Rotary BHA

CASING
 Objectives
▪ Understand how BHA rotary tendency is affected by
stabilizer size and spacing, also BHA flexibility, drilling
parameters and hole washout

▪ Be able to design typical rotary BHA to build, hold or drop

▪ Be able to calculate position of neutral point in drill string

▪ Be able to generate BHA tendency and SAG reports in

Drilling Office
 Definitions
All BHAs cause a side force at the bit,
leading to change hole inclination

▪ Positive side force-Build Inc.

▪ Zero Net Side force-Hold Inc.
▪ Negative Side force-Drop Inc.

▪ Fulcrum Effect: Builds Inclination

▪ Packed Effect: Holds Inclination

▪ Pendulum Effect: Drops Inclination

 Factors affecting bit side force
The side force is affected in three different ways:
▪ By the mechanical characteristics of the BHA
▪ The gauge and placement of stabilisers and
other BHA components
▪ The diameter, length and material of the BHA
components
▪ Bit type
▪ By the drilling parameters applied to the BHA
▪ Weight on bit
▪ Rotary Speed
▪ Circulation or flow rate

▪ By the formation being drilled

 Positive Side Force
Weight on Bit

With WOB we can induce Bit

Tilt by moving the tangent closer
to the bit and thus generate a
Build Force (positive side force).

If the Build Force is great

enough it will become greater
than the pendulum force and an
increase in hole angle will result.
Bit Tilt

Hole Direction
Negative bit side Force

Forces acting on a bit in an inclined

hole
Side force with zero WOB
Effect of WOB on Bit Side Force
Slick Assembly – Pendulum Force
▪ If WOB = 0, only pendulum force applies
(-ve side force)
▪ The max. pendulum force at bit is given
by:
H = (Wc x L x BF x sin(inc) ÷ 2
where:
L = Tangency length
BF = Buoyancy Factor
Wc = Weight of collar in air (lbs/ft)
Inc = Inclination

▪ If WOB is applied a Positive bending

force is introduced.
▪ Tangency Point moves closer to the bit
and pendulum effect decreases
 Single Stabilizer BHAs
▪ Easy way to control tangency point
▪ Needs to be close to the bit to have some effect
▪ DC between bit and Stab bend to a certain extent when
WOB is applied
▪ Moving the stabilizer close to the bit reduces the
pendulum effect
▪ The DC above the stabilizer bends when WOB is
applied
▪ The stabilizer forces the bit towards the high side of
the hole
▪ The more limber the DC above the NB Stab, the
greater the BUR
▪ The smaller the O.D. of the collar directly above the
near-bit, the closer to the bit the contact point becomes
▪ Do not use this BHA if multiple stabs BHA will be
Two stabilizers

▪ With Two stabilizers, by

controlling their relative position
to the bit create almost any
behavioral tendency that we
require.

▪ The spacing in this example is

twice that of the Tangent point
from the first stabilizer, so there
is no effect from the second
stabilizer.
Two Stabilizer BHA’s

▪ Simplest BHA has a NB

Stabilizer and a second stabilizer
some distance above this.

▪ For a given WOB the distance

from bit to first stabilizer (L1) and
between the stabilizers (L2)
determines the tangency point.
 Multi Stabilizers

Buil Hol Dro Dro

d d p p

Stabilizer Placement and resultant side forces

 Multi-Stabilizer BHA Summary

▪ For locked-up BHAs the third stabilizer is essential

▪ For Pendulum BHAs, two Stabilizer is normally sufficient
▪ It is advisable (where possible) to limit the number of stabs in
a BHA to three to reduce rotary torque and mechanical wear
on the hole.

13 Initials
Principles of Rotary BHA

NMDC

PowerPulse

Stabilizer

Pony NMDC
Stiffness – BHA as a Hollow Cylinder
Stiffness Coefficient = E x I
where:
E = Young’s Modulus (lb/in2)
I = Moment of Inertia (in4)

Moment of Inertia
I = p (OD4 - ID4) ÷ 64

OD = outside diameter
ID = inside diameter
 Drill Collar Stiffness
Stiffness Coefficient = Moment of Inertia X Young’s Modulus of
Elasticity
I = π(OD4 - ID4)/64, E = 30 x 106

For a 8 1/4” x 2 13/16” DC

SC = π(OD4 - ID4)/64 x 30 x 106

= π(8.254 - 2.81254)/64 x 30 x 106 = 6.73 x 109

For a 7” x 2 13/16” DC

SC = π(OD4 - ID4)/64 x 30 x 106

= π(74 - 2.81254)/64 x 30 x 106 = 3.44 x 109

For a change in O.D. of 1 1/4”(12.5%) the stiffness has almost

Sag
Sag
2 Stabilizer - 90’ Build Assembly
▪ Tangency occurs between
the stabilizers.

▪ Various bits and collar sizes

with 30 Klbs WOB

▪ Smaller hole size

– more flexible collars

– bigger side force

 Effect of WOB

What is the effect of increasing WOB?

▪ to a building BHA
▪ to a dropping BHA

What are the limits?

