WELL CONSTRUCTION COURSE

Section 3 : Casing Design

1
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

FUNCTIONS
OF CASING

2
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. To KEEP the hole open and prevent collapse

2. To ISOLATE porous different pressure regimes so that
production or injection may be controlled from a
specific section
3. To PROTECT formations from contamination and
fracture
4. To CONTROL any pressures encountered in the well
5. To provide structural SUPPORT for the BOPs on the
wellhead
6. To ALLOW the passage of testing and completion
equipment
3
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Q. Why not just drill to TD ?

A. Due to the nature of sedimentary basins :

• Unstable formations and differing pressures necessitate
casing off the open hole at certain depths to enable the
final well objective to be met
• Too long an open hole will collapse and pack off -
possible SIDETRACK or REDRILL
• Exposed High and Low Pressure Zones - BLOWOUT

4
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Largest tangible cost on any well

2. Performs critical functions - support, stability
3. Errors in calculations can impact cost, safety
4. Every design has two areas in common
• Subjective assumptions have to be made concerning
maximum loads
• After the loads are calculated a design factor will
apply
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Data is taken from offset wells or local geological

knowledge - but actual lithologies may differ

2. LOT data may be different from the predicted values

- need to be able to adjust the wellplan while drilling

3. The controllable kick size must be known at all times

while drilling the well - KICK TOLERANCE

4. Inter-relationships MUST be known between LOT, PP,

potential drilling problems and KT

6
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

UK North Sea Examples

C E
A B ERD

30” 30” 30” 30” 30”

20” 20” 20” 20” 20”

13-3/8” 13-3/8” 13-3/8”

9-5/8”

9-5/8” 9-5/8” 9-5/8”

9-5/8” 7” Liner 7” Liner 7” Liner 7” Liner

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

CASING COMMON FUNCTIONS NORMAL

TYPE SIZES RANGE
Conductor 30”, 26” Conduit for the drilling fluid. Cases off
shallow, unconsolidated formations. Allows
50 – 1500’
diverter installation

Surface 20”, 13-3/8” A/A plus protect against shallow gas. Case
off lost circulation zones. First casing on
100 – 5000’
which a BOP can be run

Intermediate 13-3/8”, 9-5/8” A/A plus allows heavier weight muds to be

used. Set in transition zone of abnormally
1000 – 15000’
pressured formations

Production 9-5/8”, 7” Casing inside which the production casing

will be run. Seperates production zones
Above of across
from other reservoir forms Reservoir

Liners 7”, 5” A/A plus facillitate testing and act as part of

the completion in conjunction with the
Across Reservoir
production tubing.

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Shoe depth chosen so that next

hole section will not be
fractured with higher mud
weights
2. North Sea the average 30”
setting depth 340’ below sea
bed.
3. Returns to seabed.
4. Cemented back to sea bed
5. Conductor analysis determines
minimum height of cement to
avoid a top up job
6. Can be pile driven on land -
often called STOVE PIPE
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Combats weak
formations found at
shallow depths
2. Usually set in competent
rock - hard limestone etc
3. Usually the first casing
that the BOP stack is set
on
4. Normally 20” in the North
Sea or 18-5/8” in the
Middle East
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Usually set to case off a

potentially unstable formation -
Eocene Shales
2. Good cementation must be
ensured - multi-stage cement
jobs or multi-stage collars
3. Traditionally 13-3/8” or 9-5/8”
casing
4. Connectors are usually Buttress
- not premium sealing

11
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Production Casing represents

the last casing string
2. Run to isolate producing
zones, to provide reservoir
fluid control and to permit
selective production of specific
reservoir zones
3. This is the size through which
the well will be completed
4. Usual size is 9-5/8” or 7”

12
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

• Does not reach the surface

• Hung off using a liner hanger
• As set on bottom, main criteria
is max collapse pressure
• Advantages - lower costs,
less pipe, faster running times
• Disadvantages - any leaks,
tie-back packer, small bore -
difficult to always get a good
cement job

