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Rock Strength Analysis

The document discusses the importance of Rock Strength Analysis (RSA) in optimizing drill bit selection and drilling performance in the oil and gas industry. It outlines the necessary inputs for RSA, such as wireline logs and well reports, and the outputs that help in understanding rock behavior, including Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and various indexes related to drilling dynamics. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of rock properties and drilling behavior to enhance drill bit design and performance.

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Ramzy Nofal
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2 views

Rock Strength Analysis

The document discusses the importance of Rock Strength Analysis (RSA) in optimizing drill bit selection and drilling performance in the oil and gas industry. It outlines the necessary inputs for RSA, such as wireline logs and well reports, and the outputs that help in understanding rock behavior, including Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and various indexes related to drilling dynamics. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of rock properties and drilling behavior to enhance drill bit design and performance.

Uploaded by

Ramzy Nofal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RSA

A Drill Bit
Guide Selection

Based on my experience with Slb, BH & NOV


By applying Geological and Rock Mechanics
principles, Rock Strength Analysis can now
be conducted to optimize proper drill bit
selection and obviously drilling performance

Several software applications are available


for calculating and modeling rock strength
analysis, widely used in the oil & gas,
mining, and geotechnical industries.

The oil & gas market relies on rock modeling


to understand behavior during drilling and
ensure wellbore stability.

Software solutions range from basic to


highly advanced and most major drill bit
companies offer fundamental software for
estimating UCS and other key parameters to
aid in drill bit design and selection.

Regardless of software sophistication, logs


must have sufficient resolution and quality
to ensure reliable decision-making during
planning, drilling, and evaluation
Rock Strength Analysis

Inputs
Wireline logs
 Gamma Ray (GR)
 Sonic or Acoustic Velocity
 Compressional (ΔTc)
 Shear (ΔTs)
 Resistivity
 Neutron & Density Porosity (PHI)
 Bulk density (RHOB)
 Caliper

Mudlogging
 Lithology
 Description
 Percentage
 Database

Well Reports
 Well Schematic
 Bit Record & EOWR
 Actual survey report
 Top formation
 Mud properties

Coring data (if available)


 Core description
 Uniaxial Compressive Strength
 Point load Test
Main Inputs

Gamma Ray (GR) and Sonic (ΔTc) logs are the


minimum required data for estimating rock
strength.

Gamma Ray logs use a scintillation counter to


measure the natural radioactivity of Potassium,
Thorium, and Uranium in rocks along the wellbore.
Among the three most common sedimentary rocks, only
shale is consistently radioactive. The threshold
for distinguishing shale from non-shale formations
varies by logging company

Sonic logs measure sound velocity through rock


layers in the wellbore. Logging tool consists of a
transmitter and two receivers spaced along its
length. The transmitter emits a sound impulse,
which travels through the formation and it is
detected by the receivers. The time taken for the
sound to travel between the receivers is recorded
in microseconds per foot, known as the interval
transit time (Δt) of the rock

Well reports (BR, EOWR, Mud) provide details on


the well schematic, formation tops, drill bits,
and BHA used.

Mudlogging reports help refine the Wireline logs


interpretations by correlating data with measured
depth
Rock Strength Analysis

Outputs
Strength
 UCS
 CCS
 In-situ
 Effective
 Deer-Miller
 Friction Coefficient & Angle

Indexes
 Abrasivity
 Balling
 Impact (Vibration)
 Ratiness

Elastic & Mechanical Properties


 Poisson’s Ratio
 Young’s Modulus
 Shear Modulus
 Brittleness Index
 Spontaneous Potential

Drillability & Bit Selection Parameters


 Drilling Efficiency
 MSE
 Depth of Cut
 Wear Guide (IADC & diamond volume)
Main Outputs for drilling Dynamics

All software to estimate RSA is useful, but


it is necessary to understand the outputs
and how to apply them for enhancing drilling
performance.

UCS
The UCS measures rock strength and detects
formation changes, such as transitions from
soft to hard rock, as well as variations in
formation Ratiness across layers.

Abrasivity Index
This qualitative index measures the
formation's potential to cause abrasive wear
on the drill bit.
A higher Abrasivity index indicates a
greater likelihood of accelerated bit wear.

Friction Angle
It indicates how much shear stress is needed
to cause failure along a plane within the
rock. Measured in degrees (°).
A higher friction angle suggests stronger
interlocking between mineral grains, while a
lower angle indicates weaker, more easily
sheared the rock.
Main Outputs for drilling Dynamics (cont.)
A higher Friction Angle can led to low ROP
despite the UCS is low.

Impact (Vibration Index)


This index provides a relative estimation of
vibration potential caused by the formation.
It does not account for drill bit features,
BHA design, drill string configuration, or
operational parameters. Ratiness represents
variations in the UCS and Friction Angle due
to lithology changes, cementation, and dia-
genesis.

Balling Index
It is a measure used in drilling to quantify
the tendency of cuttings to stick together
and form balls, which can impact drill bit
performance and drilling efficiency.
Outputs for drilling Dynamics (cont.)

High UCS contrasts between layers can create


drilling challenges, including excessive bit
wear, increased vibrations, reduced ROP, and
higher drilling costs. A greater number of
logs improves the accuracy of RSA, leading
to more precise estimations.

This table summarizes required and optional


inputs needed to generate outputs. While UCS
and lithology can be calculated with minimal
input data, additional logs enhance the
analysis, enabling more advanced outputs
such as 3D tortuosity models and cross-plots
incorporating multiple curves
Drill Bit Application

After processing the wireline logs, a graphical


representation like this can be generated. Each
track displays input and output data, and depending
on the software, additional tracks and data can be
included, even merge with more than 2 wells.

This example contains 11 tracks, including MD and


Lithology. When RSA is performed post-job, the last
track (comments) typically documents about drill
bit performance. However, for offset well analysis,
this section is used to outline proposed drill bit
design and operational parameters.

Image taken form RockyTM (BH—2008)


Conclusions

Understanding UCS, Lithology, Friction Angle,


Abrasivity, Balling, and Impact Indexes helps
reduce uncertainty in drilling performance,
ensuring optimal drill bit selection and BHA
design.

By analyzing this data along with BHA dull


condition, it’s possible not only to improve
bit durability for the next run but also to
develop a custom drill bit design tailored to
specific field conditions:
Key Factors for Drill Bit Optimization:

Stability — Ensures wellbore and BHA integrity.


Durability — Enhances cutting structure lifecycle
Compatibility — Runs efficiently across various
BHA designs.
Adaptability — be able to performs across multiple
lithologies (hard, abrasive, slippery, etc.).
Reliability — High-quality materials, a precise
manufacturing, and rigorous quality control
prevent failures.

Beyond RSA data, observing and listening to the


drilling behavior is crucial.
While RSA might suggest a specific cutter size,
field experience sometimes proves otherwise — and
those adjustments can lead to greater success
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