RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Directional Surveys and Associated Issues

Keith May
Technical Permitting
Engineering Unit
Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
 Directional Drilling

http://tntenergy.ca/directional-drilling

Thanks to advancements in drilling technology,

drillers have incredible control and precision over
their drilling operations.
 Directional Drilling

Measurement while drilling or

MWD tools allow the driller to
“steer” the drill bit.

After each joint of pipe is added

positional data is transmitted up
the wellbore. What we end up with
is X, Y and Z coordinates of the
wellbore.
 Vertical Well

70’
Even vertical
wells can have
substantial
drifts from
their intended
10’
direction.
10’ 90’

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 An Example
Drilling a 5280’ horizontal with 3 degree error
in a particular direction would result in offset
of 276’ in that direction!
Lease Line

Only 3°!
Permitted Location

276’
 An Example
Drilling a 5280’ horizontal with 3 degree error
in a particular direction would result in offset
of 276’ in that direction!
• Typical horizontals in Eagle Ford
are thousands of feet in length.
• Typical lease line spacing is 330’.
• Must be in compliance with
spacing rules.
 The RRC has a job to do
Why must surveys and inclination reports be
submitted?
• To insure lease line and wellbore spacing
rules are being followed.
• Protection of oil and gas reservoirs
Where can I find the Rules?

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Where can I find the Rules?

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Where can I find the Rules?

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Where can I find the Rules?

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Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
 Statewide Rule 3.11 (SWR 11)

SWR11 outlines the requirements for inclination

and directional surveys

Purpose: to accurately confine well location in 3-

D space (X, Y, Z)

*Different survey combinations required

depending on wellbore profile*
 Survey Types
Inclination surveys
Inclination and offset data only (Form W-12)
No coordinates or directional data

Directional surveys
Gyroscopic borehole survey (GYRO)
Measurement while drilling (MWD)
Provide coordinate data (X, Y, and Z)

Each survey type has different data and certification

requirements. It pays to get it right the first time.
 Statewide Rule 3.11 (SWR 11)
INCLINATION SURVEYS

Required of any well drilled/deepened with

rotary tools

First data point shall not exceed 500’ deep

Data points not to exceed 1000’ apart

Outlines several exceptions to the rule based

on depth and spacing to lease lines
 Statewide Rule 3.11 (SWR 11)
INCLINATION SURVEYS

Submitted on form W-12 by operator

Performed by drilling company

Certified by drilling company and operator

Report horizontal offset without direction, so

offset direction assumed to be toward nearest
lease line
Form W-12

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 Form W-12

Shot
Showspoints
cumulative
must begin
displacement
within 500’
from
of the
vertical.
surface
Must not exceed
shall not
distance
exceedto1000’
nearest
apart.
lease line
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 Form W-12

Operator
Drilling certifies
Accumulative
company that the well was
displacement
representative not intentionally
is given
certifies
without
accuracy
a
deviated
compass direction, of from
must vertical.
thenot
data
exceed distance to
nearest lease line.
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 SWR 11: Vertical Wells

Ideal Vertical Well N

0 1000’
W E

150’
W-12 accepted for entire depth

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 SWR 11: Vertical Wells

Actual Well N
0 1000’
W E
75’

65’

10’ 155’ 150’

Cumulative total displacement: 75’+65’+10’=155’

Actual displacement: 10’ 24

 SWR 11: Directional Surveys
DIRECTIONAL SURVEYS

Required for any intentionally-deviated well

Data points no more than 200’ apart, *beginning

within 200’ of the surface

May begin immediately below surface casing depth

(W-12 required in this case)

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 SWR 86: Horizontal Wells

Surface Casing
(W-12 accepted)

Gyro or MWD required

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 SWR 11: Directional Wells

Standard Directional S-curve Variation*

Directional Survey Required *Special permission required

Inclination Survey Accepted to drill an S-curve
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 Statewide Rule 3.86 (SWR 86)

SWR 86 outlines requirements for Horizontal

Drainhole Wells

Purpose: to establish standard requirements for

horizontal wells

*Directional surveys required*

 SWRs 11 & 86: Surveys
• Common mistakes:
— WRONG SURVEYS for wellbore profile
— Surveys missing completely
— Surveys lacking certification
— Surveys don’t tie-in
— Surveys attached for wrong well

• Solution:
― Survey company must correct and resubmit

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 Statewide Rule 3.12 (SWR 12)
Outlines requirements for Submission and Certification
of Directional Surveys:

• Survey Company Name

• Name and title of individual performing survey
• Date survey was performed
• Type of survey conducted
• Complete well identification
• Depths surveyed
• Drilling permit plat with bottom hole location.

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 SWR 12: Proper Certification

I, name, an authorized employee of THE SURVEY

COMPANY, have verified the GYRO/MWD survey
performed on 04/01/2013 to 04/02/2013, from 200’ to
15000’. The data are true, correct, complete and within
the limitations of the tool. This survey was conducted at
the request of OPERATOR for LEASE WELL# (API#)
drilled in TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas.