13
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Casing is usually described in terms of :

1. Outside Diameter
2. Nominal unit weight and wall thickness
3. The grade of the steel
4. The type of Connection
5. The Range and length of joint
6. The Manufacturing Process
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. The diameter referred to is the pipe body

2. The diameter of the coupling is larger
3. OD tolerance permitted for casing is +1, -0.5%
4. Wall thickness tolerance is +0, -12.5%
5. More specific requirements are set for upset
ends of pipe and tubing

15
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

• Mechanical and physical properties dependent on

chemical composition and heat treatment
• API has defined 8 grades [see API specs 5A, 5AC,
5AX]
• H40 J55 K55 L80 N80 C95 and P110
• The numbers indicate MINIMUM YIELD STRENGTH in
thousands of psi.
• The letters serve to prevent oral confusion, although
some have additional meaning
• K : > minimum ultimate tensile strength than J
• C and L : ‘Restricted Yield Strength’
• P : “High Strength” material
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

• PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: defined in terms of Min

and Max Yield Strength and Min Tensile Strength
• MINIMUM Yield Strength: most important in casing
design - used to calculate minimum performance
properties
• P110: can now be used in most normal operations.
• API TESTING; Limited, thus clients may require extra
inspection of critical strings whose failure could have
serious consequences [i.e., HPHT, sour gas wells]

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

• Standardised at API Convention in 1924 - they are:

1. API Short Round Thread STC
2. API Long Round Thread LTIC
3. Buttress Thread BTC
4. Extreme Line XL

• BUTTRESS THREADS: surface and intermediate casing

• PREMIUM THREADS: for production casing strings.
• PREMIUM SEALS metal to metal sealing, > cost.
• Estimated 86% of LEAKS occur on CONNECTIONS

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Not equal lengths, API specify the range

Range Length (ft) Average (ft)

1 16 - 25 22
2 25 - 34 31
3 > 34 42

RANGE 3 PIPE; is longer and minimises the number

of connections (hence the possible leak areas).

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Normally specified as

1. YIELD STRENGTH
1. Pipe Body and Coupling
2. COLLAPSE STRENGTH
3. BURST STRENGTH
• Pipe Body and Coupling

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

PRELIMINARY
CASING DESIGN

21
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Casing is designed to support

three different loads
1. Collapse
2. Burst
3. Tension
2. A standard design process is as
follows

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Define Load Cases Determine Define Initial Casing

COLLAPSE and String
BURST loads

Determine TENSILE
Loads

Adjust Initial Determine Finalise Casing String

Casing String TRIAXIAL loads if
required

23
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. COLLAPSE is calculated first

• calculations based on pore pressure or mud weight
that the casing is set in, with the pipe evacuated.

2. BURST Loads are then calculated

• At shoe – the lessor of PP at next setting depth
minus the gas column to the shoe or the FP at the
shoe
• At surface – a/a + gas column to surface, minus
the decreasing PP (or salt water column) to
surface 24
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

4. Design Factors are then applied

• See WC manual
5. Initial Casing Selected
• Advise maximum three sections per string
6. TENSILE Loads are then calculated
• Based on selected casing weights
• Buoyed tension compared to pipe body
strength and connector strength to ensure
design factors OK

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Installation
Load cases are
calculated in the order • Casing Running
that they appear • Casing cementing
• Plug bump etc

2. Drilling 3. Production

1. Pressure Testing after WOC 1. Completion / Kill Fluids

2. Maximum Mud Weight 2. Tubing Leaks
3. Lost Circulation, Well Control 3. Functioning DST Tools etc
26
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Load Component Installation Drilling Production

Weight in Air X X X

Buoyancy X X X

Bending (Fb) X X X

Shock Load (Fs) X

Weight of Cement X

Pressure Testing X X

Total

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Casing properties
are downrated by MANUAL
a design factor to DESIGN FACTORS
ensure a margin of
safety. Collapse 1.00
Burst 1.10
2. Note : Local
legislation and Tension 1.30
individual Operators
may have different Triaxial 1.25
design factors
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

