------------------
sin a cos a
Opposite = sin a × Hypotenuse Adjacent = cos a × Hypotenuse
Opposite Adjacent
a = asin ------------------------------- a = acos -------------------------------
Hypotenuse Hypotenuse

Opposite
tan a = ------------------------
Adjacent
Opposite
Adjacent = ------------------------
tan a
Opposite = tan a × Adjacent
Opposite
a = atan ------------------------
Adjacent

6-10
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Examples of Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Formulas

a
C(

B (Adjacent)
Hy
po
ten
use
)

c = 90°
b
A (Opposite)

Figure 7 Trigonometric functions for angle a

Solve for the following:

1. a = 60°
A = 30
B= ?
C=?

2. A = 25
C = 50
a = ?°
B=?

3. C = 1200
a = 23° 15’
A=?
B=?

4. A = 36
B = 67
a = ?°
C=?

5. C = 3820
B = 988.69
a = ?°
A=?

6-11
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Problem 1

a = 60° A(Opposite) = 30
A 30 30
C = ---------- C = ------------- C = ---------------------- C = 34.64
sin a sin 60 0.866025

B = cos a × C B = cos 60 × 34.64 B = 0.50 × 34.64 B = 17.32

a = 60°
A = 30
B = 17.32
C = 34.64

Problem 2

A(Opposite) = 25 C(Hypotenuse) = 50
A 25
a = asin ---- a = asin ------ a = asin 0.50 a = 30°
C 50

B = cos a × C B = cos 30 × 50 B = 0.866025 × 50 B = 43.30

A = 25
C = 50
a = 30°
B = 43.30

Problem 3

C(Hypotenuse) = 1200 a = 23° 15’

A = sin a × C A = sin 23°15′ × 1200 A = 0.394744 × 1200 A = 473.69

B = cos a × C B = cos 23°15′ × 1200 B = 0.918791 × 1200 B = 1102.55

C = 1200
a = 23° 15’
A = 473.69
B = 1102.55

6-12
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Problem 4

A(Opposite) = 36 B(Opposite) = 67
A 36
a = atan --- a = atan ------ a = atan 0.537313 a = 28.25
B 67

A 36 36
C = ---------- C = --------------------- C = ------------------------- C = 76.06
sin a sin 28.25 0.0473320
A = 36
B = 67
a = 28.25°
C = 76.06

Problem 5

C(Hypotenuse) = 3820 B(Adjacent) = 988.69

B 988.69
a = acos ---- a = acos ---------------- a = acos 0.258819 a = 75.00
C 3820

A = sin a × C A = sin 75 × 3820 A = 0.965926 × 3820 A = 3689.84

B = 988.69
C = 3820.00
a = 75.00°
A = 3689.84

6-13
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Pythagorean Theorem
The square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two
sides.

C2 = A2 + B2 and C = 2
A +B
2

Thus, knowing the lengths of two sides in a right triangle, you can find the length of the third side.

C=?
B = 30

c = 90°
b
A = 51.96

Figure 8 Right triangle showing sides opposite angles

C2 = A2 + B2 and C = 2
A +B
2

2 2
C = 51.96 + 30

C = 2699.84 + 900

C = 3599.84

C = 60

Note: This is how you calculate horizontal displacement or closure from the
rectangular coordinates.

6-14
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

Circles

O
B D

R C
A

Figure 9 A circle

A circle is a figure consisting of all points located the same distance R from a fixed
point O called its center. In this figure, the segment OA is the radius. The distance
around the circle is called the circumference C and is calculated using C = 2 × π × R .

6-15
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

The Tangent
TE, in the illustration below, is a tangent to the circle. It touches the circle at only one
point (E), the point of tangency. The tangent forms a right angle with the radius of
the circle (R) at the point of tangency, because the radius is the shortest distance
from the tangent to the center of the circle.

R
T

Figure 10 Tangency

6-16
Basic Math Concepts
Trigonometry

The Arc
An arc is a portion of a 360o circle. For any angle, the ratio of an arc to the
circumference is the same as the ratio of the angle to 360o.

R O
B
a

C
A

Figure 11 An arc

2π × R × a π×R×a
In the illustration above, arc AB = ------------------------- = ---------------------
-
360° 180°

If R = 25m and a = 40o, the circumference (C) can be calculated using the equation
below.

C = 2π × R = 2π × 25 = 157.08m

The arc AB can be calculated using the equation below.

2π × R × a 2π × 25 × 40
arc AB = ------------------------- = ------------------------------- = 17.45m
360° 360°

If R = 50 ft and a = 60o, the circumference (C) can be calculated using the equation
below.

C = 2π × R = 2π × 50 = 314.16 ft

The arc AB can be calculated using the equation below.

2π × R × a 2π × 50 × 60
arc AB = ------------------------- = ------------------------------- = 52.36 ft
360° 360°

6-17
Well Planning
Module Objectives

Well Planning
Directional drillers require a knowledge of basic math concepts, including a
minimum competence in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. You generally
perform any calculations required at the rigsite using a computer or programmable
calculator, but it is useful to check them by hand.

Module Objectives

Understand well reference points with respect to lease boundaries.

Differentiate among partial coordinates, rectangular coordinates, and polar

coordinates.

Identify the factors determining kick-off point, maximum inclination, and build/
drop rates.

Calculate the radius of curvature.

Calculate various sections of a well.

Calculate the toolface setting required to project ahead.

Convert rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates.

Calculate dogleg.

6-18
Well Planning
Leaseline or Boundaries

Leaseline or Boundaries

In some countries, oil and gas leases are sold. These leases are normally
administered by local governing bodies or agencies and have clearly defined
boundaries. Any point within a lease can be defined in terms of distance from any
two adjoining boundaries.

Northern Boundary

Surface
Location
Western Boundary

Eastern Boundary
ed
p os ry
o o
Pr ject
Tr a

Target

Southern Boundary

Figure 1 Lease boundaries

Hardlines Lines drawn on the plot which should not be crossed for geological and legal
reasons.

Land Locations Planning a directional well presupposes some limiting factors in the positioning of
the surface location. With land wells, the surface location of the well will usually
be determined by the factors originally prompting the decision to drill a
directional well as opposed to a vertical well.

Offshore Locations The main difference between positioning a surface location on land and offshore
is that offshore directional programs tend to be drilled from multiwell structures
and are not normally as restricted as on land (mountains, jungles, cities, etc.). In
most cases, an offshore drilling rig can be placed anywhere above a reservoir. The
decision concerning the placement of the surface structure tends to be more
affected by reservoir management considerations than geographic necessity.

6-19
Well Planning
Bottomhole Targets

Bottomhole Targets

Geological The first step in planning any well is to define the objective(s). A directional well
Requirements can have one or more objectives:
• Geological structures
• Coring points
• Geological features (such as faults or pinch outs)
• Other wellbores (as with relief well drilling)
• Combination of these

Partial Coordinates When planning and drilling a well, it is simpler to use partial coordinates when
referring to the target. This involves using the surface location as a reference point
(surface reference point) and attributing this point with the value 0,0. All other
coordinates can then be referred back to this point, thus simplifying calculation
and plotting procedures. The Surface Reference Point (SRP) is usually the rotary
kelly bushing, the wellhead or the platform reference point.

Once the exact location of the surface reference point and the target are known,
the partial coordinates can easily be determined. Normally, these are either
rectangular or polar.

North Rectangular
Surface Coordinate:
Location East
East
Cl istan

Angle
D
os c
ur e
e

Rectangular Target
Coordinate:
South
Rectangular Coordinate = (East(x), South(y))
Polar Coordinate = Closure Distance at Angle°

Figure 2 Rectangular/Polar coordinates

6-20
Well Planning
Bottomhole Targets

Surface Location UTM Coordinates

62,355,000 N (N/S), 5,262,544 E (E/W)

North UTM Coordinates

5,262,744 E
Rectangular East
Coordinate:
East

UTM Coordinates Target

62,354,500 N Rectangular
Coordinate:
South

Figure 3 Rectangular coordinates

Rectangular Coordinates Rectangular coordinates are usually given in feet/meters north or south and east or
west of the SRP. They can easily be derived by subtracting the UTM coordinates
of the SRP from those of the target. For example:

N/S (feet) E/W (feet)

UTM Coordinates Target 62,354,500.00 N 5,262,744.00 E

UTM Coordinates Surface 62,355,000.00 N 5,262,544.00 E

Partial Coordinates -500.00 200.00

A positive value denotes north or east; a negative value denotes south or west. The
target in the above example is 500 feet south (-ve) and 200 feet east (+ve) of the
SRP.

6-21
Well Planning
Bottomhole Targets

North
Surface 200
Location
East

Cl istan
Angle

D
os ce
ur
e
500
Target

Figure 4 Polar coordinates

Polar Coordinates Polar coordinates are derived from the rectangular coordinates and are expressed
as a closure distance and a direction (either quadrant or azimuth). These are
derived from the rectangular (or Cartesian) coordinates as follows:

Angle = atan  --------------------------------- atan  ---------

E or W Coord 200
or, in this case: = = 21.8°
N or S Coord 500

As we know, the target is south and east of the surface reference point; we know
the direction of the target from the rig is:

S 21.80 E in quadrant format, or 158.2° Azimuth

Closure Distance = 2
E or W Coord + N or S Coord
2
, or in this case: =  200 2 + 500 2 = 538.5
 

We can refer to our target in polar coordinates being 538.5 feet (or meters) at
Azimuth 158.2°.

6-22
Well Planning
Target Size

Target Size

During the drilling phase of a directional well, the trajectory of the wellbore in
relation to the target is constantly monitored. Often, costly decisions have to be
made in order to ensure that the objectives of the well are met. A well-defined
target is essential in making these decisions. The technology available today
allows us to drill extremely accurate wells. The cost of drilling the well is largely
dependent on the accuracy required, so the acceptable limits of the target must be
well-defined before the well is commenced.

Cost versus accuracy is the key consideration. In many cases, operating

companies adopt an arbitrary in-house target size (or radius of tolerance),
particularly in multi-well projects. The size of the target radius often reflects the
convention rather than the actual geological requirements of the well. It is
common for specific restrictions or hard lines to be specified only when they
depict critical features such as:
• Fault lines
• Pinch outs
• Legal restrictions
• Lease line boundaries

Many directional wells have been unnecessarily corrected or sidetracked in order

to hit a target radius which, in fact, did not represent the actual objective of the
well.

Kick-off Point

The kick-off point is the vertical depth where the well is deviated in a specific
direction, inclination and build rate.

The kick-off point is determined by:

• Well path
• Formation type
• Formation pressure

6-23
Well Planning
Maximum Inclination

Maximum Inclination

Maximum inclination is determined by:

• KOP and target location
• Formation characteristics
• Hole cleaning

Build/Drop Rates

Build/drop rates are determined by:

• Formation characteristics (hard/soft)
• Deflection tools available
• Mechanical limitations of the drillstring or casing
• Mechanical limitations of the downhole instrumentation
• Mechanical limitations of the production string or equipment
• Key seats

Common build rates range from 1° to 3°/100 ft (30m) for traditional wells.
Horizontal or extended reach wells may have build rates of well over 100 o/100 ft
(30 m) in short radius applications.

6-24
Well Planning
Basic Principle: Right Triangle

Basic Principle: Right Triangle

C
B

c = 90°
b
A

Figure 5 Basic principle of the right triangle

Opposite
1. sin a = ---------------------------- or
Hypotenuse
Opposite
Hypotenuse = --------------------- or
sin a
Opposite = sin a × Hypotenuse
Adjacent
2. cos a = ---------------------------- or
Hypotenuse
Adjacent
Hypotenuse = --------------------- or
cos a
Adjacent = cos a × Hypotenuse
Opposite
3. tan a = --------------------- or
Adjacent
Opposite
Adjacent = --------------------- or
tan a
Opposite = tan a × Adjacent
A B
4. a = atan --- or b = atan ---
B A
2 2 2 2 2
5. C = A +B or C = A +B

6-25
Well Planning
Calculating the Radius of Curvature

Calculating the Radius of Curvature

Knowing the build-up rate (BUR), you can calculate the value of the radius of
curvature, Rc, for the build-up section of a well. Knowing the values for inclination at
the start of the arc (I1) and the end of the arc (I2), you can find the incremental values
for horizontal displacement (HD), vertical depth (VD), and measured depth (MD).

The radius of curvature is normally expressed in degrees/100' (degrees/30 m). To

calculate a build or drop radius, the formula is:

Feet Meters
180 180
--------- × 100 --------- × 30
π
Radius = ------------------------- π
Radius = -------------------------
Build Rate Build Rate

180 180
Note: --------- × 100 = 5729.5780 --------- × 30 = 1718.8734
π π
In our examples, we will use approximate values of 5730 and 1719.

