Drilling & Measurements | Training Centers | Drilling Operations

Rotary BHA Design

By the end of this presentation you should:
1. Understand how BHA rotary tendency is affected by stabilizer size
and spacing, BHA flexibility, drilling parameters and hole enlargement

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2. Be able to design a typical rotary BHA to build, hold or drop
3. Be able to calculate position of neutral point in drill string for a given design
WOB
4. Be able to generate BHA tendency and SAG reports in Drilling Office
5. Be able to determine non-mag requirements for MWD using STB
The Principles

When we consider the side force, we are only able to use the unsupported
weight that lies between the touch points. Because the weight is supported at
each end, only half of the weight is available at each touch point.

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Bar of weight M

Weight of 1/2 M Weight of 1/2 M

Slick Assembly – Pendulum
If WOB = 0, only pendulum force applies
(-ve side force)
The max. pendulum force at bit is given by:
H = (Wc x L x BF x sin(inc) ÷ 2

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where:
L = Tangency length
BF = Buoyancy Factor
Wc = Weight of collar in air (lbs/ft)
Inc = Inclination

The result is a negative (or downward side force) at the bit

thus producing a drop tendency.

Drop tendency could be increased by placing a string stab

some distance above the tangency point to move the contact
point further uphole (thus increasing the pendulum force)
Slick Assembly – Pendulum

Weight on Bit
With WOB we can reduce the negative side
force by bending the BHA and thus moving
the tangency point closer to the bit and thus

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reduce the drop tendency.

If WOB is increased enough, upward bit tilt

may result and thus generate a build tendency
(positive side force). This effect is difficult to
predict in a slick BHA.
Positive Side Force- Near Bit Stab Fulcrum effect

Weight on Bit
With WOB and a full gauge near bit stabilizer
we can induce bit tilt by using the near bit stab
as a fulcrum point to create large positive side

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forces resulting in a build tendency.
 Regular Drill Pipe

Principles of Rotary BHA Heavy Weight Drill Pipe(s)

Drillpipe
Smaller Drill Collars

Full Gauge Stabilizer

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Drill Collar

Full Gauge Stabilizer

Drill Collar

Collars Full Gauge Stabilizer

Drill Collar
Packed Near Bit Full Gauge Stabilizer
Hole Bit
Slick BHA Bit
BHA
Stabilization
Stabilizer Placement and resultant side forces

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Flexibility depends on Stiffness

BHA is a Hollow Cylinder, thus:

Stiffness Coefficient = E x I
where:

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E = Young’s Modulus (lb/in2 )
I = Moment of Inertia (in4 )

Moment of Inertia
I = π (OD4 - ID4 ) ÷ 64
OD = outside diameter
ID = inside diameter
Drill Collar Stiffness

Stiffness Coefficient = Moment of Inertia X Young’s Modulus of Elasticity

For a 8 1/4” x 2 13/16” DC

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II =  ( O D 4 - I D 4 ) / 6 4 , E = 3 0 x 1 0 6 p s i
S C =  ( O D 4 - I D 4) / 6 4 x 3 0 x 1 0 6
=  ( 8 . 2 5 4 - 2 . 8 1 2 5 4) / 6 4 x 3 0 x 1 0 6 = 6 . 7 3 x 1 0 9

For a 7” x 2 13/16” DC

S C =  ( O D 4 - I D 4) / 6 4 x 3 0 x 1 0 6 p
=  ( 7 4 - 2 . 8 1 2 5 4) / 6 4 x 3 0 x 1 0 6 = 3 . 4 4 x 1 0 9

For a change in O.D. of 1 1/4”(12.5%) the stiffness has almost halved (42%).
 Effect of Flexibility On Side Force

 WOB = 30 Klbs
9-1/2”
Collars
8”  Smaller hole size
Collars 7”
 more flexible collars

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Collars
6”
 bigger side force
90’

Collars

14-3/4” 12-1/4” 9-7/8” 8-1/2”

Bit Bit Bit Bit

S.F.=814 lb S.F.=1521 lb S.F.=2587 lb S.F.=3343 lb

 Effect of Weight On Bit On Side Force

• Increased WOB
• Induces Bit tilt

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• Increases positive side force
70’

