Planning The Well Trajectory - Catenary Curve Well Plan

Catenary Curve Well Plan
One suggestion for an efficient well path for directional wells would be to
plan the well as a continuous smooth curve, all the way from KOP to
target. This is the catenary method. A catenary curve is the natural curve
that a cable, chain or any other line of uniform weight assumes when
suspended between two points. A similar suspension of drill string would
also form a catenary curve.
Proponents of the catenary method argue that it results in a smoother
drilled wellbore, that drag and torque are reduced and that there is less
chance of key seating and differential sticking. However, in practice it is
hard to pick BHAs which will continuously give the required gradual rate
of build. It is in reality no easier to follow a catenary curve well plan than a
traditional well plan. Also, the catenary curve method produces a higher
maximum inclination than would result from the build and hold or S type
patterns.
Although the catenary method has been tried, with some success, it is not
widely used and it IS NOT Baker Hughes INTEQ policy to recommend
this type of well profile.