CASING SETTING
DEPTH SELECTION

29
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

WELL ABC
M ud We ight Vs Fracture / Pore Pre sure Curv e s

Pore Pressures
0

Fracture Pressures
1000

2000

3000

4000
Depth

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Equivalent Mud Weight (ppg)
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

WELL ABC
M ud We ight Vs Fracture / Pore Pre sure Curv e s

Pore Pressures
0

Fracture Pressures
1000
D epth
Lithology

2000
1000

1500
3000
2000

2500
4000
3000
Depth

3500
5000
4000

4500

5000 6000

5500

6000 7000

6500

7000
8000

7500

9000
8000

8500

10000
9000 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Equivalent Mud Weight (ppg)
9500

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

WELL ABC
M ud We ight Vs Fracture / Pore Pre sure Curv e s

Pore Pressures
D epth
Lithology 0
0

Fracture Pressures
1000 1000

1500

2000
2000

2500

3000
3000

3500

4000
4000

4500
Depth

5000
5000
5500

6000
6000

6500

7000 7000

7500

8000 8000

8500

9000
9000

9500

10000
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Equivalent Mud Weight (ppg)
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

WELL ABC
M ud We ight Vs Fracture / Pore Pre sure Curv e s

Pore Pressures
D epth
Lithology 0
0

Fracture Pressures
1000 1000

1500

2000
2000

2500

3000
3000

3500

4000 4000

4500
Depth

5000
5000
5500

6000
6000

6500

7000
7000

7500

8000 8000

8500

9000 9000

9500

10000
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Equivalent Mud Weight (ppg)
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Construct

1. Mean Pore Pressure

gradient curve
2. Mud Weight curve
(+ 200 - 400 psi or
0.5ppg)
3. Fracture Gradient
curve
4. Add Safety Margin
Line (0.3 –
0.5ppEMW less)
5. Check Offset Mud
weights and LOT
data results
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Check the mud

weight curve at
point A

2. Move up vertically
to point B

B B is the setting depth

for PRODUCTION
A casing

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

3. Move to point C
- the mud weight
at this depth

4. Move up
D vertically to point
D.

C D is the estimated
setting depth for
INTERMEDIATE
casing

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

5. Move to point E
to check the mud
weight required.
As the pore
pressure is
E
normal at this
depth casing is
not required for
mud weight.

37
WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Shallow gas zones

2. Lost circulation zones
3. Lithologies
4. Unstable formations
5. Well profile
6. Hole cleaning
7. Salt sections or high pressure zones
8. Kick Tolerance

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

KICK TOLERANCE
CONSIDERATIONS

40
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

TWO TYPES

1. Kick Intensity
WE WILL
DO THIS ONE
2. Kick Volume

41
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Look at the problem in Section 3

2. Draw a brief Well Schematic

We will then work through the

problem together

42
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

SCHEMATIC

8,842 ft

4281ft

TD = 13,123 ft
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN KICK

MAASP

MAMW = 14.3 ppg

INTENSITY
506 psi
MW = 13.2 ppg
KI = MAASP - ( MW x .052 x Hi )
.052 x TVD

MAASP = 8,842 x (14.3 - 13.2) x .052

* Assumes gas has no weight

Dwp = 8,842 ft so it is not included in the
formulae.
TD - Dwp
= 4281ft

TD = 13,123 ft
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

KICK MAASP
CASING DESIGN

INTENSITY KI = MAASP - ( MW x .052 x Hi )

506 psi
.052 x TVD
MW = 13.2 ppg

KI = 506 - ( MW x .052 x 300 )

.052 x TVD
Dwp = 8,842 ft

TD = 13,123 ft

= 0.44 ppg

Height of influx based TD - Dwp

= 4281ft
on a 25 bbl kick

300 ft

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

MAASP KICK INTENSITY

506 psi SO WHAT DOES IT
MEAN ?
MW = 13.2 ppg

KI = 506 - ( 13.2 x .052 x 300 ) = .44 ppg

.052 x 13,123

8,842 ft This is the maximum mud weight

increase to circulate out a 25bbl kick
13,123 ft without fracturing the weak point.

