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Daily Drilling
Report
A Beginner’s Guide
A Beginner’s Guide
This non-technical guide to daily drilling
reports presents popular oil and gas termi- TMD ROP BHA
nology in a manner that’s easy to unders-
tand.
Disclaimer
Daily Drilling Report’s come in many different variations that will change depending on drilling type, operation area,
formation type, and company culture. The DDR that we have selected for this resource combines the most common
aspects found with US based onshore drilling operations and my not be inclusive of every data point an Operator may
track.
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Header Section
The header section of a Daily Drilling Report typically contains information about the location and status of the well. It
also includes contact information for on-site personnel. This section is meant to give the viewer the most pertinent
information without looking through the details provided further down on the report.
Report Date: Drilling Operations are typically tracked from 6am to 6am with two crews working 12 hour shifts
each. The report date corresponds to the calendar date when reports are sent out at 6AM.
Report Number: The number of reports that have been sent for the drilling project.
Well Name: This can either be the legal well name that was filed on the drilling permit with the state regulatory
agency or a common well name that is used within the organization. Operators can name their wells anything
from the family name of the lease-owners to their favorite superheroes. A typical format is “lease name_site
number_well number_well type”. Example: Deborah 28 #1H
Job Name: WellEz references each phase of operating a well as a “job”. An unconventional well can have a
Drilling Job, Completion Job, and then possibly a Workover Job(s) as the well ages. Each job can be named after
the phase, such as “Original Drilling”, or can contain a brief description of the work being done such as “Utica: 27
Stage Slickwater Frac”.
Contractor: Operating companies typically do not own drilling rigs or employ full-time drilling crews. They
“rent” or “lease” the specific type of drilling rig and crew needed for a job from a drilling contractor such as
Halliburton or H&P.
AFE #: (Authority for Expenditure) - An AFE is an approved budget for a job. Each AFE is assigned an internal
identifier for tracking field costs in the company’s accounting systems. Most AFE numbers are a combination of
letters and numbers containing the cost type (job type) and calendar year the project is occurring. Ex:
HRZD201509
Field: An area that has known hydrocarbons or other mineral resources.
Lease: An area of surface land where a contract between the mineral owner and Oil & Gas Company grants the
company rights to explore, drill and produce oil, gas, and other minerals for a specified term.
API #: A unique, permanent, numeric identifier assigned to each well drilled for oil and gas in the United States.
The API number is one of many industry standards established by the American Petroleum Institute.
Elevation: The ground elevation above sea level at the well site. This allows well log depths to be corrected to
sea level.
RKB: (Rotary Kelly Bushing) - The height of the Kelly Bushing from ground level. Depth measurements are
commonly referenced to the Kelly bushing instead of ground level.
Spud Date: Generally the date the ground has been first penetrated for the purposes of drilling an oil and gas
well. However, some states vary on defining the terms at which a spud date can be identified.
DFS: (Days From Spud) - Calendar days from the spud date of the well.
DOL: (Days on Location) - Calendar days from when the operating company first arrived on location. This can
include the time spent preparing the drill site and moving in the equipment needed to begin drilling operations.
MD: (Measured Depth) - Length of the wellbore as if determined by a measuring stick. This number is calculated
by measuring the lengths of all individual joints, collars, and other drill-string components and adding them
together.
TVD: (True Vertical Depth) - The vertical distance from a point in the well to a point at the surface, usually the
elevation of the RKB.
24 Hr Footage: The difference in measured depth from the previous day at 6am to present day 6am.
Hrs Drilling: Operators can define what constitutes “drilling” in different ways but typically it is the amount of
time spent with the drill bit at the bottom of the wellbore.
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Present Operations: A short summary of what is happening at the time of reporting.
Activity Planned: A short summary of what is planned for the coming day.
Drill AFE: The proposed total budget for the drilling project
DIDC: (Daily Intangible Drilling Cost) - The daily total of field costs incurred under intangible accounting codes.
DTDC: (Daily Tangible Drilling Cost) - The daily total of field costs incurred under Tangible accounting codes.
CDC: (Cumulative Daily Cost) - The sum of all field costs incurred on the well today
CWC: (Cumulative Well Cost) - The sum of all field costs incurred on the well to date
DMC: (Daily Mud Cost) - Daily total of field costs for drilling fluids, chemicals, and additives.
