Drill String Design

CASING
 Objectives
At the end of this lecture YOU will be able to:

Describe the functions of DPs, DCs and HWDPs

Define and explain the use of upsets, tool-joints, rotary shouldered
connections, BSR, SR, Stress Relief features, grades

Identify Buoyancy effect and Define neutral points

Calculate Margin Of Overpull, Slip Crushing Force

Perform DP design calculations based on Tension, Torsion, Burst and

collapse

Define buckling and Calculate Max WOB
 Functions of the Drill String
The drill string is the mechanical linkage connecting the drill bit to the
rotary drive system on the surface.
The drillstring serves the three main following functions :

Transmit and support axial loads - WOB

Transmit and support torsional loads - rpm

Transmit hydraulics to clean the hole and cool the bit.

The Drill String includes all tubular equipment between the Swivel and the
bit: Kelly, Surface Safety Valves, DP, HWDP, DC, Jars, Shock Subs,
Bumper Subs, Junk Baskets, Accelerators etc…
 Mechanical Properties of Steel

Stress & Strength: Stress = Load divided by Cross Section Area

Strain & stretch: Strain = Stretch divided by original length

Young Modulus : E = Stress divided by Strain = 30,000,000 psi

Elastic Limit:
Limit of stress beyond which, when the stress is removed, the steel will
have acquired a permanent stretch.

Minimum Yield Stress:

The stress which gives a strain of 0.5% (0.005”). When the stress is
removed, the steel will have acquired 0.2% of permanent deformation.

Ultimate Tensile Stress

The max stress on the curve, very close to the stress which will break the steel
 Mechanical Properties of Steel
120

Yp (ASTM method) Yp (API method) Uy

100
Elastic Limit

80

Stress
σ (ksi) 60

Proportional
Limit

40

20

0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.22 0.24

Strain
ε (in/in)
 Yield Strength / Tensile Strength

Yield Strength: is the level at which the material changes from

predominately elastic to predominately plastic strain behavior.
Unit for this measure is PSI.

Tensile Strength: is the highest stress level a material

achieves before it breaks. The unit for this measure is Lbs.
Exercise 1
Drill Pipe
 Drill Pipe
Function

To serve as a conduit or conductor for drilling fluid.

To transmit the rotation from surface to the bit on bottom.

Components

A pierced, seamless tube of forged steel or extruded
Aluminum Tool joints attached to each end of the seamless
tube.

Tool Joints

Provide connections for the drill string.

Separate pieces of metal welded to the seamless tube.

Thick enough to have pin or box cut into them.
 Drill Pipe Classification

Size: 2 3/8” to 6 5/8” – refers to OD of pipe body

Length: Range 1: 18-22 ft, Range 2: 27-30ft, Range 3: 38-45 ft

Grade: E - 75, X - 95, G - 105, S - 135

the numbers denote 1000’s of psi minimum yield stress
each grade has a min, max and average yield stress

Weight: Called nominal weight

Class: API classification for used pipe

For example a drill pipe could be: 5”, Range 2, G-105, 19.5ppf, New
Drill Pipe
 Drillpipe Upsets
Where the pipe joins the tooljoint, the pipe wall thickness is increased or
“upset”.
This increased thickness is used to decrease the frequency of pipe failure
at the point where the pipe meets the tool-joint.

The drill-pipe can have:

Internal upsets (IU), (OD stays the same )

External upsets (EU)

Internal and External Upsets (IEU).
 Drillpipe Upsets

See Friction Welding Video

 Drill Pipe Weights
When referring to Drill Pipe Weights, there are four important ones:

Plain end Weight – refers to the weight per foot of the pipe body.

Nominal Weight – refers to an obsolete standard (weight of Range I pipe

with connections). Is used today to refer a class of Drill pipe.

Adjusted Weight – refers to the weight per foot of pipe including the upset
but excluding the tool joint based on a length of 29.4 ft.

Approximate Weight – the average weight per foot of pipe and tool joints of
Range II pipe. This approximate weight is the number to use in Design
calculations.
 DP Manufacturing Tolerances
The API has set manufacturing tolerances on DP tubes:

OD tolerance:

For OD<= 4”, the tolerance is +/- 0.031”

For OD>4”, the tolerance is +1% -0.5%

Wall Thickness tolerance: -12.5%, +??

Mass tolerance:

For a single joint: +6.5% -3.5%

For a string: +6.5% -1.75%

There is no tolerance on the ID which is solely governed by the

OD and the weight tolerance
Tolerances do not apply to used pipe
Exercise 2 – Manufacture Tolerances

Based on the API Tolerances, and considering a single joint of 5 in DP,

19.5 lb/ft nominal weight, please calculate:
1. How big or small can the 5 in tube be?
2. How heavy or light can the 5 in tube be?? (plain end)
3. What is the range of tolerated ID?
4. What is the range of tolerated wall thickness?
5. What would be the range of internal capacities of 10,000 ft of that
tube?
 Tolerances & Reality Check

A study on pipe OD has

been conducted by Hydril
and 1800 tests were done
on randomly selected
pipes of different sizes,
coming from 16 different
mills and taken from 180
different orders covering
several years.

None of the pipes is actually of the nominal size or less!

They are all bigger, sometimes even exceeding the API
tolerances.
 Tool Joints

All API tool joints have a minimum yield stress of 120,000 psi
regardless of the grade of the drill pipe they are used on (E, X, G, S).

