BUCKLING AND BENDING OF DRILLING STRINGS
1. Introduction
Drill strings are long, slender, and flexible tubular structures used to transmit rotary
motion and weight to the drill bit during drilling operations. Due to their geometry and
loading conditions, they are susceptible to:
i. Buckling: a sudden change in shape due to axial compressive loads.
ii. Bending: deformation caused by lateral loads.
Understanding these phenomena is critical to prevent drill string failure, improve drilling
efficiency, and reduce maintenance costs.
2. Buckling of Drill Strings
Buckling occurs when compressive axial forces in the drill string exceed a critical limit,
causing the drill string to deflect laterally.
2.1 Types of Buckling
i. Sinusoidal Buckling (Lateral Buckling): The drill string forms a smooth sinusoidal
wave.
ii. Helical Buckling: The drill string wraps around the borehole wall in a helical shape.
2.2 Causes of Buckling
i. Excessive axial compressive force (Weight on Bit, WOB)
ii. Lateral constraint by the wellbore or casing
iii. Deviation in the well trajectory (inclined or horizontal wells)
2.3 Critical Buckling Load
The critical axial load at which buckling occurs can be calculated using:
P_cr = (π²·E·I) / (K·L)²
where:
E: Young’s modulus of elasticity
I: Area moment of inertia of the drill pipe cross-section
L: Effective length of the column
K: Effective length factor (depends on boundary conditions)
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End condition K value
Both ends pinned 1.0
One end fixed, one 2.0
free
Both ends fixed 0.5
For helical buckling, a simplified critical load is often:
P_cr = 2·μ·W
where μ is the friction coefficient between the drill string and borehole wall, and W is the
distributed weight per unit length.
2.4 Buckling in a Constrained Borehole
For a drill string lying on the low side of the hole, the critical buckling force Fcr is
modified by hole geometry:
Where: - D h : hole diameter - D s : drill string OD - W : weight per unit length.
2.5 Effects of Buckling
i. Vibrations & fatigue.
ii. Tool joint wear.
iii. Reduced drilling efficiency
3. Bending of Drill Strings
Bending refers to the deflection of the drill string from its original straight shape due to
lateral loads.
3.1 Causes of Bending
- Wellbore doglegs or curvature
- Lateral forces from drilling fluid flow
- Unbalanced forces at the bit
- Tool joints or stabilizers contacting the borehole wall
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3.2 Bending Stress
Bending stress is given by:
σ_b = (M·c) / I
where:
M: Bending moment
c: Distance from the neutral axis to the outermost fiber (half the outside diameter)
I: Area moment of inertia
3.3 Curvature and Dogleg Severity
Dogleg severity (DLS) measures the rate of change of wellbore inclination and azimuth,
and directly affects bending:
DLS = (Δα / L) × 100
where Δα is the change in angle over length L.
High DLS increases bending stresses and fatigue in the drill string.
4. Effects and Consequences
i. Increased fatigue damage and potential for failure
ii. Higher torque and drag, affecting drilling efficiency
iii.Tool joint wear and casing wear
iv. Possible vibrations, leading to equipment damage
5. Prevention and Mitigation
i. Control WOB to avoid excessive compressive loads
ii. Use stabilizers to centralize the drill string
iii. Smooth well trajectory planning (low dogleg severity)
iv. Use drill pipe with higher stiffness (larger diameter or thicker walls)
6. Summary Table
Aspect Buckling Bending
Cause Axial compressive load Lateral forces
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Types Sinusoidal, Helical Smooth curvature, dogleg
Consequence Loss of control, damage Fatigue, wear
Mitigation Limit WOB, stabilizers Trajectory control,
centralization
Example 1: Calculate Critical Buckling Load
Given: - Drill pipe length L = 12 m - Young’s modulus E = 2.1×10¹¹ Pa - Outer diameter
Do = 0.127 m - Inner diameter Di = 0.1 m
Solution: 1. Calculate area moment of inertia, I: I = (π/64)(Do⁴ − Di⁴) ≈ (π/64)(0.127⁴ −
0.1⁴) ≈ 1.78×10⁻⁵ m⁴
2. Critical buckling load for pinned-pinned ends (K=1): Wc = π²EI / (K×L)² =
π²×2.1×10¹¹×1.78×10⁻⁵ / (12)² ≈ 2.57×10⁵ N ≈ 25.7 tonnes
Example 2: Calculate Critical Buckling Load
Example 3: Find Bending Stress
Given: - Bending moment M = 5 kN·m = 5000 N·m - Do = 0.127 m, Di = 0.1 m - c =
Do/2 = 0.0635 m
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Solution: 1. Area moment of inertia, I (previously calculated in example 1) ≈ 1.78×10⁻⁵
m⁴ 2. Section modulus Z = I/c = 1.78×10⁻⁵ / 0.0635 ≈ 2.8×10⁻⁴ m³ 3. Bending stress, σb
= M/Z = 5000 / 2.8×10⁻⁴ ≈ 17.9 MPa
OIL WELL TRAJECTORY
1. Introduction
Oil well trajectory design determines the path the wellbore takes from surface to target.
