The Case menu (a selection on the menu bar) is used to enter data including hole sections, workstring, fluid, etc. The contents of the Case menu will change depending on the module you have selected because modules require different information about the well. Later, we will use the Parameter menu to enter additional data specific to the analysis type you are performing.
It is recommended that you begin entering data in the first menu item available on the case menu and work your way down the menu selections. You can use the Wizard Toolbar to enter data in the proper order.
Defining the Hole Section Geometry
The Case > Hole Section Editor is used to define the inner
configuration of the well including the components of the hole section and the material properties of the components. Open hole sections are also defined using the Hole Section Editor. The well configuration can be entered entirely using the Hole Section Editor or can be copied from another Case using the Well Explorer. Refer to “Working With Design- and Case-Associated Components” on page 108 for more information about copying associated items.
The Hole Section is associated to a particular Case. Refer to “Associated Data Components” on page 57 for more information concerning the Well Explorer and linked data items.
Since a Design (as defined in the Well Explorer, “Working at the Design Level” on page 98) can have multiple Cases, you need to enter data into the Hole Section Editor to define the well profile and well depth of a particular Case for analysis. The hole section configuration is common for all WELLPLAN modules while analyzing the Case the hole section is associated to.
You must enter the hole section information from the surface down to the bottom of the well. When you make a selection from a Section Type cell (other then Open Hole), a dialog specific to that section type appears. You must fill in the data in the dialog in order for that section
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
Hole Section Editor Menu
When the Hole Section Editor is visible, the menu bar has an additional menu option available. This menu option titled Hole Section is used to access the catalog.
Defining a Work String
Note: Using the effective hole diameter...
For cased sections, specify the effective hole diameter of the hole into which the casing is inserted. (Do NOT enter the casing OD.) This diameter is used for surge calculations to compute the elastic properties. For open hole sections, the effective hole diameter is used to represent the actual size of the hole. Volume Excess % is calculated based on effective hole diameter.
If you import a caliper log into WELLPLAN, you should double-check the values for any rows labeled Open Hole. The Import Caliper Log function takes the number of blocks specified by the user and creates the same number of rows in the spreadsheet, averaging the individual measured hole diameters into each section described in the spreadsheet. Logs that start at the bottom of the casing may not continue all the way to the top of the well, in which case the first geometry may need to be added to the top of the outer geometry table after performing the import.
Washed out portions of a well may cause the caliper to record values such as -999.0, which represents an unknown value. If any value is blank, you must enter an appropriate diameter by typing it into the spreadsheet.
Each row defines a section of the hole.
For cased sections, specify the effective hole diameter of the hole into which the casing is inserted. (Do NOT enter the casing OD.) This diameter is used for surge calculations to compute elastic properties. For open hole sections, the effective hole diameter is used to represent the actual size of the hole.
Volume Excess % is calculated based on effective hole diameter.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
drill strings are all defined using this spreadsheet. Strings can be entered from the top down or from the bottom up. You must specify the length of the section and several other defining properties of the section that will be used in further analysis. String depth is an important item on this form, and indicates the bit depth used in many of the analysis modes.
When you make a selection from a Section Type cell, a dialog specific to that section type appears. You must fill in the data in the dialog in order for that section type to be recorded in that cell. You also must fill in all editable cells in the spreadsheet row.
Workstrings can be entered entirely, or can be copied from another Case using the Well Explorer. Refer to “Associated Data Components” on page 57 for more information.
Since a Design (as defined in the Well Explorer, “Working at the Design Level” on page 98) can have multiple Cases, you need to enter data in this editor to define the workstring of a particular Case. The workstring configuration is used for all WELLPLAN modules while analyzing the Case the workstring is associated to.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
To edit or view information concerning a particular component, click any data cell pertaining to the component and then use String > Data.
Enter string depth. It will be used in many analysis modes.
Select string entry order. Select from Top-to-Bottom, or Bottom-To-Top.
Click on a component, then use String >
Catalog to access the catalog for a component or use String > Data to edit the data for a component.
Click the Export button to export a string to the library. Click the Import button to import the string from the library. The String Name field on this spreadsheet is the unique identifier for the string when importing or exporting from/to a library.
Refer to “Using Libraries” on page 148.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
You can change much of the information describing the component on the Data dialog, however these changes are not made to the catalog entry corresponding to the component. You must use the Well Explorer to change the catalog entry. Refer to “Working With Catalogs” on
page 110 for more information. On the component data dialog there are some material property cells that can not be edited. This information is related to the grade, class and material selected for the component from the drop-down lists. Use Tools > Tubular Properties to add or edit component material types, grades, or class.
