Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Ver. 1.1.1

Page 1 of 10

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

IPM
CASING AND TUBING DESIGN
STANDARD

Rev

Issue

Revision Description

Prepared by Verified by

Date
1.1.1

27 Sept
2005

Approved
by

Statement of Standard,
Implementation and
monitoring Change of
wording

IPM WCI

G. Cuvillier

G.Ritchie

Standards

IPM Well

Committee

Eng & Ops

Manager

1.1.0

16-04-03

Change liner and tieback

external pressure profiles

G.Lindsay

G.Ritchie
IPM WCI Well
Engineering
Manager

L.Hibbard
IPM WCI
VP

1.0.0

31-01-02

Supersedes IPM-WELL-S029

G.Lindsay

G.Ritchie

L.Hibbard

Rev

Issue
Date

Revision Description

Prepared by Verified by

This revision approved by ;

Approved
by

Signed

G.Ritchie IPM Well Eng & Ops Manager

Warning: Paper copies of this document are UNCONTROLLED. This copy valid only at the time of printing.
The controlled version of this document is stored on the Schlumberger IPM Intouch Web Site
http://www.intouchsupport.com/
Please check the Revision History on the first page of the document at that site for any revisions.

The CUSTODIAN of this document is the VERIFYING ENTITY. The document control requirements are
outlined in the IPM-PR-QAS-001 Document Control & Numbering Procedure.

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025
Ver. 1.1.1

Page 2 of 10

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.

STATEMENT OF STANDARD............................................................................................................... 3

2.

OBJECTIVE............................................................................................................................................ 3

3.

SCOPE.................................................................................................................................................... 3

4.

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING .............................................................................................. 3

4.1 Definitions.............................................................................................................................................. 3
4.2 Information to be gathered prior to casing and tubing design ........................................................ 4
4.3 Considerations when defining the anticipated load cases .............................................................. 4
4.4 Minimum Design Factors ..................................................................................................................... 5
4.5 Minimum Considerations for Burst and Collapse Load Cases........................................................ 6
4.6 Considerations for Other Loads.......................................................................................................... 7
4.7 Effect of temperature ............................................................................................................................ 8
4.8 Effect of inner casings/liners on outer casings................................................................................. 8
4.9 Compression Effects ............................................................................................................................ 8
4.10 Material Selection in Sour Environments ........................................................................................... 8
4.11 CO2 Corrosion-Resistant Material ....................................................................................................... 8
4.12 Casing and Tubing Design Software .................................................................................................. 9
4.13 Connection Ratings .............................................................................................................................. 9
4.14 Connection Type ................................................................................................................................... 9
4.15 Responsibilities................................................................................................................................... 10

5.

DOCUMENTS AND REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 10

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025
Ver. 1.1.1

Page 3 of 10

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

1. STATEMENT OF STANDARD
All casings and tubings shall be designed to withstand all loads that can be imposed on them during
installation and throughout the lifetime of the well. The current version of TDAS will be used to
simulate all load cases as described in this standard.
No well construction program shall be commenced without an approved casing and tubing design.
If a series of similar wells are to be constructed, a detailed generic design shall be done at the
inception of the project. Subsequently, individual wells shall be compared with the generic design and
a document certifying that the specific well conditions were found to be within the generic design
envelope shall be prepared and kept in the well file.

2. OBJECTIVE
To ensure that the well will be drilled and operated safely throughout its lifetime.
To ensure that consistent minimum design criteria and factors are used for all IPM casing and tubing
design activities.

3. SCOPE
The standard applies to all casing and tubing design work on IPM projects where IPM is responsible
for well design and/or mechanical integrity of the well. It shall also serve as a basis for checking the
integrity of client and/or third party designs.

4. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

4.1 Definitions
Oil Well
An oil well is defined as a well with a Gas Oil ratio (GOR) less than 3000 SCFT/Bbl of liquid.
Conductor
The conductor is used to prevent washout of shallow formations and to enable diverters to be
installed.
Surface Casing
The surface casing is used to isolate shallow hydrocarbon/water zones and loss zones prior to
penetrating deeper, potentially hydrocarbon-bearing, zones. Surface casings shall be set within
competent formations thereby allowing the installation of blowout preventers prior to drilling into
potentially hydrocarbon-bearing and pressured formations.
Intermediate Casing
The intermediate casing is used to isolate hydrocarbon-bearing, abnormal pressure zones, fractured
and loss zones, problem shales, and similar geological horizons. Intermediate casings are set within
more competent formations than the surface casing thereby allowing higher blowout protection for
drilling deeper (than the previous casing will allow).
Drilling Liner
The drilling liner is used in the following situations:

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025
Ver. 1.1.1

Page 4 of 10

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

In cases where it is not feasible (economically or technically) to run a casing string to surface

In order to isolate deeper hydrocarbon-bearing zones, abnormally pressured zones, fractured

or loss zones, unstable shales, or similar problematic geological horizons.

