WellPlan 5000.14.1 220073E

WellPlan™
Software Exercise Manual
© 2016 Halliburton
Part Number 220073 Revision E October 2016

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WellPlan™ Software Release
5000.14.1 Exercise Manual
Introduction to the WellPlan™ Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Manual Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
WellPlan™ Software Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Improved Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Integrated with Engineer’s Desktop™ and the EDM™ Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Torque and Drag Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Hydraulic Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Casing Centralizer Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Swab & Surge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Well Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Underbalanced Hydraulics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Sensitivity Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Output Driving Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Interactive Wellbore Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Service Oriented Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Welcome Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

What is a Case?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

WellPlan Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Save. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Undo, Redo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Menu Bar Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Ribbons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Online Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Tabs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Active Case Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Output Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Information Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual i

Contents
Visual Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Tool Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Output Tool Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Alerts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Output Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Data Hierarchy and the Well Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

Data Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Wellbore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
WellPlan™Well Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Right-click Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
Working with Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

Changing Tab Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
Contacting Landmark Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36
Understanding the Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Creating the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Entering General Well Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Using Libraries to Quickly Create Strings or Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Configuring the WellPlan™ software Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Working with Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
ii WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

Contents
Understanding the Basics Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Workflow Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Creating the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Entering General Well Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Using Libraries to Quickly Create Strings or Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Configuring the WellPlan™ software Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Working with Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Drilling a Hole Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Workflow Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
What Is Covered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Torque Drag Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Hydraulics Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Swab & Surge Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Well Control Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Torque Drag Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Torque and Drag Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Soft String and Stiff String Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Input and Review Well Configuration and Analysis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Analyze Results at TD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Analyze Torque and Drag at Other Depths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Hydraulics Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Hydraulics Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Analyze Hole Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Analyze Pressure Loss, Required Horsepower, and Annular Velocity . . . . . . 4-10
Check ECDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Bit Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual iii

Contents
Final Design Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Swab & Surge Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Swab & Surge Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Input and Review Well Configuration and Analysis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Analyze Transient Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Well Control Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

Well Control Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Determine Kick Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Determine Kick Tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Use Animation to Review Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Generate Kill Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
BHA Dynamics Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

BHA Dynamics Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Analyze BHA Displacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Drill Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Vibration Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Stuck Pipe Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23

Stuck Pipe Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Analyze Stuck Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Analyze Jar Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Drilling a Hole Section Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Workflow Steps for Torque Drag Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Input and Review Well Configuration and Analysis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Analyze Results at TD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Analyze Torque and Drag at Other Depths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
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Workflow Steps for Hydraulics Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45

Input and Review Well Configuration and Analysis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Analyze Hole Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Analyze Pressure Loss, Required Horsepower, and Annular Velocity . . . . . . . . . 5-59
Bit Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-82
Final Design Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-83
Workflow Steps for Analyzing Swab & Surge Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-87

Analyze Transient Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-89
Workflow Steps for Well Control Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-99

Determine Kick Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-104
Analyze Kick Tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-106
Use Animation to Review Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-117
Generate Kill Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-121
Workflow Steps for Analyze BHA Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-132

Analyze BHA Displacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-132
Drill Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-138
Vibration Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-144
Workflow Steps for Stuck Pipe Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-147

Input General Analysis Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-147
Running and Cementing A Liner in Hole Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Workflow Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Centralization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Centralizer Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Matching Friction Factors to Actual Field Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Determining Swab & Surge Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
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Analyze Transient Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Check the Tripping Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Analyze Reciprocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Condition the Hole Prior to Cementing (using Hydraulics Module) . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Cementing Liner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Review Mud Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Running and Cementing A Liner in Hole Section Solution . . 7-1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Centralization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Centralizer Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Matching Friction Factors to Actual Field Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-29
Determining Swab & Surge Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34
Analyze Transient Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-37
Check the Tripping Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-43
Analyze Reciprocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-46
Condition the Hole Prior to Cementing (using Hydraulics Module) . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48
Workflow Steps for Cementing a Liner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-54
Underbalanced Hydraulics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Underbalanced Hydraulics Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Underbalanced Hydraulics Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
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WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual vii

Contents
viii WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

Chapter 1
Introduction to the WellPlan™
Software
Manual Overview
Introduction to the WellPlan™ Software

This chapter introduces you to the WellPlan™ software, including:
• Welcome dialog
• Description of the main window
• EDM™ data structure
• Visual guides used to assist you with using the software
Basics
This chapter builds on the introduction to the software, and includes:
• Creating a “case”.
• Entering general well data describing the well including the string,
well path, hole sections, fluids, pumps, pore and fracture pressures,
temperature gradient, etc.
• Using libraries to quickly create fluids and strings
• Configuring the main window tabs
• Investigating plot options
Drilling a Hole Section

Upon completion of the exercise, you will understand the analysis for
drilling a hole section, including:
• Torque and Drag Analysis

• Analytical methods
• Stiff string and soft string models
• Mechanical limitations
• Friction factors
• Analyze torque drag at total depth, and at other wellbore depths
WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual 1-1

Chapter 1: Introduction to the WellPlan™ Software
• Examine effective and true tension

• Examine fatigue
• Determine available overpull
• Determine the torque acting on the string
• Investigate the possibility of buckling
• Investigate ways to resolve torque and drag issues
• Hydraulics Analysis
• Hole cleaning at various pump rates
• Effect of ROP on hole cleaning
• How to determine pressure losses
• How to determine annular velocity
• Input circulating system information
• Investigate required horsepower
• Check ECDs
• Optimize hydraulics
• Swab & Surge Analysis

• Analyze transient surge/swab pressures and ECDs
• Determine an optimized trip schedule
• Well Control Analysis

• Investigate well control
• Determine predicted kick type
• Estimate influx volume and kick tolerance
• Evaluate pressures as a kick is circulated out
• Predict a safe drilling depth
• Generate a kill sheet
Running a Liner in a Hole Section

Upon completion of the exercise, you will understand the analysis for
running a liner in a hole section, including:
• Centralization Analysis
• Review centralization effect on torque and drag
• Review centralization effect on ECD
• Review tool joints effect on ECD
• Swab & Surge Analysis

• Consider the effect of both conventional and autofill float shoes
• Analyze surge and swab transient pressure at several depths
• Hydraulics Analysis
• Review the effect of centralizers on ECD
1-2 WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

• Review the effect of tool joints on ECD

• Analyze the reciprocation of the liner
Underbalanced Hydraulics
Upon completion of this workflow you will understand underbalanced
hydraulics analysis, including:
• Calculating bottom hole pressure

• How to use the Operating Envelope
• What information is available on the outputs, and how to use the
information
• Flow patterns, and velocity profiles
Data
Although an attempt has been made to use realistic data in the exercise,
the data used in this manual is not from an actual well.

WellPlan™ Software Overview
The WellPlan™ software is the latest evolution in over 20 years of

innovations in well-construction information solutions. Building on the
strengths of the WellPlan™ suite, the WellPlan™ software extends and
simplifies the science through dramatic advancements in ease-of-use
and data visualization. Integrated together with Engineer’s Desktop™
and Engineer’s Data Model™ (EDM™) applications, it provides the
most complete and unparalleled well-engineering software tool kit in
the industry.
Torque and drag, hydraulics, centralization, swab & surge and friction
calibration capabilities available in the WellPlan™ software have been
upgraded and included in the new WellPlan™ software. This initiates a
transition that will soon include the capabilities of the entire WellPlan™
suite being migrated into the WellPlan™ software. To make this
migration as seamless as possible, customers have the freedom to use
either or both the WellPlan™ and WellPlan™ software using the same
data, database, and application installations. There are no special
requirements or restrictions.
Using the WellPlan™ software, you can analyze torque and drag,
hydraulics, casing centralization, swab & surge and underbalanced
hydraulics. Development for additional analysis capabilities is ongoing,
and will become available on a regular basis.
The WellPlan™ software is built using the science of the well known
industry drilling engineering suite of applications WellPlan™, however
there are many major improvements.
Improved Design
For both the novice and expert user alike, the completely redesigned
user interface provides a simple approach to input data and powerful
graphical visualization capabilities to interpret it better and faster.
Output driving input methodology identifies the required data and
provides hyper-links to the appropriate input panel. Simply click on the
hyper-links and inputs the required data and the application does the
rest. The interactive wellbore schematic provides visual feedback
throughout. By simplifying this process, you can conduct faster and
more accurate analysis to make better decisions. The dramatically
enhanced usability typically requires minimal training for existing

WellPlan™ software users to master, while new users can be brought up

to speed quickly.
Integrated with Engineer’s Desktop™ and the EDM™ Database

All the results and analysis performed in the WellPlan™ software
interface are stored in the EDM™ database, the most widely used
database for drilling and completions applications in the world. This
data is available across the Landmark® suite of drilling applications for
other specific drilling, casing, or costing analysis. The applications can
operate in a standalone or multi-user environment enabling you to scale
from a single user to a corporate-wide system.
Torque and Drag Analysis

Plan and analyze drilling, casing, and completion running operations,
and assess the impact of predicted loads related to torque and drag. Main
calculations are: Tension, Torque, Side force, Fatigue, and Tri-axial
Stress. The analysis allows users to know accurate forces acting along
the string all the way down to the bottom of the well based on surface
parameters. The software also accounts for the effect of hydraulic
parameters like fluid properties, flow rate, diverse fluid columns, and
pressures. Temperature effect on the string is also considered for the
pipe stretch calculations. Riser-less and inner-string configurations are
also modeled as well as the effect of stand-off devices like centralizers
and friction reduction devices.
Hydraulic Analysis
The hydraulics outputs can be used to model pressure losses across the
circulating system of the rig and the well pipe string, estimate the
equivalent circulating density (ECD) across the annular space, and
analyze formation cuttings transport and its effect on pressure and ECD
calculations. Temperature effect is also considered using 4 different
rheological models, fluid compressibility, Fann® Viscometer readings
at different temperature points, critical fluid velocity, and bit-nozzle size
calculations for optimized rate of penetration. The software considers
string eccentricity effect, pipe roughness, returns to sea floor for dual-
gradient operations and back pressure for under-balanced operations.

Casing Centralizer Placement

Proper casing centralization placement is a key factor in completing an
optimal and safe cementing job. With this module, users can calculate
centralizer placement for any combination of hole size, pipe size, and
centralizer and determine the optimal spacing between centralizers to
achieve a desired casing stand-off, including the effect of torque and
drag forces and survey tortuosity. The simple visual interface provides
a fast and effective method to input the appropriate data and then
visualize the results in an easy to understand way making it easy to
compare different alternatives to optimize placement along the casing
string.
Swab & Surge

The Swab & Surge outputs can be used to model downhole pressures
caused by surge, swab and reciprocation operations in order to assess
transient pressures responses relative to the formation pore and fracture
gradients. The outputs consider the compressibility of the fluids, the
elasticity of the system, and the dynamic motions of pipes and fluids.
Also considered are surge pressures related to fluid column length
below the moving pipe, compressibility of the formation, and axial
elasticity of the moving string. In-hole fluid properties are adjusted to
reflect the effects of pressure and temperature. With the Swab & Surge
outputs, you can quickly generate and optimized trip schedule,
determine transient pressure responses, analyze hook load as a function
of trip time and reciprocation time, among other useful analyses.
Well Control
The Well Control outputs can be used to calculate expected conditions
resulting from an influx, assist with casing design in terms of shoe
setting depths to handle pressures associated with controlling the influx
(kick), and volumes allowable from expected influx. With this module,
users can determine kick class, as well as analyze several kick tolerance
outputs, which include determining maximum safe drilling depth, and
allowable influx volume. In addition, the user can generate kill sheets
and plots. This module allows the user to model gas, oil or water as an
influx. The gas is modeled as a methane gas bubble, with the density of
methane at the current temperature and pressure. The compressibility
factor, Z, is based on the critical temperature and pressure of methane.

The Underbalanced Hydraulics outputs provide an array of multi-phase
flow calculations and analysis capabilities. With the increased use of
Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) and Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD)
to improve circulation, ROP, and reduce formation damage and stuck
pipe events, it becomes critical to properly model multi-phase fluid flow
to optimize liquid pump and gas injection rates and control bottom hole
and surface pressures. Using well known industry engineering
calculations, this module provides a set of comprehensive analytical
tools to determine the feasibility and optimal parameters for operations
where more than one fluid is mixed including the injection of gases, and/
or continuous formation influx to effectively control the pressures of the
entire system. It takes in consideration the effect of wellbore geometries
and deviation, string components dimensions, temperature effects, fluid
properties and formation cutting transportation. With the
Underbalanced Hydraulics outputs, operators can quickly determine
pressure, ECD, velocity and cutting transport ratio profiles and other
relevant hydraulic calculations for multi-phase fluid circulation
operations.
Sensitivity Analysis
The WellPlan™ software provides a powerful method of performing
generalized sensitivity analysis. Instead of performing manual iterations
or running several analyses one at a time, you can define a range of
values for the numeric variables you want and perform the analysis
simultaneously. Detailed graphical representations enable quick review
of the different alternatives.
Output Driving Inputs

Input only the data needed for the specific calculations that will be run.
The WellPlan™ software provides clear step-by-step guidance to the
user on what data is required and leads them through the input panels in
just a few clicks. Dynamic navigation and notifications highlight what
is needed and how to enter it on the fly so you are always sure what
needs to be done next. Outputs are only calculated when all the
necessary data is input. This enables engineers to use the system faster
and easier while supporting more accurate results.

Interactive Wellbore Representations

Results are displayed graphically as part of interactive wellbore
representations making interpretation of the results easier to visualize
and understand.
Service Oriented Architecture

Allow other calculations to be “plugged in” to the WellPlan™ software.
Welcome Dialog
The Welcome dialog is the first screen you will see upon logging in to
the WellPlan™ software.

Use this dialog to:
• Open a recently used case.
• Create a new case
• Select an existing case to work with
• Import a transfer file (*.edm.xml) to import data from one EDM™

database to another.
What is a Case?
A case can be thought of as a snapshot of the well at the time you want
to analyze it. A case does not include all well data. For example, a case
won’t include every BHA you will use in the well. It will only include
the BHA you want to analyze at that moment. You can create multiple
cases associated with a well, or associate a case with a particular
wellbore (for multi-laterals). For more information about data hierarchy,
refer to “Data Hierarchy” on page 1-26.

Main Window
The Main Window is where you will do most of your work when using
the WellPlan™ software.
WellPlan menu, work with
Show/hide ribbon
cases
Undo/redo and
Save Menu bar Access Online help
Ribbon to select output
(analysis)
Information icon
Active case name and
Output area
hierarchy
Tabs to view schematic, set
Tabs to enter well data, select analysis parameter, and select
operations, and view datum. sensitivity analysis.

WellPlan Menu
The title bar identifies the current case and provides icons to save, undo
and action and to redo an action.
Just below the title bar on the left side of the application is the main
menu with the WellPlan tab. WellPlan tab provides a drop-down option
to create new cases, save cases, open existing or recently saved cases,
plus other frequent functions.
Click to display options.
Title bar
Recently opened case list.

Click on case name to open
the case.
Item Description
Create a new case
Open a case
Save open work

Item Description
Save your work in specific formats
Access the Well Explorer (refer to page 26 for more information)
Color Scheme Change the software color
About Launch splash screen with version and copyright information
Close the WellPlan™ software
Save
To save data, click located in the software title bar, or in the
WellPlan menu. All data you are working on will be saved to the current
open case. If you try to close the WellPlan™ software without saving
your data, you will be prompted to save the data.
Undo, Redo
You can undo or redo any changes made prior to saving, by clicking one
of the following icons. These icons are located in the title bar at the top
of the software window.
• To undo a change: Click , or use the keyboard combination

Ctrl+Z.
• To redo a change: Click , or use the keyboard combination

Ctrl+Y.
Menu Bar Tabs

The Main Menu bar is located below the title bar and contains tabs
accessing basic functionality and all analysis outputs. Each tab available
on the main menu bar will display a ribbon for selecting functions, or
analysis and/or plots that will appear in the Output Area.

• Home - Access the Introduction panel, set units, select layouts and
generate reports
• General Outputs - Plots and tables to view the well path,

geothermal data, well path tortuosity, and string position
• Torque & Drag - Analyze tension, torque, stress, loads, friction

calibration, flotation, and many other analysis. Drill strings, casing
strings, and liners can be analyzed.
• Hydraulics - Analyze hole cleaning, pressure and ECD, bit

optimization, and steady state swab/surge.
• Centralization - Calculate centralizer placement and standoff.
• Swab & Surge - Analyze and determine optimized trip schedule,

transient pressure responses, hook load as a function of a trip time
and reciprocation time.
• UB Hydraulics - Analyze underbalanced hydraulics, including:

operating envelop, pressure profile, liquid holdup, cuttings
transport, velocity profile, flow pattern, and other parameters.
Ribbons
When a tab on the menu bar is selected, a ribbon is displayed below the
menu bar. The contents of the ribbon depends on the tab selected. The
Home ribbon functionality is unlike the other ribbons as it is used to
configure options, layouts, and select reports. The remaining ribbons
contain several outputs that you can use to analyze data.
The Home tab is displayed below.

The following is a portion of the Torque & Drag ribbon. Use the arrows
at the end of the ribbons when there are more output options than can be
displayed at one time.
Click to view more output options
Online Help
Click to access the online help.
Tabs
The WellPlan™ software uses tabs extensively to provide easy access
to input and output data, and to allow flexibility for configuring the
software for individual use.
By default, tabs to define the well are located on the left side of the main
window. Use these tabs to enter well data, and select operations for
analysis. On the right side of the main window are tabs used to define
analysis settings, view a schematic, or perform sensitivity analysis. The
location of the tabs can be changed by clicking on the tab, and dragging
it to another location. The docking tool displays when dragging the tab.
Use the docking tool to position the tab.
Dock at top
Dock at left Dock at right
Dock at center
Dock at bottom
When working with tabs, you can:
• Move tabs to desired location

• Save layout of tabs for future use. Layout functionality is available

on the Home tab.
• Float a tab (release it from the main window) and move it to

another monitor
• Hide a tab to free up space, or pin a tab to keep it visible
Refer to page 34 for more information about working with tabs.
Tabs to define analysis settings,

Tabs to define well view a schematic, or perform
properties sensitivity analysis.

Active Case Information

At the bottom of the main window, the active case data hierarchy is
displayed.
Click to display the Properties

dialog for the hierarchy item.

Output Area
The output area is in the center of the main window. Although you can
place an output anywhere you want, typically outputs are placed in the
output area for further analysis. By default, if you click on an output icon
in a ribbon, it will display centered in the output area.
Output area

Information Icon
Click or hover over to access information about a particular input
field, or analysis parameter.

Visual Guides
Overview
The WellPlan™ software has been carefully designed to be intuitive
and easy to use. The software uses many visual guides to provide you
immediate information when you need it.
This section describes the visual guides, including:
• Tool tips
• Colors
• Messages
Tool Tips
The WellPlan™ software uses tool tips to provide you additional
information about icons, buttons, and tabs within the software. Tool
tips are displayed when you hover the cursor over an icon, button,
fields, or tab.
Output Tool Tips

A tool tip is displayed when you hover the mouse over an output in a
ribbon bar. The tool tip displays useful information, including:
• Instruction for adding output to output area
• Visual example of output plot or table
• Axis labels, when applicable

Hover over an output icon in the ribbon to display a

tool tip which includes a pictorial and verbal
descriptions.
Colors
Colors are used in the WellPlan™ software to provide the following
information:
• Missing data
• Incorrect data
• Active tab

Blue Indicates Missing Data

If data is missing, a blue outline will be drawn around the missing data
input field, or the task pane that includes the missing data.
Blue outline for section of a tab indicates
that section has the missing data.
Blue outline for data input fields indicates

required data that must be input.
The blue outline indicates data is missing

in the tab.

Red Indicates Incorrect Data

If data is input incorrectly, the data field will be red, and a red box will
be drawn around the section of the tab containing the incorrect data.
Tab name is outlined in red to easily identify

which tab contains the incorrect data.
The top spreadsheet has one row for

each temperature test. When the row is
selected, the test data (Fann readings,
PV, etc.) pertain to the selected
temperature test (row). In this example,
the row in the top spreadsheet has a red
indicator because the data associated
with that temperature test is incorrect in
some way.
Red color indicates incorrect data. Hover over

the data to display tool tip explaining the error.

Orange Indicates Active Tab

An orange background for tabs indicate that it is the active, visible, and
selected tab.
Orange background indicates active tab.

Messages
Alerts
An displayed in the plot legend indicates you should carefully review
the associated data as there may be a problem. Hover the cursor over the
to display additional information.

Output Messages
Error messages will be displayed in an output when it is placed in the
output area if the data required for the output has not been input. Click
on the links within the message to access the appropriate task pane to
input the required data.
Error message indicates data required to calculate the output results has not been
input.
Notice the Rig tab is outlined in blue which indicates the tab where the data must be
input.

Data Hierarchy and the Well Explorer
Data Hierarchy
Database
The underlying platform for the Engineer's Desktop, the Engineer's Data
Model (EDM™), is Landmark’s Drilling, Completions, Production, and
Economics integration platform. EDM provides a common database
schema that allows for common data access, enables naturally integrated
engineering workflows, and reduces data entry duplication across
applications.
The EDM database allows for centralization of Drilling application data

sets and Production & Economics application data sets, and enables
natural integrated engineering workflows. For this release, integrated
workflows are available between Drilling applications, and between
Production & Economics applications; initial cross-domain workflows
are available between Production and Drilling applications focused on
the Completion and Test areas. Later releases will accommodate more
complex workflows between both Drilling applications and Production
& Economics applications.
A significant advantage of the EDM database is improved integration

between all Landmark applications. For example, integrated
Engineering applications on EDM allow for improved Plan vs. Actual
comparisons and complete store of Design iterations from Prototype to
Plan to Actual.
The Database is the highest level in the hierarchy. You can only work in
one database at a time.
Company
Companies are the second highest data level in the hierarchy, beneath
Database. You can define several companies within the database you are
using. Each Company must have a unique name.
If you work for an operator, the company may be used to identify

operations occurring in a specific region of the world. If you work for a
service company, you may have several companies.