Effect of WOB on 2 Stabilizer
Assembly

▪ Increase WOB

▪ Induce Tangency
point

▪ Increase Side Force

 Multi-stabilizer BHA's
Inclination versus side-force for 3 two stabilizer BHA's

Hole
Inclination
Effects of Stabilizer Gauge

Full Gauge for Near Bit

Stabiliser

Under Gauge Near Bit Stabiliser

Under gauge Near-bit Stabilizer

▪ Results in changes of bit side

force

▪ Build BHA will have less build

▪ Lock-up BHA will drop

▪ More under gauge = greater effect

Under gauge Second Stabilizer

▪ Becomes easier to get a tangency

point below it.

▪ More under gauge = greater effect

▪ Hold assembly = try to get zero net

side force
 Effect of Undergauge Stabilizer
Near-bit stabilizer
▪ If the near-bit stabilizer is undergauge, sideforce decreases
▪ In build-up BHAs, the rate of the buildup is reduced
▪ With lock up BHAs (Packed assembly) inclination drops
▪ The more undergauge, the greater effect

String Near-bit stabilizer

▪ It is easier to get a tangency point below
▪ It is easier to build angle
▪ The more undergauge, the greater effect
▪ For packed BHAs, the UG 2nd Stab helps to reach a null side force at
the bit
Effects of Hole Gauge

How does hole gauge

effect:
▪ a building BHA
▪ a dropping BHA

Considerations:
Hole Washout

▪ Dealing with soft formations

▪ Loss of bit side force

▪ May be necessary to drop flow

rate

▪ May be necessary to run a more

limber collar between NB and
String Stabilizer

▪ May need to pick up motor

BHA's for building Inclination
 Factors that enhance Build Rate (1)
▪ An increase in the distance from near-bit stabilizer to the first
string stabilizer
As the distance increases. The build-up rate also increases. However, once
the distance between stabilisers reaches 120 feet any further increase in
length has little or no effect and might allow the drill collar to touch the side
of hole.
▪ Reduction of drill collar diameter
As the outside diameter increases, the collars become more rigid or “stiff” and
the build rate decreases.
▪ Increase in weight on bit
An increase of the weight on bit tends to increase the bending force on the
drill collars above the near bit stabilizer and hence the build-up rate
 Factors that enhance Build Rate (2)
▪ Decrease of rotating speed
With an increase in rotating speed the BHA becomes effectively more rigid
and the build-up rate decreases.
▪ Decrease of flow rate
In soft formations, higher flow rates tend to decrease the building tendency
due to effect of the circulating fluid washing away the formation.
BHA's for maintaining Inclination

UG
 Typical locked up BHA for 12-1/4 in.
hole

The response of this type of BHA is determined by:

▪ Hole size
▪ Distance between near-bit and lower string stabilizers
▪ Stiffness of the collar directly above the near bit
▪ Gauge of the stabilizers
▪ Drilling parameters
 Factors that enhance packed BHA
▪ Stabiliser spacing
By using three or more stabilisers with a short, large diameter drill collar between
near bit stabilizer and the first string stabilizer it is possible to reduce the
transmission of the bending moment forcing the bit to follow a straight path.
▪ Stabiliser spacing
In all packed drilling assemblies, the near bit must be full gauge.
▪ Stabiliser spacing
The distance between the near bit stabilizer and the first string stabilizer should be
between 2 and 15 ft depending on hole size and hole condition. The shorter the
spacing between the stabilisers the more rigid the assembly will be.
▪ First string stabilizer
The gauge of the first string stabilizer is of great importance and for most cases the
stabilizer must be full gauge.
▪ Rotary speed
A higher rotating speed makes the BHA effectively stiffer and therefore less
susceptible to deviate from the required path.
BHA's for Dropping Inclination
 Semi-drop BHA

is a lock-up BHA incorporating an under gauge

near-bit
 Factors that enhance Drop Rate
▪ No near bit stabilizer
All pendulum assemblies use either an under-gauge near bit stabilizer or omit the
near bit stabilizer.
▪ Stabiliser spacing
The distance between the bit and the first string stabilizer controls the weight of the
hanging portion and therefore the pendulum force. If the first string stabilizer is placed
to far away from the bit the tangent point will fall between the stabilizer and the bit
reducing the effectiveness of the pendulum.
▪ Decrease in weight on bit
The higher the WOB, the more the assembly will bend. WOB as low as possible is
desirable for a pendulum assembly.
▪ Increase of outside diameter of the DC
Stiffer and heavier DC will place the tangent point farther away from the bit and will
increase the pendulum force.
 Stabilization

▪ Stabilized BHA can be designed to build, hold or drop inclination

▪ Critical elements:
▪ Stabilizer gauge
▪ Stabilizer position
▪ Drill collar OD/weight/moment of inertia
▪ Hole inclination
▪ WOB, RPM, flow rates
▪ Hole gauge
▪ Bit Type

▪ Prediction issues (formation effects, bit walk, hole washout.…)

 Jetting BHA

▪ Is an easy and cost-effective way of kick off a well, in

very soft formation
▪ Can be used with MWD
▪ Safer to use SS
Gilligan BHA
▪ Flexible Build-Up BHA

▪ Flexible tubular inserted above NB

Stabilizer

▪ BUR’s of 6° - 11° / 100’ are

possible – depends on flexibility of
tubular.

