Maximum Permissible Dog-Legs in Rotary Boreholes
SPE 1543-G
ARTHUR LUBINSKI
MEMBER AIME
ABSTRACT
In drilling operations, attention generally is given to
hole angles rather than to changes of angle, in spite of
the fact that the latter are responsible for drilling and
production troubles. The paper presents means for
specifying maximum permissible changes of hole angle
to insure a trouble-free hole, using a minimum amount
of surveys. It is expected that the paper will result in a
decrease of drilling costs, not only by avoiding troubles,
but also by removing the fear of such troubles.
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Excessive dog-legs result in such troubles as fatigue
failures of drill pipe, fatigue failures of driII-collar con-
nections, worn tool joints and drill pipe, key seats,
grooved casing, etc. Most of these detrimental effects
greatly increase with the amount of tension to which
drill pipe is subjected in the dog-leg. Therefore, the
ckser a dog-leg is to the total anticipated depth, the
greater becomes its acceptable severity.
Very large colIar-to-hole clearances wiII cause fatigue
of drill-collar connections and shorten their life, even
in very mild dog-legs. Another finding regarding fatigu-
ing of collar connections in dog-legs is that rotating
with the bit off bottom sometimes may be worse than
drilling with the full weight of drill collars on the bit,
mainly in highly inclined holes when the inclination
decreases with depth in the dog-leg.
Means are given for specifying maximum dog-legs
compatible with trouble-free holes. An inexpensive
technique proposed is to take inclinometer or directional
surveys far apart; then, if an excessive dog-leg is de-
tected in some interval, intermediate close-spaced sur-
veys are run in this interval.
The application of the findings should result in a
decrease of drilling costs, not only by avoiding troubles,
but mainly by removing the fear of such troubles. The
result would be much more frequent driIIing with heavy
weights on bit, regardless of hole deviation.
Because of errors inherent to their use, presently
available surveys are not very suitable for detecting
dog-legs. There is a need for instruments especially
adapted to dog-leg surveys.
Original manuscript received in Society of Petroleum Engineers
office Aug. 29, 1960. Revised manuscript received Jan. 9, 1961. Paper
presented at 85th Annual Fall Meeting of SPE, Oct. 2-5, 1960, in
Denver.
FEBRUARY, 1961
PAN AMERICAN PETROLEUM CORP.
TULSA, OKLA.
INTRODUCTION
Crooked hole drilling rules should fall into two dis-
tinct categories-( 1) those whose purpose is to bottom
the hole as desired, and (2) those whose purpose is to
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insure a trouble-free hole. Three kinds of first-category
rules in usage today are as follows.
1. A means to bottom the hole as desired is to pre-
vent the bottom of the hole from being horizontally too
far from the surface location; this may be achieved
by keeping the hole inclination below some maximum
permissible value such as, for instance, 50.
2. Another means to achieve the same goal is to
limit the rate at which the inclination is allowed to in-
crease with depth. A frequently used rate is 10/1,000 ft.
In other words, a maximum deviatien of 1 is allowed
0
at 1,000 ft, 2 0 at 2,000 ft, 3 0 at 3,000 ft, etc.
3. Whenever application of the first two means pre-
cludes carrying the full weight on bit required for most
economical drilling, then the best course is to take ad-
vantage of the natural tendency of the hole to drift
updip, displace the surface location accordingly and
impose a target area within which the hole should be
bottomed. This method has already been successfully
applied,'" and its usage probably will become more
frequent in the future. Means for calculating the amount
of necessary surface location displacement are avail-
able."'" If in high-dip formations the full weight on bit
should result in unreasonably great deviations, the situa-
tion could be remedied by increasing the size of cellars
and (if needed) the size of both hole and collars;"'· or
in some cases by using several stabilizers.'
Rules which would fall into the secend category (i.e.,
rules whose purpose is to insure a trouble-free hole)
are seldom specified today. It is vaguely believed that
following Rules 1 and 2 of the first category will auto-
matically prevent troubles. Actually, this is not true.
If at some depth the only specified rule is that the
hole inclination must be less than 4 the hole may be
0
,
0
lost if the deviation suddenly drops from 4 to 2 or ,
if the direction of the drift changes, etc.
Rule 3 of the first category is generally used in con-
junction with a rule belonging to the second category,
namely, that the hole curvature' (dog-leg severity)
must not exceed the arbitrarily chosen value of ll1z 0
/100 ft. Moreover, when using this rule, the industry is
not clear over what depth intervals the hole curvature
should be measured. All this results in a frequent fear
'References given at end of paper.
115
of letting the hole drift freely, in spite of the recognized
fact that such a practice decreases drilling costs.
This situation prompted an investigation which re-
sulted in this paper, the purpose of which is to propose
rules (as lenient as possiblc pertaining to the change
of hole inclination and drift) which will require the
smallest possible number of surveys and still ensure a
trouble-free hole.
The investigation was sponsored both by the Crooked
Hole Subcommittee of the AAODC Rotary Drilling
Committee and the API Mid-Continent Study Com-
mittee on Straight Hole Drilling.
FATIGUE FAILURES OF DRILL PIPE
GENERALIZATIONS
Consid;:r hole inclinations of 3 and 4V<! at two suc-
0
0
cessive survey stations. If the direction of the deviaticn
with respect to north is the same at the two stations,
the change of angle between these stations is IV<! ° . How-
ever, if the direction of the deviation changes, then the
change of angle, called change of the over-all angle,' is
greater than IV<! 0; the reason is that this angle is a
resultant of the 1V<I ° change in the vertical angle and
some change in the horizontal angle. Means for calculat-
ing this resultant are available.' In this paper the ex-
pression "change of angle" must be understood to mean
"change of the over-all angle" whenever surveys are
directional.
In this paper two idealized, extreme kinds of dog-
legs will be investigated-the gradual dog-leg shown in
Fig. la, and the abrupt one shown in Fig. lb.
Consider first the gradual dog-leg shown in Fig. 1a.
The hole axis is an arc of circle. Such a dog-leg must
be described in terms of a rate of change of angle with
respect to the length, in degrees /100 ft. By saying that
the rate of change, which is also called hole curvature
(dog-leg severity),' is 3°/100 ft, it is not iIPplied that
the dog-leg is 100-ft long and its angle 3 It is rather
0.
implied that, in every foot of dog-leg length (whichever
this length might be), the hole turns by .03 0.
The only gradual dog-legs which will be investigated
here are those extending over several lengths of drill
pipe. Such dog-legs will be called "gradual and long".
Bending stress in the drill pipe in the vicinity of a tool
joint will be considered for to::; 1 joints which are not
FIG l-(a) GRADUAL AND LONG DOG·LEG; (b)
ABRUPT DOG-LEG (TOOL JOINT IN THE DOG-LEG).
176
located close to either the beginning or the end of a
gradual and long dog-leg.
For zero tension, the pipe between two tool joints
in a gradual and long dog-leg assumes the same shape
as the hole, i.e., an arc of circle. As the tension in-
creases, the bending at the vicinity of tool joints becomes
greater, while the pipe partially straightens between tool
joints, which is the situation shown in Fig. 1a. For even
greater tension, drill pipe may contact the wall of the
hole between tool joints. In all cases, however, the
bending stress is the greatest at the immediate vicinity
of tool joints. Consider as an example a bending stress
of 10,000 psi. If the pipe is under a tension of 150,000
Ib, i.e., under a tensile stress of 34,000 psi (150,000 lb.
over 4.407 sq in. of wall cross-sectional area), then be-
cause of bending, the Point A in Fig. 1a is actually
subjccted to a tensile stress of 34,000 - 10,000 =
24,000 psi and the Point B to a tensile stress of 34,000
+ 10,000 = 44,000 psi. Thus, because of rotation, the
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stress at the periphery of the pipe varies at every point
bctween 24,000 and 44,000 psi. Such a repeated change
of stress may cause a failure called "fatigue failure".
Such failures sometimes, but not always, occur in the
slip mark. s According to H. M. Hollins, Drilco Oil
Tools, the most frequent fatigue failures in West Texas
are at the upset fadeout on either end (box or pin) of
the pipe.
GOODMAN DIAGRAM
The maximum reversed bending stress which will
cause no fatigue failures depends upon the average
tensile stress to which the pipe is subjected. The greater
the average tensile stress, the smaller i:s the maximum
bending stress which the pipe may withstand_ The curve
of the completely reversed bending stress vs the average
tensile stress is called "Goodman diagram".
The usual Goodman diagram is a straight line, such
as the dashed Line CD in Fig. 2. The intercept with
the abscissa (Point D) is the tensile strength of steel,
i.e., 100,000 psi for Grade E steel. The intercept with
the ordinate (Point C) is obtained from repeated bend-
ing experiments conducted in the laboratory on pipe
lengths subjected to no tension. Such experiments indi-
cate a value of 22,000 psi at least.
The dashed straight Line CD was not used in this
work. Instead, a curve drawn as a solid Line EF in
Fig. 2 was adopted and called "modified Goodman
diagram". Its intercept, E, with the ordinate is below
the Point C (Le., at 18,000 instead of 22,000 psi) to
make allowance for slip marks and some wear of the
pipe. On the other hand, for large tensions the Curve
EF was chosen to be slightly al::ove the straight Line
CD.
The choice of Line EF is due to a recommendation
by the engineering departments of the Hughes Tool Co.
(/)
!i:!II_H!~
ffit: °0
~
a:
10 20 30 40 50
AVERAGE TENSILE STRESS
60 70 80
(THOUSANDS PSI)
90 100
FIG. 2-MODIFIED GOODMAN DIAGRAM FOR GRADE
"E" DRILL PIPE.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
and is based upon their best available experience in the
matter. Nevertheless, this choice may be considered only
as an educated, but probably somewhat conservative,
guess. The author could not argue with those who would
prefer to make a somewhat different guess.
Theoretically, for conditions represented by points
located below the Line EF in Fig. 2, the pipe will with-
stand an infinite number of stress reversals without fail-
ing. This, however, holds true only in noncorrosive
muds. In a corrosive medium, the pipe will always fail
after a finite number of stress reversals even if the bend-
ing stress is small. However, if the bending stresses
were maintained within some fraction of these given by
the modified Goodman diagram (Fig. 2), then drilI-
pipe life probably would be longer than with present
practices. The value of this fraction depends on the
corrosivity of the medium. A value of 0.6 is suggested
for very severe conditions.
The greater the tension to which drill pipe is sub-
jected, the smaller is the hole curvature which the pipe
may stand without fatigue failures. The reasons for this
are the two following already-explained facts.
1. The bending stress increases with tension.
2. As shown in Fig. 2, under greater tension the
drill pipe will stand less bending.
GRADUAL AND LONG DOG-LEGS
Taking into account both these effects, a curve indi-
cated "Fatigue of Grade E Drill Pipe" was plotted in
Fig. 3,* which is for 4Y2-in. OD 16.6-lb/ft drill pipe.
The abscissa is the hole curvature in degrees/100 ft.
The ordinate is the tension to which the pipe is sub-
jected in the dog-leg. There are two ordinate scales.
One is in pounds and the other is in equivalent lengths
of drill pipe in feet. The conversion of both scales was
made assuming a buoyancy factor 0.847, i.e., a 10 Ib/gal
mud. In view of the fact that the tension in the drill
pipe is due not only to its own weight, but also to the
weight of drill collars, the ordinate scale in feet may
be used only if the weight of drill collars is converted
"'M(:ans by which various curves of this paper were prepared are
explained in the Appendix.
HOLE CURVATURE (DOG-LEG SEVERITY)
DEGREES PER 100 FEET
_~-42__~3__~4__+5__
o~
- -- --~ - - -.:;...v-- -::;:;
50
----1-- ---- --/- -:-' L.....
1--1 ~ ------ -- /"--- "'--- - - -
~ _____ 1 _ __ ____ ___ ",-L~ _ ! _ 5 ~
U) -~ ---- --~'v
~ 100 ",,<'
~ I--- ._f-- --1-- ~v. -
13 ~==~~f-/<''''~~~( _
2 -}! ·-~"JJI-i-~-+----+--~-~--+--~--+-
----t-~o ~z
~ 1501--+----<I----tk~ ~g'_ _ ___
o _ ; : _ +---jl__ __ ._.- _~= II
i"- ~~ --f-1/ --- --
~ -~I ~---ti-
~wo ~ m
~ ---- -~ -.~I
>-- -----11- --Uf -
-:- 11= =~F ---:-=--= ----
250 - } -
'--- --
-- - -.--.---
-----f~'----~-
--- -- - -- -
300
FIG. 3-GRADUAL AND LONG DOG-LEG-
HOLE CURVATURE (DOG-LEG SEVERITY)
"5 TENSION FOR 4~-IN. DRILL PIPE.
FEBRUARY, 1961
to an equivalent length of drill pipe to be added to the
actual length of drill pipe.
Fig. 3 shows that the influence of tension upon the
maximum tolerable dog-leg angle is very large. As an
example, consider first a tension of 180,000 Ib, for
which Point G in Fig. 3 indicates that hole curvature
in a long and gradual dog-leg sho'Jld not exceed 3 ° per
100 ft if fatigue failures are to be avoided. On the
other hand, Point H shows that for a tension of 32,000
lb drill pipe could withstand curvatures up to 9°/100
ft.
The modified Goodman diagram (Fig. 2) was used
in calculating the fatigue curve of Fig. 3. A good justifi-
cation for the choice of the modified Goodman diagram
is provided by the reasonableness of the results obtained
fre-m the fatigue curve. Eastman Oil WelI Survey CO.'s
experience indicates that a hole curvature of less than
3 ° /100 ft never causes any trouble. * * Therefore, if
Eastman's statement is valid fer points higher than
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10,000 ft above total depth (9,700 ft of drill pipe plus
300 ft of drill collars weigh about 180,000 Ib), then
the fatigue curve in Fig. 2 is on the conservative side.
To explain this, consider for instance a dog-leg 13,000
ft above the total anticipated depth where the tension
may be 210,000 lb. Fig. 3, obtained from Fig. 2, indi-
cates at Point I that for such conditions hole curvature
should be smaller than 2.6°/100 ft, while Eastman's
experience would allow 3°/100 ft.
The dashed curve in Fig. 3 indicates the conditions
for which 41/2 -in. drill pipe in a gradual and long dog-
leg contacts the wall ef the hole betwecn tool joints.
The meaning of the fact that the entire f::tigue curve is
located to the left of the dashed curve is as follows. If
operations are conducted in such a manner that drill
pipe is not subjected to fatigue, then in gradual and
long dog-legs only the tool joints (and not the drill
pipe) centact the wall of the hole.
\BRUPT DOG-LEGS
Consider the case of an abrupt dog-leg shown in
Fig. 1b. The hole is geometrically straight (which does
not mean vertical) both above and below the dog-leg.
The angle by which the hole turns in the dog-leg will
be referred to as "dog-leg angle".
T6__+7__~e__9r-~IOo In Fig. 1b, a tool joint is located in an abrupt dog-
-~t-I
leg. The bending stress in the drill pipe is the greatest
-- -~~~I-::;.;f'" 2 in the immediate vicinity of that tool joint. This greatest
3
bending stress increases with the tension to which the
4
w
pipe is subjected.
:$1' -- -- ~ 6 ~ In Fig. 4 it is not a tool joint but, rather, the drill
""~ 7 ~ pipe between tool joints which is located in an abrupt
-#,- -- - -f- ~
dog-leg. Tn thiS case, drill pipe contacts the wall of the
1-8 ~ hole and the greatest bending, which is the same as in
the previous case, does not occur at the vicinity of a
«
g tool joint. However, after an abrupt dog-leg is rounded
.- 12 i"- out and becomes a gradual one, drill pipe generalIy
.--- --- --l~ 13 ~ loses its contact with the wall of the hole; the most
- - ---- - -- 14 ~ severe bendIllg then occurs only at the vicinity of tool
--\- - ---1- 15 >-- joints.
-:==
~=~=-i='9
--- -~
--
- - - 18
16
17
There is a basic difficulty in the usage of surveys for
the purpose of calculating the effects of dog-legs, namely,
that the actual shape of a dog-leg between two succes-
sive survey stations is not known. However, one might
20
':O::'According to a conversation in Long Beach, Calif., in Oct., 1956.
with R. E. Wiley, John Weddle and Fay Brady, all with Eastman.
a hole curvature between 3' and 5'/100 ft could cause trouble, but
in hard formations only.
177
 TENSION These conclusions hold true if, in the case of an
t abrupt dog-leg, only the tool joint in the dog-leg (and
not the neighboring tool joints) contacts the wall of
the hole and if, in the case of a gradual dog-leg, only
the tool joint (and not drill pipe) contacts the wall.
A study of drill-pipe behavior in abrupt dog-legs re-
vealed that the first condition is fulfilled if drill pipe is
not subjected to smaller tensions than the weight of
drill collars. Moreover, it has already been explained that,
for 41/z -in. drill pipe, the second condition is fulfilled
if the operations are conducted in such a manner that
fatiguing of drill pipe is avoided. This also is the case
for 5-in. drill pipe. On the other hand, such is not the
case within some range of tensions for 31/z -in. drill pipe.
For such conditions the limiting value of survey spacing,
above which an abrupt dog-leg is more exacting than
a gradual one, is smaller than 30 ft. However, for the
sake of simplicity, this fact will be disregarded in this
paper and no survey spacing closer than 30 ft will be

