scholarly journals Cuttings Transport In Horizontal And Highly Deviated Wellbores

2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Piroozian ◽  
Issham Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Flow Regime ◽  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Fluid Velocity ◽  
Fluid Viscosity ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Drill Cuttings ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Positive Effect

Lencongan dari laluan tegak menyebabkan rincisan gerudi berkumpul pada bahagian bawah lubang telaga sehingga terbentuknya lapisan rincisan. Akibatnya, berlaku beberapa permasalahan operasi ketika berlangsungnya penggerudian. Daya seret dan kilas yang melampau, kesukaran yang dialami ketika penyorongan rentetan selongsong ke dalam lubang telaga, kesukaran untuk memperoleh operasi penyimenan yang baik, dan lekatan mekanikal paip gerudi adalah antara beberapa contoh lazim yang berkaitan dengan permasalahan terbabit. Sehubungan itu, pemahaman yang baik tentang parameter utama operasi yang mempengaruhi pembersihan lubang telaga adalah penting. Artikel ini mengetengahkan keputusan daripada kajian makmal yang telah dilaksanakan untuk menilai keberkesanan tiga jenis bendalir gerudi dalam menyingkir rincisan gerudi. Kajian makmal melibatkan penggunaan gelung legap aliran sepanjang 17 kaki dengan diameter 2 inci sebagai bahagian ujian. Bagi setiap uji kaji, prestasi pengangkutan rincisan (CTP - Cuttings Transport Performance) ditentukan menerusi pengukuran berat. Keputusan uji kaji dianalisis untuk memperoleh kesan menyeluruh ketiga-tiga parameter operasi, iaitu kelikatan bendalir gerudi, halaju bendalir, dan kecondongan lubang telaga. Kajian terkini membuktikan bahawa penggunaan bendalir gerudi berkelikatan tinggi berupaya meningkatkan CTP jika regim aliran adalah gelora. Walau bagaimanapun, peningkatan kelikatan dalam regim aliran peralihan atau laminar masing-masing mengurangkan CTP secara beransur atau mendadak. Kajian juga menunjukkan bahawa peningkatan sudut kecondongan dari 60° ke 90° memberikan kesan yang positif terhadap CTP. Parameter operasi yang memberikan kesan yang ketara dalam kajian ini ialah halaju aliran, dengan peningkatan kecil yang dialami oleh halaju aliran berjaya memberikan kesan positif yang nyata dalam pembersihan lubang telaga. Kata kunci: Kecekapan penyingkiran rincisan; prestasi pengangkutan rincisan; rincisan gerudi; bendalir gerudi; pembersihan lubang telaga Deviation from vertical path makes drill cuttings to accumulate on the lower side of the wellbore that induces the formation of cuttings bed. Subsequently, relative problems occur while drilling. Excessive torque and drag, difficulties in running casing in hole and accomplishing good cementing jobs and mechanical pipe sticking are few of the classical examples of such problems. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of influential parameters on hole cleaning seems to be essential. This paper presents results of an experimental study that was carried out to evaluate cuttings removal efficiency of three types of drilling fluid. Experiments were conducted using a 17 feet long opaque flow loop of 2 inch diameter as test section. For each test, the amount of cuttings transport performance (CTP) was determined from weight measurements. Three operating parameters were considered, namely drilling fluid viscosity, fluid velocity, and hole inclination. It showed that the use of high-viscosity drilling fluid improved CTP if the flow regime was turbulent. However, increasing viscosity when flow regime was transient or laminar flow lessened CTP gradually or sharply respectively. It was also revealed that an incremental increase in hole inclination from 60° to 90° has a positive effect on CTP. The most influential parameter in this study was fluid velocity in which a small raise of fluid velocity resulted in a substantial positive effect on hole cleaning. Key words: Cuttings removal efficiency; cuttings transport performance; drill cuttings; drilling fluid; hole cleaning

Effects of Oil-Based Drilling-Fluid Rheological Properties on Hole-Cleaning Performance

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Werner ◽  
Velaug Myrseth ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Arild Saasen ◽  
Zalpato Ibragimova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Wellbore Stability ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Fluid Viscosity ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Hole Cleaning

