IADC/SPE 112641

Reexamination of PDC Bit Walk in Directional and Horizontal Wells

S. Chen, SPE, Halliburton; G.J. Collins, SPE, ConocoPhillips; M.B.Thomas, SPE, Halliburton

Copyright 2008, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2008 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference held in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., 4–6 March 2008.

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADC/SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not
been reviewed by the International Association of Drilling Contractors or the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily
reflect any position of the International Association of Drilling Contractors or the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any
part of this paper without the written consent of the International Association of Drilling Contractors or the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is
restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of IADC/SPE copyright.

Abstract 1990 also attemped to use a three dimensional (3D) BHA

This paper describes several mechanisms of PDC bit walk
in directional wells drilled by steerable systems and how
these mechanisms can be numerically modeled. The
developed computer model calculates bit walk rate and
walk force with consideration for bit gauge geometry,
hole size, formation compressive strength, steering
mechanism of the RSS, bit rotational speed, penetration
rate and dogleg severity.
Application of the model in Alaskan horizontal wells has
revealed that an oversized hole and the bit tilt motion are
major causes of the bit walk. A matched bit/RSS system
is then provided and the results are very successful: bit
walk to the right is avoided and bit steerability is
increased significantly.
Introduction
computer model to match the calculated walk rate with
the actual walk rates by considering hole diameter and
coefficient of friction between formation and BHA. He
found that bit or BHA walk was affected by several
factors such as BHA type, number and diameter of
stabilizers, hole size, hole inclination and coefficient of
friction between formation and BHA. However,
Bannerman made the same conclusion as Perry(1) that bit
walk rate or walk tendency was not affected by bit gauge
length.
By considering both the bit and the rock anisotropy
simultaneously, Ho(3) developed a 3D BHA model which
could be used to calculate BHA walk tendency. In Ho’s
model, the bit was represented by several indices, and
formation transition was represented by relative strike
angle and apparent dip angle. It was found that formation
anisotropy may affect bit walk tendency.

