Chapter 2 Data Collection

The most important aspect of preparing the well plan, and subsequent
drilling engineering, is determining the expected characteristics and problems to
be encountered in the well. A well cannot be planned properly if these expected
environments are not known. Therefore, the drilling engineer must initially
pursue various types of data to gain insight used to develop the projected drilling
conditions.

Offset Well Selection

The drilling engineer is usually not responsible for selecting well sites.
However, he must work with the geologist for the following reasons:
I. Develop an understanding of the expected drilling geology
2. Define fault block structures to help select offset wells that should be
similar in nature to the prospect well
3. Identify geological anomalies as they may be encountered in drilling
the prospect well
A close working relationship between drilling and geology groups can be the
difference between a producer and an abandoned well.
An example of geological information that the drilling group may receive
is shown in Fig. 2-1. The geologists have found significant production from
E.B. White #2. Contouring the pay zones has yielded the contour map in Fig.
2-1. The prospect well should encounter the producing structure at the approx-
imate depth as the E.B. White #2.
A trimetric plot (Fig. 2-2) is useful as a conceptual tool. It adds a third
dimension not presented in Fig. 2-1. The drilling engineer can view the projected
targets and develop a better understanding of the goal.

9
10 DrillingEngineering

Fig.2-1 Contour map

Maps that show the surface location of offset wells are available from
commercial cartographers (Fig. 2-3). These maps normally provide the well
location relative to other wells, operator, well name, depth, and type of produced
fluids. In addition, some maps contour regional formation tops.
 Data Collection 11

Fig. 2-2 Trimetric plot

The map in Fig. 2-3 is defined according to township, range, and section.
In some rare cases, a specific township and range may have several hundred
sections. This scheme is used throughout the United States except in Texas where
the wells are u.sually located by county and abstract (Fig. 2-4).
Selecting the offset wells to be used in the data collection is important.
Using Fig. 2-3 as an example, assume that a 13,000-ft prospect is to be drilled
in the northeast comer of Section 30, TI8S, RI5E. The best candidates for offset
analysis are as follows:
12 Drilling Engineering

...,.......
e..,.'.'
t. /'
.10400

Fig. 2-3 Section map illustrating townships, ranges and sections.

Data Collection 13

Fig. 2-4 . Texas map illustrating the abstracts

Operator Section (TI8S, RISE)

Shell, 15,000ft . 30
Union of California, 14,562 ft 29
Huber, 12,521 ft 21
Exchange, 12,685 ft 19
Houston Oil and Minerals, 17,493 ft 19

Although these wells were selected for control analysis, available data from any
well in the area should be analyzed.

Data Sources
Sources of data should be available for virtually every well drilled in the
U.S. Drilling costs prohibit the rank wildcatting that occurred years ago. AI-
14 DrillingEngineering

though wildcats are currently being drilled, seismic data, as a minimum, should
be available for pore pressure estimation. .
Common types of data used by the drilling engineer are as follows:

··. bit records

mud records

.· mud loggjng records

IADC drilling reports
scout tickets
·· log headers

.· production history
seismic studies

·. well surveys
geological contours'
databases or service company files
Each type of record contains valuable data that may not be available with other
records. For example, log headers and seismic work are useful, particularly if
these data are the only refe~ence sources for the well.
Many sources of data exist in the industry. Unfortunately, some operators
falsely consider the records confidential, when in fact the important information
such as well testing and production data becomes public domain a short time
after the well is completed. The drilling engineer often must assume the role of
"detective" to defin~ and locate the required data.
Sources of data include bit manufacturers and mud companies who reg-
ularly record pertinent relative information on well recaps. Bit and mud com-
panies usually make this data available to the operator. Log libraries provide log
headers and scout tickets. And inte1J1alcompany files often contain drilling
reports, IADC reports: and mud logs. Many operators will gladly share old offset
information if they have no current leasing interest.

