PETE 661

Drilling Engineering

Lesson 15
Torque and Drag
Calculations
Torque and Drag Calculations

Friction
Logging
Hook Load
Lateral Load
Torque Requirements
Examples
 HW #8

Well Survey

due 11-04-02
 Friction - Stationary

Horizontal surface N
No motion
No applied force

Fy = 0
N=W
W

N= Normal force = lateral load = contact force = reaction force

Slide 4 of 62
 Sliding Motion
N
Horizontal surface

Velocity, V > 0
N F
V = constant
Force along surface
W
N=W
F = N = W
Frictionless, Inclined, Straight Wellbore:

1. Consider
a section
of pipe
in the
wellbore.

In the absence of FRICTION the forces acting on the

pipe are buoyed weight, axial tension and the reaction
force, N, normal to the wellbore.
 Frictionless, Inclined, Straight Wellbore:

F 0 along wellbore : T W cos I (1)

F 0 ar to wellbore : N W sin I (2)

These equations are used for ROTATING pipe.

 Effect of Friction (no doglegs):

2. Consider Effect of Friction ( no doglegs):

 Effect of Friction (no doglegs):

Frictional Force, F = N = W sin I

where 0 < < 1 ( is the coeff. of friction)

usually 0.15 < < 0.4 in the wellbore

(a) Lowering: Friction opposes motion, so

T W cos I Ff

T W cos I W sin I (3)

 Effect of Friction (no doglegs):

(b) Raising: Friction still opposes motion,

so T W cos I Ff

T W cos I W sin I (4)

 Problem 1

What is the maximum hole angle (inclination

angle) that can be logged
without the aid of drillpipe, coiled tubing or
other tubulars?
(assume =0.4)
 Solution

From Equation (3) above,

T W cos I W sin I (3)

When pipe is barely sliding down the wellbore,

T 0

0 W cos I 0.4 W sin I

 Solution

cot I 0.4 or tan I 2.5

I 68.2

This is the maximum hole angle

(inclination) that can be logged
without the aid of tubulars.

Note: cot I
 Problem 2

Consider a well with a long horizontal section. An

8,000-ft long string of 7 OD csg. is in the hole.
Buoyed weight of pipe = 30 lbs/ft. = 0.3

(a) What force will it take to move this pipe

along the horizontal section of the wellbore?

(b) What torque will it take to rotate this pipe?

 Problem 2 - Solution - Force
(a) What force will it take to move this pipe along
the horizontal section of the wellbore?
N
F=? F=0

W
N = W = 30 lb/ft * 8,000 ft = 240,000 lb
F = N = 0.3 * 240,000 lb = 72,000 lb

Force to move pipe, F = 72,000 lbf

 Problem 2 - Solution - Force

(b) What torque will it take to rotate this pipe?

As an approximation, let us
assume that the pipe lies on T

the bottom of the wellbore.

d/2
Then, as before, F
N = W = 30 lb/ft * 8,000 ft = 240,000 lbf
Torque = F*d/2 = Nd/2 = 0.3 * 240,000 lbf * 7/(2 * 12) ft

Torque to rotate pipe, T = 21,000 ft-lbf

 Problem 2 - Equations - Horizontal

N=W T=F*d
F = N

Force to move pipe, F = W = 72,000 lbf

Torque, T = Wd/(24 ) = 21,000 ft-lbf

An approximate equation, with W in lbf and d in inches
 Horizontal - Torque

A more accurate equation for torque in a horizontal

wellbore may be obtained by taking into consideration
the fact that a rotating pipe will ride up the side of the
wellbore to some angle .

Taking moments about the point P: T F

Torque, T = W * (d/2) sin in-lbf
d/2
Where = atan = atan 0.3 = 16.70
o P

T = 240,000 * 7/24 * 0.2873 = 20,111 ft-lbf W

 Problem 3
A well with a measured depth of 10,000 ft. may be
approximated as being perfectly vertical to the kick-off
point at 2,000 ft. A string of 7 OD csg. is in the hole;
total length is 10,000 ft. The 8,000-ft segment is inclined at
60 deg. Buoyed weight of pipe = 30 lbs/ft. = 0.3
 Problem 3

Please determine the following:

(a) Hook load when rotating off bottom

(b) Hook load when RIH
(c) Hook load when POH
(d) Torque when rotating off bottom

[ ignore effects of dogleg at 2000 ft.]

 Solution to Problem 3

(a) Hook load when rotating off bottom:

 Solution to Problem 3 - Rotating

HL HL 2000 HL8000
0.5

lb lb
30 * 2000 ft 30 * 8000 ft * cos 60
ft ft
60,000 lbf 120,000 lbf

HL 180,000 lbf When rotating off bottom.