When you right-click a Company icon, a menu displays with several

options. Refer to “Right-click Menu” on page 1-31 for additional
information.
Project
Project is the data level directly beneath Company and each Project
within a Company must have a unique name.
A Project can be thought of as a field or as a group of Sites. A Project

has one system datum (mean sea level, lowest astronomical tide, etc.)
that is used to define 0 TVD for the Project. Within the Project,
Wellbores can be referenced to the Project level system datum or to
additional datums specified at the Well level.
When you right-click a Project icon, a menu displays with several

information.
Site
Site is the data level directly beneath the Project level. Each Site within
a Project must have a unique name.
A Site is a collection of one or more wells that are all referenced from a
local coordinate system centered on the Site location. A Site can be a
single land Well, an Offshore sub-sea Well, a group of Wells drilled
from an Onshore pad, or a group of wells drilled from an Offshore
platform.
When you right-click a Site icon, a menu displays with several options.
Refer to “Right-click Menu” on page 1-31 for additional information.
Well
Well is the data level directly beneath the Site level. Each Well within a
Site must have a unique name.
A Well is simply a surface location. A Well can have one or more

Wellbores associated with it. For example, there may be the original
Wellbore with one or more Sidetracks tied to the parent bore or its
Sidetracks at different kick-off depths.

When you right-click a Well icon, a menu displays with several options.
Refer to “Right-click Menu” on page 1-31 for additional information.
Wellbore
Wellbore is the data level directly beneath the Well level and each
Wellbore within a Well must have a unique name.
A Wellbore is a compilation of one or more sections originating at the

surface and continuing to a depth. A Wellbore can be the original Well
drilled from the surface or a sidetrack drilled from a parent Wellbore. If
a Well has an original hole and two sidetracks, the Well has three
Wellbores.
When you right-click a Wellbore icon, a menu displays with several

information.
Design
Design is the data level directly beneath the Wellbore level and each
Design within a Wellbore must have a unique name.
A Design can be thought of as a design phase. Associated with each

Design are pore pressure, fracture pressure, temperature gradient, and a
wellpath. A Design may have several Cases associated with it, but each
Case will use the same pore pressure, fracture pressure, temperature
gradient, and wellpath.
If the Design is locked, you can open it in read-only mode but cannot
save it back to the database. Pore pressure, fracture pressure,
temperature gradient, and a wellpath data associated with a locked
Design are also locked. A Design can be categorized as prototype,
planned or actual. Note that only COMPASS™ software can designate
a Design as the Actual Design.
The Design icon indicates the category:
Icon Design Type
Prototype

Icon Design Type
Planned
Lookahead
Actual
You may have several different versions of prototype Designs. For

example, assume the geologist wants to analyze two different formation
fracture gradients. This could easily be accomplished by having two
prototype Designs that are identical except for the fracture gradient
group. Landmark’s StressCheck™, CasingSeat™, PROFILE™, Well
Cost, and COMPASS™ applications routinely use Designs.
Note
The Lookahead Plan ( ) is used in COMPASS™ software only and is a
variation of a Prototype Design. This type of plan uses the deepest survey
point as the tie-on point for the plan. At the tie-on point, a two-line curve -
curve is used to get back to the plan. The remaining plan lines are used to reach
TD. The measured depth will be adjusted because the plan will have changed.
For more information, see the COMPASS™ software online help. The datum
in which the data is viewed and calculated is set at the Well level.
Case
Case is the data level directly beneath the Design level and each Case
within a Design must have a unique name.
to analyze it. A case does not include all well data. For example, you
may use two Cases to analyze the effects of varying the mud weight or
changing the BHA. Associated with each Case are an assembly, a hole
section, and one or more fluids. Cases are commonly used only in
WellPlan™ and WellPlan™ applications.
The datum used to view and calculate Case data is set at the Wellbore
level. When you right-click a Case icon ( ) a menu displays with
several options. When a case is selected its properties appear to the right
of the tree.

WellPlan™Well Explorer
The Well Explorer is used to manage existing cases, import and export
cases and access general and audit information about your cases. The
Well Explorer contains a hierarchy of EDM™ data, commonly known
as the Well Explorer tree, which allows you to browse the EDM™
database at seven descending levels.
Well Explorer, showing the "Tree" and other components:

Right-click Menu
Icon Menu Item Description
New Company (Database level only) Use this command to create a new
Company.
Show folders (Database level only) Use this command to show virtual
folders.
New Project (Company level only) Use this command to create a new
Project.
New Site (Project level only) Use this command to create a new Site.
New Well (Site level only) Use this command to create a new Well.
New Wellbore (Well level only) Use this command to create a new Wellbore.
New Design (Wellbore level only) Use this command to create a new
Design.
New Case (Design level only) Use this command to create a new Case.

Create cases (Design level only) Use this command to bring casing schemes
from casing from StressCheck™ to WellPlan™ as newly created Cases and
design to automatically populate OpenWells® Casing Reports. The
automatic transfer of casing scheme information reduces
manual data entry. New Cases created from StressCheck are
listed in Drillstring run order in the Well Explorer.
Note:
• If the Design does not have casing scheme data created in
StressCheck™, all fields and controls in the Create Case(s)
from Casing Design dialog box are grayed out
• Riser logic is applied to Subsea Wellbores only, with the riser

automatically added to the Case after outer and inner
diameters are specified
• Users have access to Design data created in PROFILE™ to

create Cases. However, this workflow is not supported.
Open (Case level only) Use to open the selected (highlighted) case in
the Well Explorer. If you have another case open, it will be
closed. You can only have one case open at a time.
Description (Case level only) Use to enter a short description of the case.
The description will appear as a tool tip as you hover over the
case name in the Well Explorer.
Import String (Case level only) Import (copy) a string from another case into
the case you are currently working on. Be aware that any string
data already entered on the String tab will be overwritten by
the imported string.
Copy Use this command to copy the selected item.
Paste Use this command to paste the selected item.

Import Use this command to import data into your database, including
transfer files (*.edm.xml) and historical transfer files (*.xml)
• When you import a transfer file, it contains the entire
hierarchy (Company, Project, Site, Well in addition to any
child data, such as Wellbore, Design, Case, etc.)
• All Files (*.*) allows you to view the entire contents of a

folder, dependent on Microsoft Windows local machine
configuration for viewing files.
When you select the Import option, the Import dialog box
appears, prompting for the .XML filename to import. Type the
filename, or browse for the file. Click Open to import the data
into the EDM database or Cancel to abort the operation.
Note: Take care with Importing that you do not overwrite data
unintentionally.
Export Export Company data as a transfer file in XML format.

Includes all child data associated with the Company, including
all Projects, Sites, Well, etc.
Delete Use this command to remove the selected item from the
database. A confirmation box will open, asking if you are sure
you want to delete the item and all its associated data. Click
Yes or No.

Working with Tabs
Tabs are used throughout the WellPlan™ software to input data and
analyze result.
The default tab arrangement includes:
• Left side tabs: The general well data tabs on the left side of the
window are used to enter well data and select operations for
analysis.
• Right side tabs: Theses tabs are used to define analysis settings,
view a schematic or perform sensitivity analysis.
• Middle section tabs: In the middle of the main window is the

Output Area. By default this area contains the Introduction tab,
however when you select an output (plot, chart, or table) from a
ribbon, the output will be displayed in the Output Area.
• Top Tabs: The tabs along the top of the window allow you to select
the type of analysis you want to perform, and to select data, units,
and a variety of other tasks.
Changing Tab Location

You can configure the tabs to suit your needs, and save the layout for
future use. Float a tab to move it to another monitor. Hide a tab to free
up space, or pin a tab you want to remain visible. Undock a tab and dock
it in another location. If you want to reset the tabs to the default layout,
use the Layout section of the Home tab.

Tabs to select the type of analysis you want or administrative task

you want to perform.
Float, hide, show

or dock tab Output Area tabs
Docking target Tabs to define analysis

settings, view a schematic or
Tabs for entry of general well perform sensitivity analysis.
data.

Contacting Landmark Customer Support
Landmark Customer Support operates Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) in Malaysia, the
United Kingdom, and the United States. Customer Support provides technical assistance on
Landmark applications. The website for Landmark is:
(http://www.landmarksoftware.com)

Chapter 2
Understanding the Basics
Overview
In this exercise, you will become familiar with the WellPlan™ software,
including:
Creating the Case

You will create a new company, project, site, well, wellbore, design, and
case.
Entering General Well Data

You will input general well data for a case you created.
Using Libraries to Quickly Create Strings or Fluids

A Library is a tool used to store fluids or strings for future use. In this
exercise, you will create and use libraries.
Configuring the WellPlan™ software Window

The WellPlan™ software main window has been designed so that you
can configure it to meet your requirements. The configuration can be
saved as a “layout”, and layouts can be applied at any time. In this
exercise, you will configure the main window, save and apply the
configuration as a layout, and restore to the default layout.
Working with Plots

The WellPlan™ software offers many ways to configure plots used to
analyze results. In this exercise, you will become familiar with the many
ways you can configure plots.

Chapter 2: Understanding the Basics
Workflow Steps
Creating the Case

1. Launch the WellPlan™ software.
2. Select the database you want to use, and enter your user ID and
password on the login screen.
3. Create a new case. In this example, we will name the company

“Class”, the project “Class Project”, etc, but you can use any
naming convention you would like. You must create a company,
project, site, well, wellbore, and design before you can create a
case. The well is located offshore and subsea in 500 feet of water
with a 490 ft wellhead depth. The datum elevation is 100 ft above
mean sea level (MSL).

4. Using the Wellpath tab, import the wellpath data using the file
DSWE_TrainingWellpath.txt. Your instructor will tell you where the
file is. The column order and units are: MD (ft), Inc (deg), and Az
(deg).
Note
It is important that you correctly specify column order and units.
5. Using the Hole tab, define the hole section, including the riser, last
casing, and open hole sections.
• The hole section depth is 20,000 ft.
• Use 20” OD, 18” ID riser, 590 ft.
• Use 0.2 for the friction factor in the riser and cased hole sections,
and 0.3 friction factor in open hole.
• The casing shoe is at 12,500 ft MD. Use of API 13 5/8”, 88.2 lb/
ft, Q-125 casing. Select the casing from the API Casing/Tubing
catalog.

• There is 7,500 ft of 12 1/4” open hole.
6. Define a simple drill string to become familiar with using the

String tab. For multiple sections of the same component type,
consider using the right-click menu options of copy/paste to
duplicate rows. Try using the String Component Palette to
build the string.
• String Depth: 20,000 ft
• Drill Pipe: API Drill Pipe Catalog, 19,077 ft, DP 5 in, 19.50 ppf,
G, NC50(XH), P
• Heavy Weight: System Heavy Weight Catalog, 60 ft, HW Grant

Prideco, 5 in, 49.7 ppf
• Jar: System Jar Catalog, 33 ft, Dailey Mechanical 6 1/4 “OD,

2.25” ID
• Heavy Weight: System Heavy Weight Catalog, 300 ft,

HW Grant Prideco, 5 in, 49.7 ppf
• Drill Collar: API Drill Collar Catalog, 390 ft, 8” X 2.5”, 7 H-90
• Stabilizer: System Stabilizer Catalog, IBS, 5 ft, 10 5/8” FG,

8 X 2.5”
• Drill Collar: API Drill Collar Catalog, 30 ft, 8” X 2.5”, 

7 H-90
• Stabilizer: System Stabilizer Catalog, IBS, 5 ft, 10 5/8” FG,

8 X 2.5”
• Drill Collar (Non-mag): API Drill Collar Catalog, 31 ft,

NDC 8” X 2.5”, 7 H-90
• Stabilizer: System Stabilizer Catalog, IBS, 5 ft, 10 5/8” FG, 

8 X 2.5”
• MWD: System MWD Catalog, 30 ft, 8, 8 x 2.5 in
• Mud Motor: System Mud Motor Catalog, 30 ft, 8, 8 x 2.5 in
• Bit Sub: System Sub Catalog, 3 ft, 6 x 2 1/2 in
• Bit: Security DBS, 12.25”, Tri-Cone Bit, 447X

7. Create a mud using the following properties. Use the following

properties:
• Name: 15.1 ppg OBM

• Diesel base fluid
• Density: 15.1 ppg
a) If a change is made to a fluid used in multiple cases, will the

change be applied to the fluid used in all the cases? (Refer to the
Online help.)
b) How do you tell the software what fluid to use in the analysis?
8. Using the Rig tab, specify rig, mud pump, and circulating system
data.
• The block rating is 750 kips.
• The torque rating is 50,000 ft-lbf.
• The surface equipment rated working pressure is 6,000 psi.
• The surface pressure loss is 100 psi.
• The average mud inlet temperature is 80 degrees F.
• Select the following two pumps from the catalog. Activate only
the A1400PT pump.
Make Description Type Liner Rod Efficiency

ID OD
Oilwell A1400PT Triplex 5” none 100
Oilwell A1700PT Triplex 6.5” none 100
9. Copy all pore pressure and fracture pressure from the file
DSWEPoreFrac.xls. Paste the data into the appropriate sections of
the Subsurface tab.
a) How is the first row of pore pressure data calculated?
b) Depth is always required for entry into either of these

spreadsheets. Why is it necessary to specify either EMW or
pressure for entry or copy into these spreadsheets?

10. Specify the geothermal gradient. The surface ambient temperature

is 80o F, the mudline temperature is 40o F, and the temperature at
TD is 279.5o F.

A library is used to store a fluid or string for future use. Once a fluid or
string is placed in a library, it can be retrieved (imported) for use in
another case. After imported, the fluid or string can be modified if
desired. Modifying the string or fluid after importing does not change
the library version.
Each fluid in a library includes all the data required to define the fluid,
including rheological model and data, fluid weight, gel strength, etc.
A string library can be used to store commonly used assemblies, or

complete strings.
String libraries should not be confused with catalogs. A catalog contains

a collection of like components that can be used to create a string.
Whereas a library contains partial or complete strings comprised of
several different components.
The following steps involve using a string library. Using a fluid library
follows essentially the same procedure.
11. Export the string you created by clicking on the String tab.
Name the string 12.25” OH Assembly.
12. Save the case you have been working on.
13. Use the WellPlan menu to create a new case. Include this new case
in the Class company. Create new names for the project, site, well,
wellbore, and design. The well is subsea, in 328 ft of water, with a
wellhead depth of 318 ft, and a datum elevation of 100 ft.
14. Access the String tab. Notice there is no string data displayed.
Import the 12.25” OH Assembly string you created from the library.
Set string depth to 17,950 ft.

15. Open the case titled Class Case. Save the data for the current case
when prompted.

16. Use the docking targets to configure the tabs as displayed below.
17. Save the tab layout.
18. Reset the tab layout to default configuration.
19. Reapply the layout you saved.
20. Reset the tab layout to default configuration once again.
Working with Plots

21. View the Effective Tension plot.
22. Because of the WellPlan™ software “output drives input” design,

you will be asked to enter data required for the analysis output you
select. Use a 450 gpm pump rate.

23. Move the legend so that it does not overlap data lines.
24. The WellPlan™ software supplies additional information to assist

you with using the software. Hover on the in the upper-right
corner of the plot for more information.
25. An indicates there is something you should review closely.

Hover over the for more information.
26. Remove or hide all data curves from the plot except the Tripping
Out and Tension Limit curves.
27. Zoom in on the area of the plot where the tension exceeds the
tension limit of the pipe.
28. Take a “snapshot” (make a copy) of the Tension Limit curve, and
change the name of the snapshot line to Tension Limit G Pipe.
29. Change the drill pipe grade to S.
30. Is the tension limit still exceeded?
31. Remove the zoom to view the plot as it was before zooming.
32. Use the Data Reader to determine the component at approximately

19,500 ft MD and effective tension in that component at that depth.
33. Hide the legend.
34. Move the annotation for MSL.
35. View the plot using SI units.
36. Copy the plot to the clipboard and then paste into another software
such as Word or Excel.
37. View effective tension vs TVD.
38. View the plot data in a grid.
39. View all outputs such that they are side by side.


Chapter 3
Understanding the Basics Solution
Overview
This chapter contains the solution steps for the Understanding the
Basics exercise.

Chapter 3: Understanding the Basics Solution
Workflow Solution
Creating the Case

1. Launch the software by selecting Start > Programs > Landmark
Engineer’s Desktop > WellPlan.
The Log in to WellPlan™ dialog box displays.
2. Select a Data source, enter your user name in the User field, your
password in the Password field and click the Login In button.
Select the database you want

to use from the Data source
drop-down list, and enter your
user ID and Password on the
login screen.
The Welcome dialog box is the first screen you will see upon logging in
to the WellPlan™ software. Use this dialog box to:
• Open a recently used case. The recently used cases are listed in the
dialog. The most recently used case is at the top of the list. To open
the case, double-click on the case in the list, or click once on the
case in the list and then click .
• Create a new case. On the Welcome dialog box, click the Create a
New Case tab to create a new case. You can also create a new case
using the WellPlan Menu.
• Select an existing case to work with. Click Open an Existing Case

to open a case that already exists in the database.
• Import a transfer file (*.edm.xml) to import data from one EDM™

database to another.

to analyze it. A case does not include all well data. For example, a case
won’t include every BHA you will use in the well. It will only include
the BHA you want to analyze at that moment. You can create multiple
cases associated with a well, or associated a case with a particular
wellbore (for multi-laterals).
a)
Click the Create a New

Case tab on the
Welcome dialog. The
default content for the
input fields on this dialog
box depend upon the
last case you had
opened. You can
change them as needed.

b)
Select the New Company

option from the Company
drop-down list.

c) Input the Company, Project, Site, Well, Wellbore, Design, and

Case names. Also input the datum information.
Indicate offshore and

subsea wells by
selecting the
Offshore and
Subsea check
boxes.
3. Click Create to create and open the case. If the corresponding

company, project, site, well, wellbore, design, and datum does not
already exist, it will be created.


4. Click the Import button on the Wellpath tab to import the file
DSWE_TrainingWellpath.txt. Review the wellpath on the Wellpath
tab.
Click Import to import the

wellpath data.
Select the Delimited option

because the data in the file
is tab delimited.
The first row in the file is a

header and does not need
to be imported. To ignore
the first row in the file during
the import, type 2 in the
Start Row field.
Alternatively you can
highlight the first row of data
that you want to import, and
click .

Select the Tab check box

as the data in the file is tab
delimited.
Use the drop-down lists to

indicate what data is in
each column.

A message indicating the

number of imported rows is
displayed.
Imported data is displayed

in tab.
5. Use the Hole tab.

Click to add the riser.
The blue tab outline

indicates required
input data is
missing on the tab.
Red outline
indicates incorrect
data.

If using a booster
pump, select either
of these check
boxes and then
specify booster
pump properties.
Click to collapse or
collapse a section of tab.
Click to add the
casing by selecting it
from a catalog.

In this example, we are

using the API Casing/
Tubing catalog.
However, if you wanted to
Select the casing
use another catalog,
you want to use
select it from the Catalog
from the list of
drop-down list.
options provided.
Notice the information about the casing you selected from the catalog is
displayed.
Enter the casing section length

in the Length field.
Enter the friction factor

for the casing section in
the Friction factor
field.

Click to add the open

hole section.
Enter the open hole

section length.
Enter the friction factor

for the open hole
section.

6. Use the String tab.

The String tab has three tabs. Use the
String tab to input the string.
Enter the depth where the

bottom of the string is at.
Select the component type

from the Section Type
drop-down list. The dialog
box to select from a catalog
is displayed. Select the
component using the
selection dialog as you
selected the casing earlier
in this exercise.
For the component

highlighted in the spreadsheet
section of the tab, component
properties can be displayed or
edited here. Properties vary
depending on the component.
Changing the property here
does not change the catalog.

7. Enter mud properties in the Fluid tab.

Click to add Spacer
Click to add Cement
Click to add a mud Click to add a gas
a) If a change is made to a fluid used in multiple cases, the change

will be applied to all cases if the cases are associated with the
same wellbore.
b) To “activate” a fluid, you must have an output in the Output Area

that requires a fluid. When an output requiring a fluid is in the
Output Area, you can select the fluid using the Active Fluid
drop-down list in the Common section of the Analysis Settings
tab.
Select the fluid you want to use

in the analysis using the Active
Fluid drop-down list. The list is
populated with all fluids defined
using the Fluid tab.

8. Use the Rig tab.
When selected, block and

torque ratings are
displayed on some outputs.
You can specify the surface

pressure loss, or calculate
it based on equipment
configuration. Several
default configurations are
available, or you can create
a customized system.
The average mud inlet

temperature can be input,
or calculated.

Click to add a mud pump from a catalog.

The Mud Pump Catalog dialog box
displays.

Check box to activate the

pump. Active pumps are
used in the analysis.
Click to delete the

associated pump.
Throughout the WellPlan™
software, tool tips are
displayed to assist you.
Check box is not selected,
so pump is not active and
will not be used in the
analysis.
9. Copy all pore pressure and fracture pressure from the file
DSWEPoreFrac.xls. Use Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V to copy and paste the
data into the Subsurface tab. In Excel, select the columns you want
to copy and use Ctrl-C. In the WellPlan™ software, highlight the
second row (because it is the first empty row in the spreadsheet)
and use Ctrl-V to paste the data. Because these spreadsheets

contain no data except for the first calculated row of data, you can
either Overwrite or Append the data into these spreadsheets.
In Excel, select the

columns you want to copy
and use Ctrl-C to copy the
data to the clipboard.
If you prefer not to use

the keyboard keys to
import the data, you can
click here, and use the
Clipboard option.
Highlight the row where
you want to begin the
copy. In this example,
highlight the first empty
row. Click on the row
number to highlight the
row. Click Ctrl-V to
paste the data into the
spreadsheet.
Enter pore pressure

data on the
Subsurface tab.
a) The first row of the pore pressure spreadsheet is automatically

calculated from the data on the Datum tab. Refer to the online
help for more information.
b) Entry of either EMW or pressure is required. The other value

will be calculated.

10. Use the Subsurface tab to specify geothermal gradient information.

The gradient is calculated based on the supplied temperature data.
Click to expand the section.
Specify the temperature at

TVD, or specify the The TVD of the well, as
gradient. indicated on the Wellpath
tab, is displayed.


11.
Click to export the string.
Click Export to make

a copy of the string in
Specify the name of the the library using the
string. You will use this name you provide.
name to identify the
string in the library.
12.
Click to save the case.

Even though you have

already saved the case,
click Yes if you are asked if
you want to save the
changes to the case. This
dialog box may be hidden
behind the New Case
dialog box.
13.
Click New to create a new

case.

Click the drop-

down list to
select options, or
click in the cell
and type a name.
Click Create after you have

entered all the required
information.
14.
Click to import string.

Click the string you want

to import from the
library. In this example,
there is only one string in
the library.
Click Import to import

the selected string.
The string is imported, and

displays in the spreadsheet
section of the String tab.
Notice the length of the drill
pipe section.

Input the string depth. If hole section data has

been entered on the Hole
tab, you can click to
Notice the length of move the bottom of the
drill pipe is adjusted. string to the MD of the
deepest section specified
on the Hole tab. Because
the hole section data has
not been entered, this
button is not active.