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FIG. 4-ABRUPT DOG·LEG. (DRILL PIPE
IN THE DOG·LEG).
assume that either there is an abrupt dog-leg between
the stations (as shown in Fig. Ib), or that the dog-leg
is gradual and long (as shown in Fig. 1a). The method
developed in this paper consists in choosing between the
two stations. These stations are at J and K in Fig. la,
Consider a 30-ft survey spacing, i.e., a spacing equal
to the distance between two tool joints. Furthermore,
consider that a tool joint is located half-way between
two stations. These stations are at J and K in Fig. 1a,
and at Land M in Fig. lb.
In the case of the gradual and long dog-leg, for
reasons of symmetry, the pipe at J and K is parallel to
the wall of the hole; therefore, the change of angle of
pipe betwen J and K is the same as that of hole.
In the case of an abrupt dog-leg, the pipe is not
parallel to the wall of the hole at Land M. Therefore,
considered as far as drill pipe is concerned. Thus, the
assumption of an abrupt dog-leg between two successive
stations will be made.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are for three sizes of drill pipe. These
graphs are similar to Fig. 3, but for abrupt instead of
gradual dog-legs. The abscissa is the dog-leg angle,
while the two ordinate scales are the same as in Fig. 3,
i.e., tensions. Fatigue curves, the meaning of which is
the same as in Fig. 3, are drawn in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.
These fatigue curves are valid only for noncorrosive
muds. As already stated in this paper, in corrosive
media, bending stresses to avoid fatigue failures of drill
pipe must be reduced to a fraction of those of non-
corrosive fluids. This is equivalent to reducing in the
same proportion the maximum permissible dog-leg angle
obtained from fatigue curves in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Con-
sider, for instance, 4V2-in. drill pipe subjected to
79,000-lb tension. Point J in Fig. 6 indicates that the
dog-leg angle should not exceed 1.67 In corrosive and 0
•

the change of angle of pipe between these points is

somewhat smaller than the change of hole angle. How- OOG·LEG ANGLE DEGREES
ever, except for very small tensions, the difference be- o 05 10 15 20 25 30

tween the two is negligible; and, for all practical pur- I

poses, it may be stated that the pipe is parallel to the !o-
2
wall of the hole at Land M. i-"
3
Thus, if the change of hole angle between the 30-ft 4
..,
stations is the same in Figs. 1a and Ib, then the pipe '"
Q
50
""i-" 5 ~
~r.-
is subjected to exactly the same conditions in both
cases-( 1) only the tool joint (and not the drill pipe) ~ ". 6\5
7:;;
"-
o ,~
is in contact with the wall of the hole, and (2) at '"
'" <t' 8"-
\5
15 ft, both above and below the tool joint the pipe is ~ 100 ~
..., 9",
"5'"
. .
subjected to the same tensions in the same directions. :::! Q
g Io~
In other words, for 30-ft spacing assuming an abrupt
dog-leg is neither more nor less exacting than assuming z
o·
.
:z:
....
~ .i.-
.'?\'?~
I15
2;=
'"
a gradual and long one. ~ /!{ I
..,ii... 150
~Ni k'Q~\" " I3~
I

Consider now the same change of hole angle as :g. '" ~.'~ I4~ ..,
il ~;
..
previously, but with a longer spacing, such as 45 ft. 9~
.~~\> I5'"
Then, assuming an abrupt dog-leg results in the same 0 ;:: o~
bending conditions as previously. On the other hand, '" ~ ~<J~~
I6

assuming a gradual and long dog-leg results in less

severe effects because the same change of angle occurs
200
H "'"
II .
.-{~v 7
I8
I
I I 19
over a longer distance. Therefore, for spacings greater
than 30 ft assuming an abrupt dog-leg results in more
IN CORROSIVE MUDS REDUCE DOG-LEG ANGLE TO A FIIACTIOIl
severe conditions than assuming a gradual and long one. 10.1 FOR VERY SEVERE CONDITIONS) OF VALUE INDIGATEO BY
Conversely, for spacings smaller than 30 ft, assuming FATIGUE CURVE.
an abrupt dog-leg results in less severe conditions than FIG. 5-ABRUPT DOG·LEG-DOG·LEG ANGLE VS
assuming a gradual and long one. TENSION FOR 3V:!·IN., 13.3·LB DRILL PIPE.

178 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 DOG-LEG ANGLE DEGREES DOG-LEG ANGLE DEGREES
05 1.0 1.5 2.0 25 3. LO US 2.0 2.5 3.0
0 o 0.5 o
~'
I

50
B
~~ ...
~~
--- --- 2

50

U>
I ..~-:?V
"' ...... j.
'" 4 '"
Q.

5 0:

~J
o
z 6 I-
5 100
~ "
W
Q. 7 t:'
U. I ~
:../' Q ..
I: 8 to; ",/q
o
U>
o
0°1
"I
•.,
!u 9 ~
"'...
It~
-./

.,~!-
z ;,,/ z
?;~ ~ IO~
~ _oc_ l.;:!
ISO 0 ~
::>
o &1 /f 'Q~"
::>
o
~.t
:I:
-4 '" 'i: f--lf
l-

Z
o
I
'C8/
!./ Ai5
i::
~17"
f)'<;'
'"
~2
I
.:,
o j ~f!f • "V''i~
I

1/
~ IS
"'/
.. • Q~\""
",0
~ 200 I3 ~ 0
Q''<i',
"'
I- -{p"" I41-
UJ .,<Ii ~ ~

.//
"
I5

I6
250
it
_.0
OJ
ji'f
!!
~-
~ '"
i?!Q~
o~
I -
",~'I'<:>'"
I5
I6
250 ---.B.

rv

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/ I
I7
300
. .~"1-- 11

IN CORROSIVE MUDS REDUCE DOG-LEG ANGLE TO A FRACTION

I8
,t 18
(0.6 FOR VERY SEVERE CONDITIONS) OF VALUE INDICATED BY 19
FATIGUE CURVE.
IN CORROSIVE MUDS REDUCE DOG-LEG ANGLE TO A FRACTION
FIG. 6-ABRUPT DOG-LEG-DOG-LEG ANGLE VS (0.6 FOR VERY SEVERE CONDITIONS) OF VALUE INDICATED BY
TENSION FOR 4Y2-IN., 16.6-LB DRILL PIPE. FATIGUE CURVE.

