Ton-miles for coring operation

For coring operation, the ton-miles calculation is also expressed in terms of work in round trip ton-miles. In order to determine the coring ton-miles, you need to figure out ton-miles for one round trip at the depth where coring stopped minus ton-miles for one round trip at the depth where coring began and the multiplied that value by 2.

The formula for calculating ton-mile for coring operation is shown below;

Tc = 2 x (T4 – T3)

Where;

Tc = ton-miles for coring operation
T4 = ton-miles for one round trip at depth where coring operation stopped before coming out of hole
T3 = ton-miles for one round trip at depth where coring get started

Example – Please determine coring ton-mils from 8000 ft to 8050 ft.

Ton-miles @ 8050 ft (end of coring operation) = 200
Ton-miles for trip @ 8000 ft (start of coring operation) = 190

Tc = 2 x (T4 – T3)
Tc = 2 x (200 – 190)
Tc = 20 ton-miles



Ton-Mile (TM) for Coring Operation Calculation Sheet

Ref book: Formulas and Calculations for Drilling, Production and Workover, Second Edition

Round trip ton-miles Calculation

All types of ton-mile service should be calculated and recorded in order to obtain a true picture of the total service received from the rotary drilling line. There are several types of ton miles as follows;

1. Round trip ton-miles
2. Drilling or “connection” ton-miles
3. Coring ton-miles
4. Ton-miles setting casing
5. Short-trip ton-miles

For this time, I will show how to calculate round trip ton-mile.

Round Trip Ton-Miles Calculation

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The formula for round trip ton-miles is listed below;

RTTM = (Wp x D x (Lp + D) + (2 x D) x (2 x Wb + Wc)) ÷ (5280 x 2000)

where
RTTM = Round Trip Ton-Miles
Wp = buoyed weight of drill pipe in lb/ft
D = hole measured depth in ft
Lp = Average length per stand of drill pipe in ft
Wb = weight of travelling block in lb
Wc = buoyed weight of BHA (drill collar + heavy weight drill pipe + BHA) in mud minus the buoyed weight of the same length of drill pipe in lb
** If you have BHA (mud motor, MWD, etc) and HWDP, you must add those weight into calculation as well not just only drill collar weight. **
2000 = number of pounds in one ton
5280 = number of feet in one mile

Note: One ton-mile equals 10,560,000 foot- pounds, and is equivalent to lifting 2,000 pounds a distance of 5,280 feet

Example: Round trip ton-miles

Mud weight = 10.0 ppg
Average length per stand = 94 ft
Drill pipe weight = 13.3 lb/ft
Hole measure depth = 5500 ft
Drill collar length = 120 ft
Drill collar weight = 85 lb/ft
HWDP length = 49 lb/ft
HWDP weight = 450 ft
BHA weight from directional driller = 8,300 lb
BHA length = 94 ft
Travelling block assembly = 95,000 lb

Solution:

a) Buoyancy factor:
BF = (65.5 – 10.0) ÷ 65.5
BF = 0.847

b) Buoyed weight of drill pipe in mud, lb/ft (Wp):
Wp = 13.3 lb/ft x 0.847
Wp = 11.27 lb/ft

c) buoyed weight of BHA (drill collar + heavy weight drill pipe + BHA) in mud minus the buoyed weight of the same length of drill pipe in lb (Wc):

Wc = {[(120×85) + (49×450) + (8300)] x 0.847} – [(120+450+94) x13.3x 0.847]
Wc = 26,866 lb

Round trip ton-miles = [(11.27 x 5500 x (94+ 5500)) + (2 x 5500) x (2 x 95000 + 26,866)] ÷ (5280 x 2000)
RTTM = 258.75 ton-mile

Please find the excel sheet for round trip ton-miles calculation via click this link.
Ref book: Formulas and Calculations for Drilling, Production and Workover, Second Edition

What is Drilling Ton-Mile (TM)?

Drilling Ton-Mile is the work of drilling line that is commonly measured as the cumulative of the load lifted in tons and the distance lifted or lowered in miles. When the predetermined ton-mile limit is reached, drilling contractors will perform slip and cut drilling line to prevent drilling line fatigue.

When drilling line is spooled on and off a drawworks drum during operation as drilling a well, running casing, coring, etc.The drilling line get worn out; therefore, drilling contractors must cut old section and replace with new section of drilling line at specific period based on ton mile calculation.

The most worn area is the end of drilling line where is constantly spooled over the draw works drum. A section of drilling line, typically around 100 ft, is cut then the drilling line is re-attached to the draw works drum and the amount cut off is spooled back on the drum. This operation is called “slip and cut drilling line”.

Note: Ton-mile is the important figure that must be recorded correctly. However, the most important is to visually inspect drilling line all time to see if there is any worn out wire. If you see the worn out line, you need to cut the drilling line even though the drilling line does  not reach ton-mile limit yet.

All types of ton-mile service should be calculated and recorded in order to obtain a true picture of the total service received from the rotary drilling line. There are several types of ton miles as follows;

1. Round trip ton-miles
2. Drilling or “connection” ton-miles
3. Coring ton-miles
4. Ton-miles setting casing
5. Short-trip ton-miles

Ref book: Formulas and Calculations for Drilling, Production and Workover, Second Edition