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Control Drilling Maximum Drilling Rate Formula

MDR=67(MWoMWi)qDh2MDR=67(MW_o-MW_i)\frac{q}{D_h^2}

Control Drilling Maximum Drilling Rate calculates maximum drilling rate for drilling operations and economics workflows in drilling engineering.

Calculate

How engineers use this formula

Use this formula when the listed inputs (q, D_h, MW_o, MW_i) are known and the assumptions behind the cited drilling operations and economics relationship match the engineering case being checked.

Assumptions

  • Input values are representative for the well, reservoir, fluid, or equipment case being evaluated.
  • The declared units match the field-unit constants used in the formula.
  • The cited formula applies to the selected petroleum engineering workflow.

Limitations

  • The calculation does not replace a full engineering model or operating procedure.
  • Accuracy depends on the source correlation, assumptions, input quality, and unit consistency.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing unit systems without converting the inputs.
  • Using default example values as field recommendations.
  • Applying the formula outside the source assumptions.

Default example

Using the default inputs, MDR equals 26.253061 ft/h.

qgpm

600

D_hin

17.5

MW_oppg

12.2

MW_ippg

12

Inputs

q

gpm

Circulation Rate

D_h

in

Hole Diameter

MW_o

ppg

Mud Weight Out

MW_i

ppg

Mud Weight In

Outputs

MDR

ft/h

Maximum Drilling Rate

q

gpm

Circulation Rate

D_h

in

Hole Diameter

MW_o

ppg

Mud Weight Out

MW_i

ppg

Mud Weight In

Source and review

reviewed

Formulas and Calculations for Drilling, Production and Workover, Lyons, W.C., Carter, T., Lapeyrouse, N.J. (2012)

Lyons, W.C., Carter, T., and Lapeyrouse, N.J. 2012. Formulas and Calculations for Drilling, Production and Workover, 3rd Edition, Gulf Professional Publishing, Page 24.

Source

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