TM 6004 – Teknik Pemboran Lanjut

RESUME API-63-106 FUNDAMENTAL

DETERMINATION OF MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE
DOG LEGS FROM FIELD DATA

Babas Samudra Hafwandi (22220003)

Program Studi Magister Teknik Perminyakan ITB 1
Outline

1. Introduction
2. Soft Formations
3. Hard Formations
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to Drilling
Contract Spesifications.
5. Standard Related.

2
1. Introduction
• The primary purpose of this study was to determine from an
examination of field data what specific rate of change of
angles could be tolerated in rotary bore holes.
• It was also desired to compare field data with rate-of-change
schedules based on theoretical work done by Lubinski.
• Further, it was hoped that information might be obtained to
determine whether type of formation (hard or soft) influences
the maximum dog legs that could be tolerated.

3
1. Introduction (Continued)
• The study began in April 1962, when a letter was sent to
members of the API mid-continent district study committee
on straight-hole drilling asking for information on known dog
legs and their effect on drilling problems.

4
1. Introduction (Continued)
• Directional surveys were requested, along with short
statements as to dog-leg difficulties experienced.
• Replies were received from 10 companies, of which 6
provided the type of information requested.
• Usable data were received on 72 wells located in the gulf
coast, mid-continent, and west coast areas.
• In these wells directional surveys revealed a total of 1,094
dog legs.
• Of these, 51 caused trouble of various kinds.
5
2. Soft Formations
Field Data

• To examine the data systematically and to permit correlation

with Lubinski's work, the reported dog legs were plotted on a
graph of dog-leg severity vs. distance from bottom.
• This plot for soft formations is shown in Fig 1. A total of 954
dogs legs ranging from ¼ to 15 deg per 100 ft are plotted.
• Although dog legs of up to 25 deg per 100 ft were reported,
the scale was limited to a maximum of 15 deg per 100 ft,
since the area of primary interest was in the lower range of
dog-leg severity. 6
 Basis for schedule of maximum 2. Soft Formations
permissible dog leg severity
(Continued)
Field Data (Continued)
Distance above bottom, 1000 ft

Legends :
. = No trouble
= Keyseat
= Fatigue of drillpipe or drillcollar
= Excess torque or drag
= Casing wear
= Rod on tubing wear.
Fig. 1. Plot of field data soft
formation (API 63 106. 1963).
Dog leg severity, degrees per 100 ft 7
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Field Data (Continued)

• In defining a dog leg as troublesome, it was so classified only

if the trouble could be associated with the dog leg with
reasonable certainty.
• Some troubles were experienced which did not appear
directly related to changes in angle.
• For example, some twist offs occurred during under-reaming
of large-diameter hole which, although possibly aggravated
by hole curvature, could have occurred in absence of dog
legs. 8
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Field Data (Continued)

• Keyseats were assumed to exist if they were reported as such

by the operator, or if pipe became stuck in a dog-leg interval.
• Fatigue failures of drill pipe or drillcollar connections were
attributed to a dog leg if the failure occurred opposite or
within a reasonably small distance below the dog leg.

9
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Field Data (Continued)

• This necessarily limited the consideration of fatigue failures

to very severe cases.
• Instances of casing wear were related to dog legs if a hole
developed in casing in an interval of angle change while
drilling was in progress.

10
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Field Data (Continued)

• Dog legs were considered to be contributing to the trouble if

high torque or drag was expenenced in the general section of
the hole containing the dog legs.
• Plotting the dog legs vs distance above bottom takes into
account tension in the drill pipe, which is an important factor
influencing the seriousness of a dog leg.
• Time, spent in the hole below a dog leg should also influence
the amount of trouble that might be expected.
11
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Field Data (Continued)

• Variables such as hole size, drill-pipe and drill-collar size

whether the angular changes were increasing or decreasing,
abrupt or gradual were not considered individually, since it
would be impracticable to consider them separately in
deviation schedules that would be developed for routine use.
• It may be observed that many of the more severe dog legs did
not cause immidiate trouble.

12
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Field Data (Continued)

• Possibly the reason for this is that drilling practices were used
which minimised potential trouble.
• Although immediate problems were not apparent in these
severe dog legs, some fatigue of the drill pipe and collars
probably developed.
• This fatiguing could have contributed to later failures which
were not easily related to the dog legs in question.

