A Model for Calculation of Formation

Force and Its Application

Tie Yan and Jianqun Zhang, SPE, Daqing Petroleum Inst., and Geir Hareland, SPE, and J.M. Rajtar, SPE,
New Mexico Inst. of Mining and Technology

Summary
The paper presents a model of a rock-bit interaction. The model allows us to calculate formation forces that develop from rock-bit interactions and weight on bit (WOB). The model accounts for the effects of drilling trajectory changes and formation anisotropy and it
may eliminate the shortcomings of other models that do not specifically consider these effects. The paper discusses in detail the features and factors that affect formation forces. The model was applied to modify drilling technology in the south region of Daqing,
China. Drilling data were collected and the formation forces were
calculated. The results showed that the average formation force to
WOB ratio was about 0.74%. The results also indicated what strata
are primarily responsible for uncontrolled changes of drilling trajectory. This analysis allowed us to improve the drilling technology in
the region.
Introduction
Estimation of the forces between the drillstring and the formation
is vital for planning drilling trajectories in directional wells and for
preventing deviation of straight holes. Many models for calculating
formation forces have been published.1-6 All current models assume the bit equilibrium condition under constant inclination and
azimuth angles. However, during the drilling process, these angles
may continuously change. In effect, current models do not predict
formation forces with required accuracy. In this paper, a new model
for calculating formation forces is presented. The presented model
accounts for the effects of drilling trajectory changes on formation
forces. The strata deviating and azimuth drifting forces and their effect on the formation force are discussed. An example of calculation
of formation forces is presented on the basis of drilling data from the
wells drilled in the south region of Daqing, China. The paper provides the theoretical basis for controlling the drilling trajectory.
Field application of the model allowed the drilling of straight holes
in this area.
The Model
To calculate the formation force, a Cartesian system of coordinates
is selected with x axis along the drilling direction (Fig. 1). The resultant side force on the bit is acting in a z direction. The side force at
the bit can be calculated from the following equation:
Fa +

(1 * I r)g 1g 3
W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)
(1 * I r)A ) I r

Where
g 1 + cos a cos Q ) sin a sin Q cos Dg,
g 2 + sin Q sin Dg,
g 3 + cos a sin Q cos Dg * sin a cos Q,
Dg + q * q g,
and A + g 2 ) g 2 * g 1 g 2tgDq ) g 3tgDa .
2
3
Formation anisotropy index, Ir , is defined here as 1*ILr , where ILr
is the formation anisotropy index as defined by Lubinski.3 Because
coordinate z represents the well inclination, Fa affects only the well
Copyright 1996 Society of Petroleum Engineers
Original SPE manuscript received for review 15 September 1992. Revised manuscript received 11 June 1996. Paper (SPE 25519) peer approved 2 July 1996.

196

inclination and does not affect the well azimuth. Fa is called the strata deviating force (SDF).
In a similar manner, the force in y direction, Fw, can be calculated
by
Fw +

(1 * I r)g 1g 2
W.
(1 * I r)A ) I r

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2)

Because coordinate y represents the well azimuth direction, Fw only

affects the well azimuth and not the well inclination. Fw is called the
azimuth drifting force (ADF) of the formation. The resultant formation force, Ff , can be calculated as
F f + F 2 ) F 2 .
a
w

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)

The action direction for the resultant formation force is then

a F + arctanF aF w . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4)
The Eqs. 1 through 4 are the tools for calculation of formation
forces. A spatial schematic of formation forces is shown in Fig. 2.
Derivation of Eqs. 1 and 2 is outlined in the Appendix.
The Distributed Features of Formation Forces
Eq. 3 is the relation for calculating the total formation force. To
compare its correlation with the drilling parameters, Eqs. 1 and 2 are
used to analyze the distributed features and the factors affecting
formation force.
The Relationship Between the Formation Force and the Change
of the Difference Between the Drilling Azimuth and Formation
Updip Azimuth(Dg). Eqs. 1 and 2 show that the SDF and ADF are
functions of the angle between the drilling azimuth line and formation updip azimuth line, when other parameters are constant. These
relationships are plotted in Fig. 3. The SDF is represented by
approximately a sine curve and the ADF is represented by approximately a cosine curve. The formation force Ff given by Eq. 3 also
changes with values of Dg. Four particular cases follow.
1. For a case of Dg+0, SDF and ADF are
Fa +

