Drilling Engineering Past Papers

Please note some questions in these past papers are no longer relevant, those questions have been
highlighted in grey bold italics.
Course:- 28117
Class:- 289053
HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
Examination for the Degree of
MEng in Petroleum Engineering
Drilling Engineering
Thursday 7 January 1999
09.30 - 12.30
NOTES FOR CANDIDATES
1. This is a Closed Book Examination.
2. 15 minutes reading time is provided from 09.15 - 09.30.
3. Examination Papers will be marked anonymously. See separate instructions for
completion of Script Book front covers and attachment of loose pages. Do not
write your name on any loose pages which are submitted as part of your answer.
4. This Paper consists of 3 Sections:- A, B and C.
5. Section A:- Attempt 4 numbered Questions
Section B:- Attempt 1 numbered Question
Section C:- Attempt 3 numbered Questions
6. Section A:- 32% of marks [8% per Question]
Section B:- 8% of marks
Section C:- 60% of marks [20% per Question]
Marks for Question parts are indicated in [brackets]
7. This Examination represents 100% of the Class assessment.
8 State clearly any assumptions used and intermediate calculations made in
numerical questions. No marks can be given for an incorrect answer if the
method of calculation is not presented.
9. Answers must be written in separate, coloured books as follows:-
Section A:- Blue
Section B:- GreenSection
Section C:- Yellow
Section A
A1
(a) List and describe the function of each of the component parts of the hoisting
system on a conventional land drilling rig.
[5]
(b) Calculate the tension on the fast line and the dead line and the vertical load on the
derrick when the following drillstring is pulled from the well.
Buoyant weight of string 150,000 lbs
Weight of travelling Block and hook 10,000 lbs
Number of Lines strung between crown and
travelling block 8
Efficiency of sheave system 81.4%
[3]
A2
(a) Describe three reasons for using Drillcollars in the drillstring string.
[5]
(b) Calculate, using the tables provided in Attachment 1, the length of 9 1/2 x 2 13/
16 drillcollars that would be required to ensure that the entire length of the
following drillpipe string is in tension in 12 ppg mud:
8000 ft of 5 19.5 lb/ft Grade G drillpipe with 4 1/2 IF connections.
[3]
A3
(a) Describe the mechanisms which result in an improvement in the drillability of
an overpressured formation and which should be considered when calculating
the d exponent.
[4]
(b) List and describe three other indicators, other than the d exponent, which might
suggest that an overpressured shale had been encountered.
[4]
A4
(a) A milled tooth roller cone drillbit is pulled from the borehole and graded with the
following grading (the IADC dull grading system is given in Attachment 2).
4 4 BT A F 1/8 PB PR
Discuss your interpretation of this grading and what features you would suggest
should be considered in selecting the next bit to be run in the well.
[3]
(b) Calculate the cost per foot of the bit run on the basis of the following
information:
COST DEPTH DEPTH TIME ON
IN OUT BOTTOM
() (FT.) (FT.) (HR.)
3500 7100 7306 14.9
Assuming:
Trip Time = 8 hrs
Rig rate = 48000/day.
[2]
(c) In what ways is the cost per foot equation used when planning the well and
during the well drilling operation
[3]
A5
(a) List the steps in the procedure for conducting a leak off test.
[2]
(b) The results from a Leak off test which has been conducted below the 9 5/8
casing shoe of a well are presented below. Calculate the maximum allowable
mudweight which can be used in the hole section below the 9 5/8 casing shoe:
TVD of 9 5/8" Shoe : 6500 ft.
Mudweight in hole : 10 ppg
Vol. pumped Surface Pressure
bbls psi
0.5 30
1.0 110
1.5 205
2.0 295
2.5 390
3.0 475
3.5 570
4.0 655
4.5 760
5.0 800
5.25 820
[4]
(c) Calculate the MAASP for the subsequent hole section when the mud weight is 11
ppg.
[2]
A6
(a) List and briefly describe three of the warning signs that a driller should see if a
gas influx had occurred downhole.
[4]
(b) Describe the operations which must be undertaken when a kick is detected whilst
drilling.
[3]
(c) In the case of a gas influx, why must the well killing operation be started as soon
as possible? [1]
Section B
B7 For a given depth, well orientation and rock type, it is usually possible to select
a mud weight which is appropriate from a rock mechanics point of view, i.e.
wellbore failure is prevented. Explain why this is possible, addressing all types
of wellbore failure in your answer.
[8]
B8 Tests conducted on a rock type gave the following data:
Triaxial factor 2.8
In situ strength enhancement 0.10MPa
In situ unconfined compressive strength 4MPa
Determine the minimum mud weight required to prevent wellbore failure in
this rock while drilling through it at 5000m depth with a vertical well, where
the pore pressure is 60MPa and the stress ratio is 0.85. A data sheet
(Attachment 5) is provided.
[8]
Section C
C9
(a) Describe the main factors which influence the pressure loss when circulating
fluid through the drillstring and annulus when drilling?
[6]
(b) How is the onset of turbulence identified when using non-Newtonian drilling
fluids in annuli?
[4]
(c) Select the optimum flowrate and nozzle sizes for the next bit run if
prior to pulling a dulled bit from the hole the pressure losses in the circulation
system are calculated to be as follows :
Flowrate Ptotal Pbit Pcirc.
GPM psi psi psi
860 4400 2400 2000
680 2890 1590 1300
500 1650 910 740
350 845 465 380
Density of Drilling Fluid = 0.65 psi/ft.
Maximum Pumping Pressure = 4700 psi
Note: i. Use the attached log-log paper and Table 1 and 2
(Attachment 3)
ii. Nozzle Area
opt
mud
max circ.opt
=

