DIRECTIONAL DRIILING

WELL PLANING and SUSVEY CALCULATIONS

BY
MONTADHER AL-SAEDI
Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

Example 2-2
Given: The survey data for Directional Well No. 1 are shown in Table 2-3.

Determine: The wellbore position at each survey point using the tangential, balanced
tangential, average angle, radius of curvature, and minimum curvature
method.

Solution: Tangential Method

At 0 and 1,000 feet the inclination is 0°, therefore, the wellbore position is
0.00 North and 0.00 East.

A survey at 1,100 feet shows the inclination to be 3° in the N21.7E

direction (Azimuth = 21.7). Calculate the position of the wellbore at 1,100
feet. (The nomenclature is defined at the end of the chapter.)

ΔMD = MD2 − MD1

ΔMD = 1100.00 − 1000.00 = 100.00 ft

The direction of the wellbore is given as N21.7E; however, in the

equations, “A” must equal a value between 0° and 360° where:

North = 360° or 0°

East = 90°

South = 180°

West = 270º

When referring to the hole direction as being N21.7E, it is 21.7° East of

North. Therefore, the azimuth is equal to 0+21.7 or 21.7º.

Using the tangential method, calculate ΔTVD

(
ΔTVD = ( ΔMD ) cos I
2 )
ΔTVD = (100.00 )( cos3°) = 99.86 ft

Calculate the true vertical depth at the lower survey point.

TVD2 = ΔTVD + TVD1

TVD = 99.86 + 1000.00 = 1099.86 ft

2

Calculate ΔNorth

2-14 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

ΔNorth = ( ΔMD ) sin I( 2 )(cos A2 )

ΔNorth = (100.00 )( sin 3° )( cos 21.7° ) = 4.86 ft

Calculate the North coordinate at the lower survey point.

North2 = ΔNorth + North1

North2 = 4.86 + 0.00 = 4.86 ft

Calculate ΔEast

ΔEast = ( ΔMD )( sin I2 )( sin A2 )

ΔEast = (100.00 )( sin 3 )( sin 21.7 ) = 1.94 ft

Calculate the East coordinate at the lower survey point.

East 2 = ΔEast + East1

East 2 = 1.94 + 0.00 = 1.94 ft

Calculate the position of the wellbore at the next survey point of 1,200 ft.

ΔMD = MD2 − MD1

ΔMD = 1200.00 − 1100.00 = 100.00 ft

The direction is N26.5E at 1,200 feet; therefore, the azimuth is 26.5º.

ΔTVD = ( ΔMD )( cos I2 )

ΔTVD = (100.00 )( cos 6 ) = 99.45 ft

TVD2 = ΔTVD + TVD1

TVD2 = 99.45 + 1099.86 = 1191.31 ft

ΔNorth = ( ΔMD )( sin I2 )( cos A2 )

ΔNorth = (100.00 )( sin 6 )( cos 26.5 ) = 9.35 ft

North2 = ΔNorth + North1

North2 = 9.35 + 4.86 = 14.21 ft

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-15

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

ΔEast = ( ΔMD )( sin I2 )( sin A2 )

ΔEast = (100.00 )( sin 6 )( sin 26.5 ) = 4.66 ft

East 2 = ΔEast + East1

East 2 = 4.66 + 1.94 = 6.60 ft

The same calculations are made at each survey depth, and the results
are shown in Table 2-4.

Balanced Tangential Method

Calculate the position of the wellbore at 1,300 feet using the balanced
tangential method given the values at 1,200 feet from Table 2-5.

ΔMD = MD2 − MD1

ΔMD = 1300.00 − 1200.00 = 100.00 ft

The azimuth at 1,300 feet is 23.30º.

⎛ ΔMD ⎞
ΔTVD = ⎜ ⎟ ( cos I2 + cos I1 )
⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 100.00 ⎞
ΔTVD = ⎜ ⎟ ( cos 9 + cos 6 ) = 99.11 ft
⎝ 2 ⎠

TVD2 = ΔTVD + TVD1

TVD2 = 99.11 + 1199.59 = 1298.70 ft

⎛ ΔMD ⎞
ΔNorth = ⎜ ⎟ ( sin I1 × cos A1 + sin I2 × cos A2 )
⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 100.00 ⎞
ΔNorth = ⎜ ⎟ ( sin 6 × cos 26.5 + sin 9 × cos 23.3 ) = 11.86 ft
⎝ 2 ⎠

North2 = ΔNorth + North1

North2 = 11.86 + 9.54 = 21.40 ft

⎛ ΔMD ⎞
ΔEast = ⎜ ⎟ ( sin I1 × sin A1 + sin I2 × sin A2 )
⎝ 2 ⎠

2-16 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

Table 2-4. Survey Calculations for Directional Well No. 1 using the Tangential Method

TRUE VERTICAL
MEASURE INCLIN- COURSE VERTICAL RECTANGULAR SECTION DOGLEG
DDEPTH ATION AZIMUTH LENGTH DEPTH COORDINATES 10 DEG SEVERITY

(feet) (degrees) (degrees) (feet) (feet) NORTH EAST (feet) (deg/100’)

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1000.00 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,100.00 3.00 21.70 100.00 1,099.86 4.86 1.94 5.12 3.05
1,200.00 6.00 26.50 100.00 1,199.32 14.22 6.60 15.15 3.02
1,300.00 9.00 23.30 100.00 1,298.08 28.58 12.79 30.37 3.03

1,400.00 12.00 20.30 100.00 1,395.90 48.08 20.00 50.83 3.05

1,500.00 15.00 23.30 100.00 1,492.49 71.86 30.24 76.01 3.08
1,600.00 18.00 23.90 100.00 1,587.60 100.11 42.76 106.01 3.00
1,700.00 21.00 24.40 100.00 1,680.96 132.74 57.56 140.72 3.00
1,800.00 24.00 23.40 100.00 1,772.31 170.07 73.71 180.29 3.02

1,900.00 27.00 23.70 100.00 1,861.41 211.64 91.96 224.40 3.00

2,000.00 30.00 23.30 100.00 1,948.01 257.56 111.74 273.06 3.01
2,100.00 30.20 22.80 100.00 2,034.44 303.94 131.23 322.11 0.32
2,200.00 30.40 22.50 100.00 2,120.69 350.69 150.60 371.51 0.25
2,300.00 30.30 22.10 100.00 2,207.03 397.43 169.58 420.84 0.23

2,400.00 30.60 22.40 100.00 2,293.11 444.50 188.98 470.56 0.34

2,500.00 31.00 22.50 100.00 2,378.82 492.08 208.69 520.84 0.40
2,600.00 31.20 21.60 100.00 2,464.36 540.25 227.76 571.59 0.51
2,700.00 30.70 20.80 100.00 2,550.34 587.97 245.89 621.74 0.65
2,800.00 31.40 20.90 100.00 2,635.70 636.65 264.47 672.90 0.70