6-26
Well Planning
Calculating the Radius of Curvature

KOP (Kick Off Point)

TVD (True Vertical Depth)

s
iu
ad
R
Displacement

Figure 6 Radius of curvature - relationships among angles

Feet Meters
180
--------- × 100 180
--------- × 30
π
Radius = -------------------------
5730
= ------------ π
Radius = -------------------------
1719
= ------------
Build Rate BUR Build Rate BUR

1. Radius = TVD = Displacement Radius = TVD = Displacement

5730 1719
2. BUR = ------------ BUR = ------------
TVD TVD

5730 1719
3. BUR = --------------------------------- BUR = ---------------------------------
Displacement Displacement

4.
∆Inc × 100-
Curve Length = -------------------------- ∆Inc × 30-
Curve Length = -----------------------
BUR BUR

6-27
Well Planning
Calculating the Radius of Curvature

KOP
2

1
R
s
iu
MD 1

ad
TVD1

R
3

DISP1
1

Displacement

Figure 7 Calculation example

Determine TVD1, DISP1, and MD1

On the plot, Angle 1 is the angle at the end of the build.

Prove Angle 1(end of build angle) = Angle 2(∆Inclination).

1. 180° = Right Angle + Angle 3 + Angle 2 and

2. 180° = Right Angle + Angle 3 + Angle 1

Subtract 1 from 2.

180° – 180° = Right Angle + Angle 3 + Angle 2 – Right Angle – Angle 3 – Angle 1

0 = Angle 2 – Angle 1

Add Angle 1 to both sides of the equation.

0 + Angle 1 = Angle 2 – Angle 1 + Angle 1

Complete the addition.

Angle 1 = Angle 2

6-28
Well Planning
Calculating the Radius of Curvature

KOP DISPB DISPA

1
R
s
iu
MD 1

ad
TVD1

R
3

DISP1
1

Displacement

Figure 8 Calculation example

Determine: Calculate:
1. TVD1 1. R1
2. DISP1 2. DISPB
3. MD1

Calculate: Formulas used:

1. TVD 1 = sin Angle 2 × Radius Opposite = sin a × Hypotenuse

2. DISP A = cos Angle 2 × Radius Adjacent = cos a × Hypotenuse

3. DISP 1 = Radius – ( cos Angle 2 × Radius )

∆Inc × 100-
MD 1 = --------------------------
4.
BUR

Note: DISP 1 = DISP B

6-29
Calculating a Directional Well Plan

Basic Principle

Right Triangle

C
A

b c

2 2 2 2 2
1. A + B = C and C = A +B
Opposite
2. sin a = ------------------------------- or
Hypotenuse
Opposite = sin a × Hypotenuse or
Opposite
Hypotenuse = ------------------------
sin a
Adjacent
3. cos a = ------------------------------- or
Hypotenuse
Adjacent = cos a × Hypotenuse or
Adjacent
Hypotenuse = -----------------------
cos a
B
a = atan --- Opposite
A Adjacent = ------------------------
4. 5. tan a
A
c = atan --- Opposite = Adjacent × tan a
B

6-30
Calculating a Directional Well Plan

Basic Principle
Calculate the radius of curvature (normally expressed in degrees/100’
(30 m).

To calculate a build or drop radius the formula is:

180
--------- × 100
π
Radius = ----------------------------
Build Rate

6-31
Calculating a Directional Well Plan

Feet Meters

180
--------- × 100 180
--------- × 30
π 5730 π 1719
R = ------------------------ = ------------ R = --------------------- = ------------
BUR BUR BUR BUR
1. Radius = TVD = Displacement Radius = TVD = Displacement
5730 1719
2. BUR = ------------ BUR = ------------
TVD TVD
5730 1719
3. BUR = -------------- BUR = --------------
DISP DISP
∆Inc × 100 ∆Inc × 30
4. Curve Length = --------------------------- Curve Length = ------------------------
BUR BUR

6-32
Calculating a Directional Well Plan

KOP

R
MD 1

S
IU
D
A
R
TVD1
3

DISP1
1

DISPLACEMENT

If you do not build from 0° – 90°:

Determine TVD1, DISP1, and MD1

On the plot, Angle 1 is the angle at the end of the build.

Note:

°
180 = Right Angle + Angle 2 + Angle 3 and

°
180 = Angle 1 + Right Angle + Angle 3 therefore

Angle 1 = Angle 2

6-33
Calculating a Directional Well Plan

KOP DISPB DISPA

R
MD 1

S
IU
D
A
R
TVD1
3

DISP1
1

DISPLACEMENT

Determine:
1. TVD1
2. DISP1
3. MD1

Opposite = sin a × Hypotenuse

TVD 1 = sin Angle 2 × Radius

Adjacent = cos a × Hypotenuse

DISP A = cos Angle 2 × Radius
DISP B = Radius – ( cos Angle 2 × Radius )
DISP 1 = DISP B

∆Angle × 100
MD 1 = ----------------------------------
BUR

6-34
Calculating a Directional Well Plan

Example 1

Given:
1. Build Rate = 1.5°/100'
2. Drop Rate = 1.0°/100'
3. EOB =30°

SL 180
--------- × 100
π
R = ------------------------
BUR
R 1 = 3820

KOP ∆TVD 2 = sin 30° × 3820

TVD1
TVD 2 = 1910
MD 1

( 0° – 30° ) × 100
1
R

MD 1 = ----------------------------------------
1.5
TVD2
DISP1 MD 1 = 2000

DISP 1 = Radius – ( cos 30° × 3820 )

DISP 1 = 511.78

TVD3
DISP2
MD 3

R 2 = 5730
2
R

∆TVD 4 = 2865
TVD4 DISP 3 = 767.76
DISP3
MD 3 = 3000

6-35
Calculate a Well Proposal

Type 1 Well (Build and Hold)

Profile # 1 Given: Calculate:

1. Surface Location 1. TVD1
2. Start Inclination = 0° 2. TVD2
3. Target TD = 9000' 3. DISP1
4. Target Displacement = 5000' 4. MD1
5. Maximum Inclination = 40° 5. MD2
6. Build Rate = 2°/100' 6. Total MD
7. KOP
8. TVD3
SL
9. DISP2

KOP
TVD1

MD1 R1

TVD2
DISP1

MD2

TVD3
Total
DISP2

6-36
Calculate a Well Proposal

Type 1 Well (Build and Hold)

Profile # 1
5730 = 2865
Calculate R1 = ------------
BUR
Calculate ýTVD2 = sin a × Hyp otenuse = 1841.59

Calculate DISP1 = R 1 – ( cos a × Hypotenuse ) = 670.28

∆Angle × 100 = 2000
Calculate MD1 = ----------------------------------
BUR
Calculate DISP2 = Target DISP – DISP 1
= 5000 – 670.28 = 4329.7

Opposite
Calculate ýTVD3 = ------------------------ = 5159.96
tan a
Calculate KOP = ( ∆TVD 3 + ∆TVD 2 ) – Target TVD
= 1998.45

Calculate MD2 Opposite = 6735.85

= ------------------------
sin a
Calculate Total MD = MD 1 + MD 2 + KOP = 10734.30

6-37
Calculate a Well Proposal

Type 1 Well (Build and Hold)

Profile # 2 Given: Calculate:

1. Surface Location 1. TVD1

2. Start Inclination = 0° 2. TVD2
3. KOP = 3200' 3. TVD3
4. Target TVD = 12500' 4. DISP1
5. Target Displacement = 5000' 5. DISP2
6. Build Rate = 2°/100' 6. Inclination at EOB
7. MD1
8. MD2
SL 9. Total MD

KOP
TVD1

MD1 R1

TVD2
DISP1

MD2

TVD3
Total
DISP2

6-38
Calculate a Well Proposal

Profile # 2

SL SL

KOP
TVD1 KOP
TVD1

MD1 R1 1
MD1 R1

TVD2
DISP1 TVD2
DISP1
5
L1

MD2 3 L2

TVD3
Total 2
DISP2
TVD3
DISP1 DISPB
DISP2

Calculate R1 5730 = 3820

= ------------
BUR
Calculate DISP3 = Target DISP – R 1 = 8500 – 3820
= 4680

Calculate L1 = Target TVD – KOP = 12500 – 3200

Calculate Angle 1 DISP
= atan ----------------B- = 9300
L1
= 26.71°

Calculate L2 2 2 = 10411.17
= DISP B + L 1

R
Calculate Angle 2 = asin -----1- = 21.53°
L2

6-39
Calculate a Well Proposal

Profile #2

KOP
TVD1

1
MD1 R1

TVD2
DISP1
5
L1

3 L2

TVD3
DISP1 DISPB
DISP2

Calculate Angle 5

Where:
1. 180° = Angle 1 + Angle 2 + Angle 3

and
2. 180° = Angle 3 + Angle 4

and subtracting 1 from 2

0° = Angle 1 + Angle 2 - Angle 4

and moving Angle 4 to the other side

Angle 4 = Angle 1 + Angle 2

Since Angle 4 and Angle 5 are created by a vertical line intersecting

the hold section, Angle 4 = Angle 5, then
Angle 5 = Angle 1 + Angle 2
Angle 5 = 48.5°
6-40
Calculate a Well Proposal
SL

KOP
TVD1

1
MD1 R1

TVD2
DISP1
5
L1

3 L2

TVD3
DISP1 DISPB
DISP2

Calculate ýTVD2 = sin a × Hyp otenuse

= 48.24 × 3820 = 2849.50

Calculate DISP1 = R 1 – ( cos a × Hypotenuse ) = 1275.84

Calculate MD1 ∆Angle × 100 = 3216

= ----------------------------------
BUR

Calculate ýTVD3 = L 1 – ∆TVD 2

= 9300 – 2849.50 = 6450.50

Calculate DISP2 = Target Displacement – DISP 1 = 7224.16

Calculate MD2 2 2
= DISP B + ∆TVD 3

2 2
= 7224.16 + 6450.50 = 9684.91

6-41
Calculate a Well Proposal
Type 1 Well (Build and Hold)

Calculate a Well Proposal

Profile # 2
SL

KOP
TVD1

MD1 R1

TVD2
DISP1

MD2

TVD3
Total
DISP2

TVD1 = 3200.00

TVD2 = 6049.50

TVD3 = 12500.00

DISP1 = 1275.84

DISP2 = 7224.16

Inc at EOB = 48.24°

MD1 = 3216.00

MD2 = 9684.91

Total MD = 16100.91
6-42
Target Approach Calculations

The diagram below indicates that the direction from the surface location to the center
of the target at the given true vertical depth (TVD) is along an azimuth of 29o. The
distance from the surface location along a straight line to the target center on the
horizontal section is 500 meters. This distance (500 meters) can also be described as a
distance along a direction (polar coordinate) or as a direction and a magnitude
(vector).

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
Target
450

29 degrees
400

0m
350
50

300

Target Center =

Northings
250
500 meters at 29°
200

150

100

0
Surface
10 m

Location 10 m
-50

Figure 1

6-43
You may also calculate the target boundary using rectangular coordinates. In this
instance, a distance of 500 meters along 29o would then be shown as a point described
as 437.31 meters N (because the direction is north if its sign is positive and
directionally known as latitude) and 242.40 meters E (because the direction is east if
its sign is positive and directionally known as departure.

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500

242.40 m E 450

400

0m
350

50
437.31 m N

300

Target Center =

Northings
250

500 meters at 29°

200
OR
150
242.40 m E
437.31 m N
29° 100

0
10 m

10 m
-50

E/W = Opposite = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = Adjacent = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(29) x 500 N/S = cos(29) x 500
E/W = 0.484810 x 500 N/S = 0.874620 x 500
E/W = 242.404810 N/S = 437.309854
E/W = 242.40 m E N/S = 437.31 m N

Figure 2

6-44
As shown below, North and East are positive signs and South and West are negative
signs.

Eastings
-400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400

500

Target Center = 400

500 meters at 29° 300

29 degrees
OR
200

242.40 m E
437.31 m N 100

Northings
0

-100

-200

-300

-400
20 m

20 m
-500

E/W = Opposite = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = Adjacent = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(29) x 500 N/S = cos(29) x 500
E/W = 0.484810 x 500 N/S = 0.874620 x 500
E/W = 242.404810 N/S = 437.309854
E/W = 242.40 m E N/S = 437.31 m N

Figure 3

6-45
A 400 meter distance along a direction of 137o equals 272.80 meters East (+) and
292.54 meters South (-).

Eastings
-400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400

500

400
Target Center = Target Center =
500 meters at 29°
OR
400 meters at 137° 242.40 m E
437.31 m N
300

OR 200

272.80 m E
100
292.54 m S 137 degrees

Northings
0

-100

-200

-300

-400
20 m

20 m
-500

E/W = Opposite = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = Adjacent = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(137) x 400 N/S = cos(137) x 400
E/W = 0.681998 x 400 N/S = -0.731354 x 400
E/W = 272.799344 N/S = -292.541481
E/W = 272.80 m E N/S = 292.54 m S

Figure 4

6-46
A 450 meter distance along a direction of 219o equals 283.19 meters West (-) and
349.72 meters South (-).

Eastings
-400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400

500

400
Target Center = Target Center =
500 meters at 29°
OR
450 meters at 219° 242.40 m E
437.31 m N
300

OR 200

283.19 m W
100
349.72 m S

Northings
219 Degrees 0

-100
Target Center =
400 meters at 137°
OR
272.80 m E -200
292.54 m S

-300

-400
20 m

20 m
-500

E/W = Opposite = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = Adjacent = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(219) x 450 N/S = cos(219) x 450
E/W = -0.629320 x 450 N/S = -0.777146 x 450
E/W = -283.194176 N/S = -349.715683
E/W = 283.19 m W N/S = 349.72 m S

Figure 5

6-47
A 390 meter distance along a direction of 347o equals 87.73 meters West (-) and
380.00 meters North (+).