Bit Records
An excellent source of offset drilling information is the bit record. It
contains data relative to the actual drilling operation. A typical record for a
relatively shallow well is shown in Fig. 2-5.
The heading of the bit record provides information such as the following:
·. operator
contractor
·. rig number
well location
·· drillstringcharacteristics
pump data
:0 IN V.SA
~4-!- jP
'-
'>' -1'1...~,( .1- \ .......
'" ~
"'---
L- BIT CONDITION CODE: RP. REPAIRED RR-R£RUh
Fig. 2-5 Bit record for a shallow well
16 Drilling Engineering

In addition, the bit heading provides dates for spudding, drilling out from under
the surface casing (U.S.), intermediate casing depth, and reaching the bottom
of the hole.
The main body of the bit record provides the following details:

.· number and type of bits

·. jet sizes
footage and drill rates per bit

..bit weight and rotary operating conditions

hole deviation

.. pump data
mud properties

. dull bit grading

comments

The vertical deviation is useful in detecting potential dogleg problems.

Comments throughout the various bit runs are informative. Typical notes
such as "stuck pipe" and "washout in drillstring" can explain why drilling
times are greater than expected. Drilling engineers often consider the comments
section on bit (and mud) records just as important as the information in the main
body of the record.
Bit grading data can be valuable in well planning if the operator assumes
the observed data are correct and representative of the actual bit condition. The
bit grades can assist in the preparation of a bit program for the prospect well by
identifying the most (and least) successful bits in the area. Bit running problems
such as broken teeth, gauge wear, and premature failures can be observed and
preventive measures can be formulated for the new well.
Drilling Analysis. Bit records can provide significantly more useful data
if the raw information is analyzed. Plots can be prepared that detect lithology
changes arid trends. Cost-pef-foot analyses can be made. Crude, but often useful,
pore pressure plots can be prepared.
Raw drill-rate data from a well and an area can detect trends and anomalies.
Fig. 2-6 shows drill-rate data from a well in South Louisiana. A decreasing drill
rate is expected as shown.
Sudden changes in the trend might have suggested some anomaly, as in
Fig. 2-7. This illustration is the composite drill rates for all wells in a South
Louisiana township and range. The trend change at approximately 10,000 ft was
later defined as the entrance into the massive shale section.
Cost-per-foot studies are useful in defining optimum, minimum-cost drill-
ing conditions. A cost comparison of each bit run on all available wells in
the area will identify the bit(s) and operating conditions that yield minimum
drilling costs. The drilling engineer provides his expected rig costs, bit costs,
 D~ILL~ATE VS. DEPTH PLDT

!,tElL : J.D. SITTIG ND. I

OPE~ATO~' STONE OIL COIWANY
STATE' LA TOWNSHIP' 7> ~AN6E' IW SECTION' 28
o + + + + + + +
!
!
!

2000 +
!
. +
!

4000
.
+ +
! I
I
!
. I
I
6000 + +
I
!
! . I
I
DEPTH'Fn !
I
8000
I
+
! .
. +
t
I . I
! . t
I I
10000 + +
I I
I I
I I
I I
12000 + + + + + + +
o 30 60 90 120 I!!O 180
DRILL RATE (FT/~)

Fig. 2-6 Raw drill rate data from a South Louisiana well (Courtesy of Adams
and Rountree Technology)

Table 2-1 Average Trip Times

Hole (Bit)Size, in.
Depth, Small Medium Large
ft « 8.75) (8.75-9.875) (> 9.875)

2,000 1.5 3.0 4.5

4,000 2.5 4.2 5.75
6,000 3.5 5.4 7.0
8,000 4.7 6.5 8.0
10,000 5.8 7.25 9.0
12,000 7.0 8.25 10.25
14,000 8.25 9.25 11.50
16,000 9.75 10.25 12.50
18,000 11.00 11.25 13.75
20,000 11.8 12.25 15.0
18 DrillingEngineering

o+ + + + + + +
! !
! . !
! . !
! !
4000 + +
!
!
!
!
8000 + +
! !
! !
! !
! !
12000 + +
! !
! !
DEPTH (FD ! !
! !
16000 + +
! !
! !
! !
!
20000 + +
! !
! !
! !
! !
24000+ + + + + + +
o 30 60 9C 120 150 180
DRILL RATE (FT/HR)

Fig. 2-7 Composite drill rate data for a South Louisiana region. A significant
trend change is observed at approximately 10,000 ft.