2,900.00 30.60 22.00 100.00 2,721.77 683.84 283.54 722.69 0.98

3,000.00 30.50 22.50 100.00 2,807.94 730.73 302.96 772.24 0.27
3,100.00 30.40 23.90 100.00 2,894.19 777.00 323.47 821.36 0.72
3,200.00 30.00 24.50 100.00 2,980.79 822.50 344.20 869.77 0.50
3,300.00 30.20 24.90 100.00 3,067.22 868.12 365.38 918.38 0.28

3,400.00 31.00 25.70 100.00 3,152.93 914.53 387.72 967.96 0.90

3,500.00 31.10 25.50 100.00 3,238.56 961.15 409.95 1,017.74 0.14
3,600.00 32.00 24.40 100.00 3,323.37 1,009.41 431.84 1,069.06 1.07
3,700.00 30.80 24.00 100.00 3,409.26 1,056.19 452.67 1,118.75 1.22
3,800.00 30.60 22.30 100.00 3,495.34 1,103.29 471.99 1,168.48 0.89

3,900.00 31.20 21.70 100.00 3,580.87 1,151.42 491.14 1,219.21 0.67

4,000.00 30.80 20.80 100.00 3,666.77 1,199.28 509.32 1,269.51 0.61
4,100.00 30.00 20.80 100.00 3,753.37 1,246.03 527.08 1,318.62 0.80
4,200.00 29.70 19.80 100.00 3,840.23 1,292.64 543.86 1,367.44 0.58
4,300.00 29.80 20.80 100.00 3,927.01 1,339.10 561.51 1,416.26 0.51

4,400.00 29.50 21.10 100.00 4,014.05 1,385.04 579.24 1,464.58 0.33

4,500.00 29.20 20.80 100.00 4,101.05 1,430.65 596.56 1,512.50 0.33
4,600.00 29.00 20.60 100.00 4,188.80 1,476.03 613.62 1,560.16 0.22
4,700.00 28.70 21.40 100.00 4,276.51 1,520.74 631.14 1,607.23 0.49
4,800.00 28.50 21.20 100.00 4,364.40 1,565.23 648.40 1,654.04 0.22

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-17

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

Table 2-5. Survey Calculations for Directional Well No. 1 using the Balanced Tangential Method

TRUE RECTANGULAR VERTICAL

MEASURED INCLIN- COURSE VERTICAL COORDINATES SECTION DOGLEG
DEPTH ATION AZIMUTH LENGTH DEPTH 10 DEG SEVERITY

(feet) (degrees) (degrees) (feet) (feet) NORTH EAST (feet) (deg/100’)

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1000.00 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,100.00 3.00 21.70 100.00 1,099.93 2.43 0.97 2.56 3.05
1,200.00 6.00 26.50 100.00 1,199.59 9.54 4.27 10.14 3.02
1,300.00 9.00 23.30 100.00 1,298.70 21.40 9.69 22.76 3.03

1,400.00 12.00 20.30 100.00 1,396.99 38.33 16.39 40.60 3.05

1,500.00 15.00 23.30 100.00 1,494.20 59.97 25.12 63.42 3.08
1,600.00 18.00 23.90 100.00 1,590.04 85.98 36.50 91.01 3.00
1,700.00 21.00 24.40 100.00 1,684.28 116.43 50.16 123.37 3.00
1,800.00 24.00 23.40 100.00 1,776.63 151.41 65.64 160.51 3.02

1,900.00 27.00 23.70 100.00 1,866.86 190.86 82.84 202.34 3.00

2,000.00 30.00 23.30 100.00 1,954.71 234.60 101.85 248.73 3.01
2,100.00 30.20 22.80 100.00 2,041.23 280.75 121.49 297.58 0.32
2,200.00 30.40 22.50 100.00 2,127.57 327.31 140.92 346.81 0.25
2,300.00 30.30 22.10 100.00 2,213.86 374.06 160.09 396.18 0.23

2,400.00 30.60 22.40 100.00 2,300.07 420.97 179.28 445.70 0.34

2,500.00 31.00 22.50 100.00 2,385.96 468.29 198.83 495.70 0.40
2,600.00 31.20 21.60 100.00 2,471.59 516.16 218.22 546.22 0.51
2,700.00 30.70 20.80 100.00 2,557.35 564.11 236.82 596.66 0.65
2,800.00 31.40 20.90 100.00 2,643.02 612.31 255.18 647.32 0.70

2,900.00 30.60 22.00 100.00 2,728.74 660.24 274.01 697.79 0.98

3,000.00 30.50 22.50 100.00 2,814.85 707.29 293.25 747.47 0.27
3,100.00 30.40 23.90 100.00 2,901.06 753.87 313.22 796.80 0.72
3,200.00 30.00 24.50 100.00 2,987.49 799.75 333.83 845.57 0.50
3,300.00 30.20 24.90 100.00 3,074.00 845.31 354.79 894.08 0.28

3,400.00 31.00 25.70 100.00 3,160.08 891.33 376.55 943.17 0.90

3,500.00 31.10 25.50 100.00 3,245.75 937.84 398.83 992.85 0.14
3,600.00 32.00 24.40 100.00 3,330.96 985.28 420.90 1,043.40 1.07
3,700.00 30.80 24.00 100.00 3,416.31 1,032.80 442.26 1,093.91 1.22
3,800.00 30.60 22.30 100.00 3,502.30 1,079.74 462.33 1,143.62 0.89

3,900.00 31.20 21.70 100.00 3,588.10 1,127.35 481.56 1,193.85 0.67

4,000.00 30.80 20.80 100.00 3,673.82 1,175.35 500.23 1,244.36 0.61
4,100.00 30.00 20.80 100.00 3,760.07 1,222.65 518.20 1,294.06 0.80
4,200.00 29.70 19.80 100.00 3,846.80 1,269.33 535.47 1,343.03 0.58
4,300.00 29.80 20.80 100.00 3,933.62 1,315.87 552.69 1,391.85 0.51

4,400.00 29.50 21.10 100.00 4,020.53 1,362.07 570.37 1,440.42 0.33

4,500.00 29.20 20.80 100.00 4,107.69 1,407.84 587.90 1,488.54 0.33
4,600.00 29.00 20.60 100.00 4,195.07 1,453.34 605.09 1,536.33 0.22
4,700.00 28.70 21.40 100.00 4,282.66 1,498.38 622.38 1,583.70 0.49
4,800.00 28.50 21.20 100.00 4,370.46 1,542.98 639.77 1,630.64 0.22

2-18 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

⎛ 100.00 ⎞
ΔEast = ⎜ ⎟ ( sin 6 × sin 26.5 + sin9 × sin 23.30 ) = 5.43 ft
⎝ 2 ⎠

East 2 = ΔEast + East1

East 2 = 5.43 + 4.27 = 9.70 ft

The same calculations are made at each survey depth, and the results
are shown in Table 2-5.