Eastings
-400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400

500

Target Center = 400

Target Center =
500 meters at 29°
390 meters at 347° OR
242.40 m E 300
437.31 m N

OR
200

87.73 m W
380.00 m N 100

Northings
0

347 Degrees
-100
Target Center =
400 meters at 137°
OR
272.80 m E -200
292.54 m S

-300

Target Center =
450 meters at 219° -400
OR
20 m

283.19 m W
349.72 m S 20 m
-500

E/W = Opposite = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = Adjacent = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(347) x 390 N/S = cos(347) x 390
E/W = -0.224951 x 390 N/S = 0.974370 x 390
E/W = -87.730911 N/S = 380.004325
E/W = 87.73 m W N/S = 380.00 m N

Figure 6

6-48
Since we can use polar/rectangular coordinates from surface to the center of the
target, we can also use this same calculation to determine the coordinates from the
target center to any point on the circumference of the target circle. Generally
speaking, on a conventional directional well, we wish to know the points on the target
that are known as the high side, low side, left side, and right side. We want to be able
to calculate the coordinates that would place us inside the constraint of the 30 meter
radius. in order to be within the target, we need to calculate the coordinates that would
place us inside the 30 meter radius constraint.

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
High
Left Side
Target Center is Side 450
500 meters at 29°
242.40 m E Target Right
Center Side
437.31 m N 400

Low
Side
350

300

Northings
250

200

150

100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

Figure 7

The center of the target is 500 meters along a 29o azimuth. If we subtract 30 meters
from 500, we will arrive at the low side. 470 meters along a 29o azimuth

6-49
is 227.86 meters East (+) and 411.07 meters North (+).

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
High
Left Side
Target Center is Side 450
500 meters at 29°
242.40 m E Target Right
Center Side
437.31 m N 400

Low
Side
350

300

Northings
250

200

Low Side = 150

470 meters at 29°
227.86 m E
411.07 m N 100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = Opposite = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = Adjacent = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(29) x 470 N/S = cos(29) x 470
E/W = 0.484810 x 470 N/S = 0.874620 x 470
E/W = 227.860522 N/S = 411.071262
E/W = 227.86 m E N/S = 411.07 m N

Figure 8

6-50
Using the same criteria to determine the high side, we would use 530 meters along a
29o azimuth, or 256.95 meters East (+) and 463.55 meters North (+).

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
High
Left Side
Target Center is Side 450
500 meters at 29°
242.40 m E Target Right
Center Side
437.31 m N 400

Low
Side
350

300

High Side =

Northings
250
530 meters at 29°
256.95 m E
463.55 m N 200

Low Side = 150

470 meters at 29°
227.86 m E
411.07 m N 100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = Opposite = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = Adjacent = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(29) x 530 N/S = cos(29) x 530
E/W = 0.484810 x 530 N/S = 0.874620 x 530
E/W = 256.949099 N/S = 463.548445
E/W = 256.95 m E N/S = 463.55 m N

Figure 9

6-51
Two methods exist to mathematically determine the coordinates to the right or left
hand sides of the target circle. The first method uses the two given outlined in the
directional plot/proposal to construct a right triangle. The distance from the surface
location to the target center is 500 meters and the distance of the target radius is 30
meters. The right and left side points are at 90o from the proposed direction of 29o.
This 30 meter length (target radius) and the 500 meter length (distance from the
surface to target center) form two legs of a right triangle. Using the Pythagorean
theorem, you can determine the length of the hypotenuse of this triangle. Using the
inverse tangent geometric formula, you can determine the angle formed between the
long leg and the hypotenuse. This angle is the difference between the distance and
angle to the center of the target and the distance and angle to the left AND right side
of the target. This angle difference is SUBTRACTED from the proposed direction to
arrive at the direction to the left side point and ADDED to arrive at the right side
point. We now have the angle of the left and right side points on the target
circumference and a distance to these points (the hypotenuse).

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
Target Center is
500 meters at 29° Left
242.40 m E Side 30
m 450
437.31 m N
Right
Side
400
m
90
0m

350
00.
50
=5
se

300
enu
pot
Hy

Northings

250

200
a = 3.43° a

150

100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

Angle a = atan = Opposite/Adjacent Hypotenuse = C = Adjacent/(cos a)

atan = 30/500 C = 500/(cos 3.43)
atan = 0.06000 C = 500/0.998209
a = 3.433630° C = 500.897288
a = 3.43° C = 500.90 m

Figure 10

6-52
If you subtract 3.43o from the proposed direction, you obtain the left side direction of
25.57o. Combining this direction with the length of the hypotenuse (500.90 meters)
allows you to convert polar to rectangular coordinates. Conversely, if you add 3.43o
from the proposed direction, you obtain the right side direction of 32.43o and can
convert from polar to rectangular coordinates.

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
Target Center is
500 meters at 29° Left
242.40 m E Side 30 m 450
437.31 m N
Right
Side
400

m
90
0m
350

00.
50
=5
se

300
enu
pot

Left Side is
Hy

Northings
500.90 meters 250

at 25.57°
200
a = 3.43° a

150
Right Side is
500.90 meters
at 32.43° 100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

Left side angle = Target center - a Right side angle = Target center + a
Left side angle = 29 - 3.43 Right side angle = 29 + 3.43
Left side angle = 25.57° Right side angle = 32.43°
Left Side Distance = Hypotenuse Right Side Distance = Hypotenuse
Left Side Distance = 500.90 meters Right Side Distance = 500.90 meters

Figure 11

6-53
500.90 meters along an azimuth of 25.57 converts to 451.84 m North (Latitude) and
216.20 m East (Departure).

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
Target Center is
500 meters at 29° Left
242.40 m E Side 30 m 450
437.31 m N
Right
Side
400

0m
350

50
m
.90
500
300

Left Side is

Northings
500.90 meters 250

at 25.57°
3.43° 216.20 m E
200
451.84 m N

150
Right Side is
500.90 meters
at 32.43° 100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(25.57) x 500.90 N/S = cos(25.57) x 500.90
E/W = 0.431613 x 500.90 N/S = 0.902059 x 500.90
E/W = 216.195198 N/S = 451.841174
E/W = 216.20 m E N/S = 451.84 m N

Figure 12

6-54
500.90 meters along an azimuth of 32.43o converts to 422.78 m North (Latitude) and
268.62 m East (Departure).

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
Target Center is
500 meters at 29° Left
242.40 m E Side 30
m 450
437.31 m N
Right
Side
400

0m
350

50
m
.90
500
300

Left Side is

Northings
500.90 meters 250

at 25.57°
3.43° 216.20 m E
200
451.84 m N

150
Right Side is
500.90 meters
at 32.43° 100
268.62 m E
422.78 m N
50

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(32.43) x 500.90 N/S = cos(32.43) x 500.90
E/W = 0.536269 x 500.90 N/S = 0.844047 x 500.90
E/W = 268.617047 N/S = 422.783268
E/W = 268.62 m E N/S = 422.78 m N

Figure 13

6-55
You may also calculate coordinates by working within the target circle. This method is
longer, but demonstrates that there are two ways to arrive at the same answer, and also
acts as a check system. Here we find the rectangular coordinates of the left and right
sides of the target circle by using polar coordinate data. The direction is defined by the
addition and subtraction of 90 o to the proposed direction and the distance is defined
by the target radius.

When you identify the coordinates that are 30 meters along 90o left and right of the
target center point, you can calculate their coordinates relative to the surface location.
90o added to the target direction of 29o equals 119o, and 90o subtracted from 29o
equals 299o.

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Target Center is
500 meters at 29°
30 m
299°
30 m
29°
500

29°
242.4048 m E 450
437.3099 m N Left

299° Side 119°

Right
Side 400

Left 350

Side 119° 300

Right
Northings
250

Side 200

150

100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

Left Side angle = Target Direction - 90 Right Side angle = Target Direction + 90
Left Side angle = 29 - 90 Right Side angle = 29 + 90
Left Side angle = 299° Right Side angle = 119°

Figure 14

6-56
Converting polar to rectangular coordinates, gives you the following calculations:

Eastings
-50
Left Side is 30 m at 299°
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

26.24 m W
Left Side is 30 m at 299° 500
Target Center is 26.24 m W
14.54 m N
500 meters at 29°

14.54 m N
242.40 m E
437.31 m N
30 m
299°
119°
450

400

299° 350

300

30 m 119°

Northings
250

200

150

100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(299) x 30 N/S = cos(299) x 30
E/W = -0.874620 x 30 N/S = 0.484810 x 30
E/W = -26.238591 N/S = 14.544289
E/W = 26.24 m W N/S = 14.54 m N

Figure 15

6-57
Eastings
Right Side is 30 m at 119°
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

26.24 m E
Right Side is 30 m at 119° 500
Target Center is 26.24 m E
14.54 m S
500 meters at 29°

14.54 m S
242.40 m E
437.31 m N
30 m
299°
119°
450

400

299° 350

300

30 m 119°

Northings
250

200

150

100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = sin(Angle) x Hypotenuse N/S = cos(Angle) x Hypotenuse

E/W = sin(119) x 30 N/S = cos(119) x 30
E/W = 0.874620 x 30 N/S = -0.484810 x 30
E/W = 26.238591 N/S = -14.544289
E/W = 26.24 m E N/S = 14.54 m S

Figure 16

6-58
These are the coordinates from the surface location (0 meters North and 0 meters
East) to the left side of the target center point. By converting from rectangular to polar
coordinates, this point is defined as 500.90 meters along a 25.57o azimuth. Checking
on the horizontal section plot shows you that these coordinates are, in fact, correct.

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
Target Center is Left Side is
500 meters at 29° 30 m at 299°
26.24 m W
242.40 m E 14.54 m N 450
437.31 m N

Right Side is
30 m at 119° 400
26.24 m E
14.54 m S

350

300

Left Side is

Northings
216.16 m E 250

451.85 m N
200

150

100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = Target E/W + Left Side E/W N/S = Target N/S + Left Side N/S
E/W = 242.40 m E + 26.24 m W N/S = 437.31 m N + 14.54 m N
E/W = 242.40 - 26.24 N/S = 437.31 + 14.54
E/W = 216.16 m E N/S = 451.85 m N

Figure 17

6-59
The same calculation is used to determine the right side of the target’s coordinates.

Eastings
-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

500
Target Center is Left Side is
500 meters at 29° 30 m at 299°
26.24 m W
242.40 m E 14.54 m N 450
437.31 m N

Right Side is
30 m at 119° 400
26.24 m E
14.54 m S

350

300

Left Side is

Northings
216.16 m E 250

451.85 m N
200

150
Right Side is
268.64 m E
422.77 m N 100

0
Surface
10 m

Location
10 m
-50

E/W = Target E/W + Right Side E/W N/S = Target N/S + Right Side N/S
E/W = 242.40 m E + 26.24 m E N/S = 437.31 m N + 14.54 m S
E/W = 242.40 + 26.24 N/S = 437.31 - 14.54
E/W = 268.64 m E N/S = 422.77 m N

Figure 18

6-60
By knowing these coordinates, you will be able to calculate the distance and direction
required to land within the target boundaries. As the directional job progresses, you
will be calculating your surveys to determine where you are relative to the target.
After subtracting the calculated survey latitude and departure from the coordinates of
all four points (high side, low side, left side, and right side), you will convert the
rectangular coordinates to polar and be left with the distance and direction to each
point. Knowing the direction of your survey and the direction to the left and right side
of the target constraints will determine whether corrective directional steering is
required or not. Combining the distance to target and the remaining TVD (target TVD
minus the survey calculated TVD) will allow you to use the tangent formula to
calculate the required inclination to the low, center, high, left, and right sides of the
target.

Important: It cannot be stressed enough that ALL calculations have to use the data
EXTRAPOLATED to the bit depth and NOT the survey depth.

6-61
Vertical Section Calculation

Find the center, high side, low side of the target from an inclination of 58°, with a
target inclination of 60°. The current bit position at a TVD of 2728.90 m and a
Vertical Section of 400 m. The target center is at a TVD of 2784.90 m and a Vertical
Section of 500m. The target radius is 30 m.