Tool joints are always stronger in tension than the tube to which they
are attached, and almost always weaker in torsion than the tubes to
which they are attached.

API says that tool joint torsional strength should be at a minimum of
80% of the tube torsional strength.

Make up torque is determined by pin ID or box OD. The make up
torque is 60% of the tool joint torsional capacity. The equation for
determining make up can be obtained from the appendix of API RPG7.

The API has developed a series of charts to find the recommended
make up torque to any connection given the tool jt OD of box and ID of
pin.
Make-Up Torque Charts
 Exercise 3 – Make up Torque
Using some tables and some figures of API RP7G
what should be the make-up torque of New 19.5 lb/ft,
NC 50, G105 and S135 drill pipe?

1. How do these values compare to the ones reported

on Table 10?
 Why Have a Connection?

To make a continuous length of pipe

Provide hydraulic seal

Transfer torque from surface to bit
 Thread Types

Reg - Regular

NC - Numbered Connections

IF - Internal Flush

H-90 - Hughes

FH - Full Hole
 Drillstring Connections
The most common thread style in DP is NC
The thread has a V-shaped form and is identified by the pitch diameter,
measured at a point 5/8 of an inch from the shoulder
Connection Number is Pitch dia*10 truncated to two digits

The size of a rotary shouldered

connection is fixed by its gauge point pitch
diameter. If the pitch diameter is 5.0417 in
 This is an NC50 connection

5/8”

GAUGE POINT PITCH DIAMETER Multiply 5.0417 by 10 → 50.417

Choose first two digits → 50
Hence NC 50
 Sealing

The threads DO NOT provide the hydraulic seal

Shoulder is the
only seal Channel

Bo
x
Pin
 Identifying a Thread Type
Use a Tool Joint ruler
 NC Drillstring Connections

There are 17 NC’s in use : NC-10 (1 1/16”) through NC-77 (7

3/4”)

Typical sizes: NC 50 for tool joints with 6 1/2” OD for 5” pipe and
NC 38 for 4 3/4” tool joints and 3 1/2” pipe.
Seal is provided by shoulder not threads. A clearance exists
between the crest of one thread and the root of the mating
thread.
Use of Zinc based dope (used to be Lead) vs Copper based
dope for DCs. Not for sealing but for lubrication, to help make-up
and prevent galling.
 Connection Interchangeability
NC NC 31 NC 38 NC 40 NC46 NC50
26
Int Flush IF 2-3/8 2-7/8 3-1/2 4 4-1/2

Full Hole FH 4

Extra Hole XH 2-7/8 3-1/2 4-1/2 5

Dbl DSL 3-1/2 4-1/2 5-1/2

Streamline

Slim Hole SH 2-7/8 3-1/2 4 4-1/2

Ext Flush EF 4-1/2

Drill Collars and HWDP
 Drill Collars
Description

They are heavy walled metal tubes

The ends are threaded (box and pin)

Functions

To put weight on bit (WOB)

To keep the drill string from buckling

Types

Comes in many OD and ID sizes

Typically 4 ¾” to 9 ½” OD

Most commonly in lengths of 30-31 feet

Square collars where the holes tend to be crooked

Spiral collars where there is chance of getting stuck

Collars with elevator and slip recesses
More functions of Drill Collars

Protect the Drill string from Bending

Control direction and inclination of wells

Drill straighter holes or vertical holes

Provide Pendulum effect

Reduce dog legs, key seats and ledges

Improve the probabilities of getting casing in the hole

Increase bit performance

Reduce rough drilling, sticking and bouncing

As a tool in fishing, testing, completing
 Drill Collars Strapping
length
ID
OD
elevator slip
recess recess
fish neck connection
Well# TRG 1 Bit # 1
Date: 28-Jul-03 Sl # 1234
Rig: IDPT Type atm 234
BHA#: 1 Manuf Hughes
Hole Size 26" Jets 20-20-20

Item Sl # ID OD FN Pin Box Length Remarks

Bit 1234 26" 7 5/8" R 0.75 New
Bit Sub SL 235 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 7 5/8 R 1.01
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9546 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.67 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 8.96
Stab 237689 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.93 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 2.36
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9503 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.78 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 9.01
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9521 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.95 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 9.04
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9520 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 1.03 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 8.99
Drill Collars and HWDP
 Drill Collar Connections

DC connections are rotary shouldered connections and can mate the

various DP connections.

The shoulder provide the only positive seal against fluid leakage.

The connection is the weakest part of the entire BHA.

Improper M/U torque, improper or insufficient lubricant, galling can all
lead to connection failure.

The DC connections go through cycles of tension-compression and
are subject to bending stresses.
 Joint Stress

Cracking in last thread of Pin

Stress
in Pin
Stress in

Cracking in last thread of Box Box
 Stress Relief Features
Cold Rolling

Cold Rolling BHA thread roots
and stress relief surfaces
increases fatigue life by
placing a residual
compressive stress in the
thread roots.

Cold rolling is beneficial on
HWDP threads, though not on
normal drillpipe tool joints.

Picture Source: NOV web page – Drill Collars: Product Specifications

 Stress Relief Features

Stresses in DC connections are concentrated at the base of the pin
and in the bottom of the box

DP body bends easily and takes up the majority of the applied
bending stress, DP connections are therefore subjected to less
bending than the DP body.