FIG. 7-ABRUPT DOG-LEG-DOG·LEG ANGLE VS

severe-corrosive conditions, one might reduce this value TENSION FOR 5-IN., 19.5·LB DRILL PIPE.
to 1.67 X 0.8 = 1.34 and 1.67 X 0.6 = 1.00 re-0 0

spectively. "increasing dog-legs". Conversely, Fig. 9 is for "decreas-

ing dog-legs".
In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are also drawn curves indicated
"Yielding of Grade E Drill Pipe". For conditions rep- In all cases if there is an abrupt dog-leg between
resented by points located to the right of these curves, two stations and if the distance between the stations is
the pipe would take a permanent set and would fail very less than 2P (see Figs. 8 and 9), then the change of
quickly if rotated. These curves show that the greater angle obtained from the two surveys will be less than
the dog-leg angle, the smaller is the tensile load for the dog-leg angle. In other words, the condition might
which yielding will occur. actually be more severe than indicated by surveys. For
instance, if Fig. 6 indicates that dog-leg angles up to
SURVEY ERRORS 1.69 0 could be tolerated, then a value somewhat less
Inclinometer and directional surveys generally are not than 1.69°-namely, t X 1.69 where t is a fraction-
run in the open hole but, rather, inside drill collars. might have to be imposed for the maximum permissible
Because of their stiffness, drill collars do not follow dog-leg angle. The fraction t, which will be called
the hole contour exactly. For instance, the shape of "correction factor", depends upon the following para-
collars bent in an abrupt dog-leg may be as shown in meters: collar size, survey spacing, dog-leg angle, collar-
Figs. 8 or 9. Fig. 8 is for cases when hole inclination to-hole clearance and hole inclination; it also depends
increases with depth and which will be referred to as on whether the dog-leg is increasing or decreasing.

FIG. 8-ABRUPT INCREASING DOG·LEGS-(a) COMPRESSION WITH SMALL CLEARANCE OR TENSION WITH ANY
CLEARANCE; (b) COMPRESSION WITH LARGE CLEARANCE; (c) TENSION WITH LARGE CLEARANCE IN NEARLY
VERTICAL HOLE.

FEBRUARY, 1961 179


(0) (bl
FIG. 9-ABRUPT DECREASING DOG·LEGS-(a) TENSION OR COMPRESSION WITH SMALL CLEARANCE; (b) TENSION
OR COMPRESSION WITH LARGE CLEARANCE; (c) COMPRESSION WITH LARGE CLEARANCE; (d) COMPRESSION
WITH LARGE CLEARANCE.
The values of the correction factor f for 30-ft spaced
surveys are given in Figs. 10 through 13 for four sizes
of drill collars. In all these graphs, f is plotted vs the
dog-leg angle. Each figure contains three sections de-
noted a, band c. Sections a and c must be used for
increasing dog-legs, and Sections band c for decreasing
dog-legs.
Use of these graphs will be illustrated with the follow-
ing example. It is desired to determine the maximum
permissible change of angle between two 30-ft-apart
surveys at a depth in which the tension in 4Vz in. drill
pipe could reach 79,000 lb. The drilling mud is not
corrosive. At that depth, hole deviation is increasing
with depth (the average deviation being 50 and surveys
are made inside 61,4 -in. drill collars in 7% -in. hole.
The problem is solved as follows. From Fig. 6, Point
J (61,4 -in. drill collars, 79,000 lb), we obtain 1.67 0 for
the maximum permissible change of angle. From Fig.
Ila, Point N (6 1,4-in. drill collars~ 1.67", hole inclina-
tion 50, increasing with depth), we obtain f = 0.46.
From Fig. llc, Point P (61,4 -in. drill colIars, 1.67
7% -in. hole), we obtain f = 0.80. As explained in
the Appendix, of the two obtained values 0.46 and 0.80,
the largest must be used. Thus, the correction factor f
is equal to 0.80, and the corrected value of the maxi-
mum permissible change of angle becomes 0.80 X 1.67
= 1.34 0 • * The surveying instruments indicate angles
within 1,4 o. Thus, the value of 1.34 0 will be replaced
0
by the closest multiple of 1,4 a smalIer than 1.34 i.e., ,
by 11,4 o.
As survey readings are made within more-or-less ±
lis 0, the difference of two readings (i.e., the change
of angle between two surveys) is within ± 1,4 o. There-
fore, in this example the obtained value of 11,4 0 becomes
11,4 - 1,4 = 10. Thus, the maximum permissible
change of angle between two 30-ft-apart survey stations
is 10.*
'These numbers are example numbers in the heavy rectangle in
Table 1.
180
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(e) (d)
Repeating the same operations for several tensions
and several hole inclinations, Table 1 was prepared.
These tensions correspond to several depths between
4,000 ft and an assumed total depth of 12,000 ft. The
tension at a depth is equal to the weight in 10 lbl gal
mud of 810 ft of drill collars (62,000 Ib) and the por-
tion of drill pipe equipped with tool joints suspended
below that depth after the hole reaches the total depth.
At the depth of 10,000 ft the tension is 79,000 lb,
which is the value used in the preceding example. The
results of the calculations set out in detail in that ex-
ample are given in the heavy rectangle in Table 1. The
upper line would contain a correction factor obtained
from Fig. 11 a, if this factor were greater than the
factor f = 0.80 obtained from Fig. llc, and written
in the fourth column of the table.
In preparing the curves of the correction factor f in
Figs. 10 through 13, it has been assumed that the drill
collars are subjected to zero tension. In other words,
the results are correct if the dog-leg is close to the
0
, bottom of the already-drilled hole. If, on the other hand,
the dog-leg is located higher in the collar string and the
instrument is run on a wire line, then the correction
factors are somewhat greater than those indicated. In
other words, in such cases Figs. 10 through 13 give
somewhat conservative results.
Figs. 10 through 13 are for abrupt dog-legs. On the
other hand, in long and gradual dog-legs there would
be no correction factor; i.e., f would be equal to one.
Therefore, in a somewhat rounded dog-leg the correc-
tion factors would be greater than in an abrupt dog-
leg and, for this reason too, the graphs are on a con-
servative side.
In the event surveys are made inside drill pipe, then
because of drill-pipe flexibility under tension, there is
no need for a correction factor.
The smaller the correction factor f, the smaller is
the maximum tolerable change of angle between two
surveys. In other words, the conditions are better when
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
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FIG, IO-CORRECTION FACTOR f FOR FIG, ll-CORRECTION FACTOR f FOR FIG. I2-CORRECTION FACTOR f FOR FIG, I3-CORRECTION FACTOR f FOR
8Va-IN, DRILL COLLARS_ 30-FT SPAC- 6%,-IN. DRILL COLLARS, 30-FT SPAC- 8 IN. DRILL COLLARS, 30·FT SFAC- ll-IN. DRILL COLLARS, 30·FT SP AC-
ING-fa) INCLINATIONS INCREASING ING-(a) INCLINATIONS INCREASING ING-(a) INCLINATIONS INCREASING ING-(a) INCLINATIONS INCREASING
WITH DEPTH; (b) INCLINATIONS DE- WITH DEPTH; (b) INCLINATIONS DE· WT'lH DEPTH; (b) INCLINATIONS DE· WITH DEPTH; (b) INCLINATIONS DE-
CREASiNG WITH DEPTH: (e) f FOR CREASING WITH DEPTH: (e) f FOR CREASING WITH DEPTH; te) I FOR CREASING WITH DEPTH; (e) f FOR
VARIOUS HOLE SIZES, VARIOUS HOLE SIZES, VARIOUS HOLE SIZES, VARIOUS HOLE SIZES.

:0
~
 TABLE I-EXAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS OF THE MAXIMUM CHANGE OF ANGLE BETWEEN 30-FT SPACED SURVEYS TO
PREVENT DRILL-PIPE FATIGUE FAILUR"S
4%-in., lc.6-lb/ft Drill Pipe. Total Depth 12,000 ft.
810 :t of 6·/.-in. Drill Collars. 7'/.-in. Hole.
Correction
Readings Foctor f
for 4 1/2-in. (Collar-to-
Average Inclination
Drill Pipe Hole
Depth Tension From Fig. 6 Clearance Inclination Decreases With Depth Inclination Increases With Depth
(Ft) (Thou,. Lb) (a) 15fa-in.) 30° 20° 10° 5° 3° 1° 1° 5° 10-0--20° 30°
3°
4,000 169 --0.9-7- 0.b05 1 1 0.94 0.84 0.75 0.56 0.54 0.66 0.79 0.86
0.97 0.97 0.97 0.82 0.12 0.54 0.49 0.49 0.53 0.64 0.77 0.84
V2° 112° %0 '12° V2° '12° %0 V2° 112° '12° %0 %0
5,000 154 1.06 0.545 1 1 0.96 0.83 0.73 0.55 0.65 0.78 0.85
1.06 1.06 1.01 0.88 0.77 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.69 0.82 0.90
0;.0 0;.0 3/",0 %0 %0 '12° '12° '12° 1f20 '12° '12° V2°
6,000 139 1.15 0.59 1 1 0.94 0.81 0.72 0.63 0.76 0.83
1.15 1.15 1.08 0.93 0.82 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.72 0.87 0.95
0;.0 3/4
0 0;.0 '12° V2° %0 V2° '12° thO '12° '12° %0
7,000 124 1.26 0.64 'j I 0.92 0.79 0.70 0.74 0.81
1.26 1.26 1.16 1.00 0.88 0.81 0.81 0.81 0.81 0.81 0.93 1.02
1° 1° 3/",0 3/" 0 112° %0 112° 112° '12° V,o V2° 3/4
0

8,000 109 1.37 0.685 I 1 0.91 0.78 0.73 0.80

1.37 1.37 1.24 1.06 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 1 1.09
1° 1° 3/4
0 0;.0 %0 '12° V2° 1ho '12° '12° 0;.0 3/4
0

9,000 94 1.51 0.74 1 1 0.89 0.76 0.78

1.51 1.51 1.34 1.14 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1. 12 1.12 1.12 1.17

r
0 0 0 0 0 0 %0 0 0
11/. ° 11/4
0
1° 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4
10,000 79 1.67 0.80 1 1 0.87

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1.67 1.67 1.45 1.34 1.34 1.34 1.34 1.34 11.34 1.34 1.34 1.34
11/. 0
IV." 1° 1° 1° 1° 1° 1° 10 10 1° l'
11,000 64 1.91 0.87 I 0.97
1.91 1.86 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66
1 112
0
1112° 11/4
0
1 V", 0 1114° P/.4° IV4 <.> 11/4 ° 1V4° 11/4
0
11/. ° 11/. °
"'For the meaning of these numbers l
see footnote on page 180.