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 SWR 12: Directional Surveys

Directional Surveys must be submitted and

certified by the company that performed the
survey.

They cannot be accepted directly from the

operator.

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 SWR 12: Proper Certification
• Common mistakes:
– Uploading cover letter instead
– Double-certifying another company’s interval
– Certification completely missing

• Solution:
– Survey company must correct and resubmit

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Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
 Submission Procedures

Submission of Directional surveys is the responsibility

of the survey company.

Survey companies:
• Must appear on list of approved survey companies*
• Must have active P-5 (Organization Report)
• Must upload certification letter as a separate file

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 Submission Procedures

Surveys can be submitted hardcopy through the

mail or through the RRC online system.

• Submitted hard copy takes at least two (2)

weeks.
• Surveys submitted online are immediately
available for review.

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Online Submission

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Online Submission

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Online Query

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 Online Query
Search online by API number to verify
submission

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Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
Presentation Overview

Introduction
Survey Requirements
Submission Procedures
Engineering Review
 Engineering Review

• Survey completeness • Spacing

• Tie-ins • Lease line spacing
• Certification • Between-well spacing
• Well construction • Permitted location
• Wellbore profile • NPZs
• Abandoned wellbore
• Required plugs and
cementing

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 Survey Completeness: Tie ins
• RRC will accept specific combinations of surveys
that represent a complete picture of the entire
wellbore.
• All surveys must tie in at given depths with
identical X,Y, and Z coordinates.

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 Eng Review: Tie-Ins
Survey A (GYRO)
Depth Incl. Azimuth +N/-S +E/-W Tool
600’ 2.3 270° 5 20 GYRO
800’ 3.3 268° 9 -80 GYRO

Survey B (MWD) Tie-in point

Depth Incl. Azimuth N-S E-W Tool
800’ 3.3 268° 9N 80 W GYRO
1000 10 272° 15 N 120 W MWD

We will contact you if the tie-in data are missing.

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 Eng Review: Certification

Attachments page of the G-1 or W-2

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 Engineering Review

Wellbore Construction:

• Compiled from inclination and directional surveys

– SWR 11 requires ALL directional surveys
• Well location projected onto Permit Plat
• Permit and As-drilled plat requirements follow

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 Eng Review: Construction
Lease boundary

Plat Requirements Scale bar

N North Arrow
0 1000’ Surface Location (SL)
Penetration Point (PP)
(SL) (FTP) (BHL) First Take Point (FTP)

(PP) (LTP) Last Take Point (LTP)

Terminus/Bottom Hole
Location (BHL)
Distance to Lease Lines
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 Eng Review: Construction

Permit Location As-drilled Location

N
0 1000’

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 Eng Review: Construction

Wellbore construction
(SL)

(PP)

(FTP) (LTP) (BHL)

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 Eng Review: Construction
Sometimes directional surveys indicate abandoned sections
of wellbore (pilot holes or sidetracks) that must be plugged.

District Offices don’t necessarily review directional

surveys, so it is crucial to communicate any intentions to
abandon portions of the wellbore with the District
Offices directly and in advance.
 Eng Review: Construction

Wellbore construction

Penetration Point (PP)

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 Eng Review: Construction

Wellbore construction

Kick-off Point (KOP)

Penetration Point (PP)

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Eng Review: Construction

Kick Off Points

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 Statewide Rule 3.14 (SWR 14)
Outlines Cementing and Plugging Requirements

Purpose: To isolate and protect usable water and

productive formations from migration and
contamination

*Minimum plug dimensions*:

•100’ thick, centered on penetration point
•Additional 10’ required for each 1000’ TVD.
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Eng Review: Construction

Form: W-15
• Plugging
record on
page 2
• Used to
calculate plug
thickness

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 Eng Review: Abandoned Sections

The MWD directional survey from _____ indicates an

abandoned section of sidetrack 0 below the KOP of
sidetrack 1. The section of abandoned wellbore must
comply with section (d)(7) and section (k) of SWR 14.
The operator must provide documentation that it
complied with the district office's instructions
concerning plugging the abandoned wellbore prior to
sidetracking, as per section (d)(7) of SWR 14.

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 Eng Review: Construction

SWR 14
(j) “The district director or the director's delegate shall
review and approve the notification of intention to plug
in a manner so as to accomplish the purposes of this
section.”
• Exceptions may be granted by district offices, not
Austin
• Note Job# of communication/notification with
District in the remarks section of W-2/G-1

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 SWR 14 Exceptions

1. Contact District Office:

Acknowledge/advise of SWR 14 violation
Explain circumstances of violation
Make a case for adequate isolation
Formally request an exception to the rule
2. Forward District Office response to Engineering
! Letter from operator to District may not resolve issue
Repeat violations may result in recommendation for
administrative penalty action

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 SWR 14 Exceptions

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Oil and Gas Division
9 District Offices:
8A Abilene
6 Corpus Christi
7B 5
Houston
8 7C Kilgore
3 Midland
1 Pampa
2 San Angelo
San Antonio
4 Wichita Falls

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District Office Contact Info

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District Office Contact Info

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District Office Contact Info

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 Eng Review: Spacing

Spacing concerns
N
0 1000’

Lease Line Spacing

Between-well
spacing (horizontal
wells)
Between-well
spacing (vertical
wells)

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 Eng Review: Spacing

Permitted Location
N
0 1000’

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 Eng Review: Spacing

Permitted As-Drilled Location

N
0 1000’

If the as-drilled location does not match the

permit location, the permit may need to be
revised.