DCs and other BHA components are however much stiffer than the
DPs and much of the bending stresses are transferred to the
connections.

These bending stresses can cause fatigue failure at the connections

Stress Relief Groove / Bore Back

 Stress Relief Features

The stress relief groove is to mitigate the fatigue cracks where the
face and threads would have otherwise joined

The Bore Back serves the same purpose at the bottom of the box

Pin stress relief grooves are not recommended on connections

smaller than NC-38 because they may weaken the connection’s
tensile and torsional strength.

Bore Back boxes could be used on smaller connections.

 Stress Relief Features

Normal Pin Pin with Stress Relief Groove

Normal Box Box with Bore Back Box with Stress

Relief Groove
 Stress Relief Groove

Relief Groove
Stress Relief Pin & Box Features
 Lo-Torq Feature

The low torque feature consists in

removing part of the shoulder area of
the pin and box.

This allows for lower make-up torque

maintaining adequate shoulder
loading.

It is a common feature in large OD

connections.
 DC Make-Up Torque

M/U Torque as % of torsional yield

API recommended make- DC< 7 in DC>7 in
up torque for connections
is a percentage of the total PAC 79.5% N/a
torsional yield of the
connection. H-90 51.1% 56.2%
API NC 56.8% 62.5%
Heavy Weight Drill Pipe
Design

Heavier wall and longer tool joints

Center wall pad

Also available in spiral design

Function

Used in transition zones between DC and DP

This prevents the DP from buckling

Can be used in compression (?)

Used for directional drilling

Used in place of DC sometimes (?)

Not to be used for Weight on Bit in vertical
wells
Heavy Weight Drill Pipe
Characteristics

Has the same OD as a standard DP but with much

reduced inside diameter (usually 3” ID for 5” DP)
and has an integral wear pad upset in the middle.

It is used between standard DPs and DCs provide
a smooth transition between the different sections
of the drillstring components.

Tool-Joint and Rotary shouldered connection, just
like DP

HWDP, although stiffer than DP, can also buckle
 Heavy Weight Drill Pipe
HWDP in Compression?

HWDP can be run both in tension and in compression

BUT!!!

They should not be buckled

Manufacturers recommend not to run HWDP in compression in
hole sizes larger than 12 ¼”

Experience shows that they should not be run in compression in
Vertical Holes

If run in compression, rules of thumb are:

TJOD + 6” > OH diameter

2 x TJOD > OH diameter
Pipe Rating
 Design Considerations

Tension

Torsional Strength

Burst

Collapse

Biaxial (Tension and Torsion)

Biaxial (Tension and Collapse)
 Design Factor

DF = Rating /Applied Load

Used for casing and tubing design and for Drill String Design

DF < 1.0 ⇒ Failure may or may not occur

Note: not to be confused with Safety Factor

SF = Failure Load/Applied Load

SF < 1 ⇒ Failure is imminent
 Design Factors
Tension: 1.1
Burst:1.2
Collapse: 1.15
Torsion: No Design Factor Required.

Not DF but will be considered in Drill String Design:

Margin of OverPull: 50-100K
Excess BHA Wt: 1.15
Buckling: In highly deviated wells it is possible to use DP in compression,
provided it is not buckled
 Pipe Ratings - Tension
DP tube Tensile Rating is given by:

π
TYield = * (OD − ID 2) * Yp
2

4
where Yp is Min Yield Strength and OD and ID are nominal diameters

The results can be found in API RP7G Table 2, 4 & 6

Tool Joints are always stronger in tension than the pipe they are attached to.
 Pipe Ratings - Torsion
DP tube Torsional Yield is given by:

0 . 096167 * J * Y p
Q =
OD
where J is the polar moment of inertia:

π
J = ( OD 4
− ID 4 )
32
The results can be found in API RP7G Table 2, 4 & 6

Tool joints are almost always weaker than the tubes they are attached to

Tool joints Yield formula is much more complex

 Pipe Ratings - Burst
DP tube Burst Rating is given by Barlows formula:

2 * Yp * t
PBurst = 0.875 *
OD
where Yp is Min Yield Strength, OD and ID are nominal diameters
and t is the thickness

The results can be found in API RP7G Table 3, 5 & 7

 Pipe Ratings - Collapse

DP tube Collapse Rating is given by 7 formulas (!):

The ratings will depend on the D/t ratio and one the Grade of the
pipe

Derivations can be found in API RP7G Appendix A and yield the

results found in Table 3, 5 & 7

One major assumption to use the tables is that

the pipe is under no axial load
 Pipe Ratings of Used Pipe

The strength of DP is determined by the strength of the weakest

point, thus the “worst case” has been assumed for calculating
tensile, torsional, burst and collapse resistance of DP

For calculating tensile and torsional ratings of used DP, it must be

assumed that the ID has its nominal value and that all the wear has
taken place uniformly on the outside of the pipe

For calculating burst and collapse ratings of used DP, it must be

assumed that the OD has its nominal value and that all the wear
has taken place uniformly on the inside of the pipe
 Exercise 4 - Ratings
For a 5” nominal OD, 19.5# nominal weight, X-95, both New and
Premium, calculate:

Torsional Rating (Torsional Yield Strength)

Tensile Rating: (Min Tensile Yield Strength)

Burst Rating: (Min Internal Yield Pressure)