13
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves

• To compare the field data with some of the theoretical factors

related to dog-leg severity, several curves may be
superimposed on the field data. Fig. 2 shows such a
comparison for soft formations.

14
 Basis for schedule of maximum 2. Soft Formations
permissible dog leg severity
(Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical
Curves (Continued)
Distance above bottom, 1000 ft

Legends :
. = No trouble
= Keyseat
= Fatigue of drillpipe or drillcollar
= Excess torque or drag
Curve D, 2000 lb force on tool joint = Casing wear
Curve E, Drill pipe fatigue
Curve C, 1000 lb force on tool joint = Rod on tubing wear.
Curve B, 500 lb force on tool joint Fig. 2. Comparisons of theoretical
Curve A, Fatigue of drill collar connections
curves with field data (API 63 106.
Dog leg severity, degrees per 100 ft 1963). 15
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• To compare the field data with some of the theoretical factors

related to dog-leg severity, several curves may be
superimposed on the field data. Fig. 2. shows such a
comparison for soft formations.
• The curves in Fig. 2., which are based on work by lubinski,
show approximate limiting values of dog legs that can be
tolerated without causing fatigue failures in drill-collar
connections and in drill pipe.
16
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• Three curves are also included to show the relationship of

dog-leg seventy to force on drillpipe tool joints.
• A rigorous application of lubinski’s work would require that
curves be calculated for specific drillpipe, drillcolar, and hole
size combinations, as well as for various conditions of drill-
collar compression.

17
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• Curve A, the vertical line at 3¾ deg per 100 ft hole curvature,

is a limiting value of angular change to prevent fatigue in
drillcollar connections.
• The value of 3¾ deg is for 6¼ in collars in 3-7/8 in. hole and
would meet typical conditions of drill collar compression.

18
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• A correction factor is incorporated to allow for survey errors

resulting from curvature of the collars not conforming
exactly with hole curvature.
• This curve states that, to prevent fatigue failures in drillcollar
connections of the size considered, dog-leg severity should
not be allowed to exceed 3¾ deg per 100 ft, regardless of
depth.

19
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• Only one reported case of drill-collar fatigue failure is

available for comparison with Curve A.
• This is plotted in Fig. 2., as related to the 15-deg dog leg at
1,500 ft above bottom.
• The failure occurred just below the dog leg ma 6½-in. collar
in 7-3/8-in. hole.

20
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• The report of only one drill-collar failure and that in a very

severe dog leg might be expected, since stressing of the
collars would probably have to be very high in order for the
failure to occur soon enough to be readily associated with the
dog leg.
• In less severe dog legs some aging of the connections
undoubtedly occurs, but breaks could develop at a later time
so that the failures are not easily related to the dog leg.
21
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• Although the field data on drill-collar fatigue are limited,

existence of the one point to the right of Curve A provides
some evidence that fatigue failures may be expected in dog
legs exceeding 3¾ deg per 100 ft.
• The number of trouble-free pomts to the left of Curve A also
indicate that failures are infrequent in dog legs of less than
3¾ deg.

22
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• Curves B, C, and D depict maximum permissible changes of

angle to limit lateral force on drill-pipe tool joints against the
wall of the hole to 500, 1,000, and 2,000 lb, respectively.
• These curves are based on 4½-in. 16.6-lb drill pipe in 10
lb/gal mud.

23
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• The force with which drill pipe presses against the wall of the
hole in a dog leg increases as dog-leg severity, or hole
curvature, becomes greater the force also increases as tension
in the drill pipe increases, which depends upon the length of
drill pipe suspended below the dog leg.

24
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• These curves illustrate that a given lateral force, say 1,000 lb

in the case of Curve C, will occur in minor dog legs at great
distances above bottom (high tension in pipe) or in more
severe dog legs at lesser distances above bottom (low tension
in pipe).
• The three curves also show that at any distance above bottom
the lateral force increases as dog-leg seventy increases.

