Chapter-3 Bottom Hole Assemblies: BHA Operational Guidelines

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Chapter-3

Bottom Hole Assemblies

BHA Operational Guidelines:


Making up new drill collar:
 Clean box and pin thread and apply dope on thread and
shoulder.
 Make up new drill collar using chain tong with drill collar
in floating condition (i.e. Do not release DC weight as it
may damage threads)
 Make up to recommended torque
 Break drill collar and unscrew
 Clean thread and apply dope.
 Repeat this step one more time
The following points are very important for satisfactory drill collar
performance:
 Proper cleaning of thread and shoulder
 Proper lubrication of shoulders and threads
 Proper make up torque
 Repairing minor damage on shoulder and thread
Never make up drill collars or BHA using rotary.
After crack opening DC during POOH, open drill collars with
chain tongs and with a slight upward pull on the blocks to avoid
galling. Do not allow threads to jump after the collar is backed out.
Keep changing working joints of drill string on every trip.
Ensure there are sufficient drill collars or HWDP above drilling
jars
Keep drawings of all BHA components with dimensions like OD,
ID, fish neck lengths for selecting proper fishing tool.
Gauge the bit after makeup to ensure, it is not pinched by the bit
breaker.

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According to the BHA program, stabilizer should be lowered with
required gauge. Gauge them on every trip out and replace sleeve/
stabilizer as required.
Lift sub pins should be cleaned, inspected and lubricated on each
trip. If these pins have been damaged and go unnoticed, they will
eventually damage all of the drill collar boxes.

BHA Design
The bottom hole assembly specified in the drilling program is to be used in
each hole section.
The following points should be considered while selecting BHA
components:
HWDP stands are run between the drill collars and drill pipe to
provide a transition zone.
Ensure that crossovers from large diameter drill collars to smaller
drill collars or drill pipe do not exceed a 2" reduction in size, or
that the stiffness ratio does not exceed5.5 for a non-critical well or
3.5 for a critical well.
Bending strength ratios between 2.50 and 2.75 are preferablefor all
BHA connections in hard formations.
BSR between 2.25 and 2.75 are preferable for softer formations.
When lost circulation is expected, select components of BHA
considering lost circulation material requirements (nozzles, motors,
MWD, PBL)to avoid plugging when pumping LCM.
Ensure that all BHA connections have bore back box and relief
grooves on pins for stress relief.
Spiral drill collars are preferred to minimize differential sticking.
Straight welded blade stabilizers minimize swabbing in gumbo
sections. Stabilizers with a longer contact area increase wall
support area in soft formations. Stabilizers with a shorter contact
area are preferable in hard formations.

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Tentative BHA for Drilling 17 ½” Hole Tentative BHA for Drilling 12 ¼ ” Hole

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Tentative BHA for Drilling 8 ½” Hole

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Drill Pipe Make up Torque

Drill Collar Make up Torque


DC OD & ID 9½”* 8”* 6½”* 4-3/4”*
3” 2-13/16” 2-13/16” 2-1/4”
Connections 7 5/8 6 5/8 Reg 4 IF 3-1/2 IF
Reg
Min make- Kg-m 12,166 7,327 3,069 1,380
up torque Ft-lbs 88,000 53,000 22,200 9,986

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