Compare with Table 2,3,4,5 of API RP7G

Pipe Ratings – Biaxial Collapse
When the string is in tension, the Collapse rating is further de-rated:

P Biaxial Collapse
= K < 1
P Nonimal Collapse

PBiaxial 4 − 3Z 2
− Z
=
Collapse

PNo min al Collapse 2

AxialLoad
Z =
0 .7854 (OD 2 − ID 2 ) * Yp Average
Notes:

The use of the Average Yield Stress not minimum

For used pipe, ID has nominal value and wear is on the outside
 Biaxial Collapse

For nominal Collapse

Use D/t and correct formula Spec 7G Appendix A 3

Use the results found in Table 3-6 RP-7G

For OD and ID, use Table 1 RP-7G

For Avg Yp Use Table in section 12.8 RP 7G

Grade YpAvg
E 85,000
X 110,000
G 120,000
S 145,000
 Biaxial Torsion

Simultaneous torsion reduces DP tube tensile capacity and vice
versa.

When backreaming, pulling on stuck pipe or fishing, high magnitude
combined tension and torsion on the drill pipe may occur.

DP Torsional Yield Strength under tension is given by:

0 .096167 * J T2
Q= * Yp − 2
2

D A
where T is the total tension applied

This value may, or may not, be lower than the Tool-Joint

Torsional Yield strength
Buoyancy, Axial Load
and Buckling
 Buoyancy

Buoyancy is the weight of the displaced fluid

Buoyancy is usually accounted for via BF

Buoyancy is creating a hydrostatic effect: the Pressure-Area

Force

The forces acting on a drillstring are the self-weight and the

hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid

Buoyancy is creating a force acting at the bottom of the drill

string and placing the lower portion of the drill string in
compression and reducing the hook load by HP x CSA
 Exercise 5 – Hook Load
(Pressure Area Force)
We are running open ended DCs:
9” x 3” – 192ppf
The fluid in the well is 14 ppg
The depth is 10000 ft

What is the hook load with BF?

What is the hook load with Archimedes principle?

What is the hook load with Pressure Area Force?
 Buoyancy

What happens if the fluids inside and outside are different?

What happens if the well is deviated?

How do you calculate the Axial Load at any point in the string?

What happens at the junction from a DC to a DP?

The buoyancy factor can only be used to determine the Axial Load on
surface provided the fluids inside and outside are the same.

The pressure-area approach is the preferred technique used to
determine the axial tension or compressive load at any point in a
tubular string. Free body diagrams (FBD) are constructed for that
purpose.

The FBD is constructed by simply drawing a sketch of the physical
system and identifying all of the loads that are applied to the tubular.
These loads are then summed and set equal to zero (since the system
is static).
Fa
Example – Axial Loads
We are running:
540’ of open ended DCs, 8” x 3” – 147ppf
5” DP, 19.5# and 4.276” ID to surface, G-105, NC-50
The fluid in the well is 14.8 ppg
The depth is 13500 ft
The string is hanging freely in the mud, no WOB is
applied

Determine the Axial Load (Fa) at surface, at the bottom

of the DP, at the top of the DCs and at the bottom of the
string.

Plot Fa against depth

Where is the neutral point of Tension & Compression?

What happens if a WOB of 30000 lbs is applied?

 Example – Axial Loads

The only force acting on the bottom of the pipe is due to
pressure exerting on the exposed cross-sectional area.

The force is negative, indicating a compressive force.

∑ Fy = 0 = Fa + HP 13500 A DC ⇒ Fa = − P13500 A DC

Fa = − (0.052 x 14 .8 x 13500 psi )(π 4 ) (8 2 − 3 2 )in 2

Fa = − 448 .800 lbs
HP13500 x CSA
 Example – Axial Loads

The forces acting on the top of the DCs are due to

pressure on the exposed cross-sectional area, and to the
weight.

The force is again negative, indicating the top of the DCs

are in compression.
HP13500 x CSAp

∑F y = 0 = Fa − W DC + HP13500 A DC ⇒ Fa = − P13500 A DC + W DC

Fa = − (0.052 x 14.8 x 13500 psi )(π 4 ) (8 2 − 3 2 )in 2 + 147 x 540(lbs)

Fa = − 369.400lbs
 Example – Axial Loads

The forces acting on the bottom of the DP are due to pressure on
the exposed cross-sectional areas, and to the weight of the DCs

∑F y = 0 = Fa − HP12960(A DC − A DP ) − WDC + HP13500A DC

Fa = + (9974psi )( π 4) (82 − 52 + 4.2762 − 32 )in 2 − 369400

(lbs)
Fa = 8.850lbs

The force is positive, indicating the bottom of the

DPs is in tension.

There is a discontinuity in the axial force where the x- HP13500 x CSAp

section of the pipe changes.
 Example – Axial Loads Fa

The forces acting at the top of the DP (surface) are due to

pressure on the exposed cross-sectional areas, to the weight of
the DCs and to the weight of the DPs:

∑F y = 0 = Fa − WDP − HP12960(A DC − A DP ) − WDC + HP13500A DC

Fa = (21 . 93 # )(12960 ft )+ 8850 (lbs)

Fa = 293062 lbs

Of course the force is positive, indicating a tension at
surface.