Managing Wellpath Data
The Case > Wellpath menu item has a submenu. Use these menu choices to enter wellpath data, apply tortuosity to the wellpaths, and define survey calculation methods.
Importing Wellpath Files
You can import survey data points using File > Import > Wellpath File. This is useful if you have wellpath data from a source other than another Landmark software product.
A wellpath file must meet the following requirements to be imported using this option.
Use Tools > Tubular
Properties to edit the tubular material types, material properties, grades, or classes available for selection on the drop-down list.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
• The data must be in columns, each separated by a comma, tab, or blank space. If you are using the Clipboard to import from Excel, use “Tab” as the column delimiter.
• Each row must have the same format.
• The measured depth, inclination and azimuth must be in a supported unit.
Entering Wellpath Data
Use Case > Wellpath > Editor to enter wellpath data points. You must specify measured depth, inclination, and azimuth. The rest of the information displayed in the non-editable cells will be calculated for you. Wellpath data is calculated using the minimum curvature method.
Specify data order. The checkbox is disabled for
non-actual designs. For actual designs, you can click on the box and WELLPLAN generates a definitive survey path from actual surveys (i.e. enter surveys in OpenWells and use this to generate from this entered data).
After selecting the box, the definitive survey becomes locked (since it is calculated). If the box is not checked, the definitive survey editor returns to its previous state.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
Setting Wellpath Options
Use Case > Wellpath > Options to add tortuosity to a wellpath, or to interpolate between data points. You can add tortuosity to wellpath data points. Tortuosity is designed to apply a “rippling” to a planned wellpath to simulate the variations found in actual surveys. Tortuosity should never be applied to actual survey data.
The three tortuosity methods available are sine wave, random inclination dependent azimuth, and random inclination and azimuth.
The sine wave modifies the inclination and azimuth of the survey based on the concept of a sine wave shaped ripple running along the wellbore.
The random methods apply random variation to the inclination and azimuth. This method is based on SPE 19550. Refer to the online help or to “Tortuosity” on page 244 for more information.
Viewing Wellpaths w/Tortuosity
Case > Wellpath> View w/Tortuosity data is only available if tortuosity has been applied using the Case > Wellpath > Options dialog. This spreadsheet displays a read-only view of the wellpath that
Magnitude is the maximum variation of angle that will be applied to the inclination and azimuth of the native (untortured) wellpath.
For the Sine Wave method this is the wavelength of the ripple. For the Random methods, the Angle Change Period is used to normalize the measured depth distance between wellpath points.
Wellpath data is calculated at the interval specified.
Select one tortuosity method.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
Viewing Wellpath w/Interpolation
The survey data displayed using Case > Wellpath > View
w/Interpolation is a read-only view of the interpolated survey data set.
If interpolation is not applied in the Case > Wellpath > Options dialog, a default interval of 30 ft will be used. Interpolated survey data is added to the surveys specified in the Case > Wellpath > Editor.
Defining the Active Fluid and Fluid Properties
Defining Drilling Fluids
Use Case > Fluid Editor to define drilling fluids, including muds, cements, spacers, etc. All fluids analyzed using WELLPLAN must be
Most cells in this spreadsheet are read-only.
Most cells in this spreadsheet are read-only.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
using more than one fluid in the analysis by specifying the fluids used on the Parameter > Job Data dialog. However, the fluids must be defined using Case > Fluid Editor before the fluid can be selected using the Parameter > Job Data dialog. Refer to “Defining the Wellbore Fluids and Specifying Pump Rates” on page 415 for the use of the Parameter > Job Data dialog in Surge. Refer to “Defining the Cement Job Fluids” on page 460 for the use of the Parameter > Job Data dialog in Cementing.
Four rheology models are available, including: Power Law, Bingham Plastic, Newtonian, and Herschel Bulkley. For each model you can choose to enter PV/YP data or Fann data. For more information on rheology models, refer to “Power Law Model” on page 332, “Bingham Plastic Model” on page 331, or “Herschel Bulkley Model” on page 332.
Refer to the online help for detailed field descriptions.
Click Activate to activate the selected fluid. Data for the selected fluid is displayed in the dialog.
Check the Cement box to define a cement.
Click Library to access the fluid library. Refer to “Using Libraries” on page 148 for more information.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
Specify Circulating System Equipment
Use the two tabs on the Case > Circulating System dialog to specify surface equipment and mud pumps data. On the Surface Equipment tab, you may choose one of four pre-defined surface equipment
configurations.
To enter the expected pressure loss through the surface
equipment, click Specify Pressure Loss.