15.
Select the case from the Recently

Opened Cases list.

16.
Set these tabs to collapse, or hide when not in
use. Hidden tabs appear when you move your “Float” (display in separate
mouse over them. window) the Schematic tab.
This is useful when you want
Place the online help Place the Hook Load to move a tab to another
for the Hook Load plot plot here. monitor.
here.
Display the Effective Tension plot here. Access this plot

on the Torque & Drag ribbon.
To arrange a tab or output using the docking targets, click on it and

“drag” it. The docking targets will appear.
Docking targets

As you drag the output or tab, a “shaded” area appears. When you release the mouse, the tab
or output will be displayed where the shaded area is located.
Click the arrow to display the tab menu. Use the

menu to flow, dock, auto hide, or always show
tabs.

17.
Click to save layout.
Enter the layout name.
18.
Click to reset to default layout.

19.
A list of saved layouts is displayed. Select the
desired layout from the list.
20.
Click to reset to default layout.
Working with Plots

21.
Access the Torque & Drag ribbon.
Click the Effective

Tension icon. It will
display in the Output
Area.

Information messages
assist you. Click the link to
open the area within the
software where you need
to input the required
information.

22.
The Analysis Settings tab

is displayed because
required data must be
entered on this tab. Notice
the blue outlines indicating
missing data.
23. To move the legend, click within the legend and drag it to the
desired location within the plot.

24.
Click to access Online help.
Hover over an for additional information.

25.
Hover over for

information.
26.
On the Operations tab, results are
calculated for checked operations
only. To hide a line, clear the check box
associated with the line.

27. You can enlarge (zoom) an area in three ways. You can click on an
area using the left mouse button, and then zoom in or out using the
middle mouse button. You can press the CTRL keyboard button
while you select an area using the left mouse button. You can also
press the button located on the top right corner of the output
area to zoom in. Double-click within the plot background to reset
zoom to original level.
28.
Click to take a
snapshot (make a copy)
of the line.
Right click the line to change its

color, or rename.

29.
Using the String tab,

highlight the Drill Pipe
row in the spreadsheet.
Expand the Mechanical

section, and change the
Grade to S.

30.
The tension limit for grade
S pipe is not exceeded.
The tension limit grade G

pipe.
31. Double-click the left mouse button, or press the Home key on the
keyboard, to remove the zoom.

32.
Read the tension in the

component here.
Dotted lines are the Data

Reader. Use the Data
Reader to determine the X
and Y coordinates.
Move the mouse along the

Tripping Out curve until
you reach the desired
depth. The component is
displayed next to the depth.
Data reader will display on the plot

when the Enable Data Reader
check box is selected.

33.
Click to hide
or display the
Legend.
34. To move an annotation, use the left mouse button to click and drag
it to the desired location.
35.
Use this drop-down list to change the units.
36.
Click to copy the plot to the clipboard.

37.
Click to switch between MD and TVD.
38.
Click to view plot data in tabular format.

39.
Click to view the open tabs in the

output area in a side by side layout.

Chapter 4
Drilling a Hole Section
Overview
Data
At this time, it is necessary to import the training data. Using the
Welcome dialog box, click the Import button. Import the file
DSWE_5000_1_13_1_Drilling.edm.xml. Your instructor will provide
the location of the file.
If you have the WellPlan™ software open, access the WellPlan menu.
Select Well Explorer, and click . Import the file
DSWE_5000_1_13_1_Drilling.edm.xml. Your instructor will provide
the location of the file.
Workflow
In this section, you will drill one hole section in a well. During this
analysis, you assume previous hole sections have been drilled, and will
focus only on the current section being drilled.
The following is a brief, general overview of the workflow and does not
include a description of all workflow steps.
Initial analysis evaluates the stresses acting on the string when the bit is
at total depth. Adjustments to the drill pipe are made based on this
analysis. Next, the torque and drag is evaluated at depths other than total
depth.
After all string adjustments based on torque drag analysis are completed,
hydraulics analysis begins. First, hole cleaning is reviewed. Flow rate
adjustments are made to improve hole cleaning. Pressure losses,
including system, string, and annulus are examined. Critical annular
velocities are determined. Pump horsepower requirements are
determined. ECDs are analyzed, and bit nozzle sizes are optimized. A
final design check is performed to ensure hole cleaning, pressure losses,
and ECDs are acceptable.

Chapter 4: Drilling a Hole Section
After the hydraulics analysis is completed, tripping surge and swab

transient pressures are investigated.
Well control analysis is the next step in the process. The kick type is
determined, as well as the expected influx volume. Using the estimated
influx volume, the kick tolerance is examined. A kill sheet is generated,
and the well control animation is used to display the pressures and other
parameters as the kick is circulated out of the wellbore.
Workflow Solution
Solutions for the workflow steps in this chapter can be found in the
Drilling a Hole Section Solution chapter.
What Is Covered
During this workflow you will:
Torque Drag Analysis

Understand torque and drag analysis, including:
• Analytical methods
• Stiff string and soft string models
• Mechanical limitations
• Friction factors
• Analyze torque drag at total depth, and another wellbore depths
• Examine effective and true tension
• Examine fatigue
• Determine available overpull
• Determine the torque acting on the string
• Investigate the possibility of buckling
• Investigate ways to resolve torque and drag issues
Hydraulics Analysis
Understand Hydraulics analysis, including:
• Examine hole cleaning at various pump rates

• Investigate the effect of ROP on hole cleaning
• Determine pressure losses
• Determine annular velocity
• Input circulating system information

• Investigate required horsepower

• Check ECDs
• Optimize hydraulics
Swab & Surge Analysis

Understand Swab & Surge analysis including:
• Analyze transient surge/swab pressures and ECDs

• Generate a trip schedule
Well Control Analysis

Understand Well Control analysis including:
• Investigate well control

• Determine predicted kick type
• Estimate influx volume and kick tolerance
• Evaluate pressures as a kick is circulated out
• Predict a safe drilling depth
• Generate a kill sheet

Torque Drag Analysis
Torque and Drag Outputs

The Torque & Drag ribbon outputs can be used to predict the measured
weights and torques while tripping in, tripping out, rotating on bottom,
rotating off bottom, slide drilling, and backreaming. This information
can be used to determine if the well can be drilled or to evaluate
conditions while drilling a well. The Torque & Drag outputs can be
used for analyzing drillstrings, casing strings, liners, tieback strings,
tubing strings, and coiled tubing.
Soft String and Stiff String Models

The Torque & Drag outputs includes the following three models:
• Soft String: The soft string model is based on Dawson’s cable

model. In this model, the work string is treated as an extendable
cable with zero bending stiffness. Friction is assumed to act in the
direction opposing motion. The forces required to buckle the string
are determined, and if buckling occurs, the mode of buckling
(sinusoidal, transitional, helical, or lockup) is indicated.
• Stiff String: The stiff string model includes the increased side
forces from stiff tubulars in curved hole, as well as the reduced side
forces from pipe wall clearance.
• Hybrid: The Hybrid Torque and Drag model was developed by

Robert Mitchell (SPE 163477). This model assumes the drillstring
position corresponds with the minimum curvature wellbore only at
discrete points. The discrete points are at the tool joints in the
drillstring. While tool joints are at a fixed position, they are allowed
to rotate within the wellbore. These extra degrees of freedom allow
solution of the bending moment. Experimental studies of actual
drillstrings have shown the potential to develop contact forces for
lateral buckling that are significantly larger than predicted by
smooth-pipe models. The hybrid model addresses the two main
issues of bending moment continuity and under-prediction of lock-
up.

Workflow Steps
Input and Review Well Configuration and Analysis Options

1. Using the Welcome dialog box, or the WellPlan menu Well
Explorer option, open the Case titled Drilling.
2. What is the mudline depth?
3. Review the hole section information.
a. Why is the riser length 590 ft?
b. What friction factors are used?
4. Review the string information.
a. What is the String depth?
b. Does the drill pipe weight include the tool joint weight?
c. What type of connections are used for the drill pipe, and what is
the make-up torque for the drill pipe connection?
5. Review the wellpath information.
a. What is the best azimuth to view the General Outputs >

Vertical Section plot?
b. How can you set the Vertical Section plot to use that azimuth?
c. View the Vertical Section plot with the azimuth at the original
0.0 degrees, and again at 224.84 degrees.
6. Apply tortuosity to the open hole section. Use the Sinusoidal Wave
Tortuosity Model, 12,500 ft MD Top, a 500 ft Tortuosity period,
a 0.5 degree magnitude, and a 30 ft Interpolation Interval.
Note
In this example, only one MD Top is specified. Therefore, the same tortuosity
will be applied to all data points below the specified MD Top.
a. When should you use tortuosity?

b. Review the Inclination and Azimuth plots. What is causing

the “corkscrews?”
7. What fluid is used in the analysis? (Torque Drag analysis uses

viscosity and density for the analysis.)
8. Review the operations information.
a. What operations will be analyzed?
b. What is the WOB (or overpull) and the bit torque?
Analyze Results at TD
You will initially review the results when the bit is at TD. Later, you will
do the analysis when the bit is at other depths along the wellpath.
9. Review the String Analysis table.
a. What problems exist?
b. What component, and at what depths is there a potential issue

while tripping out?
c. What is the overpull margin with and without tortuosity applied?

Continue the exercise with tortuosity applied.
d. If you consider viscous drag effects of the fluid acting on the

drillstring, what is the overpull margin? Did the potential yield
while tripping out change? What are viscous drag effects? Do
not consider viscous drag effects after this point.
e. Does buckling occur?
10. Review the Torque Drag Analysis settings. Is the soft string model
being used?
11. Review the Effective Tension plot.
a. Why not use the True Tension plot?
b. Which operation is close to exceeding the tension limit?
c. Is buckling predicted based on this plot?

12. Review the Torque output to determine the location in the string
when the torque limit is exceeded for each operation you are
analyzing.
13. Review the Fatigue output to determine where fatigue may be

a problem.
a. What is fatigue, and why is it important?

Hint: Use the Online help.
b. What is one possible cause of the fatigue?
14. Review the load data to determine which limits are exceeded during
the Backreaming, Rotating On Bottom, and Rotating Off Bottom
operations. When backreaming, at what depth is the yield strength
exceeded?
15. What can you do to avoid the problems in the string? There are
several possible options. For this exercise, change the drill pipe.
a. One option would be to change the drill pipe to 5”, 25.6#, S, FH,
Class 1 pipe.
b. Review the make-up torque and fatigue limits for this pipe.
16. Review the String Analysis Summary table as another means to

confirm the problems are resolved. Is the overpull over-designed?
17. How could you save some money on the string? Continue to use the
S grade pipe in the top 7,500 ft of drill pipe. Because the original
drillpipe (5”, 19.5 lb/ft, G, NC50, P) was sufficient below that
depth, change to the original pipe below 7,500 ft. Review results
again using the Summary Loads table. (7,500 ft of S pipe is used
because the problems began about 7,000 ft. The additional 500 ft
allows for a margin of safety.)
There are other possible drill pipe configurations that would be

acceptable. Because of time constraints, additional analysis will not
be performed in the course setting at this time.
We have analyzed results when the bit is at TD (total depth). Now

we will use the Roadmap outputs to review the results when the bit
is at other depths along the wellpath.

Analyze Torque and Drag at Other Depths

18. Review the Hook Load output. Analyze every 100 ft from 0 to TD.
a. What does the Max Weight Yield line represent?
b. How can you determine the overpull at a specific point?
c. When Tripping Out, what is the tension in a component located

5,000 ft from the bit when the bit is at 10,000 ft?
19. Review the Torque Point output.
a. This plot displays the torque at what depth?
b. Why is there 0 torque while Tripping In and Tripping Out?
20. Specify an RPM of 80 for the Tripping operations (as with a top
drive). Notice the difference in the plot. Set the RPM back to 0
before proceeding.
21. Review the Minimum WOB chart. Look at the last data point and
compare the results to the String Analysis table results. Notice the
Run Depth is the same as the Bit Depth.
22. Review the string position within the wellbore using the stiff string
analysis. What is the effective tension on the drill string at 6,500 ft
while tripping out?

Hydraulics Analysis
Hydraulics Outputs
The Hydraulics ribbon contains outputs to analyze hydraulics,
including optimize bit hydraulics, determine the minimum flow rate for
hole cleaning, determine the maximum flow rate to avoid turbulent
flow, and analyze surge and/or swab pressures.
Several rheological models, including Bingham Plastic, Power Law,

Newtonian, Herschel Bulkley, and Generalized Herschel Bulkley are
available. The chosen rheological model provides the basis for the
pressure loss calculations.
Workflow Steps

23. Working in the same case titled Drilling, review the string
information.
a. What are the bit nozzle sizes?
b. What are the flow rates and pressure losses for the mud motor?
c. What are the flow rates and pressure losses for the MWD?
Analyze Hole Cleaning

24. Investigate hole cleaning.
a. What is the minimum flow rate to clean the wellbore? Assume

the following:
• Cuttings diameter is 0.25 inch

• Cuttings density is 2.145 sg
• Bed porosity is 36%
• Calculation interval is 100 ft MD
• Penetration rate (ROP) is 50 ft/hr
• Rotary speed is 0 rpm

b. What is the bed height in the riser at a pump rate of 600 gpm?
c. What is the bed height in the casing annulus?
d. Will changing the flow rate help clean the casing annulus (not
including the riser)? Try 615 gpm.
e. How much additional flow is needed to clean the riser? Try a

flow rate of 720 gpm.
f. To pump at the lower flowrate of 615 gpm, add a booster pump.

The Injection depth is 590 ft, Injection temperature is 40o F,
and Injection rate is 105 gpm.
g. Now that you have added a booster pump, set the flowrate to
615 gpm. Are the wellbore and riser clean?
h. Perform a sensitivity analysis for flow rates between 600 and

700 gpm, and ROPs between 20 and 100 ft/hr. What happens if
the ROP is increased and the pump rate is not increased
accordingly? (Review the different ROP and pump rate
combinations.)
25. Investigate the minimum (critical) flow rate when a cuttings bed
will begin to form in the annulus.
a. At 0 RPM, will a flowrate of 615 gpm keep the wellbore clean at

an ROP of 70 ft/hr?
b. With a 615 gpm flow rate, how fast can you drill, and keep the
wellbore clean, if you rotate at 25 rpm?
Analyze Pressure Loss, Required Horsepower, and Annular Velocity

26. Review the surface equipment and mud pump information.
a. What is the surface equipment rated working pressure?
b. What is the maximum discharge pressure and horsepower rating

of the active pump?
27. Now that you know you need to pump at 615 gpm to clean the
wellbore, analyze pressure losses for a range of flowrates to
determine if your pump can handle the required flow. Use the
following analysis parameters:

• Analyze rates between 475 - 725 gpm using an increment of 50

gpm
• Use pumping constraints from the circulating system
• Include mud temperature effects
• Exclude cuttings loading
• Use average inlet temperature of 70 degrees F
• 9 hr circulation time
a. Can the pump handle the flow?
b. Where do the maximum system pressure and the maximum

pump power come from?
28. Review the Hydraulics Summary. Using the pump rate scroll bar,
view summary for 615. What problems exist? What is the
maximum pump rate? What is the standpipe pressure?
29. Change from the 5,660 psi pump to a 7,500 psi pump.
30. Is there still a pressure loss problem at 615 gpm?
31. Activate the other 7,500 psi pump and use both in the analysis.
(Both 7,500 psi pumps should be active.) Is the pump power issue
resolved?
32. What are the pressure losses in the drillstring and the annulus?
What are the total string and annular pressure losses?
33. What are the power losses in the drillstring and annulus. What are
the total power losses and how do they compare to the available
power for the pumps you selected?
34. Review the Annular Velocity plot.
a. Is there turbulent flow?
b. What is the maximum flowrate without turbulent flow?
35. If you want a turbulent flow regime in the open and cased hole, how
fast would you need to pump?
36. Using a 615gpm pump rate, is the annular pressure within the pore
and fracture pressure in the open hole section?

Check ECDs
37. Using a 615gpm pump rate, does the ECD exceed the fracture
pressure in the open hole?
38. Does including cuttings loading impact the ECD? Use an ROP of
50 ft/hr.
Bit Optimization
39. What is the optimum TFA to maximize the power per area at the bit
while keeping the wellbore clean?
Final Design Check

40. Change the bit nozzle sizes to reflect the optimum TFA.
41. Does a cuttings bed form? Use an ROP of 50ft/hr.
42. Review pressure losses. Is everything OK?
43. Review the ECDs. Is everything OK?

Swab & Surge Analysis
Swab & Surge Outputs

The Swab & Surge ribbon contains outputs that analyze reciprocation
as well as surge and swab pressures throughout the wellbore caused by
pipe movement using a transient pressure model. This analysis is used
for well planning operations when surge pressures need to be controlled
and to evaluate well problems related to pressure surges. It is also useful
for critical well designs when other surge pressure calculation methods
are not sufficiently accurate.
The Swab & Surge ribbon outputs are based on a fully dynamic
analysis of fluid flow and pipe motion. This analysis solves the full
balance of mass and balance of momentum for pipe flow and annulus
flow.
Workflow Steps

44. Review the pore pressure data using the Subsurface tab. We need
to inspect pressured zones in the open hole section.
a. At 10,743.8 ft TVD, what is the EMW? Notice that at this depth,

there is a 0.5 ppg pore pressure increase. The equivalent MD is
15,000ft-MD (this depth will be used for further analysis).
Analyze Transient Responses
Tripping Out Operation

45. Open the Swab & Surge Pressure Transient Plot only. Select the
Tripping Out (Swab) check box on the Operational Parameters
tab and use the default 2 ft/sec2 pipe acceleration and deceleration.
46. Analyze swab pressures with the string at Total Depth, a Depth of
interest of 15,000 ft, a Pump rate of 0 gpm, and a Moving pipe
speed of 1.3716 m/s.

Hint: Enter 1.3716 m/s into the Moving pipe speed field. (270 ft/
min).
47. Use the Pressure Calculated At drop-down to review the transient

pressure responses at the depths.
a. Is there a problem at any depth?
b. How much of a swab effect exists?
48. Run a trip schedule for the open hole, what is the recommended trip
speed?
49. Adjust the trip speed to 150 ft/min, and review the Swab & Surge
Transient Pressure plot. Is the problem resolved?
Tripping In Operation
50. Change the operation from Tripping Out (Swab) to Tripping In
(Surge) on the Operational Parameters tab. Keep the default pipe
acceleration and deceleration values.
51. Analyze surge pressures with the string at Total Depth, a Depth of
interest of 15,000 ft, a Pump rate of 0 gpm, and a Moving pipe
speed of 0.762 m/s. Are there any problems? Use the Mode drop-
down to inspect all depths that the pressure is calculated.
52. Is it possible to experience a “swab” effect while tripping in and a

“surge” effect while tripping out?


The Well Control ribbon contains outputs that can be used to analyze
well control, including the following:
• Calculate the expected influx volume

• Assist with casing design in terms of shoe settings depths
• Calculate expected conditions resulting from an influx
• Generate kill sheets
• Determine maximum safe drilling depths and maximum allowable
influx volumes
Well Control Analysis analyzes three different influx types: oil, water,
and gas. The default influx type is gas. If the influx type is gas, the
analysis assumes the influx is a single, methane gas bubble. Dispersed
gas influxes are not modeled. The influx density is the density of
methane at the current temperature and pressure. The compressibility
factor, Z, is based on the critical temperature and pressure of methane.
Workflow Steps

53. Review the geothermal data.
54. Review the Choke/Kill Line parameters.
55. Review the Temperature Profile. Use a Pump rate of 625 gpm;
include mud temperature effects and ensure that the Steady State
Circulation temperature model is selected.
Determine Kick Type

56. With a Kick interval gradient of 0.726 psi/ft, what is the Kick
Class and why?

Determine Kick Tolerance

57. Review the Allowable Kick Volume plot.
58. Specify the following kick tolerance analysis parameters:
• Assume a Gas kick (this is worst-case kick type)

• Use the Wait and Weight Kill method
• Use a Kill rate of 135 gpm
• Specify the previous shoe depth as the Depth of interest
• Assume a 30 bbl kick
• Design for a 14.1 ppg kill mud
• Analyze the depth between the shoe and TD (7,500 ft depth
interval)
59. Analyze kick tolerance results.
a. What is the maximum allowable influx volume?
b. Using the Pressure at Depth plot, determine if the annular

pressure at the shoe is between the pore and fracture pressure as
the kick is circulated out?
c. What is the highest choke pressure?
d. How does the Maximum Pressure plot compare to the Pressure

at Depth plot? Open the Maximum Pressure plot next to the
Pressure at Depth plot.
e. Analyzing the Maximum Pressure plot, are there additional

depths of interest? If so, how would you use the Pressure at
Depth plot to check if the Annulus Pressure of the zone is
contained within the pore pressure and fracture pressure limits?
f. Set the Depth of Interest back to the shoe depth by clicking .

Open the Safe Drilling Depth plot. What does this plot tell you?
g. Open the Formation Breakdown Gradient plot. What does this

plot tell you?
h. Will there be problem if there is a full evacuation to gas?
i. Will the Blow Out Preventers be able to contain a worst case

scenario where the gas kick displaces the drilling fluid from the
whole well?

Use Animation to Review Results

60. Using the Animation on the Well Control ribbon, view a
representation of the fluids moving through the pipe and annulus
using the Wait and Weight method. What fluid is in the wellbore
and string at the end of the animation?
61. Configure the Output Area in the following manner: Place the
Animation plot on the left hand side, place the Pit Gain vs. Time
plot on the right hand side, and finally place the Circulating
Pressure Profile on the right hand side but under the Pit Gain vs.
Time plot.
What causes the increase and spike in pit volume near the end of the
kill operation?
62. View a representation of the fluids moving through the pipe and
annulus using the Driller’s method. What fluid is in the wellbore
and string at the end of the animation?
63. Set the kill method back to Wait and Weight.
Generate Kill Sheet

64. Using the Rig tab, review the BOP pressure rating on the
Circulating System.
65. Access the Kill Sheet on the Well Control ribbon and input the
following:
a. Casing burst pressure rating is 10,035 psi.
b. Review and specify the following on the Operational

Parameters tab:
• The active slow pump is P1 Gardener Denver PXL. What is

the slow pump speed?
• Leak off pressure is 450 psi
• Mud weight used for the leak off test is 13.8 ppg
• A 6 bbl pit gain
• Shut-In Casing Pressure of 300 psi
• Shut-In DPP of 200 psi
c. Ensure the kill method is Wait and Weight.
66. Review the Kill Graph from the Well Control ribbon.