Note: with the use of BF:

Fa = [(21.93# )(12960ft ) + ( 147#)x( 540ft) ](1 − 14.8 65.5 )(lbs)

Fa = 281437lbs
 Example – Axial Loads

The plot of Fa against depth does
show the discontinuity at the junction
from DC to DP.

In this particular example, the Neutral
Point of tension compression
(tension=compression=0lbs) is
exactly at the junction.

If a WOB of 30klbs is applied, the
curve will shift to the left and the
Neutral Point will move up into the
DPs. The bottom of the DP will then
be in compression -21150 lbs
 Exercise 6 – Axial Loads
0

Same exercise with the same string but with the

following conditions: 1000

2000

MW is 12 ppg, WOB is zero Fa

Feff 3000

MW is 12 ppg, WOB is 30.000 StabForce

4000

Depth of 13500’ and 15500’ 5000

6000

Determine the Axial Load (Fa) at surface, at the

TVD RT (ft)
7000

bottom of the DP, at the top of the DCs and at the 8000

bottom of the string. 9000

Plot Fa against depth. 10000

What happens to the neutral point of Tension & 11000

Compression as the depth increases? 12000

13000

Homework: construct a spreadsheet valid for any 14000

MW, any TD. 15000

-600.0 -500.0 -400.0 -300.0 -200.0 -100.0 0.0 100.0 200.0 300.0 400.0
Load(kip)
 Buckling

A tube subjected to a load will bend

Bent is a condition in which the bending

increases proportionally with load

When a little increase in load will result

in large displacements, the tube is said
to be buckling

The tube may not necessarily be yielded

as buckling does not necessarily occur
plastically

The load which produces buckling is

called the Critical Buckling Load
 Buckling: an instability failure
Buckling is a stability failure. In order to understand buckling, it is
necessary to understand the nature of stability

Consider three balls at rest on three different surfaces.

(A) (B) (C)

Stable Neutra Unstable
l
Tree types of equilibrium

What happens if each ball is disturbed slightly from its equilibrium and
then released?

Ball A returns to its original position, Ball B remains in its new position,
and Ball C moves away from its original position until it reaches a new
equilibrium.
The equilibrium of the Ball A is stable, Ball B is neutral, and BaIl C is
unstable.
 Lubinski’s Effective Force

The two factors that promote buckling in pipes are axial force and
pressure. In addition to the axial stress, the pressures (in and out)
induce a radial and a tangetial stress: the pipe is subject to triaxial
stresses

A convenient way of reducing a triaxial system to a pseudo-uniaxial
system, has been developed by Lubinski who describes a fictitious
force, relating pressure to buckling.

Ffict = A o P o − A iPi

The fictitious force is sometimes called the stability force. It is not

the buoyancy force.

It is combined with the axial force to form a so-called “effective
force”.
Feff = Fa + A o Po − A iPi
Lubinski’s Effective Force

Ai
Ao

Pi
Aw

Po

Ao
Ai

Aw
 Buckling Criteria

If tension is a positive axial force, a positive Feff indicates no buckling.

Likewise, a negative Feff indicates that buckling may occur if the
magnitude of the critical force (Fcrit) required to initiate buckling is
exceeded.

To initiate buckling: Feff < Fcrit

Once buckling is initiated:

Feff < 0 (at top and bottom of the pipe) -> totally buckled pipe

Feff > 0 (at top) and Feff < 0 (at bottom) -> partially buckled pipe

Feff = 0 -> neutral point (buckling stops)
 Buckling - Neutral Point
Klinkenberg has described the neutral point as the transition between the region
of the tube where buckling may occur and the region where buckling is
impossible.

above the neutral point The tube is in a state of stable equilibrium

below the neutral point it is in a state of unstable equilibrium

at the neutral point it is in a state of neutral equilibrium.
Lubinski describes the neutral point as the point that divides the string into two
portions: the weight of the upper portion being that suspended from the elevators
and the weight of the lower portion being equal to the applied force at the lower
end.

Lubinski’s definition also can be stated as the point where the tube can be cut in
two without changing the weight suspended at the surface. If can be done, it
must be neutral at the point of the cut.

There are numerous synonymous definitions of the neutral point. It is called the
Neutral Point of Bending or Neutral Point of Buckling.
It must not be confused with the Neutral Point of
Tension & Compression
 Buckling
Beyond this set of equations, it must be noted that:

In vertical wells, to simply avoid buckling of the DP or HWDP, it is just

necessary to keep the buoyed weight of the BHA exceeding the WOB

In deviated wells, DP can be used to provide WOB because buckling of
the DP is delayed by the effort required to lift that DP to the high side of
the hole. Sinusoidal buckling will not occur as long as the (effective)
compressive force in the drillstring does not exceed the critical buckling
load.

Helical buckling load is usually very high in high inclination wells and it
would be easier to run out of pipe weight before helical buckling can
occur. Before you reach that load in the inclined part, you would have
helical in the vertical part of the well.