and assumed average trip times. The cost-per-foot calculations are completed
with Eq. 2.1:
$/ft (2.1)

Where:
$/ft cost per foot, dollars
CB bit cost, dollars
CR rig cost, dollars/hr
TR rotating time, hr
TT trip time, hr
Y footage per bit run
A cost-per-foot analysis for Fig. 2-5 is shown in Fig. 2-8.
Trip times should be averaged for various depth intervals. Several operators
have conducted field studies to develop trip-time relationships (see Table 2-1).
The most significant factors affecting trip time include depth and hole geometry,
i.e., number and size of collars, and downhole tools. Table 2-1 can be used in
the cost-per-foot equation (Eq. 2.1).
Data Collection 19

1,000

2,000

I I
The intervalcost
from 0-8,100 ft
is $85,318

Moor
4,000
t
g
;c
'5.
CD
c
5,000

6,000
I I
7,000t
I
8,000 I

9,000
5 10 15 20 25 30
$/ft

Fig. 2-8 Cost per foot plot for the bit run in Figure 2-5

Example 2.1
Calculate the cost per foot and the cumulative section costs for the following
data; assume a rig cost of $12,OOO/day.
20 DrillingEngineering

Depth Depth Rotating Bit

In, ft Out, ft Time, hr Cost, $
Well A 6,000 7,150 23 1,650
7,150 8,000 20 1,650
Well B 6,000 8,000 42 2,980
Determine which drilling conditions, Well A or Well B, should be followed
in the prospect well. .Use a 9.875-in. bit. .
Solution:
1. The hourly rig cost is $500. Trip times from 7,150 and 8,000 ft are 6.0
hr and 6.50 hr, respectively.
2. The cost per foot for Bit #1 on Well A (6,000-7,150) ft is:

Co + C~ TIi + CRTT
$/ft = Y
1,650 + (500)(23) + (500)(6.0)
1,150
= $14.04/ft

For Bit #2:

$/ft = 1,650 + (500)(20)

850 + (500)(6.50)
= $17.53/ft

3. The cumulative cost for Well A is:

Bit #1 $14.04/ft x 1,150 ft = $16,146.00

Bit #2 $17.53/ft x 850 ft = $14,900.50
Total = $31,046.50

4. The cost per foot for Well B is:

2,980 + (500)(42) + (500)(6.5)

$/ft
2,000
= $13.62/ft

The section cost is $27,230.

5. Since the cost per foot is lower in Well B, the drilling conditions from
Well B should be implemented on the prospect well.
Data Collection 21

. +
!
!
:::0(1) + . +
!
! . +
!
!
9000 + . +
!
. +

. +
10000 + . +
! . . ++
! . . +
! . +
! . +
11000 + . +
. +
. +
. +
. +
12000 + .
.
. +
. +
. +
13000 + . +
. +
. +
. +
. +
14000 + . +
. +
. +
. +
. +
15000 + . +
. +
. +
. +
. +
16000 + . +
!

17000 +
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
so 10 11 12 D 14 15 16 17 I::: 1'~

EQUIVALENT MUD WEIGHT rpPG)

FORMATION PRESSURE iPPI~) .
FRACTURE GRADIENT (PPG~ +

Fig.2-9 Fonnation pressure (and fracture gradient) plot as calculated from the
d.: exponent example; fracture gradient plot shown for illustrative
purposes (Courtesy of Adams and Rountree Technology, Inc.)
22 Drilling Engineering

The dc-exponent method of pore pressure calculations has been applied

successfully on bit records. Although the quantitative results should be viewed
with caution, the method is useful in many cases. The quality of the results
increases in formations with fewer sand sequences (cleaner shale). A variety of
pressure prediction techniques are covered in Chapter 3. The data required must
be gathered from offset well records (Fig. 2-9).