67. Does pump efficiency make a difference?
a. What is the active pump’s efficiency? Freeze the current line of

Strokes versus Stand Pipe Pressure on the Kill Graph, name it
Strokes 95%. (Feel free to change the color too).
b. Change the P1 Gardener-Denver PXL pump efficiency to 90%.
c. Compare the two curves on the Kill Graph.
d. Set the pump efficiency back to 95%.
68. What is the final circulating pressure?
69. Generate and save the Kill Sheet Report to your desktop using the
icon on the Kill Sheet output.

BHA Dynamics Outputs
BHA Dynamics Outputs

BHA Dynamics module has two sub-modules: Bottom Hole Assembly
and Vibration Analysis. The BHA sub-module analyzes a bottomhole
assembly (BHA) in a static "in-place" condition or in a "drillahead"
mode. Many different factors influence the behavior of a bottomhole
assembly. These factors include more controllable parameters such as
WOB, and drillstring component size and placement, as well as less
controllable items such as formation type. Because the performance of
a bottomhole assembly is impacted by such a wide and varied range of
parameters, predicting the behavior of a bottomhole assembly can be
very complex. Drill Ahead analysis helps predicting the drop/build and
turn rate for this BHA under the specified conditions
Engineers in other fields have often relied on the Finite Element

Analysis Method to solve complex problems. The Finite Element
Analysis (FEA) method solves a complex problem by breaking it into
smaller problems. Each of the smaller problems can then be solved
much easier. The individual solutions to the smaller problems can be
combined to solve the complex problem. Depending on the number of
elements (smaller problems) that the complex structure (overall
problem) is comprised of, the solution can become very laborious.
Fortunately, the combination of the increasing speed of computing
power and creative mathematics have significantly simplified FEA
analysis.
Because a bottomhole assembly is composed of many different

elements of varying dimensions, it lends itself quite well to the FEA
method. The following sections describe the major steps performed by
the BHA sub-module while solving for an "in-place" solution, as well as
a "drillahead" prediction.

The Vibration Analysis identifies critical rotary speeds and areas of high
stress concentration in the drillstring. The analysis uses an engineering
analysis technique called Forced Frequency Response (FFR) to solve
for resonant rotational speeds (RPMs). The Vibration Analysis is based
on a nonlinear finite element solution written to include intermittent
contact/friction, finite displacement, buoyancy, and other effects that
occur while drilling. The Vibration Analysis is designed to analyze the
3D lateral bending vibrational responses of a bottomhole assembly. The
analysis can model axial vibrations (vibrations parallel to the drillstring
axis), lateral vibrations (perpendicular to the drillstring axis), and
torsional (twist) vibrations. The module includes damping and mass
effects in order to more accurately represent the downhole environment.
Workflow Steps
Analyze BHA Displacement

70. Access the BHA Dynamics module.Review the Choke/Kill Line
parameters.
71. Open Displacement Plot.
72. Use Operations tab, make sure the following analysis parameters are
entered:
• Torque at bit of 2000 ft-lbf

• Weight on bit of 25 kips
• Bit RPM 120 rpm
73. What are the depths at which BHA contacts the wellbore wall?
Which components of BHA came into contact with the wellbore
wall?
74. At depth of 19940 ft, is the string on low side or the high side of
wellbore? Is the string to the left or right of centerline of the
wellbore?
75. What are the values of the side forces at the contact points?
76. View the Hole Profile plot, switch the view to see the displacement
in inclination and directional plane.

77. Between the last stabilizer and the bit, is the string on the low side
or high side? Is the string to right or left of the wellbore centerline?
Drill Ahead
78. Enable drill ahead analysis.
79. Check the Enable Drillahead check box under BHA Dynamics
analysis setting tab.
80. Enter the following information:
• Drill interval is 300 ft.

• Record interval is 30 ft.
• Bit coefficient is 50.
• Formation hardness is 30.
• Rate of penetration is 30 ft/hr
81. What is the predicted build rate?
82. What is the predicted walk rate?
83. What is the dogleg?
84. How will the build and walk rates be affected by weight on bit and
the RPM?
85. Make the WOB back to 25.0 Kip.
Vibration Analysis
86. Access the BHA Dynamics sub-module by clicking on Stress
Components plot
87. Under Analysis Settings tab, enter the following parameters:
•Starting speed of 20 rpm

•Ending speed of 200 rpm
•Speed increment of 5 rpm
•Excitation Frequency Factor of 3Use the Wait and Weight Kill
method
88. Why are you using an excitation frequency of 3?

This exercise will focus on one critical rpm at 140. In reality, you should
analyze all peaks, and the range of rpms near a peak rpm. For example, for
the peak at 140 rpm, you should consider between 130 and 150 rpm.
Examine the stresses acting on the workstring. The model used is based on
harmonic analysis, therefore stresses are relative and not actual.
89. What rotational speeds may result in high relative stress in the string?
Look for abnormalities in the curve.
90. Where in the string are these stresses likely to occur at 140 rpm?
Consider re-scaling the plot to view the data easier.
91. What rotational speeds may result in high relative displacement in the
string? Look for abnormalities in the curve.

Stuck Pipe Analysis
Stuck Pipe Outputs

The Stuck Pipe calculates the forces acting on the drillstring at the
stuck point. It can be used to determine the location of the stuck point,
the overpull possible without yielding the pipe, the measured weight
required to set the jars and the surface action required to achieve the
desired conditions at the backoff point.
The Stuck Pipe Module:
• Includes the frictional effects of the drill string in a three-

dimensional wellbore.
• Adjusts for stretch when the string is buckled.
• Uses the Wellplan Torque Drag Analysis calculations, including
equilibrium equations and stresses, stretch, and buckling
calculations.
• Uses yield load limits based on the calculated effective yield
stress.
• Does not consider fatigue in the Yield Analysis.
Workflow Steps

92. Working in the same case titled Drilling, review the string
information. Where is the Jar located on the drillstring?
Analyze Stuck Point

93. Compute the stuck point. Assume you were tripping out when the
string became stuck .The initial load of the stretch test was 345 kip
and the final load was 365. The stretch was 23.8 inches.
• What is the measured weight when stuck?

• Where is the stuck point?
• Is the stuck point below the jar?

Analyze Jar Analysis

94. Specify the following jar operating forces:
• Up set and trip forces are 10 kips.

• Down trip force is 10 kips.
• Pump open and seal friction forces are 5 kips.
95. What are the forces to set, trip, and reset the jar?
Analyze Yield Analysis
96. Determine if the loads required to set, trip, and reset the jar cause
the string to fail. Is the pipe buckling or yielding?
• •Minimum applied measured weight is 200 kips

• •Maximum applied measured weight is 500 kips
• •Increment is 10 kips
Analyze Backoff Analysis
97. Determine the initial surface actions required to backoff at 19,158 ft

using the following parameters:
• Backoff force is 5 kips.

• Backoff torque is 2,000 ft-lbf.
a. What is the initial surface action for setup?
b. Why do you slack off?
c. To back off, what do you do?

Chapter 5
Drilling a Hole Section Solution
Overview
This chapter contains the answers for the exercises found in the previous
Drilling A Hole Section chapter.

Chapter 5: Drilling a Hole Section Solution
Workflow Steps for Torque Drag Analysis

1.
To open a case using

the Welcome dialog
box, click the Open an
Existing Case tab.
Select the Drilling case,
and click Open.


the Well Explorer,
select the Well
Explorer option from
the WellPlan menu.
Double-click the Drilling
case to open it.

2. The datum details are located in the Datum tab on the left side of
the main window. The tabs located on the left side of the window
are the Well Data tabs.
Datum tab
Mudline TVD
3. The hole section details are located in the Hole tab on the left side
of the main window.
Hole tab

a. The riser length of 590 ft (490 ft + 100 ft) is based on the

Wellhead Depth (490 ft) specified on the Datum tab plus the
Datum Elevation (100 ft) specified on the same tab.
Datum tab
Wellhead Depth
Datum Elevation

b. The friction factors from the Hole tab are used. These friction
factors (0.2 for cased hole and 0.3 for open hole) are generally
accepted within the industry as defaults, or a place to begin your
analysis.
Different friction factors

can be specified for each
section, including different
cased or hole sections.
Friction factors used for

each section can be
defined, and viewed.
Expand this section to

specify friction factors for
specific operations.
Correlate Friction Factors with Actual Data
It is recommended that you correlate friction factors to actual drilling data

if available. (You will correlate friction factors in a later exercise.) Keep in
mind that friction factors vary depending on hole size, lithology, drilling
fluid type, and hole conditions.

4. The string information is located on the String tab on the left side
of the main window.
String depth
a. The bottom of the string is at 20,000 ft. The string depth can be
specified on the String tab, or on the Schematic tab. Notice that
the string is entered from top to bottom, therefore the bit is the
bottom row of the spreadsheet.
b. The drill pipe weight includes the tool joint weight.

c. To determine the type of connections used for the drill pipe, and
the make-up torque for the drill pipe connection, click on any
cell in a row of the spreadsheet that has Drill Pipe for the Section
Type. Expand the Mechanical section of the String tab. The
pipe is 5”, 19.5 lb/ft (the stated weight of 21.92 lb/ft includes the
tool joints), G grade, P class pipe with a makeup torque o f
21,914 ft-lbf. The connections are NC50(XH).
Click on the row you

are interested in.
Connection type and

make-up torque

5. The wellpath information is located on the Wellpath tab on the left

side of the main window.
Specify vertical
section here
a. The current vertical section azimuth is 0.0 degrees. It is best to

view the Vertical Section plot available on the General
Outputs ribbon using the same azimuth as the last survey point.
b. In this example, the azimuth at the last survey point is 224.84

degrees. Use the Azimuth field in the Vertical Section
Definition group box on the Wellpath tab to set the viewing
azimuth.

c. View the Vertical Section plot with the azimuth at the original
0.0 degrees, and again at 224.84 degrees.
0 degrees
azimuth

224.84 degrees
azimuth
6. Tortuosity is specified on the Wellpath tab. Expand the Tortuosity

section of the Wellpath tab to specify tortuosity information.
Expand the Tortuosity

section to input
tortuosity information.

a. Tortuosity is designed to apply a “rippling” or “roughness” to a

planned wellpath to simulate the variations found in actual
wellpaths. Apply tortuosity to the open hole sections of planned
wellpaths to simulate the variations found in actual wellpaths.
Applying tortuosity allows for more realistic predictions of
torque and drag for planned wells. See the Online help for more
information.
CAUTION
Do not apply tortuosity to actual survey data.
The Sinusoidal wave model modifies the inclination and

azimuth of the wellpath point based on the concept of a sine
wave shaped ripple running along the wellbore. The magnitude
(amplitude) and period (wave length) are specified in the
Tortuosity Magnitudes table on the Wellpath tab.
The Random Inclination and Azimuth model is similar to the

Random Inclination and Dependent Azimuth model, except that
the azimuth variation is independent of inclination.
The Random Inclination and Dependent Azimuth model applies

a random variation to the wellpath inclination and azimuth
within the magnitudes specified in the Tortuosity Magnitudes
table on the Wellpath tab. The azimuth variation is inversely
proportional to inclination. Higher inclinations have lower
azimuth variation, and lower inclinations have higher
variations, which is typical of directional wellpaths.

b. Review the Inclination and Azimuth plots. Both plots are

accessible via the General Outputs ribbon. The “corkscrews”
are caused by applying tortuosity. Tortuosity creates “ripples” in
the planned wellpath.
Notice the rippling

added due to tortuosity.

Notice the rippling

added due to tortuosity.

7. The fluid information is located on the Fluids tab. (Note that

displayed fluid parameters vary depending on selected outputs.)
To use a fluid in the analysis, you must

activate it. To activate a fluid, select it
using the Common section of the
Analysis Settings tab. If there is only
one fluid, it is the active fluid by default.
If you do not have an output in the
Output Area that requires a fluid, you
will not see this in the Analysis
Settings tab.

8. The operation information is located on the Operational

Parameters tab on the left side of the main window.
Check box associated with

an operation to include it in
the analysis.
a. All drilling and tripping operations will be analyzed because the

box associated with each operation is checked.
b. There is either 25 kips WOB while rotating on bottom or sliding,

15 kips overpull for backreaming, and 1,500 or 2,000 ft-lbf
torque (depending on the operation). WOB and torque vary
depending on the operating mode.

Analyze Results at TD
9. Access the Torque & Drag ribbon. Select String Analysis from
the Summary section. The measured weight indicated in this table
is the hookload.
An X indicates an issue with the operation.
a. Several problems exist. The X flags indicate the type of problem

associated with each specific operation. In this example,
Tripping Out, Rotating On Bottom, Backreaming, and Rotating
Off Bottom have issues that need to be investigated.

b.
Hover over an X in
the table. A tool tip
displays indicating
the component and
depth where the load
or stress is
exceeded. Click on
the X to display the
output containing
more detailed
information. The
output will be added
to the output section
of the software.
c.
Overpull
with
tortuosity.

Overpull
without
tortuosity.
d. Select the Use viscous torque and drag check box in the
Torque & Drag section of the Analysis Settings tab.
Use the Analysis

Settings tab.
Select the Use viscous Hover over the for

torque and drag check information about
box. certain parameters.

Viscous drag is additional drag force acting on the workstring

due to hydraulic effects while tripping or rotating. The fluid
forces are determined for “steady” pipe movement, and not for
fluid acceleration effects.
The overpull margin

and the yield
utilization factor is
exceeded during
tripping out.
A larger section of
drill pipe may
potentially yield
while tripping out.
e. No, buckling is not predicted to occur. Notice there are no X

flags in the sinusoidal, helical, or lockup buckling limits
columns.

10. The Torque and Drag Analysis Settings information is located in

the Analysis Settings tab on the right side of the main window.
Use the Analysis

Settings tab.
The Soft String model will be

used because the Use Stiff
String Model check box is
not selected.

11. Access the Effective Tension plot in the Fixed Depth Plots section
of the Torque & Drag ribbon.
a. The True Tension plot is calculated using the pressure area

method, and should only be used for stress analysis. If you want
to determine when the string will buckle or fail due to tension,
use the Effective Tension plot.
b. Notice that the tripping out operation is nearing the tension limit
at the surface, resulting in the very low overpull margin.
c. All operation curves fall to the right of the buckling curves,

therefore buckling is not predicted to occur.
12. Access the Torque output in the Fixed Depth Plots section of the
Torque & Drag ribbon. This plot displays the torque in the string
for the operations enabled on the Operations tab. Data is included
for the depths from the surface to the String depth specified on the
String tab.

Notice where the curves cross the Torque Limit line. The curves for
rotating operations indicate the makeup torque is exceeded.
Hover over the to view
informative message about
potential issues.
Makeup
torque is
exceeded
when torque
exceeds
torque limit.

13. Access the Fatigue plot in the Fixed Depth Plots section of the
Torque & Drag ribbon.
Notice the operations have a Fatigue Ratio
greater than 1.0 at about 5,200 ft MD, indicating
a fatigue problem.
The Data Reader is an

easy way to determine
axis values for any point
on the plot. Enable or
disable the Data
Reader using the Home
ribbon.
a. The fatigue ratio is the calculated bending and buckling stress

divided by the fatigue endurance limit of the pipe. Fatigue
analysis is important because it is a primary cause of drilling
tubular failure. The source of fatigue failure is micro fractures
between the crystal structures of the material caused in the
construction of the material. These cracks are widened by
successive stress reversals (tensile/compressive) in the body of
the cylinder.

b. Access the Dogleg Severity plot on the General Outputs

ribbon. This plot displays the wellbore curvature (dogleg
severity) as a function of depth, and will include tortuosity if it
has been applied to the wellpath. A fatigue failure is caused by
cyclic bending stresses when the pipe is rotated in wellbores
with high doglegs.
Notice the high doglegs

beginning at about 5,200 ft.

14.
When backreaming, the X flag appear in the

Access the Backreaming Details output in Fatigue 90% Yield Stress and Torque Failure
the Load & Stress Data section of the column at 0 ft MD. This indicates the yield strength
Torque & Drag ribbon. and makeup torque is exceeded at the surface.
Fatigue issues
begin around
5,216 ft
Click on the
warnings in the
schematic section
of the output. The
data display in the
spreadsheet
section of the output
will automatically
shift to display the
top of the interval
associated with the
warning.

Access the Rotating On Bottom Details

output in the Load & Stress Data section of
the Torque & Drag ribbon.
When Rotating On
Bottom, torque
problems begin at
the surface. Fatigue
issues are predicted
to begin at 5,336 ft
MD.
Access the Rotating Off Bottom Details

output in the Load & Stress Data section of
When Rotating Off

Bottom, fatigue
problems begin
around 5,216 ft and
torque problems
begin at the surface.

15.
a. On the String tab, click on the Drill Pipe row of the

spreadsheet. The Drill Pipe Catalog dialog box is displayed.
From the API Drill Pipe catalog, select 5”, 25.6#, S grade, FH,
Class 1 pipe.
Click on the drill pipe

row of the spreadsheet.
Click each of the desired

parameters to select the
pipe you want to use and
click OK.

Notice the drill pipe

has been changed
on the String tab.
Expand the
General,
Mechanical, and
Drill Pipe sections
of the String tab to
review the
parameters defining
the pipe.
Expand the Drill Pipe

section to review
parameters specific to drill
pipe. The General, and
Mechanical section are
used for many string
components.

b. Review the make-up torque (Torque plot) and fatigue limits

(Fatigue plot) for this string. Notice the problems are resolved.
You may still have the
Torque plot in the output
section. If so, click on the tab
to make it the active plot.
Use the Torque plot to review

the make-up torque.
The torque problem is
resolved.

Use the Fatigue plot.

The fatigue problem is
resolved.
16. Access the String Analysis output from the Summary section of
the Torque & Drag ribbon. Notice the problems are resolved for all
operations.
Yes, it is possible the

overpull is over-
designed.

17. You must first insert another row of drill pipe. Because you want to
use the S grade pipe in the top 7,500 ft, insert a row of drill pipe
below that pipe. To insert another row, highlight the existing row in
the spreadsheet immediately below where you want to insert a row,
and then press Insert. A blank row will be created.

Select the Drill Pipe

option from the
Section Type
drop-down list.
The Drill Pipe Catalog

dialog box displays.
Use it to select the
desired pipe. Click OK
to close the dialog.

Because the top row of this

spreadsheet is automatically
calculated, to specify 7,500 ft
as the length of the upper
section of drill pipe, you must
specify the section length in
the bottom section of drill pipe
as 11,568 ft (19,068 -
7,500 ft).
Access the String Analysis table. Notice the problems are

resolved for all operations and there is less overpull margin.

Analyze Torque and Drag at Other Depths

18. Specify Run Parameters using the Common section of the
Analysis Settings tab. Analyze every 100 ft from 0 to TD.
Access the Hook Load chart located in the Roadmap Plots section
of the Torque & Drag ribbon. Roadmap plots are different than
other plots as they perform the analysis assuming the bottom of the
string is at each depth as specified in the Run Parameters.

a. The Max Weight Yield line represents the minimum yield

strength of all components currently in the well at that run depth.
b. In this example, we will look at the Tripping Out operation. To

determine the overpull at a specific run depth, subtract the
Tripping Out hook load from the Max Weight Yield at the depth
in which you are interested. For example, the overpull when the
bit is at 2,022 ft is approximately 287 kips (437 - 150).
You can use the Data
Reader to determine
values of points along a
curve, or you can click
to view the plot data
in tabular form.

c.
On the top of the Hook Load chart,
select the Measure at option and input
5,000 ft from the bottom of the string.
The tension is 0 in this

interval because the
POI (5,000 ft from
bottom of the string) is
no longer in the hole
when the bottom of the
string is at or above
5000 ft.

Alternatively, select the Use POI (Point of Interest) check box on the top of the Hook Load
chart. Select the Schematic tab (right side of main window), and drag the down to
approximately 5,000 ft from TD. Notice the depth you selected in the Schematic tab is
displayed at the top of the plot.
Use the Data Reader to determine the tension in the component

located at the selected distance from TD when the bit is at the depth
selected as the Run Measured Depth (Y-axis).
19. Access the Torque Point chart from the Roadmap Plots section of

a.
This plot displays the torque at the surface unless another depth is
defined in the Measure at field located at the top of the plot.
b. There is 0 torque for Tripping In and Tripping Out because the

RPM field for both Tripping operations is set to 0 on the
Operations tab (left side of main window).

20. Use the Operations tab to enter 80 RPM for tripping in and out.
Notice the difference in the plot. Set the RPM back to zero.

21. Access the Minimum WOB chart from the Roadmap Plots
section of the Torque & Drag ribbon. This plot displays the
minimum weight-on-bit (WOB) to initiate sinusoidal or helical
buckling at any point in the string when the bottom of the string is
at each of the depths specified in the Common section of the
Analysis Settings tab.
The results reported in the String Analysis table assume the bit is at
the string depth specified on the String tab. In this case, the string

depth is set to TD (20,000 ft). Use the Data Reader to determine

what the buckling weights are at TD. The results will match.

22.
Select the Use stiff string

check box on the Analysis
Settings tab.

Access the TD Well

Schematic output from the
Summary Plots section of
the Torque & Drag Outputs
ribbon. Select the Tripping
Out option from the
Operation drop-down menu
at the top of the output. Select
the Effective Tension option
from the Graph Data drop-
down menu. Move the mouse
along the well path to view the
string position and tension
values.