Figure 19

6-62
Figure 20

Calculate the ∆TVD and ∆VS (Vertical Section) of target center:

∆TVD = T arg etT VD – CurrentTVD ∆VS = T arg etVS – CurrentVS

∆TVD = 2784.9 – 2728.90 ∆VS = 500 – 400

∆TVD = 56.00 ∆VS = 100

Figure 21

6-63
Figure 22

Calculate the ∆TVD and ∆VS of the high side of the target:

∆TVD = T arg etT VD – CurrentTVD ∆VS HS = ∆VS + T arg etRadius

∆TVD = 2784.9 – 2728.90 ∆VS HS = 100 + 30

∆TVD = 56.00 ∆VS HS = 130

Figure 23

6-64
Figure 24

Calculate the ∆TVD and ∆VS of the low side of the target:

∆TVD = T arg etT VD – CurrentTVD ∆VS LS = ∆VS – T arg etRadius

∆TVD = 2784.9 – 2728.90 ∆VS LS = 100 – 30

∆TVD = 56.00 ∆VS LS = 70

Figure 25

6-65
Figure 26

Calculate the Angle and distance to the target center:

Method 1
2 2 ∆VS
MD = ∆TVD + ∆VS Angle = asin -----------
MD
2 2
MD = 56 + 100
100
Angle = asin ----------------
MD = 3136 + 10000 114.61

MD = 13136 Angle = asin 0.872524

MD = 114.61m Angle = 60.75°

Method 2
∆VS ∆VS
Angle = atan ---------------- MD = -----------------------
∆TVD sin Angle

100 100
Angle = atan --------- MD = ---------------------
56 sin 60.75

100
Angle = atan 1.785714 MD = ----------------------
0.872496
Angle = 60.75° MD = 114.61m

6-66
Figure 27

Calculate the Angle and distance to the high side of the target:

Method 1
2 2 ∆VS HS
MD = ∆TVD + ∆VS HS Angle = asin -----------------
MD
2 2
MD = 56 + 130
130
Angle = asin ----------------
MD = 3136 + 16900 141.55

MD = 20036 Angle = asin 0.918403

MD = 141.55m Angle = 66.69°

Method 2
∆VS ∆VS
Angle = atan ---------------- MD = -----------------------
∆TVD sin Angle

130 130
Angle = atan --------- MD = ---------------------
56 sin 66.70

130
Angle = atan 2.321429 MD = ----------------------
0.918446
Angle = 66.70° MD = 141.54m

The difference is a minor rounding error between Method 1 and Method 2.

Method 1 Method 2

Angle = 66.693717° Angle = 66.695113°

MD = 141.548578 m MD = 141.543374 m

6-67
Figure 28

Calculate the Angle and distance to the low side of the target:

Method 1
2 2 ∆VS LS
MD = ∆TVD + ∆VS LS Angle = asin ----------------
MD
2 2
MD = 56 + 70
70
MD = 3136 + 4900 Angle = asin -------------
89.64
MD = 8036 Angle = asin 0.780901

MD = 89.64m Angle = 51.34°

Method 2
∆VS LS ∆VS LS
Angle = atan ---------------- MD = -----------------------
∆TVD sin Angle

70 70
Angle = atan ------ MD = ---------------------
56 sin 51.34

70
Angle = atan 1.250000 MD = ----------------------
0.780867
Angle = 51.34° MD = 89.64m

6-68
Target Approach Project

Current Location: Target Location:

1. E 100 m 1. 500 m at 29°

2. N 250 m 2. TVD = 2792.50 m
3. TVD = 2586.18 m 3. Inclination = 60°
4. Inclination = 46.63° 4. KOP = 2000 m
5. Target Radius 30 m

Calculate target approach and vertical section locations.

Figure 29

6-69
Calculate the following:
1. Target Coordinate Location
2. Current Position Distance and Angle
3. Partial Coordinates from Current Location to Target Center
4. Angle and Distance to Target Center from Current Location
5. High Side Coordinates
6. Low Side Coordinates
7. ∆Angle from Target Center to Side
8. Right Side Coordinates
9. Left Side Coordinates
10. Vertical Section
11. ∆Vertical Section to Target Center
12. ∆TVD to Target Center
13. Target Center ∆Angle and ∆MD
14. ∆Vertical Section to High Side
15. ∆TVD to High Side
16. High Side ∆Angle and ∆MD
17. ∆Vertical Section to Low Side
18. ∆TVD to Low Side
19. Low Side ∆Angle and ∆MD

Target Center Coordinates

EW = sin Angle × Dist = sin 29 × 500 = 0.484810 × 500 = E242.40m

NS = cos A ngle × Dist = cos 29 × 500 = 0.874620 × 500 = N437.31m

Current Location Distance and Angle

Method 1
2 2 2 2
Dist = EW + NS = 100 + 250 = 72500 = 269.26m
EW 100
Angle = asin ----------- = asin ---------------- = asin 0.371388 = 21.80°
Dist 269.26

Method 2
EW 100
Angle = atan --------- = atan --------- = atan 0.400000 = 21.80°
NS 250

EW 100 100
Dist = ----------------------- = --------------------- = ---------------------- = 269.27m
sin Angle sin 21.80 0.371368

6-70
Figure 30

Partial Coordinates

EW = T arg etEW – CurrentEW = 242.4 – 100 = E142.40m

NS = T arg etNS – CurrentNS = 437.31 – 250 = N187.31m

Current Location Distance and Angle

Method 1
2 2 2 2
Dist = EW + NS = 142.40 + 187.31 = 55362.80 = 235.29m
EW 142.40
Angle = asin ----------- = asin ---------------- = asin 0.605211 = 37.24°
Dist 235.29

Method 2
EW 142.40
Angle = atan --------- = atan ---------------- = atan 0.760237 = 37.24°
NS 187.31

EW 142.40 142.40
Dist = ----------------------- = --------------------- = ---------------------- = 235.31m
sin Angle sin 37.24 0.605155

6-71
Figure 31

High Side Coordinates

Dist HS = Dist + 30m = 235.29 + 30 = 265.29m

EW = sin A × Dist HS = sin 37.24 × 265.29 = 0.605155 × 265.29 = E160.54m

NS = cos A × Dist HS = cos 37.24 × 265.29 = 0.796108 × 265.29 = N211.20m

Low Side Coordinates

Dist LS = Dist – 30m = 235.29 – 30 = 205.29m

EW = sin A × Dist LS = sin 37.24 × 205.29 = 0.605155 × 205.29 = E124.23m

NS = cos A × Dist LS = cos 37.24 × 205.29 = 0.796108 × 205.29 = N163.43m

∆Angle
T arg etR 30
∆A = atan --------------------- = atan ---------------- = atan 0.127502 = 7.27°
Dist 235.29
Distance to Side
Dist 235.29 235.29
Dist S = ------------------- = ---------------------- = ---------------------- = 237.20m
acos ∆A acos 7.27 0.991961

6-72
Figure 32

∆Angle and Distance to Side

T arg etR 30
∆A = atan --------------------- = atan ---------------- = atan 0.127502 = 7.27°
Dist 235.29

Dist 235.29 235.29

Dist S = ------------------- = ---------------------- = ---------------------- = 237.20m
acos ∆A acos 7.27 0.991961

Right Side Coordinates

A R = Angle + ∆A = 37.24 + 7.27 = 44.51°

EW = sin A R × Dist S = sin 44.51 × 237.20 = 0.701034 × 237.20 = 166.29m

NS = cos A R × Dist S = cos 44.51 × 237.20 = 0.713128 × 237.20 = 169.15m

Left Side Coordinates

A L = Angle – ∆A = 37.24 – 7.27 = 29.97°

EW = sin A L × Dist S = sin 44.51 × 237.20 = 0.701034 × 237.20 = 166.29m

NS = cos A L × Dist S = cos 44.51 × 237.20 = 0.713128 × 237.20 = 169.15m

6-73
Figure 33

∆Vertical Section and ∆TVD to Target Center

VS = cos ∆a × Dist = cos 7.2 × 269.27 = 0.992115 × 269.27 = 267.15m

∆VS = T arg etVS – CurrentVS = 500 – 267.15 = 232.85m

∆TVD = T arg etTVD – CurrentTVD = 2792.50 – 2624.80 = 167.70m

Target Center ∆Angle and ∆MD

∆VS 232.85
∆Angle = atan ---------------- = atan ---------------- = atan 1.388491 = 54.24°
∆TVD 167.70

∆VS 232.85 232.85

∆MD = --------------------------- = --------------------- = ---------------------- = 286.95m
sin ∆Angle sin 54.24 0.811472

∆Vertical Section and ∆TVD to High Side

∆VS HS = ∆VS + 30m = 232.85 + 30 = 262.85m

∆TVD = T arg etTVD – CurrentTVD = 2792.50 – 2624.80 = 167.70m

6-74
Figure 34

High Side ∆Angle and ∆MD

∆VSHS 262.85
∆Angle = atan ----------------- = atan ---------------- = atan 1.567382 = 57.46°
∆TVD 167.70

∆VS HS 262.85 232.85

∆MD = --------------------------- = --------------------- = ---------------------- = 311.80m
sin ∆Angle sin 57.46 0.843016

∆Vertical Section and ∆TVD to Low Side

∆VS LS = ∆VS – 30m = 232.85 – 30 = 202.85m

∆TVD = T arg etTVD – CurrentTVD = 2792.50 – 2624.80 = 167.70m

Low Side ∆Angle and ∆MD

∆VSLS 202.85
∆Angle = atan ---------------- = atan ---------------- = atan 1.209600 = 50.42°
∆TVD 167.70

∆VS LS 202.85 202.85

∆MD = --------------------------- = --------------------- = ---------------------- = 263.19m
sin ∆Angle sin 50.42 0.770736

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1. Start of Job

1.1. Compare Proposal well name and location with rig manager,

Geologist and well license

1.2. Determining Ground and KB elevations and adjust proposal accordingly

2. Entering Surveys

2.1. Tie on

2.2. Adding surveys

2.3. Deleting surveys

2.4. Editing surveys

3. Adding Text Lines

3.1. Review what is needed for the Final Completion Survey

3.2. Final Completion Survey Example

3.3. MD, TVD and Subsea methods to input Text Lines

4. Quick Printing

4.1. Review options in Quick Printing

5. Graphics

5.1. Review Plan view parameters with step sizes

5.2. Review Side view parameters with step sizes

5.3. Change colors of wells

5.4. Turn Wells on and off in graphics

5.5. Turn targets on and off in graphics

5.6. Exaggerate the vertical to show changes in TVD in Side view

6. Targets

6.1. Review adding targets based on Lat. & Dep. AND Closure Dist. and Closure Azimuth
6.2. Show how to turn on the “Graph Targets” option to view targets in the plan and side views

7. Interpolating

7.1. Review difference between Interpolating and Extrapolating

7.2. Interpolating using Edit Text Lines

7.3. Interpolating using the Quick Print

7.4. Insert Single Interpolation - Under Tools

7.5. Multiple Interpolations - Under Planning – Show Plan Survey

8. KB Adjustments

8.1. KB vs Subsea Example with diagram

8.2. KB vs TVD Example with diagram

8.3. Tie on to existing build with new KB Example with diagram

8.4. Field Example #1 Tie on to an existing build

8.5. Field Example #2 Tie on to an existing build

8.6. Field Example #3 Tie on to an existing lateral

8.7. Shifting Build Surveys to reflect a new KB elevation

9. Projecting Ahead

9.1. Project To Bit

9.2. Directional Example

Straight Line Projection

9.3. Build Section Example

Required Correction to Target review

Radius of Curvature – BUR to Target TVD and INC

Review Other Projection Methods

Posting Projections

Stacking Projections
10. Simple Planning

10.1. Review Types of wells that can be planned using Simple Planning

10.2. Plan with 2 out of 4 unknowns (step sizes)

10.3. Plan with 2 out of 7 unknowns (step sizes)

11. Field Setup Exercise

11.1. Set up 2 well surfaces relative to each other

11.2. Create 2 proposals using Simple Planning

12. Anti-Collision

12.1. Review basics of anti-collision

12.2. Run anti-collision report for two wells:

Switching the offset and reference wells

Varying the Interpolation Interval

Varying the scan radius

Determine which well is above and below the other when the two wells cross using Tool
Faces and 3-D viewer
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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

WELLZ QUICK START INSTRUCTION MANUAL

1. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Wellz Quick Start Instruction Manual is to provide an easy to follow, step by step
guide for the Survey portion of the Wellz software. This manual outlines how to properly setup a new
Wellz Survey file and utilize the software’s key features by incorporating a logical sequence of screen
captures, typical examples and brief explanations.

Once you have jumped into the program, a more detailed explanation of all features can be accessed
through the Help section of the Wellz program.

2. CREATING A NEW SURVEY FILE

Step 1:Start Wellz

Double click the Wellz icon on the Desktop

wellz.ico

Step 2: Select to create a new Wellz survey file

This is the “Wellz Start Up” box.

Click the New button to create a new

Wellz file.

Note: Once the Wellz file has been

created, the Wellz file can be accessed
later at this “Wellz Start Up” dialogue box
using the Open button.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

Step 3: Enter the required Header data

From the Proposal front

Label for graph.

Example:

Actual Leg #1
Vs
Proposed Leg #1

Enter the V-section that

the proposal is calculated
on. From Proposal
middle pages.

Enter the actual KB

elevation of the rig.

Enter the actual as

measured ground
elevation for the well site.

When all required fields have been completed, click This is the file name that will be printed on
the OK button to save and close the dialogue box. the top of the printed survey report. All
survey files should be labeled with a “S”
Clicking the Cancel button will close the dialogue ending. ex. 10950S for leg #1 surveys,
box and not save changes to the header data, 10950SA for leg #2 surveys, 10950SB for
leaving the header data blank. leg #3 surveys etc.

Note: The Header Data can be edited by clicking The above survey files will correspond with
the Edit Header button on the Survey Tool Bar proposal files 10950P, 10950PA and
Tab at the left hand side of the survey screen. 10950PB.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

Step 4: Selection of Units (meters vs feet)

To work in meters and calculate
dogleg severity (DLS) over a 30 m
interval, select meters and click
Apply.

To work in feet and calculate DLS

over a 100 foot interval, select feet
and click Apply.

Note: The units used for the

current Wellz file can be changed
later by selecting Units under the
Tools drop down box at the top of
the main Wellz screen.

