Drill-off Tests

PREPARED BY

SHAHRUKH RAZA
PETROLEUM ENGINEER
 Purpose of Drill off Test
 The drill-off test is performed in order to determine combination of

 weight on bit (WOB) and

 rotary speed to maximise penetration rate (PR).

 Drill off tests should be done

1- at the start of the bit run.

2- on encountering a new formation.

3- if a reduction in rate of penetration (ROP) occurs.

 Drill-off Test Procedure

 Step 1
Maintain a constant rpm. Select a WOB (near to maximum allowable).
 Step 2
Record the time to drill off a weight increment (5000 lb)
 Step 3
Record length of pipe drilled during step-2.
 Step 4
From step 2-3, the drill rate in ft/hr may be found.
 Step 5
Repeat step 2 and 3 at least four times. The last test should be at the same
value as the first test. This will determine if the formation has changed or not.
 Step 6
Select the bit weight which produced the faster ROP. Maintain this WOB
constant and repeat the above procedure for varying RPM values.
 Example
 Find the optimum WOB and RPM values with the given
Drill-off test data.
 Drill Rate = (Footage x 3600) / Time
Bit weight (lbs) Time (sec) Footage (ft) Drill Rate
(ft/hr)

50000 59 0.5 30.5

45000 62 0.5 29.0

40000 68 0.6 31.8

35000 74 0.48 23.4

30000 78 0.45 20.8

50000 60 0.50 30.0

 RPM Calculations
Drill Rate = (Footage x 3600) / Time
RPM Time to Drill -1/2 ft- Drill Rate (ft/hr)
(sec)

100 70 25.7

90 65 27.7

80 60 30.0

70 64 23.1

60 69 26.1

100 72 25.0
 Results
 Optimum WOB = 40000 lbs
 Optimum RPM = 80 rpm