Average Angle Method

Calculate the position of the wellbore at 1,400 feet using the average
angle method and the survey data at 1,300 feet in Table 2-6.

ΔMD = MD2 − MD1

ΔMD = 1400.00 − 1300.00 = 100.00 ft

The azimuth at 1,400 feet is 20.30º.

⎛I +I ⎞
ΔTVD = ΔMD × cos ⎜ 1 2 ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 9 + 12 ⎞
ΔTVD = 100.00 × cos ⎜ ⎟ = 98.33 ft
⎝ 2 ⎠

TVD2 = ΔTVD + TVD1

TVD2 = 98.33 + 1298.80 = 1398.13 ft

⎛I +I ⎞ ⎛ A1 + A2 ⎞
ΔNorth = ΔMD × sin ⎜ 1 2 ⎟ × cos ⎜ 2 ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

⎛ 9 + 12 ⎞ ⎛ 23.3 + 20.3 ⎞
ΔNorth = 100.00 × sin ⎜ ⎟ × cos ⎜ ⎟ = 16.92 ft
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

North2 = ΔNorth + North1

North2 = 16.92 + 21.57 = 38.49 ft

⎛I +I ⎞ ⎛ A + A2 ⎞
ΔEast = ΔMD × sin ⎜ 1 2 ⎟ × sin ⎜ 1 ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 9 + 12 ⎞ ⎛ 23.3 + 20.3 ⎞
ΔEast = 100.00 × sin ⎜ ⎟ × sin ⎜ ⎟ = 6.77 ft
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-19

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

East 2 = ΔEast + East1

East 2 = 6.77 + 9.19 = 15.96 ft

The same calculations are made at each survey depth, and the results
are shown in Table 2-6.

Radius of Curvature Method

Calculate the position of the wellbore at 1,500 feet using the radius of
curvature method and the survey data at 1,400 feet in Table 2-7.

ΔMD = MD2 − MD1

ΔMD = 1500.00 − 1400.00 = 100.00 ft

The azimuth at 1,500 feet is 23.30°.

ΔTVD =
(180 )( ΔMD )( sin I2 − sin I1 )
π ( I2 − I1 )

ΔTVD =
(180 )(100.00 )( sin15 − sin12 ) = 97.23 ft
π (15 − 12 )

TVD2 = ΔTVD + TVD1

TVD2 = 97.23 + 1,397.08 = 1494.31 ft

(180 ) ( ΔMD )( cos I1 − cos I2 )( sin A2 − sin A1 )

2

ΔNorth =
π 2 ( I2 − I1 )( A2 − A1 )

(180 ) (100.00 )( cos12 − cos15 )( sin 23.3 − sin 20.3 ) = 21.67 ft

2

ΔNorth =
π 2 (15 − 12 )( 23.3 − 20.3 )

North2 = ΔNorth + North1

North2 = 21.67 + 38.47 = 60.14 ft

(180 ) ( ΔMD )( cos I1 − cos I2 )( cos A1 − cos A2 )

2

ΔEast =
π 2 ( I2 − I1 )( A2 − A1 )

(180 ) (100.00 )( cos12 − cos15 )( cos 20.3 − cos 23.3 ) = 8.67 ft

2

ΔEast =
π 2 (15 − 12 )( 23.3 − 20.3 )

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 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

East 2 = ΔEast + East1

East 2 = 8.67 + 15.95 = 24.62 ft

The same calculations are made at each survey depth, and the results
are shown in Table 2-7.

Minimum Curvature Method

Calculate the position of the wellbore at 1,600 feet using the minimum
curvature method and the survey data at 1,500 feet in Table 2-8.

ΔMD = MD2 − MD1

ΔMD = 1600.00 − 1500.00 = 100.00 ft

The azimuth at 1,600 feet is 23.90°.

For the minimum curvature method, all the data must be changed to
radians.

I1 = 15 ° or
(15 )(π ) = 0.2618 radians
180

I 2 = 18 ° or
(18 )(π ) = 0.3142 radians
180

A1 = 23.30° or
( 23.30 )(π ) = 0.4067 radians
180

A2 = 23.90° or
( 23.90 )(π ) = 0.4171 radians
180

Calculate the ratio factor.

{ }
D1 = cos ( I2 − I1 ) − sin I2 × sin I1 × ⎡⎣1 − cos ( A2 − A1 ) ⎤⎦

{ }
D1 = cos ( 0.3142 − 0.2618 ) − sin 0.1342 × sin 0.2618 × ⎡⎣1 − cos ( 0.4171 − 0.4067 ) ⎤⎦

D1 = 0.9986

⎛ 1 ⎞
D 2 = tan−1 ⎜ 2 ⎟ −1
⎝ D1 ⎠

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-21

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

Table 2-6. Survey Calculations for Directional Well No. 1 using the Average Angle Method

TRUE RECTANGULAR VERTICAL

MEASURED INCLIN- COURSE VERTICAL COORDINATES SECTION DOGLEG
DEPTH ATION AZIMUTH LENGTH DEPTH 10 DEGREES SEVERITY
(feet) (degrees) (degrees) (feet) (feet) NORTH EAST (feet) (deg/100’)
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1000.00 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,100.00 3.00 21.70 100.00 1,099.97 2.57 0.49 2.62 3.05
1,200.00 6.00 26.50 100.00 1,199.66 9.73 3.70 10.23 3.02
1,300.00 9.00 23.30 100.00 1,298.80 21.57 9.19 22.84 3.03

1,400.00 12.00 20.30 100.00 1,397.13 38.49 15.96 40.68 3.05

1,500.00 15.00 23.30 100.00 1,494.36 60.17 24.63 63.53 3.08
1,600.00 18.00 23.90 100.00 1,590.25 86.19 36.00 91.14 3.00
1,700.00 21.00 24.40 100.00 1,684.51 116.65 49.66 123.50 3.00
1,800.00 24.00 23.40 100.00 1,776.90 151.64 65.16 160.65 3.02

1,900.00 27.00 23.70 100.00 1,867.16 191.11 82.36 202.50 3.00

2,000.00 30.00 23.30 100.00 1,955.04 234.86 101.39 248.90 3.01
2,100.00 30.20 22.80 100.00 2,041.55 281.01 121.02 297.76 0.32
2,200.00 30.40 22.50 100.00 2,127.89 327.57 140.45 346.99 0.25
2,300.00 30.30 22.10 100.00 2,214.19 374.32 159.63 396.35 0.23

