IADC/SPE 74459
How the Bit Profile and Gages Affect the Well Trajectory
S. Menand, SPE, and H. Sellami, SPE, Armines/Ecole des Mines de Paris; C. Simon, DrillScan ; A. Besson, TotalFinaElf ;
N. Da Silva, Security DBS
Copyright 2002, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference held in Dallas,
Texas, 26–28 February 2002
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, as presented, have not been reviewed by the International Association of Drilling
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Abstract
The importance of wellbore deviation is well recognized by
the drilling industry. An analysis of the directional behaviour
of a drilling system must include the directional characteristics
of the drilling bit. A comprehensive analysis of the directional
behaviour of PDC bits is presented in this paper, including the
effect of bit profile, gage cutters and gage length. Numerical
simulations as well as laboratory tests have been carried out in
order to better understand the mechanisms of PDC bits
deviation and to evaluate the most important parameters
affecting the directional behaviour of PDC Bits.
The analysis of the directional behaviour of PDC bits
presented in this paper shows that each part of the PDC bit (bit
profile, active and passive gages) plays a major role on the
walking tendency and steerability of the bit. A quantitative
evaluation of the contribution of these factors on the well
trajectory (inclination and azimuth) is given.
A full-scale directional drilling bench was built to measure, for
the first time, the walking tendency and the steerability of
PDC bits. The results obtained demonstrate that the bit profile,
the gage cutters and the gage length have a significant effect
on the walking tendency and on the steerability of the PDC
bits. A 3D theoretical rock-bit interaction model was
developed to reproduce the drilling tests results.
Introduction
The oil and gas industry relies greatly on directional drilling to
develop petroleum reserves in environmentally sensitive areas
or in restricted surface areas through an increasing number of
multilateral, horizontal and extended reach wells. To drill and
control the deviation of these becoming more complex wells,
many directional systems can be used. Depending on the well
characteristics, one can select a rotary Bottom Hole Assembly,
a steerable mud motor or more recently a Rotary Steerable
System. Whatever the system used, the drill bit has an
influence on the directional behaviour of the drilling system.
This paper enables to define the contribution of the different
parts of the PDC bit on its directional behavior (steerability
and walking tendency) and their impact on the well trajectory.
Background
Theory
The directional behaviour of PDC bits is generally
characterized by its walk tendency and steerability. The
walk tendency or bit turn is a concept well known by the
drillers and a natural phenomenon existing in any rotating
cutting drilling heads. From this walk tendency, Ho1
introduced for PDC bits the walk angle, which is the angle
measured in a plane perpendicular to the bit axis, between the
direction of the side force applied to the bit and the direction
of the lateral displacement of the bit (figure 1). The walk angle
quantifies the intrinsic azimuthal behaviour of the PDC bit.
When the lateral displacement of the bit is on the left of the
side force, the bit has a left tendency. If the lateral
displacement is on the right of the side force, the bit has a right
tendency. A neutral bit means that the lateral displacement is
in the same direction than the side force. Considering this
definition, according now to the surface position, when we are
in a building phase, if the bit goes to the left, then its tendency
is left; if it goes to the right, then its tendency is right. Now, if
the bit is going to the left while dropping, its tendency is right;
if it goes to the right, then it has a left tendency. At last, it is
2 S. MENAND, H. SELLAMI, C. SIMON, A. BESSON, N. DA SILVA
worth noting that an intrinsic neutral bit does not give
necessarily a zero turn rate because this turn rate depends not
only on the bit characteristics behaviour but also on the BHA
behaviour and the formation characteristics, mainly its
anisotropy.
The bit steerability (BS) corresponds to the ability of the bit,
submitted to lateral and axial forces, to initiate a lateral
deviation. The bit steerability can be defined as the ratio of the
lateral drillability over the axial drillability :
BS = Dlat (1)
Dax
The lateral drillability (Dlat) is defined as the lateral
displacement per bit revolution over the side force. The axial
drillability (Dax) is the axial penetration per bit revolution over
the weight on bit (WOB). The BS (equivalent to the bit
anisotropic index1,2) is generally in the range of 0.001 to 0.1
for most PDC bits, depending on the cutting profile, gage
cutters and gage pad characteristics, as evaluated in the present
paper. A bit with a high steerability means a strong propensity
for lateral deviation, enabling to obtain a maximum potential
build or drop rate. In the field, assuming that the BHA applies