Drilling fluids play an important role in safe and efficient drilling operations. Wellbore stability, formation integrity, drill string lubrication, and cuttings transport are among their main requirements. The removal of a cuttings bed is one of the major difficulties while trying to keep up a steady drilling progress. Deviated and long horizontal wellbore sections provide challenges not only to the drilling equipment in use, but also to the fluids. Cuttings accumulate easily on the bottom of a wellbore section due to gravity and can therefore reduce hole cleaning efficiency. Cuttings transport is highly dependent on the properties of the drilling fluid. Viscosity, density and gel strength are among the key parameters. Drilling fluids have in general a complex composition with either water or oil as a base substance. Demanding operating conditions, for example high temperature difference from topside to the deep downhole sections or varying shear rates throughout the wellbore, also influence the properties of the fluids during operation. Drilling fluids have to be adapted to all these different drilling situations. The aim of the full project is to compare different water- and oil-based drilling fluids regarding their hole cleaning abilities. As part of the experimental study where drilling fluids are circulated in a 10 m long flow-loop test section with a free-whirling rotating inner drill string, rheological characterization with an Anton Paar MCR rheometer is performed. These measurements include determination of flow properties, yield stress and viscosity-temperature dependence. The results are correlated with the industry standard procedures for the testing of drilling-fluid properties with Fann 35 viscometers (API/ ISO standards). Measurements performed on viscometers at the oil rigs are done to receive fast results in order to control the drilling operation. In contrast, rheometer measurements provide the possibility of a deeper comprehension of the rheological properties of the drilling fluids due to the advanced measurement system. This work presents rheological properties for a typical oil-based drilling fluid commonly used on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, and includes a comparison with two other oil-based drilling fluids based on previously published work. The rheometer results are analyzed in relation to the flow loop experiments and to the viscosity data measured in accordance with the API/ISO specifications. The results from the rheological comparison together with the results from the flow-loop experiments are expected to make an influencing contribution to the question of why various drilling fluids perform so differently in terms of cuttings transport.

Prediction of Cuttings Transport Behavior under Drill String Rotation Conditions in High-Inclination Section

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 2059035
Author(s):  
Shihui Sun ◽  
Jinyu Feng ◽  
Zhaokai Hou ◽  
Guoqing Yu
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
Fluid Viscosity ◽  
Fluid Flow Rate ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Cuttings Bed

Cuttings are likely to accumulate and eventually form a cuttings bed in the highly-deviated section, which usually lead to high friction and torque, slower rate of penetration, pipe stuck and other problems. It is therefore necessary to study cuttings transport mechanism and improve hole cleaning efficiency. In this study, the cuttings-transport behaviors with pipe rotation under turbulent flow conditions in the highly deviated eccentric section were numerically simulated based on Euler solid–fluid model and Realizable [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] model. The resulted numerical results were compared with available experimental data in reported literature to validate the algorithm, and good agreement was found. Under the conditions of drill string rotation, cuttings bed surface tilts in the direction of rotation and distributes asymmetrically in annulus. Drill string rotation, drilling fluid flow rate, cuttings diameter, cuttings injection concentration and drilling fluid viscosity affect the axial velocity of drilling fluid; whereas drilling fluid tangential velocity is mainly controlled by the rotational speed of drill string. Increase in value of drill string rotation, drilling fluid flow rate or hole inclination will increase cuttings migration velocity. Notably, drill string rotation reduces cuttings concentration and solid–fluid pressure loss, and their variations are dependent on inclination, cuttings injection concentration, cuttings diameter, drilling fluid velocity and viscosity. However, when a critical rotation speed is reached, no additional contribution is observed. The results can provide theoretical support for optimizing hole cleaning and realizing safety drilling of horizontal wells and extended reach wells.

Experimental Investigation of Friction and Hydraulics in Circular and Non-Circular Wellbores With Oil Based Drilling Fluids

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Jan David Ytrehus
Keyword(s):  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Drilling Process ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Experimental Laboratory ◽  
Drilling Operations