f is as large as possible. Figs. 10 through 13 show that
f is larger in packed than in nonpacked holes, in more-
inclined than in less-inclined holes and, for equal incli-
nations, in holes whose inclination decreases rather than
increases with depth.
FORCE ON TOOL JOINTS
Fatigue failures are not the only drilling troubles due
to dog-legs. Another kind of trouble occurs due to the
fact that in a dog-leg an appreciable force develops be-
tween the drilling string and the wall of the hole or
casing (see Fig. 1). This force is responsible for the
following troubles.
1. Wear of tool joints and drill pipe.
2. Keyseats in the wall of the hole.
3. Grooves in the casing made by tool joints during
round trips. Such grooves decrease casing resistance to
both collapse and burst, thus contributing to future
failures. In some cases, the groove penetrates through
the entire thickness of casing, causing failure before
drilling is completed.
Curves indicated "2,000 lb on Tool Joint" are plotted
in Fig. 5, 6 and 7. Point Q in Fig. 6 indicates (for
instance) that for a 411z -in. driII pipe subjected to 114,-
OOO-Ib tension, a 1 ° abrupt dog-leg results in a 2,000-lb
force between the tool joint and the wall of the hole.
The force on tool joint is proportional to the dog-leg
angle. Therefore, it would be easy to draw curves cor-
low the surface casing, 411z -in. drill pipe may be sub-
jected to 250,000-lb tension. A hole curvature of
1.5° /100 ft corresponds to a 0.45° change of angle
over a 30-ft interval. Point R in Fig. 6 shows that for
such conditions the force between the tool joint and the
wall is about 2,000 lb. Thus, it may be concluded that
a force of 2,000 Ib should be harmless. In most cases a
greater force could be tolerated.
The National Supply Co. has provided us with reports
describing six cases in which severe dog-legs have re-
suIted in serious damage to tool joints. Metallurgical
evidence indicated that these tool joints must have been
subjected to heating by friction beyond 1,450°F. fol-
lowed by quenching. All the cases occurred in the soft
Gulf Coast formations in which the tool joints most
likely buried themselves in the wall of the hole, thus
making heat dissipation difficult. As directional surveys
were taken, we were able to calculate the lateral force
which developed in the dog-legs between the tool joints
and the wall of the hole. In all cases, these forces were
of the order of 5,000 or 6,000 lb. It is probable that
the troubles would not have occurred had this force
been no greater than 2,000 lb.
When the curve for a 2,000-lb force is used in pre-
paring specifications of the maximum tolerable dog-
leg angle, there is no need to use a correction factor
which would take into account the fact that drill collars
do not exactly conform with the hole geometry. Similar-
ly, 1;4 does not have to be subtracted to take into ac-
0

responding to any value of the force on tool joint.
It is difficult to assign some maximum tolerable value
to the forces between the string and the wall. Such a
value depends upon numerous factors such as abrasive-
ness of formation, abrasiveness of tool-joint surface,
drilling rate, number of round trips, etc.
A tentative but rather conservative value of the
maximum tolerable value of the tool joint-to-wall force
will be determined in the following way. It is recognized
that, below the surface casing, a hole curvature of
1.5° /100 ft never causes any trouble. This holds true
even in deep wells such as 16,000- to 17,000-ft wells
in the Carter-Knox field in Oklahoma in which, be-
count surveying instrumental errors. The reason for this
is that the acceptability of the 2,000-lb force has been
deduced from the observed fact that hole curvatures
up to 1.5°/100 ft do not cause trouble, such hole curva-
tures being measured with all the errors inherent to
surveys.
Table 2 is similar to Table 1. It gives the maximum
change of angle between 30-ft-apart surveys for which
the force between the tool joints and the waIl of the
hole does not exceed 2,000 lb. The composition of the
drilling string and the total depth are the same as in the
example of Table 1. The readings from Fig. 6 are
rounded to the closest smaller multiple of 1;4 o.

182 JOURNAl. OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 FATIGUE FAILURES OF DRILL-COLLAR
CONNECTIONS
As already mentioned, numerous situations (shown
in Figs. 8 and 9) may Occur when drill collars are
located in an abrupt dog-leg. These figures are for in-
creasing and decreasing dog-legs, respectively.
For small collar-to-hole clearances, the situation is as
shown in Fig. 8a (for increasing dog-legs) and in Fig.
9a (for decreasing dog-legs), regardless of whether the
collars are subjected to tension or compression.
For large clearances and increasing dog-legs, the situa-
tion is as shown in Fig. 8a in the case of tension, and
as in Fig. 8b in the case of compression.
For large clearances and decreasing dog-legs, the
situation is as shown in Fig. 9b when drill collars are
subjected to tension or to neither tension nor compres-
sion. On the other hand, in case of compression any
of the situations illustrated in Figs. 9b, 9c and 9d may
occur.
In all the cases described up to now, gravity pulls the
string toward the low side of the hole. Therefore, start-
ing at some distance below and above the dog-leg, the
string lies on the low side of the hole. In a nearly
vertical hole, however, the influence of gravity may be
very weak; with drill collars under tension, a situation
as shown in Fig. 8c rather than Fig. 8b may occur.
The situation of Fig. 8c for drill collars is the same
as the situation of Figs. Ib and 4 for drill pipe. Drill
pipe, however, is so much lighter and more fiexible than
collars that the effects of gravity are negligible, even in
very inclined holes such as 30 This is why the effect
0
• are under tension or compression and of the amount of
of dog-legs on drill pipe depends neither on hole inclina-
tions nor on whether the dog-leg is increasing or decreas-
ing. Hole inclination is not even indicated in Figs. 3, 5,
6 and 7, which pertain to drill pipe.
The weakest points in drill-collar string are connec-
tions. Reasonable estimates of the maximum bending
moments to which drill collars of various sizes may be
subjected without any fatigue were calculated from in-
formation obtained from the Hughes Tool Co. and are
presented in Table 3.
Each connection was chosen to give a well balanced
structure for the particular drill-collar diameter. The
bending moments are based on a fatigue limit of 9,000
psi at the root of the pin thread % in. from the
shoulder. The 9,000-psi value was chosen as a result of
numerous fatigue tests in which 13,000 psi was an
average value but where some failures occurred as low
as 9,000 psi.
As the drilling fluid has no access to the root of the
pin, no corrosion considerations have to be taken into
account.
TABLE 2-EXAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS OF THE MAXIMUM CHANGE OF
ANGLE BETWEEN 30·FT SPACED SURVEYS TO MAINTAIN
LESS THAN 2,000·LB FORCE ON TOOL JOINTS
4';'·in., 16.6·lb/lt Drill Pipe. Total Depth 12,000 ft.
810 It of 6'/4-in. Drill Collars.
Maximum Change of
Depth Tension Angle in Degrees
(ft) (Ib) From Fig. 6
4,000 169000 ---'h---
5,000 154,000 3/.
6,000 139,000 % dog-leg depth and a is the cross-sectional area of the collar wall.
7,000 124,000 3f4
8,000 109,000 1 minu'S pa. The meaning of the expression "neither tension nor com-
9,000 94,000 1 pression" is that the compression is equal to pa, which is the con-
10,000 79,000 11/4
11,000 64,000 13/.
FEBRUARY, 1961
TABLE 3-ESTIMATES OF MAXIMUM BENDING MOMENTS TO WHICH DRILL
COLLARS OF VARIOUS SIZES MAY BE SUBJECTED
WITHOUT ANY CONNECTIONS FATIGUE
Drill-Collar Size (in.) and Type Bending Moment for
00 (in.) Connection Fatigue (Ib) Failure
11 8% H-90-- -1~5i5,~
8 6% Reg. 597,000
6'/4 4';' Full Hole 284,000
4V. 7
2 / . I. F. 70,600
For each of these collar sizes, calculations were made
of the abrupt dog-leg angle for which the connections
are subjected to a bending moment causing fatigue
failure_ This dog-leg angle is a function of the follow-
ing parameters: collar-to-hole clearance, amount of ten-
sion or compression to which the collars are subjected
in the dog-leg, hole inclination and whether this inclina-
tion increases or decreases with depth.
As already explained in regard to the drill pipe, these
calculated values of the dog-leg angle first must be
multiplied by a correction factor f. and then decreased
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by Y4 to obtain the maximum difference of angle be-
0
tween two surveys for which no fatigue of drill-collar
connections should occur.
This maximum difference of angle is plotted for four
drill-collar sizes in Figs. 14 through 17 vs the average
hole inclination at two 30-ft-apart stations, both for in-
creasing and decreasing dog-legs. Each figure comprises
several sections (denoted a, b, c, etc.) corresponding to
different hole sizes. Various curves are for various values
of tension or compression. *
Fig. 15a shows that in a packed hole the maximum
difference of angle to avoid collar-connection fatigue
failures is practically independent of whether the collars
tension or compression. This graph also shows that the
phenomena are independent of hole inclination and of
whether this inclination increases or decreases with depth
in the dog-leg. In all cases, 6Y4 -in. drill collars may
stand up to 1 difference of angle.
0
To investigate the effects of moderate drill collar-to-
wall clearances, Fig. 15b (which is for a His-in. clear-
ance) will be used. Starting from above, the five curves
are listed in the following order-large compression,
small compression, zero compression, small tension and
large tension. This leads to the following conclusion. The
greater the compression (i.e., the greater the weight on
bit), the smaller become the odds of drill-collar-con-
nection failures. This is rather unexpected. A visual
although non-rigorous explanation is that the greater
the compression, the easier it becomes for pipe to be
bent around a corner. Another conclusion is that tension
is worse than compression. When rotating with the bit
off bottom, the upper portion of the drill-collar string
is subjected to a tension equal to almost the entire
weight of collars. If this portion is in a dog-leg, it suffers
more from fatigue than any point on the collar string
while drilling, regardless of dog-leg location. One should
avoid rotating drill collars in a severe dog-leg under
high tension. If, for instance, a severe dog-leg is located
at the level of the upper portion of the collar string and
it is necessary to rotate with the bit off bottom for any
appreciable length of time, one should consider pulling
*The meaning of the word "tension" in this paper is the actual
tension plus pa, where p is the static drilling-fluid pressure at the
Similarly. the meaning of "compression" is the actual compression
dition at the neutral point. It is proved in Refs. 9, 10 and 11 that
bending depends upon tensions and compressions as defined herein.
183
the string several stands off bottom to decrease the ten- Figs. 15c and 15f are used for greater collar-to-hole
sion in the dog-leg, thus prolonging drill-collar life. clearances, namely, 2~ and 6 in., respectively. For
In the right-hand half of Fig. 15b, the curves are 2% -in. clearance, all the conclusions reached for a
almost horizontal, straight lines. This means that, in lo/s -in. clearance still hold true except for very large
dog-legs in which the inclination Illcrcases with depth, compressions (i.e., for the 8,000-lb/in.-of-hole-diameter
dog-legs of equal angles have the same effect on fatigue curve). For a 6-in. clearance, several other exceptions
of collar connections, regardless of hole inclination. In appear. It becomes very difficult to draw any conclusions
other words, a 1 dog-leg in a 20 inclined hole is no
0 0 except that, for both large tensions and large compres-
0
worse than a 1 dog-leg in a nearly vertical hole. sions, even small changes of angle result in fatigue of
collar connections. Figs. 14e and 14f show that the
On the other hand, in the left-hand half of the situation is even much worse for small (4Vs -in.) collars.
graph, the curves corresponding to tension are sloping In any event, it is recommended that no drilling be done
down to the left. This means that, in dog-legs in which under such conditions. If it were necessary, however, to
the inclination decreases with depth, dog-legs of the drill large holes with small collars, then the weight on
same angle are worse in very inclined holes than in bit anu the weight of collars should be small.
holes which are closer to vertical. The previously stated
conclusion that tension is worse than compression, so It has been explained in the drill-pipe section of this
far as dog-leg effects on drill-collar connections are paper that there is a limiting value of survey spacing
concerned, holds true to an even greater extent for dog- such that, for any spacing greater than the limiting
value, more severe conditions result from assuming an

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legs in which the inclination decreases with depth than
in holes in which the inclination builds up with depth. abrupt dog-leg rather than a long and gradual dog-leg.
For drill-pipe, this limiting value was 30 ft due to tool

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S 1NCt...NA.1lON DECREASES ~ INCfIIEASES
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(e) 9" HOLE If) 9-f' HOLE (e) IOf' HOLE (f) 12+' HOLE

FIG. 14---MAXIMUM DIFFERENCE OF ANGLE OVER A FIG. IS-MAXIMUM DIFFERENCE OF ANGLE OVER A
30-FT INTERVAL TO AVOID DRILL-COLLAR-CONNEC- 30-FT IN fERVAL TO A VOID DRILL-COLLAR-CONNEC-
TION FATIGUE FAILURES, 4Ys-IN. COLLARS. POSITIVE nON FATIGUE FAILURES, 6%,-IN. COLLARS. POSITIVE
1> = TENSION AND NEGATIVE 1> = COMPRESSION, 1> = TENSION AND NEGATIVE 1> = COMPRESSION,
BOTH IN POUNDS PER INCH OF HOLE DIAMETER. BOTH IN POUNDS PER INCH OF HOLE DIAMETER.

