Drilling EngineeringDirectional Drilling
Radius-of-Curvature Build Section TVD Gain Formula
Radius-of-Curvature Build Section TVD Gain calculates true vertical depth gain 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, dTVD equals 413.496672 ft.
dMDft
500
I_1degree
0
I_2degree
60
Inputs
dMD
ftMeasured Depth of Build Section
I_1
degreeStarting Inclination
I_2
degreeEnding Inclination
Outputs
dTVD
ft
True Vertical Depth Gain Through Build Section
Source and review
reviewedDrilling Manual horizontal directional drilling calculations, radius-of-curvature TVD example.
Source