2,400.00 30.60 22.40 100.00 2,300.40 421.23 178.82 445.88 0.34

2,500.00 31.00 22.50 100.00 2,386.29 468.55 198.37 495.88 0.40
2,600.00 31.20 21.60 100.00 2,471.92 516.43 217.76 546.39 0.51
2,700.00 30.70 20.80 100.00 2,557.68 564.37 236.36 596.84 0.65
2,800.00 31.40 20.90 100.00 2,643.35 612.57 254.72 647.50 0.70

2,900.00 30.60 22.00 100.00 2,729.07 660.51 273.55 697.98 0.98

3,000.00 30.50 22.50 100.00 2,815.19 707.56 292.80 747.65 0.27
3,100.00 30.40 23.90 100.00 2,901.39 754.14 312.76 796.99 0.72
3,200.00 30.00 24.50 100.00 2,987.82 800.02 333.38 845.75 0.50
3,300.00 30.20 24.90 100.00 3,074.34 845.58 354.34 894.26 0.28

3,400.00 31.00 25.70 100.00 3,160.41 891.60 376.09 943.36 0.90

3,500.00 31.10 25.50 100.00 3,246.08 938.12 398.38 993.04 0.14
3,600.00 32.00 24.40 100.00 3,331.30 985.56 420.45 1,043.60 1.07
3,700.00 30.80 24.00 100.00 3,416.66 1,033.08 441.81 1,094.11 1.22
3,800.00 30.60 22.30 100.00 3,502.64 1,080.02 461.88 1,143.82 0.89

3,900.00 31.20 21.70 100.00 3,588.45 1,127.64 481.12 1,194.05 0.67

4,000.00 30.80 20.80 100.00 3,674.17 1,175.64 499.78 1,244.57 0.61
4,100.00 30.00 20.80 100.00 3,760.42 1,222.95 517.75 1,294.27 0.80
4,200.00 29.70 19.80 100.00 3,847.15 1,269.63 535.02 1,343.24 .0.58
4,300.00 29.80 20.80 100.00 3,933.97 1,316.17 552.24 1,392.07 0.51

4,400.00 29.50 21.10 100.00 4,020.88 1,362.37 569.93 1,440.64 0.33

4,500.00 29.20 20.80 100.00 4,108.04 1,408.14 587.45 1,488.76 0.33
4,600.00 29.00 20.60 100.00 4,195.42 1,453.64 604.64 1,536.55 0.22
4,700.00 28.70 21.40 100.00 4,283.01 1,498.68 621.93 1,583.91 0.49
4,800.00 28.50 21.20 100.00 4,370.80 1,543.28 639.32 1,630.85 0.22

2-22 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

Table 2-7. Survey Calculations for Directional Well No. 1 using the Radius of Curvature Method

TRUE VERTICAL
MEASURED INCLIN- COURSE RECTANGULAR DOGLEG
VERTICAL SECTION
DEPTH ATION AZIMUTH LENGTH COORDINATES SEVERITY
DEPTH 10 DEG
(feet) (degrees) (degrees) (feet) (feet) NORTH EAST (feet) (deg/100’)
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1000.00 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,100.00 3.00 21.70 100.00 1,099.63 2.56 0.49 2.60 3.00
1,200.00 6.00 26.50 100.00 1,199.63 9.71 3.69 10.21 3.02
1,300.00 9.00 23.30 100.00 1,298.77 21.55 9.19 22.82 3.03

1,400.00 12.00 20.30 100.00 1,397.08 38.47 15.95 40.65 3.05

1,500.00 15.00 23.30 100.00 1,494.31 60.14 24.62 63.50 3.08
1,600.00 18.00 23.90 100.00 1,590.18 86.16 35.99 91.10 3.00
1,700.00 21.00 24.40 100.00 1,684.43 116.62 49.64 123.47 3.00
1,800.00 24.00 23.40 100.00 1,776.81 151.60 65.15 160.61 3.02

1,900.00 27.00 23.70 100.00 1,867.06 191.06 82.35 202.46 3.00

2,000.00 30.00 23.30 100.00 1,954.93 234.81 101.37 248.85 3.01
2,100.00 30.20 22.80 100.00 2,041.44 280.96 121.01 297.70 0.32
2,200.00 30.40 22.50 100.00 2,127.78 327.52 140.44 346.93 0.25
2,300.00 30.30 22.10 100.00 2,214.08 374.27 159.61 396.30 0.23

2,400.00 30.60 22.40 100.00 2,300.29 421.18 178.80 445.82 0.34

2,500.00 31.00 22.50 100.00 2,386.18 468.50 198.35 495.83 0.40
2,600.00 31.20 21.60 100.00 2,471.81 516.37 217.74 546.34 0.51
2,700.00 30.70 20.80 100.00 2,557.57 564.32 236.34 596.79 0.65
2,800.00 31.40 20.90 100.00 2,643.24 612.52 254.70 647.45 0.70

2,900.00 30.60 22.00 100.00 2,728.96 660.46 273.53 697.92 0.98

3,000.00 30.50 22.50 100.00 2,815.08 707.50 292.78 747.59 0.27
3,100.00 30.40 23.90 100.00 2,901.28 754.08 312.74 796.93 0.72
3,200.00 30.00 24.50 100.00 2,987.71 799.96 333.36 845.70 0.50
3,300.00 30.20 24.90 100.00 3,074.23 845.53 354.32 894.21 0.28

3,400.00 31.00 25.70 100.00 3,160.30 891.55 376.07 943.31 0.90

3,500.00 31.10 25.50 100.00 3,245.97 938.06 398.36 992.98 0.14
3,600.00 32.00 24.40 100.00 3,331.19 985.50 420.43 1,043.54 1.07
3,700.00 30.80 24.00 100.00 3,416.54 1,033.02 441.79 1,094.04 1.22
3,800.00 30.60 22.30 100.00 3,502.53 1,079.96 461.86 1,143.76 0.89

3,900.00 31.20 21.70 100.00 3,588.33 1,127.58 481.10 1,193.99 0.67

4,000.00 30.80 20.80 100.00 3,674.05 1,175.58 499.76 1,244.50 0.61
4,100.00 30.00 20.80 100.00 3,760.30 1,222.89 517.73 1,294.21 0.80
4,200.00 29.70 19.80 100.00 3,847.03 1,269.57 535.00 1,343.18 0.58
4,300.00 29.80 20.80 100.00 3,933.85 1,316.11 552.22 1,392.00 0.51