25
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• The force of tool joints on the hole wall influences formation

of keyseats, drag and torque on drill pipe, and wear of tool
joints and casing.
• The lateral-force curves are useful in arriving at a schedule of
permissible dog-leg severity, since if it is desired to limit the
lateral force to some value example 1,000 lb then dog legs
should not be allowed to exceed the values on Curve C.

26
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• As seen from Fig. 2., a great majority of the troublesome dog

legs involving keyseats, excessive torque or drag, and casing
wear fell to the right of Curve B.
• This would indicate that 500 lb force on tool joints could
probably be tolerated in most conditions of drilling in soft
formations.

27
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• Curve E in Fig. 2. shows limiting values of dog legs to

prevent fatigue failure in drill pipe.
• The curve is calculated for 4½-in. 16 6-lb Grade E pipe in 10
lb/gal mud.

28
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• A limiting bending stress of 18,000 psi is used as the

endurance limit
• Theoretically, to prevent aging or failure of drill pipe in
fatigue, dog legs should not be allowed to fall to the right of
Curve E.

29
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• The one reported instance of drill-pipe failure in the field data

studied did fall to the right of Curve E.
• The failure was associated with an 11 deg per 100 ft dog leg
which occurred 4,000 ft above bottom of the hole.
• Although the field data on drillpipe failure were limited, the
one case does corroborate the expected performance as
indicated by Curve E.

30
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• As with drill collar failures, possibly the reason for the lack
of reported cases is that, in the fast drilling associated with
soft formations, a section of drill pipe does not remain
opposite a dog leg for sufficient time to fail immidiately.
• Although some aging of the pipe takes place, breaks do not
occur soon enough to be attributed to the dog leg.

31
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity

• A schedule of permissible dog-leg seventy could be

developed from field data alone by drawing a suitable curve
on Fig. 1. so as to exclude all or most of the troublesome dog
legs.
• However, since the field data are limited in some respects, it
is believed that a more firm basis for establishing a schedule
would be provided by considerng the theoretical curves in
combination with the field data. 32
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• A proposed schedule is one that would follow the path given

by Curve A in Fig. 2. up to 1,800 ft above bottom, then along
Curve B to a minimum value of 1½ deg per 100 ft dog-leg
severity, and continuing vertically at 1 ½ deg to the
maximum distance considered above bottom of 12,000 ft.

33
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• This schedule is defined by the heavy solid line in Fig. 2. The

minimum value of 1½ deg is proposed in consideration of the
substantial number of trouble-free dog legs experienced in
this range of the field data.

34
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• It can be seen that only four troublesome dog legs fall to the
left of this proposed schedule.
• Of these four, only two caused serious trouble, and one of
these was a result of changing the hook-up in the drilling
string.
• The troubles associated with the points at 800 and 2,000 ft
involved only abnormal drag and did not result in stuck pipe.
35
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• In the two points at 4,100 ft keyseats were developed which

caused stuck pipe.
• In one case, however, pipe was stuck when going in with
stabilizers which had been added to the string although these
troublesome dog legs cannot be ignored entirely.

36
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• The fact that a large number of trouble-free points also

surround this area would indicate that the tolerance allowed
by the proposed schedule could be permitted with reasonable
safety.

37
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• Consideration might be given to schedules based on the

1,000 and 2,000 lb force on tool joint curves.
• A schedule based on the 1,000-lb force curve and limited as
before by the drill-collar fatigue, and 1½ deg minimum
curves could probably be used without incurring too much
hazard.

38
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• Three troublesome dog legs all keyseats would be added to

others to the left of this curve if it were used.
• Even a schedule based on the 2,000 lb curve might not be
excessive as long as the 3¾ deg drill collar fatigue limit is not
exceeded.

39
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• A schedule founded on the 2,000-lb curve would add only

another three troublesome dog legs to the left of the line.
• However, even though the more lement schedules formed by
the 1,000 or 2,000 lb lines might be within the range of
consideration, it is believed that until more data are available
it would be prudent to adopt a more conservative schedule.

40
2. Soft Formations (Continued)
Proposed Schedule of Maximum Permissible Dog-leg
Severity (Continued)

• The schedule discussed earlier, based on the 500-lb force

line, is proposed as one that strikes a good balance between
safety and economy.