llJ.l. JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLO(;Y

Jomt spacing. On the other hand, this limiting value is In other cases, results such as the following have
variable for drill collars and depends on the size of been obtained: maximum difference of angle for 30-ft
collars, size of hole, hole inclination, dog-leg angle and spacing, 134 for 20-ft, 1 and for 15-foot, 1Iz o. In
0
;
0
;

the amount of tension or compression. This limiting such case, a shorter spacing than 30 ft is not useful;
value is frequently less than 30 ft. Because it would not consider, for instance, a 15-ft spacing. Two times 1Iz 0

be practical to use a variety of spacings, computations still is less than the 134 allowed over a 30-ft interval.
0

of the maximum difference of angle to avoid collar- It has been found that spacings shorter than 30 ft
connection fatigue failures were made not only for 30- are useful only for small collars (such as 4Vs in.) and
ft spacings, but also for 20- and 15-ft spacings. In in packed holes for medium-size collars (such as 6 YI
the calculations either an abrupt or a gradual dog-leg and 8 in.). For these cases, values of the maximum
was assumed, whichever corresponded to more severe change of angle to avoid fatigue failures of drill-collar
effects. connections are given in Table 4 for 30-, 20- and 15-ft
In some cases, results such as the following have spacings.
been obtained: maximum difference of angle for 30-ft Comparison of Figs. 14a, 15a, 16a and 17a shows
spacing, 1 0 ; for 20-ft, 1 0 ; and for 15-ft, 3,4 o. In such an that for equal clearances the maximum permissible
event, taking a shorter spacing than 30 ft could be use- difference of angle between two 30-ft surveys may be
ful. On the basis of a 30-ft interval, for instance, a less for larger-diameter collars than for smaller ones.
difference of 1 V2 would be unacceptable. However, if
0 It should not be concluded, however, that large-diameter
an intermediate survey indicates that over each of the collars are less desirable. On the contrary, drilling with

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15-ft sub-intervals the difference is only 34 the hole 0
, larger (i.e., stiffer) collars is better because it must
actually would be acceptable. actually result in less severe dog-legs.

INCI..WATION DECREASES INCUIATQI N:AEASES INCI..WATION DECREASES INCLWlTION INCREASES

WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH
WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH
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IlllERAGE HOLE INCUMUlN, DBiREES AVERAGE HOLE INCLINATKlN, DBiREES .tIIEIWIE HOLE INCI.JIMTION, DBlAEES

(0) 8 ~'
8 HOLE (b) 9" HOLE 7
9'8
11
(e) HOLE

INCI..WATION DECREASES INCLtiATQI INCREASES

WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH
WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH
3

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AVERAGE HOLE INCLINATION, DEGREES .tIIEIWlE HOLE INCUNATION, DBlAEES

(d) 10 ~" HOLE (e) 12~" HOLE

FIG. 16-MAXIMUM DIFFERENCE OF ANGLE OVER A 30-FT INTERVAL TO AVOID DRILL-COLLAR-CONNECTION
FATIGUE FAILURES, 8-IN. COLLARS. POSITIVE <I> = TENSION AND NEGATIVE <p = COMPRESSION, BOTH IN
POUNDS PER INCH OF HOLE DIAMETER.

FEBRUARY, 1961 185

 ~INCUNATION DECREASES INCLINATION INCREASES INCl.WATION DECREASES INCLf4ATION INCREASES
WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH WITH DEPTH
3 3
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I -~
:
:
0 I I i
20 10 0 10 20 30 30 20 10 o 10 20 30
AVERAGE HOLE INCLINATION. DEGREES AVERtIGE HOLE INCLINATION, DEGREES

(a) ll%-IN. HOLE (b) 1214-IN. HOLE

FIG. 17-MAXIMUM DIFFERENCE OF ANGLE OVER A 30-FT INTERVAL TO AVOID DRILL-COLLAR-CONNECTION

FATIGUE FAILURES, ll-IN. COLLARS. POSITIVE <I> = TENSION AND NEGATIVE <I> = COMPRESSION, BOTH IN
POUNDS PER INCH OF HOLE DIAMETER.

MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CHANGE OF ANGLE
The maximum permissible change of angle is ob-
tained by choosing the smallest of the three following
values: the one for drill-pipe fatigue, the one for
2,000-lb-on-tool-joint force or the one for fatigue of
drill-collar connections.
Consider the example with which Table 1 for drill
pipe has been prepared. Combining Tables 1 and 2
with Fig. 15b leads to the choice of several possible
conclusions, two of which are given as follows.
1. Table 1 remains valid except that, for inclinations
of 20 0 and 30 0 decreasing with depth, the values Ilfi1 0
and 1Y2 must be replaced by 10.
0 drill-collar connections. It should be realized, however,
2. Table 1 remains valid except that, for inclinations
0
of 20 and 30 decreasing with depth, the values of
0
nections are subjected to a certain number of revolu-
tions, say a few tens of thousands, during which the
steel is subjected to fatigue. However, fatigue failures
generally occur after a much greater number of revolu-
tions, say several million. Therefore, the detrimental
effects of fatigue are not noticeable immediately. They
simply result in shortening the life of either drill pipe
or drill-collar connections. It is believed that the prac-
tices proposed in this paper should result in appreciable
savings due to longer life of drill pipe and drill-collar
connections.
For dog-legs which are far from the total anticipated
depth, fatigue is more severe on drill pipe than on
that pipe fatiguing occurs only when the drill pipe is
under full tension, i.e., when drilling close to total

depth. Therefore, one could contemplate accepting a

1 Y2 0 must be replaced by Ilfi1 0, and the following re-
mark is added. "Whenever the change of angle over a
30-ft interval is greater than lOin a hole whose in-
0
clination is greater than 10 and decreasing with depth,
drill collars must not be rotated for any prolonged
period of time under full tension in the dog-leg".
Using Method 2, the example in Table 5 of the maxi-
mum permissible change of angle over a 30-ft interval
has been prepared.
Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17 are for 4Ys-, 6lfi1-, 8- and
ll-in. drill collars, respectively. Consider some other
collar size such as, for instance, 7 in. Then, the best
procedure first is to prepare tables similar to Table 5
for 6 1,4 - and 8-in. collars and, thereafter using inter-
mediate results, make a table for 7-in. collars.
Most of the maximum changes of angle in Table 5
were obtained from fatigue considerations. For greater
changes of angle, either drill pipe or drill-collar con-
greater change of angle than indicated in Tables 1 and
5 if some lengths of drill pipe (namely, those located
in the dog-leg toward the end of drilling) were marked
and later discarded from heavy-duty operations.
For dog-legs which are close to the total anticipated
depth, the most fatigue occurs in drill-collar connec-
tions. In these cases, however, one could also accept
greater changes of angle than indicated in Table 5, if
drill collars are removed from the string after the dog-
leg is found and later added one-by-one so as to have
them rotating only below the dog-leg, as is done now
in directional drilling.
If a greater change of angle than indicated in Tables
2 and 5 results in a tool joint-to-wall force greater than
2,000 lb, then (as already explained) this too could
often be acceptable. Therefore, Table 5 should be con-
sidered as an ideal requirement, from which several
exceptions might be tolerated.

186 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 TABLE 4-MAXIMUM CHANGE OF ANGLE BETWEEN SURVEY STATIO NS TO AVOID FATIGUE FAILURES OF DRILL-COLLAR CONNECTIONS
FOR 30-, 20- AND 15-FT SPACINGS·
Tension (Pos_)
or Compression Average Indinotion**
Collar Hole (Neg_1 (Thous_
Size Size Clear_ Lb/ln_ of Inclination Decreases With Depth Inclination Increases With Depth
(In_1 (In_1 (In_) Hole Diameter) 30° 20° 10° 0" 1O" :20" 30·
4Va 4% % 8 % (34) [%1 1~-(%}[%1 1 (1 1[%1 11/, (1 1[%1 1'/, (1 1[%1 11/, (1 I [ %1 1'/, (1 I[ %1
4 1 (1 )[ %1 1 (1 I [ %1 1'14 (1 ) [%1 11/, (1 1[%1 1'/, (1 I[ %1 1'14 (1 ) [1 1 1'/, (1 I [1 ]
]1/. (1 '14) [1 1 11/. (I';.) [1 1 11/. (11/.1 [1 1 1'14 (1'14) [1 1 1'14 (1'141 [1 1 1'14 (1 '141 [1 1 11/. (I'!.) [1 1
°
-4
-8
1'14 (]1M [1 ]
1'14 (]I;.) [1 ]
1'14
1'14
(11/.) [1 ]
(1 V.) [1 ]
]1/,
]1/,
(1 '14) [1 ]
(]I!.) [1 ]
11/.
11/,
(11/,1 [1 ]
(IV.) [1 ]
11/,
1 V.
(11/,) [1 1
(]I;.) [1 1
1'/,
1'/,
(1'/.)
(11/.1
[1 1
[1 ]
11/.
11/,
(1';.) [1 ]
(1'/41 [1 ]
4'/. 61/. 2 8 % ( %) [ 1/21 % ( %) [ 1/21 1'/. (1 )
4 1 (1 I[ %1 1 (1 1[%] 1'14 (1 I [ 3/4 ] 1'12 (1 '14)
1'/. (]I;.) [1 ] 1'12 (1 V.) [1 ]
-4
-8
° 2 (1%1
1 V. (I';.) [1 ]
2 (1%1
]1/. (P/.I [ 3/.]
41/. 6% 2% 8 3/. ( %1 [ '121 % (%1 [ '12]
4 314 ( %1 [ %1 1 (1 )[ %1 11/. (1 I[ %1
P/. (]I;.) [1 ] l'h(1V.I[1 ]
-4
-8
° 1% (11/2) [1 1
1 (1 1[%]
1% (PhI [1 ]
1 (1 Il %1 1'14 (1 1[%]
41/. 7'/. 3% 8 %( %) ['121 % ( %) [ '12] % (%) [ '121
4 3/. ( %1 [ %1 1 (1 )l %1 1'14 [%1
11/. (P!.) [1 ] 1'12 (1'14) [1 ]
-4
-8
° 1 (1 ) [ 314]
'12 ( 'h) [ '121
11/. (1 'I.) 11 ]
% ( %) [ '12]
6'/. 7 % 8
4 (1 )[ %1 (1 ) [ %] (1 ) [ 3/.1 (1 )[ %1 (1 )[ %1 (1 I[ %1 (1 ) [ 3/.]
(1 1[%] (1 )[ %1 (1 )[ %1 (1 )[ %1 (1 )[ %1 (1 ) [ 3/.] (1 ) [ 3/.]
°

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-4 (1 )[ %1 (1 )[ %] (1 I[ %1 (1 )[ %] (1 )[ %] (1 )[ %1 (1 ) [ 314]
-8 (1 ) [ 3/.1 (1 ) [ %1 (1 )[ %1 (1 ) [ %1 (1 ) [ %1 (1 ) [ %] (1 ) [ 3/.]
8 8% % 8
%( %) % ( 3/.1 3/. ( %) %( %) %( %)
-4
"
0
%( %)
% (
%(
3/.)
%)
3/. ( "/.) % (
%(
3/.)
%)
%(
% (
%)
'I.)
% ( 3/.)
% ( %)
3/. ( "/.1
3/. ( 3/.)
"14 ( ".41
-8 %( %) %( %) 3/. ( %) %( %) %( %) 3/. ( 3/.) 3/. ( "/.)
*For complete 30-ft Spacing Information, see Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17.
··Numbers in parentheses ( ) are for 20-ft spacing; those in brackets [ ] are fOI 15-ft spacings.