CMC: (Cumulative Mud Cost) - Cumulative total of field costs for drilling fluids, chemicals, and additives
BOP Section
The Blowout Preventer or BOP is a safety device installed on an Oil and Gas well to monitor and control pressure spikes
during a kick or in the drilling process. Kicks in the pressure of the well can cause dangerous or even catastrophic failures
known as a blowout. Blowout preventers activate various types of hydraulic rams that will close off the wellbore or
shear the equipment downhole during a kick in pressure.
Other Resources:
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary
Wikipedia article of Blowout Preventer
Video of large deep water Blowout Preventer (BOP)
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Casing Section
Casing is steel pipe lowered and cemented into place to stabilize a wellbore against collapses and increasing downhole
pressures. Casing is placed to protect fresh water tables or isolate certain zones in the wellbore. Multiple ‘strings’ of
Casing in smaller diameter are usually cemented into place during the Drilling and Completion process adding multiple
layers of protection.
Other Resources:
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary
Wikipedia article
Wikipedia article
Video of Production Casing being installed
Mud Section
During drilling operations, the drilling fluids (mud) are relied on to do critical tasks like maintain hydrostatic pressure,
transport the drill cuttings to the surface, cool the drill bit, and seal/preserve the wellbore. A daily drilling report often
looks at the 5 basic properties of mud monitored or altered during the drilling process:
Other Resources:
Density: Determines mud's ability to suspend cuttings or clear obstructions to the surface.
o Mud Weight In: (MWI) - The Density of the drilling fluid as measured before entering the wellbore
o Mud Weight Out: (MWO) - The Density of the drilling fluid as measured after exiting the wellbore. This
is important for comparison against the mud weight in.
Rheology: Determines the flow properties of the mud.
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o Funnel Viscosity: (FV) - A basic measure of the viscosity profile of the mud observed in seconds per
quart when poured through a Marsh Funnel.
o Plastic Viscosity: (PV) - The viscosity profile of the mud observed when measured by a rotating
viscometer or rheometer.
o Yield Point: (YP) - The minimum amount of shear stress required for the fluid to begin to flow.
o Gels: (10S) - The gel strength measure reading from the dial on a rotating viscometer after 10 seconds of
being undisturbed.
o Gels: (10M) - The gel strength measure reading from the dial on a rotating viscometer after 10 minutes
of being undisturbed.
o Gels: (30M) - The gel strength measure reading from the dial on a rotating viscometer after 30 minutes
of being undisturbed.
Fluid Loss: Determines the loss of fluid to formation and the maintenance of hydrostatic pressure.
o Filtrate Volume: The volume of mud filtrate measured after 30 minutes in API static filtration tests.
o Cake Thickness: A measurement of the thickness of the filter cake, usually recorded in 32nds-inch.
o High Pressure, High Temperature Filtration Test: (HTHP) - The measure of the static filtration behavior
of mud at an elevated temperature and pressure.
o Water Loss: (WL) - The volume of liquid measured in the filtration tests performed according to API
specifications, in units of cm3/30 minutes.
Chemical Properties: Monitoring mud's chemical properties help ensure that the mud's physical properties are
not changed or eroding the wellbore.
o pH: Indicates the mud systems hydrogen ion concentration, determining acidity or alkalinity.
o Chlorides: (Cl) - Indicates the total chlorides in the mud system.
o Potassium: (K) - Indicates level in the mud system, promotes protective layer on wellbore wall.
o Calcium: (Ca) - Indicates Calcium level in mud system, promotes protective layer on wellbore wall.
o Phenolphthalein alkalinity of mud filtrate: (PF) - The high point (8.3) of the alkalinity test, showing the
concentration of OH, HCO and CO3.
o Methyl orange alkalinity of mud filtrate: (MF) - The low point (4.3) of the alkalinity test, showing the
concentration of OH, HCO and CO3.
o Methylene Blue Test: (MBT) - Clay content in the system.
Solids Control/Analysis:
o Low Gravity Solids: (LGS) - Measure of the part per billion of Low Gravity Solids like Drill Cuttings and
Bentonite.
o High Gravity Solids: (HGS) - Measure of the part per billion of High Gravity Solids like Barite and other
mud additives.
o % Water: Measure of the volumetric proportion of water the mud.
o % Oil: Measure of the volumetric proportion of oil the mud.
o % Total Solids: Measure of the volumetric proportion of solids the mud.