Step 5: Saving the file Ensure that the C drive is selected

to save the survey file to your local
hard drive.

Click on the create directory button

to create a new working directory.

Or select an existing directory to

save your new Wellz survey file.

Example: My Documents

Once your working directory has

been created (or selected), type
the name of the survey file. The
name of the survey file should
match the file name entered
previously in the Set Header Info
dialogue box.
To save the survey file under the desired directory and file
name, click the Save button. Example:
10950S for the build + leg #1
To close the “Save As” dialogue box without specifying the
survey file, 10950SA for the leg #2
file name, click the Cancel button. survey file, 10950SB for the leg #3
survey file and 10950SB1 for a
sidetrack off leg #3.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

Step 6: Selecting the Survey

Select the Survey tab to enter the survey

section of the Wellz program.

Note: Selecting the Exit tab will also

move the user into the survey section of
the Wellz program.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

3. SETTING SURVEY VIEW OPTIONS

3.1. Changing Units

To change the units used for the current Wellz file, select Units under Another method of
the Tools drop down menu. The Units dialogue box will appear just changing the units used
as it did when you started a new Wellz file. is to single click the
green box at the top
Note: Changing the units will convert all previously entered survey right corner of the main
depth values to the appropriate new measured depth value (ie. 100 Wellz survey screen.
feet will change to 30.48 m). The Units dialogue box
will then appear.
The DLS values may change slightly since the 30 m interval does not
exactly match a 100 foot interval.

3.2. Changing Decimal Places Displayed

Select Set Decimal Places

Displayed under the Tools
drop down menu. A small
dialogue box will then
appear.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

3.3. Arranging Columns

Select Pick Column

Arrangement under the
Tools drop down menu
to pick a new column
arrangement.

To customize your
column arrangement
select Create Custom
and follow the
instructions.

3.4. Hiding and Unhiding The Survey Tool Bar Tab

To hide the Survey Tool Bar

Tab on the left side of the
main Wellz survey screen,
select ToolBars/Tabs under
the Tools drop down menu
and click Hide.

To view the Survey Tool Bar

Tab on the left side of the
screen, follow the same steps
and click Survey.

The Survey Tool Bar Tab.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

4. INPUTTING SURVEYS

Step 1: Inputting the Tie On Point

The first survey station is the Tie
On Point. The Tie On Point row
will appear in yellow as the active
row.

Hit the Enter key to input from left

to right through the required fields
starting with measured depth
(MD). The default Tie On Point is
all zeros.

Note: Lat = North

Dep = East

The Tie On Point can also be

edited at any time by double
clicking the tie on point row. The
“Edit Survey “ dialogue box will
then appear.

Step 2: Entering surveys

Once the Tie On Point

has been properly
entered, click once
on the Departure
(Dep) field and hit the
Enter key to go to the
next row.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

Input consecutive
surveys (MD, INC,
AZM) below the Tie
On Point as required
by hitting the Enter
key.

Step 3: Editing The Survey Data

To edit an existing survey

station, double click the
desired row.

Or
Single click on the most
recent survey station
highlighted in yellow.

Or
Single click the Edit
Survey button to enter a
row number and access
the “Edit Survey” dialogue
box.

To delete a survey station from the survey file, click the Delete Row To insert a single survey
button and input the row number or row numbers that you wish to station, click the Insert
delete. Survey button to access
the “Insert Survey Point”
Tip: Click on the desired row that you want to delete before clicking dialogue box.
the Delete Row button. This will ensure that the row number in the
dialogue box corresponds to the row that you want to delete.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

5. INSERTING INTERPOLATED TEXT LINES FOR PRINT

The following are the steps required to interpolate surveys with text lines that can be inserted
onto your survey printout.

Step 1

To add text to your survey file,

select Edit Text Lines under
the Tools drop down menu.
The Text Lines For Active
Well dialogue box will then
appear.

Step 2

Insert an interpolated text line by 1: Selecting an Interpolation Method, 2: Entering a Depth, 3:

Entering a Text Line and 4: Clicking Add.

To edit an existing
text line, double click
on the desired field in
the table at the top of
the dialogue box.

To delete an existing
row, click on the
desired row and click
the Delete button.

To save your changes

and exit the dialogue
box, click OK.

To save your changes

without closing the
dialogue box, click
Apply.

To close the dialogue

Note: The interpolated text line survey depths can also be box without saving
inserted into your survey file by clicking the Apply, Interpolate Text
your changes, click
Line Depths to Sheet.
Close.
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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

6. QUICK PRINTING
Step 1: Access the Quick Print Options Dialogue Box

To print out a listing of the survey

file, select Quick Print under the
File drop down menu.

Note: The Printer Settings may

have to be configured before you
are able to print properly.

Step 2: Configure the Quick Print Options Dialogue Box

To select the
range of survey
To include stations that you
interpolations wish to print,
on the printout, select Row
select Number, MD or
Interpolate by TVD and the
MD or TVD and Start and End
click the Apply points.
New Settings
button that
appears. Select to indicate
Row Numbers
and extrapolated
surveys (EXT).
Text lines with
or without the
interpolated
Text Line The Quick Print
Points can be can be
The Start Column and End Column, corresponding to
inserted into the Previewed,
the columns in the main Wellz survey window, can also be
survey print out. Printed or
selected.
Canceled.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

7. TARGETS
Step 1: Access the Targets Dialogue Box

To access the targets

associated with the current
Wellz file, select Show
Targets under the Planning
drop down menu.

The targets dialogue box

can also be accessed by
clicking the Targets button
on the Survey Tool Bar Tab
and clicking Show Targets.

Step 2: Add Targets

The location and orientation of multiple targets can be added to the current Wellz file by clicking
on the table below. The user has the option of inputting the Latitude (north) and Departure
(east) OR the Closure distance and Closure Azimuth from surface for each target.

A target radius can be

specified in the
Targets dialogue box.
Note: The target will
not appear on the
plan view graphics
unless the Graph
Target Points is
turned on.

To do this, select
To add more targets, To delete a target, Options under the
expand the size of the click the Delete Graphics drop down
above table by Target button and menu and check the
clicking the Add enter the appropriate Graph Target Points.
Target bu tton. row number.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

8. PROJECTING TO BIT
Step 1: Open Project To Bit dialogue box

To access the Project

To Bit dialogue box,
select Project To Bit
under the Survey
drop down menu.

The Project To Bit

dialogue box can also
be access using the
Project To Bit button
on the Survey Tool
Bar Tab.

Step 2: Set Parameters For Projection To Bit

These are the survey

numbers to the last
survey station.

Once the Build Rate,

Turn Rate and
Change in MD have
been entered, click
Calculate. The
projected survey to
the bit will appear in
the adjacent row.

Input the estimated Build Rate, Turn Rate If you wish, the projection to bit survey
to a specific measured depth distance can be inserted into the survey file by
ahead (Change in MD). clicking the Insert in Active Well
button.
Note: The inserted survey will have an
Note: When projecting to the bit, the EXT row number and all row numbers
Change in MD distance is the distance from thereafter will be EXT extension. To
the bit to the survey tool sensor. remove the EXT rows, use the Delete
button.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

9. PROJECTING AHEAD
9.1. Projecting To A Target

Step 1: Open Project Ahead Dialogue Box

To access the Project

Ahead dialogue box,
select Project Ahead
under the Survey
drop down menu.

The Project Ahead

dialogue box can also
be accessed using the
Project Ahead button
on the Survey Tool
Bar Tab.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

Step 2: Set Parameters For Projecting To a Target

The target for the The survey station that The Build Rate To Target TVD and
projection can be the projection is tied to Target Inc is displayed below.
selected by entering can be selected by
the target row entering the survey row Note: This is NOT the build rate to target.
number or by number or by clicking
clicking the Get the Get Next Survey or Note: For this number to be meaningful,
Next Target or Get Get Previous Survey the desired target inclination and target
Previous Target buttons. TVD must be entered in the Target info
buttons. (Edit Targets).

The Straight Line Projections from The Required To create

the selected survey station to the Correction To Targets, extrapolations using
selected target are displayed above. calculated from the various projection
selected survey station methods, click the
This projection method indicates to to the selected target, Project Ahead
the directional driller whether the well are displayed above. button.
is lined up to hit inside or outside the
target radius. The required correction
uses a constant dogleg To edit or add a target
Note: Remember to enter a target to target projection to the list, click the
radius for the selected target. method. Edit Targets button
below (right).

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

9.2. Projecting Ahead (Extrapolating)

Step 1: Set Parameters For Projecting Ahead

Once a Projection Method has been Parameter Values can

Select from one selected, the appropriate variables will appear also be adjusted by
of the seven below. To adjust the parameter values, click clicking the Step
Projection on a box and enter a new value Buttons below. This
Methods below. input method will
Click Calculate after all variables are entered calculate automatically
to update the extrapolation in the table below.

Note:
The size of each
step can be
changed by
checking the Set
Step Sizes Mode
box.

Note:
When a
Projection
Method is
selected, the
default parameter
values that appear
are linked to the
corresponding
selected target
values.

To change the
target, select the
Next Target or
Previous Target
buttons.
Following the last survey station, the To extrapolate from
Extrapolation (EXT) will appear in an extrapolation,
the above table. click the Post To delete the last
Projection button extrapolation, click the
Each time the Projection Method and select another Delete Projection
and/or parameter values change, the Projection Method. button.
EXT row will change accordingly.

To add the extrapolation(s) to the survey file, click the Ok (add to surveys) button. The extrapolation(s) will
appear in the survey file with EXT row numbers.
To close this dialogue box without adding the extrapolation(s) to the survey file, click the Close button.

Note: The extrapolated survey station(s) can be removed from the survey file later by following the same
steps to remove an actual survey station (row).

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

10. INTERPOLATING
10.1. Inserting a Single Interpolated Point
The following steps will allow the user to insert a single interpolated point. The interpolated point will
appear as an actual survey station in the Wellz file.

Step 1: Select an Interpolation Method

Insert an interpolated point by

clicking Insert Interpolated
Point under the Tools drop
down menu.

Select one of the interpolation

options (Measured Depth, TVD
or Subsea). A dialogue box will
then appear where you can
enter the desired interpolation
depth.

After an interpolated depth has

been entered, the Show
Interpolation dialogue box will
then appear.

To insert the interpolated point

as a survey row, click the Insert
in Active Well button.

To close the dialogue box

without inserting the
interpolation, click the Close
button.

Note: To remove the inserted interpolated point, follow the same steps used to remove an
actual survey station (row).

The current version of wells does not distinguish interpolated survey stations with actual
survey stations. To indicate that a survey station is an interpolation, insert a text line at the
same interpolated depth following the steps outlined in Section 5. The text line should clearly
state that the survey station is an interpolation. Ex. “INTERPOLATION”.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

10.2. Viewing and Printing Multiple Interpolations

To create multiple interpolations across the entire survey file that can only be Viewed or Printed,
follow the steps outlined below.

1. Select Show Plan Survey

under the Planning drop
down menu.

2. Select Interpolate by
Measured Depth or
Interpolate by TVD that the
distance will be calculated
on.

3. Enter the desired

interpolated distance.

Note: To remove (hide) the interpolated points follow the same steps above and select Hide
Interpolated points.

Note: The multiple interpolated points do not become survey stations and can only be
viewed or printed.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

11. GRAPHICS
11.1. The Graphics Menu
The Graphics Menu allows the user to change the look of the Graphics Window.

When multiple Wellz files are open in

memory, each file can be turned OFF or
ON using the Pick Wells to Display.

To open a graphics window, selected

the desired view (3-d, Plan or Section).
To close the graphics window, select
Hide Graphics.

To modify the view of the graphics

window relative to the Active Well,
select from the list.

Use this option when viewing the 3-d

View. A dialogue box will appear
requesting the number of frames for 360
Select Options to further modify the degrees of rotation. Enter a suitable
graphics window. (Section 11.3) value (180) and the 3-d View will rotate

11.2. Plan and Section Views

Step 1: Select the View

Select Plan View or

Section View under the
Graphics drop down
box. A Wellz – graphic
window will appear on
the left side of the
screen. A second window
will also appear on the
right side of the screen
containing Graphics
Parameters with Well
Parameters.

Note: The Well Parameters portion of the screen is a smaller version of the main
Survey screen and will not be further discussed in the graphics section of the manual.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

Step 2: Modify The Graphic Parameters

PLAN VIEW GRAPHIC PARAMETERS

Scale All - Decrease the Scale All to zoom in and increase the Scale All to zoom
out. The Scale All value affects the east-west and north-south axis
together.

Box Center East - Adjusts the East coordinate of the graphics view (box) center.

Box Center North - Adjusts the North coordinate of the graphics view (box) center.

Sector Size - The sector size is the grid box size outlined in black. Increase the
sector size to reduce the number of grid lines. Decrease the sector size
to increase the number of grid lines.

Scale East - Decrease the Scale East to expand the east-west axis.

Scale North - Decrease the Scale North to expand the north-south axis.

Sector East - The sector size in the East – West direction.

- Tip: Match the Sector East value with the Scale East value.

Sector North - The sector size in the North – South direction.

- Tip: Match the Sector North value with the Scale North value.

Note: To view your changes to the graphics window, the Calculate button must be selected.