Borehole hydraulics, hole cleaning and mechanical friction are important factors for well planning and drilling operations. Many studies aim to exploit and optimize the effect of different operational parameters. The effect of wellbore geometry on hole cleaning and mechanical friction has so far not received much attention. This paper presents results from experimental laboratory tests where hydraulics, hole cleaning and mechanical friction have been investigated for circular and non-circular wellbore geometries with a relevant oil-based field drilling fluid (OBM). The non-circular wellbore geometry was made by adding spiral grooves to the wellbore walls in order to investigate the effects on cuttings transport and mechanical friction. The study contributes to describe the function and ability of deliberately induced non-circular geometry in wellbores as means to achieve a more efficient drilling and well construction. Improving hole cleaning will improve drilling efficiency in general, and will in particular enable longer reach for ERD wells. Reduced mechanical friction may improve the drilling process and many operations during the completion phase. The laboratory experiments were performed in an advanced flow loop setup reproducing field-relevant flow conditions. The flow loop consists of a 10 m long 4” inner diameter borehole made of concrete. A free whirling rotational string with 2” diameter provides a realistic down hole annular geometry. A field-relevant oil based drilling fluid (OBM) was circulated through the test section at different flow rates. To represent the effect of rate of penetration, synthetic drilling cuttings (quartz sand particles) were injected at different rates through the annulus in the horizontal test section. The test results show that borehole hydraulics and cutting transport properties are significantly improved in the non-circular wellbore relative to the circular wellbore. The effect of the mechanical friction is more complex, yet significantly different for the two geometries.

Experimental Investigation of Friction and Hydraulics in Circular and Non-Circular Wellbores With Oil Based Drilling Fluids

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Jan David Ytrehus
Keyword(s):  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Drilling Process ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Experimental Laboratory ◽  
Drilling Operations

Borehole hydraulics, hole cleaning and mechanical friction are important factors for well planning and drilling operations. Many studies aim to exploit and optimize the effect of different operational parameters. The effect of wellbore geometry on hole cleaning and mechanical friction has so far not received much attention. This paper presents results from experimental laboratory tests where hydraulics, hole cleaning and mechanical friction have been investigated for circular and non-circular wellbore geometries with a relevant oil-based field drilling fluid (OBM). The non-circular wellbore geometry was made by adding spiral grooves to the wellbore walls in order to investigate the effects on cuttings transport and mechanical friction. The study contributes to describe the function and ability of deliberately induced non-circular geometry in wellbores as means to achieve a more efficient drilling and well construction. Improving hole cleaning will improve drilling efficiency in general, and will in particular enable longer reach for ERD wells. Reduced mechanical friction may improve the drilling process and many operations during the completion phase. The laboratory experiments were performed in an advanced flow loop setup reproducing field-relevant flow conditions. The flow loop consists of a 10 m long 4″ inner diameter borehole made of concrete. A free whirling rotational string with 2″ diameter provides a realistic down hole annular geometry. A field-relevant oil based drilling fluid (OBM) was circulated through the test section at different flow rates. To represent the effect of rate of penetration, synthetic drilling cuttings (quartz sand particles) were injected at different rates through the annulus in the horizontal test section. The test results show that borehole hydraulics and cutting transport properties are significantly improved in the non-circular wellbore relative to the circular wellbore. The effect of the mechanical friction is more complex, yet significantly different for the two geometries.

Experimental Study of Cuttings Transport Efficiency of Water Based Drilling Fluids

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan David Ytrehus ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Benjamin Werner ◽  
Nils Opedal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Cleaning Performance ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Fluid Properties ◽  
Drilling Cost

One important requirement for a drilling fluid is the ability to transport the cuttings out of the borehole. Improved hole cleaning is a key to solve several challenges in the drilling industry and will allow both longer wells and improved quality of well construction. It has been observed, however, that drilling fluids with similar properties according to the API standard can have significantly different behavior with respect to hole cleaning performance. The reasons for this are not fully understood. This paper presents results from laboratory tests where water based drilling fluids with similar rheological properties according to API measurements have been tested for their hole cleaning capabilities in a full scale flow loop. Thorough investigation of the viscoelastic properties of the fluids were performed with, among other instruments, a Paar-Physica rheometer. Improved understanding of the fluid properties relevant to hole cleaning performance will help develop better models of wellbore hydraulics used in planning of well operations. Eventually this may lead to higher ROP with water based drilling fluids as obtained with oil based drilling fluids. This may ease cuttings handling in many operations and thereby significantly reduce the drilling cost using (normally) more environmentally friendly fluids. The experiments have been conducted as part of an industry-sponsored research project where understanding the hole cleaning performance of various oil and water based drilling fluids is the aim. The experiments have been performed under realistic conditions. The flow loop includes a 12 meter long test section with 2″ OD freely rotating drillstring inside a 4″ ID wellbore made of concrete. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section in horizontal position.