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 Eng Review: Spacing

Permitted As-Drilled Location

0 1000’

If the as-drilled location does not match the

permit location, the permit may need to be
revised. However, this may be the result of
an inaccurate North arrow.

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 Eng Review: Spacing

Permitted As-Drilled Location

0 1000’

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 Eng Review: Spacing

Permitted Location
N
0 1000’

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 Eng Review: Spacing

Permitted Location
N
0 500’

If the scale bar is inaccurate, lease line spacing

will be unreliable.

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 Engineering Review

Online messages
• Attached if an issue arises
• Dispatched at the end of the day
• No notification is sent when an operator responds,
email to notify us directly for rapid response
• Otherwise, we go through all old messages
periodically, takes a few days depending on
reviewer.

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 Special Field Rules
Special Field rules are tailor
made rules approved by the
Commission for various
fields.

There are a couple common

rules that are seen in
various fields. Here are a
few:
• Lease Line spacing
• Well Spacing
• Off lease penetration
points
• Box rule
• Heel & Toe Provisions

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Special Field Rules

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Special Field Rules

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 Special Field Rules

This search function

shows the key
information about
the field rules as well
as a link to the docket
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 Special Field Rules
http://www.rrc.texas.gov/legal/hearings-
and-dockets/dockets/oil-gas-proposals-for-
decision-and-orders/

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 Special Field Rules
http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/legal/hearings-
and-dockets/dockets/oil-gas-proposals-for-
decision-and-orders/

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 Special Field Rules
Default Statewide Spacing rules:
467’ Lease Line and 1200’ Between-Well

0 500’
N

467’ 467’
467’

SL/PP FTP/LTP BHL

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 Take-Point Provisions

Take-Point Provisions allow longer drainhole length. Spacing

is measured to the take points instead of the SHL and
terminus

N
0 500’

467’ 467’
467’

SL/PP FTP/LTP BHL

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 Off-lease Penetration Points

Off-lease penetration points enable operator to have

surface-hole and penetration points outside of lease

0 500’
N

467’ 467’
467’

SL/PP FTP/LTP BHL

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 Heel and Toe Provisions

Heel and Toe Provisions reduce spacing requirements

measured from take points, parallel to the drainhole

0 500’
N

467’
200’ 200’

SL/PP FTP/LTP BHL

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 Box/Rectangle Rule
Gives operators extra leeway in drilling wellbores. A box is created
around the proposed FTP and LTP, widths depend on the specific
field rules.
As long as the wellbore stays in the box, it is compliant.

0 500’
N

467’ 467’

SL/PP FTP/LTP BHL

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 Common Online Messages
Problem Solution
Plat Incomplete Correct and resubmit
Directional survey(s) lacking
Directional survey(s) missing Search online query, contact
Wrong Directional Survey surveyor
Invalid tie-in points
Certification lacking
Have surveyor correct cert. letter
Double-certification
SWR 14 violation Contact District Office
Off-lease Terminus
Lease-Line Violation Check scale bar and North
Between-well Spacing violation arrow (on plat), amend
permit if necessary
Well location doesn’t match Plat 84
 In Summation
Know your required surveys.
Certify and Submit accordingly.
Remarks are helpful.
Special Field Rules are your friend.
Take-Point Provisions
Off-Lease Penetration
Heel/Toe Provisions
Rectangle Rules
As-Drilled Plat requirements
For best results: contact your Engineering Specialist
directly in addition to responding to Online Messages.
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 Contact Information

Technical Permitting, Engineering Unit

Karen Cassidy 512/463-6209 [email protected]

Pam Johns 512/463-6899 [email protected]

Hardcopies
Rick Behal 512/463-6473 [email protected]

Stephan Paetzold 512/463-3163 [email protected]

Darren Tjepkema 512/463-6452 [email protected]

Keith May 512/463-6778 [email protected]

Questions?
 FAQs
Q: In the vertical section of a horizontal well, what is the directional survey
shot point spacing?
A: The shot point spacing is always 200 feet or less for all directional survey
in all cases.
Q: If the “correlative interval” is penetrated off-lease but the well is only
perfed at a legal location, what does the operator need to do?
A: By statewide default rules, the well is not allowed to penetrate the
correlative interval off-lease. However, in some fields special field rules
do allow for off-lease POP. Operator is required to serve 21-day notice to
the offset mineral owner. (check special field rules)
Q: If special field rules authorize an off-lease penetration point, can the
terminus be drilled off-lease?
A: This provision does not allow the terminus to be off-lease.

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