4,400.00 29.50 21.10 100.00 4,020.76 1,362.31 569.90 1,440.57 0.33

4,500.00 29.20 20.80 100.00 4,107.92 1,408.08 587.43 1,488.69 0.33
4,600.00 29.00 20.60 100.00 4,195.30 1,453.57 604.62 1,536.48 0.22
4,700.00 28.70 21.40 100.00 4,282.89 1,498.62 621.91 1,583.85 0.49
4,800.00 28.50 21.20 100.00 4,370.69 1,543.22 639.30 1,630.79 0.22

⎛ 1 ⎞
D 2 = tan−1 ⎜ 2 ⎟ − 1 = 0.0538
⎝ 0.9986 ⎠

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-23

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

2 ⎛ D2 ⎞
FC = × tan ⎜ ⎟
D2 ⎝ 2 ⎠

2 ⎛ 0.0538 ⎞
FC = × tan ⎜ ⎟ = 1.0002408
0.0538 ⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ ΔMD ⎞
ΔTVD = ⎜ ⎟ ( cos I1 + cos I2 ) ( FC )
⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 100.00 ⎞
ΔTVD = ⎜ ⎟ ( cos 0.2618 + cos 0.3142 )(1.0002408 ) = 95.87 ft
⎝ 2 ⎠

TVD2 = ΔTVD + TVD1

TVD2 = 95.87 + 1494.31 = 1590.18 ft

⎛ ΔMD ⎞
ΔNorth = ⎜ ⎟ ⎡⎣( sin I2 × cos A2 ) + ( sin I1 × cos A1 ) ⎤⎦ ( FC )
⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 100.00 ⎞
ΔNorth = ⎜ ⎟ ⎣⎡( sin 0.3142 × cos 0.4171) + ( sin 0.2618 × cos 0.4067 ) ⎦⎤ (1.0002408 )
⎝ 2 ⎠

ΔNorth = 26.02 ft

North2 = ΔNorth + North1

North2 = 26.02 + 59.98 = 86.00 ft

⎛ ΔMD ⎞
ΔEast = ⎜ ⎟ ⎡⎣( sin I2 × sin A2 ) + ( sin I1 × sin A1 ) ⎤⎦ ( FC )
⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 100.00 ⎞
ΔEast = ⎜ ⎟ ⎡⎣( sin 0.3142 × sin 0.4171) + ( sin0.2618 × sin 0.4067 ) ⎤⎦ (1.0002408 )
⎝ 2 ⎠

ΔEast = 11.38 ft

East 2 = ΔEast + East1

East 2 = 11.38 + 25.12 = 36.50 ft

The same calculations are made at each survey depths, and the results
are shown in Table 2-8.

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 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

Table 2-8. Survey Calculations for Directional Well No. 1 using the Minimum Curvature Method

TRUE VERTICAL
MEASURED INCLIN- COURSE VERTICAL RECTANGULAR SECTION DOGLEG
DEPTH ATION AZIMUTH LENGTH DEPTH COORDINATES 10 DEG SEVERITY
(feet) (degrees) (degrees) (feet) (feet) NORTH EAST (feet) (deg/100’)
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,000.00 0.00 0.00 1000.00 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1,100.00 3.00 21.70 100.00 1,099.95 2.43 0.97 2.56 3.05
1,200.00 6.00 26.50 100.00 1,199.63 9.54 4.27 10.14 3.02
1,300.00 9.00 23.30 100.00 1,298.77 21.40 9.70 22.76 3.03

1,400.00 12.00 2030 100.00 1,397.08 38.34 16.40 40.61 3.05

1,500.00 15.00 23.30 100.00 1,494.31 59.98 25.12 63.44 3.08
1,600.00 18.00 23.90 100.00 1,590.18 86.00 36.51 91.03 3.00
1,700.00 21.00 24.40 100.00 1,684.44 116.45 50.17 123.40 3.00
1,800.00 24.00 23.40 100.00 1,776.81 151.44 65.65 160.54 3.02

1,900.00 27.00 23.70 100.00 1,867.06 190.90 82.86 202.39 3.00

2,000.00 30.00 23.30 100.00 1,954.93 234.66 101.88 248.78 3.01
2,100.00 30.20 22.80 100.00 2,041.45 280.81 121.51 297.64 0.32
2,200.00 30.40 22.50 100.00 2,127.79 327.37 140.94 346.87 0.25
2,300.00 30.30 22.10 100.00 2,214.08 374.12 160.11 396.23 0.23

2,400.00 30.60 22.40 100.00 2,300.29 421.02 179.30 445.76 0.34

2,500.00 31.00 22.50 100.00 2,386.19 468.34 198.86 495.76 0.40
2,600.00 31.20 21.60 100.00 2,471.81 516.22 218.25 546.27 0.51
2,700.00 30.70 20.80 100.00 2,557.58 564.16 236.85 596.72 0.65
2,800.00 31.40 20.90 100.00 2,643.25 612.36 255.20 647.38 0.70

2,900.00 30.60 22.00 100.00 2,728.96 660.30 274.03 697.86 0.98

3,000.00 30.50 22.50 100.00 2,815.08 707.35 293.28 747.53 0.27
3,100.00 30.40 23.90 100.00 2,901.29 753.92 313.24 796.86 0.72
3,200.00 30.00 24.50 100.00 2,987.72 799.80 333.86 845.63 0.50
3,300.00 30.20 24.90 100.00 3,074.23 845.37 354.82 894.14 0.28

3,400.00 31.00 25.70 100.00 3,160.31 891.39 376.57 943.23 0.90

3,500.00 31.10 25.50 100.00 3,245.98 937.90 398.86 992.91 0.14
3,600.00 32.00 24.40 100.00 3,331.20 985.34 420.92 1,043.47 1.07
3,700.00 30.80 24.00 100.00 3,416.55 1,032.86 442.28 1,093.97 1.22
3,800.00 30.60 22.30 100.00 3,502.54 1,079.80 462.36 1,143.68 0.89

3,900.00 31.20 21.70 100.00 3,588.34 1,127.42 481.59 1,193.91 0.67

4,000.00 30.80 20.80 100.00 3,674.06 1,175.42 500.26 1,244.43 0.61
4,100.00 30.00 20.80 100.00 3,760.31 1,222.72 518.23 1,294.13 0.80
4,200.00 29.70 19.80 100.00 3,847.04 1,269.40 535.50 1,343.10 0.58
4,300.00 29.80 20.80 100.00 3,933.87 1,315.94 552.71 1,391.92 0.51

4,400.00 29.50 21.10 100.00 4,020.77 1,362.14 570.40 1,440.49 0.33

4,500.00 29.20 20.80 100.00 4,107.94 1,407.91 587.93 1,488.61 0.33
4,600.00 29.00 20.60 100.00 4,195.31 1,453.40 605.12 1,536.40 0.22
4,700.00 28.70 21.40 100.00 4,282.90 1,498.45 322.41 1,583.77 0.49
4,800.00 28.50 21.20 100.00 4,370.70 1,543.05 639.80 1,630.71 0.22

The results of the survey calculations for Directional Well No. 1 in Example 2-2 are compared in
Table 2-9 and Table 2-10. The comparison shows a significant difference when using the
tangential method. The difference is much less pronounced with the other four methods. Table

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-25

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

2-10 shows the difference in the calculated TVD, North and East assuming the minimum
curvature method is the most accurate. The average angle, balanced tangential and radius of
curvature methods are all within one foot of each other at total depth. It must be remembered
that as the distance between surveys increases, the average angle and balanced tangential
errors will increase significantly.