Q
P P
23 75 .
. .

[7]
(d) Describe the way in which the pressure losses in the system change as the hole
section is deepened and how this affects the optimisation of the hydraulics of the
system.
[3]
C10
(a) State the principal functions of the following casing strings:
conductor;
surface;
intermediate; and
production casing.
[8]
(b) Calculate the burst and collapse loading which will be used in the selection of
casing for the following production casing string:
Top of Production Packer : 7200 ft
Formation Fluid Density : 9 ppg
Expected gas gradient : 0.115 psi/ft
Depth of Production Interval (TVD) : 7350-7750ft
Max. expected pressure in production intervals : 3700 psi
Packer fluid density : 9 ppg
Design Factors (burst) : 1.1
(collapse) : 1.0
Note : Gaslift may be used at a later stage in the life of this well.
[10]
(c) Describe the effect of tensile loading on the burst and collapse rating of casing?
[2]
C11
(a) Describe, with the aid of diagrams, the Tangential and Balanced tangential
mathematical models used to describe and calculate the trajectory of a well.
[5]
(b) What are the sources of error when determining the position of the wellbore.
[3]
(c) Whilst drilling a deviated well to a target at 11000 ft. TVD. The following data is
recorded at station No. 37 (The target bearing is 132
o)
STATION MD INC. AZI. N E TVD VS
36 8400 35 124 -328 1044 7900 1005
37 8600 38 125
Calculate the North and East co-ordinates, TVD and vertical section of station
No. 37 using the average angle method.
[12]
C12 The 13 3/8 intermediate casing string of a well is to be cemented in place with a
two stage cement job. The details of the job are as follows :
Previous Casing Shoe (20") : 1800 ft
13 3/8" 72 lb/ft Casing Setting Depth : 5100 ft
17 1/2" open hole Depth (Calipered @ 18" average) : 5130 ft
Multi-Stage Collar Depth : 1750 ft
Shoetrack : 60 ft
Cement stage 1 (5100-3300 ft.)
Class G + 0.2% D13R (retarder) : 15.8 ppg
Yield of Class G + 0.2% D13R : 1.15 ft
3
/sk
Mixwater Requirements : 0.67 ft
3
/sk
Cement stage 2 (1750-1250 ft.)
Class G + 8% bentonite + 0.1% D13R : 13.2 ppg
Yield of Class G + 8% bentonite + 0.1% D13R : 1.89 ft
3
/sk
Mixwater Requirements : 1.37 ft
3
/sk
(a) Calculate the following (See Attachment 4 for capacities):
(i) The required number of sacks of cement for the 1st stage and 2nd stage
of the job (Allow 20% excess in open hole).
(ii) The volume of mixwater required for each stage.
(iii) The displacement volume for each stage.
[10]
(b) Calculate the static bottomhole pressures generated during the above cementing
operations.
[2]
(c) Would the above pressure accurately represent the pressures on the bottom of the
well when the cementing operation is being conducted?
[2]
(d) Prepare a program for a two stage cementing operation and describe the ways in
which a good cement bond can be achieved.
[6]
End of Paper
Attachment 1
Attachment 1b