a non-zero side force on the bit without bit tilt angle, the bit
steerability can be linked to the build or drop rate of well
trajectories.
Field and laboratory observations
Steerability
Many studies have been carried out in laboratory or in situ in
order to estimate the effect of PDC bits on the build and drop
rate of well trajectories. In analyzing the data of Gulf of
Thailand wells, Perry3 reported that the profile and the gage
length of PDC bits could affect the build and drop tendencies
of BHAs. Pastusek et al 4 conducted some directional tests in
laboratory in order to study the behaviour of anti-whirl PDC
bits. The authors noticed that the anti-whirl PDC bits had a
lower side cutting ability than the conventional PDC designs.
Pastusek et al 4 attributed this difference to the smooth gage
pads used for the anti-whirl bits and concluded that the build
rate of anti-whirl bits on steerable systems was lower than it is
with conventional PDC designs.
O’Bryan and Huston5 studied the effects of gage length on the
build and drop tendencies of PDC bits. In testing two different
gage lengths (3.5” and 6”), the authors reported that the
highest build/drop rate was obtained with the longest gage.
O’Bryan and Huston5 explained this phenomenon by a higher
WOB on the PDC bit with the longest gage, generating a
higher side force on the PDC bit. More recently, Norris et al 6
carried out a study in laboratory and in situ to evaluate the bit
side cutting ability. One roller cone bit and two PDC bits with
IADC/SPE 74459
various gage aggressiveness were tested in laboratory in
Carthage marble. In varying WOB and side force applied on
the bit, the authors observed a BS in the range of 0.04 to 0.4.
The lateral drillability of the PDC bit with aggressive gage
was almost 10 times higher than the one with unaggressive
gage. However, some irregularities and ledges on the borehole
were observed with the PDC bit having the most aggressive
gage. Furthermore, the roller cone bit showed a lower side
cutting ability than the two PDC bits. At last, in analyzing
field data, the authors noticed a good correlation between the
PDC bit side cutting ability evaluated in laboratory and the
build/drop rate measured in the field.
Walking tendency
Based on field observations, it is generally accepted that the
roller cone bits have nearly always a right tendency and most
PDC bits have a left tendency. Kerr7 noticed that PDC bits
have generally a left tendency but emphasized that the
azimuthal behaviour of the drilling system is influenced by
formation characteristics, bit profile, bit size, formation dip,
WOB, BHA, and other factors. In analyzing some well
trajectories in the Gulf of Thailand, Perry3 concluded that the
bit profile could affect the azimuthal behaviour of the BHA.
Indeed, a BHA with a flat PDC bit profile showed a right
tendency. Perry3 also supposed that the gage cutters and the
gage length did not influence the turn rate. In studying the
azimuthal behaviour of BHA in Alwyn North field,
Bannerman8 confirmed the observations made by Perry3 : the
right turn measured in the field is supposedly attributed to the
flat profile of PDC bit, although the parabolic profiles
exhibited a left tendency.
Synthesis
It emerges from these laboratory or in situ studies that a
comprehensive analysis of the directional behaviour of PDC
bits has never been conducted to quantify the intrinsic
azimuthal behaviour of the PDC bit. Moreover, the directional
behaviour of a whole drilling system cannot be explained only
by the directional behaviour of the bit. A bit with a high side
cutting ability does not produce necessarily a high rate of
inclination on the well trajectory. This rate depends on the side
force and weight applied on the bit, on the bit tilt angle and
also on the rock formation. Likewise, the azimuthal behaviour
of a drilling system must not be attributed only to the walk
tendency of the bit. Some friction phenomenon along the BHA
(mainly at stabilizers levels) can greatly influence the
azimuthal tendency of the drilling system. At last, the
formation effect (rock anisotropy) may be decisive in both the
build/drop and azimuth rate of the trajectory9.
Rock-Bit Interaction Model
Over the past thirty years, Ecole des Mines de Paris has
developed a methodology for designing and selection of
IADC/SPE 74459 HOW THE BIT PROFILE AND GAGES AFFECT THE WELL TRAJECTORY
cutting and drilling systems. Drilling efficiency10, wear
reduction, vibrations control and efficient cleaning have been
carefully studied. A 3D rock-bit interaction model9,11 has been
developed in order to calculate the directional behaviour of
PDC bits in isotropic and heterogeneous formations. The bit
model takes into account the 3 parts of the bit which interact
with the formation (figure 2) : the cutting structure, the
active gage (trimmers or gage cutters) and the passive gage
(gage pad).
Cutting structure
The rock-bit model includes an elementary PDC-interaction
model taking into account the PDC geometry characteristics
(cutter size and geometry, back rake angle, chamfer, wear and
friction) and the rock characteristics (cohesion, angle of
