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190 The Open Mechanical Engineering Journal, 2014, 8, 190-196

Open Access

The Design of Oil Well Downhole Mechanical Analysis System

Panpan Zhao, Xiufang Wang*, Ying Liu, and Mengmeng Wu

School of Electrical & Information Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing, 163318, China

Abstract: With the rapid development of drilling technology, borehole becomes increasingly complex demanding
higher standards for downhole operation. The downhole mechanical analysis is an important part of the oil well
production analysis It is very important in drilling, completion and work over operations. The previous operation based on
experience has been unable to meet modern production requirement on accuracy. According to the present situation of oil
field information construction and the problems in the production process, this paper designs and implements the
downhole mechanical analysis system based on .NET. The system can provide the stress analysis results of downhole
string in the process of well production quickly and accurately, and it can provide the basis for equipment selection and
scheme selection in the production process.
The design of this system mainly includes two parts, part one is the analysis of the deformation to the tubular column with
the packer, the other part is the analysis of frictional resistance of tubular column. This system has the advantages of
simple operation, accurate calculation, clear analytical results, and comprehensive analysis.
Keywords: Friction analysis, mechanics analysis, packer.

1. INTRODUCTION 2.1. Piston Effect

The downhole mechanics analysis is a very important
part of oil well production analysis. There are many
researches on the analysis of oil well downhole mechanical
processes in China and world over. In China, Wang Yong,
Liu Shuzhi, Liu Qi, Li Qindao et al. have been researching
on the force analysis of packer string [1-3]. In the rest of the
world, renowned scholars such as Lubinski, Woods and
Hammerlindle have been researching on the analysis of pipe
string mechanics [4-6]. Some researchers understand that it
reduces the accuracy of oil well production analysis.
Therefore it is very necessary to design a complete oil well
downhole mechanical analysis system.
To obtain the downhole mechanical analysis, data is
collected and analyzed from two downhole processes. First
process is the analysis of the deformation to the tubular
column with the packer and the other is the analysis of
frictional resistance of tubular column.
2. THE ANALYSIS OF THE DEFORMATION TO
THE TUBULAR COLUMN WITH THE PACKER
In the exploration and development of oil wells, many
wells have used packer in the production process, the
analysis of the deformation to the strings with the packer is
very important to the safety of production.
This paper analyses and calculates the pipe deformation
on the basis of collecting and analyzing the data obtained
from downhole mechanics analysis and calculation.
When the pipe column can slide up and down in the
packer sealing cavity, tubular column will shrink or stretch
becauseof the piston force generated by pressure difference.
The calculation of the deformation produced by the
piston force is as follows:
Pi ( A3 A2 ) Po ( A3 A1 )
L1 = L (1)
EAs
In equation 1: A3 is the cross sectional area of the packer
seal cavity; A2 is the internal cross sectional area of the
tubular column; A1 is the external cross sectional area of the
tubular column; As is the cross sectional area of the oil pipe;
E is the elastic modulus of steel; po is the change of the
annular pressure in the upper of the packer; pi is the
change of the pressure in the packer upper tubing; L is the
total length of tubing.
2.2. Spiral Bending Effect
Because of the existence of virtual force, the downhole
tubing often produces spiral bending effect. Spiral bending
effect is caused by the pressure in the sealed tube end and the
tube wall.
The tubing bending force is Fh , there is:

Fh = A3 ( Pi Po ) (2)
*Address correspondence to this author at the School of Electrical &
Information Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing. The calculation of the deformation is:
Postcard: 163318, China; Tel: 0459-6503160; E-mail: wxfdqpi@163.com