(1 * I r)W
sin 2(Q * a)
2[(1 * I r)A ) I r]

and F w + 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
Eq. 5 indicates that the ADF is zero and the SDF is maximum when
the drilling direction is identical with the formation updip azimuth.
In this situation, coordinate x and the normal to the formation bedding lie in the same plane. The formation force becomes the SDF,
and it does not affect the wellbore azimuth. Actually, the 3D analysis
becomes 2D. Eq. 5 is a model for calculating the formation force in
2D analysis.
2. In a case when Dg+p/2, SDF and ADF are
Fa +

(1 * I r)W
sin 2a cos 2 Q
2[(1 * I r)A ) I r]

and F w +

(1 * I r)W
sin 2Q cos a.
2[(1 * I r)A ) I r]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6)

If a is very small, then Fa is approximately equal to zero. Therefore,

when wellbore azimuth is larger than the formation updip azimuth
and they are perpendicular, the strata deviating force is zero and the
ADF reaches its maximum value. It reduces the wellbore azimuth
SPE Drilling & Completion, December 1996

Fig. 2Spatial diagram of formation forces.

Fig. 1Selected system of coordinates, directions of forces and

velocities.

and makes the wellbore axis move toward the formation updip
direction.
3. In a case when Dg+p, SDF and ADF are
Fa +

(1 * I r)W
sin 2(Q * a)
2[(1 * I r)A ) I r]

and F w + 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7)
The drilling direction is opposite to the formation updip direction.
The SDF reaches its maximum value and the azimuth angle does not
change. The formation force reduces the wellbore inclination angle.
When a is equal to *b, the formation force is zero. In this case, the
formation force reduces the well inclination angle until zero and
then increases it to b along the formation updip azimuth. The formation force moves the wellbore axis toward the normal of the formation bedding in the vertical plane.
4. In a case when Dg+3/2p, SDF and ADF are
Fa + 0
and F w +

(1 * I r)W
sin 2Q cos a.
2[(1 * I r)A ) I r]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8)

The formation force only changes and increases the wellbore azimuth. The wellbore axis moves in the direction of the formation updip azimuth.
The SDF and ADF represent the impact of the formation on the
wellbore deviation. The SDF moves the wellbore axis toward the normal to the formation bedding. The wellbore inclination keeps changing until the wellbore axis coincides with the normal to the formation

Fig. 3Formation forces as functions of the difference between

azimuth and bedding angle.
SPE Drilling & Completion, December 1996

bedding. The ADF moves the wellbore axis toward the plane normal
to the formation bedding. The wellbore azimuth will change until the
wellbore axis coincides with this vertical plane. Generally, the formation forces always make the wellbore axis move toward the normal
to the formation bedding in a given direction.
In most drilling operations, the inclination and azimuth changes
simultaneously. The relationship between the formation forces and
the wellbore direction is illustrated in Fig. 4. Four quadrants with
different formation forces are considered. The effect of the formation on drilling trajectory provides a theoretical basis for controlling
the drilling trajectory.
Relationship Between the Formation Force and Formation Anisotropy. Anisotropy of the formation is represented by the anisotropy index. The relationship between the formation forces and anisotropy index are shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Fa and Fw will decrease as
Ir increases if all other parameters are constant. If Ir +1, Fa and Fw
are zero, and when Ir u1, Fa and Fw are negative. This means that
the formation anisotropy affects the value of formation forces and
the action direction of formation forces. The curves in Fig. 6 are basically divided into two sections. In the first section, 1uIr u0, Ff decreases with increasing Ir. In the second section, Ir u1, Ff increases
with Ir. The ratio of change of Ff with Ir is larger in the first section.
The action direction of Ff changes when the value of Ir passes
through 1. Therefore, the more anisotropic formation, the more
dominant the effect of rock anisotropy is on the formation forces.
Fig. 6 also shows that the effect of the formation anisotropy on the
formation forces increases with values of WOB.
Effect of the Inclination and Azimuth Changes on the Formation Forces. The formation force model presented here accounts for
the effect of drilling trajectory changes on wellbore direction. How

Fig. 4Schematic illustrating effect of formation forces on drilling trajectory.

