Well Drilling Trajectory Calculations
Well Drilling Trajectory Calculations
The maximum inclination angle is obtained from tan⁻¹(d2/h), where d2 is the horizontal departure at the target, and h is the difference between total vertical depth (TVD) and kickoff depth. For this data, it is approximately 19.34°.
The total measured depth combines the measured depth at the end of the build with additional depth necessary to reach the final TVD. Here, MD total is approximately 7,502.7 ft considering both phases.
The geometry influences bore stability, equipment wear, and efficiency. Deviations affect downhole pressures and casing durability, where the consistent inclination of build-and-hold paths minimizes these issues compared to more complex designs.
The horizontal departure at this depth involves integrating segment variations and calculating departures based on known parameters, resulting in approximately 2,065 ft.
The measured depth at the end of the build is calculated as MD = kickoff depth + R * angle/57.3. Using the radius of curvature and identified angle, MD approximately equals 2,561.7 ft.
The horizontal departure, D, during the build phase is derived from D = R(1 - cos(θ)), where R is the radius of curvature, and θ is the inclination angle. At the end of this build, it equals about 965 ft.
By using the inclination angle at that point, the horizontal displacement is approximately calculated as about 46 ft, reflecting the trajectory geometry involved.
The measured depth at a specific TVD is found using trigonometric relations considering the given build or inclination rates. For instance, at a TVD of 1,915 ft, calculations show MD to be around 1,995 ft.
The radius of curvature, R1, is calculated using the formula R = 18000/(π * build rate), which results in R1 = 18000/(π * 2.0) = 9,095.7 ft.
Build-and-hold trajectories are often chosen for their simplicity and effectiveness in reaching targets below surface constraints, compared to S-type or J-type which may optimize verticality but complicate with cased hole running.