internal friction, uniaxial compressive strength, pore pressure,
dip angle). From the cutting structure, a cutting profile is
defined geometrically and can be divided into 2 parts
according to the IADC Classification12: the inner cone (height
C) and the outer structure (height G). The cutting structure is
defined through the rock-bit model by its cutting profile
(geometric parameters) and its cutters position and orientation.
Active gage
The active gage corresponds to the PDCs that are truncated
(trimmers or gage cutters) to the bit diameter, corresponding to
the transition between cutting structure and passive gage.
From single cutter laboratory experiments, a trimmer-rock
interaction model was developed and integrated in the rock-bit
model. The active gage is then defined by its length LAG, its
trimmers number, its trimmer back rake angle and its rock-
friction surface depending on the trimmer truncation.
Passive gage
The passive gage (or gage pad), which plays a great role in the
stabilization of the PDC bit, can have many design features.
The main passive gage characteristics are the length, the
circumferential coverage (depending on the blades spiral
angle), and the surface roughness (smooth gage pads such as
the low-friction gage pads14,15 or aggressive gage pads
depending on the carbide or diamond insert type for
protection). According to these features, the passive gage is
characterized in the rock-bit model by its length LPG, and its
blades characteristics (number, spiraled or straight, diamond
or carbide inserts type) defining a friction surface with the
borehole.
Kinematics
The bit is assumed to continuously rotate around its axis, and
is given a prescribed axial and lateral motion. The motion of
the bit is described through 5 variables : 3 for a translation
movement and 2 for a rotation movement. Then, after
3
prescribing a bit motion, the rock-bit model calculates the
forces on all cutting element and integrates the single forces
over the bit surface to produce global forces and moments
averaged over one bit revolution.
Results
The 3D rock-bit model enables to calculate WOB and lateral
force on the bit required for an axial and lateral motion,
imbalance force, efficiency index and wear evolution. It
computes also the steerability and the walk angle of each part
(cutting structure, active gage and passive gage) of the bit. It’s
important to note that the bit steerability calculated from the
rock-bit model is mainly a function of the WOB, the lateral
force and the rock strength and anisotropy.
Assuming all the PDC cutters have an identical back rake
angle along the bit profile, Menand11 has found that the walk
angle is then a function of the inner cone deep C and the outer
structure height G, and can be calculated simply by :
2(C −G)
α = arctan (2)
tan(ωc +θ f ) (C +G)
C and G are respectively inner cone and outer structure heights
according to the IADC classification12, ωc is the back rake
angle and θf is the friction angle between PDC and rock.
Directional laboratory tests
Directional drilling bench
In order to be able to measure bit steerability and walking
tendency, the drilling bench of Ecole des Mines de Paris,
enabling to test drill bit under simulated downhole conditions
(figure 3), was modified. The new system enables to test the
side cutting ability and the walk tendency of bit up to 12”1/4
diameter. The directional tests can be performed with a
maximum 15 tons WOB and a lateral force up to 1.5 tons. The
directional test principle (figure 4) is as follows : during the
axial penetration of the bit, a lateral force Fx is applied on the
rock sample, which is free to move in the direction of the
applied force, generating a lateral displacement of the rock
sample. Two sets of strain gages are mounted on the drilling
shaft to measure the bending moments (magnitude and
orientation). The total resulting lateral force Flat at the bit is
computed through the bending moments readings, and the
difference of orientation between the lateral displacement and
the resulting lateral force Flat at the bit gives the bit walk angle
(figure 4).
The lateral drillability Dlat of the bit is calculated from the
lateral displacement of the rock sample measured by the
LVDT sensor and the resulting lateral force Flat; the axial
drillability Dax is measured from the rate of penetration (ROP),
the rotation speed and WOB.
4 S. MENAND, H. SELLAMI, C. SIMON, A. BESSON, N. DA SILVA
Test procedure
All the tests have been carried out in the Vosges sandstone
(homogeneous, porous, medium hard sandstone, uniaxial
compressive strength = 40 MPa). A 1 150 kg/m3 water-based
mud (bentonitic) was used with a mud flow fixed to 600 l/mn.
During the tests, the rotation speed was held constant at 60
rpm while WOB and lateral force were varied in order to
evaluate their possible effect on steerability and walking
tendency.
Off-bottom tests were also performed in order to test the
lateral drillability of active and passive gage. During the off-
bottom test, the bit is maintained above the bottom of the hole
and a lateral force is applied, enabling to test only the gage
interaction with the borehole formation.