Attachment 2
Attachment 3
n 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.0
W IF 0.50 0.51 0.53 0.54 0.56 0.57 0.59 0.61 0.60 0.65 0.67
W HHP 0.33 0.34 0.36 0.37 0.38 0.40 0.42 0.43 0.45 0.48 0.50
NOZZLE NOZZLE
SIZE AREA (in.
2
)
18-18-18 0.75
18-19-17 0.72
18-17-17 0.69
17-17-17 0.67
17-17-16 0.64
17-16-16 0.61
16-16-16 0.59
16-16-15 0.57
16-15-15 0.54
15-15-15 0.52
15-15-14 0.50
15-14-14 0.47
14-14-14 0.45
14-14-13 0.43
14-13-13 0.41
13-13-13 0.39
13-13-12 0.37
13-12-12 0.35
12-12-12 0.33
12-12-11 0.31
12-11-11 0.30
11-11-11 0.28
11-11-10 0.26
11-10-10 0.25
10-10-10 0.23
10-10-9 0.22
10-9-9 0.20
9-9-9 0.19
9-9-8 0.17
9-8-8 0.16
Attachment 4
VOLUMETRIC CAPACITIES
bbls/ft ft
3
/ft
Casing
13 3/8 72 lb/ft Casing: 0.1480 0.8314
Open Hole
18" Hole 0.3147 1.7671
Annular Spaces
20 Casing x 13 3/8" Casing 0.1815 1.0190
18 Hole x 13 3/8 Casing 0.1410 0.7914
Attachment 5
The Adaptation of Wilsons Equations to Wellbore Stability Prediction
Wilsonss equations have been adapted to the prediction of wellbore stability by
allowing for:
(1) Pore pressure within the host rock (via concept of effective stress)
(2) The orientation of the wellbore at some angle other than 90 to the horizontal
stresses, i.e. hole deviation from 0 to 90
(3) Non-hydrostatic stress fields
Thus for a vertical well, the radius to the outer limit of the yield zone is given by the
equation below.
The equation predicting the yield zone radius in a thick production zone is:
r
a
p k
p p k k
e
q o
=
+ +
+ +

2 1
1
1
1
' ( )
( ' )( )
Where
r
e
= Radius to outer limit of yield zone
a = Radius of borehole
k = Triaxial factor for rock
=
+

1
1
sin
sin
, int

beingtheangleof ernal frictionfor the rock

o
= In situ unconformed compressive strength
p = Effective stress applied to the sides of the wellbore
= Mud pressure - pore pressure
p
k
beingfoundfromtheequation k
o
o o
'
'
, ' ' ' ' =