Table 2-9. Comparison of the Survey Calculation Methods for Example 2-2 Results

METHOD TVD NORTH EAST

Feet Feet Feet
Tangential 4,364.40 1,565.23 648.40
Balanced Tangential 4,370.46 1,542.98 639.77
Average Angle 4,370.80 1,543.28 639.32
Radius of Curvature 4,370.69 1,543.22 639.30
Minimum Curvature 4,370.70 1,543.05 639.80

Table 2-10. Relative Difference between the Survey Calculation Methods for Example 2-2 Results

DIFFERENCE DIFFERENCE DIFFERENCE

METHOD IN TVD IN NORTH IN EAST
Feet Feet Feet
Tangential -6.30 22.18 +8.60
Balanced Tangential -0.24 -0.07 -0.03
Average Angle +0.10 +0.23 -0.48
Radius of Curvature -0.01 +0.17 -0.50
Minimum Curvature +0.00 +0.00 +0.00

CLOSURE AND DIRECTION

The line of closure is defined as "a straight line, in a horizontal plane containing the last station
of the survey, drawn from the projected surface location to the last station of the survey." The
line of closure is identified in Figure 2-10. Simply stated, the closure is the shortest distance
between the surface location and the horizontal projection of the last survey point. The closure
is always a straight line because a straight line is the shortest distance between two points. The
closure is the polar coordinates at a given survey point as opposed to north and east being
rectangular coordinates.

When defining closure, the direction must also be given. Without indicating direction, the
bottomhole location projected in a horizontal plane could be anywhere along the circumference
of a circle with the radius of the circle being equal to the closure distance. The direction and
closure exactly specifies where the bottom of the hole is located in relation to the surface
location.

The closure distance and direction are calculated using the following equations assuming that
the wellhead coordinates and zero feet North and zero feet East:

2-26 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

East
Closure Direction = Tan −1 Equation 2-22
North

( North ) + ( East )
2 2
Closure Distance = Equation 2-23

If the wellhead coordinates are not zero North and East, the wellhead coordinates must be
subtracted from the These are the same equations used for calculating an angle and
hypotenuse of a right triangle.

Example 2-3
Given: To illustrate the use of these equations, the closure and direction of the
Directional Well No. 1 in Example 2-2 for the results of the minimum
curvature method are calculated below

From Table 2-8, the coordinates of the last survey point in the example
well are:

North = 1,543.05 ft

East = 639.80 ft

( North ) + ( East )
2 2
Closure Distance =

(1543.05 ) + ( 639.80 ) = 1670.43 ft

2 2
Closure Distance =

⎛ East ⎞
Closure Direction = Tan−1 ⎜ ⎟
⎝ North ⎠

⎛ 639.80 ⎞
Closure Direction = Tan−1 ⎜ ⎟ = 22.52° or 22 31'
o

⎝ 1543.05 ⎠

Since the bottomhole location is in the northeast quadrant, the closure

distance and direction are:

1,670.43 ft N22.52E

Then, the horizontal projection of the bottom of the hole is 1,670.43 feet
away from the surface location in the N22.52E direction.

VERTICAL SECTION

The vertical section is the horizontal length of a projection of the borehole into a specific vertical
plane and scaled with vertical depth. When the path of a wellbore is plotted, the vertical section
is plotted versus TVD. The closure distance cannot be plotted accurately because the plane of

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Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

closure (closure direction) can change between surveys. The vertical plot of a wellbore is in
one specific plane. Figure 2-10 graphically shows the difference between the closure distance
and vertical section. The closure distance and vertical section are equal only when the closure
direction is the same as the plane of the vertical section.

Figure 2-10. Graphic Representation of the Difference between Closure Distance and Vertical Section in the
Horizontal Plane

The vertical section azimuth is usually chosen as the azimuth from the surface location to the
center of the target. If multiple targets are present and changes in azimuth are required to hit
each target, the vertical section azimuth is usually chosen as the azimuth from the surface
location to the end of the wellbore.

The vertical section is calculated from the closure distance and direction. The equations for
calculating the vertical section can be seen in Table 2-1 and are as follows:

VS = cos ( Azvs − Azcl ) × (Closure Distance ) Equation 2-24

Example 2-4
Given: The data of Directional Well No. 1 from the previous examples.

The plane of the vertical section is 10°.

Calculate: The vertical section at the last survey point.

From the previous example:

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 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

Closure Distance = 1,670.43 feet

Closure Direction = 22.52°

Calculate the vertical section:

VS = cos ( Azvs − Azcl ) × (Closure Distance )

VS = cos (10 − 22.52 ) × (1670.43 ) = 1630.71 ft

Therefore, the distance of 1,630.71 feet would be plotted on the vertical

section. Figure 2-11 and Figure 2-12 are respectively the plan view and
vertical section for Example 2-2.

Plan View

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000
North, feet

800

600

400

200

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

East, feet
Figure 2-11. Plan View for Directional Well No. 1 of Example 2-2

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-29

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 2

Vertical Section

500

1000

1500
True Vertical Depth, feet

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Vertical Section, feet

Figure 2-12. Vertical Section for Directional Well no. 1 in Example 2-2

2-30 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 4

DETERMINING DIRECTIONAL WELL PLAN

The majority of today's directional well planning is performed on computers. Computers are fast
and can incorporate both changes in build and drop rates and changes in direction. All
directional drilling service companies offer this service; therefore, a final well plan should be
generated by a computer.

However, there are times when a directional driller or engineer may need to estimate the
inclination needed to achieve a specified departure, or he may need to change the well plan
while drilling the well. Sidetracking around a fish is an example. At these times a computer
may not be available. Presented here is a simple method of planning a directional well which
can be used in the office or field. With little practice, this method can be used to plan and plot a
directional well. If possible, the final plan should be processed by the directional drilling
contractor on a computer. In this chapter, we will look at two dimensional planning only. Three
dimensional planning (incorporating direction changes) is beyond the scope of this manual.

It should be remembered that if you can plan a directional well, then you can incorporate
changes to a directional plan in the field. The same equations are used to predict the inclination
and azimuth required to hit the target. The equations are also used to revise the directional
program when the target changes as in geosteered wells.

The first (and simplest) well to consider is a Type I well. The Type I well has a vertical hole to a
relatively shallow depth. Then, at the kickoff point, the well is deviated to a specified inclination.
At the end of built point, the hold or tangent section of the hole is drilled at the specified
inclination until the total depth is reached. Buildup charts can be used to determine the hold
inclination, measured depth (MD), true vertical depth (TVD), and horizontal departure (DEP) in
the building or dropping section of the hole. They can also be easily calculated. The
trigonometric solution of a right triangle is used to determine the MD, TVD, and DEP in the hold
section of the hole. An example problem follows which will demonstrate the procedures.

Example 4-1
Given: Target Depth - 9,800 feet TVD

Kickoff Point - 2,000 feet TVD

Horizontal Departure - 2,926 feet

Direction of Departure- N20°E

Rate of Build - 2°/100 feet

Total Depth of Well - 10,000 feet TVD

Determine: True vertical depth for each section

Measured depth for each section

Horizontal departure for each section

4-2 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Planning a Directional Well

North coordinate at target and TD

East coordinates at target and TD

Closure distance at target and TD

Closure direction at target and TD

Construct a vertical section and horizontal plan view.

Solution: Section 1 - Vertical to KOP

From the information given, the kickoff point is 2,000 feet. Since this is a
vertical hole, there is no horizontal departure, and the MD is the same as
the TVD. The following shows the data for this section of the hole. In
reality, the hole will not be perfectly vertical but for planning purposes, it si
sufficient to assume that it is vertical.

SECTION MD TVD DEP

(feet) (feet) (feet)

Vertical to KOP 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00

Section 2 - Build

To determine the angle necessary to achieve the desired horizontal

departure of 2,926 feet, the 2°/100 feet buildup graph is used. To use this
graph, one must determine the TVD remaining in which to accomplish the
horizontal departure. The TVD remaining in this example is the total TVD
to the target minus the TVD to the kickoff point or: 9,800' - 2,000' = 7,800'
TVD remaining.

In 7,800 feet of TVD, the hole must have a horizontal departure of 2,926
feet. Using the 2°/100 feet buildup graph (Figure 4-1), enter the graph at
2,926 feet on the horizontal departure scale (bottom). Draw a line up until
it meets the TVD depth (vertical scale) of 7,800 feet. Read the angle of
inclination running through this point. That inclination is 22°. Therefore, if
the inclination is increased at 2°/100 feet to 22° and then maintained; the
horizontal departure will be 2,926 feet after drilling 7,800 feet of true
vertical depth. When the hole is kicked off at 2,000 feet TVD, the
inclination should be built to 22° at a rate of 2°/100 feet. The 22°
inclination is maintained until a TVD of 9,800 feet is reached which will hit
the target. Drilling is continued at 22° to a total depth of 10,000 feet TVD.

Now determine the MD, TVD, and DEP for the build portion of the hole.
This information can be obtained from the 2°/100 feet buildup table,
included in the Appendix. At an inclination of 22°, the following is the
corresponding MD, TVD, and DEP.

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 4-3

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 4

SECTION MD TVD DEP

(feet) (feet) (feet)

Build 1,100.00 1,073.17 208.60

It takes 1,100 feet of measured hole to increase the inclination from 0° to

22°. The true vertical depth for the 1,100 feet of drilling is 1,073.17 feet
and the horizontal departure is 208.60 feet. These numbers were
calculated using the radius of curvature method.

Section 3 - Hold to Target and TD

The MD of the hold section of the hole can be calculated using the
geometry of a right triangle with the hypotenuse being the measured
depth. The remaining horizontal departure and true vertical depth can be
calculated by subtracting the TVD and DEP to the end of the build section
from the total.

TVD Remaining = 9,800.00’ – 2,000.00’ – 1,073.17’ = 6,726.83’

DEP Remaining = 2,926’ - 208.60’ = 2,717.40’

Figure 4-2 is a right triangle which represents the hold section of the hole
with Angle “A” being the inclination (22°). Side “b” is the TVD (6,726.83
feet). Side “a” is the horizontal departure (2,717.40 feet). Side “c” is the
MD which must be calculated. From the trigonometric functions of a right
triangle, we know that:

opposite side (a )
Sin A =
hypotenuse (c )

From this equation, we can solve for the measured depth.

2,717.40'
Sin 22° =
c

2,717.40'
c= = 7,254.01 ft
Sin 22°

Therefore, the measured depth of the hold section of the hole to the
target is 7,254.01 feet. Now, the horizontal departure and measured
depth of the well must be calculated from 9,800 feet TVD to 10,000 feet
TVD which is the remaining portion of the well to be drilled. It can also be
calculated using the trigonometric functions of a right triangle. The
inclination is 22° and the TVD remaining is as follows:

TVD Remaining = 10,000’ - 9,800’ = 200.00’’

4-4 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Planning a Directional Well

Figure 4-1. Graph for 2o/100 feet Buildup

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 4-5

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 4

Figure 4-2. Right Triangle Representing Hold to Target Section

In the triangle shown in Figure 4-3, the Angle “A” is equal to the
inclination (22°). Side “b” is equal to TVD (200.00 feet). Side “c” (MD)
and side “a” (DEP) must be determined. The horizontal departure can be
determined from the tangent of Angle “A.”

opposite side(a )
Tan A =
adjacent side (b )

a
Tan 22° =
200'

a = 80 .81 ft

Therefore, the horizontal departure is equal to 80.81 feet. The measured

depth can be determined from the cosine of angle “A”.

adjacent side (b )
Cos A =
hypotenuse (c )

200'
Cos 22° =
c

c = 215 .71 ft

4-6 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Planning a Directional Well

Figure 4-3. Right Triangle Representing Hold to TD Section in

Therefore, the measured depth is equal to 215.71 feet. The information

from the hole portion of the hole can be entered in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1. Directional Profile for Example 4-1

SECTION MD (feet) TVD (feet) DEP (feet)

Vertical to KOP 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00
Build 1,100.00 1,073.17 208.60
Hold to Target 7,254.01 6,726.83 2,717.40
Hold to TD 215.71 200.00 80.81
Total 10,569.72 10,000.00 3,006.81

The well is to be drilled to a vertical depth of 2,000 feet. Then the well is
kicked off at a rate of 2°/100 feet until an inclination of 22° is reached.
The inclination is maintained at 22°, and the well is drilled to a TD of
10,569.72 feet MD or 10,000 feet TVD.

To make the directional program easier to understand, a vertical and

horizontal plan view of the wellbore course can be drawn. The vertical
section is shown in Figure 4-4 and was constructed from Table 4-1. To
construct the figure, the true vertical depth will be on the vertical scale,
and the horizontal departure will be on the horizontal scale. As shown,
each section of the well is plotted on the graph. The first section to be
plotted is the vertical section to the kickoff point. In that section, the TVD
is 2,000 feet and the horizontal departure is 0.00 feet. The point is plotted
representing the location of the well at 2,000 feet TVD. This point will be

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 4-7

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 4

called point "B". Point "A" is the location at the surface. A line is drawn
from 0 to 2,000 feet TVD which represents the wellbore course.

The next point to plot is at the end of the build section. That point can be
located by the TVD and DEP at the end of the build section. From Table
4-1, the TVD is equal to 1,073.07 feet plus 2,000 feet. The DEP is equal
to 208.60 feet plus 0.00 feet. Therefore, the TVD and DEP are 3,073.19
feet and 208.60 feet, respectively. This point can now be plotted on the
graph and is called point "C". Since the inclination increases from 0° to
22°, a smooth curve should be drawn from point "B" to point "C".

The next section is the hold section to the target at a true vertical depth of
9,800 feet. The TVD and DEP can be calculated by summing the values
in Table 4-1 through the hold to target section.

TVD = 2,000' + 1,073.17' + 6,726.83'

TVD = 9,800'

DEP = 0.00' + 208.60' + 2,717.40' = 2,926 ft

Note that the TVD and DEP are equal to the values specified in the
problem at the target depth. This point can be plotted and is called point
"D". A straight line is drawn from point "C" to point "D".

The last section is hold to TD. The TVD and DEP are again calculated by
summing all the values of TVD and DEP to total depth. This has already
been done in Table 4-1. Therefore, the TVD is 10,000 feet and the DEP
is 3,006.81 feet. Point "E" can now be plotted. A straight line is drawn
from "D" to "E". The vertical section is labeled as shown in Figure 4-4.

The next step is to determine the closure distance and direction, the
North coordinate, and the East coordinate. The closure direction is given
as N20ºE. The closure distance is the horizontal departure at any point in
the well. At target depth the closure distance is 2,926 feet, and at total
depth, the closure distance is 3,006.81 feet. The North and East
coordinates can now be determined from the solution of a right triangle at
both the target depth and total depths as shown in Figure 4-5 and Figure
4-6. In the right triangle, “b” will represent the North coordinate and “a”
will represent the east coordinate. The closure or horizontal departure is
represented by “c”, and angle “A” is the closure direction and is N20ºE or
an azimuth of 20°. The following are the calculations for the North and
East coordinates.

Target Depth, North Coordinate

adjacent side(b )
Cos A =
hypotenuse (c )

4-8 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Planning a Directional Well

Figure 4-4. Vertical Section Well DEF, Happy Oil Company, N20E Plain

b
Cos 20° =
2,926 .00'

b = 2,749.54ft

North = 2,749 .54 ft

Target Depth, East Coordinate

opposite side(a )
Sin A =
hypotenuse (c )

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 4-9

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 4

a
Sin 20° =
2,926 .00'

a = 1,000 .75 ft

East = 1,000 .75 ft

Figure 4-5. Right Triangle Representing the Horizontal View of the Well in at Target Depth

Total Depth, North Coordinate

adjacent side(b )
Cos A =
hypotenuse (c )

b
Cos A =
c

b
Cos 20° =
3,006.81'

4-10 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Planning a Directional Well

b = 2,825 .48 ft

North = 2,825 .48 ft

Figure 4-6. Right Triangle Representing the Horizontal View of the Well in at Total Depth

Total Depth, East Coordinate

opposite side (a )
Sin A =
hypotenuse (c )

a
Sin A =
c

a
Sin 20° =
3,006.81'

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 4-11

Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Chapter 4

a = 1,028 .39 ft

East = 1,028 .39 ft

The results are summarized as Table 4-2.

Table 4-2. Results of Example 4-1

CLOSURE CLOSURE
DISTANCE DIRECTION NORTH EAST
(feet) (degrees) (feet) (feet)

Target Depth 2,926.00 N 20º E 2,749.54 1,000.75

Total Depth 3,006.81 N 20º E 2,825.48 1,028.39

Figure 4-7. Horizontal Plan View of the well in Example 4-1

Enough information is now available to make a horizontal plan view. The

horizontal plan view for the example well is shown in Figure 4-7, and was
constructed from the information in Table 4-2.

4-12 Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved

 Horizontal and Directional Drilling
Survey Calculations

Table 2-3. Survey for Example 2-2

MEASURED DEPTH INCLINATION AZIMUTH

(feet) (degrees) (degrees)
0.00 0.00 N 0.00E
1,000.00 0.00 N 0.00E
1,100.00 3.00 N21.70E
1,200.00 6.00 N26.50E
1,300.00 9.00 N23.30E
1,400.00 12.00 N20.30E
1,500.00 15.00 N23.30E
1,600.00 18.00 N23.90E
1,700.00 21.00 N24.40E
1,800.00 24.00 N23.40E
1,900.00 27.00 N23.70E
2,000.00 30.00 N23.30E
2,100.00 30.20 N22.80E
2,200.00 30.40 N22.50E
2,300.00 30.30 N22.10E
2,400.00 30.60 N22.40E
2,500.00 31.00 N22.50E
2,600.00 31.20 N21.60E
2,700.00 30.70 N20.80E
2,800.00 31.40 N20.90E
2,900.00 30.60 N22.00E
3,000.00 30.50 N22.50E
3,100.00 30.40 N23.90E
3,200.00 30.00 N24.50E
3,300.00 30.20 N24.90E
3,400.00 31.00 N25.70E
3,500.00 31.10 N25.50E
3,600.00 32.00 N24.40E
3,700.00 30.80 N24.00E
3,800.00 30.60 N22.30E
3,900.00 31.20 N21.70E
4,000.00 30.80 N20.80E
4,100.00 30.00 N20.80E
4,200.00 29.70 N19.80E
4,300.00 29.80 N20.80E
4,400.00 29.50 N21.10E
4,500.00 29.20 N20.80E
4,600.00 29.00 N20.60E
4,700.00 28.70 N21.40E
4,800.00 28.50 N21.20E

Copyright © 2007 OGCI/PetroSkills. All rights reserved. 2-13