1874-155X/14 2014 Bentham Open

The Design of Oil Well Downhole Mechanical Analysis System The Open Mechanical Engineering Journal, 2014, Volume 8 191

r 2 Fh 2 The calculation of the deformation caused by temperature

L2 = (3) effect is as follows:
8EIW
In equation 3: r is the difference between the internal L4 = TL (5)
radius of the casing pipe and the external radius of the pipe;
1
W is the average mass per unit length of the tubing; I is the T = TL Ts + #$ Lt' ( L 9) t %& (6)
moment of inertia of the pipe cross sectional area on its 2
diameter. In equation 5: is the linear expansion coefficient of
2.3. Expansion Effect steel; T is the change of temperature in the wellbore; TL is
The calculation of the deformation caused by expansion the temperature of the injected fluid at the wellhead; Ts is the
effect is as follows: static temperature at the wellhead; t is the geothermal
gradient; t' is the temperature gradient in the wellbore in
i R 2 o
(1+ 2) the condition of fluid fluxion.
2
2 2 Pis R Pos
L3 = L2 L (4) Fig. (1) shows the interface design and experimental
E R 2 1 E R 2 1 results.
In equation 4: is the Poissons ratio of steel, R is the
3. THE ANALYSIS OF FRICTIONAL
ratio of internal diameter and external diameter; i is the RESISTANCE OF TUBULAR COLUMN
change of fluid density in the tubing; o is the change of
Downhole drag and torque are two key factors in the
fluid density in the annular space; Pis is the change of the design and construction of the well. Analyzing the frictional
oil pressure at the wellhead; Pos is the change of the casing resistance of tubular column is very important in the design
and implementation of oil wells; therefore, it has obtained
pressure at the wellhead; is the pressure drop per length wide attention in the upstream industry. Frictional resistance
that caused by fluxion. analysis before drilling is one of the starting points of the
2.4. Temperature Effect feasibility study of oil well, which is also the basis for the
selection and upgrade of the drilling equipment. Frictional
When the pressure in the tubular column is greater than resistance analysis after drilling is the basis of the
the external pressure, the length of the tubular column will optimization of the casing program [7]. According to the
change. well depth, azimuth, inclination etc borehole data, the system

Fig. (1). The analysis of the deformation to the tubular column with the packer.
192 The Open Mechanical Engineering Journal, 2014, Volume 8 Zhao et al.

analyzes the frictional resistance of tubular column. With the effective weight of the tubular column unit; is tangent
conditions that the working condition is rotary drilling, vector; n is normal vector; m is binormal vector.
mechanical model is steel model and trajectory curve is
natural curve. The analysis of frictional resistance of tubular
column mainly includes two parts, one part is static frictional
resistance analysis and the other part is dynamic frictional
resistance analysis.
3.1. Static Frictional Resistance Analysis
Static frictional resistance analysis of the tubular column
mainly includes the calculation of the axial force, lateral
pressure and torque, In order to ensure the safety of the
tubular column, the pressure on the tubular column should be
less than the limit tension and limit torque. The axial force,
lateral pressure and torque on the tubular column are
described by the curve about the pulling force, torque and
well depth. At the same time, by checking the strength of the
drill string, it draws the safety coefficient of the tubular
column to reflect the security of the tubular column. The
inclination and the curvature are two important parameters in
Fig. (2). The tubular column unit in the three-dimensional
the analysis of frictional resistance of tubular column. In wellbore.
order to reflect its relationship with frictional resistance, it
draws these two parameters in the curve. In order to reflect When the axial force in the lower measure point of the
the bending state of the tubular column, it also draws the tubular column unit and the lateral force of the tubular
stability of the tubular column in the curve. The results of column unit are given, the calculation formula of the axial
static analysis are mainly used for the design and selection of force in the upper measure point is:
drill string. " $
3.1.1. The Calculation of the Curvature T1 = T2 + "# Ls / cos ( 2)$% )q cos ( FE + Fn )* (8)
# %
Borehole curvature is an important index for measuring
the build angle capacity. Understanding the formation, In equation 8: FE = 11.3EIK 3 ; Ls is the length of the
deflecting characteristics and evaluating the quality of the tubular column unit; qis the effective weight of the tubular
well bore is the basis of the frictional resistance analysis, and column unit; is the frictional resistance coefficient
design and monitoring of well path [8]. In the drilling between wellbore and tubular column;
problems, one often inspects the overall bending degree of
the borehole trajectory that is the calculation of average = arccos %&cos 1 cos 2 + sin 1 sin 2 cos ( 2 1 )'(
borehole curvature.
The calculation formula of the curvature is as follows: is the total angle change of the tubular column unit; 1 and

2 2
2 stand for the deviation angle in the upper measure point
# & # &
K = % ( +% 2
( sin (7) and the deviation angle in the lower measure point
$ L ' $ L ' respectively; 1 and 2 stand for the azimuth in the upper
In equation 7, = 2 1 ; = 2 1 ; L = L2 L1 ; 1 is measure point and the deviation angle in the lower measure
point respectively; FE is the lateral force caused by the
the deviation angle in the upper measure point; 2 is the
bending deformation of the wellbore; K is the curvature of
deviation angle in the lower measure point; 1 is the azimuth the tubular column unit.
in the upper measure point; 2 is the azimuth in the lower The total lateral force in the whole angle plane is:
measure point.

