Question

When planning a build section in directional drilling, what is the precise formula to determine the radius of curvature based on the desired build rate in degrees per 100 feet?

Accepted Answer

To calculate the radius of curvature, which is the radius of the perfect circle the wellbore follows while changing direction, you use the formula Radius equals 5730 divided by the build rate. The build rate is the intensity of the turn measured in degrees per 100 feet. The constant 5730 is derived from the number of feet in a circle with a 360-degree circumference divided by 2 times pi, which converts angular degrees into linear distance. For example, if you want to turn at a build rate of 3 degrees per 100 feet, you divide 5730 by 3 to get a radius of 1910 feet, meaning the well is essentially carving out a slice of a circle with a 1910-foot radius. This formula is accurate for all standard build rates because it assumes the wellbore is following a constant, smooth arc.

When planning a build section in directional drilling, what is the precise formula to determine the radius of curvature based on the desired build rate in degrees per 100 feet?

To calculate the radius of curvature, which is the radius of the perfect circle the wellbore follows while changing direction, you use the formula Radius equals 5730 divided by the build rate. The build rate is the intensity of the tu....

Community Answers

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When planning a build section in directional drilling, what is the precise formula to determine the radius of curvature based on the desired build rate in degrees per 100 feet?

To calculate the radius of curvature, which is the radius of the perfect circle the wellbore follows while changing direction, you use the formula Radius equals 5730 divided by the build rate. The build rate is the intensity of the tu....

Community Answers