Mud weight to balance the formation

Height of influx based 4281ft
pressure is 13.2 ppg + 0.44 ppg
on a 25 bbl gas kick
= 13.64ppg
300 ft

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

WELL ABC
M ud We ight Vs Fracture / Pore Pre sure Curv e s

Pore Pressures
Use the Offset
D epth
Lithology
0
0

1000 1000
Fracture Pressures Well Data +
1500

2000
2000
your Pore
2500

3000
3000
Pressure and
3500

4000

4500
4000

Fracture
Depth

5000
5000
5500

6000
6000
Gradient Plot
6500

7000 7000
information to
select the 13-
7500

8000 8000

3/8” and 9-5/8”

8500

9000
9000

9500

10000
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Equivalent Mud Weight (ppg)
14 15 16

setting depths

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Calculate the Kick Intensity for your selected casing depths for the
12-1/4” and 8-1/2” Sections
KI = MAASP - ( MW x .052 x Hi )
.052 x TVD

Example: for the 12-1/4” hole you need:

1. Your selected setting depth for the 13-3/8” shoe
2. LOT at the 13-3/8” shoe (from your plot)
3. Mud Weight for the 12-1/4” (from your plot)
4. Your selected 12-1/4” TD
5. 8” Collars (Assume 600ft length)
6. Assume 25bbl kick and 0.5ppg minimum KI

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

HOWEVER !!
As we have offset data we need to use it to plan
our well. Recalculate the KI using offset well data
1. Your selected 13-3/8” setting depth
2. The LOT at the 13-3/8” shoe (from your plot)
3. 12-1/4” Mud Weight (estimate from your offset
data)
4. Your selected 12-1/4” TD
5. 8” Collars (estimate from the offset data BHAs)
6. Use 25bbl kick and 0.5ppg minimum KI
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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

WORKED EXAMPLE

50
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. Calculate for COLLAPSE

1. Collapse drilling Load
2. Selecting casing based on collapse

2. Calculate for BURST

1. Burst drilling Load
2. Selecting casing based on burst

3. Check Tensile Loads

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Draw a Schematic

The summary well data for the

worked casing design is:

13⅜” casing set at 9,750 ft

External Mud weight (outside) 11 ppg

Internal Mud Weight (inside) 11.2

ppg

Next Section TD (12¼”) 13,360

ft

52
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Mud Mud
Weight Weight
BASIC Inside Outside

WELL 9,750 ft MD
11.2 ppg 11.0 ppg

DATA

13,360 ft MD

53
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Schematic
The worst case collapse load during
drilling occurs if lost circulation is
encountered and the internal hydrostatic
pressure decreases. Let us assume Lost
Circulation while drilling 12¼” Hole
below 13⅜” Casing. The well information
is:

13⅜” casing 9,750 ft

External Mud weight 11 ppg

Internal Mud Weight 11.2 ppg

Drilling ahead,12¼” hole 13,360 ft

Losses and fluid drop to 2,528 ft

54
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

MUD LEVEL
DROPS
MUD LEVEL
INSIDE
DROPS 2,528 ft MD
Mud
Mud
Weight
TO
Weight outside
Inside 11.0 ppg
2528 ft 9,750 ft MD
11.2 ppg

13,360 ft MD
55
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Calculate the INTERNAL Pressure Profile

at surface = This is the pressure

at 2528 ft = Acting inside the casing
at casing shoe =
= psi

Calculate the EXTERNAL Pressure Profile

at surface = This is the pressure

at casing shoe = Acting outside the casing
= psi

Calculate the NETT Collapse Load at the Casing Shoe

Nett collapse at shoe = ________psi

56
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

13-3/8 casing 9,750 ft

Mud weight 11 ppg
Internal Mud Wt 11.2 ppg
Drilling ahead12-1/4” 13,360 ft
Fluid drop to 2,528 ft