Neutral point of bending can intuitively be found at the following
distance from the bit: H = WOB / buoyed weight per foot of string
 Sinusoidal and Helical Buckling

Buckling will occur if Feff < Fcrit

Initially the pipe will buckle sinusoidally

As the compression increases, the pipe will eventually buckle helically

Sinusoidal Buckling for a vertical well: Sinusoidal Buckling for inclined wells:
1
 4EIweff sinφ 
Fcrit = − 3.5 x (EIw )
2
Fcrit = −  
1
2 3
eff
 rc 
Helical Buckling for a vertical well: Helical Buckling for inclined wells:
1

Fcrit = − 5.55x (EIw )

2
1
 EIw eff sin φ  2
= − 5.6  
3
eff Fcrit
 rc 
Pi,, Po = internal, external pressure at point of interest (psi)
rc = radial clearance (in)
f = inclination from vertical (deg)
w = nominal pipe weight (lbf/in)
I = moment of inertia (in4)
weff = w + ρi Ai − ρo Ao
 Neutral Points
Neutral Point of Tension & Compression:

The point within a tube where the sum of the axial forces = 0

Useless in DS design

Fa = 0
Neutral Point of Bending:

The point within a tube where the buoyed weight of the tube
hanging below that point is equal to an applied force at its bottom
end

The point within a tube where the sum of moments = 0

The point where the VME triaxial stress =0

Feff = 0
 Exercise 6bis – Effective Tension
0

1000

Calculate the Neutral Point of Buckling depth (or 2000

distance from the bit) Fa

Feff 3000
StabForce

4000

MW is 12 ppg, WOB is zero 5000

MW is 12 ppg, WOB is 30.000 6000

Depth of 13500’ and 15500’

TVD RT (ft)
7000

8000

What happens to the neutral point of Bending distance 9000

from the bit as the depth increases? 10000

11000

12000

13000

14000

15000
-600.0 -500.0 -400.0 -300.0 -200.0 -100.0 0.0 100.0 200.0 300.0 400.0
Load(kip)
BHA Selection
 Drill Collar Selection Principles

Drill Collar selection is governed by two major factors:

Weight and Stiffness --- Size!

Usually the largest OD collar that can be safely run is the best selection:

More weight available to account for WOB, buoyancy, hole
inclination and a safety factor

Greatest stiffness to resist buckling and smooth directional
tendencies

Cyclical movement is restricted due to tighter Clearances

Usually Shortest BHA possible to:

Reduce handling time at surface

Minimize # of Connections in the hole

Minimize total DC in contact with the wall for differential sticking
exposure
BHA Design

Sufficient Drill Collar Weight should

be available so that the Neutral Point
is in the DCs and buckling is avoided

For excess BHA weight, use 15%

Max Available Wt
= 1.15
Max Working Wt
 BHA Design
Procedure For Selecting Drill Collars:

1. Determine the buoyancy factor for the mud weight in use using
the formula:
MW =Mud weight in use, ppg
BF = 1- (MW/65.5) 65.5 =Weight of a gallon of steel, ppg

2. Calculate the required collar length to achieve the desired weight

on bit:
WOB=Desired weight on bit ,
DC Length = 1.15* WOB / (BF*Wdc) lbf (x 1000)

DC Length = DC Length Vertical / Cos I Wdc =Drill collar weight in air,

lb/ft
1.15 =15% safety factor.
 Exercise 7 – DC Weight
Number And Size Of Drill Collars

Determine the number of 9 inch OD by 3 in ID drill collars

required to provide a weight-on-bit of 55,000 lbf assuming:
Hole deviation = 0°
Mud density = 12 ppg

Where does this place the Neutral Point of Bending?

What if the hole inclination is 30°?
 Bending Stress

Joint Flexing
Tension

Compression
 Bending Strength Ratio

BSR is a ratio of the relative stiffness of the box to the pin for a given
connection.

Recommended BSR ranges: Traditional BSR Recommended BSR

< 6 inches 2.25 - 2.75 1.8 - 2.5
6 – 7 7/8 inches 2.25 – 2.75 2.25 - 2.75
>/= 8 inches 2.25 – 2.75 2.5- 3.2
 Bending Strength Ratio
High risk of High risk of
Premature Box Premature Pin
Failure Failure
“Balanced
Connection”
Maximum life
Fatigue Life (cycles

Weak Weak
Box Pin

1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

Bending strenght ratio

 Bending Strength Ratio
π ( D4 − b 4 )
Zbox 32 D
BSR = =
Zpin π ( R4 − d 4 )
32 R

Where:
Zbox = box section modulus
Zpin = pin section modulus
D = Outside diameter of pin and box
b = thread root diameter of box threads at end of pin.
R = Thread root diameter of pin threads ¾“ from
shoulder of pin.
. d= inside diameter or bore.
 Finding BSR
• Fortunately for you API have
worked the problem!!!
• Pages 39-44 of RP 7G list the
BSR of Connections by OD and
ID of the collar
• TH-Hill DS1 gives tables
directly listing BSRs
 Stiffness

The BHA must have sufficient Stiffness to stabilize the BHA,
optimize ROP and prevent the formation of Key Seats, ledges
and doglegs

The larger the DC, the stiffer the BHA

Stiffness Coefficient :
= Moment of Inertia x Young’s Modulus of Elasticity
= л (OD4 – ID4) / 64 x 30.000.000
 Stiffness Ratio

The SR measures the stiffness of a connection in a transition
between 2 types of pipe

Based on field experience, in a transition
from one collar or pipe to another the SR
should not exceed

5.5 for routine drilling

3.5 for severe or rough drilling

SR =
Z lwr
=
(4
ODupr ODlwr − IDlwr
4
)
(
Z upr ODlwr ODupr − IDupr
4 4
)
Note: Stiffness ratios are calculated using tube
ODs & IDs, not connections.
Exercise 8 – Stiffness Coefficient
 Torsion limits for DC

Torque is rarely limited by the DC connection because it is
usually higher in the DP at surface and lower in the DC.