41
3. Hard Formations
Field Data

• A simillar plot was made of dog legs in hard fornrntions. This

is shown in Fig. 3. as evident, much less data were available
than were reported for soft formations.
• The number of dog legs plotted total 140 only two were
reported as causing trouble, one of which was rod-on-tubing
wear.

42
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Field Data (Continued)

• The other was associated with stuck drill pipe, the dog leg
definitely contributed to difficulties in the hole, since pipe
was stuck twice in this interval as determmed by free-point
indicator.
• The relatively rare incidence of dog legs in hard formations,
as well as the few troublesome dog legs, would lead to the
conclusion that fewer problems could be expected in hard
sections of the hole as a result of changes in angle .
43
 3. Hard Formations
(Continued)
Field Data (Continued)
Distance above bottom, 1000 ft

Legends :
. = No trouble
= Keyseat
= Rod on tubing wear.

Fig. 3. Plot of field data soft

formation (API 63 106. 1963).

Dog leg severity, degrees per 100 ft 44

 3. Hard Formations
(Continued)
Field data (Continued)
Distance above bottom, 1000 ft

Legends :
. = No trouble
= Keyseat
= Rod on tubing wear.

Curve D, 2000 lb force on tool joint

Curve E, Drill pipe fatigue
Curve C, 1000 lb force on tool joint
Curve B, 500 lb force on tool joint
Curve A, Fatigue of drill collar connections
Dog leg severity, degrees per 100 ft
Fig. 4. Comparisons of theoretical
curves with field data hard
formations (API 63 106. 1963).
45
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves

• Although the quantity of data for hard formations is

somewhat limited, a similar comparison can be made
between field data and theoretically determined dog-leg
severity limits Fig. 4. shows the same set of theoretical
curves laid over the plot of dog legs in hard formations.

46
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• As seen, only one troublesome dog leg falls to the left of the
severity schedule that would be formed by the 3¾, deg drill
collar fatigue and 500 lb force on tool joint lines the trouble
involved with this dog leg was rod-on-tubing wear, which
occurred in a well produced by beam pump from a depth of
9,700 ft.

47
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• The operator reported that, in 12 years of operation, it has

been necessary to replace rod couplings two or three times in
the portion of the string near the dog leg.
• The tubing had to be replaced once because of wear it was
not known whether corrosion or tubing buckling contributed
to the wear.

48
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• As mentioned at the outset, one of the objectives of this study

was to determine whether different limits might be
established for hard and soft formations.
• In view of the limited amount of data available for hard
formations, it does not appear that sufficient information is
available to define a separate schedule for hard-rock drilling.

49
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• However, considering the number of trouble-free dog legs

reported m the 0 - 4000 ft and 4 deg per 100 ft range for hard
formations, a schedule similar to that recommended for soft
formations should apply to hard formations with adequate
safety.

50
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• Therefore, if adoption of a specific schedule of dog-leg

severity limits is to be considered by the committee, it is
suggested that one schedule be used for all formations.

51
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)

• The information presently available suggests that the

schedule shown as a heavy solid line on Fig. 3 and 4 would
be reasonably safe for the varied conditions of drilling
covered in this study.
• This schedule is shown in tabular form in Table 1.
• It is proposed that this schedule be considered as one to be
adopted tentatively until further refinement becomes
possible.
52
3. Hard Formations (Continued)
Comparison with Theoretical Curves (Continued)
Table 1. Proposed schedule of maximum permissible
dog-leg severity (API 63 106. 1963).

53
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications

• The schedule in Table 1 is readily adaptable to a straight-hole

specification form similar to that contained in the API model
form of drilling contract.
• As will be explained, however, some modification of the
straight-hole specifications in the API model form of drilling
contract is essential in order to make full use of the schedule.

54
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)

• Application of the schedule to the deviation specification

form may be illustrated by an example.
• Table 2 is a straight-hole specification form simmilar to that
in the API model drilling contract except that two essential
footnotes have been added example figures in the form are
for a 10,000-ft well.