Characteristics of the PDC bits selected
Three PDC bits having different profiles have been tested on
the directional drilling bench (figure 5) : Bit A, Bit B and Bit
C. The back rake distribution is identical along these 3
profiles, ranging from 15° inside the cone to 30° in the outer
structure. The common characteristics of the bits are : 8 ½”
diameter, 8 highly spiraled blades with 13.3 mm PDC cutters
and 4 nozzles. The 3 bits have different active gage lengths
ranging from 15 mm for the Bit A to 30 mm for the Bit C. The
3 bits have passive gages with different type of inserts to
protect the gage. In order to evaluate the effect of the three
different parts of the bit (cutting structure, active gage and
passive gage), each bit was tested with 5 different
configurations (figure 6). Firstly, each bit was tested with a
passive gage length LPG = 4”, 2” and 1”. Then, the bits were
tested without passive gage, only with their active gage and
cutting structure. Lastly each bit was tested with only the
cutting structure, that is without any active or passive gages.
Results
Steerability
For the various bits tested, one can notice that the bit
steerability highly increases with the reduction of the passive
gage length (figure 7). All the tests plotted on this figure have
been carried out with the same WOB and lateral force. The
highest steerability is measured for the Bit A. These results are
mainly explained by the different active gage lengths and the
bit profiles, and are confirmed by the 3D rock-bit model
calculation (table 1).
Tests carried out without passive gage (that is with only the
active gage and cutting structure corresponding to the bit
configurations #4 and #5) have revealed that the highest
steerability for the bit configuration #4 was obtained for the
Bit A and the lowest steerability for the Bit C (figure 8). This
result can be mainly attributed to the active gage length, since
the Bit C has the longest active gage and the Bit A has the
IADC/SPE 74459
shortest one. Nevertheless, one can also notice that the highest
steerability for the bit configuration #5 (test with the cutting
structure alone) was observed for the Bit B, although the Bit C
exhibited the lowest steerability (figure 8). This result can be
analyzed by examining the bit profiles. Indeed, the highest
steerability is obtained for the Bit B (IADC bit profile code 9)
having a flat profile, although the lowest steerability measured
corresponds to the Bit C (IADC bit profile code 5) having a
medium taper and cone.
Some tests performed with various lateral forces demonstrated
that the bit steerability of a PDC bit depends on the intensity
of the side force. For example, the Bit C steerability with a 2”
passive gage (configuration #2) is increased by 30% with a
25% increase in lateral force. The off-bottom tests confirmed
that the lateral drillability of the active and passive gage
depends on the lateral force applied. Indeed, the off-bottom
lateral drillability of the Bit B in configuration #3 is almost
multiplied by 3 as the lateral force increases from 268 daN to
710 daN (figure 9). At last, WOB seems to have no effect on
the lateral drillability of the three bits tested.
Walk tendency
For the various bits tested with an active or passive gage, one
can clearly notice that the PDC bits have a left tendency
whatever the passive gage length is (figure 10). Even the tests
carried out with the cutting structure and the active gage have
demonstrated that the bits have a left tendency. At last, when
the cutting structures alone were tested, the Bit A
demonstrated a right tendency, the Bit C a left tendency and
the Bit B a neutral tendency. These walk tendencies measured
on the directional drilling bench correlated well with the
values computed from the rock-bit model (table 1).
The Bit B showed a tendency to spiral in the hole since the
walking tendency was successively neutral, left, right, neutral
etc… (figure 11). Nevertheless, the mean walk angle measured
was close to 0°. These spiraling problems observed only for
the Bit B can be generalized to bits having flat profile.
Bit-BHA coupled computer model
In coupling the 3D rock-bit model with a 3D mechanical
model of BHA, Ecole des Mines de Paris has developed a
software that enables to predict the inclination and azimuth of
well trajectories. Based on finite element method, the 3D
mechanical model enables to know the deformed shape of the
structure, forces exerted on the system and contact forces
between any part of the drill string and the wall of the
borehole. In integrating the directional behaviour of both
BHA and bit, the software calculates the theoretical 3D
equilibrium curvature of the drilling system.
IADC/SPE 74459 HOW THE BIT PROFILE AND GAGES AFFECT THE WELL TRAJECTORY
Case study
PDC bits characteristics
In order to evaluate the influence of the walk tendency and
steerability of the bit on the well trajectory, some PDC bits
with assumed BS and walk angle were selected for the
analysis. For each bit (Bit X, Bit Y and Bit Z) having various
bit steerability (table 2), the walk angle was varied between
–20° (bit intrinsic left tendency) and +20° (bit intrinsic right
tendency).