Note: Using the up and down arrow at the right side of the graphics parameters screen is a
quick way to modify the graphics view. The step sizes can be adjusted by checking the Set
Step Sizes Mode box. To exit the Set Step Sizes, uncheck the Set Step Sizes Mode box.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

SECTION VIEW GRAPHIC PARAMETERS

Scale All - Decrease the Scale All to zoom in and increase the Scale All to zoom
out. The Scale All value affects the vertical and horizontal axis together.

Box Center TVD - Adjusts the TVD of the graphics view (box) center.

Section Displacement - Adjusts the Section Displacement of the graphics view (box) center.

Sector Size - The sector size is the grid box size outlined in black. Increase the
sector size to reduce the number of grid lines. Decrease the sector size
to increase the number of grid lines.

Scale Vertical - Decrease the Scale Vertical to expand the vertical axis.

Scale Horizontal - Decrease the Scale Horizontal to expand the horizontal axis.

Sector Vertical - The sector size in the vertical direction.

- Tip: Match the Sector Vertical value with the Scale Vertical value.

Sector Horizontal - The sector size in the horizontal direction.

- Tip: Match the Sector Horizontal value with the Scale Horizontal
value.

Note: To view your changes to the graphics window, the Calculate button must be selected.

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Computalog Drilling Services - Wellz Quick Start Manual

11.3. Graphics Options

Select Options under the Graphics drop down menu to access the graphics options below.

To change the color, thickness and dot line Primarily used to alter only the 3-d
interval for the Active Well, Select the Set view. Also used to change the
Color and Line Type of Well. darkness of the secondary grid lines
for all views (ie. Grid Lightener).
Red is generally used for the “Proposed” line
trajectory and blue is used as the “Actual”
line trajectory. There are three options for adding
points to the graph:

1. Graph Survey Points will place a

point at every survey station.

2. Graph Points of Interest will

graph points from the Points of
Interest table.

3. To remove all points from the

graph, select Do Not Graph Points.

Select Graph Target Points to

display all the targets entered in the
Target table on the graph.

Note: Remember to enter a radius

for the target in the Target table.
The coordinate system used for the graphic
view can be selected as:
To add, remove or edit the Points of
Field Coordinates and Subsea depths
Interest table, select the Edit Points
of Interest. To view the points of
OR
interest on the graph, select Graph
Points of Interest.
Local Coordinates and TVD depths

Note: The Local Coordinate and TVD system puts the surface location for all Wellz files in
memory at a latitude(north) = 0, departure(east) = 0 and KB starts at 0 m TVD. The Local
Coordinate system is the most commonly used coordinate system.

Note: The Field Coordinate and Subsea system is based on an arbitrary field center location
that all well surface locations can be referenced from. This coordinate system is useful when
viewing multiple wells in an area and/or producing anti-collison reports with Wellz.

THE FIELD COORDINATE SYSTEM SHOULD ONLY BE USED WHEN THE NORTH OF
FIELD CENTER, EAST OF FIELD CENTER AND KB ELEVATION VALUES FOR ALL WELLZ
FILES IN MEMORY ARE PROPERLY ENTERED IN THE EDIT HEADER DATA DIALOGUE
BOX.
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LWD SENSOR THEORY,
APPLICATION, &
INTERPRETATION

Directional Data
Importance of Directional Data

“Delivery of high quality,

accurate directional data is
your highest priority on
my wellsite”
- the customer
Importance of Directional Data

• Things to remember:
– You only have one chance to put the hole in the
right spot
– You can’t assume that because the computer
comes up with an answer that it’s always
correct (GIGO)
– It costs the company lots of money (profit) to
correct a directional data screw up
Implications of Bad Directional Data

• Well is drilled at wrong inclination or

in wrong direction
• Well collides with another well
• Well crosses a lease line
• We lose credibility with the customer
• You potentially lose your job
What is Survey Data?
• A survey, or more appropriately a survey station,
consists of the following components:
– Inclination
– Hole Direction (Azimuth)
– Measured Depth
• The highest quality survey data is best achieved as a
static measurement
• Survey data tells the directional driller where the hole
has been
• Inclination and hole direction are downhole directional
sensor measurements
• Measured depth is a surface derived depth monitoring
system measurement
Inclination

• Inclination is the angle,

measured in degrees, by
which the wellbore or
survey instrument axis
varies from a true vertical
line
• An inclination of 0° would
be true vertical
• An inclination of 90°
would be horizontal.
Hole Direction
• Hole direction is the angle,
measured in degrees, of the
horizontal component of the
borehole or survey instrument
axis from a known north
reference
• This reference is true north or
grid north, and is measured
clockwise by convention
• Hole direction is measured in
degrees and expressed in either
azimuth form (0° to 360°) or
quadrant form (NE, SE, NW,
SW)
Measured Depth

• Measured depth refers

to the actual depth of
hole drilled measured
from the surface
location (drill floor) to
any point along the
wellbore
What is Steering Data?

• Steering, or toolface data, is dynamic data and

tells the directional driller the position of the
bend of the mud motor
• Orienting the bend to the desired position
allows him to control where the hole will be
going
• There are two types of toolface data
– Magnetic
– Highside (Gravity)
Magnetic Toolface

• Magnetic toolface is the direction, in

the horizontal plane, that the mud
motor bend is pointing relative to the
north reference
• Magnetic Toolface = Dir Probe
Mag Toolface + Total
Correction + Toolface Offset
• Magnetic toolface is typically used
when the inclination of the wellbore is
less than 5°
• The magnetic toolface reading is
whatever magnetic direction the
toolface is pointed to
Gravity Toolface
• Gravity toolface is the angular distance the mud motor
scribeline is turned, about the tool axis, relative to the
high side of the hole
• Gravity toolface = Dir Probe Gravity Toolface +
Toolface Offset
• If the inclination of the wellbore is above 5°, then gravity
toolface can be used
• The toolface will be referenced to the highside of the
survey instrument, no matter what the hole direction of
the survey instrument is at the time
• The toolface will be presented in a number of degrees
either right or left of the highside
Gravity Toolface

• For example, a toolface

pointed to the highside of the
survey instrument would
have a gravity toolface of 0°

• A toolface pointed to the low

side of the survey instrument
would have a gravity
toolface of 180°

• If the probe highside point

was rotated to the right of
highside, the gravity toolface
would be 70° to the right.
Electronic Accelerometer & Magnetometer Axes

• “Z” axis is along the

length of the probe (axial
plane)
• “X” and “Y” are in the
cross-axial plane and are
perpendicular to each
other and to the “Z” axis
• “Highside” is aligned with
the “X” axis
• All three axes are
“orthogonal” to each other
Quartz-Hinge Accelerometers
• Respond to the effect of
the earth’s gravitational
field in each plane
• An alternating current
(AC) is used to keep the
quartz proof mass in the
reference position as the
accelerometer is moved
relative to gravity
• The intensity of the
“bucking” current is
related to the gravitational
force felt by the
accelerometer
Fluxgate Magnetometers
• Respond to the effect of the earth’s
magnetic field in each plane
• The magnetometer contains two
oppositely wound coils around two
highly magnetically permeable rods
• As AC current is applied to the
coils, an alternating magnetic field
is created, which magnetizes the
rods
• Any external magnetic field parallel
with the coil will cause one of the
coils to become saturated quicker
than the other
• The difference in saturation time
represents the external field
strength.
Earth’s Magnetic Field
• The outer core of the earth
contains iron, nickel and cobalt
and is ferromagnetic
• The Earth can be imagined as
having a large bar magnet at its
center, lying (almost) along the
north-south spin axis
• Although the direction of the
field is magnetic north, the
magnitude will be parallel to
the surface of the Earth at the
equator and point steeply into
the Earth closer to the north
pole
Earth’s Magnetic Components

• M = Magnetic North direction

• N = True North direction
• Btotal = Total field strength of
the local magnetic field
• Bv = Vertical component of the
local magnetic field
• Bh = Horizontal component of
the local magnetic field
• Dip = Dip angle of the local
magnetic field in relationship to
horizontal
• Dec = Variation between the
local magnetic field’s
horizontal component and true
north
• Gtotal = Total field strength of
the Earth’s gravitational field
Dip Angle vs. Latitude
• Lines of magnetic flux lie
perpendicular (90°) to the
earth’s surface at the
magnetic poles
• Lines of magnetic flux lie
parallel (0°) to the earth’s
surface at the magnetic
equator
• Dip Angle increases as
Latitude increases
• As dip angle increases the
intensity of the horizontal
component of the earth’s
magnetic field decreases
Dip Angle vs. Latitude
• At the magnetic equator, Bh
Bh = Btotal
= Btotal, Bv = 0

Bv = Btotal
Bh = 0
• At the magnetic poles, Bh =
0, Bv = Btotal

Bh = Btotal(cos Dip)
• Bh is the projection (using
the dip angle) of Btotal into
the horizontal plane
Btotal

Bv = Btotal(sin Dip)
Magnetic Declination

• Complex fluid motion in the

outer core causes the earth’s
magnetic field to change
slowly and unpredictably with
time (secular variation)
• The position of the magnetic
poles also change with time
• However, we are able to
compensate for this variability
by applying a correction
(declination) to a magnetic
survey which references it to
true north
Magnetic Pole Movement (1945 – 2000)
North South
Pole Pole
True North
• True north, or geographic
north, is aligned with the spin
axis of the Earth
• True north does not move
making it a perfect reference
• A survey referenced to true
north will be valid today and
at any time in the future
• The correction we apply to
change a magnetic north
direction to a true north
direction is called
declination.
Applying Declination

• To convert from Magnetic North to True North,

Declination must be added:

True Direction = Magnetic Direction + Declination

Important Note:
• East Declination is Positive & West Declination is Negative in both the
northern and southern hemispheres
Applying an East Declination
• An east declination means
that magnetic north is east of
true north
• For example, if magnetic
north hole direction is 75°
and the declination is 5° east,
the true north direction
would be calculated as
follows:
True Direction = Magnetic
Direction + Declination
80° = 75° + (+5°)
Applying a West Declination
• A west declination means
that magnetic north is west
of true north
• For example, if magnetic
north hole direction is 120°
and the declination is 5°
west, the true north direction
would be calculated as
follows:
True Direction = Magnetic
Direction + Declination
115° = 120° + (-5°)
Implications of an Incorrect Declination

• Since declination is a addition of degrees of

correction to the magnetic hole direction, any
mistakes made to the declination have serious
consequences.
• For example, if you intend to apply a +18°
declination but instead input a -18 ° declination,
your reported hole direction will be wrong by 36°!
• This mistake may not be detected until the data is
compared against independent survey data
Grid Convergence

• Corrects for the distortion

caused by projecting the curved
surface of the earth onto a flat
plane
• Correction becomes more
severe moving from the equator
towards the poles
• Two common projection
methods are Transverse
Mercator and Lambert
UTM Grid Projection

• In the Universal Transverse Mercator Grid, the

earth is divided into sixty, 6° grid zones
Grid Zones
• A central meridian
bisects each 6° grid
zone
• Each central meridian is
along true north
• If directly on the central
meridian or on the Convergence is
zero here
equator, the grid
correction is ZERO
Grid Zones
Maximum Grid Correction
• Convergence correction
increases as location moves
away from the equator and
central meridian
• Convergence should not be
more than +/-3°, otherwise
the incorrect central meridian
has been chosen
Grid Zones

• For rectangular
coordinates,
arbitrary values
have been
established within
each grid
Comparing Grid Projections

• Different projections yield varying views in

terms of distance, shape, scale, and area
Applying Convergence

• To convert from Grid North to True North,

Convergence must be subtracted:

Grid Direction = True Direction – Convergence

Important Note:
• East Convergence is Positive & West Convergence is Negative in the
Northern Hemisphere
• East Convergence is Negative & West Convergence is Positive in the
Southern Hemisphere
Applying an East Convergence
• An east convergence means that
grid north is east of true north
• For example, if true north hole
direction is 70° and the
convergence is 3° east, the grid
north direction would be
calculated as follows:
Grid Direction = True
Direction - Convergence
67° = 70° - (+3°)
Applying a West Convergence
• A west convergence means that
grid north is west of true north
• For example, if true north hole
direction is 120° and the
convergence is 3° west, the grid
north direction would be
calculated as follows:
Grid Direction = True
Direction - Convergence
123° = 120° - (-3°)
Applying Declination and Convergence Simultaneously

• Replacing the formula for a true north

direction in the grid north direction
equation gives us the following
formula:

• Grid Direction = Magnetic Direction +

Declination – Convergence

• (Declination – Convergence) is called the

Total Correction
• If magnetic declination is 5° east and
the grid convergence is 3° west, and
the magnetic direction is 130°, the
grid direction is calculated as:
138° = 130° + (+5°) - (-3°)
Static Survey Procedure
• Drill down to the end of the joint or stand and
stop rotating
• Work the pipe up and down to release any built
up torque in the drillstring
• Lower the bit to the survey point and shut down
the pumps
• Wait 30 – 40 seconds
• Turn on the pumps and transmit the survey to
the surface (pipe may be moved slowly while
sending up the survey)
Sources of Real-time Inclination Errors

• These factors can introduce error into the

inclination value presented to the directional
driller:
– Movement during a survey (axial or rotational)
– Accelerometer or associated electronics failure
– Calibration out of specifications
– Sensor measurement accuracy
– Real-time Data resolution
Inclination Quality Checks

• Does the inclination value match the actions of

the directional driller?
• Is Gtotal within +/- 0.003 g of the Local
Gravitational Field Strength?