Internal pressure profile

at surface =0
at 2528 ft =0
at casing shoe = (9750’ - 2528’) x 11.2 ppg x
0.052 = 4,206 psi

External pressure profile

at surface =0
at casing shoe = 9750’ x 11.0 ppg x 0.052 = 5,577
psi

Nett collapse at shoe = 5,577 psi - 4,206 psi = 1,371 psi

57
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

0 ft

Nett Collapse Line

2528 ft 1446 psi

Depth

9750 ft
1371 psi 4206 psi 5577 psi

Pressure

58
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. The following casings are available – 13-3/8”,

68lb/ft K55 and 13-3/8”, 72lb/ft, N80.
2. The Transocean design factors for collapse is 1.0

Size Grade Wt Inside Collapse Body Yield Burst Downrated Burst Coupling
per Diameter Resistance Strength Pressure Pressure Buttress Thread
foot
lbs ins psi x1000 lbs psi (Transocean DF
ins psi
= 1.1)

13-3/8” K55 68 12.415 1,950 1,069,000 3,450 3,450

13-3/8” N80 72 12.347 2,670 1,661,000 5,380 5,380

59
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Casing Wear
• reduces wall thickness

Fill-up of casing strings while running

• inadequate fill-up can result in casing
collapse

60
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Schematic
The worst case Burst Load occurs
either during pressure testing or
during a well control event. Let us
assume the 13-3/8” casing is being
pressure tested to 3,000psi

13-3/8 casing 9,750 ft

Mud weight 11.5 ppg

➢ Top of Cement (TOC) at 3000’

➢ Previous Casing shoe at 1500’
➢ Pressure test to 3000 psi
➢ Note: assume that, in the
annulus, the cement has
deteriorated to normal Pore
Pressure at 8.6ppg EMW and the
mud has deteriorated to
‘brackish’ water at 8.33ppg
EMW.

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

3,000 psi
PRESSURE TEST
PRESSURE
TESTING ‘Water’
TO
Surface
(8.33ppg)
3,000 psi TOC TOC
at 3000’
11.5ppg
Mud

9750’ ‘Cement’
(8.6ppg)

62
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Calculate the INTERNAL Pressure Profile [psi]

at Surface = psi
at Casing Shoe = psi
Total = psi

Calculate the External Pressure Profile [psi]

at Surface = __________psi
at TOC = ______________________________psi
at Casing Shoe = ______________________________psi
Total = ________psi

Calculate the NETT Burst Load at surface and the casing shoe [psi]
at Surface = psi
at Casing Shoe = psi

63
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

at surface = 3000 (ie, the casing test

pressure)

at casing shoe = 3000 psi + (9750 x 11.5 x

.052)

= 8,831 psi

64
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

at surface = 0

at TOC = 3000ft x 8.33 ppg x 0.052 =

1299 psi

Between TOC at 3000 ft & the shoe at 9750 ft

= 6750 ft x 8.6 ppg x .052 =
3019 psi

Total = 4,318 psi

65
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

at surface = 3000 psi

at shoe = 8831 psi – 4318

psi

= 4,513 psi

66
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Production Casing Surface Tubing Leak

Load at shoe = gas at surface + HH of fluid

Development Drilling
Can use oil gradient for invading fluid if no gas present

Pressure Testing
Lowest of Max WH pressure, 80% of burst, WH or
BOP rating

Surface Equipment Limitations

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Surface 3000 psi

TOC – 3000 ft

DEPTH (ft)

Nett Burst

9750 ft
4513 psi

3000 6000 9000

PRESSURE (psi)

68
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

1. The following casings are available – 13-3/8”, 68lb/ft K55 and

13-3/8”, 72lb/ft, N80.
2. Note: The Transocean design factors for burst is 1.1, so
downrate the burst pressure accordingly.