Mud Logging: The log of readings captured at the gas trap near the shakers in a mud system.
o Background Gas: (BGG) - An average or baseline measure of gas entrained in circulating mud
o Connection Gas: (CG) - The influx of gas that is introduced into the drilling fluid when a pipe connection
is made
o Trip Gas: (TG) - Gas entrained in the drilling fluid during a pipe trip, which typically results in a significant
increase in gas that is circulated to surface
o Maximum Gas: (MAX G)- Gas produced from the volume of cutting drilled.
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o Formation Multi Test: (FMT) - A tool used to obtain pore pressure gradient to estimate production
capabilities from parts of the log
o Lithology: The macroscopic nature of the mineral content, grain size, texture and color of rocks.
Mud Additives: Based on the indications, of the 5 mud properties mentioned above, the mud engineer will
perform calculations and determine the best mud additives to employ to optimize drilling and wellbore
conditions.
o Mud Product: Any product added to mud to perform a specific function, such as a weighting agent,
viscosifer, or a lubricant.
o Units: The measure of the additive product
o Amt. Received: The cumulative amount of that product received to date
o Amt. Used: The cumulative amount of that product used to date
Other Resources
RigZone Guide
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary
Types of Drill Bits
No. : (Number / Bit Number) - The bit number signifies the order in which a specific drill bit is used during
operations. Example: The 3rd bit used on this job is bit number 3. Bits can also be used multiple times through a
job (see Re-Run) in which case the first bit number is still used, often noted with “RR”. Example: The 1st bit is run
after the 3rd bit but is shown on the report as bit: “1RR”.
Size: (Bit Size / Bit OD / Bit Outside Diameter) - The size of a drill bit is the diameter of the bit measured from
the widest point of outside edge of the drill bit. Size is often measured in inches unless otherwise indicated
Manufacturer: (MFG / MFR) - The company that has manufactured the drill bit.
Type: (Drill Bit Type) Drill bits are specifically designed for particular functions and drilling conditions. These
include many generic styles (PDC, Tricones, Drag Bits, Mill Bits, etc). Further technical classifications are
established by IADC Classifications and often included in a Type Description.
Ser No. : (Serial Number) - A unique identifying number for a drill bit established by the manufacturer.
Jets: Small-diameter tungsten carbide nozzles located on the face of the drill bit that produce a stream of high
velocity drilling fluid.
Re-Run: A re-run occurs when a bit is used downhole, brought up to surface, and then placed back in the hole
for another period of time.
In: This refers to the MD of the wellbore at the time the drill bit is put in the hole.
Out: This refers to the MD of the wellbore at the time the drill bit is taken out of the hole.
Feet: Also known as “Progress” is the length drilled by a particular bit.
HOB: (Hours on Bottom) - The hours spent with the drill bit on the bottom of the well bore.
WOB: (Weight on Bit) - The amount of downward force exerted on the drill bit. This is normally measure in
thousands of pounds.
RPM: (Revolutions per minute) - The number of full rotations the bit makes in a minute.
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ROP: (Rate of Penetration) - This is a calculation of the Progress of the bit divided by the hours on bit. Measured
in feet per hour.
Other Resources
IADC Grading
Pumps Section
Pumps are a common piece of equipment that are used during Drilling Operations in order to circulate fluids and are
essential for cooling the drill bit and flushing cuttings from the hole. The drilling or mud pump is designed to circulate
the drilling fluid under high pressure down the drill string. There are several different types of pumps that can be used
and different Makes & Models of each type of pump. The durability and longevity of pumps are crucial to a drilling job’s
success. This makes the presence of pump data an important piece of the Daily Drilling report.
Other Resources:
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary
IADC Glossary
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AV DC: (Annular Velocity Drill Collar) - Measures the speed of the circulating fluids movement in the drill collar
BIT HHP: The hydraulic horsepower of the bit which is a measurement of the energy per unit of time that is
being expended across the bit nozzles
PUMP HHP: The hydraulic horsepower in regards to the pump, which is a measurement of the energy per unit of
time
BHA Section
The Bottom hole Assembly (BHA) is the lower portion of the drill string, from the drill bit to the drill pipe. The BHA must
provide force for the bit to break the rock (weight on bit), survive a hostile mechanical environment and provide the
driller with directional control of the well.