For small tensions, the fatigue curve and the yield-
ing curve in Figs_ 5, 6 and 7 are far apart. The distance
between these two curves decreases with increasing
tension and becomes very small for large tensions_
This means that, for very large tensions, failure should
occur very fast if operating in conditions represented by
points located to the right of the fatigue curve, and
dog-legs causing drill-pipe fatigue should never be
tolerated_
BEAM PUMPING TROUBLES DUE TO DOG-LEGS
Some beam pumping troubles probably are due to
dog-legs_ Frequently, however, troubles such as rod-on-
TABLE 5-EXAMPLE OF MAXIMUM CHANGE OF ANGLE BETWEEN 30-FT
SPACED SURVEYS TO PREVENT FATIGUE FAILURES OF BOTH DRILL
PIPE AND DRILL-COLLAR CONNECTIONS, AND TO KEEP THE
TOOL JOINT-TO-WALL FORCE WITHIN 2,000 LB_
4'h-in_, 16_6-lb/ft Drill Pipe_ Total Depth 12,000 ft_
81.1 ft of 6V.-in_ Drill Collars_ 7'/s-in_ Hole_
Depth Interval For Inclinations
(ft) Increasing With Depth Decreasing With Depth
4,000- 5,000 Ih o liz 0
5,000- 6,000 thO 1/2 0 for (nelns.
6,000- 7,000 thO
thO
7,000- 8,000
tubing wear or excessive friction interfering with effi-
ciency are attributed to crooked holes, while they are
actually due to buckling of tubing." In any event, it
is believed that dog-legs should cause no beam pump-
ing troubles if the changes of hole angle are within
the limits recommended in this paper.
SPACING BETWEEN SURVEYS
Let us now seek answers to the following frequently
asked questions. How close should surveying stations
be? Should surveys be directionAl?
With a very large survey spacing, such as 400 ft,
some dog-legs could remain undetected because between
surveys the hole inclination could first increase and
then decrease. Similarly, nondirectional surveys could
miss detecting dog-legs due to a change in the direc-
tion of the well, which often happens when drilling
through an unconformity_ On the other hand, such
dog-legs would always be detected with 30-ft spaced
For Inclinations
directional surveys, but this is expensive_ E. P_ Rosser,
Noble Drilling Coo, pointed out at a recent API Mid-
up to 100 Continent Study Committee meeting that, in Central
3/4
0
for (nelns.
betwn. 10° and 30°
Oklahoma, surveying costs are often as high as $.50/ft
112 0 for (nelns. for rig-time only_ Therefore, the decision regarding the
up to 100
3/4
0
for (nelns.
surveying interval and the fact of whether surveys
betwn. 10° and 30° should or should not be directional must be based on a
1/2 for Inelns.
0

up to 5° compromise between a risk of trouble and the cost to

0
3/4 for )nelns. prevent the trouble_
betwn. 5° and 30°
8,000- 9,000 112 for inclinations
0 112 0 for Inelns. If no unconformities are expected, inclinometer sur-
up to 20° up fo 5°
3/4
0
for inclinations 3/4
0
for Inelns. veys only (and not directional ones) should be taken_
betwn. 20° and 30° betwn. 5° and 20 0
1" for Inelns. If past experience indicates that no dog-leg troubles
betwn 20° and 3O" should be expected and that bit footages are not ex-
0
9,000-10,000 3/.° 3/4 for Inelns.
up to 100 tremely long, one survey per round trip could suffice_
1" for )nelns.
betwn_ 10" and 30° On the other hand, if crooked hole formations are
10,000-11,000 1" 1° for Inel"s.
up to 20 0 expected, directional surveys and1or more frequent sur-
11/4°* for IncIns. veys than one per round trip could be requested. How-
betwn 20° and 3O"
11 ,000-12,000 1'14" 11/4 0 for Inelns. ever, it is hoped that one survey per round trip will
up to 10°
I1f4°* for Inelns. suffice in most cases if used in conjunction with a
betwn. 100 and 30° practice proposed herein_
*Fnr these conditions, drill collars must not be rotated for any prolonged
period of time under full tension in the dog-leg. This practice consists of preparing in advan,,:. · .:11

FEBRUARY, 1961 187

drilling a table such as the example Table 5, indicating
the maximum permissible change of angle (or change
of the over-all angle if surveys are directional) between
two successive survey stations for various depths and
other conditions. In the examples which follow, this
maximum permissible change of angle will be 1 ° and
the surveys will be nondirectional.
Consider first the following example of two succes-
sive surveys: at 10,100 ft, 13°; and at 10,280 ft, 14°.
As the change of angle is only 1° (14 -13), drilling
may proceed.
Consider now the following example: at 10,100 ft,
13°; and at 10,280 ft, 14V2°. This time, the change of
angle is 11/z ° ( 14l1z - 13), which is more than the
maximum permissible value of 1 0. However, this does
not mean that the hole is necessarily unacceptable.
Rather, it means that surveys at intermediate depths
are needed. Assume first that with one intermediate
survey the results are as follows: at 10,100 ft, 13 0; at
10,190 ft, 14°; and at 10,280 ft, 14V2°. Since the
greatest change of angle between two successive surveys
is 1 ° (14 - 13), drilling may proceed.
Second, assume that with one intermediate survey
the results are: at 10,100 ft, 13°; at 10,190 ft, 141;4 0;
and at 10,280 ft, 14V2 0. Since the greatest change of
angle is 11;4 ° (141;4 -13), which is more than the
maximum permissible value of 1 0, additional surveys
must be taken between 10,100 and 10,190 ft, the
shortest interval generally being 30 ft. Assume first that
the results are: at 10,100 ft, 13°; at 10,130 ft, 131;4 0;
at 10,160 ft, 14°; and at 10,190 ft, 141;4 0. As the
greatest change of angle between two successive surveys
is % ° (14-131;4), drilling may proceed.
Second, now assume that the results are: at 10,100
ft, 13°; at 10,130 ft, 141;4 0; at 10,160 ft, 14 1/2°; and
at 10,190 ft, 141;4 0.
At this time the greatest change of angle between two
successive surveys is 11;4 ° (141;4 - 13), which is too
much, the hole must be considered unsatisfactory. It
could be reamed and then surveyed again. In the event
the unsatisfactory condition remains, the hole might
have to be side-tracked.
As already explained in this paper, closer than 30-ft
spacings may be necessary either when 4Ys -in. drill
collars are used or in packed holes with larger collars.
An advantage of the technique explained in the afore-
mentioned examples consists of savings in surveying
costs because short-spaced surveys, such as 30-ft ones,
would be taken only exceptionally.
SHORTCOMINGS OF THE
PROPOSED TECHNIQUE
In the section "Survey Errors", a numerical example
was given pertaining to prevention of drill-pipe fatigue
failures. In that example, 4V2 -in. drill pipe was sub-
jected to 79,000-lb tension, and the calculated maxi-
mum permissible change of angle between two stations
30-ft apart was 1 0.
For larger tensions, calculated values as small as
1;4 ° or even zero may be obtained. On the other hand,
it has been shown in the section entitled "Force on
Tool Joints" that according to field practice a change
of angle of liz ° (0.45° rounded here to 1/2 0) between
188
two 30-ft-apart surveys is generally harmless. One
reason for this contradiction is that several simplifying
assumptions were made, all on the safe side. Among
them, one could mention that the Goodman diagram
used is possibly too conservative; the tension to which
drill pipe is subjected is assumed to be due not only
to its own weight, but also to the weight of drill collars
(actually, except when rotating off bottom, the weight
of collars is applied to the bit); the survey correction
factor due to drill collars' not conforming with hole
geometry was calculated assuming zero tension in the
drill collar at the survey level, which is not always
the case.
Therefore, it seems that whenever a calculated re-
sult is smaller than V2 ° it may be replaced by 1/z By 0.
the same token, it seems that results which are larger
than liz ° are safe and should be used with confidence
even if they are more lenient than present practices.
Use of presently available surveying methods is not
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very suitable for measuring changes of angle over close-
spaced stations, because of inherent errors already ex-
plained in detail in this paper. Development of instru-
ments especially adapted to that purpose could result
in more leniency regarding the changes of hole angle
than through use of the methods proposed in this
paper, based on presently available instruments.
Present surveying methods cannot detect a so-called
"ledge" in the hole (see Fig. 18), which might be as
harmful as a dog-leg. On the other hand, in a hole in
which the angle changes back and forth over short
distances, the calculated conditions might be much
more stringent than the actual situation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author wishes to thank Pan American Petroleum
Corp. for having released this paper to the industry.
He feels particularly grateful to his friends, H. B.
Woods of Hughes Tool Co. and H. M. Rollins of
Drilco Oil Tools, Inc., for their invaluable help and the
appreciable time they were willing to devote to it. In-
formation supplied by H. L. Willke, National Supply
Co., is appreciated. Useful information used in the
paper has been obtained from Eastman Oil Well Sur-
vey Co.
REFERENCES
1. Reedy, H. J.: "Drilling Controls Discarded in Steeply
Dipping Formation", World Oil (Nov., 1958) 147, No.6,
115.
2. Rollins, H. M.: "Are 3° and 50 'Straight Holes' Worth
Their Cost?", Oil and Gas Jour. (Nov. 9, 1959) 57, No.
46, 163.
3. Woods, H. B. and Lubinski, Arthur: "Practical Charts
for Solving Problems on Hole Deviation", Drill. and Prod.
Prac., API (1954) 56.
4. Woods, H. B. and Lubinski, Arthur: "Use of Stabilizers
in Controlling Hole Deviation", Drill. and Prod. Prac., API
(1955) 165.
5. Rollins, H. M.: "Studies of Straight-Hole Drilling Prac-
tices-1952 to 1956", Drill. and Prod. Prac., API (1956) 37.
6. "Hole Inclination-Weight Tables", AAODC Toolpusher's
Manual, 5th Printing (1960).
7. Lubinski, Arthur: "Chart for Determination of Hole Curva-
ture (Dog-Leg Severity)", API Mid-Cont. Dist. Study
Comm. (Oct. 31, 1956) Oklahoma City. Parts reprinted
in: "How to Spot Dog-Legs Early", Oil and Gas Jour_
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
 (Feb. 4, 1957) 55, No.5; "How to Determine Hole Curva- pression to EI(d'y / dX') , the following differential
ture", Pet. Engr. (Feb., 1957) 29, No.2; "How Severe equation of the elastic line is obtained.
Is That Dog-Leg?", World Oil (Feb_ 1, 1957) 144, No.2;
"Dog-Leg Severiiy Can Be Determined by Use of a Chart", d'Y _ K'Y = c + ~X _ Qsin(3 X'. (It)
Drilling (Feb., 1957) 18, No.4. dX' 0 Ef 2EI'
8. Texter, H. G.: "Drill-Pipe Rejects Show Good Service in which
Life", Oil and Gas Jour. (Nov. 10, 1952) 51, No. 27, 100.
9. Lubinski, Arthur: "A Study of the Buckling of Rotary
Drilling Strings", Drill. and Prod. Prac., API (1950) 178. K=~~ (2t)

10. Klinkenberg, A.: "The Neutral Zones in Drill Pipe and It may be checked that the solution of Eq. 1, satisfy-
Casing and Their Significance in Relation to Buckling and ing the boundary conditions at Point 0, is
Collapse", Drill. and Prod. Prac., API (1951) 64.
11. Lubinski, Arthur: "Influence of Tension and Compression Y = _I_[c' (cosh KX-I)
K'
+ So (sinh KX - KX)
on Straightness and Buckling of Tubular Goods in Oil 0

Wells", Proc., API (1951) 31 (IV), 31.

12. Lubinski, Arthur and Blenkarn, K. A.: "Buckling of Tub- + ~ (KX)'] , (3t)
ing in Pumping Wells, Its Effects and Means for Controll-
ing It", Trans., AIME (1957) 210, 73. in which
13. Lubinski, Arthur and Woods, H. B.: "Fractors Affecting 1 Q sin (3
the Angle of Inclination and Dog-legging in Rotary Bore q= K' EI ( 4tc)
Holes", Drill. and Prod. Prac., API (1953) 222.