It shall be set within a more competent formation than the previous casing (for higher shoe strength)
thus allowing a subsequent casing string to be set deeper.
Production Casing / Liner
The production casing/liner is the last casing/liner in the well. It isolates the different zones above
and/or within the production zone and withstands all the anticipated loads during production and/or
testing operations for the wells lifetime. Any casing/liner that creates an annular space with the
production tubing shall be treated as a production casing/liner.
Drilling Tieback
Drilling tieback is the casing string connecting wellhead to drilling liner top with specially designed
connector. Use of liners with tie-back casing strings also results in lower hanging weights in the
upper part of the well and thus often permits more economical design.
Production Tieback
Production tieback is the casing string connecting wellhead to production liner top with specially
designed connector. Production liners with tieback casing strings are most advantageous when
exploratory drilling below the productive interval is planned.
Sour Environment
An environment is considered sour if the total pressure is at least 65 psia and the partial pressure of
H2S in a wet (water as liquid phase) gas phase of a gas, gas condensate, or crude oil system is equal
to or exceeds 0.05 psia (NACE MR0175-95 definition).

H2S Partial Pressure (psia)

Total pressure in psia x H2S concentration in ppm x 1/1,000,000. Example: If the H2S concentration is
20 ppm, and the expected absolute pressure is 4000 psia, the partial pressure of H2S is 0.08 psia
and H2S service equipment must be used.

4.2 Information to be gathered prior to casing and tubing design

Estimated pore pressure and rock mechanical strength using offset borehole strength versus
depth relationship, offset static and flowing temperature gradients.

The minimum and maximum casing sizes at TD that will allow the anticipated logging, testing,
and/or completion program.

The effects of geological uncertainties on casing setting depths and the ability to safely
circulate out the maximum anticipated kick volume.

4.3

Considerations when defining the anticipated load cases

Well type (exploration, appraisal, or development well).

Function of the well (oil/gas producer, gas/water injector).

Well geometry (effect on predicted values of torque and drag, especially for horizontal and
extended reach wells).

Pore pressures, fracture pressures, and temperatures.

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Ver. 1.1.1

Page 5 of 10

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

Lithology (e.g. point loading due to mobile salt formations)

Drilling fluid used (e.g. for air, foam or aerated mud, the casing shall normally be designed for
full internal evacuation which caters for fluid supply system failure with the resulting exposure
of the wellbore to atmospheric pressure.)

Cementing and fracture program.

Pressure testing.

The effects of anticipated pipe deterioration due to corrosion, wear, thermal effects, fatigue, or
other causes.

Choke manifold backpressure during well control procedures.

4.4 Minimum Design Factors

Table 1. Minimum Design Factors
DESIGN LOADS

Collapse

Surface &
intermediate
casings, drilling
liners, drilling
tiebacks

Production casings/
liners, production
tiebacks

Tubing

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.25

1.25

1.25

Tension

1.6

1.6

1.6

Compression

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.25

1.25

1.25

Burst
- normal service1
- critical service

Triaxial

1. All casings, liners, and tubings are considered NORMAL service if the internal SURFACE pressure is LESS THAN 5000
psi and the string IS NOT expected to suffer deterioration due to H2S, CO2, thermal effects, stress-corrosion cracking, etc.
2. All casings, liners, and tubings are considered CRITICAL service if the internal SURFACE pressure is GREATER THAN
OR EQUAL TO 5000psi and/or the string may suffer deterioration due to H2S, CO2, thermal effects, stress-corrosion
cracking, etc. Triaxial analysis shall be done for critical service casings.
3. OD and wall tolerances shall be considered when calculating the VME design factor.

