Simulation of directional well trajectory using tension spline technique

Based on the characteristics of the tension spline technique and the formation law of the directional well trajectory, it is proposed that the tension spline technique is used to simulate directional well trajectory. The steps of using the tension spline technique to determine the directional well trajectory are introduced in detail. And the coordinates of any point in a directional well trajectory can be calculated using this technique. The deviation angle and azimuth angle of a point between any two known adjacent points in a well trajectory can also be calculated, and the calculation error is very small. The obtained results agree with measured figures in field fairly well. So this method provides a new approach for the calculation of directional well trajectory.