Drilling EngineeringDirectional Drilling
Radius-of-Curvature Build Section Departure Formula
Radius-of-Curvature Build Section Departure calculates horizontal departure through build section for directional drilling workflows in drilling engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (dMD, I_1, I_2) 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, dDEP equals 363.424213 ft.
dMDft
596.93
I_1degree
0
I_2degree
83.57
Inputs
dMD
ftMeasured Depth of Build Section
I_1
degreeStarting Inclination
I_2
degreeEnding Inclination
Outputs
dDEP
ft
Horizontal Departure Through Build Section
Source and review
reviewedDrilling Manual horizontal directional drilling calculations, radius-of-curvature departure example.
Source