2 2 2 1/2
Gtotal = (Gx + Gy +Gz )
Sources of Real-time Azimuth Errors
• These factors can introduce error into the hole direction
value presented to the directional driller:
– Magnetic Interference (axial or cross-axial)
– Magnetometer or associated hardware failure
– Calibration out of specification
– “Bad” accelerometer input (inclination and highside toolface are
part of the calculation!)
– Mathematical Error (at 0° and 90° inclination)
– Sensor measurement accuracy
– Real-time Data resolution
– Latitude, Inclination, Hole direction
– Wrong Declination and/or Convergence
Azimuth Quality Checks

• Does the azimuth value match the actions of the

directional driller?
• Is Btotal within +/- 350 nT of the Local
Magnetic Field Strength?
2 2 2 ½
Btotal = (Bx + By +Bz )
• Is Gtotal within +/- 0.003 g of the Local
Gravitational Field Strength?
Additional Survey Quality Checks
(Bx * Gx) + (By * Gy) + (Bz * Gz)
• MDIP = ASIN {----------------------------------------------}
Gtotal * Btotal

• Is the calculated Magnetic Dip value within +/- 0.3º of the Local Magnetic
Dip value?
• MDIP utilizes inputs from the accelerometers and magnetometers but is not
as sensitive of a quality check as Gtotal and Btotal
• It is possible for the MDIP to be out of specification even if the Gtotal and
Btotal are not
• NOTE: MDIP should not be used as sole criteria to disqualify a survey if
Gtotal and Btotal are within specification
Survey Quality Checks

2 2 2 1/2
• Gtotal = (Gx + Gy +Gz )

2 2 2 1/2
• Btotal = (Bx + By +Bz )

(Bx * Gx) + (By * Gy) + (Bz * Gz)

• MDIP = ASIN {----------------------------------------------}
Gtotal * Btotal
Survey Quality Check Limits

• Gtotal = Local Gravity +/- 0.003 g

• Btotal = Local Field +/- 350 nT

• MDIP = Local Dip +/- 0.3°

Survey Quality Example #1

Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits

Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

3.72 125.01 1.0012 58236 75.25

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable?
Survey Quality Example #1

Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits

Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

3.72 125.01 1.0012 58236 75.25
+0.0012 -119 -0.05

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable? YES / YES
Survey Quality Example #2

Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits
Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

5.01 127.33 1.0009 58001 74.84

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable?
Survey Quality Example #2
Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits
Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

5.01 127.33 1.0009 58001 74.84
+0.0009 -354 -0.36

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable? YES / NO
Survey Quality Example #3
Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits

Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

8.52 125.34 0.9953 58150 74.28

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable?
Survey Quality Example #3
Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits

Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

8.52 125.34 0.9953 58150 74.28
-0.0047 -205 -0.92

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable? NO / NO
Survey Quality Example #4
Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits

Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

17.13 129.88 1.0120 57623 73.44

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable?
Survey Quality Example #4

Given the following survey data, decide whether each quality check is
within limits

Local References: Gtotal = 1.000 g Btotal = 58355 nT Mdip = 75.20°

INC AZ Gtotal Btotal MDip

17.13 129.88 1.0120 57623 73.44
+0.0120 -732 -1.76

Based on your observations, are the inclination and

azimuth values acceptable? NO / NO
Survey Calculation Methods

• Once we have verified the quality of the

inclination, hole direction, and measured depth
values at the survey station the data is then passed
to the directional driller
• Survey calculations are performed between survey
stations to provide the directional driller with a
picture of the wellbore in both the vertical and
horizontal planes
• If the input parameters are identical the calculated
survey values on your survey report should match
the directional drillers’
Survey Calculation Methods

• Survey calculations are

more easily understood by
applying basic
trigonometric principles
Tangential Calculation Method

• Assumes that the borehole is a straight line from

the first survey to the last
Average Angle Calculation Method

• Assumes distances
from survey to
survey are straight
lines
• Fairly accurate and
conducive to hand
calculations
Radius of Curvature Calculation Method

• Applies a “best fit”

curve (fixed radius)
between survey
stations
• More accurately
reflects the shape of
the borehole than
Average Angle
Minimum Curvature Calculations

• Uses multiple points

between survey
stations to better
reflect the shape of
the borehole
• Slightly more
accurate than the
Radius of Curvature
method
Comparison of Calculation Methods

• Total Survey Depth @ 5,985 feet

• Maximum Angle @ 26°
• Vertical hole to 4,064 feet, then build to 26° at 5,985 feet
• Survey Intervals approximately 62 feet
Survey Terminology
Survey Terminology
• Survey Station
– Position along the borehole
where directional
measurements are taken
• True Vertical Depth (TVD)
– The projection of the borehole
into the vertical plane
• Measured Depth (MD)
– The actual distance traveled
along the borehole
• Course Length (CL)
– The measured distance traveled
between survey stations
Survey Terminology
• Horizontal Displacement (HD)
– Projection of the wellbore into the
horizontal plane
– Horizontal distance from the
wellhead to the last survey station
– Also called Closure
• Latitude (Northing)
– The distance traveled in the north-
south direction in the horizontal
plane
– North is positive, South is negative
• Departure (Easting)
– The distance traveled in the east-
west direction in the horizontal plane
– East is positive, West is negative
Survey Terminology
• Target Direction
– The proposed direction of wellbore
• Vertical Section (VS)
– The projection of the horizontal
displacement along the target
direction
– The horizontal distance traveled
from the wellhead to the target
along the target direction
• Dogleg Severity (DLS)
– a normalized estimate (e.g.,
degrees / 100 feet) of the overall
curvature of an actual well path
between two consecutive survey
stations
Vertical Section Calculation
• To calculate vertical section
the closure (horizontal
displacement), closure
direction, and target direction
must be known
• The vertical section is the
product of the horizontal
displacement and the
difference between the
closure direction and target
direction

VS = HD * (Target Direction – Closure Direction)

Vertical Projection
• In the vertical
projection the
directional driller plots Kickoff
True Vertical Depth
Point Build
versus Vertical Section
• The wellbore must Section
pass through the True
vertical target Vertical Locked in
thickness along the Depth Section
vertical section
direction in order to hit Tangent
the target in this plane
Vertical
Section
Horizontal Projection
• In the horizontal
projection the N Closure
directional driller plots
Latitude versus
Departure Proposal
Latitude
• The wellbore must Direction
pass through the
horizontal target radius E
along the proposed
Departure
target direction in
order to hit the target
in this plane
Vertical
Section
Introduction to Directional Drilling

• Directional drilling is defined as the practice

of controlling the direction and deviation of
a well bore to a predetermined underground
target or location

Directional Wells

• Slant
• Build and
Hold
• S-Curve
• Extended
Reach
• Horizontal

1
Applications of Directional Drilling

• Multiple wells from offshore structure

• Controlling vertical wells
• Relief wells

Applications of Directional Drilling

• S-Curve

2
Applications of Directional Drilling

• Extended-Reach Drilling
• Replace subsea wells and tap offshore reservoirs from
fewer platforms
• Develop near shore fields from onshore, and
• Reduce environmental
impact by developing
fields from pads

Directional Drilling Tools

• Steerable motors
• Instrumented motors for geosteering
applications
• Drilling tools
• Surveying/orientation services
• Surface logging systems
• At-bit inclination
6

3
Applications of Directional Drilling

• Sidetracking

• Inaccessible locations

Applications of Directional Drilling

4
Applications of Directional Drilling

• Drilling underbalanced

• Minimizes skin damage,

• Reduces lost circulation and stuck pipe incidents,
• Increases ROP while extending bit life, and
• Reduces or eliminates the need for costly stimulation
programs.

Directional Drilling Limitations

• Doglegs
• Reactive Torque
• Drag
• Hydraulics
• Hole Cleaning
• Weight on Bit
• Wellbore Stability

5
Methods of Deflecting a Wellbore

• Whipstock operations
• Still used
• Jetting
• Rarely used today, still valid and inexpensive
• Downhole motors
• Most commonly used, fast and accurate

Whipstock Operations

6
Jetting

Effect of Increased Bit Weight

• Increase Weight on Bit –

Increase Build Rate

7
Effect of Decreased Bit Weight

• Decrease Inclination -
Decrease Weight on Bit

Reasons for Using Stabilizers

• Placement / Gauge of stabilizers control directional

• Stabilizers help concentrate weight on bit
• Stabilizers minimize bending and vibrations
• Stabilizers reduce drilling torque less collar contact
• Stabilizers help prevent differential sticking and
key seating

8
Stabilization Principle

• Stabilizers are placed at specified points to control the drill

string and to minimize downhole deviation

• The increased stiffness on the BHA from the added

stabilizers keep the drill string from bending or bowing
and force the bit to drill straight ahead

• The packed hole assembly is used to maintain angle

Stabilizer Forces

9
Design Principles

• Side force
• Fulcrum Principle
• Weight on Bit

Typical Side Force vs. Inclination

10
Side Force

• Force resulting from bending the

tubular

• F S = Bi * SC * 3.0
LT3

• Bi : displacement distance of bending interference, in

• SC : stiffness coefficient, lb in 2
• LT : axial length over which bend occurs, in
21

Typical Collar Stiffness

• SC = IE
• I: moment of inertia, in4
• E: modulus of elasticity
• SC : stiffness coefficient, lb in2
I = π/64 (DO4 - Di4 )

11
Properties of Tubular Steels

3 6
Metal Density lb/ft Modulus of elasticity 10 psi
Low Carbon Steel 491 29.0
Cr-Mo Steel 491 28.0
Monel K-500 529 26.0
304 Stainless 501 27.4
316 Stainless 501 28.1
Inconel 526 31.0
Aluminum 170 10.3

Physical Properties

• Modulus of elasticity
• Size and weight
• Stiffness

12
Drill Collar Weight

Fulcrum Principle

• Fulcrum-stabilizer inserted drill string

above the bit
• Applied weight causes the bottom collars
to bow
o
• Above 5 inclination, it bows toward the
low side of the hole
• Pushes the bit hard against the top of the
hole, build section

13
Build Assemblies

• Building assemblies use a fulcrum to create and

control positive side force

F1 L1 = F2 L2

Fulcrum Position

• The closer to the bit the higher the side force for
given drill collar size

14
Weight on Bit

• Axial loading created by weight on bit produces

buckling forces between stabilizer and bit
• Hole size
• Collar size
• Weight on bit

Directional Control

• BHA types • Design principles

• Drop (pendulum) • Side force

• Build (fulcrum) • Bit tilt
• Hold (packed hole) • Hydraulics
• Combination

15
Pendulum Principle

• The stabilizer above the bit is

removed and an additional drill
collar is added, making the bottom
hole assembly more flexible
• The upper stabilizers, properly
placed, hold the bottom drill collar
away from the low side of the hole
• Gravitational forces act on the
bottom collar and bit, causing the
hole to lose or decrease angle
31

Dropping Assemblies

• Dropping assemblies
act as a pendulum to
create and control
negative side force

16
Slick Assembly

• To increase drop rate:

• increase stiffness
• increase bit size to collar size ratio
• increase drill collar weight
• decrease weight on bit
• increase rotary speed

Stabilizer Placement

• To increase drop rate:

• increase tangency length
• increase stiffness
• increase drill collar weight
• decrease weight on bit
• increase rotary speed

17
Dropping Assemblies

• To increase drop rate:

• increase tangency length
• increase stiffness
• increase drill collar weight
• decrease weight on bit
• increase rotary speed

• Common TL:
• 30 ft
• 45 ft
• 60 ft
• 90 ft

Drop Assemblies Response

High -
Medium -

Low -

18
Angle Drop 90'

• Inclination WOB Est. drop rate/100 ft

• 30° - 45° 0 - 15,000 lbs 2.00° - 2.50°
15,000 - 30,000 lbs 1.25° - 1.50°

• 20° - 30° 0 - 15,000 lbs 1.25° - 1.50°

15,000 - 30,000 lbs 0.75° - 1.00°

• 5° - 20° 0 - 15,000 lbs 0.75° - 1.00°

15,000 - 30,000 lbs 0.50° - 0.75°

• 0° - 5° 0 - 15,000 lbs 0.00° - 0.50°

15,000 - 30,000 lbs 0.00° - 0.00°
37

Angle Drop 60'

• Inclination WOB Est. drop rate/100 ft

• 30° - 45° 0 - 15,000 lbs 1.25°
15,000 - 30,000 lbs 1.00°

• 20° - 30° 0 - 15,000 lbs 1.00°

15,000 - 30,000 lbs 0.75°

• 0° - 20° 0 - 15,000 lbs 0.75°

15,000 - 30,000 lbs 0.50°

19
Angle Drop 30'

• Inclination WOB Est. drop rate/100 ft

• 20° - 45° 0 - 15,000 lbs 0.75°
15,000 - 30,000 lbs 0.50°

• 20° - 30° 0 - 15,000 lbs 0.25°

15,000 - 30,000 lbs 0.25°

Building Assemblies
• Two stabilizer assemblies
increase control of side force
and alleviate other problems