Mud Records
Drilling mud records describe the physical and chemical characteristics of
the mud system. The reports are usually prepared daily. In addition to the mud
data, hole and drilling conditions can be inferred. Many drilling personnel believe
that the mud record is the most important and useful planning data.
Mud engineers usually prepare a daily mud check report form. Copies are
distributed to the operator and drilling contractor. The form, Fig. 2-10, contains
current drilling data such as the following:
·· well depth
bit size and number
·. pit volume

·· pump data
solids control equipment
drillstringdata
The reportalso containsmud propertiesdata such as the following:

··· mud weight

pH ·.. chloride content
calcium content

·. funnel viscosity
plastic viscosity .. solids content
cation exchange capacity (or MBT)

· yield point
gel strength · fluid loss
solids content

An analysis of these characteristics taken in the context of the drilling

conditions can provide clues to possible hole problems or changes in the drilling
environment. For example, an unusual increase in the yield point, water loss,
and chloride content suggests that salt (or salt water) has contaminated a fresh-
water mud. If kick control problems had not been encountered, it is probable
that salt zones were drilled.
A composite mud recap form, Fig. 2-11, is usually prepared when the
well is completed. The recap contains a daily summary of the properties. It may
also include important comments pertaining to hole problems.
Drilling Analysis. Daily reports prepared by the mud engineer are useful
in generating depth vs days plots (Fig. 2-12). These plots are as important to
Data Collection 23

NLBaroid
ICONTFlACT~....
_J;5J
AOOAm }) e s /t:1f/ O,L C.. DDAESS

AEPoATFDAMA~ " .

Depth tfll
Weight 0 _Ippgl D Ilb/eu ht
Mud Gt"8dillnt IpSi/hI
Funnel Viscosity tMeJql) API .1
~ltic Viscosi1Ycplt_
Yield Point (11)/100 sq hi
Get St,.ngth IIbl100 tq fll 10 secJ10 rnin
pH 0 Strip Pl
Meter
Filtr818 API (ml/3D mini
API HP.HT Filtr'" Imll30minl :.'190 c..e.L
Cite Thidr:,,", :nnd In API )Q.HP.HTD
Alkllinily. Mud IPm)
!..'YA/~ I.uL-p"",,-t+A
~=
AllUllini1Y.Flluate !PffMtl

C8lciumDppm
CtlI~Nan
D Gyp (ppb)
C,<fv$f, c...
Sand Content I" by VolI
Solids Content I" by Vol) .3
Oil Content I" by Vol)
Wit" Cont.nt I" by Vol)
Mlthy 81ue CaS-city IIM/"" mudl

D~. 1f-~~6'->-,~~.~~
4 . 7U-fl ~ :3t:>~ . ~ ~ CO,;1.
~ . ~~ tt /6.o4/rI. ~. :('~.
PD(')1f EXTRA COPY
/fIlA.-f -' .
THE RECOMMENDATIONS MAM HEAIEON SHALL HOT 81: CONSTRUE.D A5- AUTHORIZING THE: INFRINCIEMENT Of" ANY VALID PATENT, AND
AAIE ""DE WITHOUT ASSU TION 0" ANY LIABILITy If L INDUSTRIES, INC. OR ITS AGENTS, AND ARIE STATIEMIENTS 0.. O~INION ONLY.

REPRESENTATIVEC,hllR1!.,9A/ IHOMEADOAESS '-/IF. - ~EPH°r9Icf'''').bD''

MOBILE UNIT WAREHOUSE LOCATION

Fig.2-10 Daily mud check report form (Courtesy of NL Baroid)

 BAR 0 I 0 0 I V'S, 0 N COMPANV---EaD American qll C~e.ny ST !~~u1Bl
NAnONAl lEAD COMPAIiY WEt' Touebet.~ COUNTY Ver
DRILLINGMUDRECORD CONTRAcrO~!:.J1.!g. LOCATIO N
. BAAOIO
~~=_~.~~ _ ..
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REMARKS AND TR
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Fig.2-11 Composite mud recap (Courtesy of NL H
Data Collection 25

2,000 Surface drilling

,Set and cemented surface casing

4,000

6,000

g
£c- 8,000
O>
0

Intermediate casing, logged with ISF, sonic

10,000

12,000 Stuck pipe at 12,405 ft

Spotted oil soak
Free after 32 hours

14,000

Logged and ran

7-in. casing
16,000
10 20 30 40 50 60
Days

Fig. 2-12 Depth vs days plot developed from a mud record

well cost estimating as pore pressures are to the overall well plan. Other types
of records, i.e., bit records and log headers, do not provide sufficient daily details
to construct the plot as accurately as mud records.
An analysis of the plots in the offset area surrounding the prospect well
can provide the following information:
· expected drilling times for various intervals
26 Drilling Engineering

. identification of better drilling conditions by examining the lowest drilling

times in the offset wells
· location of potential problem zones by comparing common difficulties
in the wells
After the offset wells have been analyzed, a projected depth vs days plot is
prepared for the prospect well. (Chapter 19 provides additional details on de-
veloping depth vs days projections.)