The phenomenon of bit walk has been obsevered in the oil
and gas drilling industry for decades. It is widely accepted
that roller cone bits typically walk right and PDC bits
typically walk left.
In 1986, Perry(1) made a systematic analysis on bit walk
over 200 runs with five types of PDC bits in Gulf of
Thailand. He found that bit walk tendency was affected
not only by bit profile but also by operational parameters
such as WOB and RPM. Perry concluded that bit walk
tendency was not affected by bit gauge length.
Perry’s observations were further verified by
Bannerman(2), who collected data from 23 wells drilled by
roller cone bits and PDC bits in North Sea and made post-
calculation of bit walk rate in these wells. Bannerman
concluded that a PDC bit with a flat profile has a
tendency to walk right and a PDC bit with a ballistic or
step type profile has a tendency to walk left. In order to
understand the mechanism of bit walk, Bannerman in
Using 3D BHA models to predict bit walk tendency
provided little help to bit manufacturers because in almost
all the BHA models the bit’s cutting structure was
represented by one point in geometry, and bit/formation
interaction was simplified by bit and formation indices.
As a result, the effects of bit geometry such as gauge
length and bit profile on bit walk could not be considered
in these BHA models.
O’Hare and Aigbekaen(4) developed an approach to select
a drill bit closest to the “ideal bit” according to drilling
performance. The characteristics of this “ideal bit” are
described by several indices. By assuming that the bit
profile determines the directional responsiveness of a
PDC bit, the build index, hold index and walk index of a
bit are classified according to IADC PDC bit profile
codes. It was found that the length of the gauge and/or the
length of the outer profile have a great influence on PDC
bit walk tendency.
2 IADC/SPE 112641
In order to consider the effects of bit geometry on bit
walk tendency, Menand et.al, (5,6) developed a 3D
computer model that considered bit/formation interaction.
In this model, bit kinematics was fully determined by the
rotational speed around bit axis, the penetration rate along
bit axis, and the lateral penetration rate perpendicular to
bit axis. By applying a predetermined lateral or side
cutting action, the bit’s reaction forces were calculated,
and bit walk angle was obtained. A test bench was then
designed following the same principle developed by
Willhiem and Warren(7) in 1978 to test the PDC bit side
cutting ability and bit walk tendency. The effects of bit
profile, cutter arrangement and gauge length on bit walk
tendency were studied. A simplified formula for the
estimation of bit walk angle was then derived in which the
bit walk angle was expressed as a simple function of inner
cone length, outer structure height, the average back rake
angle of PDC cutters, and the length of active and passive
gauges. It was found that with the increase of bit gauge
length, bit left walk tendecncy increases significantly in
building angle regardless the type of the steerable drilling
system.
The work performed by O’Hare and Menand et.al., (4,5,6)
led to the same conclusion, namely, with the increase of
the gauge length and/or the outer profile, the left hand
walk tendency of PDC bit increases when bit is in
building angle and bit walk tendency was not affected by
steer mechanism. This conclusion was based on the
bit/formation interaction models described above, where
bit motion is predetermined by rotation speed around bit
axis, penetration rate along bit axis, and lateral
penetration rate perpendicular to bit axis. With more and
more wells drilled directionally using rotary steerable
systems (RSS), the consideration of steering mechanisms
of the RSS in the modeling of the bit motion and the
bit/formation interaction becomes more and more critical.
Chen et.al., (8) found there is almost no lateral rate of
penetration or side movement if the bit drills a well with
constant dogleg severity (DLS), and that use of the lateral
rate of penetration in simulating the bit/formation
interaction may significantly overestimate the effects of
bit gauge length on bit walk and bit steerability.
Right hand bit walk was observed for 6 ¾” PDC bits
drilling in very soft formations in Alaskan directional
wells, especially in horizontal wells using a typical point-
the-bit rotary steerable system. Various 6 ¾” PDC bits
with gauge lengths as long as 12 inches were used, and
almost all of them exhibited strong right hand walk rates
as high as 5 deg/100ft. At the same time, the bit had
difficult to build angle even when the steering mechanism
had 100% deflection. Well corrections were often
required to hit the expected target and drilling cost was
significantly increased.
Prior 3D bit models failed to explain why these PDC bits
walk right. This paper discusses the various mechanisms
of bit walk, the development of a new 3D bit/formation
interaction model, and the application of the model to
Alaskan horizontal well drilling. The model shows clearly
that under some specific drilling conditions these PDC
bits may walk right. How to avoid right hand bit walk is
also discussed in the paper.
Understanding the Mechanism of PDC Bit Walk
Bit Walk Definition
Fig.1A shows a PDC bit in a directional well. Coordinate
XhYhZh is fixed in space, and the bit rotates around its
own axis. Suppose the bit is tilted in plane A and a side
force Fs is also applied to the bit in plane A by a steering
unit. If the bit does not walk at all, the bit axis will remain