Other Resources
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary - BHA
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary - Jar
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casing shoe is drilled, then friction factors can be adjusted for a clean well, this makes it easier to later diagnose
drilling problems.
P.U. Wt.: Pick Up Weight is the surface weight measurement when pulling a pipe string out of the hole, moving
up. Includes both string weight and frictional drag. Used for torque and drag models to assess hole problems.
S.O. Wt.: Slack-Off Weight is the weight reading when the pipe is entering the well, moving down. Compared to
the pick-up weight to estimate the friction. Used for torque and drag models to assess hole problems.
Hrs. on Jars: Jars consisted of two interlocking links of pipe which can telescope. Drilling Jars are durable
enough to withstand the harsh environment of drilling operations, but manufactures have recommended
change out intervals depending on the size of the jar and the operating conditions, bottomhole temperatures,
straight or deviated hole, fishing time. There are two primary types, hydraulic (controlled hydraulic passages)
and mechanical (series of springs, lock, and release). The two designs are quite different but their operation is
similar, energy is stored in the jar and can be suddenly released when fired. Jars can be designed to strike up,
down, or both. Jars are used when the BHA is in a tight spot or stuck in the wellbore and a jarring or hammering
action is needed to work it free. In the case of striking up above a stuck BHA the upper link can be lifted and
when it reaches its firing point the lower link is suddenly engaged.
Torque: Torque is the result of friction caused when rotating the drill string in the wellbore measure in foot-
pounds, Kilogram-meters, joules, etc. This can be described as the force required to keep the drill string
rotating. When drilling horizontal and extended reach wells torque may become a problem. Too much torque
on the BHA can damage components and can twist, buckle or break pipe.
Survey Section
Also known as deviation or directional survey; A completed measurement of the wellbore’s departure from the vertical,
typically at the total depth at time of measurement. Survey measurements are taken at regular intervals in order to
determine the present downhole location. The measurement and position of the well must be known with as much
accuracy as possible to ensure the correct wellbore path. The measurements taken include Inclination and Azimuth,
which are then used to calculate other data points typically included in a survey report (which we have defined below).
Measurement tools can range from simple devices attached to the drill string that measure the angle of the hole and are
pulled out to visually inspect, to sophisticated tools such as MWD (Measurement while drilling) that use electronic
devices to continuously take survey measurements while drilling.
Other Resources:
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary
Wikipedia Article
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Time Breakdown Section
The Time breakdown portion is a detailed account of operations during the previous 24 hours. Operations teams use
this section to monitor activity at the wellsite and coordinate equipment and personnel needed on site to assist in the
drilling process.
Code: Operators will define a set of “activity codes” before they start a drilling program that can be used to
uniformly identify the activity performed during a period of time. This allows engineers to analyze performance
on a well by reviewing where the majority of time was spent during drilling operations. The IADC has a standard
activity code list that most operators use with little variation. However, activity code lists are completely at the
operator’s discretion.
Operations Comments: This is where the rig supervisor or company man is summarizing the well site activities
and metrics during the specified time period. This section of the report is heavily laden with industry short-hand
and acronyms such as:
o MIRT: Move In Rotary Tool (the drilling rig and equipment)
o TD: Total Depth of well, also seen as RTD (rotary total depth) and LTD (log total depth)
WOC: Waiting on cement
o TOOH: Trip Out of Hole or POOH – Pulled Out of Hole (removing the drill from the wellbore)
o DST: Drill Stem Test ( a procedure to test for the presence of hydrocarbons in the well)
o LCM: Lost Circulation Material
Note: The short-hand and acronyms used here can vary from one crew to the next.
Conclusion
Daily Drilling Reports are a vital part of any drilling operations team. Accurate and timely dissemination of the data
contained on a DDR keeps operations on track and on budget. Here at WellEz, we help independent operators by
ensuring quality data is collected from the field, organized, and distributed to all parties and stakeholders. If you’d like
to learn more about our service, please visit us at www.wellez.com.
Additional Resources
Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary
IADC Drilling Lexicon & FAQ
OSHA Oil and Gas eTool
WellEz Featured Articles
- Thank You -
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