Well and BHA characteristics
In order to observe an influence of the bit directional
behaviour on the well trajectory, two assemblies producing a
significant side force on the bit were selected : a dropping and
a building assembly (figure 12). The data used come from two
wells in phase 9”7/8 drilled by TotalFinaElf with the same
PDC bit (Bit W). The run of the well #1 has been performed
with the building assembly from 1380 m to 2534 m MD,
producing a measured build rate of 0.29°/30 m and turn rate of
-0.11°/30 m. The run of the well #2 has been performed with
the dropping assembly from 2405 m to 3881 m MD,
producing a measured drop rate of -0.55°/30 m and turn rate of
0.30°/30 m. Table 3 gives the parameters used for BHA
simulations. As previously discussed, the bit steerability
depends on the side force applied. In the two cases studied,
two theoretical bit steerability have been calculated since the
side force generated by the dropping assembly is greater than
the one generated by the building assembly. The theoretical bit
steerability of the Bit W is 0.03 for the well #1 (building
assembly) and 0.04 for the well #2 (dropping assembly). The
intrinsic theoretical walk angle is –12° (left tendency).
Results
The Bit-BHA model was used to compute the build/drop and
turn rates for the two wells. In the calculations performed, all
the stabilizers are full gage which prevent to evaluate any walk
rate due to BHA walking tendency. Concerning the well #1
(figure 13), one can clearly notice that the bit steerability has
an influence on the predicted build/drop rate of the drilling
system since it varies from –0.12°/30 m with the Bit Z to
0.34°/30 m with the Bit X. The theoretical bit steerability
calculated for the Bit W (BS=0.03) used to drill the well #1
enables to produce a predicted build rate very close to the
measured build rate (0.29°/30 m). For the well #2 (figure 14),
the predicted build/drop rate varies from –0.42°/30 m with the
Bit X to 0.38°/30 m with the Bit Z. The theoretical bit
steerability of the Bit W for this well is not high enough to
give a predicted drop rate close to the measured value (-
0.55°/30 m), but qualitatively the increase in bit steerability
due to the higher side force is consistent with the higher drop
rate observed on the field. Moreover, as previously discussed,
one have to keep in mind that the build/drop rate is not only
5
due to the side force applied on the bit but also due to the bit
tilt angle. It is interesting to note that in both cases, the bit
steerability has such an influence that it can turn the drilling
system from building to dropping angle. Such a result is due to
the fact that the bit tilt and lateral force act in opposite
directions. These results confirm the impact of the bit
steerability on the well trajectory and a strong necessity to
calculate an accurate bit steerability in order to predict
correctly the inclination of well trajectories. The simulations
have shown that the walk angle has no influence on the
predicted build/drop rate whatever the bit steerability.
Concerning the azimuth predictions, one can clearly observe
that the bit walk angle and the bit steerability have an
influence on the predicted turn rate (figure 13 and 14). For the
well #1, with an intrinsic left tendency bit, the simulations
give a left turn up to –0.06°/30 m, although with an intrinsic
right tendency bit, the predicted turn is right. This result is
accentuated for the well #2 since the predicted turn rate is in
the range of -0.7°/30 m to 0.7°/30 m, depending on the
intrinsic bit walk angle. It is also interesting to note that for a
given bit walk angle, the predicted turn rate depends on the bit
steerability. The influence is more important as the bit
steerability increases. This tendency can be attributed to the bit
side cutting ability that makes the bit walks on the wall of the
borehole. Comparison between prediction and actual turn rate
for the well #2 shows that the theoretical bit steerability
(BS=0.04) and walk angle (α = -12°) enables to produce a turn
rate very close to the measured value (0.3°/30 m).
Synthesis
Even though the directional behaviour of a drilling system can
not only be attributed to the bit directional behaviour
(formation effect, curvature of the borehole, hole enlargement,
friction phenomenon, etc…), these simulations have shown
that the bit steerability and the walk angle have a strong
influence on the well trajectory.
Conclusion
The analysis of the directional behaviour of PDC bits
presented in this paper leads to the following conclusions :
• The walk angle of a PDC bit depends not only on the
bit profile but also mainly on the active and passive
gages. The directional lab tests have demonstrated
that the various bits tested with a passive gage had a
left tendency whatever their bit profiles and PDC set-
up.
• The walk angle of a PDC cutting structure is
calculated using a simple equation linking the inner
cone and outer structure heights and the PDC back
rake angle.
• The active and passive gages affect dramatically the
walk angle of PDC bits.
6 S. MENAND, H. SELLAMI, C. SIMON, A. BESSON, N. DA SILVA IADC/SPE 74459