S.F.=855 lb S.F.=960 lb S.F.=1,002 lb

20,000 lb WOB 30,000 lb WOB 40,000 lb WOB
Effect of Inclination

Inclination versus side-force for

3 two stabilizer BHA's

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Bit Side Force, lb

Hole Inclination
Effects of Stabilizer Gauge

 FG near-bit stabiliser behaves like

fulcrum so generates bit tilt and +ve side
force thus build tendency

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 UG near-bit stab has no fulcrum point so
will behave like pendulum thus drop
tendency
Under gauge Near-bit Stabilizer

 More under gauge or greater pendulum

length = greater effect

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 Lock-up BHA will drop
Under gauge Second Stabilizer

 can be used to regulate build

tendency

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 More under gauge = greater
effect

 Hold assembly = try to get zero

net side force
Effects of Hole Gauge

Over gauge hole (enlarged hole)

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causes loss of fulcrum and therefore
drop tendency
Soft formations – washout at bit

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BHA's for building Inclination
90’ 30’
Highest building 9.
Response 90’
8.

7.

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50’ – 75’ 30’
6.
50’ – 75’
5.
30’ – 50’ 30’
4.
30’ 30’
3.
30’
Full Gauge Stabilizer
2.
30’ 30’
Under Gauge Stabilizer 1.
BHA's for Holding Inclination
15’- 20’ 30’ 30’
7.
15’- 20’ 30’ 30’
6.
12’- 15’ 30’ 30’ 30’
5.

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12’- 15’ 30’ 30’
4.
12’- 15’ 30’
3.
5’-12’ 30’ 30’
2.
30’ 30’ 30’
1.

Full Gauge Stabilizer Under Gauge Stabilizer

 Typical Hold BHA for 12-1/4 in. Hole

12'-20' 30’

8" DC 8" DC 8" DC

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12 1/4“ Bit 12 1/4” 12 1/8”
12 1/4”
FG Stab UG Stab
FG Stab
 BHA's for Dropping Inclination

75'-90' 30’
Highest dropping 7.
response 75'-90'
6.
60'-75' 30’

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5.
60'-75'
4.
30'-60' 30’
3.
30'-60'
2.
30'-75' 30’
1.

Full Gauge Stabilizer Under Gauge Stabilizer

Summary

Stabilized Rotary BHA can be designed to build, hold or

drop inclination

Critical elements:
• Stabilizer gauge

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• Stabilizer position
• Drill collar OD/weight/moment of inertia
• Hole inclination
• Drilling Parameters (WOB, RPM, flow rate)
• Hole gauge
Neutral Point (Vertical Hole)
WOB = (Buoyed BHA Weight below NP)

o NP is the point where the drill string

Lnp - Distance from bit to
neutral point, ft.
transitions from tension to compression

WOB = Weight on bit, lbs. Drill Pipe o WOB comes from (along hole)
component of buoyed weight of BHA

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below NP
BF = Buoyancy factor

= 1-(mw/65.5)
mw=mud density (ppg) N Neutral Point
W = Unit weight of DC,
lbs/ft.
WOB Drill Collars
Lnp
WOB
Lnp=
W x BF

Bit
Neutral Point (Inclined Hole)
WOB = Buoyed BHA weight below NP x COS Inclination

o NP is the point where the drill string

Lnp = Distance from bit to
neutral point, ft
transitions from tension to compression
o WOB comes from (along hole)
WOB = Weight On Bit Drill Pipe
component of buoyed weight of BHA

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below NP
BF = Buoyancy Factor
= 1-(mw/65.5) Inclination

MW = Mud density (ppg)

Drill
W = Unit weight of DC, Ibs/ft Collars θ

WOB
Lnp=
W x BF x Cosθ Buoyed Weight Bit
below NP
Neutral Point (BHA Design Consideration)
 BHA designer must compute location of NP for max expected WOB (which will depend
on bit selected, formation to be drilled and selection of DC’s and HWDP’s)
 It is always preferred to keep drill pipe in tension i.e. keep NP within BHA (HWDP or
DC) to avoid buckling. (Easily achieved at low Inc by use of heavy drill collars to
concentrate weight near bit)