If DC make-up torque > DP make-up torque you have no

routine problems.

BH Torque at any point should not exceed 80% of make-up

torque for the connections in the hole to avoid over tightening
connections which can lead to damage of seals.
 BHA Design Process summary
Design the Collars

Max OD DC which can be handled, fished and drilled with

Excess BHA wt

WOB

Buoyancy

Excess factor

Connection Selection

BSR

Torque capability

Transition between collars and/or pipes

SR

Stabilization and other directional requirements
 Exercise 9
Bending Strength Ratio & Stiffness Ratio
On Seeyoulater land rig we find the following collars:
9” OD x 3” ID – 6 5/8” FH connection
8” OD x 3” ID – 6 5/8” REG connection
6 ¼” OD x 2 ¼” ID – NC46 connection
Given that we will drill a vertical 12 ¼” hole, with 9.5 ppg mud and 65000 pounds
in a relatively hard formations, what API collar would you recommend?

What would your recommendation on BSR be for the connection chosen?

Check your recommended DCs with your recommended BSR

What would be the SR between the DC and 5” DP be?

Is it acceptable?

If not what would you do?

What would be your final BHA? Length? Buoyed Weight?
Drill Pipe Design
 Drill Pipe Selection Principles

Drill Pipe selection is governed by two major factors:

Size + Weight --- Strength!

Usually the Drill Pipe with largest OD and ID is preferred

Less pressure loss in the string

More hydraulics available at the bit

The Drill Pipe selection must address the following:

Drill Pipe must allow to drill to TD

Drill Pipe must support all weight below it (BHA+DP)

Drill Pipe must provide Overpull capacity

Drill Pipe must withstand slip crushing force

Drill Pipe must resist burst and collapse loads

Drill Pipe and tool joints must withstand torsion loads

Drill Pipe might have to work in H2S environment
 Tension Design
The drillstring is not designed according to the minimum yield strength!!!
If DP reaches yield: it can have permanent deformation.

API recommends the use of maximum allowable design load

Tmax = 0.9 x Tyield

Tmax = Max. allowable design load in tension , lb

Tyield = theoretical yield strength from API tables , lb

SLB Defines a tension DF of 1.1 be applied to design loads. These

accomplish the same thing. Do not double dip!
 Tension Design
1. Determine max design load (Tmax) :

Tmax = 0.9 x Minimum Yield Strength (or /1.1)..lb (1)

2. Calculate total load at surface using

T surf = [(L dp ×W dp + L dc ×W dc )]× BF (2)

3. Margin Of Overpull: minimum margin of tension above expected

working load. Margin of overpull is nominally 50-100k. Choice of
MOP should consider: Overall drilling conditions, hole drag,
likelihood of getting stuck, slip crushing force, dynamic loading.

MOP = Tmax- Tsurf (3)

 Tension Design

4. The maximum length of Drill Pipe that can be used is

obtained by combining equations 1,2 and 3 and solving for
the length of DP

Tyield ×0.9−MOP Wdc

Ldp = − ×Ldc ….(4)

Wdp ×BF Wdp

Exercise 10 – Selection based on MOP

Drill Collars length : 600’ and weight in air is 150 lb/ft.

5” / 19.5 lb/ft Premium G-105 DP with NC50 connections.

Calculate the maximum hole depth that can be drilled ?

Assume BF= 0.85

Carry out calculations with MOP of 100,000 lb

Use API - RP7G Tables for the values of Approximate
Weight (Wdp) and for Minimum Yield Strength
 Slip Crushing Force

Slips because of the taper try to crush the Drill Pipe. This hoop
stress is resisted by the tube, and this increases the overall
stress in the steel

2
HoopStress Sh DK  DK 
= 1+ +  
TensileStress St 2Ls  2Ls 
D = Pipe OD(in) ; Ls = Slip length (in )
ο
K = 1/ tan(y + z) ;y = Slip Taper (9 2745 ) ' ''

z =ArcTan(µ ) ; µ = coeff Friction (0.08for dope )

 Slip Crushing Force

Generally expressed as a Factor
Hoop Stress
Working load * = Equivalent Axial Load
Tensile Stress
Horz to Tang Stress Ratio
Sh
HkLoad = TAxial DP SLIP LENGTH
St TUBE 12 in 16 in
2 3/8 1.25 1.18
2 7/8 1.31 1.22
3 1/2 1.39 1.28
4 1.45 1.32
4 1/2 1.52 1.37
5 1.59 1.42
5 1/2 1.66 1.47
6 5/8 1.82 1.59
 Tension Design

You can only drill as far as you can set pipe in the slips.