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/13/02/175/2237450/spe-1543-g-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 18 November 2023

1 So
So = KEf; (Stc)
APPENDIX
and
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS <= Co - q. (6t)
AND THEIR SOLUTIONS The rule regarding the signs of q and So is the same as
Let (3 denote the average hole inclination in a sec- that pertaining to Q sin (3 and S".
tion containing a dog-leg. Let Q denote the weight in Following the same route, but for compression C in-
fluid per unit length of pipe. Q may be resolved into stead of tension T, the following equations are obtained.
components Q cos (3 in the average direction of hole
axis, and Q sin (3 in the perpendicular direction. The K = ~~; (2c)
component Q sin (3 is a lateral load. The component
Q cos (3 will be disregarded, which means that the pipe Y = ~[c'
K'0 (I-cos KX) + s" (KX -sin KX)
will be assumed to be subjected to a constant longi-
~
tudinal force. Such an assumption is perfectly valid
for large tensions or compressions, for which the varia- - (KX)2]; (3c)
tion of the longitudinal force over a short length under and
consideration is small compared to this force itself,
On the other hand, for small tensions or compressions, <= Co +q . (6c)
the component Q cos (3 should be retained and the If the pipe is subjected to neither tension nor com-
problems treated by the means used in Ref. 9. For the pression, then the term K'Y is not present in the dif-
sake of simplicity, however, this was not done. It is ferential Eq. It, and its general solution becomes
felt that the results are sufficiently good for the pur- , s'
pose pursued here. y = - ~X' + -" X" + ~X' (3n)
24 6 2
In tension, the elastic line is always a plane curve.
in which
In compression, on the other hand, the elastic line may
either be a plane or a non-plane curve. However, in Q sin (3
q=--- (4n)
Ref. 13 it is shown that, in cases of geometrically Ef
straight but inclined holes (i.e., in presence of no dog- and
legs) in almost any actual situation encountered in
drilling, the elastic line is a plane curve. It is believed
that the same holds true in presence of dog-legs, and
the elastic line will be assumed to be a plane curve.
y
Consider a Portion OA of a pipe shown in Fig. 19.
Let 0 be the origin of co-ordinates and let the X-axis
be parallel to the pipe at O. Let Q sin (3 be the lateral
load per unit length, T the tension (both constant
throughout the length of the pipe) and let So be the
shear at O. Finally, let Co be the curvature of the pipe
at O.
T
The bending moment at any point along the pipe is x
Elc o + SoX + TY - J:(Q sin (3)X dX,
where E is the Young's modulus of steel, and I is the
moment of inertia of the pipe cross-section with re-
spect to its diameter. FIG. 18 (LEFT)-LEDGE, UNDETECTABLE
WITH SURVEYS.
Performing the integration and equating this ex- FIG. 19 (RIGHT).

FEBRUARY, 1961 189

 , So
s • =EI
- (5n)

In this first section of the Appendix, similar equa-

tions are denoted by the same numerals followed by
letters "1", "c" or "n", respectively, for the cases of
tension, compression, or neither tension nor compres-
sion. Both letters "t" and "c" are used to denote equa-
tions pertaining to both tension and compression, but
not, to the case of neither tension nor compression.
Further in this Appendix, reference will be made to
these equations, but without any letter, for instance
to Eq. 3. This will mean either Eq. 3t, 3c, or 3n, which-
ever may be the case.

DRILL PIPE UNDER TENSION IN

GRADUAL AND LONG DOG-LEGS

Consider drill pipe under tension in an increasing FIG. 20-INCREASTNG GRADUAL AND LONG nOG·LEG.

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gradual and long dog-leg shown in Fig. 20. The co-
ordinate axes are so chosen that the equations derived
from Fig. 19 remain valid. In these equations, the pipe
curvature Co may be considered as known because it
easily can be obtained from Eq. 7.
2u
c" = ED (7)
where
D = the diameter of drill pipe, and
!T = the reversible bending stress obtained from
the modified Goodman diagram (Fig. 2).
Let 2L denote the length of drill pipe between two
tool joints. By reasons of symmetry, the pipe is parallel
to the hole axis at X = L. Let a denote the angle by
which the hole turns over the length L. If R is the
radius of curvature, then L = Ra. Let c denote the
hole curvature; i.e., c = 1/ R.
Therefore,
a = Lc (8)
Thus, a boundary condition of the elastic line is
Fig. 21 is similar to Fig. 20, except that it is for a
decreasing dog-leg. From these two figures it is self-
evident that all the equations derived for increasing dog-
legs hold true also for decreasing ones, if in numerical
problems positive values are substituted for q in cases
of increasing dog-legs, and negative values in cases of
decreasing dog-legs.
If gravity forces are neglected, in the previous for-
mulas q = 0, c' = c and c'o = Ca. It has been found
that in such a case, except for tensions which are less
than the weight of drill collars, the effects of gravity
are negligible. This is why they have been disregarded
in calculating with Eq. 12 the fatigue curve of Fig. 3.
Eq. 12 holds true only if there is no contact at
X = L. Conditions under which this contact occurs will
now be investigated.
The amount by which drill pipe must be deflected at
X = L to contact the wall of the hole is a sum of two
terms. One of these terms, denoted f t , is

(dY)
dX X~T,
= Lc
•
(9) f, =
2
DT . J .
DD,'" -

Assume that there is no pipe-to-waIl contact at where DT,J, is tool-joint OD, and DD,l'. is drill-pipe OD.
X = L. Then, because of symmetry, another boundary The other term, denoted V and shown in Fig. 22, is
condition expresses the fact that the shear at X = L due to hole curvature. From this figure, we have
is nil. R2 + V = (R + V)';
tl'Y)
(dX 3
= 0
X~L
(10) i.e.,
L' = 2RV + V 2 •
Substituting Eq. 3t into Eq. 10, we obtain Neglecting the last term because V is small compared
So =- <tanh KL (11) to R,
1 1 . cL'
Substituting Eqs. 3t and 11 into Eq. 9, we obtain V = 2R L-= -2--
c' = < tam;LKL . (12) Thus, the sought relation is
cL'
where Y"-I
. - . = f, +--
2 (14)
c' =c - q (13)
Substituting Eq. 11 into Eq. 3t and the result into
For every value of tension (i.e., of the ordinate in Eq. 14, we obtain in view of Eq. 13,
Fig. 3), u is obtained from the modified Goodman
diagram of Fig. 2; Co is then calculated with Eq. 7; , , KL sinh KL - (cosh KL - 1) 2f t
K with Eq. 2t; < with Eqs. 4tc and 6t; c' with Eq. 12; C = 2c a (KL)' cosh KL - L'
and, finally, c is obtained from Eq. 13. c is the hole (15)
curvature in radians per inch. (1 radian/in. = 0.06876° The yield curve in Fig. 3 has been calculated with
/l00 ft.) c is the abscissa in Fig. 3. Eq. 15.

190 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY


FIG. 21-DECREASING GRADUAL AND LONG DOG·LEG.
DRILL COLLARS IN ABRUPT DOG-LEGS
There are 18 cases of drill collars in abrupt dog-
legs. These cases depend on: (1) whether the dog-leg is
increasing (Fig. 8) or decreasing (Fig. 9); (2)-
whether the collars are subjected to tension, compres-
sion or zero longitudinal force; and (3) the number
of contacts with the wall of the hole.
The number of equations corresponding to such a
large number of cases is far too great to be fully de-
rived here. Instead of this, only the methods of deriva-
tion will be explained. The origin of co-ordinates was
chosen at the Point 0 in Figs. 8 and 9, which is a
point of contact with the wall of the hole at which the
elastic line is parallel to the hole. In the event there are
two such points, as in the cases of Figs. 9a and 9c, the
origin is placed at the point which is closer to the middle
Point A of the dog-leg. In aH cases, the X and Y axes
were chosen parallel and perpendicular to the hole, re-
spectively. Therefore, the equations derived in the first
section of the Appendix do apply.
Consider first the Sections OB in Figs. 9a and 9c
where B is the point of contact with the low side of
the hole. The following boundary conditions must be
satisfied at Point B.
Y n = r; (16)
(~~)B = 0; (17)
and
(~;)B =0 (18)
where r is the diametral collar-to-hole clearance. Using
Eq. 3, the three unknowns c'o (or co), So and the Dis-
tance OB are calculated with Eqs. 16, 17 and 18.
FEBRUARY, 1961
o L
FIG. 22
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Consider the Section OA in Figs. 9a and 9c. There is
no discontinuity of the bending moment at Point 0 be-
tween the Sections OB and ~A. Therefore, the curva-
ture Co at Point 0 is the same in both sections; and, in
view of Eq. 6, c~ is also the same. Thus, ~ and Co of
the Section OA are known.
Consider now the Section OA in all the remaining
cases of Figs. 8 and 9, except 8c which will be treated
further in this paper. In all these cases Co = 0; there-
fore, c'o is also known in view of Eq. 6.
In all the cases of Figs. 8 and 9, the following
boundary condition must be satisfied at Point A.
crY)
( dX' A =
M
E1
(19)
where M is the bending moment for fatigure of drill-
collars connections. Values of M for a few collar sizes
were given in the body of the paper.
The second boundary condition at A depends on
whether there is or there is not a collar-to-waH contact
A. If there is contact, the boundary condition is
(20)
and if there is no contact, in view of symmetry at A,
(d'Y)
dX' A = 0 .
(21)
Using Eq. 3, the two unknowns So and the Distance OA
are calculated, either with Eqs. 19 and 20, or with Eqs.
19 and 21.
At the Point A, we also have
(dY)
= a (22)
dX ...
where a is one-half the dog-leg angle in radians. Using
Eq. 3, in which all the coefficients are either known or
have already been calculated, ,a is calculated with Eq.
22.
In Figs. 8a, 9a and 9b, drill collars contact the wall
at Point A, which is possible only if the reaction of the
wall of the hole on the collar is positive and which, in
turn, requires that
(23)
Whenever Inequality 23 is not satisfied, calculations
based on the assumption that there is contact at A must
191
be discarded, and calculations based upon the assump-
tion that there is no such contact must be made.
In Figs. 9a and 9c, drill collars contact the wall at
Point 0, which is possible only if the reaction of the
wall of the hole on the collar is positive and which,
in turn, requires that
(so) Section OA + (So) Section OB 0 >(24)
Whenever Inequality 24 is not satisfied, a case different
from that of Figs. 9a and 9c must be assumed.
Consider now Fig. 8a in the case of tension and
negligible gravity forces. The relationships presented
symbolically as Eqs. 19, 20 and 22 greatly simplify
and become
DRILL COLLARS IN GRADUAL
AND LONG DOG-LEGS
Since there are no tool joints in a drill-collar string,
drill collars generally assume the same shape as the
hole in a gradual and long dog-leg. Therefore, the hole
curvature at which fatigue of connections occurs is
M
(30)
c=-
El
The limiting value of survey spacing, above which
assuming an abrupt dog-leg results in more severe
conditions than assuming a gradual and long one, is
equal to the ratio of 2 a calculated with Eq. 22 over C
obtained with Eq. 30.