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 In highly deviated wells this is not practical as NP may be very far from bit and
large quantities of HWDP will be required which will contribute more to frictional
drag than to WOB.
 Fortunately the compressive load required to initiate buckling increases with
inclination so at high Inc. It is acceptable to run DP in compression
(i.e.. NP within DP) provided simulation is done at max design WOB to ensure critical
buckling loads and stresses are not exceeded.
Neutral Point (NP) - Example
Hole Size: 12 ¼ “
Well Inclination: 45°
Mud Density: 11 ppg

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Required WOB : 40,000 lbs

Use a design factor of 10%

How many DC’s (8 ¼ ”, 160 lbs/ft, 5120 lbs/32ft) will this BHA require if we wish to
keep DP in tension?
If the number of DC’s is limited to 6, how many HWDP’s should be added to the
string? (HW= 5”, 49.7 lbs/ft, 1540 lbs/31ft)
Neutral Point (NP) - Answer
cos(45) = 0.707
BF for 11ppg = 0.831

Required BHAWT air = (40000 x 1.1)(0.831 x 0.707)

= 74982 lbs

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Number whole DC = 74982  5120
= 15 DC
There are only 6 DC available; how many HWDP are required?

Required BHAair WT = 74982 lbs

6 x DC = 5120 x 6
= 30720 lbs
Amount HWDP = (74982 – 30720) /1540
= 29 jts
Special BHA's

1. Tandem Stabilizer

2. Roller Reamers

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3. Variable Gauge Stabilizer
4. Jetting BHA
5. Gilligan BHA's
6. Hole Openers
Tandem Stabilizers

 String Stabilizer run directly above near-bit

 Two String Stabs back to back
 Normally for directional purposes

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 May result in high rotary torque
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Stabilizers
Roller Reamers

 Used to reduce rotary torque

– in place of full gauge stabilizers
 Helps smooth borehole wall by reaming micro
ledges

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 If used as near-bit tendency is to drop
 Important to check roller condition after each run
– subject to roller bearing wear and potential loss
of rollers downhole
Adjustable Gauge Stabilizer

 Various makes & sizes available –

Andergauge (NOV) , Sperry AGS, TRACS

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 First Rotary Steerable tool – 2D only
 Minimum two position stabilizer
 Can be run as a Near Bit or
String Stabilizer
Jetting BHA

In very soft formation is an easy and

cost-effective way to kick off a well

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Hole Opening BHA

Hole Opener
 BHA needs to be stabilized but limber
 MWD – if necessary, usually not
 Cutter type – various available

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 Should be stabilized above

Bull Nose
 Length: 7’ – 9’ – OD dependant
 preferably ported (to remove fill on bottom)
Other Special BHA’s
Hole openers and Under-reamers
Tri Max 8 ½ → 9 7/8”, 10 5/8”, 12 ¼”
Smith Quad reamer 9 7/8 →10 5/8”
BHI 12 ¼ → 13 ½”, 13 ¾”, 14”, 14 ¾”
Security DBS 14 ¾ → 17”

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Anderreamer 17 ½ → 24”
Smith Rhino reamer 8 ½” → 10 5/8”
Bi –center bits and various
reamers

Considerations
 Shocks (need to balance 2 separate cutting faces)
 Hydraulics (some flow bypassed through under-reamer)
 MWD signal problems
Other Special BHA’s
Wiper Trip BHA

 Should be more flexible than drilling BHA to avoid accidental sidetrack

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 1/8” UG near-bit and ¼” or more UG second stab at least 60 ft back (or no

second stab)
BHA Sag and tendency simulation

DOX demo

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BHA non-mag requirements

STB demo

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BHA Design checklist
 Bit selection
 Drive mechanism (Rotary, Motor, RSS?)
 Stab placement and BHA flexibility
 Available WOB for drilling (neutral point location, buckling
risk)

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 Measurement tools (MWD/LWD/Gyro)
 Non-mag requirement
 Other tools (under-reamers, UBHO, circulating sub, junk
basket, roller-reamers etc.)
 Jar placement
 Drill stem design (T & D analysis)
 Hydraulics (Bit nozzling)
 Drilling Parameters
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Questions