• The directional tests enable to observe spiraling References

problems and define minimum requirements to avoid
such phenomenon. 1. Ho, H.S.: “Method and System of Trajectory Prediction and
• The steerability of a PDC cutting structure depends Control using PDC Bits”, United State Patent 5,456,141, Oct.
10, 1995.
greatly on the bit profile : the flatter the profile is, the
2. Barton, S.: “Development of Stable PDC Bits for Specific Use
more steerable the bit is. on Rotary Steerable Systems”, paper SPE 62779 presented at the
• The bit steerability is a non-linear function of the 2000 IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology, Kuala
active and gage length, and decreases as the active Lumpur, Sept. 11-13.
and passive gage lengths increase. 3. Perry, C.J.: ”Directional Drilling With PDC Bits in the Gulf of
• The bit steerability depends on the side force applied Thailand”, paper SPE 15616 presented at the 1986 Annual
on the bit. Technical Conference, New Orleans, Oct.
4. Pastusek, P.E., Cooley, C., Sinor, L.A. and Anderson, M.:
”Directional and stability characteristics of anti-whirl bits with
The Bit-BHA simulations and comparisons with field results
non-axisymmetric loading”, paper SPE 24614 presented at the
have shown that : 1992 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
Washington, Oct. 4-7.
• The bit walk angle has no influence on the build/drop 5. O’Bryan, P.L. and Huston C.W.: “A study of the effects of bit
rate of well trajectories. gauge length and stabilizer placement on the build and drop
• There is a strong correlation between bit steerability tendencies of PDC bits”, paper SPE 20411 presented at the 1990
and build/drop rate. Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans,
Sept. 23-26.
• An accurate calculation of bit steerability is necessary
6. Norris, J.A., Dykstra, N.W., Beuershausen, C.C., Fincher
to make a good trajectory prediction. R.W.and Ohanian, M.P.: “Development and successful
• The bit steerability and the bit walk angle have an application of unique steerable PDC bits”, paper SPE 39308
influence on the predicted turn rate. presented at the 1998 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Dallas,
March 3-6.
7. Kerr, C.: “PDC drill bit design and field application evolution”,
Nomenclature Journal of Petroleum Technology, March 1988.
8. Bannerman, J.S.: “Walk rate prediction on Alwyn North field by
PDC - Polycrystalline Diamond Compact means of data analysis and 3D computer model”, paper SPE
20933 presented at Europec 90, the Hague, Netherlands, Oct.
BHA - Bottom Hole Assembly 22-24.
BS - Bit Steerability 9. Simon, C.: ”Modelisation of PDC bit directional behaviour in
IADC - International Association of Drilling Contractors anisotropic formation”, (in French) PhD thesis of Ecole des
Dlat - Lateral drillability Mines de Paris, 1996
Dax - Axial drillability 10. Gerbaud, L., Sellami, H., Lamine, E., Sagot, A.: “New PDC bit
WOB - Weight On Bit design increased Penetration rate in slim wells”, Energy Week,
Flat - Resulting lateral force paper presented at the 8th Annual Conference and Exhibition of
Fx - Lateral force applied by the jack ASME, 1997
ROP - Rate Of Penetration 11. Menand, S.: “Analysis and validation of a PDC drilling bit
directional behaviour model”, PhD thesis (confidential) of Ecole
MD - Measured Depth des Mines de Paris, 2001
θf - Friction angle between PDC and rock 12. Winters, W.J., Doiron H.H.: “The 1987 IADC Fixed Cutter Bit
ωc - Back rake angle Classification System”, paper SPE 16142 presented at the 1987
SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, New Orleans, March 15-18.
14. Warren, T.M., Brett, J.F. and Sinor, L.A.: “Development of a
Whirl-Resistant Bit”, SPE Drilling Engineering, December 1990
Acknowledgment 15. Sinor, L.A., Brett, J.F., Warren, T.M. and Behr, S.M.: “Field
testing of low-friction gage PDC bits”, paper SPE 20416
presented at the 65th Annual Technical Conference and
Part of this work was carried out within the EEC Thermie Exhibition, Sept. 23-26
PAB-BIT project conducted by Ecole des Mines de
Paris/Armines, TotalFinaElf and Security DBS. The authors
would like to thank the European Commission for its financial
support enabling to carry out a part of the work presented in
this paper. Thanks are also addressed to DrillScan company
for performing well trajectory calculations.
IADC/SPE 74459 HOW THE BIT PROFILE AND GAGES AFFECT THE WELL TRAJECTORY 7