in plane A and a two dimensional well will be drilled.
However, in most cases, the bit will move apart from
plane A. As shown in Fig.1B, if the bit axis moves
toward plane B, the bit walks left. If the bit axis moves
toward plane C, the bit walks right. In either case when a
three dimensional well is drilled it can cause additional
problems such as increased drag and potential difficulties
in running casing due to wellbore tortuosity. Therefore, in
most cases, bit walk should be avoided and its mechanism
should be understood. As described by Chen et.al (8), bit
walk direction and bit walk rate can be determined by
calculating the walk force, Fw, and its direction. As
defined in this paper, if Fw is negative, then the bit walks
left; and if Fw is positive, the bit walks right.
Walk of a Short Bit Gauge Pad or Stabilizer
Fig.2A shows a short gauge pad or a stabilizer which is
building angle by moving toward the high side of the
wellbore. As shown in Fig.2B, whatever the
aggressiveness of the gauge pad, once it rotates
clockwise, a force, Fw_L, is always generated at the top
of the gauge pad. This force, which does not rotate with
the pad and is always toward the left, may cause the pad
to walk left.
However, if the same gauge pad is dropping angle by
moving toward the low side of the wellbore as shown in
Fig.3A, then a right hand walk force, Fw_R as shown in
Fig.3B, will be generated such that the gauge pad may
walk right. This phenomina was first observed by Menand
et.al (5)
Walk of a Long Gauge Pad or Sleeve Pad
The walk mechanism of a longer gauge pad or sleeve pad
may be significantly different from that of a short gauge
pad. Shown in Fig.4A, the long gauge pad builds angle by
tilting around a point C. Point C may be considered a
fulcrum point, and its location depends on the steering
mechanism of a steerable system. The tilting around point
C divides the gauge pad into two parts. While the bottom
surface of the left part interacts with the low side of the
wellbore, the upper surface of the right part interacts with
the high side of the wellbore. As shown in Fig.4B, a right
IADC/SPE 112641
hand walk force, Fw_R, is generated from the left part.
Similarly, a left hand walk force, Fw_L, is generated from
the right part, as shown in Fig.4C.
Whether the gauge pad walks left or right depends on the
magnitudes of the forces Fw_L and Fw_R. Two factors
affect the magnitude of Fw_L and Fw_R. The first is the
location of fulcrum point C: If point C is close to the left
end of the pad, then the left bottom part will interact less
with the wellbore than the right top part, so that force
Fw_L may be greater than Fw_R and the pad may walk
left. The second factor is the aggressiveness at the two
ends of the gauge pad. With increasing aggressiveness,
the force to tilt the pad will be decreased. For example, if
the left end of the pad is very passive and the right end of
the pad is very aggressive, then the force Fw_L generated
at the right end may be less than Fw_R generated at the
left end of the pad, and in this case the pad may walk
right.
Fig.5A depicts one example where the fulcrum point is
provided by a stabilizer located left of the gauge pad so
that the left end will not touch the wellbore. In this case, a
left walk force, Fw_L as shown in Fig.5B is generated. As
a result, the pad may walk left due to the interaction of the
upper surface of the right end with the high side of the
wellbore.
Fig.6A shows another example where the fulcrum point is
provided by a stabilizer located right of the gauge pad so
the right end will not touch the wellbore. In this case, a
right walk force, Fw_R as shown in Fig.6B is generated.
As a result, the pad may walk right due to the interaction
of the bottom surface of the left end with the low side of
the wellbore.
Walk of PDC Cutting Structure
Shown in Fig.7A is a typical PDC bit profile. The profile
may be divided into two zones: zone A represents cutters
in the cone area; zone B represents cutters in the nose and
shoulder area. When the bit builds angle by a steering
mechanism, cutters in zone B will interact with the high
side of the wellbore. At the same time, cutters in zone A
will interact with the formation. Analyzing the forces
acting on a cutter in zone B and a cutter in zone A shows
that due to the bit’s rotation and tilt, two drag forces are
generated, Fw_L and Fw_R, as shown in Fig.7B. Whether
the bit walks left or right depends on the magnitude of the
left walk force Fw_L generated by cutters in zone B, and
the right walk force Fw_R generated by zone A. It is
therefore possible to design a non-walking cutting
structure by carefully arranging the cutters in zones A and
B.
Menand et.al (5,6) described the walk mechanism of PDC
bit cutting structure by assuming the bit has a pre-
determined side cutting action (a lateral motion).
However, Menand’s model did not consider bit tilting
motion and could not be used to correctly predict bit
3
walk, especially when the bit is used in a point-the-bit
RSS.
PDC Bit Walk in Push-the-Bit Rotary Steerable System
In most push-the-bit rotary steerable systems, a number of
expandable thrust pads are located just above the bit, and
bias the bit into a desired trajectory. Several steering
mechanisms may be used, but the push-the-bit principle is
the same, namely, a side force is applied to the bit by the
steering unit, and a fulcrum point must be formed above
the steering unit. There is no stabilizer between the bit
and the location of the side force, an arrangement that