Workflow Steps for Hydraulics Analysis

23. If you are already in the Drilling case, there is no need to open it
from the Welcome dialog box.

the Welcome dialog
box, click the Open an
Existing Case tab.
Select the Drilling case,
and click Open.
Access the String tab. To view or edit the parameters defining a

component, click on the component. Other sections below the string
spreadsheet will become available for you to edit or review the data
associated with the component.

a.
Select the Bit row

on the String tab.
Expand the Nozzle

sizes section to view
nozzle sizes, Total
flow area, and % of
the nozzle area that is
plugged.

b.
Select the Mud Motor

row on the String tab.
Expand the Mud Motor

section to view the
pressure losses for the
motor.

c. Select the line associated to the MWD on the string spreadsheet

and expand the MWD section. Flow rates and pressure losses
will be displayed.
Select the MWD row

on the String tab.
Expand the MWD

section to view the
flow rates and
pressure losses for
the MWD.
Analyze Hole Cleaning

24. Hole cleaning outputs can be found in the Hole Cleaning Plots
section of the Hydraulics ribbon.

a. Select the Minimum Flow Rate vs. Depth plot from the Hole
Cleaning Plots section of the Hydraulics ribbon. This plot can
be used to determine the minimum (critical) pump flow rate at
which a cuttings bed will begin to form. To prevent cuttings bed
formation, maintain a flow rate for a particular depth greater than
the minimum flow rate. The minimum flow rate varies because
of variations in hole and string geometry.
Move the cursor along the

Minimum Flow Rate curve and
use the Data Reader to
determine the coordinate values
on the plot.
The minimum flow rate to clean

the wellbore is 717 gpm. This
flow rate is required to clean the
riser.
About 613 gpm is required to

clean inside the casing.

b. Select the Cuttings Bed Height vs. Depth plot from the Hole
Cleaning Plots section of the Hydraulics ribbon. Use this plot
to determine if a cuttings bed will form at any distance along the
string when pumping at the pump rate specified in the Common
section of the Analysis Settings tab. If a cuttings bed is forming,
increase the pump rate so that it is greater than the critical pump
rate to avoid cuttings bed formation in that section of the well. If
the pump rate has not already been specified as 600 gpm, enter
it in the Common section of the Analysis Settings tab.
The bed height in the riser is

approximately 2.8 inches.

c.
The bed height in the casing

annulus is approximately 0.381
inches.

d. Change the flow rate to 615 gpm using the Common section of
the Analysis Settings tab.
As expected, a flow rate of 615

gpm cleaned the annulus in the
cased hole section. However,
there are still over 2.5 inches of
bed height in the riser.

e. A flow rate of 720 gpm did clean the riser. Because 615 gpm
cleaned the cased hole section, and 720 gpm cleans the riser, 105
gpm of additional flow is required to clean the riser.
There is no cuttings bed.

f. To specify booster pump information, use the Riser section of

the Hole tab. You must first select the Booster Pump check box
before you can input the booster pump information.
If you have already

entered the booster
pump information, and
want to include the pump
without expanding the
Riser section, you can
select the booster
check box to include the
booster pump in the
analysis.
Select the Booster

Pump check box to
include the booster
pump in the analysis.
g. Yes, the wellbore and riser are clean.

h. Set the sensitivity ranges in the Common and Hydraulics

sections of the Analysis Settings tab.
Next to fields that can be

used for sensitivity analysis, Set the Pump rate
you will notice one of the sensitivity range.
following symbols: Notice that ranges are
defined using ‘to’
between the minimum
Indicates a range can be and maximum values.
applied to the parameter.
Indicates a range has been

defined and is currently used
in the analysis.
Set the ROP
sensitivity range.
Indicates a range has been
defined for the parameter,
but the range is not being
used in the analysis.
Use the Sensitivity tab to

indicate which ranges to use
in the analysis.

When drilling at an ROP of 100 ft/hr, a pump rate of 650 gpm would
still not clean the wellbore and the riser. To clean the well, you
would need to increase the flow rate, or perhaps add a booster pump
in the riser.
Notice the ranges you defined are displayed on the Sensitivity tab. Only the
ranges with the check mark in the associated box will be used in the analysis.
Click on a row in the table. The curve calculated The analysis is performed for each active
using the selected data will be highlighted in the plot. defined range using the minimum,
maximum, and mid point of each active
range. The table on the Sensitivity tab
indicates the range combinations that will
be used in the analysis.
When you are performing a sensitivity analysis, keep in mind the

following:
• You can define as many ranges as you want, but only three
ranges can be used in the analysis at a time.

• When defining a range, you must separate the values using the
text to. For example,
• The Sensitivity tab displays all defined ranges.
• Select the check box associated with a range to include it in the

analysis. All outputs in the Output Area that use an this data
will perform the analysis at the endpoints of the range, as well as
the midpoint.
• If a range is applied to a parameter (field) that is used to calculate

another parameter, a calculated range will be applied to the
calculated parameter.
Refer to the Online help for more information.
25. Select the Minimum Flow Rate vs ROP plot from the Hole
Cleaning Plots section of the Hydraulics ribbon. Use this plot to
determine the minimum (critical) flow rate where a cuttings bed
will begin to form in the annulus for a range of penetration rates
(ROP) while rotating at the rotary speed (RPM) specified on the

a. If you want to drill with an ROP of 70 ft/hr and an rpm of 0, a

flow rate of 646 gpm is required to clean the cased hole section.
The open hole requires slightly less flow rate, while the riser
requires additional flow. The additional flow in the riser will be
handled with the booster pump.
Use the Data Reader to determine the flow rate

required to avoid cuttings bed formation for a
certain ROP.
Use the Hydraulics section of the

Analysis Settings tab to specify the
rotary speed. The ROP on the Analysis
Settings tab is not used for this plot.

b.
Use the Data Reader.
Analyze Pressure Loss, Required Horsepower, and Annular Velocity

26. Access the Rig tab.

a.
The Rated working

pressure is
specified in the
Circulating System
section of the Rig
tab.

b.
On the Rig tab, a

selected check box next
to the pump name,
indicates the pump is
“active”. Only active
pumps are used in the
analysis.
The maximum discharge
pressure and
horsepower can be
viewed when you
expand the section
associated with the
pump.
27. Select the Pressure Loss vs. Pump Rate plot from the Pressure
and ECD Plots section of the Hydraulics ribbon. This plot
displays the system, bit, string, and annular pressure losses for the
range of flow rates specified in the Hydraulics section of the
Analysis Settings tab. Each curve on the plot represents a separate
pressure loss. This plot also displays the maximum rated pressure,
and the maximum pump pressure.
Messages similar to the following display when required data is not

entered, or when there is an issue that needs resolved before the
results can be calculated. Click the link in the message and the tab
where you need to make the data change will be displayed.

Use the Hydraulics The red border

section of the Analysis indicates missing
Settings tab to input data. In this
many of the parameters particular situation,
required for the analysis. the missing data is
not required for the
active plot. Notice
there are inactive
plots also in the
Output Area that do
require that cuttings
loading be included
in the analysis.

Expand the Mud Pit

section of the Rig tab.
Select the Use average
inlet temperature
option and input the
average mud inlet
temperature.

a.
The pump cannot handle

the required flow. The
system pressure losses are
above the Maximum Pump
Pressure.

b.
The maximum system

pressure and maximum
pump power can be
entered, or they can
come from the active
pump(s) on Rig tab.

28. Select the Hydraulics Summary section from the Hydraulics

ribbon.
Maximum pump rate
Hover over for information about a result you may want

to investigate. In this example, the maximum value
specified in the pumping constraints has been exceeded
for pump rate, discharge pressure, and horsepower
rating.
Scroll to the pump

rate you want to
analyze.
The Stand pipe

pressure is
greater than the
pump pressure.

29. Use the Rig tab. Change from the 5,660 psi pump to one of the
7,500 psi pump.
Select the check box

associated with the pump
you want to use.
Do not select pumps you

don’t want to use.

30. No, there is not a pressure loss problem.
The Stand pipe pressure

is less than the pump
pressure (7,500 psi).
The pressure loss issue is
resolved, however there is
a Pump power issue. We
will investigate this later in
the exercise.

31. Use the Rig tab. Activate both 7500psi pumps.
Select the check box

associated with the pump
you want to use.
When using multiple pumps, the pump pressure used in the analysis
is the minimum pump pressure for any active pump. However, if

using multiple pumps, the Pump power (HP) used in the analysis is
the combined power of all active pumps.
The Pump power

issue is resolved.

32. Use Component Pressure Losses output available in the Pressure

and ECD Plots section of the Hydraulics ribbon. Total pressure
losses in the string and the annulus are less than the pump pressure
of 7,500 psi.

33. Use Component Power Losses output available in the Pressure

and ECD Plots section of the Hydraulics ribbon. The total power
losses are slightly greater than what one pump provided.
34. Access the Annular Velocity vs Depth plot from the Pressure and
ECD Plots section of the Hydraulics ribbon. Use this plot to
determine the critical velocity, and the velocity of the fluid in the
annulus for any depth in the wellbore for the range of pump rates
specified in the Hydraulics section of the Analysis Settings tab.
This plot does not consider tool joints, or standoff devices. Fluid
velocity calculations are based on the rheological model selected on
the Fluids tab for the active fluid.

Pump rates that are being

analyzed are specified in
the Hydraulics section of
the Analysis Settings tab.
The red border indicates incorrect data. In this

situation, the missing data refers to an output
in the output area that is not active. (Active
outputs have orange tab.)

a.
There is transitional or turbulent flow around the bottom hole assembly. Any flow rate
with an annular velocity greater than the Critical Velocity (red curve on plot) is outside
the laminar flow regime.
b. Based on the flow rates and increments we are analyzing, 575

gpm is the maximum flow rate without transitional or turbulent
flow.

The curve for 575 gpm does not exceed the Critical Velocity curve.
35. Access the Critical Pump Rate vs. Depth plot available in the
Pressure and ECD Plots section of the Hydraulics tab. Use this
plot to determine the pump rate resulting in fluid flow outside the
laminar flow regime for any depth in the wellbore.

Over 2400 gpm would be required for flow outside the

laminar flow regime in the riser, approximately 830 gpm is
required in the open hole, and 870 gpm in the cased hole.
36. Access the Circulating Pressure vs. Depth plot available in the
Pressure and ECD Plots section of the Hydraulics tab. Use this
plot to display the combined hydrostatic and frictional pressure
losses through the string, annulus, or bit at any depth in the
wellbore. Data is included for the depths between the surface and
the string depth as specified on the String tab.

This plot uses the

Pump rate specified in
the Common Section
of the Analysis
Settings tab. The
Pump rates in the
Hydraulics section are
used for another output
in the Output Area.
The annular pressure is within the pore and

fracture pressure in the open hole.

37. Access the ECD vs. Depth plot available in the Pressure and ECD
Plots section of the Hydraulics tab. Use this plot to analyze the
ECD (equivalent circulating density) at any point in the string. Data
is included for the depths between the surface and the string depth
as specified on the String tab. ECD is the density that would exert
the circulating pressure under static conditions. ECD is calculated
based on the rheological model specified for the active fluid on the
Fluids tab.
The ECD is within the pore and fracture

pressure in the open hole section.

38.
Take a snapshot of the

line before you change
the analysis options to
include cuttings loading.

Clear the Include mud

temperature effects
check box and select the
Include cuttings loading
check box.

The difference occurs because suspended cuttings are now

included in the analysis. There would be a larger difference if
there was a cuttings bed in the annulus.

Bit Optimization
39. Access the Bit Power/Area plot in the Bit Optimization Plots
section of the Hydraulics ribbon.
The curve represents the TFA to

maximize bit power for a
corresponding flow rate.
Hover over the point along the curve
corresponding to the desired flow
rate. The TFA required to maximize
bit power will be displayed in the tool
tip.

Final Design Check

40.
Use the String tab.

Click on the Bit row.
Specify the nozzle

sizes in the Nozzle
sizes section. In this
example, use 3 x 15/32
to get as close as
possible to the desired
TFA. You could also
enter the TFA in the
Total flow area field.

41. Access the Cuttings Bed Height vs Depth plot available in the
Hole Cleaning Plots section of the Hydraulics tab.
There is no cuttings bed. Use the Hydraulics section of

the Analysis Settings tab to
specify the ROP.

42. Access the Pressure Loss vs Pump Rate plot available in the
Pressure and ECD Plots section of the Hydraulics tab.
System pressure loss increases do to the reduction in the

TFA of the bit, but it’s still under the maximum pump
pressure.

43. Access the ECD vs. Depth plot available in the Pressure and ECD
Plots section of the Hydraulics tab.
There seem to be no issues in the open

hole section.

Workflow Steps for Analyzing Swab & Surge

Pressures

44. Using the Subsurface tab, expand the Pore Pressure section.

a.
The EMW is
13.25 ppg

Analyze Transient Responses
Tripping Out Operation

45. Select the Pressure Transient Plot from the Swab & Surge ribbon.
Select the Tripping Out (Swab) check box. Keep the default pipe
acceleration and deceleration values on the Operational
Parameters Tab.

If other plots are open, right-click the Swab & Surge Pressure
Transient Plot, and select the Close All But This option from the
menu.
46. Ensure the Active Fluid is 13.8 ppg OBM, and the Pump rate is 0
gpm.
The software has a very useful conversion system built in. To

convert 1.3716 m/s to ft/min, simply type in “1.3716 m/s” into the
Moving pipe speed field and it will automatically convert the value
to ft/min. It is equal to 270 ft/min.

47.
The Pressure Calculated At drop-down automatically reflects four depth

options for analysis: String Depth, Depth of Interest, Previous Casing Shoe,
and Well Total Depth. String Depth and Depth of Interest are defined using
the Analysis Settings tab. Review the pressure analysis at all depths

a. Yes, there is a problem when the transient pressure is at TD

because it falls below the pore pressure, shown by the green line.
Using the zoom function, zoom into

the area where the pressure goes
below the pore pressure.
b. Using the screen reader, it’s approximately 10 psi (9286 psi-

9276 psi).

48. Select the Optimized Trip Schedule plot from the Surge & Swab
Plot ribbon.

The recommended trip speed is 150 ft/min.
49. Using the Swab & Surge section on the Analysis Settings, change
the Moving pipe speed to 150 ft/min.

The transient pressure no longer goes below the Pore Pressure.
Tripping In Operation
50.
Note that you have to edit the String depth, as the surge operation
will exceed the well TD. Use the Swab & Surge Analysis Settings

tab and enter the maximum value of 19,910 ft in the String depth
field. The calculations cannot be performed for a surge operation
when a moving pipe depth is at TD. The maximum moving pipe
depth allowed is TD minus one stand length. In this example, the
maximum moving pipe depth would be 19,910 ft.

51.
Input 0 gpm in the Pump rate field and 0.762 m/s in the Moving
pipe speed field on the Analysis Settings. The software will

automatically convert the Moving pipe speed to ft/min. This

conversion capability applies to all fields.
This drop-down menu

automatically reflects the
depth selections at String
Depth, the Depth of interest
entered on the Analysis
Settings tab, the Previous
Casing shoe, and Well
Total Depth. Review the
pressure analysis at all
depths.
There are no predicted problems.
52. Yes, it is possible to experience both. Surge operations are

conventionally defined as operations that have increased in
pressure only. Transient models can predict both surge and swab
pressures while running in the wellbore. Transient models have
been validated using downhole tools. Refer to the Online help for a
list of technical references. The WellPlan™ software Hydraulics
module has a steady-state (not transient) Swab & Surge analysis.

Workflow Steps for Well Control Analysis

53. Using the Subsurface Properties Editor, expand the Geothermal
Gradient properties.

54. Using the Rig tab, review the Choke/Kill line parameters. Ensure
the Choke/Kill line is 590 ft long and the ID of both lines is 3.5
inches.
55. Access the Well Control ribbon; select the Temperature Profile
from the General Plots section.

Resolve the three errors that occur.
Input a Pump rate of 625 gpm in the Common section of the

Analysis Settings.

Select the Include mud temperature effects check box in the

Hydraulics section of Analysis Settings.
Edit the String depth to be at TD (20,000 ft).
Use the String tab.

The Temperature Model is selected in the Well Control Analysis

Settings.
WellPlan employees three different temperature models for well

control calculations. The generated temperature profile will then be
used to calculate fluid influx pressures and volumes. The models
are:
• Steady State Circulation – Model which performs a heat

transfer calculation between the fluids in the annulus and the
fluids in the string to determine their respective temperature

profiles. When this model is selected, the user must specify the
following:
• Include mud temperature effects – This calculation option
must be enabled to model steady state circulation.
Additionally, the Time for Circulation must be specified. The
Time for Circulation defines the period of circulation for the
steady state simulation.
• Flow Line Mud Temperature – The flow line temperature
of the mud will be calculated based off of the temperatures
indicated under Subsurface> Geothermal Gradient and Rig>
Circulating System> Mud Pit tabs. Under the Mud Pit
dialog, the user has the option of either specifying the
average inlet temperature or to use the geometry of the mud
pit to calculate the inlet temperature.
• Geothermal Gradient – Makes the annulus and string

temperature profiles identical to the formation temperature
profile located under the Subsurface> Geothermal Gradient tab.
• Constant Mud Temperature – Model assuming the mud is one
temperature through the entire wellbore and string. When this
model is selected, the user must specify the following:
• Constant Mud Temperature – The user must specify the
temperature for all of the mud in the annulus and string.
Determine Kick Type

56. Select Kick Class Determination from the Well Control ribbon.
The Kick class is Kick While Drilling. The bottom hole pressure
determines the type of kick. In this case, the kick was taken while
drilling; the formation pore pressure is higher than the dynamic
bottom hole pressure.
The Well Control Module can be used to determine the type of kick
from the bottom hole pressures. The following types are available:
• Kick While Drilling – A kick taken while drilling. Occurs when

the Kick interval gradient or formation pore pressure is higher
than the dynamic bottom hole pressure while drilling.

• Kick After Pump Shut Down - A kick taken after the

circulation pumps have been shut down. Occurs when the
formation pore pressure is lower than the dynamic bottom hole
pressure but higher than the static bottom hole pressure.
• Swab Kick – A kick taken while tripping out of the hole. Occurs
when the formation pore pressure is lower than the static bottom
hole pressure. When this type of kick is experienced, the user
must specify the Influx expansion gradient or the gradient of the
swab kick as it is circulated out of the hole. There are three
options:
• Pore Pressure Gradient – The influx gradient is that of the
pore pressure at bottom hole.
• Hydrostatic Gradient – The influx gradient will be that of
the initial mud gradient.
• Specified Gradient – The influx gradient will be a user
specified value.
The Operational pump rate and Kick interval gradient can

be adjusted by clicking and dragging the maker on the bar
graph or by entering the values on the Analysis Settings.

Analyze Kick Tolerance

57.
Use the Zoom to

selected rectangle
icon to re scale the
plot if necessary.
58.
The Type of influx can be

Gas, Oil or Salt Water.

59.
a. Using your cursor to scroll over where the annulus pressure line
crosses the Fracture Gradient, the maximum allowable influx
volume is about 89 bbl.

b. Access the Pressure at Depth plot from the Well Control

ribbon. The pressure at the shoe is within the pore and fracture
pressures.
Use the drop-down to view the Annulus Pressure at the shoe.
Select this reset icon to

move the Depth of
interest back to the
previous casing shoe.

c. To get the highest choke pressure, select Surface for the

Pressure Calculated At option.
Select the graph icon to view the exact highest

choke pressure; it is about 1,125 psi.
Use your cursor to get

an estimate of the
highest choke pressure.

d. Open the Maximum Pressure plot next to the Pressure at

Depth plot in the viewing window.
The Maximum Pressure plot displays the maximum annular

pressures that will occur at any measured depth with an influx of
constant volume in the well. The Pressure at Depth plot
displays the pressure at a specified depth of interest in the
annulus as the kick is circulated out.

e.
With both the Pressure at Depth and Maximum As the slider from the Pressure at Depth plot
Pressure plot open, click and hold the slider, then is repositioned, the corresponding depth will
move the slider down to the critical depth shown on be shown on the Maximum Pressure plot if
the Maximum Pressure plot. both plots are open side by side.

Yes, there appears to be a critical zone at around 18,500 ft MD.

Use the slider on the Pressure at Depth schematic to choose the
Depth of Interest to analyze.
As the kick is circulated out, the annular pressure at the critical

zone of interest appears to be within the pore pressure and
fracture pressure limits.

f. Access the Safe Drilling Depth plot from the Well Control
ribbon. Use this plot to display the maximum pressure at a
specified depth of interest, using a constant influx volume
occurring at the bit as the wellbore depth increases.
Select this reset icon to

move the Depth of
interest back to the
previous casing shoe.
The analysis begins at the last casing shoe

depth, and continues over the distance
specified in the Interval to check in the Well
Control Analysis Settings.


g. Access the Formation Breakdown Gradient plot from the

Well Control ribbon. This plot is another way of displaying the
maximum pressure that will occur as a result of the specified
influx size. It is similar to the Maximum Pressure plot except
the units are in psi/ft (showing a gradient) instead of psi.
Notice that at the

critical zone, we are
still avoiding formation
breakdown with the
specified influx
volume.

h. Access the Full Evacuation to Gas plot from the Well Control
ribbon.
Yes, the current BOP

rating is above the
expected pressure at
the surface for a full
gas evacuation. The
BOP Pressure Rating
can be changed by
editing the Rig tab.
Yes, there will be a

problem if there is a full
evacuation to gas
because the annular
pressure exceeds the
fracture gradient.

Use Animation to Review Results

60. Access the Animation on the Well Control ribbon. View the
animation by hitting the play button on the small graph on the right
hand side.
The red line on the

pressure vs volume
pumped graph
corresponds to that
particular point in the
animation. When the
animation is active, this
red line will also
appear on other
associated plots.
Use the navigation

icons on the bottom of
the small graph to play,
stop, rewind, and fast
forward.

The kill mud is in the wellbore and the string at the end of the
animation.
The Step Details and

Depth Of Interest
readings correspond to
where the red marker
line is on the graph.
Open a larger view

of the Circulating
Pressure plot by
selecting this icon.

61.
The red slide rule is connected for all of these plots. By moving the line
forward in time, see the changes in the animation and pressure profile plots.
Your output area should look similar to what is depicted.
Use the Slide Rule and move forward in time. Notice in the
animation how the gas bubble will expand as it reaches the surface;
this volume expansion can be seen in the Pit Gain vs Time plot.

When the gas kick is circulated out of hole, the Pit Gain volume
decreases as pressure is bled off.
62. Using the Well Control Analysis Settings, select the Driller’s
Method as the Kill method.
The light mud is in the wellbore and the string at the end of the
animation.
Use this icon to hide the
Animation Legend.

63.
Generate Kill Sheet

64. The BOP pressure rating is 10,000 psi.

65.
a. On the Kill Sheet, expand the Well Data information, select

Casing. Enter the casing burst pressure of 10,035 psi in the
casing parameters, on the Hole tab.
Select this to expand data relative

to the well. You can also collapse
data that you do not want to view.
Enter the casing burst

rating of 10,035 psi. Select the hyperlink
The burst limit will now to quickly open the
be shown in the casing parameters
Maximum Pressure on the Hole tab.
and Full Evacuation
to Gas plots.

b. The slow pump speed for the P1 Gardener Denver PXL is 40

spm. The selected active slow pump is used for the kill sheet
calculations. Pump specifications are entered for these pumps on
the Rig tab; however the slow pump speed and pressure are
entered on the Operations tab when the Kill Sheet is open.
Specify the Leak Off

Pressure and Mud
Weight for Kill Sheet
calculations.
Specify Pit Gain, Shut-In

Casing Pressure, and Drill
Pipe Pressure (DPP) for Kill
Sheet calculations.”
c. On the Analysis Settings tab, ensure that the Wait and Weight
method is the specified Kill method.
66. Open the Kill Graph from the Kill Sheet Plots & Tables section of
the Well Control ribbon.