 Solution to Problem 3 - lowering

2 (b) Hook load when RIH:

The hook load is decreased by friction in the
wellbore.
Ff N
In the vertical portion,
oo
N 30 * 2000 * sin o0 0
Thus, F2000 0
 Solution to Problem 3 - lowering

In the inclined section,

N = 30 * 8,000 * sin 60
= 207,846 lbf
 Solution to Problem 3 - Lowering

Thus, F8000 = N
= 0.3 * 207,846 = 62,352 lbf

HL = We,2000 + We,8000 - F2000 - F8000

= 60,000 + 120,000 - 0 - 62,354

HL = 117,646 lbf while RIH

 Solution to Problem 3 - Raising

2(c) Hood Load when POH:

HL = We,2000 + We,8000 + F2000 + F8000

= 60,000 + 120,000 + 0 + 62,354

HL = 242,354 lbf POH

 Solution to Problem 3 - Summary

ROT
RIH

POH
MD
ft

 Solution to Problem 3 - rotating

2(d) Torque when rotating off bottom:

In the Inclined Section:

Torque
N W sin I
Force * Arm
F N
d
Ff *
2
 Solution to Problem 3 - rotating

(i) As a first approximation, assume the pipe

lies at lowest point of hole:

d d d
Torque Ff N W sin I
2 2 2
7 1
0.3 * 30 * 8000 * sin 60 * *

2 12

Torque 18,187 ft - lbf

 Solution to Problem 3 - rotating

(ii) More accurate evaluation:

Note that, in the above figure, forces are not balanced;
there is no force to balance the friction force Ff.

The pipe will tend

to climb up the
side of the
wellboreas it
rotates
 Solution to Problem 3 - Rotating

Assume Equilibrium
at angle as shown.

F Along Tangent 0 Ff W sinI sin

N W sin I sin (6)

F Perpend. to Tangent 0 N W sinI cos

N W sin I cos (7)
 Solution to Problem 3 - rotating

N W sin I sin
Solving equations (6) & (7)
N W sin I cos
tan
1
tan ( ) (8)
 Solution to Problem 3 - rotating

(ii) continued
Taking moments about the center of the pipe:
d
T Ff *
2
Evaluating the problem at hand:

1 1
From Eq. (8), tan ( ) tan (0.3)

16.70
 Solution to Problem 3 - rotating

Evaluating the problem at hand:

From Eq. (6), Ff W sin I sin

30 * 8000 * sin60 * sin 16.70

Ff 59.724 lbf
 Solution to Problem 3 - rotating

Evaluating the problem at hand:

d
From Eq. (9), T Ff *
2
7 1
59,724 * *
2 12
Torque 17,420 ft - lbf
 Solution to Problem 3

2 (d) (ii) Alternate Solution:

 Solution to Problem 3

Taking moments about tangent point,

d
T W sin I sin
2
7
30 * 8000 * sin60 * sin 16.70 *

24

T 17,420 ft - lbf
 Solution to Problem 3

Note that the answers in parts (i) & (ii) differ

by a factor of cos

(i) T = 18,187
(ii) T = 17,420

cos = cos 16.70 = 0.9578

 Effect of Doglegs

(1) Dropoff Wellbore dogleg angle

 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Axial Friction

(e.g. pipe rotating)

Falong normal : W sin I (T T) sin 2 T sin 2 N 0

sinI I+2T
WWsin sT sin T sin N 0
2 2

N W sin I 2T sin (10)
2
 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Axial Friction

Falong tangent : (T T) cos 2 W cos I T cos 2 0

T cos W cos I
2

cos 1 (11)
2
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction (Dropoff Wellbore)

While pipe is rotating

N W sin I 2T sin
2 (10)&(11)
T WcosI
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction
While lowering pipe (RIH)

(as above)
N W sin I 2T sin
2
T W cos I N

i.e. T W cos I ( W sin I 2T sin ) (12)

2
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction
While raising pipe (POH)

T W cos I N

T W cos I ( W sin I 2T sin )
2 (13)

d d
Torque N ( W sin I 2T sin )
2 2 2
(14)
 Effect of Doglegs

(2) Buildup Wellbore dogleg angle

 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Friction
(e.g. pipe rotating)