typically uses a short gauge length in order to steer the bit.
Fig.8 shows a simplified working principle of a push-the-
bit system.
Fig.9A shows a typical PDC bit used in a push-the-bit
system. The bit may be divided into four parts. Gauge pad
C is usually full size and 1-2” in length; gauge pad D is
usually undergauge or tapered and 1–2” in length. While
building angle, the upper section of the gauge pads C and
D, parts A and B, will interact with the high side of the
wellbore. Only part A will generate a right walk force as
shown in Fig.9B. Generally speaking, bits walk left while
building angle by push-the-bit rotary steerable systems.
This conclusion is consistent with previous observations
and previous computer models (2,4-6).
PDC Bit Walk in Point-the-Bit Rotary Steerable System
A point-the-bit RSS usually includes an orientation unit
which generates a deflection and deforms the string, and
hence the bit, into a desired trajectory. There are several
steering or deflection mechanisms, but a common feature
may be applied to all point-the-bit RSS: a deflection angle
must be generated between the axis of the lower end of
the system and the axis of the hole. Fig.10 depicts the
general principle of a point-the-bit system. In contrast to a
push-the-bit RSS, there must be a fulcrum point created
between the bit’s cutting structure and the steering unit in
order for bit to steer.
The fulcrum point may be formed using a stabilizer or
using a long sleeve added directly above the bit. Fig.11
shows a typical PDC bit with a long sleeve where the
fulcrum point is located at the top of the sleeve. As shown
in Fig.11A, the bit is divided into five parts. While
building angle, parts A and E may generate a right walk
force, and parts B and C may generate a left walk force as
depicted in Fig.11B and Fig.11C. Part D may or may not
contact the wellbore depending on the magnitude of
undergauge of the sleeve and the magnitude of the
overgauge hole. Because the fulcrum point is closer to the
bit’s cutting structure, the cutters in part A (in the cone)
will cut more formation in a point-the-bit RSS than in a
push-the-bit RSS. Therefore, the right hand walk force
coming from part A and part E may be bigger than the left
walk force and as a result, the bit may walk right.
4 IADC/SPE 112641
Similar analysis can be made when the long gauge sleeve
is replaced with a stabilizer. In this case, the stabilizer acts
as a fulcrum point which generates a right walk force. The
stabilizer plays the same role as the top sleeve (Part E) as
shown in Fig.11A.
PDC Bit Walk in an Oversized Hole Drilled by a Point-
the-Bit Rotary Steerable System
An oversized hole may be drilled due to mechanical loads
from BHA, stabilizer and the bit gauge pads or sleeve
pads, or due to erosion and hydraulic pressure of the
drilling fluid. This is especially true when the formation is
very soft, such as sand with low compressive strength.
Fig.12 shows the motion of a PDC bit with a long sleeve
pad in an oversized hole. A very large deflection must be
generated by the steering unit before part E of the sleeve
can become a fulcrum point. As shown in BHA modeling,
such a large deflection may generate a side force in the
magnitude of thousands of pounds at the fulcrum point
(part E), as shown in Fig.12. This side force may create a
strong walk right force Fw_R, as shown in Fig.12B. This
force, Fw_R, may be sufficient to lead the bit to walk
right.
PDC Bit Walk in an Elliptical Hole
Fig.13 depicts situations where an elliptical hole is
generated due to anisotropy of the formation. When the
long axis of the elliptical hole is on the right hand side of
the high side of the hole as shown in Fig.13A, a right
walk force may be generated when the bit builds angle.
However, when the long axis of the elliptical hole is on
the left of the high side of the hole as shown in Fig.13B, a
left walk force may be generated when the bit builds
angle.
PDC Bit Walk in Transition Drilling
Fig.14 depicts two cases when the bit drills into an
interbedded formation. In Fig.14A, the bit is building
angle, and cutters on the nose are cutting into hard
formation while all other cutters are cutting in soft
formation. The walk due to the cutting structure may tend
to the left because all cone cutters are cutting in soft
formation. On the other hand, if the bit builds angle from
hard to soft formation, it may walk right due to the cone
cutters cutting in the hard formation, as shown in Fig.14B.
A 3D interbedded formation determined by both strike
angle and apparent dip angle can be similarly analyzed.
PDC Bit Walk in Formation with Concretions
In some fields, for example, in Alaska West Sak field,
concretions, or very hard stones, may be randomly
distributed in the formation. Fig.15A shows that when the
shoulder cutters hit a very hard concretion, the bit may
walk left strongly. However, if the cone cutters of the
same bit hit the same concretion as shown in Fig.15B, the
bit may walk right strongly.
Computer Model of Bit Walk
As described previously, bit walk may be affected by
many factors. It is very difficult to determine whether a
bit walks left or right given specific drilling conditions. In
directional drilling, knowing a bit walk tendency alone is
usually not enough; most interesting to a directional
driller is the bit walk rate which is a function of bit walk
force and bit steering rate. The positive walk rate means
right bit walk and the negative walk rate means left bit
walk.
Modeling the various mechanisms of bit walk described