To calculate it, click Calculate Pressure select or specify a surface
To calculate the pressure loss, you must select/specify the surface equipment configuration.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
Use the Case > Circulating System > Mud Pumps tab to enter information pertaining to all pumps available. You may indicate which pump(s) are currently active by clicking the Active check box.
Specifying Circulating System for Cementing Analysis
When using the OptiCem Analysis module, the circulating system dialog is different than the dialog used for the other analysis modules.
When using OptiCem, use the Case > Circulating System dialog to specify whether you want to include surface iron in the analysis, and if
Insert a new row by entering data in the next empty row, or by highlighting a row and pressing the Insert key on your keyboard.
Delete a row by highlighting it and pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.
Check this box to specify active pump.
Rather than input all the data for the mud pump, you can select a pump from the catalog. Click Add from Catalog to select a pump from the catalog.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
so, to specify information about the surface iron. This dialog is also used to specify the pump volume per stroke.
Specifying Pore Pressure Data
Use the Case > Pore Pressure spreadsheet to define the pore pressure profile as a function of vertical depth. You may enter either pressure or EMW (ppg) for a vertical depth and the other value will be calculated based on vertical depth. You may enter several rows of data to define many pore pressure gradients. The depths specified on this spreadsheet are automatically used as depths of interest on the plots.
Specifying Fracture Gradient Data
Note: Defining Pore Pressure...
Although pore pressure are defined using the Case menu, pore pressures are linked to the Design level. Therefore, any changes to the pore pressure for one Case will affect all Cases linked to the same Design. Refer to “Working With Design- and Case-Associated Components” on page 108 for more information.
Enter Pore Pressure and EMW is calculated.
Enter EMW and Pore Pressure is calculated.
or You can copy/paste pore
pressure data from an Excel spreadsheet or from another case within WELLPLAN.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
pressure or EMW (ppg) for a vertical depth and the other value will be calculated based on vertical depth. You may enter several rows of data to define many fracture gradients.The depths specified on this
spreadsheet are automatically used as depths of interest on the plots.
Specifying Geothermal Gradient Data
Use the Case > Geothermal Gradient tabs to define the geothermal temperature profile as a function of depth. The Standard tab is used to specify basic formation temperature data. The well temperature at total depth can be specified, or it can be calculated from a gradient.
Note: Defining Fracture Gradients...
Although fracture gradients are defined using the Case menu, fracture gradients are linked to the Design level. Therefore, any changes to the fracture gradient for one Case will affect all Cases linked to the same Design. Refer to “Working With Design- and Case-Associated Components” on page 108 for more information.
Enter Frac Pressure and EMW is calculated.
Enter EMW and Frac Pressure is calculated.
or You can copy/paste pore
fracture gradient data from an Excel spreadsheet or from another case within WELLPLAN.
Click here to specify temperature at TD.
Click here to specify a gradient to use to calculate temperature.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
The Additional tab can be used to add temperatures to characterize a non-linear formation or seawater profile. These temperatures must be entered on a true vertical depth basis. Intermediate temperatures are linearly interpolated between specified points.
Defining String Eccentricity
Use the Case > Eccentricity spreadsheet to specify the eccentricity ratio of the annuli at different depths. Eccentricity reduces the pressure drop for annular flow.
The Hydraulics module will automatically calculate eccentricity using the tool joint diameter regardless of what is entered in the eccentricity spreadsheet. If you specify eccentricity in the spreadsheet, and the calculated tool joint eccentricity is less than the specified eccentricity, the calculated tool joint eccentricity will be used for the engineering calculations. If you check the Concentric Annulus box, the string will be centered in the wellbore regardless of the wellbore deviation or the calculated tool joint eccentricity.
An eccentric annulus ratio is defined by specifying the displacement from the centerline divided by the radial clearance outside the moving pipe. First define the eccentricity for each annular section and then its eccentric value. Define the annular section by specifying a depth in the Depth cell for the row, and then specify an eccentric value for the section. A value of zero is concentric and a value of 1 is fully eccentric.
You can use the WELLPLAN Torque Drag module Position Plot to
Enter temperatures based on TVD.
Chapter 5: Describing the Case Using the Case Menu
Note: Defining Eccentricity...
The Eccentricity spreadsheet is only available when you are using the Herschel Bulkley rheology model. Select the rheology model on the Case > Fluid Editor>
Standard Muds tab. If you are using the Herschel Bulkley rheology model, and the Eccentricity spreadsheet is still not available, try opening the Hole Section Editor and then reopening the Eccentricity spreadsheet.
Enter eccentricity = 1 to indicate string positioned against the wellbore Check the Concentric Annulus box to indicate the entire
string is concentric in the annulus. If this box is checked, data in the spreadsheet will not be used.