197

Fig. 5Components of the formation force as functions of anisotropy index.

Fig. 6Formation force vs. anisotropy index.

large are the effects of drilling trajectory changes on formation

forces? Consider plots in Fig. 7. The dashed lines correspond to the
situation when Da+0, and formation forces are calculated for the
unchanged drilling trajectory. If Da is decreasing, the formation
force is also decreasing. The rate of decrease is larger for larger values of the force.
Application of the Model in
the South Region of Daqing
In the south region of the Daqing oil fields in China, it is a common
occurrence that formation forces result in a deviated wellbore. The
formation dip angle in this region is generally between 10 to 22.
The trend of the formation is from south to north. The data from 10
wells drilled in this region were collected and the formation forces
were calculated using the presented model. These forces were averaged for 10 drilled strata; the results are presented in Table 1. The
maximum calculated formation forces are observed in strata n2 and
s0. The formation force in general changes little from one strata to
the next. These results are verified by the actual field drilling experience and observations, which show that the largest trajectory deviations occur in the n2 and s0 strata. The calculated ratio of formation
forces to WOB is between 0.63% and 0.95%. The average ratio is
0.74%. This calculation is helpful in controlling the drilling trajectory in the area. In subsequent drilling operations, formation forces
were calculated and WOB was adjusted to achieve the desired directional performance. Uncontrolled deviation of drilled wells was
minimized.
Conclusions
1. The presented 3D formation force model accounts for the effect of rock anisotropy and drilling trajectory changes.

Fig. 7The effect of change of inclination angle on formation

force. (Dashed lines correspond to zero effect.)

2. The presented formation force model can quantitatively evaluate the relationship between formation forces and WOB. The formation force model evaluates the formation natural deviating tendencies in an area. If enough drilling experience and data are collected
in the area, the model can be used to control the drilling trajectory
of upcoming wells. The model can be used in straight holes to analyze the natural deviating tendencies of strata, to help optimize
BHA, and to maintain straighthole drilling. It can also be used in
directional wells.
3. The ADF always moves the wellbore axis toward the plane
normal to the formation. The SDF always makes the wellbore axis
move toward the normal to the formation bedding in the vertical
plane.

TABLE 1CALCULATED VALUES OF THE FORMATION FORCES

IN THE SOUTH REGION OF DAQING

S.S.

W, kN

n4
n3
n2
s0
s1
s2
s3
p1
p2
g11

120
120
120
120
120
120
120
120
120
120

Ir

0.9894
0.9871
0.9800
0.9787
0.9802
0.9815
0.9859
0.9825
0.9862
0.9857

SDF, kN

ADF, kN

Ff , kN

Ff /W, %

0.650
0.756
1.040
1.110
0.988
0.784
0.765
0.768
0.675
0.677

0.416
0.377
0.332
0.268
0.284
0.233
0.244
0.344
0.352
0.362

0.772
0.845
1.090
1.140
1.030
0.818
0.803
0.838
0.761
0.768

0.64
0.70
0.91
0.95
0.86
0.68
0.67
0.70
0.63
0.64

S.S.=stratigraphic sequence code.