▪ Vital to take surveys at close

intervals to track achieved BUR.

▪ Common before advent of steerable

motors as a method to perform a
blind side track.
Drill Bits effect on Rotary Assemblies
Roller Cone Bits:
▪ Tendency to walk right.
▪ Long tooth bits in soft to
medium formation have
greater walk
▪ Short tooth in hard formation
have less walk.
▪ Higher rotary speed needed,
less life on bearings of bit.
PDC Bits:
▪ Almost no walk Tendency.
▪ Long gauge PDCs hold
inclination and hole direction.
▪ Short gauge PDCs sometimes
can build better than cone bits.
Also used on the pendulum
assemblies.
▪ Creates high rotary surface
torque.
 Summary
▪ Fulcrum Principle – Assembly used to build angle
▪ Stabilization Principle – Assembly used to hold angle and direction
▪ Pendulum Principle – Assembly used to drop angle

▪Factors that affect Directional Drilling Performance

▪ Gauge & placement of stabilizers ▪ Dip angle of formation
▪ Diameter & length of drill collars ▪ Formation hardness
▪ Weight on bit ▪ Flow rate
▪ Rotary speed ▪ Rate of penetration
▪ Bit type ▪ RPM

A BHA behavior can be simulated with Drilling

Office (Drill Safe Application-BHA Tendency).
NICE TO HAVE
 Effect of Stiffness coefficient

• A reduction of 1” in OD for the same ID, results in a stiffness reduction of 42%

• It is very important to take DC stiffness into account when designing BHAs
Drill Collar Stiffness

I.D.

O.D.
Buckling
TO DELETE
 BOTTOM HOLE

ASSEMBLIES

Drilling & Measurement Instructor

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

• Know factors affecting BHA behaviour

• Understand the fulcrum, stabilisation and the pendulum
principal.
• Know the main components of PowerPak Motor
• Know how to read performance data for a PowerPak Motor
 Agenda
I. Rotary BHA
– BHA behaviour theory
– Fulcrum BHA principle
– Pendulum BHA principle
– Packed BHA principle

II. PowerPack Motor

 BHA
design
flowchart
 Rotary BHA - Introduction
▪ Sometimes a steerable BHA cannot be used (Temperature, cost,
motor availability, etc)
▪ Orientation and rotary BHA design are the most critical part of
the DD job
▪ The objective for any client is to minimize trips for BHA
change
▪ A BHA that works fine in an area may not give good results in
other area
▪ It is very important that the DD leaves a proper hand over BHA
performance records when departing the rig
 The Principles
Bar of mass M

Weight of 1/2 M Weight of 1/2 M

When we consider the side force, we are only able to use the unsupported
weight
that lies between the tangent and the bit. Because the weight is supported at
each
end, only half of the weight is available at the bit as side-force.
 Positive Side Force
Weight on Bit

With WOB we can induce Bit Tilt

by moving the tangent closer to the
bit and thus generate a Build Force
(positive side force).

If the Build Force is great enough

it will become greater than the
pendulum force and an increase in
hole angle will result.
Bit Tilt

Hole Direction
 Slick Assembly - Summary
▪ The greater the Hole Inc, the higher the pendulum force
▪ If WOB is applied, a positive force is introduced
▪ The tangency point moves closer to the bit
▪ Zero net side force is achieved at some point
▪ Not recommended in directional wells (due to lack of control)
 + 2 Stabilizers

▪ With Two stabilizers, by

controlling their relative
position to the bit create almost
any behavioral tendency that we
require.

▪ The spacing in this example

is twice that of the Tangent
point from the first stabilizer, so
there is no effect from the
second stabilizer.

55 Initials
 Stabilization

Build Hold Drop Drop

Stabilizer Placement and resultant side forces

 One Stabilizer
▪The effect of a single stabilizer
changes with it’s proximity to
the bit.

▪As the distance is reduced : it’s

effect goes from none, when the
tangent is the same distance as
if no stabilizer was run, to
maximum build when it
becomes a Near Bit Stabilizer.

57 Initials
Effect of Stiffness coefficient (2)

Sag
 BHA Side Force

✓ BHA’s cause a side force

at the bit that makes the bit
build, drop or hold angle
DPT-1

Rotary BHA
PowerPak Motor
 Fulcrum or Build Principle

What factors affect Build-up rate?

Example - Build Assembly (90’
spacing)

• Tangency occurs between the

stabilizers.

• Various bits and collar sizes with

30 Klbs WOB

• Smaller hole size

– more flexible collars
– bigger side force
 Example, +2 Stabilizers
Inclination versus side-force for two stabilizer BHA's

Hole
Inclination
Build Assemblies - Summary
 Pendulum or Drop Principle

What factors affect the Drop rate?

Dropping BHA’s Summary

Rarely used
 Packed or Stabilisation Principle

What factors affect a packed BHA?

Hold BHA’s

UG