Figure 1 : Definition of the walk angle according to Ho1

Figure 2 : Description of the PDC bit structure

8 S. MENAND, H. SELLAMI, C. SIMON, A. BESSON, N. DA SILVA IADC/SPE 74459

Figure 3 : Drilling Bench and Directional drilling bench in Pau, France

Figure 4 : Principle of the directional test

IADC/SPE 74459 HOW THE BIT PROFILE AND GAGES AFFECT THE WELL TRAJECTORY 9

Figure 5 : The three bit profiles of tested PDC bits

Figure 6 : Description of the 5 bit configurations tested

10 S. MENAND, H. SELLAMI, C. SIMON, A. BESSON, N. DA SILVA IADC/SPE 74459

Figure 7 : Bit steerability measured on the directional drilling bench

Figure 8 : Bit steerability measured on the directional drilling bench

Figure 9 : Off-Bottom lateral drillability versus lateral force for the Bit B (configuration #3)
IADC/SPE 74459 HOW THE BIT PROFILE AND GAGES AFFECT THE WELL TRAJECTORY 11

Bit A Bit B Bit C

Steerability Walk angle Steerability Walk angle Steerability Walk angle
Configuration #1 (CS+AG+PG 4”) 0.032 -11° 0.016 -10° 0.012 -11°
Configuration #2 (CS+AG+PG 2”) 0.080 -11° 0.033 -11° 0.038 -12°
Configuration #3 (CS+AG+PG 1”) 0.110 -12° 0.118 -11° 0.093 -12°
Configuration #4 (CS+AG) 1.6 -12° 1.1 -12° 0.5 -12°
Configuration #5 (CS) 5.4 +23° 9.2 +7° 3.5 -30°
CS : Cutting structure AG : Active Gage PG : Passive Gage

Table 1 : Bit steerability and walk angle computed from the 3D rock-bit model

Figure 10: Bit walk angle measured on the directional drilling bench

Figure 11 : Spiraling tendency of the Bit B (configuration #5)

12 S. MENAND, H. SELLAMI, C. SIMON, A. BESSON, N. DA SILVA IADC/SPE 74459

Figure 12 : Description of the BHAs

Bit X Bit Y Bit Z

Bit steerability 0.1 0.01 0.001
Bit walk angle -20° < α < +20° -20° < α < +20° -20° < α < +20°

Table 2 : Bit steerability of the Bit X, Bit Y and Bit Z used for simulations

WELL #1 WELL #2
Hole diameter 9”7/8 9”7/8
Stabilizer diameter 9”7/8 9”7/8
Inclination at the bit 52° 13°
Mud weight 1150 kg/m3 1150 kg/m3
WOB 7.1 tons 5.7 tons
ROP 108 m/h 22 m/h
RPM 155 137
Bit type PDC PDC
Friction coefficient 0.17 0.17
Collar Outside Diameter 6”1/2 6”1/2
Collar Inside Diameter 2”7/8 2”7/8
Table 3 : Parameters used for BHA simulations
IADC/SPE 74459 HOW THE BIT PROFILE AND GAGES AFFECT THE WELL TRAJECTORY 13

Figure 14 : Effect of the bit steerability and walk angle on the predicted build/drop rate and turn rate (well #1)

Figure 13 : Effect of the bit steerability and walk angle on the predicted build/drop rate and turn rate (well #2)