3.1.2. The Calculation of the Axial Force, Lateral Pressure Fndp = (T1 + T2 ) sin + n3 Ls q (9)
2
and Torque
In equation 9: n3 is the component of the normal vector
The tubular column unit in the three-dimensional
wellbore as shown in Fig. (2). in the vertical direction.

In the Fig. (2), T is axial force; is deviation angle; The total lateral force in the bi-normal direction is:
is azimuth; is total angle change of the tubular column Fnp = m3qLs (10)
unit; Ls is the length of the tubular column unit; q is the
The Design of Oil Well Downhole Mechanical Analysis System The Open Mechanical Engineering Journal, 2014, Volume 8 193

In equation 10: m3 is the component of the binormal Fa

F = (16)
vector in the vertical direction. Aoi
The total lateral force of a tubular column unit in the In equation: Fa is the true axial force in the cross-section
three-dimensional wellbore is the vector sum of the total
lateral force in the whole angle plane and the total lateral of the tubular column; Aoi is the cross-sectional area of the
force in the bi-normal direction; because the two forces are tubular column.
perpendicular to each other. The calculation formula of the
total lateral force of a tubular column is: The calculation of the radial force is:
Pi ri 2 Po ro 2 ro 2
Fndp 2 + Fnp 2 r = (P P ) (17)
Fn = (11) ro 2 ri 2 ro 2 ri 2 i o
Ls
The calculation of the hoop force is:
The calculation formula of the torque in the upper
measure point of the tubular column is given by equation 12: Pi ri 2 Poro 2 ro 2
= + (P P )
ro 2 ri 2 ro 2 ri 2 i o
(18)
Fn Ls Dtj
MT 1 = MT 2 + (12)
2 In equation 17 and equation 18: Pi is the internal
In equation 12: M T 1 and M T 2 respectively stand for the pressure of the tubular column; Po is the external pressure of
torque in the upper measure point and the torque in the lower
the tubular column; ri is the internal diameter of the tubular
measure point respectively Dtj is the external diameter of
column; ro is the external diameter of the tubular column.
the tubular column collar; is the coefficient of the sliding
frictional resistance. The calculation of the bending force is:
3.1.3. The Calculation of the Safety Factor Fe r ro
m = (19)
Through the safety factor, we can accurately judge the 2 I
state of the tubular column. There are many calculation In equation 19: Fe is the effective axial force in the cross-
models about safety factor, but some of them are complex. section of the tubular column; r is the difference between the
This paper, on the basis of collecting and analyzing the internal radius of the casing pipe and the external radius of
previous researches summarizes a set of complete and clear
the pipe; ro is the external diameter of the tubular column; I
theory to calculate the safety factor.
is the moment of inertia of the pipe cross sectional area on its

n= s (13) diameter, which takes the value of 0.67 106 cm4 . .
i max
The calculation of the effective axial force in theequation
In equation 13: n is the safety factor; s is the yield 19 is:

limitation of the material; i max is the maximum stress Fe ( z ) = Fa ( z ) + Pi ( z ) Ai Po ( z ) Ao (20)

