Tangential Method Calculation

The tangential method is the simplest calculation among other directional survey calculations.

The tangential method formulas are listed below;



Where;

MD = Measured Depth between surveys in ft

I1 = Inclination (angle) of upper survey in degrees

I2 = Inclination (angle) of lower in degrees

Az1= Azimuth direction of upper survey

Az2 = Azimuth direction of lower survey

The following example is the Tangential Method Calculation.

Survey 1

Depth = 3500 ft

Inclination = 15 degree (I1)

Azimuth = 20 degree (Az1)

Survey 2

Depth = 3600 ft

Inclination = 25 degree (I2)

Azimuth = 45 degree (Az2)

Solution:

MD = 3600 – 3500 = 100 ft



As per the formulas above, you will get answers as listed below;

North = 29.88 ft

East = 29.88 ft

TVD = 90.63 ft

Please find the Excel sheet used for The Tangential Method Calculation

Ref: Tangential Method Calculation