F along normal : W sinI T T sin T sin N 0
2 2

W sin I 2T sin T sin N 0
2 2

N W sin I 2T sin
2
 Effect of Doglegs

A. Neglecting Axial Friction

Falong tangent : (T T) cos 2 W cos I T cos 2 0

T cos W cos I
2

cos 1 (16)
2
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction (Buildup Wellbore)

When pipe is rotating

N W sin I 2T sin
2 (15)&(16)

T WcosI
 Effect of Doglegs

B. Including Friction
While lowering pipe (RIH)

N W sin I 2T sin
2 (15)
T W cos I N

T W cos I W sin I 2T sin
2 (17)
 Effect of Doglegs

While raising pipe (POH)

T W cos I N

i.e. T WcosI WsinI - 2Tsin
2 (18)

d d
Torque N W sin I 2T sin
2 2 2 (19)
 Problem #4 - Curved Wellbore with Friction

In a section of our well, hole angle drops at the

rate of 8 degrees per 100 ft.
The axial tension is 100,000 lbf at the location
where the hole angle is 60 degrees.

Buoyed weight of pipe = 30 lbm/ft

= 0.25
Problem
#4
- Curved
Wellbore
with
Friction

T = 100,000 lbf
 Evaluate the Following:

(a) What is the axial tension in the pipe 100 ft. up the hole
if the pipe is rotating?

(b) What is the axial tension in the pipe 100 ft up the hole if
the pipe is being lowered into the hole?

(c) What is the axial tension in the pipe 100 ft up the hole if
the pipe is being pulled out of the hole?

(d) What is the lateral load on a centralizer at incl.=64 if

the centralizer spacing is 40 ft?
 Solution 4(a) - Rotating

Axial tension 100 ft up hole when pipe is rotating :

60 68
IAVG
2
IAVG 64 o

Pipe is rotating so frictional effect on axial load may be

neglected.
 Solution 4(a) - Rotating
T68 = 101,315 lbf
From equation (11),
T W cos I

lb
30 *100ft * cos 64
ft
1,315 lbf

T68 100,000 1,315 T60 = 100,000 lbf

T68 101,315 lbf rotating

 Solution 4 (b)

(b) Tension in pipe 100 ft Up-Hole when Pipe is being

lowered:
From equation (10):

N W sin I 2T sin
2
N 30 *100 * sin 64 2 *100,000 * sin 4
2,696 13,951
N 16,648 lbf
 Solution 4 (b)

From equation 10,

Friction Force N 0.25 *16,648

Ff 4,162 lbf

From equation 12,

T W cos I N
 Solution 4(b) - Lowering
T68 = 97,153 lbf
From equation 12,

T (30 *100 * cos 64 ) 4,162

-2,847

T68 100,000 2,867 (T T)

T60 = 100,000 lbf

T68 97,153 lbf

 Solution 4 (c)

(c) Tension in Pipe 100 ft Up-Hole when pipe is being

raised:
From equation (10),

N W sin I 2T sin
2
N 30 *100 * sin 64 2 *100,000 * sin 4
2,696 13,951
N 16,648 lbf
 Solution 4 (c)

Friction Force N 0.25 *16,648

Ff 4,162 lbf

From equation 12,

T W cos I N
 Solution 4(c) - Raising
T68 = 105,477 lbf
From equation 12,

T (30 *100 * cos 64 ) 4,162

5477 lbf
T68 100,000 5477 (T T) T60 = 100,000 lbf

T68 105,477 lbf

Solution 4(a, b and c)
SUMMARY

T60 T68

Rot 100,000 101,315

RIH 100,000 97,153

POH 100,000 104,477

 Solution 4 (d)

(d) Lateral load on centralizer if spacing = 40 ft. (after

pipe has been rotated):

From above, at 64

N 16,648 lbf

This is for 100 ft distance

 Solution 4 (d)

for 40 ft distance,
40
N centr. 16,648 *
100
6,659 lbf
i.e., Lateral load on centralizer,

N centr. 6,659 lbf

lb
Note : 40 ft of pipe * 30 1200 lbf
ft
 Alternate Approach

(d) Lateral load on centralizer if spacing = 40 ft.

(after pipe has been rotated)

From above, at 60 , T 100,000 lbf

From above, at 68 , T 101,315 lbf

So, 30 ft up-hole,
T 100,000 1,315 * (30 / 100) lbf
T 100,395 lbf
 Alternate Approach

From Eq. (10), N W sin I 2T sin
2
N 30 * 40 * sin 64 2 *100,395 * sin(1.6 )
{4 * 40/100}
1,079 5,606

N 6,685 lbf
for 40 ft centralizer spacing,
N centr. 6,685 lbf
Centralizer