55
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)

• For illustrative purposes, the well is assumed to be in an area

known to possess straight-hole characteristics with fast
drilling in the top 5,000 ft, and crooked-hole tendencies in
the lower 5,000 ft of hole.
• The schedule of allowed changes in angle, in degrees per 100
ft, is entered in the right-hand column after converting
distance above bottom to depths corresponding to the
expected total depth of 10,000 ft.

56
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)

• These dog-leg severity limits, although entered in terms of

degrees per 100 ft, are specified as the maximum change of
angle between any two surveys, rather than as a simple
degrees per 100 ft limitation.
• The reason for this becomes apparent in the following
discussion of distance between surveys that may be used.

57
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)

• In the interval 0-5,000 ft, a maximum distance between

surveys of 400 ft might be selected as permissible for the
straight-hole characteristics of the section.
• When using survey intervals as large as this, some dog legs
could go undetected if a means of prevention were not
included.
• In order to assure that angular change does not exceed the 1½
deg per 100 ft, a requirement is provided that intermediate
surveys be taken if the change in angle between 400 ft
surveys exceeds 1 ½ deg.
58
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)

• In the intervals 5,000-7,000 ft and 7,000-8,000 ft, distance

between surveys might be reduced to 50 ft because of
crooked-hole tendencies expected in this section here the 1 ½
and 2 deg per 100 ft allowed change in angle between
surveys must be reduced proportionately to ¾ and 1 deg for
the 50-ft spacing.

59
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)

• In the intervals 8,000-9,000 ft and 9,000-10,000 ft, distance

between surveys might be increased to 100 ft.
• Although crooked-hole conditions are expected in these
intervals, the survey spacing might be relaxed to some extent
since, being close to the bottom, much larger changes in
angle can be tolerated.
• With survey spacing of 100 ft, no adjustment is required for
the 3¼ and 3¾ deg allowed angular changes in the right
hand column.
60
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to Drilling Contract Spesifications
(Continued)

Table 2. Straight hole specification (API 63 106. 1963).

61
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)
• Either directional or inchnometer surveys may be used with
the specification form in Table 2 footnote c. is required on the
form to specify that change of angle shall be taken as the
change of overall angle when directional surveys are used.
• When inclinometer surveys are used, the measured change in
angle is assumed to be the change in overall angle.

62
4. Applications of Dog-Leg Severity Schedule to
Drilling Contract Spesifications (Continued)
• The numerical values of distance between surveys and
deviation from vertical shown in Table 2 are for illustration
only and are not to be considered as recommendations.
• Selection of survey spacing and deviation limits would be
determined by the operator to meet requirements of
individual wells.

63
5. Standard Related

• The numerical values of distance between surveys and

deviation from vertical shown in Table 2 are for illustration
only and are not to be considered as recommendations.
• Selection of survey spacing and deviation limits would be
determined by the operator to meet requirements of
individual wells.

64
5. Standard Related

1. API SPEC 5CT (2002)

This spesification covered spesification of casing and tubing,
and related to directional drilling.

65
5. Standard Related (Continued)

2. API RP 7G (2004)
This recommended practice involves not only the selection of
drill string members, but also the consideration of hole angle
control, drilling fluids, weight and rotary speed, and other
operational procedures.

66
5. Standard Related (Continued)

3. API Spec 7 (2001)

This specification covers requirements on drill-stem members,
including threaded connections, gauging practice, and master
gauges.

67
5. Standard Related (Continued)

4. API Spec 5D (2000)

This specification covers grade E drill pipe and all high
strength grades of drillpipe (grades X-95, G-105, and 5-135).

68
References

• API Mid-Continent District Study Committee on Straight Hole

Drilling (1963). Determination of maximum permissible dog
legs from field data. American Petroleum Institute.
• API Spec 5D (2000): Specification for Drill Pipe. American
Petroleum Institute. Washington DC – USA.

69
References (Continued)

• API Spec 7 (2001): Specification for Rotary Drill Stem

Elements. American Petroleum Institute. Washington DC –
USA.
• API Spec 5CT (2002): Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries-
Steel Pipes for Use as Casing and Tubing for Wells. American
Petroleum Institute. Washington DC – USA.
• API RP 7G (2004): Recommended Practice for Drill Stem
Design and Operating Limits. American Petroleum Institute.
Washington DC – USA.

70