Different than overpull, this is based on working loads

T yield ×0 .9
Sh
ST W dc
Ldp = − ×Ldc
W dp ×BF W dp
 Exercise 11
Tension Design with MOP & Slip Crushing Force
A drill string consists of 600 ft of 8 ¼ in x 2 13/16 in drill collars and
the rest is a 5 in, 19.5 lbm/ft Grade X95 drill pipe with NC50
connections. If the required MOP is 100,000 lb and mud weight is
10 ppg, calculate:
1) The maximum depth of hole that can be drilled when using
Premium Drill Pipe. (MOP only)
2) What is the maximum depth that can be drilled taking into
consideration slip crushing force with 16” slips? To what hook-
load does this correspond? What is the MOP in this case?
3) What if we use 12” slips
 Mixed String Design
Step 1

If we use different drill pipe, the weaker pipe goes on bottom
and stronger on top

Apply equation to bottom drill pipe first:

Tyield ×0.9−MOP Wdc

Ldp = − ×Ldc
Wdp Wdp
Step 2

Drill collars and bottom drillpipe act as the weight carried
by top section…effectively the drill collar

Apply the equation for top drill pipe last
 Exercise 12 – Mixed Drill String
An exploration rig has the following grades of DP to be run in a 15,000
ft deep well :
Grade E : New 5” OD –19.5 # NC 50
Grade G : New 5” OD – 19.5# NC 50
It is desired to have an MOP of 50000 lbs on the grade E pipe. The
total length and weight of DCs plus HWDP are 984 ft and 101,000 lb
respectively.
MW at 15,000’ = 13.4 ppg. The slips being used are 16” slips.

Calculate the Max. length of E pipe that can be used

What is the length of G pipe to use?

Check the MOP for the G pipe. Your conclusion?

Can the G pipe handle the slip crushing force at TD?
 Exercise 13
Mixed Drill String with 3 ½ in DP
Melun Oil Co wants to drill the following well:
TD = 17500 ft with 6 1/8" bit
8 1/2 hole section from 9200 to 14000 ft cased with 7"liner - TOL at 9000 ft
12 1/4"section from 3000 to 9200 ft cased with 9 5/8" casing
17 1/2" section from surface to 3000 ft cased with 13 3/8" casing

It is planned to use the following assembly:

650 ft of 4 3/4" DCs at 57.58 ppf
1200 ft of 3 1/2" HWDP at 25.34 ppf
3 1/2" DP 15.5# E-75 Premium and 5" DP 19.5# S-135 Premium to surface
MW is 9 ppg, and BF is 0.863

Calculate the Maximum Overpull if I get stuck at TD

 Other Loads

Collapse & Collapse under Tension

Burst

Torsion & Torsion under Tension

Other loads not covered here

Bending Loads

Fatigue estimations

Vibrations Loads

Shock Loads
 Collapse Design

The DP will collapse if:
External Differential Pressure Load > Collapse pressure rating

DF = Collapse Rating / C

C = External Differential Pressure Load

C = (Po-Pi)+2Pi /(D/t)

A Design factor of 1.15 is used:

External Differential Pressure Load < Collapse rating / 1.15
 Exercise 14 – Collapse
We will run a BHA in on 5” 19.5 #/ft Grade E premium grade DP.
There is a float valve in the BHA.
The annulus will have 12.0 ppg mud.

What is the collapse rating?

How much 5” DP can we run not to exceed a DF of 1.15?
 Exercise 15 – Biaxial Collapse

We are going to dry test a liner lap at 9,000 ft. We will run in with a
packer set in tension with 50,000 lb. We will run the packer in on 5
in 19.5 #/ft Grade E premium grade DP. At the time of the test
there will be nothing inside the drill pipe. The annulus will have 12.0
ppg mud.
What is the collapse rating?
What is the collapse load on the bottom joint of DP?
What is the DF?

For info: New 5” Gr E 5” OD, 4.276” ID, Avg Yp= 85,000 psi
 Burst Design

The DP will Burst (yield by the action of internal pressure) if:
internal differential pressure load > burst pressure rating

DF = Burst Rating /B

B = Internal Differential Pressure Load

B = (Pi-Po)

A Design factor of 1.20 is used:

Internal Differential Pressure Load < Burst rating / 1.20
 Exercise 16 – Burst Load

Worst load case happens during DST operations in a gas well.

Pressure at surface is BHP- gas gradient with no backup

In the last example assume we are performing a DST test in the

well at 9000 ft with BHP 200 psi less than the mud wt.

What is the burst DF on the top of the Premium Grade E?
 Torsion Design

Tool joints are normally weaker than the tubes to which they are
attached.

To prevent downhole make-up and a possible resulting torsional

failure, the operating torsion should never exceed tool joint make-
up torque.

Provided this condition above is met, there is no need for a design

factor
 ToolJoint Torsion Under Tension
1. Simultaneous tension reduces the torsional yield strength of pin-weak
connections
2. Connection make-up torque beyond a given point reduces connection tensile
capacity

It is commonly assumed that the string tensile capacity is limited by the tube.
Which is true.

But make-up imparts stresses to the tool-joint pin neck, which can be additive
to the string tension. As make-up torque is increased, a point will be reached
when the pin neck and no longer the tube, is the weak member in tension.

Conclusion: do not exceed Maximum make-up torque.

If the wellbore and drill string geometry were predicting a surface torque higher
than the make-up torque, consider the effect this may have on the string overall
tensile capacity. Use API RP 7G, appendix A.
Exercise 17 – Combined Torsion and Tension

A string with a hookload of 250klbs is stuck:

New 5” DP, 19.5#, G105.

What is DP Torsional Yield Strength?

What is TJ Torsional Yield Strength?
What is DP Make-Up Torque?
What is the maximum torque that can be applied to the pipe if
100klbs Overpull is applied to work the string free?
Conclusion?