The Kill Graph defaults to show Strokes versus Stand Pipe Pressure; however,
using the Graph Type drop-down, you can select to show either Volume Pumped
or Time versus Stand Pipe Pressure, depending on your preference.

67.
a. Using the Rig tab, expand the P1 Gardener-Denver PXL pump

parameters, the Volumetric efficiency is 95%.

Select the take a snapshot of current line icon on the graph and
name it Strokes 95%.

b. On the Rig tab, change P1 Gardener-Denver PXL pump

efficiency to 90%.

c. Comparing the 90% and 95% pump efficiency curves, pump

efficiency makes a difference. It will take more strokes with a
less efficient pump.

d. Change the P1 Gardener-Denver PXL pump efficiency back to

95%.

68. Using the Kill Sheet, review the Calculations section, the Final
Circulating Pressure is approximately 766 psi.
Change from API to SI units using this drop-down

menu.
69. Select the Generate kill sheet report icon at the top right of the Kill
Sheet.

A Kill Sheet Report will open in a word document. Save the report
to your desktop. The Kill Graph is included at the end of the report.

Workflow Steps for Analyze BHA Displacement
Analyze BHA Displacement
70. Access the BHA Dynamics module.
71. Open Displacement Plot
72. Go to Operations tab, BHA Dynamics and enter the following:
• Torque at bit of 2000 ft-lbf

• Weight on bit of 25 kips
• Bit RPM 120 rpm


73. From Displacement Plot, the BHA contact points are the points at
which the clearance is almost zero. Use the mouse cursor, read the
depth of the contact points. BHA comes into contact with the
wellbore wall at the following depths: 20,000 ft- bit depth, 19,
951.3 ft integral blade stabilizer depth, 19, 915.5 ft integral blade
stabilizer depth, and 19, 880.6 ft integral blade stabilizer depth.

74. From Displacement Plot, use mouse cursor to read at depth of 19,
940-ft the displacement at that depth in both inclination and
directional plane are almost zero. The string is in the middle of the
hole.

75. Activate the Side Force plot, use the mouse cursor to read the
values of the forces. Those values are 5,075 lb, 1,652 lb, 5,268 lb,
and 1,978 lb at depths 19,880.6 ft, 19,915.5 ft, 19,951.3 ft, and
20,000 ft., respectively.

76. Activate the Profile plot.
77. Between the last stabilizer and the bit, the string is in the low side.
Switch between inclination and direction. In the directional plane,
the string is the centerline of the wellbore wall.
Switch between inclination and direction

Drill Ahead
78. Activate Drill Ahead analysis by selecting one of Dill Ahead plots.
Select BHA Quick Look
79. Check the Enable Drillahead check box under BHA Dynamics
analysis setting tab

80. Enter the following information:
• Drill interval is 300 ft.

• Record interval is 30 ft.
• Bit coefficient is 50.
• Formation hardness is 30.
• Rate of penetration is 30 ft/hr
WellPlanTM will predict BHA build and walk rate under these
parameters.

81. From BHA Quick Look table, the predicted build rate is 0.48 /100
ft.
82. The predicted walk rate is -0.05 /100 ft.
83. Go to Dogleg Severity plot, it shows in the next 300 ft the dogleg
will be around 0.45 /100 ft.

84. Go to Operations tab > BHA Dynamics. Type 25.0 to 50.0 in

WOB cell. This is the range of WOB for which build rate will be
predicted.
• Activate Build Plot from Drill Ahead Plots group.

• Go to Sensitivity tab and check Annotate check box.

From the graph, the build rate increases as WOB increases until 50 Kip.
85. Go to Operations tab > Operational Parameters.

Vibration Analysis
86. Access the BHA Dynamics sub-module by clicking on Stress
Components plot.
87. Under Analysis Settings tab, enter the following parameters:
• Starting speed of 20 rpm

• Ending speed of 200 rpm
• Speed increment of 5 rpm
• Excitation Frequency Factor of 3
88. Why are you using an excitation frequency of 3?
Utilize this field to type the rate that is being applied to the forcing
function (number of excitations per revolution). A general rule of thumb
is to use 3.0 for tricone bits and 6.0 to 9.0 for PDC bits. The nature of
forcing functions is still an area of study in the industry.

89. Use Stress Component graph, 140 rpm and 35 rpm may result in
high relative stress in the string, especially shear and bending
stress.

90. Place the slider at 140 RPM. The position plot displays the position
of the relative stress vs. distance from the bit at 140 RPM. Since
shear and bending stress result in the higher stresses than the others,
take the torsion stress and axial stress line off the graph. Use the
zoom in feature to be able to read the data. At 140 rpm, the high
relative bending and torsion stress are likely to occur 12 ft (mud
motor) and 37 ft (MWD) from the bit.
91. Use Displacement plot, the abnormal displacement happens at 30

rpm and 140 rpm.

Workflow Steps for Stuck Pipe Analysis
Input General Analysis Parameters
92. The jar is located above the BHA at 19,158’.

93. Using the Analysis Settings, specify the initial load of the stretch
test was 345 kips, the final load was 365 kips, and the stretch was
23.8 inches.
a. The measured weight when stuck is 405 kips.
b. The stuck point is 19,227’.
c. The stuck point is below the jar.

94. Use the String Editor tab to specify the jar operating parameters.
95. Use the Jar Operation Analysis plot to determine the jar operating
forces. The Measured Weight required to Set (Initial), Trip, and
Reset the jar is 243.8 kips, 406.4 kips, and 386.4 kips respectively.

96. Use the Yield Analysis Details to determine if the loads required to
set, trip, and reset the jar will cause the pipe to fail. Enter a range of
200 to 500 kips with a 100kip increment to cover the same range of
operating loads.
The pipe does not yield or buckle when applying the loads required to
set, trip, and reset the jar. However, the drill pipe will experience
sinusoidal buckling if you slack off enough.

97. Use the Backoff Analysis plot to determine the surface actions
required to backoff at 19,158’.
a. The initial surface action is to slackoff 140.8 kips.
b. Slacking off releases the tension in the string.
c. To back off, pick up 142.3 kips.


Chapter 6
Running and Cementing A Liner in
Hole Section
Overview
Data
Welcome dialog box, click the Import button. Import the file
DSWE_5000_1_13_1_RunningLiner.edm.xml. Your instructor will
provide the location of the file.
DSWE_5000_1_13_1_RunningLiner.edm.xml. Your instructor will
provide the location of the file.
Workflow
In this section, you will analyze running a liner in the wellbore section
drilled in the last workflow.
Determining centralizer placement is the first step in the workflow. Both

rigid and bow centralizers are used in the analysis. Comparison of the
hookloads with and without centralizers is performed. Initially, a high
level torque drag analysis is performed.
A more in-depth torque drag analysis while tripping and rotating on

bottom is performed. Actual load data is used to validate the selection of
cased and open hole friction factors.
The Surge module is used to analyze the transient pressure (EMW)

responses while running and reciprocating the liner. Mud temperature
effects are examined. Conventional and auto-fill float options are
investigated. A tripping schedule is generated to determine maximum
trip speeds possible without exceeding the fracture gradient.

Chapter 6: Running and Cementing A Liner in Hole Section
The final step in the workflow involves conditioning the well prior to
cementing.
Workflow Solution
Solutions for the workflow steps in this chapter can be found in the
Running and Cementing A Liner In Hole Section Solution chapter.

Workflow Steps
Centralization

1. Using the Well Explorer, open the case Running Liner.
2. Review the casing string. What is the liner overlap?
3. Ensure the mud weight is 13.8 ppg.
Because of the integration in WellPlan™ Software, much of the data

from the Drilling case is available to the Running Liner case.
Centralizer Placement
4. Put the Centralization Intervals output in the Output Area.
5. On the Operations tab, specify a tripping in speed of 60 ft/min at 0

rpm. No other operations need to be analyzed.
6. Review and input centralization parameters.
a. Assume 40% standoff above the centralized interval.
b. The maximum distance between the centralizers is 160 ft, and

the minimum distance is 20 ft.
c. For standoff calculations, use a mud density of 13.8 ppg
7. Add a centralization interval.
a. The top of the centralized interval is 15,000 ft. You can enter the
centralization interval, or use the schematic to indicate the
interval.
b. Use the A centralizer pattern.
c. Import the centralizer catalog titled Training Centralizer.cat.

Your instructor will tell you how to access the file.

d. Select Training Bow Centralizer 1 centralizer from the Training

Centralizer catalog.
e. Determine the centralizer spacing two ways, including:
• Assume the cement design requires 70% standoff in

centralized interval.
• Use a fixed spacing of 60 ft.
8. How many bow centralizers are required?
9. Because a 70% standoff is required, copy those centralizers to the

String tab.
10. What is the hookload with centralizers?
11. What is the hookload without centralizers?
12. What is the maximum hookload and where does it occur?
13. View a graphical representation of the hookload with and without

centralizers using the Hook Load plot. Analyze every 500 ft
between 0 and 20,000 ft. Is there less hookload with centralizers? If
so, why? (Hint: Use the “snapshot” functionality.)
14. Which centralizer arrangement (the one to achieve the required

standoff % or the fixed spacing) provides the best standoff
solution?
15. Review the Hook Load plot using the rigid centralizer in the
Training Centralizer catalog. To achieve 70% standoff, how does
using the rigid centralizers compare to using bow centralizers? (If
you have deleted the “snapshot” using the bow centralizers you
created in Step 13, take a “snapshot” of the Trip In curve using the
bow centralizers with 70% standoff to compare results using the
rigid centralizers.)
16. Use the rigid centralizers for the remaining steps of this exercise.
Delete the “snapshot” curve from the Hook Load plot using the
bow centralizers.
17. Review the hook loads while Tripping In and Tripping Out at 60 ft/
min, and Rotating Off Bottom. Analyze each operation with and
without centralizers. Are the loads within the yield limit and rig
capacity, with and without centralizers, when tripping out?

Hints:
• Use the Snapshot functionality.
• Use the Standoff Devices tab on the String tab to indicate

when you want the centralizers used in the plot results.
18. Include centralizers in the analysis before proceeding.
19. Use the String Fill Up option to fill the liner every 100.0 ft. Pump
rate has to be 0.0 gpm while the String Fill Up option is enabled.
20. Review the Hook Load plot. Consider zooming in to see the effect
of the fluid weight due to filling up the string.
21. Uncheck the String Fill Up option before proceeding.
Matching Friction Factors to Actual Field Data

22. Analyze tripping in at 60 ft/min and 0 rpm.
23. Specify the following actual load data.
Run Depth Trip In Measured Weight

(ft) (kips)
10,000 303
12,500 283
15,000 266
17,500 261
20,000 281
24. Access the Friction Calibration plot. What are the friction factors
currently used for the casing and open hole?
25. Use the actual hook load at 15,000 ft to adjust the curve. Was the
friction factor for the cased or open hole adjusted?
26. Undo the changes, and calibrate using the actual data point at
10,000 ft. Was the curve adjusted? Use this friction factor for the
remaining steps in this exercise.

Determining Swab & Surge Pressures

27. Review the string data using the String tab. Review the casing shoe
information. What is the difference between a conventional and an
autofill float?
28. Select the Conventional float option, and use the default parameters
for this.
29. We need to inspect weak zones in the open hole section. What is the
EMW at 12,503 ft TVD? Notice there is a .59 ppg decrease in
EMW. Hence we will use the equivalent MD of 18,518 ft MD for
further analysis.
Analyze Transient Response

30. Open the Swab & Surge Pressure Transient Plot. Select the
Tripping In (Surge) check box on the Operations tab and use 1 ft/
sec2 pipe acceleration and deceleration.
31. Analyze surge pressures with the string at 19,910 ft, a Depth of
Interest of 18,518 ft, a Pump rate of 0 gpm, and a Moving pipe
speed of 155 ft/min. Is there a problem?
32. Does an Autofill float resolve the problem (Use the default
parameters for Autofill)? Freeze the line and change the name of the
curve to indicate a Conventional float prior to changing the float.
33. What other parameter will decrease the pressure?
Check the Tripping Schedule

34. Select the Optimized Trip Schedule plot.
a. What trip speed is recommended at the Depth of Interest?
b. Change the Moving pipe speed to the recommended value.
c. Check the Transient Response plot to determine if there’s an

issue using the suggested trip speed.

Analyze Reciprocation
35. On the Swab & Surge plot ribbon, select the Reciprocation
Pressure Transient plot.
36. Analyze a reciprocation operation at a Reciprocation Rate of 1

spm. Use default values for all other parameters.
37. Using the Pressure Calculated At drop-down mode, are there any
transient pressure issues with the depth at 19,910 ft, the Depth of
Interest at 18,518 ft and a Moving pipe speed of 135 ft/min?
Condition the Hole Prior to Cementing (using Hydraulics Module)

38. Disable centralizers in the analysis.
39. Open the Pressure Loss vs Pump Rate plot from the Hydraulics
ribbon. Open this plot only and enter the following:
• Minimum Pump Rate: 400 gpm
• Maximum Pump Rate: 725 gpm
• Step Size: 50 gpm
• Circulation Time: 8 hrs
• Include mud temperature effects
40. Review the ECDs as a function of depth, using a Pump rate of 400
gpm.
41. Are tool joint pressure losses taken into consideration?
42. Enable centralizers. Is there any change in ECD. Why is there an

increase in ECD after 15,000 ft MD?
(Note: Freeze the line prior to including centralizers)
43. What is the circulating temperature at TD, and what is the return
temperature at the surface?
Cementing Liner
44. Activate cementing module by clicking on Fluid Job Grid icon
from Cementing ribbon.

45. Using Fluids tab, create the following fluids. All fluids use the
Bingham Plastic rheology model, but 13.8 OBM. Change its
rheology model from Bingham Plastic to Generalized Herschel
Bulkley. The parameters for 13.8 OBM Generalized Herschel
Bulkley rheology model are:
• Density =13.8 ppg

• PV= 20.0 cp
• YP = 8.00 lbf/100ft2
• n= 1.0
• m= 0.90
Name Type Class Density PV @70  YP @70  Yield Water Req

(ppg) degrees degrees (ft3/Sk94) (gal/sk94)
14.0 ppg Spacer Spacer n/a 14 28 12 n/a n/a
14.5 ppg Lead Cement H 14.5 39 9.23 1.36 5.91
16.4 ppg Tail Cement H 16.4 178.3 19.81 1.41 8.35
46. Use top plug to mark the start of the displacement.
47. Specify the following cement job data using the Fluid Job Grid.
Notice that all fluids are pumped at 10 bbl/min except for the tail
slurry.
• As the wellbore fluid, use 13.8 ppg OBM. Specify a rate of 10

bbl/min. Use 50 bbls of the 14 ppg Spacer as a spacer. Pump the
spacer at 10 bbl/min. (Select Spacer in the Fluid Type pull-down
list.) The Placement Method is Volume.
• Pump the 14.5 ppg Lead cement at a rate of 10 bbl/min. The
Placement Method is Top of Fluid. Specify the top of the lead
cement at 12,250 ft (at the Liner Hanger). (Select Cement in the
Fluid Type pull-down list.)
• Pump 2,000 ft of the 16.4 ppg Tail slurry at a rate of 7 bbl/min.
(Select Cement in the Fluid Type pull-down list.) The
Placement Method is Length.
• Drop a plug. To do this, add a second row of 16.4 ppg Tail slurry.
Uncheck the New Stage check box so that this entry becomes the
4-2 stage of the tail slurry. Specify a shutdown time of five
minutes to drop the plug.

Top Plug marks the end of cementing pumping stage and start of
displacement stage.
• Pump 10 bbls of 14.0 ppg Spacer at 10 bpm, on top of the plug

as a post flush, as an extra measure to prevent slurry
contamination by displacement mud.
• Select Mud in the Fluid Type pull-down list. Displace the
cement with the 13.8 ppg OBM mud pumped at 10 bbl/min.
48. Check Auto Displacement adjustment. The injection path is
conventional.
49. The cementing system surface line of length 100.00 ft and inside
diameter of 1.870 in. The cement head is above the rig floor by 25.0
ft. Only one cement line with fluid friction factor of 1.0.
50. How many barrels of mud are required to displace the cement?
51. How many sacks of cement are required?
52. Use Fluid Job Schematic plot to see the details of each stage and
the positions of different fluids. Click on each stage to see its
details (column, length, duration …).
53. Run the fluid animation to see an animation of cementing

operation. Reservoir zone of 20,000 ft and fracture zone of 12,500
ft. Bottom hole circulation temperature (BHCT) at the start of
cement job ( at the end of mud conditioning operation) is 2080 F
and mud return temperature is 81.510 F. Surface temperature.
Additional pressure to seat plug 350 psi.
It is strongly recommended that the circulating temperature profiles be

run using a temperature simulator as in WELLCATTM software or data
obtained from a cementing service company. If this data is not available,
a quick temperature analysis can be run using the WellPlanTM
Hydraulics module. For this exercise, you will use the Hydraulics
module for a quick estimate of the bottomhole circulating temperature.
54. What is the difference between the pump pressure and the wellhead
pressure?
55. What is the maximum calculated wellhead surface pressure and

when during the job does it occur?

56. Why does the pressure increases after the spacer, lead, and tail enter
the annuls?
57. View Rate in & Rate out plot. What does this plot represent?
58. Does “freefall” occur during the job? Is the predicted free fall a
cause for concern in this design?
59. What is the maximum hookload predicted during the job?
60. Is it possible to take a kick or fracture the open hole during the
cement job? What does the minimum hydrostatic gradient curve
represent? What does the maximum ECD curve represent?
61. View the ECD vs.Volume plot at the formation breakout depth.
When during the cement job the ECD will exceed the fracture
gradient? What is the possible solution for this?

Review Mud Removal

Erodibility data should be obtained from field studies, the mud company, or lab tests. If you do
not have centralizers in the analysis, and you enable the Eccentricity option, the pipe is assumed
to be on the low side of the wellbore.
62. Enable Erodibility analysis. Specify a required shear stress (l bf/100

ft2) of 20 for this exercise. Analyze the entire open hole section.
63. What is the displacement efficiency in the tail slurry section of the
annulus?
64. Is the wellbore clean or is there mud cake remaining? Why is there
an increase in mud cake between the previous shoe and 15,000 ft?
65. Is the remaining mud cake a problem if only a good tail cement
placement is required?
66. If a mud cake remains, what parameters, other than hole cleaning,
should be re-examined?
67. Use the Downhole Pressure Profile plot to determine how

erodibility affected the ECDs in the open hole. Where is the
increase in ECD most likely to cause a problem?
68. What is the optimum displacement rate not to break the formation?
Use auto rate adjustment with safety factor 200 psi.
69. What is the predicted top of the lead slurry with the mud
remaining?
70. What is the revised predicted top of the spacer with the mud
remaining?


Chapter 7
Running and Cementing A Liner in
Hole Section Solution
Overview
This chapter contains the answers to the exercise questions presented in

the Running and Cementing A Liner in Hole Section chapter.

Chapter 7: Running and Cementing A Liner in Hole Section Solution
Workflow Solution
Centralization

1.
Double-click the case

name in the Well
Explorer to open the
case titled Running
Liner.
2. Access the String tab. The liner overlap is 250 ft. (Previous casing

shoe is at 12,500 ft as shown on the Hole tab.)
The casing/liner
begins at 12,250 ft as
it is run in on the drill
pipe.
Use the Hole tab to

determine where the
previous casing was
set.
3. To “activate” a fluid, you must have an output in the Output Area

that requires a fluid. When an output requiring a fluid is in the

Output Area, you can select the fluid using the Active Fluid drop
down list in the Common section of the Analysis Settings tab.
Use the Fluids tab

to create a fluid, and
to edit fluid
properties. The
properties you can
edit using the Fluid
tab vary depending
on the selected
output.
Select the fluid you want to use in the

analysis using the Active Fluid drop-down.
The drop-down is populated with all fluids
defined using the Fluid tab. If you do not
have an output selected (in the Output
Area) that requires an active fluid, you will
not see this field on the Analysis Settings
tab.
Centralizer Placement
4. The Centralization Intervals plot is available on the
Centralization ribbon.

5. Use the Operations tab to specify what operations you want to use,
and to specify information about the operation.
In the T&D Normal

Analysis section, select
only the Tripping In check
box. Specify the trip speed
and rpm for the operation.
Operations that are not

selected, will not be
analyzed.
6. From the String tab in the String Editor, go to the Standoff

Devices tab and select the Use Standoff Devices check box.
Select the Use Standoff

Devices check box on
the String tab.
Use the Centralization section of the Analysis Settings tab to

review and input centralization parameters.
Standoff is the ratio of the largest to smallest
distances between the casing and wellbore.
Standoff is 100% when the casing is perfectly
centered in the wellbore and declines as the casing
becomes off-centered. If the casing is against the
wellbore, standoff would be 0%. Select the
Calculated option if you want to calculate the
standoff above the centralized interval.
Select the Fixed option if you want to enter the
percentage standoff about the centralized intervals.
This represents the resulting standoff in the upper
portion of the well caused by the suspended weight
below, and the centering effect of the slips. The
default value of 40% is typical.
Input the minimum and maximum allowable

distance between centralizers that the
software can use when calculating centralizer
spacing.

7. Add a centralization interval.
Click to add a
centralizer interval. You
can add multiple
intervals.

.
The Centralizer Interval schematic will only By default, the centralization interval
be available if you have the TORQUEDRAG is between the surface and the
and CENTRALIZERPLACEMENT licenses, string depth (as specified on the
or the CEMENT license. String tab).
Notice the centralized interval is shaded on the Centralization Intervals schematic.