S
o
sinh KP = M.
El'
(25)
DRILL PIPE UNDER TENSION
1 M sinh KP KP IN ABRUPT DOG-LEGS
r (26)

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K' El sinh KP
and In the case of drill pipe, Eq. 29 may be written
So Co
[(cosh KP - 1) = a (27) 0'=- (31)
K
where P is the Distance OA. in which Co is known from Eq. 7.
In absence of gravity (f3 = q = 0) which pulls the Using Eqs. 31 and 22 in investigating drill pipe under
string toward the low side of the hole, the collars may tension in abrupt dog-legs, it has been found that (as
lose contact at Point 0 but not at A. This situation, for gradual dog-legs) neglecting gravity forces is justi-
which is shown in Fig. 8c, occurs for KP = 00, i.e., in fied even in very inclined holes, except for tensions
view of Eq. 26, for r = M / (K'El). Thus, the case of which are smaller than the weight of drill collars.
Fig. 8c requires that the three following conditions be Figs. 5, 6 and 7 were prepared with Eq. 31, in which
fulfilled-(1) no gravity forces; (2) tension; and (3) Co was obtained from Eq. 7. For fatigue curves, (F in
1M Eq. 7 was obtained from the modified Goodman diagram
r ~ - - (28) (Fig. 2). For yielding curves, (F in Eq. 7 is the yield
, K' El
strength of Grade E steel, i.e., 75,000 psi.
In such case we obtain, eliminating So between Eqs. 25
and 27 and making KP = 00, The expression of the force F between a tool joint
in an abrupt dog-leg and the wall of the hole is ob-
1M tained from equilibrium considerations. a being small,
a =K El ' (29) this expression is
with which a is calculated. F = 2 TO' (32)
Using Eqs. 29 and 22 it has been found that, for drill The 2,000-lb curves in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 were calculated
collars in abrupt dog-legs, neglecting gravity forces is with Eq. 32.
valid in holes which are nearly vertical.
As an example of the results obtained for drill collars
in abrupt dog-legs, four figures for 61;4 -in. collars have CORRECTION FACTOR f
been prepared: Fig. 23a for a tension of 4,000 lblin. of
INCREASING DOG·LEGS
hole diameter; Fig. 23b for neither tension nor compres-
sion; and Figs. 23c and 23d for a compression of 4,000 Consider drill collars subjected to zero tension and
lb/in. of hole diameter. The abscissa is the diametral located in an increasing dog-leg. Furthermore, consider
collar-to-hole clearance r, and the ordinate is the dog- first that the case is that of Fig. 8b and not 8a, i.e., that
leg angle 2 a in degrees. Various curves are for various Eq. 23 is not satisfied. Instead of Eq. 23, however, we
values of the average hole inclination f3, either in in-
creasing or in decreasing dog-legs.
TABLE 6-CORRElATION OF FIGURES
Table 6 indicates to which cases of Figs. 8 and 9 In Corresponds to
correspond various curves in Figs. 23a, 23b, 23c and Curve Fig. No. Case of Fig. No.
~ 23a 9a
23d. BC 23a 9b
AD 23a 8a
Dog-leg angles 2 a at which fatigue of collar connec- DE 23a 8e
AF 23a 8a
tions occurs were calculated for nmnerous other situa- GH 23b 9a
HI 23b 9b
tions than those plotted in the afore-mentioned figures. GJ 23b 8a
KL 23d 9a
The obtained values of 2 a were used in calculating lM 23d ge
the correction factor f with the equations derived in the KN 23d
23d
9a
9<
NO
next section. Finally, 20' f - 0.25 was plotted in Figs. OP 23d 9d
KQ 23d 9a
14, 15, 16 and 17, and some of the results also are QR 23d 9b
KS 23e 80
given in Table 4. ST 23e 8b

192 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 REMARKS: fJ IS AVERAGE HOLE INCLINATION REMARKS: IJ IS AVERAGE HOLE INCLINATION
(I) MEANS "INCREASING DOG-LEG" (I) MEANS "INCREASING DOG-LEG"
(D) MEANS "DECREASING DOG-LEG" i(D) MEANS "DECREASING DOG-LEG"
(
5 5
I' 1
~-3q(l)
F /3 -30· (1)
/3-20· (1) ~ -10"(1
/3- O· (I
.-b:::::: ~ E:: /3-10· (l)
~ 4
w b:::;: ~ ~
I
-0 a::
...." ~
~ ~~ E
fJ-O !B
0 i: ~
3
~~
t:='" a- I
~ P /3.f(f (D)
N
:~
a.... ~ ~ 2
V II
1/ /3-10'(0)
z
« Vii fMO \(D
/3-20·(0) , =30·(0
... G 17
/3-30" (D)
'",
w
..J 1
8'"
o 4 5 6 7 10 2 3 5 6 7
COLLAR-TO-HOLE OIAMETRAL CLEARANCE r; INCHES COLLAR-TO-HOLE OIAMETRA.L CLEARANCE r, INCHES

FIG. 23a-FATIGUE OF 6~-IN. DRILL-COLLAR CONNEC- FIG. 23b-FATIGUE OF 6~-IN. DRILL-COLLAR CONNEC-

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TIONS IN ABRUPT DOG-LEGS. TENSION = 4,000 TIONS IN ABRUPT DOG-LEGS. CASE OF NEITHER
LB/IN. OF HOLE DIAMETER. TENSION NOR COMPRESSION.

. REMARK: IJ IS AVERAGE HOLE INCLINATION REMARK: /3 IS AVERAGE HOLE INCLINATiON

5 5

1/1
!:l 4
!3o
-
Q

.,::- 3
w
S
v ""' r-.;: f-- /3-0
n-IO'
/J-20·
~3
N S""-:::
....... p"
t::-~ -"'- -~
" ,,0>~ -
;a-30'
..J
T ~
'"
:rf 2 ./ CI
Z 2
V /3.30' !i '--
R

'"..Jw /' c(
~
I /
CI
1&1
..J
KV 'p
8 I f-K I
CI
o
I

o
0
o I 2 3 4 .5 6 7 e o I ~ 3 4 5 678
COLLAR-TO-HOLE DIAMETRAL CLEARANCE r, INCHES COLLAR-TO-HOLE DIAMETRAL CLEARANCE. r, INCHES

FIG. 23d-FATIGUE OF 6~-IN. DRILL-COLLAR CONNEC-

FIG. 23c-FATIGUE OF 6~-IN. DRILL-COLLAR CONNEC- TIONS IN ABRUPT DECREASING DOG-LEGS. COM-
TIONS IN ABRUPT INCREASING DOG-LEGS. COM- PRESSION = 4,000 LB/IN. OF HOLE DIAMETER.
PRESSION = 4,000 LB/IN. OF HOLE DIAMETER.
shall now use the following condition which must hold
true in the case of Fig. 8b. t = 1 - ~ ( ~; t~p_z (37)
r> 'lim (33) Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 21, 22 and 34, solving
in which for q', P and .10 ' and substituting these into Eq. 37, we
(34) obtain
where r is the collar-to-hole diametral clearance, and t = 1 - (1 - W)' (l + 0.5 W) (38)
rlim is the smallest value of r for which the case of Fig. in which
8b is possible.
Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 21 and 22, eliminating (39)
s~ between them and solving for P,
Consider now the case of Fig. 8a. Substituting Eq. 3n
P ~I
= ., 3 a
q' . (35) into Eqs. 22 and 20 and eliminating s'n between them,
we obtain
Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 21 and 34, eliminating
.10 between them, and substituting P from Eq. 35, we (40)
obtain
Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 22 and 20, solving fors'o

Referring to
Point A being
Fig. 8b, let S be a survey station, the
assumed to be halfway between two
(36)
and q', and substituting these into Eq. 37, we obtain

t = 1 - [4 (a3~ -
(41 )
1) ~ + 1 ]( 1 - ~ r
stations. Let Z denote the Distance AS, i.e., half the Thus, to calculate t one must first obtain rlim from
survey spacing. Then the expression of the correction Eq. 36. Then, if Inequality 33 is satisfied, t is calculated
factor t is with Eqs. 38 and 39. On the other hand, if Eq. 33 is not
FEBRUARY, 1961
193
satisfied, Eq. 40 must be numerically solved for P and, I) ~
thereafter, j calculated with Eq. 41. ......... "...
I IL
In the first of these two cases, j depends on q', i.e.,
on f3 in view of Eq. 4n, but not on r. On the other
" ....... J /'
./
"-
hand, in the second case j depends on both rand q'.
However, it has been found through numerical substitu-
'..... ~
/

~<.>
tions that, actually, j depends strongly on r and very
little on q'. Furthermore, it has been found that a
sufficiently good approximation consists of calculating
~ /
,/-
/lE ~-
--- - H
zO.!5 I
the second case by the same means as the first one (i.e., o f ..
by using Eq. 38); however, W is given by Eq. 42 instead i= "
<.> /
of by Eq. 39. w
a::
,
,/
3 Z a a::
W = 8" r . (42) o
<.>
f
Consider the following example case: 30-ft survey -'
spacing; M~ -in. drill collars; TVa -in. hole; and average
hole inclination f3 = 20°, increasing with depth. j has IL'"
been calculated vs 2 a and plotted in Fig. 24. o I 2
For conditions represented by the straight Line CD, DOG-LEG ANGLE, DEGREES

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2 a is very small and P (Fig. 8h) is less than 15 ft. FIG. 24-CORRECTION FACTOR f FOR 6%-IN. DRILL
COLLAR, 7Ys-IN. HOLE, 20° AVERAGE HOLE INCLI-
Therefore, j = 1. NATION, INCREASING WITH DEPTH, 30-FT SPACING.
Curve DE corresponds to conditions of Fig. 8b, and
Curve EF corresponds to conditions of Fig. 8a. The Remember that in a decreasing dog-leg (- q') is posi-
Curve EF has been calculated by the approximate meth- tive.
od explained previously. Actually, there is a family of Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 45 and 46 and eliminat-
curves, such as EF, corresponding to various values of ing s'o' we obtain
(3; one of them corresponds to (3 = 20°, but these
curves are all close to each other. P = _1 p' (48)
4
For conditions represented by the straight Line FG. Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 45 and 44, eliminating
p (Fig. 8a) is again less than 15 ft and j = 1.
s~ between them and substituting P from Eq. 48 and
The Curve DE is a portion of Curve DH in Fig. 24,
which is the same as the curve for 7% -in. hole in Fig. p' from Eq. 47 into the result, we obtain
3
inclination, increasing with depth, in Fig. lla. Similarly,
27y3!1 a
4

the Curve EF is a portion of the Curve OF in Fig. 24,

which is the same as the curve for 7% -in. hole in Fig.
r"m = ------us ~ (_ q') . (49)
Ilc. Consider now, as an example, that 2 a = 1 0. In The expression of the correction facter j, similar to
the method explained in the body of the report, j would Eq. 37, is (see Fig. 9b)
have been obtained by reading the ordinate of Point J
in Fig. lIa and the ordinate of Point I in Fig. lIc, re-
taining the larger of the two. This procedure is self-
f = 1 - +( ~~) x" p'. z . (50)
Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 45, 22 and 44, sub-
evident in view of the fact that in Fig. 24 the answer is
obtained at J. stituting in them P from Eq. 48, solving for q', P', and
s~ and substItuting these into Eq. 50, we obtain
Figs. lOa, lla, 12a, and 13a were prepared using
Eqs. 38, 39 and 36. Figs. IOc, lIc, l2c and 13c were f = 1 - (1 - V)2 (1 - 4V) (51)
prepared using Eqs. 38 and 42. The same equations in which
were used in calculating j, with which values of 2 a j V=~ Za . (52)
- 0.25 were obtained and plotted in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 256 rlim
17 and Table 4. Consider now the case of Fig. 9a. Proceeding in a
DECREASING DOG-LEGS similar way as for the case of Fig. 8a, it has been found
Consider now the case of Fig. 9b. The ongm of that f depends very little on q' and that, for all practical
co-ordinates will be at Point O. The case of Fig. 9b purposes, one may still calculate j with Eq. 51; how-
requires that ever, V is given by Eq. 53 instead of by Eq. 52.
r> r 1illt (43) V = 27 Z a
256 r
(53)
in which
Furthermore, it has been found that the results are not
rll m = I Y lC I =1 Yx~p'-}' I (44)
very much different if j is calculated with Eqs. 38 and
K is the point of maximum deflection, i.e., the point at 42 instead of with Eqs. 51 and 53, except when P < Z
which < P', in which case j calculated with Eqs. 51 and 53
(.:!!...)
dX
= (~)
dX x " }"
= 0 (45) is greater than one. As such results should not be used
K [' anyway, no figures were prepared with Eqs. 51 and 53,
At Point A we have, in addition to Eq. 22, and Figs. IOc, 11c, 12c and 13c derived with Eqs. 38
Y A = Y x ~ p' = 0 ( 46) and 42 are to be used for both increasing and decreas-
Substituting Eq. 3n into Eqs. 46 and 22, eliminating ing dog-legs.
s~ between them and solving for P',
Eqs. 51, 52 and 49 were used in preparing both Figs.
lOb, llb, 12b and 13b (pertaining to drill pipe) and
P'= ~I ~ (47) Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17 and Table 4 (pertaining to driIl-
., ( - q') . collar connections). ***
194 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY