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TORQUE AND DRAG

in
Drag is the increase in string weight when
pulling out of the hole or the reduction in
string weight while tripping in the hole

ght while
Torque is the force required to turn the drill
string. In a perfectly vertical well, the

tIn
torque and drag are negligible. In
directional wells, torque and drag can be
significant. In horizontal or extended reach
wells, torque and drag are crucial
 Torque & Drag

Several factors affect hole drag, including hole inclination,

dogleg severity, hole condition, mud properties, hole size,
and drillstring component types, sizes and placement.

However, as mentioned earlier, in drilling situations

where the drillstring is not rotated (as when a steerable
system is used in the oriented mode) axial drag can become
very significant and should be evaluated using a Torque and
Drag computer program
 Reasons for torque
•inadequate hole cleaning
•highly deviated holes
•direction or formation changes
•an under gauged hole
•an increase in differential pressure
•bit or bottom hole assembly balling
•metal to metal contact
•cuttings bed on the low side of a high-angled hole
•excessive buildup of filter cake
•reactive, swelling formations (shale)
•dogleg severity
Along Hole Components of Force
Consider a short element of a BHA which has a weight W.
Effective weight in drilling mud = W(BF)

Component of weight acting along borehole = W(BF)cosq

If the BHA is not rotated, the force of friction, FFR acting up the borehole
on the BHA element is given by:
FFR = mN
...where m is the coefficient of friction,
N is the normal reaction force between the BHA element and the borehole
wall. If this normal reaction is due only to the weight of the BHA element
itself, then:
N = W(BF)sinq and hence
FFR = mW(BF)sinq
The net contribution to the WOB from this BHA element is therefore
WBIT = W (BF) (cosq - msinq)
G.1 TIGHT PULL

Tight pulls are mostly caused due to constriction/deviation

in hole or improper clean up. Suggested remedial action
for tight pulls are:

(1) Add a lubricant to the mud, either through the whole

circulation system or by spotting a "slick pill" across
the drill collar assembly and allowing it to soak
through. During this time, the string has to be
reciprocated.

(2) If severe over pulls are experienced, consideration

should be given to replace some of the drilI collars
by heavy weight drill pipes leaving the remaining
stabilizers at their original spacing.
G.1 TIGHT PULL
(3) Use larger bit nozzles in order to avoid plugging
up during working through tight spots.

The amount of overpull durin9' pulling out of the ho~

should not exceed the total drill collar assembly weight
or one -third of the total string weight, which ever is less.
When the string has to be pumped out of the hole, the
pump rate should be adjusted in such a way that
"Hydraulicing" does not happen.

This can be noticed in a sudden weight loss, an increase of pump

pressure and having no returns. Establish circulation first before pulling
into the tight spot. Be aware that scouring created by the
jet stream will aggravate the problem.
 EXTREME TORQUE
Heavy torque encountered during drilling may be due to
the following :

(1) A sudden change in the hole direction.

Ream this section until the torque is acceptable.

(2) Lost bit cones or skidding cones.

Raise the string to just off bottom and check for

torque. Rotate the string to bottom. When torque is back to normal, resume drilling.
A sharp increase in torque may indicate a lost cone. In this case it is better to
pullout of the hole regardless the expected remaining bit life.
Skidding bit cones are indicated by an irregular winding up noise at the rotary table
e.g. fluctuating rotary torque. A journal bit does not give a gradual torque increase
as the sign of its remaining bearing life. A sudden increase in torque indicates that
it is time to pull the bit.
 Torque increase due to formation change.

As soon as a formation change is noticed In combination with

heavy fluctuating rotary torque the bit has to be pulled off bottom.

Ream this interval with the minimum WOB. drill ahead with
reduced penetration rate until the near-bit stabilizer has passed
through this spot. Allow the bit to penetrate the new formation with
a more uniform pattern.

In case there is no near-bit stabilizer in the drill collar assembly

utmost care should be taken not to hang up with the next stabilizer

High torque can be reduced by selecting a bit with a more true rolling
effect (less offset)..