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Page 6 of 10

Ver. 1.1.1

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

4.5 Minimum Considerations for Burst and Collapse Load Cases

Table 2. Minimum Internal (I) and External (E) Load Cases
Load Cases to Consider for
Each String

Conducto
r

Surface,
/Interm.,
Drlg Liners,
Drlg Tieback6

Production
Csg, Liners.
Production
Tiebacks

As Cemented
Mud (I), Cement Slurry + Mud (E)1

Green Cement Pressure Test5

Surface Pressure + Mud (I),
Cement Slurry +Mud (E)
Full Evacuation
0 ppg (I), Mud or Packer Fluid (E)

Tubing

Full Evacuation - Hot

0 ppg (I),
Surface Pressure + Packer Fluid (E)

1/3 Evacuation
0 ppg + Mud (I), Mud (E)

Full Gas Shut in Static

Shut in WHP3 + Gas (I),
Mud/Packer Fluid (E)

Full Gas Shut in - Hot2

Shut in WHP + Gas (I),
Surface Pressure + Packer Fluid (E)

Gas Kick
BHP - Gas - Mud (I),
Pore Pressure (E)
Pressure Test5
Surface Pressure + Mud (I),
Pore Pressure (E)

Pressure Test Tubing

Surface Pressure + Brine (I),
Brine (E)

Surface Tubing Leak Static

Shut in WHP3 + Packer Fluid (I),
See Note 7 Below (E)

Surface Tubing Leak - Hot2

3
Shut in WHP + Packer Fluid (I),
See Note 7 Below (E)

After Perforating4
BHP - Packer Fluid (I),
Packer Fluid (E)

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Page 7 of 10

Ver. 1.1.1

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

1. Assume pore pressure for external profile if conductor is uncemented.

2. Assume flowing temperature profile.
3. TDAS Gas Prediction Model (GASP) calculates shut in WHP using the temperature profile (static
or flowing), 100% methane and BHP equivalent to mud weight at TD minus 0.5ppg.
4. Only to be considered if the mud weight at TD - 0.5 ppg is greater than packer fluid density. It
represents the burst load associated with under balanced through tubing perforation.
5. Pressure tests are an as built verification of the casing integrity. These load cases are a check to
ensure that the casing is not overloaded during testing. The casing design should not be driven by
the pressure test unless that pressure test simulates an actual well load case.
6. The Drilling Tieback is a special case and all load cases will use the drilling fluid gradient as the
external pressure profile.
7. The Surface Tubing Leak (static and hot) load cases will use the following external pressure
profiles:
a) For production casing: assume a mud base fluid gradient above the TOC, and a cement mix
water gradient below the TOC to previous shoe (if TOC is above the previous shoe), and pore
pressure in open hole.
b) For production liners: assume a pore pressure gradient below the TOC.
c) For production tiebacks: assume a mud base fluid gradient above the TOC, and a cement
mix water gradient below the TOC.

4.6 Other Design Considerations

Table 3. Other Factors to Consider in Casing and Tubing Design
Other Design Considerations

Conductor

Surface/
Interm.,
Drilling
Liners

Production
Casing &
Liners

Dry or Buoyant Weight

Wear
Corrosion*
Buckling

Bending
Overpull force if stuck
Thermal Expansion
Temperature Deration
Ballooning
Fatigue*
Piston Effects*
Shock Loads*

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Production
Tubing

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Reciprocation/Rotation*
Triaxial Check

Page 8 of 10

Ver. 1.1.1

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

* Considerations marked with * are not modeled in TDAS

4.7 Effect of temperature

4.7.1 Thermal Derating
o

The minimum yield strength of all materials shall be derated when temperatures exceed 212 F. Low
alloy carbon steel casing and tubing shall be derated at 0.03% per oF. Other materials shall be
derated using available published data.

4.7.2 Annular Pressure Build Up in trapped Annulus

Considerations should be given to annular pressure build up in trapped annulus due to temperature
e.g. on a Subsea producing well with no access to the annulus.

4.8 Effect of inner casings/liners on outer casings

The effect of each casing string during installation, pressure testing, and production on the outer
casing strings shall be taken into account.

4.9 Compression Effects

Compression effects shall be considered on certain casing strings as follows:

Conductor casing: all uncemented portions of the conductor.

Surface and intermediate strings: a consideration if the conductor has been cut off and the
next string is not cemented to surface.

HPHT wells.

4.10 Material Selection in Sour Environments

All casings and tubings that can be exposed to sour environments shall be rated for sour service. The
following table outlines the suitability of various common steel grades for H2S environments. The
suitability of the casing material for specific applications shall be reconfirmed with the casing
manufacturer and/or NACE.
Table 4.Suitable Operating Temperatures for Casing Grades in H2S Environments
(NACE MR0175-2000)
Operating Temperature
All Temperatures

>150 deg F

>175 deg F

>225 deg F

J55, K55, C75/90,

L80, T95

N80 (Q&T), C95

H40, N80,
P105/110

Q125* (Q&T)

Notes:
Q&T Quenched and Tempered
* Made of Chromium - Molybdenum alloy with maximum yield strength of 150,000 psi

4.11 CO2 Corrosion-Resistant Material

Chromium-Molybdenum alloys (such as L80 13% Cr ) shall be selected.