above requires fully understanding the bit/formation
interaction in directional drilling. Obviously, for a given
bit, its walk depends significantly on the type of rotary
steerable system and steering mechanism. The same bit
drilling the same formation may walk left in a push-the-
bit system, but may walk right in a point-the-bit system.
Previous models using lateral rate of penetration or side
cutting to represent the bit/formation interaction for any
BHA system can result in misleading bit walk predictions.
Chen et.al., (8) gave a very detailed description on how to
calculate bit walk force, bit walk direction and bit walk
rate using a true 3D computer model. In this model, a
PDC bit, including face cutters, impact arrestors, gage
cutters, gauge pads and sleeve pads, are finely meshed.
Both bit and hole are meshed the same way in three
dimensional spherical coordinate systems. The
bit/formation interaction is modeled by considering
various steering mechanisms. The significant differences
between Chen’s model and previous models (4-6) are:
(1) Chen considers steering mechanism by introducing a
bend or tilt length from bit face to the fulcrum point. Bit
walk rate may be significantly different for the same bit
used in a push-the-bit system and point-the-bit system,
respectively;
(2) Tilt rate, which is calculated from DLS and bit axial
ROP, is used in determination of the bit/formation
interaction. It is believed that bit lateral ROP, or side
cutting perpendicular to bit axis, was incorrectly used to
represent bit motion in previous models.
(3) Bit/formation interaction in kickoff or side tracking
operations differs from bit motion in equilibrium drilling,
and is modeled separately.
(4) Hole size (oversized hole), hole shape such as
elliptical hole, and 3D interbedded formation transition
are all considered in the new model.
(5) Undergauged pad or sleeve, spiraled blade pad or
sleeve, tapered blade pad or sleeve, and stepped gauge
pad or sleeve are all considered in the model;
(6) Gauge pad aggressiveness is considered;
IADC/SPE 112641
(7) Not only face cutters, but also impact arrestors and
drop-in cutters on the gage pad are considered in the
model.
The results from this new computer model have been
extensively validated by laboratory tests. Both a push-the-
bit and a point-the-bit test bench were used to test three
bit profiles and six types of gauge pads with three lengths.
Fig.16 summarizes the capabilities of the model and
details the inputs, outputs and component contributors.
Application of the Computer Model
One of the largest projects in Alaska, the multi-well West
Sak Field development requires rotary steerable drilling
technology to achieve increasingly complex multilateral
“3D” well designs. However, despite record-breaking
lateral lengths, bit trajectory control had suffered in the
soft formations of the critical production interval where,
over the past year, some PDC bits with the size smaller
than 7-7/8” could not steer and had a strong tendency
toward right hand walk.
Wells in the West Sak Field are tri-laterals, drilled from
the lower lateral up to the shallowest. The formation in
this section is very soft sand with randomly distributed
concretions.
These wells were drilled by a typical point-the-bit rotary
steerable system which requires the bit to have a longer
gauge pad or sleeve pad acting as a fulcrum point. Fig. 10
shows the working principle of the system, where the drill
shaft is deflected by a steering unit (not shown) located
inside a non-rotating housing. Fig.17A shows a 6 3/4”
PDC bit used with the system.
The fact that heavy wear was observed on the top of the
sleeve of the dull bit confirms that the top area of the
sleeve acts as the fulcrum point. Fig.17B shows the
meshed PDC bit, where each gauge/sleeve pad is modeled
by three dotted lines to consider its width effect. The
fulcrum point divides the sleeve pad into two sections as
shown in Fig.17B. The tilt motion around the fulcrum
point makes these two sections have opposite lateral
movements.
Three cases are studied in which possible mechanisms of
bit walk right are examined. The first two cases are
simulated using the developed 3D bit/formation
interaction model. The common drilling conditions used
for these two cases are:
Bit: 6 ¾” FMF3641Z
RSS Type: Point-the-bit RSS
Formation: Sand with CCS 1500 psi
RPM: 120
ROP: 150 ft/hr
DLS: 10 deg/100ft
Tilt Length: 10.57”
5
Case 1: Hole size equal to bit size
Fig.18A shows the bit has a negative walk angle, which
means the bit (including cutters, gage pad and sleeve pad)
walk left under the above drilling conditions. Fig.18B
shows the bit walk rate, which shows that when building
angle at build rate of 10 deg/100ft, the bit may walk left at
the rate of 0.68 deg/100ft. It is worth noting that even
when the input build rate is a constant value, the walk rate
is cyclically changing with drilling time with a frequency
equal to bit rotational frequency.
Case 2: Hole size is greater than bit size
When an oversized hole is drilled, the bit begins to walk
right as shown in Fig.19. All drilling conditions are
exactly the same except hole size is assumed to be 6.875”,
slightly greater than the bit size. The positive walk angle
in Fig.19A means the bit walks right. If the bit builds
angle at 10 deg/100ft, then the bit walks right at the walk
rate of 1.99 deg/100ft as shown in Fig.19B. As depicted
in Fig.11, the walk forces generated at the cone cutters
and the top of the sleeve are big enough to drive the bit to
walk right.