intensity in the cross-section.
In equation 20: Pi is the pressure of the liquid in the
iamx = max "# xd $% (14) tubular column; Po is the pressure of the liquid outside the
According to the fourth strength theory, the calculation of tubular column; Ai is the internal cross sectional area of the
the corresponding force in the cross-section is: tubular column; Ao is the external cross sectional area of the
1 tubular column.
1 $ 2 2 2 2 '
xd = &%( F + m r ) + ( F + m ) + ( r ) )( (15) When the internal liquid density, external liquid density,
2
internal liquid flow velocity and external liquid flow velocity
In equation 15: F is the axial force in the cross-section are constant, the distributions of the internal and external
fluid pressure are:
of the tubular column; m is the bending force in the cross-
i i im 2
section of the tubular column; r is the radial force in the Pi ( z ) = i gz z + Pio
4ri
(21)
cross-section of the tubular column; is the hoop force in 2
Po ( z ) = o gz o o om z + Poo
the cross-section of the tubular column. 4ro
The calculation of the axial force is:
In equation 21: Pio is the internal pressure of the
wellhead; Poo is the external pressure of the wellhead.
194 The Open Mechanical Engineering Journal, 2014, Volume 8 Zhao et al.

The dimensionless frictional resistance of the fluid in the Table 1. The data of well trajectory.
tubular column is:
64 Well Depth (m) Deviation Angle () Azimuth ()
i( o ) = ( R 3103
Ri(o) i(o) ) (22) 0 17.5 260

(
i(o) = 0.3164Ri(o)0.25 Ri(o) > 3103 ) 50 18.5 262
100 17.5 263
The calculation of the Reynolds coefficient is :
150 18 268
2 i(o) ri(o) im(om) 200 19 269
Ri(o) = (23)
i 250 21 266
300 18 255
In equation 23: i is the kinematic viscosity coefficient of 350 17 265
the fluid; the significance of the other parameters is the same 400 18.5 263
as above.
450 21 265
3.1.4. The Calculation of the Stability
500 18 257
The tubing string in the wellbore often works in a 550 18.5 261
compressed state in some intervals, the precise analysis of
600 18.8 263
the stress and deformation of the tubular column is helpful
for optimizing the design [9]. 650 18 268
700 19 269
The discriminated formula of the stability of the tubular
column is as follows: 750 21 266
800 18 255
q sin
When, F < 2 EI [24], the tubular column is in a 850 17 265
Tb
900 18.5 263
linear steady state.else the tubular column is in a bend
950 17.5 257
state.
1000 16 263
In the formula: F is the axial force; EI is the flexural
rigidity; q is the line buoyant weight; is the deviation
CONCLUSION
angle; Tb is the one half of the difference between well
diameter and tubular column diameter. This system mainly uses the modern mechanics theory as
the basis model, and from two processes analyze the stress
The data of the well trajectory are shown in Table 1. condition of the tubular column. One is the analysis of the
Fig. (3) shows the interface design and experimental deformation to the tubular column with the packer; the other
results. process is the analysis of frictional resistance of tubular column.
Through the calculation of the deformation of the tubular
3.2. Dynamic Frictional Resistance Analysis column, axial force, torque and lateral force, to analyze the
Dynamic frictional resistance analyzes the pulling force stress condition of the tubular column. The calculation results of
and the torque at the wellhead. Static frictional resistance the system can be used to design construction technology, select
analyzes the drag and torque in every point of the drilling tubular column and check the security.
string, when theit drills into the well. Dynamic frictional The system has advantages of fast calculation, simple
resistance analysis calculates the wellhead pulling force and operation, friendly user interface and accurate calculation. It
wellhead torque in every well depth when the drilling string is robust and has good practicability. It can provide a
drills from the wellhead to the bottom. Therefore, by comprehensive and reliable result for the mechanical
multiple static analysis and the results of the wellhead analysis of the well. Using this system can improve the
tension and wellhead torque, we can complete the dynamic efficiency and quality of work.
analysis. The change of the dynamic load is important for
drilling designit is also the basis of designing the drilling CONFLICT OF INTEREST
string, selecting drilling plan and selecting equipment. The authors confirm that this article content has no
In this system, the result of the dynamic frictional conflict of interest.
resistance is described by the curve about the wellhead ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
pulling force, wellhead torque and well depth.
This work is supported by the National Science &
Fig. (4) shows the interface design and experimental Technology Support Plan Major Project under Grant No.
results. 2012BAH12B03.
The Design of Oil Well Downhole Mechanical Analysis System
Fig. (3). Static frictional resistance analysis.
Fig. (4). Dynamic frictional resistance analysis.
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Received: July 25, 2014 Revised: August 4, 2014 Accepted: August 4, 2014

Zhao et al.; Licensee Bentham Open.

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