20
Build Assemblies Response

High -
High -
High -
Medium -
Medium -
Medium -
Low -

Hold Assemblies Response

High -
High -

High -

Medium -

Low -

21
Expected Dog Leg

BR = θ x 200 BR = θ x 60
L1 + L2 L1 + L2
English units SI units

Predicting Build Rate

BR = delta Inc. x 30
Curve length

22
Special BHA’s

• Tandem Stabilizers
• Provides greater directional control
• Could be trouble in high doglegs

• Roller Reamers
• Help keep gauged holes in hard formations
• Tendency to drop angle

Application of Steerable Assemblies

• Straight-Hole
• Directional Drilling / Sidetracking
• Horizontal Drilling
• Re-entry Wells
• Underbalanced Wells / Air Drilling
• River Crossings

23
Steerable Assemblies

• Build

• Drop

• Hold

24
Planning a Directional Well
• Geology
• Completion and Production
• Drilling Constraints

Geology

• Lithology being drilled

through
• Geological structures that
will be drilled
• Type of target the geologist
is expecting
• Location of water or gas top
• Type of Well

25
Completion and Production

• Type of completion required (“frac job”,

pumps and rods, etc.)
• Enhanced recovery completion requirements
• Wellbore positioning requirements for future
drainage/production plans
• Downhole temperature and pressure

Drilling

• Selection of surface location and well layout

• Previous area drilling knowledge and identifies
particular problematic areas

26
Drilling
• Casing size and depths
• Hole size
• Required drilling fluid
• Drilling rig equipment and capability
• Length of time directional services
are utilized
• Influences the type of survey
equipment and wellpath

Planning

• Build rates
• Build and hold profiles should be
at least 50m
• Drop rate for S-curve wells is
preferably planned at 1.5 o/30m
• KOP as deep as possible to reduce
costs and rod/casing wear
• In build sections of horizontal
wells, plan a soft landing section

27
Planning

• Avoid high inclinations

through severely faulted,
dipping or sloughing
formations
• On horizontal wells clearly
identify gas/water contact
points
• Turn rates in lateral sections
of horizontal
• Verify motor build rates

Planning

• Where possible start a

sidetrack at least 20m
out of casing
• Dogleg severity could
approach 14o/30m
coming off a whipstock
• Identify all wells within
30m of proposed well
path and conduct anti-
collision check

28
Hole Cleaning - Transportation

• The cuttings are effectively suspended by the fluid shear

and beds do not form for holes inclined less than 30°.
• Beyond 30°, the cuttings form beds on the low side of the
hole which can slide back down the well, causing the
annulus to pack-off.
• These cuttings can be transported out of the well by a
combination of two different mechanisms.
• Slide as a block
• transported at the bed/mud interface as ripples or dunes

Hole Cleaning

29
Hole Cleaning - Hole Angle

Cuttings removal generally becomes more difficult

as hole angle increases. Angles between 50°–60°
present most problems because the cuttings have a
tendency to slide down the annulus and cause
packing off. In wells deviated beyond 60°, the
cuttings form stable beds. These beds are supported
by the sliding friction against the wellbore. The
angle range for cuttings bed slide depends largely
on mud rheology and problems cleaning the hole
can be experienced from 40°–60°.
59

Hole Cleaning - ROP

Increases in penetration rate result in higher cuttings

concentrations in the annulus. Past experience has
shown that 0.5% is the maximum allowable annular
concentration to efficiently drill vertical and near
vertical wells. For deviated wells, deeper cuttings
beds form as the penetration rate increases.
Removing these deeper beds require higher
flowrates. It is important to control and limit
instantaneous ROP’s in deviated wells since deep
beds are difficult to remove. PERCENT (%)
60

30
Hole Cleaning - MUD Rheology

• Low viscosity fluids are most effective at angles

above 30° since they induce turbulence and
encourage cuttings removal by saltation.
• Plastic viscosity should be minimized to reduce
pressure losses and obtain a flatter viscosity
profile.

Hole Cleaning - Pump Rate

The single most crucial factor for successful hole

cleaning is mud flow rate, especially for deviated
holes. As a rough guide, the annular velocity needed
for cleaning wells deviated 50°–60° is
approximately twice that required for the vertical
case. Take all reasonable steps to reduce frictional
pressure. Doing so will extend the range of
available flowrate. In critical cases, careful
consideration should be given to BHA design,
nozzle selection, and additional losses due to mud
motors/MWD tools.
62

31
Hole Cleaning - Bit Nozzle Selection

• If sufficient flow rate is available for hole

cleaning, then bit nozzles can be selected for
optimum hydraulics in the normal way. When
sizing bit nozzles, it is also important to note that:
• Certain mud motors have optimum bit differential
pressure ranges
• Nozzles should be selected to minimize potential hole
erosion problems for friable formations

Hole Cleaning - Hole Angles Above 40°

• Turbulent/transitional flow is most effective in

cleaning and evacuating/minimizing cuttings
bed formation
• Laminar flow
• highest possible pump output/annular velocities.
• Optimize the low shear rheology
• High initial gel strength gives rapid suspension of
cuttings
• wiper trips, pipe rotation, reciprocation, backreaming
when top drive is available, and pills pumped
64

32
Hole Cleaning - Mud Weight

Mud weight influences hole cleaning by affecting

the buoyancy of the drilled cuttings. This applies
for both vertical and deviated holes. For small
changes in density, the flowrate required to
maintain adequate hole cleaning is directly
proportional to the cuttings mud density
differential.

Hole Cleaning - Cuttings Type

Increased cuttings density make hole cleaning

more difficult for both vertical and inclined wells.
Cuttings shape and size is also important in
vertical transport. The larger, more rounded
particles are the hardest to remove. Shape and size
have little influence in highly deviated wells
because the cuttings move in blocks rather than
discrete particles.

33
Hole Cleaning - Drillpipe Rotation

Rotating the drillstring will assist in mechanically disturbing

cuttings beds in deviated wells. The rotating pipe forces
cuttings upwards to the high side of the hole, and into the fast
moving mud stream. Drillpipe rotation also encourages mud
flow in the narrow gap between the pipe and the settled bed.
When a downhole motor in oriented mode is used in a
deviated well, the cuttings beds are probably not being
disturbed. Consider rotating the string prior to tripping. Field
studies show that pipe rotation while drilling enhances the
hole cleaning efficiency.

Hole Cleaning Practices

• Flow rates in the 300–500 gpm range will generally be adequate for
cleaning 216 mm (8-1/2 in) horizontal sections.
• Select mud properties which provide turbulent flow, if possible.
2
• To achieve turbulence, maintain maximum mud YP close to 10 lb/100 ft .
• ECD increases when drilling horizontally, but formation strength remains
fixed. Ensure that ECD does not cause formation breakdown when drilling
horizontal section.
• Select MWD/downhole motors that do not restrict flow rates for hole
cleaning.
• Limiting nozzle pressure drop for motor considerations (i.e., maximum
allowable bit pressure drop for motor being used) may be necessary.
• If possible, plan well trajectory to avoid drilling long sections of large
diameter holes above 50°. Look closely at the pump capacity of the rig.
68

34
Hole Cleaning Drilling Hydraulics

• Deviated wells require higher flow rates.

• Design BHA’s for minimum pressure loss in critical wells.
• Hole angles 50°–60° are most difficult to clean (can be 45°–60°
dependent on mud rheology).
• Control instantaneous ROP’s.
• Increase flowrate rather than changing rheology when cleaning
deviated wells.
• Increased mud weight assists cuttings removal.
• Drillpipe rotation assists hole cleaning in deviated holes. A minimum
of 60 rpm is recommended. Higher rpm’s assist.
• Minimize hole washouts by developing a good hydraulic design.
• Drill “minimum rat hole” consistent with safe running of casing.
• Use a riser booster pump on semi-submersibles, if necessary.
69

Hole Cleaning During Tripping

• Always circulate the hole clean prior to tripping. Use

“minimum” circulation times.
• Rotate the pipe at maximum of 60 rpm when circulating
prior to tripping.
• Use low vis/low wt pills for wells > 30°. Calculate
volumes to ensure well control.
• Make a rotary wiper trip after a long section is drilled with
downhole motor.
• Make sure cementing pumps are available to pump in the
case of an emergency.
70

35
71

36
Mud Motors
Turbine PDM

Commander TM PDM Motors

37
Motor Selection

• These are the three common motor configurations

which provide a broad range of bit speeds and
torque outputs required satisfying a multitude of
drilling applications
• High Speed / Low Torque - 1/2 Lobe
• Medium Speed / Medium Torque - 4/5 Lobe
• Low Speed / High Torque - 7/8 Lobe

Components of PDM Motors

• Dump Subs
• Motor Section
• Universal Joint Assembly
• Adjustable Assembly
• Bearing Assembly

38
Dump Sub

• Allows Drill String

Filling and Draining
• Operation
- Pump Off - Open
- Pump On - Closed
• Discharged Ports
• Connections

Motor Section

• Positive
Displacement Motor
( PDM )
• Lobe Configurations
• Stages

Performance
78
Characteristics

39
Motor Section

• Positive Displacement Motor

PDM

Universal Joint Assembly

• Converts Eccentric Rotor Rotation

in to Concentric Rotation

• Universal Joint

• Flex Rod

Constant Velocity Joint --

40
Adjustable Assembly

• Two Degree and

Three Degree
• Field Adjustable in
Varying Increments to
the Maximum Bend
Angle
• Used in Conjunction
with Universal Joint
Assembly
o
H = 1.962
81

Bearing Assembly
• Transmits bit axial and radial loads to
the drillstring
• Thrust bearing
• Radial bearing
• Oil reservoir
• Balanced piston
• High pressure seal
• Bit box connection
82

41
Motor Specifications

• Motor specifications
• Dimensional data
• Ultimate load factors
• Performance charts

Motor Specifications

42
Motor Specifications

Performance Charts

43
Rotor Bypass

• Used to increase the flow rate through the drilling

motor beyond the capacity of the power section
• All Multi-lobe motors from 3 3/8’’ and
larger use ported rotors
• May be field installed if required

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DD II Training material

Uploaded by

DD II Training material

Uploaded by

Directional Drilling II

 Driver Safety (Video)

 Applications of Directional Drilling

 Basic Math Calculations

 Hole Direction Conversions

 Creating Drilling Proposals

 Creating Drilling Proposals (continued)

 Motivational Material (Video)

 Directional Surveying Basics

 Introduction to Directional Surveying

 Directional Surveying Measurements

 Gravitational and Magnetic Fields

 Directional Survey Corrections

 Directional Survey Accuracy

 Toolface Offset Calculations

HOW DO I COMPENSATE FOR DECLINATION AND INCLINATION?

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE DECLINATION?

HOW DO I DETERMINE THE DECLINATION DIAGRAMS ON MAPS?

REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-1 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

The magnetic declination does not remain constant in

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-2 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

At the magnetic poles, the Earth's magnetic field is

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-3 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-4 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Vertical and Horizontal intensity are components of the total intensity.

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-5 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-6 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-7 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-8 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Do compasses point to the north magnetic pole?

Sydney 34.0S 151.5E 13 E 13 E 00

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-9 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

HOW DO I COMPENSATE FOR DECLINATION AND

Global models are produced every one

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-10 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Below is an example of a Geomagnetic software package used to calculate many magnetic

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-11 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE DECLINATION?

Local magnetic anomalies

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-12 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

A few areas with magnetic anomalies (there are thousands more):

-North of Kingston, Ontario; 90° of anomalous declination.

-Near Timmins, Ontario, W of Porcupine.

-Savoff, Ontario (50.0 N, 85.0 W). Over 60° of anomalous declination.

-Michipicoten Island in Lake Superior (47.7 N, 85.8 W); iron deposits.

-Around Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.

Anomalous (Lat. Long. Location

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-13 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Distortion caused by cultural features is called deviation.

Where were/are/will be the magnetic poles?

As convection currents churn in apparent chaos in the

North Magnetic Pole Movement 1945-2000

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-14 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

South Magnetic Pole Movement 1945-2000

A given value of declination is only accurate for

The magnetic field has even completely

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-15 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Solar magnetic activity

"Bermuda Triangle" type anomalies

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-16 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

HOW DO I DETERMINE THE DECLINATION

28° 33' - ((1997-1969) * 3.0) = 27° 93'

Grid north and declination diagrams

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-17 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Printed Isogonic charts

Hydrographic charts include known magnetic anomalies.

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-18 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

On-line Isogonic charts

World, small: United States Geological Survey

Canada, CGRF95: Geological Survey of Canada

Magnetic Declination.doc 8/29/00 1-19 Doc. # TD2003.rev A

Australia, AGRF95 for 1997.5: Australian Geological Survey Organization (AGSO)

On-line and downloadable declination data

Geological Survey of Canada: declination http://www.geolab.nrcan.gc.ca/geomag/e_cgrf.html

Interpex Limited: GEOMAGIX freeware can be downloaded.

Driver Safety (Video)

Applications of Directional Drilling

Basic Math Calculations

Hole Direction Conversions

Creating Drilling Proposals

Creating Drilling Proposals (continued)

Motivational Material (Video)

Directional Surveying Basics

Introduction to Directional Surveying

Directional Surveying Measurements

Gravitational and Magnetic Fields

Directional Survey Corrections

Directional Survey Accuracy

Toolface Offset Calculations