This ensures optimal reservoir contact, safety, and cost efficiency.
2. Types of Well Trajectories
• Vertical wells: Simplest; drilled straight down.
• Deviated wells: Intentionally steered to reach targets offset from the surface
location.
• Directional wells: Includes S-shaped, J-shaped, and horizontal wells.
• Horizontal wells: Final section remains near-horizontal within the reservoir for
maximum exposure.
• Multilateral wells: Branch into multiple boreholes from a single main well.
3. Key Trajectory Profiles
• Build and Hold: Inclination is increased (build-up), then maintained.
• S-Shape: Inclination is increased then decreased to return closer to vertical.
• J-Shape: Inclines then maintains at a fixed angle.
• Horizontal: Build-up continues until near 90°, then holds.
4. Trajectory Design Parameters
• Kick-off point (KOP): Depth where deviation starts.
• Build-up rate (BUR): Rate of inclination change, typically °/30 m.
• Drop-off rate: Rate at which inclination is reduced.
• Horizontal displacement: Lateral distance from surface to target.
5. Importance of Well Trajectory Planning
• Avoids geological hazards.
• Ensures accurate target reach.
• Reduces torque and drag.
• Protects casing and drill string integrity.
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6. Work Example
Example 2
Given: Build-up rate = 2°/30 m, kick-off point at 1000 m. Calculate: Inclination after
300 m.
Number of 30 m intervals = 300/30 = 10. Total increase in inclination = 10 × 2° = 20°.
Final inclination = 0° + 20° = 20
Example 1: Calculate Horizontal Displacement
Given: - Kick-off point (KOP) at 1000 m - Build-up rate (BUR) = 2°/30 m - Target
inclination = 30°
Solution: Number of 30 m intervals needed to reach 30°: 30° / 2° = 15 intervals Total
measured depth to build-up section = 15 × 30 m = 450 m
Horizontal displacement during build-up section: [ S = (450 m) × sin(30°) = 450 × 0.5 =
225 m ]
Example 3: Measured Depth and True Vertical Depth
Given: - Inclination after build-up = 30° - Hold section length = 500 m
Solution: True Vertical Depth (TVD) increment in hold section: [ TVD = 500 × cos(30°)
= 500 × 0.866 ≈ 433 m ]
Horizontal displacement increment: [ HD = 500 × sin(30°) = 500 × 0.5 = 250 m ]
OPTIMIZATION OF DRILLING OPERATIONS
1️ Introduction
Drilling operations in the oil and gas industry are capital-intensive. Optimization aims to
reduce cost, minimize drilling time, improve safety, and enhance wellbore quality
without compromising operational and environmental standards.
2️ Objectives of Optimization
• Reduce non-productive time (NPT)
• Minimize drilling cost per meter
• Maximize rate of penetration (ROP)
• Improve hole cleaning and reduce stuck pipe incidents
• Optimize bit selection and bit life
• Reduce vibration and tool failures
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• Enhance overall drilling efficiency
3️ Key Parameters Affecting Optimization
• Bit type and condition
• Weight on bit (WOB)
• Rotary speed (RPM)
• Hydraulics (flow rate, mud properties)
• Drilling fluid properties
• BHA design
• Formation properties
• Directional control
4️ Optimization Techniques
a) Mechanical Parameters Optimization
• Adjust WOB and RPM to maximize ROP using empirical or analytical models
(e.g., Bourgoyne and Young model).
• Identify bit dull conditions early and replace promptly.
• Use downhole vibration sensors to control harmful vibrations.
b) Hydraulic Optimization
• Optimize mud flow rate and nozzle size to maximize hydraulic horsepower
(HHP) or impact force on the bottom.
• Avoid excessive ECD (Equivalent Circulating Density) to reduce risk of
fracturing the formation.
c) Bit Selection
• Use bit records and formation data to select the most suitable bit type.
• Consider PDC bits for homogeneous formations and roller cone bits for harder or
interbedded formations.
d) BHA (Bottom Hole Assembly) Design
• Optimize BHA for directional control, stability, and reduced vibration.
• Use stabilizers, reamers, and shock subs where necessary.
e) Real-Time Data Monitoring
• Use MWD/LWD tools for continuous data.
• Adjust drilling parameters based on real-time information.
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f) Cost and Time Optimization
• Plan wells carefully: minimize trips, plan casing programs efficiently.
• Optimize logistics, crew scheduling, and maintenance.
5️. Modern Optimization Tools
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict ROP and NPT.
• Digital twins for real-time scenario simulation.
• Automated drilling systems for parameter adjustments.
6️. Challenges in Optimization
• Variable and unknown formation properties.
• Drilling through interbedded formations.
• Tool wear and unexpected failures.
• Human factors and communication gaps.
7. Conclusion
Drilling optimization is an iterative and multidisciplinary process. Success relies on:
✅ Proper planning
✅ Real-time data usage
✅ Cross-functional team cooperation
✅ Continuous learning from past wells
8. Assignment
Write the different mathematical models used for estimating drilling rate of penetration
(ROP) and explain the factors/variables in the models use to optimize the process.