Case 3: Walk force generated by side force provided by
BHA at the fulcrum point
As shown in Fig.12, if a side force is applied at the
fulcrum point, then this side force will create a walk force
which drives the bit walk to the right. The magnitude of
this side force may be calculated by a BHA model such as
described by Chen & Wu(9). Depending on the BHA
configuration, such as the arrangement of the stabilizers,
this side force may be as large as thousands of pounds. If
an oversized hole is drilled, the side force may increase
because more deflection of the steering unit is required.
Assuming this BHA induced side force at the fulcrum
point be 1000 lbs and the coefficient of friction between
the fulcrum point and the wellbore be 0.3, then the right
walk force acting at the fulcrum point is 300 lbs which is
big enough to drive the bit walk right.
Recommendations & Results
The model results have clearly shown that an oversized
hole is the major cause of PDC bit walk to the right.
Efforts must be made to avoid drilling an oversized hole
and to reduce the forces at the fulcrum area. The
development of a matched bit/RSS system becomes more
important than ever before. To this end, an advanced
BHA model(9) is used to determine the locations of the
stabilizer along the BHA and to predict the BHA’s
steerability. A most recently developed bit steerability
model(8) is used to design and analyse bit steerability and
bit stability during directional drilling. Bit design
optimization is focused on increasing bit lateral stability
and reducing the aggressiveness of the gauge pads
without sacrificing bit steerability. In order to reduce the
6 IADC/SPE 112641
forces acting at the fulcrum area, effort is focused on
reducing the interaction of sleeve pad and wellbore by
changing the geometry of the sleeve pads, especially the
geometry around the fulcrum area.
Now optimized specifically for the application, the
matched bit/RSS system has succeeded in drilling
formations that were not steerable before. More detailed
results about the most recent runs can be found in another
sister paper. (10)
Conclusions
The following conclusions may be made based on the
above analysis and field applications:
(1) The walk of a PDC bit depends on many factors: the
cutting structure geometry, gauge/sleeve geometry, the
steering mechanism of the steerable system, the BHA
configuration, the formation type and anisotropy, the hole
enlargement and hole shape.
(2) A computer model has been developed to predict bit
walk, including walk force, walk angle and walk rate, by
taking into consideration all of the above listed factors.
(3) PDC bits may walk to the right in oversized horizontal
wells. Design of matched bit/RSS systems to overcome
this problem becomes very important.
(4) The application of the bit model together with the
BHA model to solve field problems has shown
significantly benefits.
Nomenclature
BHA = Bottomhole assembly
DLS = Dogleg severity (deg/100 ft)
RSS = Rotary steerable system
RPM = Rotation per minute
ROP = Rate of penetration
WOB = Weight on bit
TR = Tilt rate (deg/hr)
PDC = Polycrystalline diamond compact
RC = Roller Cone Bit
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Halliburton Security DBS and
ConocoPhillips for the support and permission to publish
this paper. The authors appreciate the invaluable
discussions from team members D. Reimer (CPAI), A.
Buchanonat (CPAI), K. Holtzman, J. Snyder, M.
Strachan, M. Thomas, J. Patton, all from Sperry Drilling
Services of Halliburton and L. Smith, AER, at the
meeting on Alaska’s soft formation drilling held in
Anchorage, in Feb., 2007.
References
1. Perry C., “Directional drilling with PDC bits in the Gulf of
Thailand”, paper SPE 15616 presented at the 61st Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans,
LA, Oct. 5-8, 1986.
2. Bannerman, J.S., “Walk rate prediction on Alwyn north field
by means of data analysis and 3D computer model”, paper
SPE 20933 presented at Europec 90 held in The Hague,
Netherland, Oct 22-24, 1990.
3. Ho H.S., “General Formulation of Drillstring Under Large
Deformation and Its Use in BHA Analysis”, paper SPE
15562 presented at the 1986 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Oct. 5-8, 1986.
4. O’Hare J., Aigbekaen O.A., “Design Index: a systematic
method of PDC drill-bit selection”, paper IADC/SPE
59112 presented at the 2000 IADC/SPE Drilling
Conference held in New Orleans, LA, Feb 23-25, 2000
5. Menand S., Sellami H., et al, “How bit profile and gauges
affects well trajectory”, SPE Drilling & Completion, March
2003
6. Menand S., Sellami H., C. Simon, “PDC bit classification
according to steerability”, SPE Drilling & Completion,
March 2004
7. Millhiem K., Warren T., “Side cutting characteristics of rock
and stabilizers while drilling”, SPE 7518, Oct., 1978.
8. Chen S., Arfele R., Glass K., “Modeling of the Effects of
Cutting Structure, Impact Arrestor, and Gage Geometry on
PDC Bit Steerability”, paper AADE-07-NTCE-10
presented at 2007 AADE Technical Conference held in
Houston, TX, April 10-12, 2007.
9. Chen D., Wu M., “Maximizing Drilling Performance with
State-of-the-Art BHA Program”, paper SPE/IADC 104502
presented at the 2007 SPE/IADC Drilling Conference held
in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Feb., 20-22, 2007.
10. Holtzman K., Snyder J.,Collins G.J., “Teamwork Yields
Record-Breaking Shallow ERD Solution in Soft
Formations”, paper IADC/SPE 112759, to be presented at
the 2008 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference held in Orlando,
FL, USA, March 4-6, 2008.
 Xh Xh