= +

1
1 3
for broken rock in the yield zone
= 0.1 mP
a
or 15 psi typically for soft rock
q = Effective hydrostatic stress remote from the opening
= (overburden stress x stress ratio) - pore pressure
Course:- 28-137
Class:- 289DE3
HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
Examination for the Degree of
MSc/Diploma Distance Learning course in Petroleum Engineering
Drilling Engineering
Monday 10th January 2000
09.30 - 12.30
NOTES FOR CANDIDATES
1. This is a Closed Book Examination.
2. 15 minutes reading time is provided from 09.15 - 09.30.
3. Examination Papers will be marked anonymously. See separate instructions for
completion of Script Book front covers and attachment of loose pages. Do not
write your name on any loose pages which are submitted as part of your answer.
4. This Paper consists of 2 Sections:- A and B.
5. Section A:- Attempt 5 numbered Questions
Section B:- Attempt 3 numbered Question
6. Section A:- 40% of marks [8% per Question]
Section B:- 60% of marks
Marks for Question parts are indicated in brackets
7. This Examination represents 100% of the Class assessment.
8 State clearly any assumptions used and intermediate calculations made in
numerical questions. No marks can be given for an incorrect answer if the
method of calculation is not presented.
9. Answers must be written in separate, coloured books as follows:-
Section A:- Blue
Section B:- Green
Section A
A1
(a) List and briefly discuss three functions of the drill collars used in the BHA of
drillstrings.
[3]
(b) List and describe the function of two other components (other than drillcollars) of
the BHA.
[5]
A2
(a) List and discuss three elements of the design of a PDC bit which would be
suitable for a soft claystone formation.
[3]
(b) Briefly describe the structure and content of the IADC dull grading system.
[5]
3
a) List and discuss the major considerations when selecting/designing a drilling
fluid for a particular well.
[5]
(b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of oil based mud as opposed to water
based mud?
[3]
A4
(a) Discuss the reasons for conducting a leakoff test when drilling out of a casing
shoe.
[2]
(b) List and describe the procedure for conducting such a test and the calculations
that are conducted when the results are obtained.
[6]
A5
(a) Draw and annotate the shear stress vs. Shear rate diagram for a: Power law and;
Bingham Plastic Drilling Fluid.
[3]
(b) Write the mathematical model for each of the models discussed above.
[2]
(c) Draw the friction factor vs. Reynolds number relationship for a Power law Fluid
and show the impact of the non-Newtonian index on the relationship.
[4]
A6
(a) List and describe the surface and subsurface components of an MWD system.
[6]
(b) Describe two of the modes of data transmission used in mud pulse telemetry
systems.
[2]
A7
(a) A typical casing string may be described by the following terms:
9 5/8 47 lb/ft L-80 VAM
Explain the meaning of each of the terms in this description. Use examples of
alternatives to highlight the attributes of this particular casing.
[8]
A8
(a) List and discuss the constraints on the trajectory of a wellbore which must be
considered when designing the wellpath of a deviated well.
[3]
(b) Given that the rig position and target location are often fixed, what control does
the engineer exercise when designing the geometry of the wellpath. Discuss the
practical/operational limitations on the geometry of the wellpath?
[5]
Section B
B9 The intermediate casing of a development well is to be cemented in place
using a two stage cement job.
13 3/8 Setting Depth : 5900 ft.
17 Hole (Calipered to 18) : 5930 ft
Previous Shoe Depth (20) : 1500 ft.
Formation Fluid Density : 9 ppg
Shoetrack : 60 ft
Cement stage 1 (5930-4500 ft.)
Class G + 0.2% D13R (retarder) : 15.8 ppg
Yield of Class G + 0.2% D13R : 1.15 ft
3
/sk
Mixwater Requirements : 0.67 ft
3
/sk
Cement stage 2 (1500-1000 ft.)
Class G + 8% bentonite + 0.1% D13R : 13.2 ppg
Yield of Class G + 8% bentonite + 0.1% D13R : 1.89 ft
3
/sk
Mixwater Requirements : 1.37 ft
3
/sk
(a) Calculate the following (See Attachment 1 for capacities):
