BHA Selection: Drill Collar

Selection
Course: Petroleum Drilling
Engineering II

Prof. (Dr.) Virendra Bahadur Singh

DEPARTMENT OF
PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
1:Drill Collars Selection
• Drill collars are the predominant component of the bottom hole
assembly (BHA).
• Both slick and spiral drill collars are used.
• In areas where differential sticking is a possibility spiral drill collars
and spiral heavy-walled drillpipe (HWDP) should be used in order
to minimise contact area with the formation.
1:Drill Collars Selection
• The drill collars are the first section of the drillstring to be designed.
• The length and size of the collars will affect the grade, weight and
dimensions of the drill pipe to be used.
1:Drill Collars Selection
• Table 10.3 illustrates typical sizes of collars to be run in each hole
section.
Table 10.3 Drill Collars and Hole Sizes
1:Drill Collars Selection
• Drill collar selection is usually based on buckling considerations in
the lower sections of the string when weight is set on the bit.
• The design approach that satisfies this criteria is the buoyancy
factor method.
2: Buoyancy Factor Method
• Drillstring buckling is a potential problem that must be avoided.
• If buckling occurs, stresses in the pipe and tool joints will cause pipe
failure.
• The greatest potential for drillpipe buckling normally occurs when
weight is slacked off on the bit.
• Drill collars are used to provide weight for use at the bit and at the
same time keep the drill pipe in tension.
• Drill collars have a significantly greater stiffness when compared to
drill pipe and as such can be run in compression.
2:Buoyancy Factor Method
• Drill pipe, on the other hand will tend to buckle when run in
compression.
• Repeated buckling will eventually lead to early drill pipe failure by
fatigue.
• Since elastic members can only buckle in compression, fatigue
failure of pipe can be eliminated by maintaining drill pipe in tension.
• Research and field experience proved that buckling will not occur if
weight on bit is maintained below the buoyed weight of the collars.
• In practice weight on bit should not exceed 85% of the buoyed
weight on the collars.
2:Buoyancy Factor Method

Procedure For Selecting Drill Collars

• Determine the buoyancy factor for the mud weight in use using the
formula below:
2:Buoyancy Factor Method
• Calculate the required collar length to achieve the desired weight on
bit:
2:Buoyancy Factor Method
• Calculate the required collar length to achieve the desired weight on
bit:
• The 0.85 safety factor ensures that only 85% of the buoyant weight
of the drill collars is used as weight on bit.
• Hence the neutral point remains within the collars when unforeseen
forces (bounce, minor deviation and hole friction) cause fluctuations
on the WOB.
2:Buoyancy Factor Method
• Calculate the required collar length to achieve the desired weight
on bit:
Example 10.2: Number and Size Of Drillcollars
• Determine the size and number of drill collars required to provide a
weight-on-bit of 55,000 lbf assuming
Hole deviation = 0°
Mud density = 12 ppg
• Assume that the available drill collar size is OD/ID, 9/3 in.
• From calculations, the weight per foot for this size is 192 lb/ft.
• Most drill collars come in 30 ft lengths.
Example 10.2: Number and Size Of Drillcollars

65.5

• In practice only 85% of the drill collar weight is used as weight-on-

bit.
• The remaining 15% of drill collar weight is placed in tension.
• This ensures that the neutral point is in the drill collars and that the
drillpipe is always in tension.
Example 10.2: Number and Size Of Drillcollars
• Hence, required weight of drill collars

• Assume that the available drill collar size is OD/ID, 9/3 in.
• From calculations, the weight per foot for this size is 192 lb/ft.
• Most drill collars come in 30 ft lengths.
Example 10.2: Number and Size Of Drillcollars
 Thanks for
ATTENDING

Prof. (Dr.) Virendra Bahadur Singh

DEPARTMENT OF
PETROLEUM ENGINEERING