D Exponent Calculation

D Exponent Calculation
D exponent is an extrapolation of drilling parameters to get a trend while drilling into

over-pressured zones. Usually, mud logger will correct all data, calculate d-exponent
and plot the d exponent valve on the curve. The d-exponent can be utilized to detect
transition from normal pressure regime to abnormal formation pressure. While
drilling, if the change of trend is observed, rig supervisors must be cautious about this
situation because this is one of the possible well control indications.
The “d” exponent described from the equation below:
d = log (R ÷ 60N) ÷ log (12W ÷ 1000D)
Where; R = penetration rate in feet per hour
d = exponent in drilling equation, dimensionless
N = rotary speed in rpm
W = weight on bit in kilo pound
D = bit size in inch
** Note: this equation is is valid for constant drilling fluid weight.
Example: Determine the d-exponent from following information.
Rate of penetration (R) = 90 ft/hr
Rotary drilling speed (N) = 110 rpm
Weight on bit (W) = 20 klb
Bit Diameter (D) = 8.5 in.
Solution:
d = log [90÷ (60 x 110)] ÷ log [(12 x 20) ÷ (1000 x 8.5)]
d = 1.20
Corrected d-exponent
Description
The Corrected d-exponent, also known as cd-exponent or more correctly dc-
exponent (dc-exponent) as used in mud logging and formation pore pressure analysis
in the oil industry, is an extrapolation of certain drilling parameters to estimate a
pressure gradient for pore pressure evaluation while drilling. Normally this is done in
over-pressured zones, but most mud logging contracts require it to be done at all
times. It is regarded as one of the best tools for pore pressure evaluation. See mud log
for an example of the corrected d-exponent plotted on a mud log. The parameter is
an extension ("correction") to the dc-exponent method previously used for estimating
formation pore pressures. The extension consists of a correction for the mud weight in
use, compared to "standard" mud for the region.
The parameters used to get dc-exponent values are: drilling rate, rotary speed, bit
weight, bit diameter and mud weight; it is plotted against drilled depth.
Theory
As a drill bit bores a hole into the earth, it will gradually experience denser formations
and therefore slower rates of penetration. (Though there are exceptions such as sands
that normally drill faster, or faulted and uplifted formations). The general trend is
normally a gradually slowing rate of penetration.
Sands often have above them, an impermeable layer of formation, normally shale, that
may be hundreds of feet deep. When gas or fluids migrate up through the sand and
reach this impermeable layer and has nowhere else to go, pressure begins to build up
in the sand and pushes up against the impermeable layer of shale. Over time the
pressure can becomes so great that it begins to fracture the shale, making it weaker
and easier to penetrate by a drill bit. When a hole is drilled down towards this sand, it
will gradually begin to experience faster rates of penetration as it drills through this
shale gets closer to the high-pressure sand. It is this trend that the dc-exponent
exposes. An examination of this fractured shale that is being drilled will reveal
increasingly larger concave pieces and is where the term pressure shale comes from.
Calculation
The basic drillability exponent was published in 1966 by Jorden & Shirley relating the
action of tricone bit teeth to an inherent characteristic of the roc, the drillability, or
'd' :
d = log10(R/60)/log10(12W/106D)
where : R=ROP (ft/hr) N=RPM (rev/min) W=WOB (lbs) D=bit size (ins)
In 1971, Rehm and McClendon (1971) defined the corrected d exponent to account
for changes in mud weight where dc-exponent is defined as
dc-exponent = MW1/MW2 * d
and where :
dc = modified d exponent ; MW1 = normal pressure gradient ; MW2 = mud weight

(preferably ECD) ECD, Equivalent circulating density is the hydrodynamic pressure
experienced at the cutting face of the bit due to the combination of mud density, fluid
viscosity, borehole wall friction and cuttings load act to increase the pressure. This
can be estimated by calculations, but it has become common in recent years to use a
direct-measuring annulus probe in the MWD tools string (if there is one).
Caveats
As with all matters relating to pore pressure analysis, the method cannot be applied
blindly. In particular, models and constants need to be adjusted to the particular basin
being drilled. The method was developed for the delta of the Mississippi/ Missouri
river system in the United States, and works reasonably well there. However, basins
with different sediment sources cannot be assumed to have the same compaction
profiles (because they may have different depositional clay mineralogy). Basins with
different pore fluid chemistry will have differing hydrostatic pressure profiles, leading
to different dc-exponent profiles. The presence of post-depositional carbonate cements
in mudrocks will make formations appear abnormally hard to drill. In particular, the
use of PDC-type bits with a shearing cutting action (instead of the chipping action that
Jorden & Shirley (1966) assumed in their chip-holddown model) will lead to dc-
exponent plots that differ from tricone or bi-cone bits in the same formations. While
doing wildcat exploration work in a region, the method can be applied "by the book",
but after drilling the first well, one would need to carefully re-evaluate the data
collected to try to improve the model for the particular basin in question. While it can
be used successfully, one must always validate the information presented by dc-
exponent plots by examining multiple other pore pressure indicators.

D Exponent Calculation

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D Exponent Calculation

D exponent is an extrapolation of drilling parameters to get a trend while drilling into

The “d” exponent described from the equation below:

d = log (R ÷ 60N) ÷ log (12W ÷ 1000D)

Where; R = penetration rate in feet per hour

d = exponent in drilling equation, dimensionless

N = rotary speed in rpm

W = weight on bit in kilo pound

D = bit size in inch

** Note: this equation is is valid for constant drilling fluid weight.

Example: Determine the d-exponent from following information.

Rate of penetration (R) = 90 ft/hr

Rotary drilling speed (N) = 110 rpm

Weight on bit (W) = 20 klb

Bit Diameter (D) = 8.5 in.

d = log [90÷ (60 x 110)] ÷ log [(12 x 20) ÷ (1000 x 8.5)]

dc = modified d exponent ; MW1 = normal pressure gradient ; MW2 = mud weight

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