(i) The required number of sacks of cement for the 1st stage and 2nd stage of
the job (Allow 10% excess over caliper in open hole).
(ii) The volume of mixwater required for each stage.
(iii) The displacement volume for each stage.
[12]
(b) List and discuss three properties of cement which would be specified when
designing the cementation operation.
[6]
(c) Discuss the possible reasons why a two stage cementation job was
programmed for this casing.
[2]
B10 Whilst drilling the 12 1/4" hole section of a vertical well with a mudweight
of 11 ppg the driller detects a kick. The well is shut in and the following
information is gathered
Surface Readings :
Shut in Drillpipe Pressure : 700 psi
Shut in Annulus Pressure : 900 psi
Pit Gain : 29 bbls
Hole / Drillstring Data :
Hole Size : 12 1/4
Depth of kick : 6500 ft.
Previous Casing Shoe : 13 3/8", 54.5 lb/ft
Depth 13 3/8" shoe : 3500 ft. TVD
BHA : Bit : 12 1/4"
Drillcollars : 500 ft of 9" x 2 13/16"
Drillpipe : 5", 19.5 lb/ft
(a) Calculate and discuss the following :
(i) The type of fluid that has entered the wellbore ?
(ii) The mudweight required to kill the well.
(iii) The volume of kill mud that would be required to kill the well.
[10]
(b) Briefly explain how and why the wellbore pressure is monitored and controlled
throughout the well killing operation (assuming that the one circulation
method is to be used).
[6]
(c) Briefly explain why the one circulation method is considered to be safer than
the drillers method for killing a well.
[4]
B11 The 9 5/8" production casing string of a well is to be designed for burst and
collapse on the basis of the following data.
Setting Depth of 9 5/8" Casing : 8320 ft
Top of Production Packer : 7500 ft
Formation Fluid Density : 9 ppg
Expected gas gradient : 0.115 psi/ft
Depth of Production Interval (TVD) : 7750 - 8220 ft
Maximum expected pressure in production
intervals : 4650 psi
Packer fluid density : 9 ppg
Design Factors (burst) : 1.1
(collapse) : 1.1
Casing Available (See Attachment 2 for specifications of this casing):
9 5/8" 47 lb/ft P-110 VAM
9 5/8" 53.5 lb/ft P - 110 VAM
Note :
1. Only one weight and grade of casing is to be used in the string
(a) Design the casing for Burst and Collapse loads (do not consider the tensile loads).
Discuss critically the scenarios considered when determining the loading
conditions used in the above design process.
[8]
(b) List and describe four (4) of the tensile loads which would be considered when
designing the casing for tension.
[6]
(c) List and discuss the operations involved in running casing, from the point at
which it arrives on the rig, to the point at which the cementing operation is
about to commence.
[6]
B12 It has been decided to drill a deviated well to a target at 8700 ft. TVD. The well
is to be kicked off just below the 13 3/8" casing at 2000 ft. The well is to have a
build and hold profile. The details of the well profile are as follows :
KOP : 2000 ft.
Target Depth (TVD) : 8700 ft.
Horizontal Departure of Target : 3200 ft.
Buildup Rate : 2
o
/100ft
(a) Calculate the Following :
(i) The drift angle of the well.
(ii) The along hole depth at the end of the build up section.
(iii)The along hole depth at the target.
[12]
(b) List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of
surveying systems that could be used to survey this well whilst drilling.
[4]
(c) List and discuss two types of tool or techniques that could be used to alter the
direction of this well if it were found to be deviating from the designed course.
[4]
End of Paper
Attachment I
VOLUMETRIC CAPACITIES
bbls/ft ft
3
/ft
Drillpipe
5" drillpipe : 0.01776 0.0997
Drillcollars
9" x 2
13
/
16
" Drill collar: 0.0077 0.0431
Casing
13 3/8" 72 lb/ft Casing: 0.1480 0.8314
Open Hole
18" Hole 0.3147 1.7671
Annular Spaces
13 3/8" casing x 5" drillpipe: 0.1302 0.7315
12 1/4" hole x 5" drillpipe: 0.1215 0.6821
12 1/4" hole x 9" drillcollars: 0.0671 0.3767
18" hole x 13 3/8" Casing: 0.1410 0.7914
20" Casing x 13 3/8" Casing: 0.1815 1.0190
Attachment 2
CASING LOAD RATINGS
Burst Collapse Tension
(psi) (psi) (lbs)
9 5/8" 47 lb/ft P-110 VAM 9440 5310 1493000
9 5/8" 53.5 lb/ft P - 110 VAM 10900 7930 1710000