Experimental Study of Hydraulics and Cuttings Transport in Circular and Non-Circular Wellbores

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Jan David Ytrehus ◽  
Pål Skalle
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Experimental Laboratory ◽  
Drilling Operations

Cuttings transport is one of the most important aspects to control during drilling operations, but the effect of wellbore geometry on hole cleaning is not fully understood. This paper presents results from experimental laboratory tests where hydraulics and hole cleaning have been investigated for two different wellbore geometries; circular and a non-circular, where spiral grooves have been deliberately added to the wellbore wall in order to improve cuttings transport. Improving hole cleaning will improve drilling efficiency in general, and will in particular enable longer reach for ERD wells. The experiments have been conducted as part of a research project where friction and hydraulics in non-circular wellbores for more efficient drilling and well construction is the aim. The experiments have been performed under realistic conditions. The flow loop includes a 12 meter long test section with 2″ diameter freely rotating drillstring inside a 4″ diameter wellbore made of concrete. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section in horizontal and 30° inclined positions. The test results show that borehole hydraulics and cuttings transport can be significantly improved in a non-circular wellbore relative to a circular wellbore. Investigating the cutting transport in non-circular wellbores with available models is even more complex than for circular wellbores. Most drilling models assume circular wellbores, but in reality the situation is often different. Also, it may be possible to create non-circular wellbores on purpose, as in the present study. Such a comparative, experimental study of hole cleaning in different wellbore geometries has to our knowledge previously never been performed, and the results were obtained in a custom-made and unique experimental flow loop. The results and the experimental approach could therefore be of value for any one working with drilling.

Experimental Study of Hydraulics and Cuttings Transport in Circular and Noncircular Wellbores

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Jan David Ytrehus ◽  
Pål Skalle ◽  
Arild Saasen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Experimental Laboratory ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Extended Reach Drilling

Cuttings transport is one of the most important aspects to control during drilling operations, but the effect of wellbore geometry on hole cleaning is not fully understood. This paper presents results from experimental laboratory tests where hydraulics and hole cleaning have been investigated for two different wellbore geometries; circular and a noncircular, where spiral grooves have been deliberately added to the wellbore wall in order to improve cuttings transport. Improving hole cleaning will improve drilling efficiency in general, and will, in particular, enable longer reach for extended reach drilling (ERD) wells. The experiments have been conducted as part of a research project, where friction and hydraulics in noncircular wellbores for more efficient drilling and well construction are the aim. The experiments have been performed under realistic conditions. The flow loop includes a 12 m long test section with 2" diameter freely rotating drillstring inside a 4" diameter wellbore made of concrete. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section in horizontal and 30 deg inclined positions. The test results show that borehole hydraulics and cuttings transport can be significantly improved in a noncircular wellbore relative to a circular wellbore. Investigating the cutting transport in noncircular wellbores with available models is even more complex than for circular wellbores. Most drilling models assume circular wellbores, but in reality the situation is often different. Also, it may be possible to create noncircular wellbores on purpose, as in the present study. Such a comparative, experimental study of hole cleaning in different wellbore geometries has to our knowledge previously never been performed, and the results were obtained in a custom-made and unique experimental flow loop. The results and the experimental approach could therefore be of value for any one working with drilling.

Experimental Investigation of Cuttings Transport With Oil Based Drilling Fluids

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sneha Sayindla ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Benjamin Werner ◽  
Arild Saasen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Hole Cleaning

Drilling fluids are very complex and are essential for safe and efficient drilling operations. It is vital for the drilling operator to be able to select an appropriate fluid for each individual well, including the decision of using oil-based or water-based fluids or “muds” (OBM or WBM). In this article we present results from a comparative study of three OBM’s which are based on the same fluid system (Versatec). This work is part of a larger investigation where the main objective is to identify and evaluate the difference in the hole cleaning capabilities of OBM’s and WBM’s with similar viscosity as measured by the API/ISO standards. This paper describes an experimental investigation of cuttings transport using flow loop laboratory tests without and with injected cuttings size particles using various industrial oil based fluids with varying density and viscosity. The flow loop includes a 10 meter long test section with 2″ OD free whirling rotating steel drillstring inside a 4″ ID wellbore made of concrete elements positioned inside a steel tubing. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section. Experiments are conducted at atmospheric conditions, but are otherwise designed to represent downhole conditions as closely as possible with respect to fluid and particle properties, flow rates and geometry. Fluids are tested at different flow rates with and without rotation of drill string, with and without sand injection. This has allowed us to study the effects of flow rate and drill string rotation on hole cleaning capabilities of different fluids. The primary results are pressure drop, steady state sand bed height in a horizontal annulus versus fluid and cuttings rates for rotating and non-rotating drill string and in particular the critical rates for fully suspended flow. The results are interpreted in light of results from laboratory characterization of the same fluids, conducted as part of the same project. The results will increase understanding of the relationship between drilling fluid properties and hole cleaning performance. This will enable the development of improved drilling fluids, both operationally and environmentally. Such know-how will also be important in order to develop more accurate transport models.

