How Bit Profile and Gauges Affect Well Trajectory

Abstract

Summary The importance of wellbore deviation is well recognized by the drilling industry. An analysis of a drilling system's directional behavior must include the directional characteristics of the drill bit. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the directional behavior of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits, including the effect of bit profile, gauge cutters, and gauge length. Numerical simulations as well as laboratory tests have been carried out to better understand the mechanisms of PDC bit deviation and to evaluate the most important parameters affecting the directional behavior of PDC bits. The analysis presented in this paper shows that each part of the PDC bit (profile and active and passive gauges) plays a major role in its walking tendency and steerability. A quantitative evaluation of how these factors contribute to well trajectory (inclination and azimuth) is given. For the first time, a full-scale directional-drilling bench was built to measure the walking tendency and steerability of PDC bits. The results obtained demonstrate that the bit profile, gauge cutters, and gauge length have a significant effect. A 3D theoretical rockbit interaction model was developed to reproduce the drilling test results.