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Ver. 1.1.1

Page 9 of 10

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

4.12 Casing and Tubing Design Software

Schlumberger-approved TDAS (Tubular Design and Analysis System) and WEST (Wellbore
Simulated Temperature) shall be used. TDAS enables the user to design and analyze tubulars by
considering multiple load cases for any string based on an external pressure, an internal pressure,
and a temperature profile for each load case. WEST shall be used where temperature is liable to be a
critical design consideration (e.g. for production tubing) to provide a simulation of expected
temperature profiles which can then be imported into TDAS.

4.13 Connection Ratings

Connection ratings should meet or exceed the minimum design factors and considerations for the
pipe body ratings. Where the connections are weaker than the pipe body, it should be clearly
highlighted in the design. Combined loading (i.e. burst or collapse combined with axial loads and
bending moments) shall be taken into account when selecting connections.

4.14 Connection Type

Proprietary connections (for example, VAM or Hydril CS) shall be used in place of API connections
(such as LTC, STC, EUE, BTC) whenever the operating conditions demand reliable pressure-tight
sealing and/or for special clearance applications. Generally, proprietary connections shall be used in
the following cases:

If the casing material requires use of corrosion-resistant alloy material

If connection strength is required to be at least 100% of pipe body.

For special clearance applications

If production tubing temperature is greater than 212F.

Other specific circumstances for selecting proprietary connections are shown in the following tables:
Table 5. Pressures in Liquid Producing Wells That Require Proprietary Connections
Casing or tubing type

SHUT-IN SURFACE PRESSURE

>3500 psi

>5000 psi

>7500 psi

Intermediate casings and

drilling liners

Production casings/ liners

Production Tubing

Table 6. Pressures in Gas Producing Wells That Require Proprietary Connections

Casing or tubing type

SHUT-IN SURFACE PRESSURE

>3500 psi

>5000 psi

Intermediate casings and

drilling liners

Production casings/ liners

Production Tubing

>7500 psi

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.

Prepared by: IPM Stds Ctte

IPM

Verified by: G. Cuvillier

Casing and Tubing Design

Approved by: G. Ritchie

Standard

Ref. IPM-ST-WCI-025
Ver. 1.1.1

Page 10 of 10

Issued: 27 Sept 2005

Proprietary connections with a smooth ID profile should be used for tubing strings in wells
with high flow rates.

Do not use API casing connections that are coupling weak for internal pressure or axial
tension loads (i.e. 7 3/8 in BTC).

Confine BTC to 13-3/8 in diameter pipe or less. Short strings of 16 to 20 BTC, with tension
design factors greater than 6.0 can be used, but are not justifiable on rigs that have a high
day rate. This is due to the difficulty in stabbing and verifying that a proper power tight makeup has been achieved.

SR13 seal rings for other than 2-3/8 and 2-7/8 EUE 8R tubing are not recommended due to
installation difficulties. A seal ring can easily become trapped in between the pin and box
threads during makeup if incorrectly installed.

"Oversized" pipe, such as 7-3/4, 9-7/8, 11-7/8, 13-5/8, etc., should never be manufactured
with standard API connections. Standard API connections on oversized pipe do not utilize
the full performance of the pipe body since the pipe body must be machined down to the D4
diameter of the standard size.

Never use a tubing connection that is weaker than the pipe body. A significant fraction of the
energy expended during the cyclical loading and unloading of the tubing will be absorbed by
the weakest link. A connection that is weaker than the pipe body will become the load sink
and will eventually part.

If a gas tight connection is required, select a connection with one good seal (e.g. VAM).
Multiple seals can interfere with one another and cause more harm then good.

4.15 Responsibilities
The Project Manager shall ensure that the Well Engineer is competent in performing Casing and
Tubing Design.
The most Senior Well Engineer in a project shall have overall responsibility for all casing and tubing
designs in that project.
All casing and tubing designs should be independently verified and approved by a suitable person..
Additionally, the relevant Well Engineering Manager and/or designate shall approve all critical and
special well casing and tubing designs.

5. DOCUMENTS AND REFERENCES

IPM-ST-WCI-009 Casing, liner and Tubing Pressure Testing Standard
IPM-ST-WCI-011 Kick Tolerance Standard
IPM-ST-WCI-012 Barriers Standard
IPM-ST-WCI-022 Well Control While Running Casing Standard
IPM-PR-WCI-008 Technical and Operational Integrity Procedure
NACE MR0175 - 2003

Copyright, Schlumberger, Unpublished Work, All Rights Reserved.