The color of the shading indicates missing or incorrect data as follows:
• Blue - Interval is missing data on the Standoff Devices tab located on the String
tab.
• Orange - Interval has all required data.
• Red - There is an error in the interval’s data.

a.
Specify the start and

end depths of the
Notice that the interval
is defined from the
bottom of the string.
You can also define the centralized interval

using the Centralization Intervals
schematic. Click the left mouse at the top of
the string to “grab” the shaded area. (This
is the top of the centralized interval.) Drag
the top of the interval to the desired
location. A tool tip displays the current
measured depth as you drag the mouse
along the string. Release the mouse when
you have defined the desired top of the
b. Use the Pattern to optionally switch between multiple

centralizers within a single interval. Pattern A will use the same
centralizer for the entire interval. All other patterns alternate

between two centralizers in the manner suggested by the pattern

name.
Select A from the

Pattern drop-down list.
c. Import the centralizer catalog titled Training Centralizer.cat.

Your instructor will tell you how to access the file.
Click to access the

Catalog Selector.
Click to access the

Catalog Editor.

Use File > Import >

Transfer File to import
the file.
Notice the catalog is

listed under the
Centralizers node.
d. Select Training Bow Centralizer 1 centralizer from the

Training Centralizer catalog.
Use the Catalog drop-

down list to select the
desired catalog.
Note
If after you‘ve imported the Training Centralizers, they do not appear in the
Centralizer Catalog, close and re-open it.

e.
Specify the Required

Standoff value. A good
value for standoff is Enter 60 ft in the Fixed
80%, while 70% is spacing field.
adequate.

8.
108 centralizers are

required for 70%
standoff, and 83 using
the fixed spacing of 60 ft.
9.
Click to copy to String tab.

Notice the centralizers are displayed in the

Standoff Devices tab of the String tab.
The devices are also displayed on the

Centralization Intervals output.

10.
The hookload
with centralizers.
11.
The hookload
without
centralizers.
12.
The maximum
hookload.

13. The Hook Load plot can be accessed using the Roadmap Plots
section of the Torque & Drag ribbon.
Click to create a “snapshot” of the
Standoff devices are used in the Tripping In curve. Right-click the curve
analysis when the Use Standoff name in the legend to give the curve a
Devices check box is selected. descriptive name.
Use the Common section of the

Analysis Settings tab to specify the
analysis interval and step size.

Clear the Use Standoff Devices check

box so they will not be included in the
analysis.
Notice there is less hookload with centralizers

because there is more drag. The drag force acts in
the direction opposite of motion.
14. Select Sinusoidal wave as a tortuosity model in the Wellpath tab if

it is not already selected. Use the Standoff plot from the
Centralization ribbon. This plot is only available if you have the
TORQUEDRAG and CENTRALIZERPLACEMENT licenses, or
the CEMENT license.
Use this plot to determine the standoff using the:

• Standoff using the devices entered on the Standoff Devices tab

of the String tab
• Standoff using the Required standoff entered in the

Centralization section of the Analysis Settings tab
• Standoff using the Fixed spacing entered in the Centralization

section of the Analysis Settings tab
Standoff is the ratio of the largest

to smallest distances between the
casing and the wellbore. Standoff
is 100% when the casing is
perfectly centered in the wellbore,
and declines as the casing
becomes off-centered. If the
casing is against the wellbore, the
standoff is 0%.
This output displays the standoff

at the centralizer, and the mid
point between the centralizers.
Required standoff % provides

better standoff.
Notice the standoff is less between the

15. Access the Hook Load plot. If you did not close it after using it in
an earlier step, you can click the Hook Load tab in the output
section of the software.
Click the Hook Load tab in the output section. Notice the
“active” tab is orange if you are using the light color theme.
Click to create a “snapshot” if

necessary.
Click to access the

Catalog Selector.

Use the Catalog drop-down list

to select the desired catalog.
Select the Training Rigid
Centralizer 1.
Click to use centralizers

in the String tab so that
results display on the
Hook Load plot.

Hookload with rigid centralizers is greater

than with bow.

16.
Click to delete
the curve from
the plot.

17.
Select the check boxes

for the desired operations
in the T&D Normal
Analysis section to
include them in the
analysis.
Use the Operations tab.
Clear the Use Standoff Devices check box when you do not want to use the devices in the analysis.
Notice the red outline and color indicating incorrect data. The Hook Load plot does not require standoff
devices. However, the Standoff and Centralization Intervals plots, that are also open but inactive, do
require them. You can ignore the message, or close the Standoff and Centralization Intervals plots.

All operations, with and without centralizers, do

not exceed the yield limit or rig capacity.
18. Select the Use Standoff Devices check box on the String tab.

19. Under Torque and Drag Analysis Settings, check Period and
enter 100.0 ft. The period must be greater or equal to the step size.

20. Review the Hook Load plot. Notice the spikes at 100.0 ft interval
represent the additional fluid weight due to the filling up.


21. Uncheck the String Fill Up option before proceeding.

Matching Friction Factors to Actual Field Data

22.
Select only the Tripping

in check box.
23.
Click the Actual Load

Values button on the


24. The Friction Calibration plot can be accessed in the Roadmap

Plots section of the Torque & Drag ribbon.
You can also hover over the curve in the
Friction Calibration plot to determine the
You can view the current cased and friction factor used in each hole section. Below,
open hole friction factors using the the mouse is hovering over a point along the
Hole tab. curve. You can read the friction factor for that
point in the table.

25.
Notice the friction factor for the Open Hole Click , then click the actual data
section was changed because the actual point you want to use for the
data point was in the open hole. calibration.
The curve in the open hole section was

adjusted. The curve in the cased hole
section remains the same.

26.
Click in the title bar to undo the
changes.
Click , then click the actual data

point at 10,000 ft to use it for the
calibration. Notice the curve is adjusted.

Determining Swab & Surge Pressures

27.
Select the Casing Shoe

row to view Casing Shoe
properties.
Float Option
Use this section of the dialog to indicate the float options, which
include: Flow Mode (Conventional or Autofill), Percentage area
open, Float ID, and Total flow area.
Flow Mode
Check one of these options to allow either the backflow of cement

into or out of the casing/

Conventional (Flow Out) should be used if flow out of the

workstring is possible, but flow is not, for example, when running
casing with a conventional float collar of float shoe.
Autofill (Flow In and Flow Out) should be used if flow in and flow
out are both possible, for example, when running an Autofill type
casing shoe. This type of shoe allows casing to be filled during
running a joint of casing (to reduce surge pressure). After running
that joint of casing, fluid inertia may result in flow out of the casing,
hence the possibility of flow in and flow out.
28.

29. Review the fracture gradients using the Subsurface tab.
The EMW at 12,503 ft

TVD is 14.35 ppg.

Analyze Transient Response

30.
Select only the Tripping In (Surge) check box and enter 1 ft/sec2 pipe
acceleration and deceleration.

31.
Note that there are

Analysis Settings Due to the identified
appearing because weak zone, we will
an output from those use 18,518 ft as the
tabs are open. Depth of interest.
You can enter this in
During surge operations, Analysis Settings
the string depth must be or use the dial on the
at least the length of one schematic and scroll
stand of pipe from TD. to that depth.
We will set the string at
the maximum depth of
19,910 ft.

When analyzing the plot when the pressure is calculated at 18,518

ft, the pressure exceeds the fracture pressure.

32.

Highlight the Casing

Shoe row, and the
Float Option will
appear below.
Select the Autofill

option from the Flow
Mode drop-down
list.

The transient pressure was decreased, but it still exceeds the fracture
pressure. The Autofill decreased the pressure response because an
autofill float allows flow through while running in the hole.

33. Moving pipe speed affects the transient pressure response.
Check the Tripping Schedule

34.

a. Using your cursor, scroll over to 18,518 ft MD on the plot and

read the associated Trip Speed.
The recommended Trip

Speed is about 135 ft/min.
b.
Enter 135 ft/min in the

Moving pipe speed
field, according to the
Optimized Trip
Schedule plot.

c.
The transient pressure no longer exceeds the Fracture Gradient.

Analyze Reciprocation
35. Select the Pressure Transient plot on the Swab & Surge ribbon.
36.

37.
The transient pressures are within the Pore Pressure and Fracture
Gradient at all calculated depths.

Condition the Hole Prior to Cementing (using Hydraulics Module)

38. Clear the Use Standoff Devices check box on the String Editor
Tab.

39.
The Pressure Loss vs

Pump Rate plot uses
the Pump Rates from
the Hydraulics section
of the Analysis
Settings tab, not the
Common section.
When this check box is

selected, the fluid
rheology will be
updated based on the
formation temperature
defined under the
Geothermal Gradient
in the Subsurface tab.
The pressure
losses fall under
the Maximum
Pump
Pressure.

40. Open the ECD vs Depth plot from the Hydraulics ribbon.
Enter 400 gpm in the

Pump rate field.
41. The tool joint pressure losses are automatically included in all
hydraulic output calculations. Tool joint pressure losses occur as a
result of constrictions inside the drill pipe joints. The magnitude of
this type of pressure loss is affected primarily by the internal
geometry of the tool joint, and is sometimes referred to as relatively
minor pressure losses.

42. Use the Freeze the line feature and rename it accordingly.

Enable the use of

centralizers by
selecting the Use
Standoff Devices
check box.
The centralizers
reduce annular
volume; therefore
there’s an increase
starting at 15,000 ft
MD because that is
where the
centralizers begin.

43. Open the Temperature Profile plot on the Hydraulics ribbon.

Clear the Use fluid column gradient check box if it is selected in
Analysis Settings.
Use your cursor to read the

temperature value at TD and
at the surface. The circulating
temperature at TD is about
208 °F and is about 80°F at
the surface.

Workflow Steps for Cementing a Liner
Cementing a Liner Answer

44. Activate Cementing module by clicking on Fluid Job Grid icon
from Cementing ribbon.

45. Go to Fluids tab, click add new spacer icon . Name it 14.0 ppg
Spacer with density 14.0 ppg, PV 28 cp and Yield point is 12.0 lbf/
100ft2. Similar steps will be followed to create lead and tail
cement100ft2. Similar steps will be followed to create lead and tail
cement.


46. Go to Operations tab, check use top plug. Note the length and
volume of shoe track is calculated automatically. In this case, it is
zero because there is no float collar defined in the string editor
section.

47. Use Fluid Job Grid window to define the sequences, volumes and
rates at which different fluids are pumped during the cement job.
48. Use Analysis Setting tab, check auto displacement adjustment and
select casing/conventional as the injection path. Auto displacement
adjustment adjusts the fluid volume accordingly to account for the
compressibility of the fluids .Always keep this option checked.

49. Use Rig tab > Cement System. Enter the following values.
50. From Fluid Job Grid window, 729.17 bbl of mud are required to
land the top plug.
51. From Fluid Job Grid window, 1,326 sacks of lead cement and
444.24 sacks of tail cement.

52. Use Fluid Job Schematic plot to see the positions of different
fluids at the end of the cement job. Click on each fluid in the
schematic, a summary of each fluid volume, pump rate...etc. will
appear on the left hand side

53. Click the Fluid Position Animation from fluid sequence group
plot. Under Analysis Setting > Cementing, enter the value for the
reservoir depth = 20,000 ft and fracture depth of 12,500 ft (previous
casing shoe). The application uses the reservoir depth to check for
ECD vs. pore pressure at this depth. The application compares the
ECD vs. the fracture gradient at the fracture zone depth. The values
for BHCT and the return mud temperature were already calculated
in mud conditioning part before running liner page (7-49). Run the
animation. Use Operation tab > enter 350.0 psi as additional
pressure to seat plug.



54. Go to Calculated Wellhead / Surface Pressure from Time/

Volume Plots group.

The pump pressure is at the cement unit; the wellhead pressure is at the
wellhead.
55. The maximum pump pressure is approximately 2,186 psi, and

occurs at the end of the job when the plug is bumped.
56. After the heavier fluids move to the annulus, additional pressure is
required to lift these fluids up the annulus.
57. Select Rate in & Rate Out plot from Time/Volume Plots group.
This plot displays the total annular return rate and corresponding
pump rates versus the fluid pumped into the well (a comparison of
the volume of material pumped in with the volume coming out of
the well). The difference between the two rate curves indicates free
fall. If free fall occurs and the well goes on vacuum, the rate out
will initially exceed and then fall below the planned pumped rate.

58. There is slight free-fall at the start of displacement during the job.
59. Open the Hook Load Simulation plot. The plot shows the
calculated hookload vs. the volume of fluid pumped. The hook load
variations are attributed to changes in buoyancy, pressures and
flowrate. The maximum hookload is approximately 421.4 kip.

60. Open Down Hole Pressure Profile plot from Depth Plots group.
Yes, the circulation pressure is exceeding the fracture gradient at
depth of 18, 504.4 md-ft. The ECD represents the maximum ECDs
that can be anticipated at various depths. The hydrostatic gradient
curve represents the minimum gradient at any given time that could
be present in the annulus.
61. Open ECD plot from Time/Volume plots. Change the fracture zone
depth to be 18,504.4 ft-md.
• Replace the previous casing shoe depth as fracture zone with 18,
504.4 ft as the weakest point.


• Choose the fracture zone depth.
Choose the fracture zone depth.
The ECD exceeds the fracture gradient at depth of 18, 504.4 after
pumping 1202.18 bbl. One of the solutions is to decrease the pump rate
for the last (1,222.73-1,202.18= 20.55) bbl. For further safety, decrease
the displacement rate for the last 25 bbl to be 6 bbl/ min.
• Add additional stage (stage no. 7). Fluid is 13.8 ppg OBM, Rate
= 6 bbl/min.
• Change the volume for stage no.6 to 704.17= 729.17-25 bbl.
• Check the Down Hole Pressure Profile plot. ECD is not
exceeding the fracture gradient
.


Review Mud Removal

62. Open Erodibility Profile plot from Depth Plots group. In Analysis
Setting, check Include Erodibility/ RSS option. Enter 20.00 lbf/
100 ft for required shear stress.

63. Tail slurry is supposed to be from 20,000 ft-md to 18,000 ft-md.

From Erodibility Profile, the mud is predicted to 100 % removed
across this section.
64. There is mud cake remaining. There is an increase in mud cake

between the previous shoe and 15,000 ft because this interval does
not have centralizers.
65. Ideally, 100% mud removal is desirable for the entire cemented
section. In this exercise, only a good tail placement was required
and the tail section is 100% clean. In the centralized interval
containing the lead slurry, there is a small mud cake.

If the design required the entire cemented section to be cleaned, the

following changes could be made to the design:
• A mud with a higher erodibility number could be used.

• Centralizer placement could be improved over a longer interval.
• Specially formulated spacers (for example, tuned spacers) that
achieve higher mud removal could be used.
• Non-conventional cementing techniques (for example, foamed
cement) could be used.
66. Fluid tops and ECDs may be affected by remaining mud cake.
67. Open the Downhole Pressure Profile plot. The ECD most likely to
cause problems from well TD up to approximately 15,000 ft-Md

68. In Analysis Settings, check Auto rate adjustment. Enter pressure

Safety Factor of 200.0 psi. Check Rate in & Rate out plot to see
how WellPlanTM changes rate, not to break the formation. The rates
went to 0.48 bbl/ min, but still ECD on Down Hole Pressure
Profile exceeds the fracture gradient. Another measures should be
taken to overcome this problem (e.g. Centralization the whole open
hole section, use less viscous mud ...etc.)



69. Use the Fluid Positions Animation, the new TOC is 11,570 ft-md.
The new top of spacer is 11,168.6 ft


Chapter 8
Overview
Underbalanced Hydraulics Outputs

The UB Hydraulics ribbon contains many outputs used to predict
bottom hole pressure, and other parameters important to drilling
underbalanced. The Newtonian rheological model is used during the
analysis.
Data
Welcome dialog, select the Import button. Import the file
DSWE_5000_1_13_1_UBH.edm.xml. Your instructor will provide the
location of the file.
DSWE_5000_1_13_1_UBH.edm.xml. Your instructor will provide the
location of the file.

Chapter 8: Underbalanced Hydraulics
Workflow Steps
1. Open WellPlan and log into your training database.
2. Import the DSWE_5000_1_13_1_UBH.edm.xml file provided by

your instructor. Open the case UBH.
3. Review the hole section information using the Hole tab.
a. What is the shoe depth of the 13 3/8” casing?
b. What is the inside diameter (ID) for each casing/liner included in

the hole section?
4. Review the drillstring using the String tab. What is the depth of the
string?
5. Open the UB Operating Envelope plot.
a. Does the plot have any data on it?
b. Does the plot display an error message?
6. Using the Fluid tab, create a new gas mixture called N2 with Air,
and a description of Nitrogen and Air. The gas should be 95% N2
and 5% Air. Choose the gases from the catalog.
7. Using the Rig tab, the return surface line must be 2.5 in ID and 22 ft
length.
8. Using the Analysis Settings tab, enter the following required data:
• Active Fluid = Base Mud
• Active gas = N2 with Air
• Target Pressure = 4100 psi
• Liquid injection rate (minimum) = 100 gpm
• Liquid injection rate (maximum) = 600 gpm
• Gas injection rate (minimum) = 500 scfm

• Gas injection rate (maximum) = 3000 scfm
• Motor Eq liquid rate (minimum) = 135 gpm
• Motor Eq liquid rate (maximum) = 800 gpm
• Min vertical annulus velocity = 80 ft/min
9. Analyze the UB Operating Envelope plot:
a. What are the limits for the UB Operating Envelope plot?
b. Why are all points on the 600 gpm curve outside of the operating
envelope?
c. The point 350 gpm @ 1900 scfm would yield an underbalanced

condition?
10. Change the Gas injection rate to 0 and 8000 scfm.
a. If you change the gas injection range will the limits change? If
yes, What are the new limits?
b. Does the minimum vertical annulus velocity affect the operating

envelope?
11. Open the UB Pressure Profile plot.
12. Use a Gas injection rate of 500 – 3000 scfm, Min vertical
annulus velocity of 80 ft/min. Set the Pump Rate to 350 gpm and
Gas Injection Rate at 3000 scfm.
13. Is the point at 350 gpm pump rate, and 3000 scfm gas injection rate
inside the operating envelope?
14. Configure the Output Area so that the UB Pressure Profile is on

the right side, and UB Operating Envelope is on the left side. Then
add the UB Summary below the UB Operating Envelope.
15. On the UB Pressure Profile plot, hide the string pressure profile.
16. On the UB Pressure Profile plot, take a snap shot of the Annulus
curve and change the color to Blue Violet. Rename as 350 gpm x
3000 scfm.
17. On UB Summary, slide the Pump Rate to 200 gpm.

a. What happens to the bottom hole pressure?
b. What is the expected pressure in UB Operating Envelope?
18. On UB Summary, change the Pump Rate to 500 gpm.
a. What is the new BHP?
b. Is this point inside the operating limit?
19. On the Analysis Settings tab, set the Pump rate back to 350 gpm.
Change the Gas injection rate to 0 scfm.
a. What is the BHP?
b. Is the fracture pressure exceeded in the open hole section?
c. Is this operation still an underbalanced operation?
d. Is this point (combination of pump rate and gas injection) inside

the envelope?
20. On the Analysis Settings tab, set up the Pump rate to 200 gpm and
Gas injection rate to 5000 scfm.
a. What is the new BHP?
b. Still this point inside the operating envelope?
21. On the Analysis Settings tab, set the Pump rate as an interval from
100 to 600 gpm and Gas injection rate from 500 to 3000 scfm.
a. What can you see in UB Pressure Profile plot?
b. What combination (pump rate x injection rates) does each line

represent?
c. How many possible results are there?
d. What are the possible BHP for an injection rate of 1750 scfm?
e. For a pump rate of 300 gpm, what is the minimal gas injection
that you can use without exceeding the pore pressure?
22. Set the Pump rate back to 350 gpm and Gas injection rate to 3000
scfm. Open UB Mixture Density plot.

Does the mixture density exceed the pore pressure at any point in
open hole section?
23. Open the UB Cuttings Transport Ratio plot.
a. What is the missing data?
b. What is the minimum value for cuttings transport ratio? Why it

happens at this point?
c. What was the ratio before and after this point (9600 ft MD)?
d. How can you explain the kind of variation on cuttings

transportation ratio?
e. Freeze the line and rename as 350 gpm x 3000 scfm and change
the color to Olive.
f. What happens if you change the Pump rate to 450 gpm?
g. Is this operation still underbalanced?
24. Using the Analysis Settings tab, set the Pump rate back to 350
gpm and Gas injection rate to 3000 scfm. Open UB Annular
Velocity Profile plot. Is there any velocity lower than minimum
vertical annulus velocity?
25. Configure the Output Area to view the UB Pressure Profile plot
and the UB Cuttings Transport Ratio side by side.
26. Type pump and gas injection rate as an interval from 100 to 490
gpm and 1700 to 3000 scfm, respectively. Choose one of these
combinations that satisfy a UB condition, operating envelope and
hole cleaning. Replace the interval and justify your choice.
27. Open UB Liquid Holdup plot.
a. In the annulus, which depth has the highest gas concentration?
b. Some mud motors only work properly when the gas

concentration is less than 15%. Is the gas concentration in the
motor less than 15%?
28. Analyze UB Flow Pattern.
a. What is the flow pattern inside the drill string?

b. If you change the flow model to Hagedorn – Brown and maintain

the same pump rate and gas injection rate, will the flow pattern
change? If yes, what is the new one?
c. Set the model back to Gray.
29. You are planning an underbalanced operation, but you don’t have a
mud motor that can work in this scenario. If it isn’t possible to inject
gas through the drill string, what alternative could you have?
30. Configure the Output Area to view the UB Pressure Profile and
UB Flow Pattern outputs side-by-side.
31. Change the Pump rate to 350 gpm. Run a simulation assuming that
you can't inject gas through the drill string. You could create an
injection point at the appropriate casing shoe depth. The injection
capacity is 3000 scfm and the fluid is the same (N2 with Air).
a. What is the injection depth?
b. What is the new BHP?
c. Does the flow pattern change? After what depth is bubble flow?
32. Set the Gas injection rate to 3000 scfm and the Pump rate to 350
gpm. Do not use a parasite string. (clear the Use parasite strings
check box.) For underbalanced operations in gas reservoirs, after
the zone is penetrated, the underbalanced condition facilitates an
inflow of formation fluids. In this situation , with enough produced
gas, the underbalanced condition may be partially self-supporting.
Run a simulation assuming that you are drilling and producing

(taking a kick) at the same time. The formation influx measured
depth is 16,000 ft. Below are the details for the influx.
Influx rate = 20 MMscf/day
Mole weight = 28.013 g/mol
Gas viscosity = 0.0166 cp
Oil influx rate = 50 bbl/D
Oil viscosity = 14 cp
Oil density = 6.7 ppg

Water influx = 0 bbl/d
a. What is the BHP?
b. Apply 150 psi at choke pressure.
c. What is the new BHP?
d. Does the operating envelope change? If yes, what zone

dominates the envelope now?
e. How can you maintain the same pressure achieved without

taking a kick (3260 psi using 350 gpm and 3000scfm)? What
pump rate allows you to reach this pressure (3260 psi)?
f. Is the well clean?


