A New Approach to Directional Survey Interpretation and Course Correction by the Sectional Method

In this paper, an oblique circular arc representation for wellbore trajectories, a geometric analysis termed the sectional method, is presented. This approach permits projected line segments to be functions of the dogleg angle and to be related to usually measured displacements between survey stations. The program provides a solution summary for a course correction from various survey stations in a well to any planned target. As a result, an optimum course correction or minimum plugback depth can be quickly determined. Once the desired kickoff point is selected, the program provides an exact solution of true vertical depth, azimuth, inclination, and toolface angle for every 100 of correction course length.