API Tubular Ovality and Stresses in Horizontal Wells With a Finite-Element Method

Abstract

Summary A finite-element program, ANS YS, was used to determine the change in physical dimensions of oilfield tubulars and the growth of stresses in their walls as these tubulars were run and landed into a drillhole. Ovalities and axial and tangential stresses modeled with a finite-element method (FEM) are presented in easy-to-use charts for 7- and 95/8-in.-OD API casing. Axial bending stresses with the FEM are are compared with those under Lubinski's bending equation and the classic beam-bending equation.