IADC Reports
The drilling contractor usually maintains a daily log of the drilling oper-
ations, recorded on the standard IADC-API report. It contains hourly reports for
drilling operations, drillstring characteristics, mud properties, and time break-
downs for all operations. Unfortunately, these reports are normally available to
the drilling contractor and the operator and, as a result, cannot be obtained for
offset well analysis without the operator's cooperation.

Scout Tickets
Scout tickets have been available as a commercial service' for many
years. The tickets were originally prepared by oil company representatives
who "scouted" operations of other 'oil companies. Current scout tickets con-
tain a brief summary of the well (see Fig. 2-13). The data usually include the
following:

·· well name, location, and operator

spud and completion dates
·· casing geometries and cement volumes

·· production test data

completion information
tops of various.geological zones

The source of the data for scout tickets is the state or federal report forms filed
by oil companies during the course of drilling the well.

Mud Logging Records

A mud log is a foot-by-foot record of the drilling, mud, and formation
parameters. Mud logging units are often used on high pressure or troublesome
wells. Many engineers consider the mud log to be the best source of penetration
Data Collection 27

PARISH: ACADIA FIELD: CROWLEY (NORTH)

SER: 156172 & 159825 API# 1700 I-20678 See 9 T9S-RIE

OPR: Amarillo O. Co (fmly Dixie Petro of La Inc) RESULT: FLOWING

DUAL GAS WELL
WELL: Houssiere #1 & #1-D
LOCK: 9-9S-1E 747' FSL & 953' FEL of sec (13500' test-Nod 1 RH)
Elev: 20' RKB-CHF & 27' Grd.

SPUD: 2-9-78 CaMP: 6-2-78 PBTD: 13303' TD: 14008'

CSG: 16" @ 112', 10 %" @ 2801' w11665sx, 7 ~" @ 10803' w/1200sx,

5 ~" 1m @ 13370' w/200sx, 2 Js" tbg @ 13154', pkr @ 13157',
2 Js" tbg on pkr @ 10498'.
LOGS: IEL, ISF-SONL.
PERFS: 13500-14200', PB @ 13301' w/sand, perf for prod 13093-104' &
13110-113' wl2 holes per foot, perf 13200-204' & 13210-217'.
IP: (#1) 62 BOPD, 2109 MCFD, 1'1'64" ch, TP 4140#, CP pkr, GaR
33,798-1, BS&W .1%, BHP(SI) 6171#, Gr 51.2, Prod
Int: 13093-13113' (Nodosaria IRH SUB).
IP: (#I-D) 82 BCPD, 2620 MCFD, 1'1'64"ch, TP 4208#, CP pkr,
BS&W .1%, GaR 31,943-1, BHP (SI) 5967#, Gr 50.2,
Prod Int: 13200-13217' (Nod 18 RB SUA).
TOPS: Nodosaria 1 13092', Nodosaria 2 13200'.
REPUBLISHED TO SHOW DUAL COMPLETION
REPORT DATE: 6-28-78 CARD# I

Fig. 2-13 Scout ticket

rate data for analysis purposes. Mud logging records are seldom available to
groups other than the operators.
A section of a mud log is shown in Fig. 2-14. The drilling parameters
normally included are as follows:
·· penetration rate

·· bit weight and rotary speed

bit numberand type
rotary torque
28 Drilling Engineering

Mud loggingscalesare often arrangedso the drill rate curve can be compared
to the SP scale on offset logs. The mud log may contain manydrilling-related
parameters,such as the following:
.· mud temperatures

· chlorides
gas content

Fig.2-14 Section of a mud log