2.2.

3 Dogleg Severity
Another important parameter that describes the well path and is the dogleg severity. Dogleg
(𝜙) describes the overall angel change of the curve between two stations. The dogleg severity
is directly connected to this and given by equation 2.4, given in deg/30 m.

𝜙 (2.4)
𝐷= ∗ 30
𝐶𝐿

This is a very important parameter because it describes the curvature of the well path and is
directly linked to the bending force of the pipe. As wells curve, there will be bending forces
on the drill pipe that can cause a number of problems, such as drill pipe failure, stuck pipe
problems under drilling and casing ware. Wellbore stability will also be affected when the
wells curve. For this reason the dogleg severity will often act as a limitation to what kind of
well path can be chosen. Drill pipes, casings, wellbore stability and safety factors related to
stuck pipe often have a set value of tolerated dogleg severity. High build and turn rates will
obviously lead to high dogleg severity, and this is why sharp turns and builds should be
avoided.

G.J. Wilson (1968) presented an equation to calculate the dogleg severity in any point on the
curved well path in terms of build and turn rates. The equation presented is given in equation
2.5. (G.J., 1968)

(2.5)
𝐷 = √𝐵 2 + 𝑇 2 ∗ sin2 (𝐼)

This equation was also derived and presented by Planeix and Fox (Michele Y. Planeix, 1979),
for the Exact Departures Method.

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