Size Grade Wt Inside Collapse Body Yield Burst Downrated Burst Coupling
per Diameter Resistance Strength Pressure Pressure Buttress Thread
foot
lbs ins psi x1000 lbs psi (Transocean DF
ins psi
= 1.1)

13-3/8” K55 68 12.415 1,950 1,069,000 3,450 3,136 3,450

13-3/8” N80 72 12.347 2,670 1,661,000 5,380 4,891 5,380

69
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

3,000 psi 13-3/8” K55 – 68 ppf

0 ft 1. Collapse 1950 psi
3. Burst 3450 (3136 downrated for DF)

1446 psi
13-3/8” N80 - 72 ppf
2. Collapse 2670 psi
4. Burst 5380 (4891 downrated for DF)

CONCLUSION
9750 ft
1371 psi 4,271 psi Both are suitable for Collapse
Only N80 suitable for Burst

RECOMMENDATION
Nett Collapse Nett Burst
Select 72ppf, N80

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Once the casing meets collapse and design criteria, it is necessary to ensure
that it will meet the Tensile design. It needs to withstand installation, drilling
and production loads. It is assume that the casing is fixed at the surface but
free to move at the shoe.. The following loads need to be considered.

Load Component Installation Drilling Production

Weight in Air X X X
Buoyancy X X X
Bending (Fb) X X X
Shock Load (Fs) X
Pressure Testing X X
Total Load (lbs)

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Load cases are calculated Installation

in the order that they appear
1. Installation • Casing Running
2. Drilling • Casing cementing
3. Production • Plug bump etc

Drilling Production

1. Pressure Testing after WOC 1. Completion / Kill Fluids

2. Maximum Mud Weight 2. Tubing Leaks
3. Lost Circulation, Well Control 3. Functioning DST Tools etc

72
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Let us assume two load scenarios:

1. The maximum installation (or running) load when running the 13-3/8”
casing to 9,750ft.
• Inside diameter 12.347”
• Mud weight 11.0 ppg
• Instantaneous Velocity 5 ft/sec

2. The maximum drilling load when cementing the 13-3/8” casing at 9,750ft.
• Top of Lead Slurry 3,000 ft
• Weight of Lead Slurry 11.6 ppg
• Top of Tail Slurry 9,000 ft
• Weight of Tail Slurry 15.8 ppg
• Plug Bump Pressure 3,000 psi

Calculation:
Use the data above + the attached handout (from the Well Construction Manual,
Section 3, to calculate the tensile loads and fill out the table on the next page.

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 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Load Component Installation Drilling Production

Weight in Air
Fair = W x TVD

Buoyancy (note: needs to be subtracted)

Fbuoy = (Pe x Ao) – (Pi x Ai)

Bending (Fb)
Fbend = 64 x DLS x OD x W

Shock Load (Fs)

Fshock = 1,780 x V x As

Pressure Testing
Fptest = Pptest x Ai

Total Tensile Load (lbs)

74
 WELL CONSTRUCTION

CASING DESIGN

Load Component Installation Drilling Production

Weight in Air 702,000 702,000 702,000

Buoyancy (subtract) 115,821 168,425 115,821

Bending (Fb) 61,632 61,632 61,632

Shock Load (Fs) 184,832

Pressure Testing 359,198 359,198

Total Tensile (lbs) 832,643 lbs 954,405 lbs 954,405

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CASING DESIGN

13-3/8” N80 Tensile

Load Component Installation Drilling Production
From tables =
Weight in Air 702,000 702,000 702,000
1,661,000 lbs
Buoyancy 115,821 168,425 168,425

Bending (Fb) 61,632 61,632 61,632

Design Factor = 1.3
Shock Load (Fs) 184,832
1.3 x 954,405 lbs
Pressure Testing 359,198 359,198
= 1,277,923 lbs
Total [lbs] 832,643 954,405 954,405

Thus Tensile Design

is OK

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CASING DESIGN

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