A B
B
Yh Fw

Walk left
C Fs

C
Walk right
A
Yh

Fig.1B
Zh

Fig.1A

Fig.1: Definition of Bit Walk

Fw_L

Fig.2A Fig.2B

Fig.2: Walk of short gauge pad in building angle

Fw_R

Fig.3A Fig.3B

Fig.3: Walk of short gauge pad in dropping angle

Fw_L

Fw_R

Fig.4B Fig.4A Fig.4C

Fig.4: Walk of long gauge / sleeve pad in building angle

8 IADC/SPE 112641

Fw_L

Fig.5A Fig.5B

Fig.5: Left hand walk of long gauge / sleeve pad in building angle

Fw_R

Fig.6B Fig.6A

Fig.6: Right hand walk of long gauge / sleeve pad in building angle

B
Fw_L Zone B

At time t + Δt

A
Fw_R
At time t

Zone A

Fig.7A Fig.7B

Fig.7: Cutting structure induced walk

Fulcrum Point
Fs

Fig.8: working principle of push-the-bit RSS

IADC/SPE 112641 9

D C
B

Fw_L Zone B, C, D

A
Fw_R

Zone A

Fig.9A Fig.9B

Fig.9: Walk of PDC bit used in push-the-bit RSS

Stabilizer Housing Focal Bearing

Deflected Drill Shaft

Fig.10: Working principle of point-the-bit RSS

C B
D

Fig.11A
A

E
Fw_L Zone B, C, D

Fig.11C Fig.11B
Zone E

Fw_R

Fw_R Zone A

Fig.11: Walk of PDC bit in point-the-bit RSS

10 IADC/SPE 112641

C B
D

Zone E

Fw_R

E
Fig.12B Fig.12A

Fig.12: Right hand walk due to BHA side force acting at fulcrum point

Fw_L
Fw_R

Fig.13A Fig.13B

Bit Walk Right Bit Walk Left

Fig.13: Bit walk due to hole shape

H H

Fig.14A Fig.14B

Fig.14: Bit walk due to formation transition

IADC/SPE 112641 11

Fig.15A Fig.15B

Fig.15: Bit walk due to concreation in formation

Summary of Model Capabilities

Operational
INPUTS

RSS Type & Parameters:

Formation
Drilling Modes WOB/ROP, RPM,
DLS, Tilt Length

FACE CONTROL
OUTPUTS

WOB Walk Angle Build Rate & Torque &

TOB Walk Force Steer Force Variation
Imbalance Walk Rate
CONTRIBUTORS

GAUGE PAD SLEEVE PAD

Length; Width; Length; Width;
Inner Cutters
Undergauge; Undergauge;
Shoulder Cutters
Tapered Gauge; Tapered Gauge;
Gauge Cutters
Spiral Spiral

Fig.16: Capabilities of the computer simulator

Fulcrum Point

A B

Fig.17: Model of PDC bit with sleeve pads

12 IADC/SPE 112641

Walk rate = -0.68 deg/100ft

Fig.18A Fig.18B

Fig.18: Bit walk left when hole size equals bit size

Walk rate = 1.99 deg/100ft

Fig.19A Fig.19B

Fig.19: Bit walk right when hole size is greater than bit size