Chapter 9
Underbalanced Hydraulics Solution
Overview
This chapter contains the answers for the exercises found in the previous
Underbalanced Hydraulics chapter.

Chapter 9: Underbalanced Hydraulics Solution
Workflow Solution
1. Open WellPlan.
2. Import the DSWE_5000_1_13_UBH.edm.xml file

3. Access the Hole tab.
a.
13 3/8” Casing shoe at

12,900 ft

b. You can find this information on the Hole or Schemaic tabs.
Click Show Hole Sections to

display only hole section
information on the schematic.
Casing/liner ID

4. The total length is 17,151 ft.
String depth is 17,151 ft.

5. Click the UB Hydraulics tab and then the UB Operation

Envelope output.
Notice the plot data can not

be calculated because of
missing data. Click on the
hyper-links to display the
correct tab.
a. There is no data displayed on the plot.
b. The plot displays 3 error messages:
• Fix in Fluid editor

• Fix in Circulating System
• Fix in Analysis Settings

6. Click the Fix in Fluid editor link on the UB Operating Envelope plot to
open the Fluids Editor.
Create a gas mixture by clicking
the Add new gas button.
Hover the cursor inside

the blue area around
the Fluid tab. Note that
a blue outline indicates
missing data. In this
case, you must create
at least one gas to
perform an
underbalanced
hydraulic s analysis.

Name the gas N2 with Air,

and description of Nitrogen Click to add
and Air. Make the gas 5% air, from the
and 95% nitrogen. catalog.

7.
Click the link to open

the Rig tab and enter,
or correct the required
information.

The blue box

indicates what the
missing data is.
Enter the Return
Surface Line data.

8. Specify the Analysis Settings using the Analysis Settings tab.
Select the gas that will be

used in the analysis. Only
one gas can be selected.
Input gas properties using
the Fluid tab.
Input any pressure loss

through the motor here.
Pressure loss input for the
motor on the String tab is
not used.
Reservoir pressure can
be calculated based on Click Engineering to use
pore pressure data (input the Z factor to describe
on Subsurface tab) and how a gas deviates from
wellpath (Wellpath tab), ideal gas behavior.
or can be input directly
here.
Target pressure is the

bottom hole pressure you
want to have during the
operation.
Motor Equivalent liquid rate is the equivalent liquid volume of the gas and liquid mixture
(multi- phase fluid) coming out from the mud motor.
If no mud motor is defined on the string editor, the Minimum and Maximum mud motor
equivalent liquid box will be grayed out on the Analysis Settings tab and no operating
envelope area can be defined.
When a mud motor is defined on the String tab, based on the minimum and maximum
equivalent liquid rates entered in the analysis settings, the solutions which result in
bottomhole pressure units are found on the operating envelope.
Normally, the gas content must be less than 15% on the motor.

After you input all data required, the plot will show the results.
9. Open UB Operating Envelope Plot.
All points within the

envelope describe a set
of conditions to maintain
an underbalanced drilling
condition.
Each of these five curves represent the liquid injection rate

within the range set on the Analysis Settings tab.

a. The limits for this particular envelope are driven by minimal

annular velocity and maximum gas injection rate, target
pressure, minimum liquid injection rate.
Target pressure
Minimum annular velocity
Maximum gas injection rate
Minimum liquid
injection rate

b.
Because to achieve a bottom

hole pressure lower than
4100 psi (target pressure)
with 600 gpm of injection
liquid rate you need a gas
injection rate of almost 4000
scfm. The maximum gas
injection is 3000 scfm for this
example, therefore points on
600 gpm curve are out of the
operating envelope.

c.
Yes, it would result in an underbalanced situation,
it is outside the operating envelope.
Notice the blue background indicates

hydrostatically driven. See following note.

Note
For a typical multi-phase fluid injection into the underbalanced drilling
ecosystem, the combined result of internal gas-liquid phase interaction
translates into three dominant zones: Hydrostatic, Transitional, and Frictional.
The WellPlan software designates color gradients for these different zones on
the background of the UB Operating Envelope plot:
Blue = Hydrostatically dominated zone
Gradient between blue and red = Transitional zone
Red = Frictionally dominated zone
This is an example output

displaying hydrostatic and
frictional dominated zones.

10. Changing gas injection rate
a. On the Analysis Settings tab, change the Gas injection rate

limits to 0 to 8000 scfm.
We see that minimum annular velocity

governs the left side of the envelope, and
the maximum motor equivalent liquid rate
governs the right side. Now, the envelope
is driven by these two limits and by liquid
injection rate and target pressure.

b. Yes, because the minimum annulus velocity is the limit on the

left side of the operating envelope. If you change the Min.
vertical annulus velocity to another value, for this specific case
100 ft/min, you can see the affect on the operating envelope.

11. On the UB Hydraulics module, click UB Pressure Profile.
12. Input the data using the Analysis Settings tab. Change Gas
injection rate back to 500 - 3000 scfm and Min. vertical annulus
velocity to 80 ft/min.
The Pump rate

and Gas
injection rate
are used for the
UB Pressure
Profile.
These rates are

used for the UB
Operating
Envelope.

13.
On the UB Operating Envelope plot, read a point closer to 350 gpm for
pump rate and 3000 scfm for gas injection rate.
Notice that this point is on the limit of the envelope.

14.

15. On the UB Pressure Profile plot, clear the String check box on the
legend. Notice that the axis scale changes automatically.

16.
Freeze annulus curve by clicking on

the snapshot icon. Right-click the
legend and change the line color to
Blue Violet. Rename the line to 350
gpm x 3000 scfm.

17. Slide liquid Pump Rate to 200 gpm in the UB Summary section.

The bottom hole pressure decreased when the

pump rate was reduced.
a. The bottom hole pressure (BHP) decreased.

b. For this pump rate and gas injection rate, both the UB Operating
Envelope plot with UB Pressure Profile indicate the expected
value for BHP is around 2070 psi.
The operating envelope shows you the BHP for a combination of

pump rate and gas injection that satisfies the envelope limits. You
can perform this analyze for each value combination inside the
envelope. So the operation envelope helps you to identify the best
parameters to perform a UBD operation.


18. Using the UB Summary section, change the Pump Rate to 500
gpm.

a. By changing the Pump Rate to 500 gpm you can see that the
bottom hole pressure increases beyond 4100 psi.

b. This value is out of the envelope limit. Although the BHP is

lower than the pore pressure (underbalance condition), this
pressure is still greater than the target pressure, and therefore out
of the operating limit.

19. Set the Pump rate back to 350 gpm and change the Gas injection
rate to 0 scfm.

a.
Bottom hole pressure
b. Yes, these pressures exceed both pore and fracture pressure

curves and a triangular warning appears in the legend to alert
you.
c. No, change to an overbalanced operation.

d.
In the UB Operating
Envelope, this point is
outside the envelope.
Therefore, the
underbalanced
operation is not
possible with these
values.

20. Change the Pump rate to 200 gpm and Gas injection rate to 5000
scfm.

a.
The bottom hole

pressure decreases.
b. This BHP does not exceed the pore pressure to create an

overbalanced condition, but 5000 scfm is beyond the gas
injection rate defined initially, and is out of the envelope. (You
can see the gas injection limits on the Analysis Settings tab or
in UB Operating Envelope plot.)
21. The Operating Envelope plot provides you the BHP profile when
you change the liquid and gas injection rates or other envelope
parameters. If you want to see the effect of both parameters over an

entire open-hole section you can use UB Pressure Profile plot.

Open UB Pressure Profile. In Analysis Settings tab, type the
pump rate and gas injection rate as an interval from 100 to 600 gpm
and 500 to 3000 scfm, respectively.
a. Now you can see the pressure in any depth of interest as a result
of the pump rate and gas injection rate variation. The shaded
region represents the results for these intervals.
b. Click on the Sensitivity tab and hover the cursor on the values
to see the highlight curve under the shaded region on the plot.

Now you can identify the combination (pump rate vs. gas
injection rate) that each line represents.
c. Nine possible combinations in a 3x3 matrix.
d. 350 gpm x 1750 scfm – BHP = 4320 psi
100 gpm x 1750 scfm – BHP = 1940 psi
600 gpm x 1750 scfm – BHP = 5340 psi
e. Change the Pump rate to 300 gpm. Leave the Gas injection
rate as an interval.

According to the operating envelope, liquid pump rates and gas

injection rates are all in the hydrostatically dominated zone. In
this zone, gas injection rate has an inverse relationship with
bottom hole pressure, in other words, when you decrease the gas
injection rate your BHP increase for the same pump rate.
On the UB Summary table, you can adjust the Gas injection rate
slider and see how this line moves inside the shaded range, or
even out of the range when adjusted far enough. To see the
minimum gas injection that you can use, adjust the slider until
the annulus pressure curve gets below the pore pressure curve, or
use the operating envelope and locate the exact minimum gas
injection which 300 gpm pump rate won't cross the reservoir
pressure curve. The minimum injection rate is,
approximately,1500 scfm. You can see the BHP profile as a
line graph or as a data grid (more accurate view) by selecting
the grid icon on the top left of the plot.



Change to a tabular format by clicking the flip-chart icon on the

high-left side of the screen.
22. Drag the UB Mixture Density plot to the Output Area

This plot shows you how the ECD behaves. You can
perform the same sensitivity analysis that you did in the
previous step. For this specific pump and gas injection
rate, the ECD is always lower than pore pressure which
represents an underbalance condition.

23. Drag the UB Cuttings Transport Ratio plot to the UB Mixture

Density plot area.
a. The error message on the plot indicates what data is missing and
a link to resolve the issue.
Click the Fix in Analysis Settings link to resolve the error. The
red box shows you an error that occurs, solve this by selecting

the Include cuttings loading check box. Use default values for
cuttings loading parameters. :
Select the Include

cuttings loading
check box.


b. In the previous plot, we see that the lowest cuttings transport

ratio (CTR) is 0.55 near 9600 ft MD.
To understand this behavior, click the Schematic tab.
Analyzing the ascending flow through the annulus, you can see
that at 9600 ft the casing ID (internal diameter) changes from
8.375 inch to 12.4 inch, this affects annular velocity and causes
ratio to suddenly drop.

You also can see other

changes on CTR
(Cuttings Transport
Ratio) caused by
changes on the
annular cross section
area.
Note
The Cuttings Transport Ratio is a good measurement of the carrying capacity
of the drilling fluid. Positive means cuttings are being carried up the hole;
negative means cuttings are settling down and may require more fluid velocity
or a better flow design. A rule of thumb designates that a good design should
yield a ratio of 0.55 or greater throughout the entire depth range.
Cuttings Transportation Ratio between 55 to 70% are for vertical hole sections
and 80 to 90% for horizontal hole sections.

c.
Change to a
tabular format
by clicking the
flip-chart icon.
The values
just before and
after 9600 ft
are 55% and
84%,
respectively.
d. Every variation on well diameter (ID or OD) will affect the cross
section area and consequently the annular velocity in different
manners. As the CTR is defined as the ratio of cuttings velocity
to the mean annular velocity, any variation on the diameter will
affect the CTR too.
You can use the Read icon to identify other points that the CTR
changes and verify the diameter changing. If you want to see the

drill string details double-click the component name on the

schematic.

e. Freeze the CTR curve by click in snap shot icon (same process
used in previous step).
Rename as 350 gpm x 3000 scfm and change the color to Olive.
Click to create a snapshot of the curve.

f. Change the liquid Pump rate to 450 gpm.

Notice that the CTR

increases. So this pump
rate is better to clean the
hole. The minimum CTR for
this case is 0.64.

g. Changing pump rate affects the BHP. Notice on the UB Pressure

Profile plot you can see that the annulus pressure increases. This
is still an underbalanced operation because the pressure is still
lower than the pore pressure.

24. Set Pump rate back to 350 gpm and Gas injection rate to 3000
scfm. Open the UB Annular Velocity Profile plot.
This plot shows you all annular velocity profiles, which depend
on the pump and gas injection rate that you input on the Analysis
Settings tab. When you set the minimum vertical annulus
velocity in the Analysis Settings tab, you create a limit for the
operating envelope. Inside this envelope, you choose one

combination for pump and gas injection rate. This combination

will govern the annulus velocity profile (there are more
parameters, such as friction factor and cross sectional area, that
will not be analyzed) and make the liquid, gas and mixture fluid
velocity greater than or equal to the minimum value specified.
However, sometimes the cuttings velocity is lower than
minimum vertical annulus velocity. For this specific case, a 350
gpm pump rate and 3000 scfm gas injection rate don’t allow the
cuttings to travel faster than the minimal annulus velocity, and
this results in a low cuttings transport ratio (as you saw on the
previous step).
Comparing results between 350 and 450 gpm:
• 350 gpm and 3000 scfm provide a cuttings transport ratio of

0.55 and cuttings velocity lower than 80 ft/min at 9600 ft
• 450 gpm and 3000 scfm provide a cuttings transport ratio of
0.64 and cuttings velocity lower than 80 ft/min at 9600 ft.
• In both cases the cuttings velocity is lower than minimum
vertical velocity, but in the second case, the cuttings
transport ratio is bigger than the minimum required for a
vertical hole section (0.55). So, for hole cleaning analysis
you have to analyze the UB Cuttings Transport Ratio plot.

25. Drag the UB Cuttings Transport Ratio plot away from the UB
Pressure Profile area.
Adjust the plot size by dragging the line between the two plots.

26. Analyze the Pump rate as an interval from 100 to 490 gpm and
Gas injection rate from 1700 to 3000 scfm. Notice these values
correspond to the operating envelope limits.

Applying this interval, you can see the BHP and CTR behavior side
by side. You have to choose one combination that enables a highest
CTR value and a BHP up to 4100 psi (Target pressure).

Click the Sensitivity tab and hover the cursor in one combination of
Pump rate and Gas injection to see the highlighted curve under the
shaded region.


The combination that allows you to clean up the well without exceed
the operating envelope or the underbalanced condition is 490 gpm
and 3000 scfm. To use this combinations just select it and click the
Replace ranges with selected value bottom.
Click to replace ranges

with selected value
combination.

In this case, we want high CTR (> 0.55 if possible) coupled with a
BHP lower than the target. We can see that any of the combinations
with 100 gpm or 295 gpm pump rates does not help increase in CTR.
So, the 490 gpm sets would be our choice here. Applying 490 gpm
with 1700 or 2350 scfm exceeds the pore pressure (overbalanced
condition). Using 490 gpm and 3000 scfm yields the best solution
(Highest CTR possible with BHP lower than target pressure). Result
after the selection should look like below.
If gas injection rate is a concern, you can select another combination

with a lower gas injection rate.

27. Open the UB Liquid Holdup plot.
Gas concentration greater

than 15%
Liquid holdup is defined as the fraction of a pipe cross section or

volume increment that is occupied by the liquid phase. The values
range from 0 (total gas) to 1 (total liquid). This phenomenon takes

place in multiphase systems because the gas and liquid phases are
not flowing with the same velocity. Through a pipe, when gas and
liquid are flowing downward, the liquid will flow faster than the gas
due to its higher density. When flowing upward, the gas will flow
faster than the liquid resulting in liquid holdup. An analysis of the
liquid holdup profile on a multiphase flow model can aid in
assessing the effectiveness of the gas lift. For any specific case the
liquid holdup fraction decreases as the gas injection increases. The
relationship between the gas and liquid rate must be managed to
provide sufficient liquid holdup in the annulus to transport cuttings
while keeping BHP below the target pressure. Liquid holdup
analysis is also useful when investigating MWD/LWD/Mud Motor
operational limits. Some of these tools need to operate with a
minimum equivalent liquid rate; normally the maximum gas content
is 15%, so you can use the UB Liquid Holdup plot to identify
potential issues with a specific drill string component.
a. At surface.
b. No, the gas content in mud motor depth is greater than 15%. You
have to change the parameters or use a proper mud motor to
perform this operation with these parameters.

28. Open the UB Flow Pattern plot.
a. The table associated with the schematic displays the annulus and
string pressure for a specified liquid and gas flow rate. It also
displays you the flow pattern/regime for all annular and string
cross sectional areas. For this case, all areas are in bubble flow
pattern.

According to the parameters input on the Analyses Settings tab,

the fluid color in the schematic, changes to help you identify the
flow pattern/regime. The flow pattern also depends of the Flow
model.
Note
Normally you want to avoid slug flow, which may be avoidable by changing
the operation parameters and/or the flow model.

b. If you change the Flow model to Hagedorn – Brown model, the

flow pattern will change to a slug flow.
Flow model selection

For this case, inside the drill string until 15,600 ft you see a bubble
flow pattern. After this point, all sections are in slug flow.
c. Set the flow model back to Gray model.
29. Assuming that your downhole motor and MWD tools are not
capable of handling gas injection through the BHA, you may want
to consider parasitic string injection.

30. Arrange the Output Area to view the UB Pressure Profile and Flow
Pattern outputs side-by-side. Drag and drop on the proper position
and resize if necessary.

31. On the Analysis Settings tab, input the Gas injection rate as 0
scfm (no injection through the drill string). Check Use parasite
strings. To define the injection depth, look for the well schematic
and identify the 13 3/8” casing string (attached at surface) and its
shoe depth.
13 3/8” shoe

a. Type the injection depth as the casing shoe depth of your last
casing string (12,900 ft).
Select the Use parasite

strings check box.
Select N2 with Air from
the Gas drop-down
menu.

b. On the UB Pressure Profile, notice the proximal separation

between the original 350 gpm x 3000 scfm and the annulus
curve. The BHP is 3340 psi.

c. Notice the different fluid colors in the schematic indicating flow

regime change. .
Analyzing the string flow pattern and annulus flow pattern you will
notice that inside the drill we have the liquid flow from surface to
bottom hole. In the annulus from bottom hole to 12900 ft we have
liquid flow. After this point, there is bubble flow. This happens
because of the parasitic string injection. Determining the flow
pattern/regime is critical in the accuracy of the multi-phase flow
models. As shown, the application has the capability to display and
calculate for parasitic injection method.
Note
Some MWD/LWD/Mud Motor tools must operate in fluids with low gas
content (<15 %). In this situation, a parasite injection could be a solution.

32. Set the Gas injection rate to 3000 scfm and the Pump rate to 350
gpm. Consider how to model drilling with gas influx from the open
hole. In underbalanced operations in gas reservoirs, once
penetration of the zone occurs, the underbalanced condition
facilitates an inflow of formation fluids. In this case, with enough
produced gas, the underbalanced condition may be partially self-
supporting. As a result, downhole motors and drilling conditions
may only require sufficient fluid injection and little supplemental
gas. Use the Subsurface tab to input formation influx data.
Input the required

parameters. Be
sure to select the
Use formation
influx data check
box.

Bottom hole pressure
a. The resulting BHP is very low (around 1,345 psi) due to the extra
gas from the formation influx. Consider using choke pressure to
apply back pressure to help maintain borehole stability.
b. Go to the Analysis Settings tab and select the Include choke

pressure check box. Apply 150 psi.

Select the Include

choke pressure
check box.
When you click to Include choke pressure, a blue box and message
appears indicating that data is missing. Enter the choke pressure to
fix this problem.

c. When you apply a counter pressure at the choke you change the
BHP to almost 4000 psi.

d. Yes. The limit and background color has changed. Now, the
background color is red, indicating that the operating envelope is
frictionally dominated.

e. Using the UB Pressure Profile you can see that original 350
gpm x 3000 scfm pressure, near the TD, is almost 3260 psi.
To maintain the same pressure obtained by 350 gpm x 3000 scfm

curve, you can use the UB Operating Envelope to identify the
injection parameter to achieve this (i.e. the Gas injection rate and
Pump rate). You can also adjust the pack pressure (choke pressure).
The operating envelope still confirms the feasibility of the current

conditions defined. The background color is now red, indicating the
design is now in a frictionally dominated zone. In this zone, the two
phase injection plus chaotic gas inflows from the annulus causes the
extra burden in the open-hole section. In other words, if you increase
the gas injection rate, the BHP will increase too. To see this , follow
the pump rate line and compare BHP against Gas injection rate. To
decrease the BHP you have to adjust the pump rate. Go to the

operating envelope and look for the parameters to achieve 3250 psi
with a choke pressure of 150 psi and gas injection rate of 600 scfm
(arbitrary value).

Applying a pump rate of 278 gpm, you can maintain almost the same
pressure that you achieved before (without taking a kick).

f. Investigating the cuttings transport ratio, you can see that: CTR
> 55% in the vertical hole section and CTR > 80% for the
horizontal section.

WellPlan 5000.14.1 220073E

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WellPlan 5000.14.1 220073E

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WellPlan™

Software Exercise Manual

Part Number 220073 Revision E October 2016

Introduction to the WellPlan™ Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

WellPlan™ Software Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Welcome Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual i

Visual Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

Data Hierarchy and the Well Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

Working with Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

Contacting Landmark Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36

Understanding the Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

ii WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

Understanding the Basics Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Workflow Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Drilling a Hole Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Torque Drag Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Hydraulics Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual iii

Final Design Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

Swab & Surge Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Well Control Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

BHA Dynamics Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

Stuck Pipe Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23

Drilling a Hole Section Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Workflow Steps for Torque Drag Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

iv WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

Workflow Steps for Hydraulics Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45

Workflow Steps for Analyzing Swab & Surge Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-87

Workflow Steps for Well Control Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-99

Workflow Steps for Analyze BHA Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-132

Workflow Steps for Stuck Pipe Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-147

Running and Cementing A Liner in Hole Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual v

Input and Review Well Configuration and Analysis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Running and Cementing A Liner in Hole Section Solution . . 7-1

Workflow Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Workflow Steps for Cementing a Liner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-54

Underbalanced Hydraulics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Workflow Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

Underbalanced Hydraulics Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

vi WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

Workflow Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual vii

viii WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

Introduction to the WellPlan™ Software

Drilling a Hole Section

• Torque and Drag Analysis

WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual 1-1

• Examine effective and true tension

• Swab & Surge Analysis

• Well Control Analysis

Running a Liner in a Hole Section

• Swab & Surge Analysis

1-2 WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual

• Review the effect of tool joints on ECD

• Calculating bottom hole pressure

WellPlan™ Software Release 5000.14.1 Exercise Manual 1-3

WellPlan™ Software Overview

The WellPlan™ software is the latest evolution in over 20 years of