Drilling EngineeringDirectional Drilling
Curvature Radius for a Borehole Formula
Curvature Radius for a Borehole calculates borehole curvature radius for directional drilling workflows in drilling engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (C, k) are known and the assumptions behind the cited directional drilling 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, R equals 1,909.915645 ft.
Cft
100
kdegree/100 ft
3
Inputs
C
ftCurvature Unit Constant
k
degree/100 ftWellbore Curvature
Outputs
R
ft
Borehole Curvature Radius
C
ft
Curvature Unit Constant
k
degree/100 ft
Wellbore Curvature
Source and review
reviewed501 Solved Problems and Calculations for Drilling Operations, Robello, S.E. (2015)
Robello, S.E. 2015. 501 Solved Problems and Calculations for Drilling Operations, Sigma Quadrant, Houston, Texas, Page 77.
Source