198

SPE Drilling & Completion, December 1996

4. The model has been successfully applied to calculate formation force for semivertical wells in the south region of the Daqing
oil fields in China. The ratio of formation force to WOB is between
0.63% and 0.95%. The average ratio is 0.74%. The formation force
is maximum between the n2 and s0 strata in the region. Using the
model improved control of the deviation of drilled wells.
Nomenclature
Fa + SDF
Ff + formation force
Fw + ADF
ILr + Lubinskis formation anisotropy index
Ir + formation anisotropy index
W+ WOB
a+ inclination angle
aF + action angle of formation force
Da+ change of inclination angle
Q+ formation dip angle
q+ drilling azimuth angle
qg + formation updip azimuth
Dq+ adjusted change of azimuth angle

Q
*
sincoscos q sin0q cos Qsin Qq .
Q
cos
and [B] +

sin Q sin q * cos q cos Q sin q

. . . . . . . (A-4)

Transformation from x, y, and z to x, y, and z may be expressed

using [A] and [B] as

x
y
z

+ [A] [B]

x
y
z

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-5)

Introducing new matrix [G]+[A] T[B]:

x
y
z

+ [G]

x
y , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-6)
z

where
g 11 + cos a cos Q ) sin a sin Q cos Dg,
g 12 + * sin a sin Dg,

References

g 13 + * cos a sin Q ) sin a cos Q cos Dg,

1. Yang, Xunyao: Calculation of Formation Deflecting Force and Its Application, Acta Petro. Sinica (March 1985).
2. Gao, Deli, Liu, Xisheng, and Huang, Rongzun: Three-Dimensional Microanalyses of Rock-Bit Interaction, J. of the U. of Petro. (February
1989) 2331.
3. Lubinski, A. and Woods, H.B.: Factors Affecting the Angle of Inclination and Doglegging in Rotary Borehole, Drill. & Prod. Prac., API, Dallas (1953).
4. Ho, H.S.: Prediction of Drilling Trajectory in Directional Wells via a
New Rock-Bit Interaction Model, paper SPE 16658 presented at the
1987 SPE Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition, Dallas, 2730
September.
5. Yan, Tie and Zhang, Jianqun: Three-Dimensional Theoretical Analysis
of the Bit-Formation Interaction, Natural Gas Industry (November
1991) 4046.
6. Zhang, Jianqun and Yan, Tie: Rock-Bit Interaction Analysis and the Prediction of Drilling Trajectory, Acta Petro. Sinica (October 1991)
102110.

g 21 + sin Q sin Dg,

Appendix
Lets consider a bit penetrating an anisotropic formation. The vector
F is the mechanical resultant force on bit. Coordinates x, y, and z represent the system in which direction x is a drilling direction with the
center of coordinates in the center of the well. Coordinates x, y, and
z represent an independent system of coordinates with direction of
x positive vertically downwards and y and z directed north and
east, respectively. The third system of coordinates x, y, and z
represents formation coordinates oriented according to dip, with x
direction vertical to the bedding plane. The relationships between
these systems of coordinates may be expressed by transformation
equations of the form:

x
y
z

x
+ [A] y , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-1)
z

x
y
z

+ [B]

x
y
z

g 23 + cos Q sin Dg,

g 31 + * sin a cos Q ) cos a sin Q cos Dg,
g 32 + * cos a sin Dg,
g 33 + sin a sin Q ) cos a cos Q cos Dg,
and Dg + q * q g.
In the x, y, and z system, the relationship between the bit penetrating rate and the force can be expressed as

v
v + k
v

1 0 0
0 Ir 0
0 0 Ir

F
F ,
F

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-7)

where v , v , and v are components of the rate of penetration, and

x
y
z
F , F , and F are components of the bit force.
x
y
z
Components of the rate of penetration in x, y, and z system can be
expressed as

vx
vy
vz

Fx
1 0 0
0 I r 0 [G] T F y , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-8)
+ k[G]
0 0 Ir
Fz

or
v x + k(1 * I r)g 11g 11F x ) g 22F y ) g 33F z ) I rF x,
v y + k(1 * I r)g 22g 11F x ) g 22F y ) g 33F z ) I rF y,
and v z + k(1 * I r)g 33g 11F x ) g 22F y ) g 33F z ) I rF z. . (A-9)
Thus, the calculated vector of penetration rate, v, represents the new
drilling direction. Then,

, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-2)

where [A] and [B] are matrices of transformation from x, y, and z to

x, y, and z and x, y, and z to x, y, and z, respectively. The
exact forms of these matrices are
[A] +

g 22 + cos Dg,

cos a
0
* sin a
sin a cos q sin q cos a cos q
sin a sin q * cos q cos a sin q

SPE Drilling & Completion, December 1996

. . . . . . . . . . . . (A-3)

v zv x + tgDa
and v yv x + tgDq, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-10)
where
tgDq + tgDq 1(sin a ) cos atgDa)
and
Daincrement of the inclination angle,
Dq1increment of the azimuth angle.
199

Using Eq. A-9 in Eq. A-10 and eliminating Fy yields the following relationship:
Fz +

* (1 * I r)g 11g 33 * K 2tgDq ) K 1tgDa

F x , . . . . (A-11)
(1 * I r)A ) I r

where
A + g 2 ) g 2 * g 11 g 22tgDq ) g 33tgDa ,
22
33

Using Eqs. A-9 and A-10 and eliminating Fz , and following the
similar procedure, the force in the y direction to be used for balancing the formation force is derived as
Fw +

(1 * I r)g 11g 33
W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-17)
(1 * I r)A ) I r

Fw is called the ADF. For simplicity, g11, g22, and g33 are denoted
in the main body of the paper as g1, g2, and g3, respectively.
SPEDC

K 1 + g 2 ) g 2 (1 * I r) ) I r ,
11
22
and K 2 + (1 * I r)g 22g 33.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-12)

It can be observed from the form of Eq. A-11 that the bit force in z
direction may be divided into three components:
Fa + *

F z2 +

(1 * I r)g 11g 33
F , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-13)
(1 * I r)A ) I r x

* K 2tgDq
F , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-14)
(1 * I r)A ) I r x

and F z3 +

K 1tgDa
F.
(1 * I r)A ) I r x

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-15)

Eq. A-13 represents the component of the bit side force in z direction, resulting from the formation anisotropy. Eq. A-14 represents
the component of the bit side force in z direction that results from
changing the hole deviation. Eq. A-15 represents the component of
the bit side force in z direction that results from the wellbore inclination changes. Observe that when the hole deviation and inclination
are unchanged these last two components are equal to zero.
Considering the above, the force in the z direction to be used for
balancing the formation force is Fa . Letting Fx +W,
Fa +

(1 * I r)g 11g 33
W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-16)
(1 * I r)A ) I r

Fa is called the SDF.

200

Tie Yan is an associate professor of petroleum engineering with

Daqing Petroleum Inst. He holds BS and MS degrees in drilling en
gineering, both from Daqing Petroleum Inst. His area of special
ization is in drilling mechanics and optimization. Jianqun Zhang
is a professor of petroleum engineering at Daqing Petroleum
Inst. He specializes in drilling optimization, directional drilling,
well control, and well completions. A photograph of Zhang is
unavailable. Geir Hareland is an assistant professor of petrole
um engineering at New Mexico Inst. of Mining and Technology
in Soccoro. He worked 4 years at Amoco Research in Tulsa de
veloping and testing drilling engineering tools and models for
the advanced drilling facility. Hareland holds a BS degree in
mechanical engineering from U. of Minnesota, an MS degree
in petroleum engineering from U. of Tulsa, and a PhD degree in
mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State U. Jerzy M. Raj
tar is an assistant professor of petroleum engineering at New
Mexico Inst. of Mining and Technology. Previously, he was a re
search associate at Texas A&M U. Between 1976 and 1989, he
worked at the U. of Mining and Metallurgy, Krakow, on problems
of drilling models, reservoir simulation, and formation evalua
tion. Rajtar holds an MS degree in electrical engineering and a
PhD degree in petroleum engineering, both from the U. of Min
ing and Metallurgy.

Yan

Hareland

Rajtar

SPE Drilling & Completion, December 1996