Hole-Cleaning Fibers Improve Cuttings-Carrying Capacity

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (05) ◽  
pp. 63-64
Author(s):  
Chris Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Flow Regime ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Rheological Model ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Drilling Operations

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 203147, “Investigating Hole-Cleaning Fibers’ Mechanism To Improve Cutting Carrying Capacity and Comparing Their Effectiveness With Common Polymeric Pills,” by Mohammad Saeed Karimi Rad, Mojtaba Kalhor Mohammadi, SPE, and Kourosh Tahmasbi Nowtarki, International Drilling Fluids, prepared for the 2020 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, held virtually 9–12 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Hole cleaning in deviated wells is more challenging than in vertical wells because of the boycott effect or the eccentricity of the drillpipe. Poor hole cleaning can result in problems such as borehole packoff or excessive equivalent circulating density. The complete paper investigates a specialized fibrous material (Fiber 1) for hole-cleaning characteristics. The primary goal is to identify significant mechanisms of hole-cleaning fibers and their merits compared with polymeric high-viscosity pills. Hole-Cleaning Indices Based on a review of the literature, most effective parameters regarding hole cleaning in different well types were investigated. These parameters can be classified into the following five categories: - Well design (e.g., hole angle, drillpipe eccentricity, well trajectory) - Drilling-fluid properties (e.g., gel strength, mud weight) - Formation properties (e.g., lithology, cutting specific gravity, cuttings size and shape) - Hydraulic optimizations (e.g., flow regime, nozzle size, number of nozzles) - Drilling practices (e.g., drillpipe rotation speed, wellbore tortuosity, bit type, rate of penetration, pump rate) In this research, rheological parameters and parameters of the Herschel-Bulkley rheological model are considered to be optimization inputs to increase hole-cleaning efficiency of commonly used pills in drilling operations. The complete paper offers a detailed discussion of both the importance of flow regime and the role of the Herschel-Bulkley rheological model in reaching a better prognosis of drilling-fluid behavior at low shear rates. The properties of the fibrous hole-cleaning agent used in the complete paper are provided in Table 1. Test Method Two series of tests were performed. The medium of the first series is drilling water, with the goal of evaluating the efficiency of Fiber 1 in fresh pills. The second series of tests was per-formed with a simple polymeric mud as a medium common in drilling operations. Formulations and rheological properties of both test series are provided in Tables 4 and 5 of the complete paper, respectively.

Full Scale Flow Loop Experiments of Hole Cleaning Performances of Drilling Fluids

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan David Ytrehus ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Sneha Sayindla ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Benjamin Werner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Base Oil ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Cleaning Performance ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Fluid Properties ◽  
Drilling Cost

One important requirement for a drilling fluid is the ability to transport the cuttings out of the borehole. Improved hole cleaning is a key to solve several challenges in the drilling industry and will allow both longer wells and improved quality of well construction. It has been observed, however, that drilling fluids with similar properties according to the API standard can have significantly different behavior with respect to hole cleaning performance. The reasons for this are not fully understood. This paper presents results from flow loop laboratory tests without and with injected cuttings size particles using a base oil and a commercial oil based drilling fluid. The results demonstrate the importance of the rheological properties of the fluids for the hole cleaning performance. A thorough investigation of the viscoelastic properties of the fluids was performed with a Fann viscometer and a Paar-Physica rheometer, and was used to interpret the results from the flow loop experiments. Improved understanding of the fluid properties relevant to hole cleaning performance will help develop better models of wellbore hydraulics used in planning of well operations. Eventually this may lead to higher ROP with water based drilling fluids as obtained with oil based drilling fluids. This may ease cuttings handling in many operations and thereby significantly reduce the drilling cost using (normally) more environmentally friendly fluids. The experiments have been conducted as part of an industry-sponsored research project where understanding the hole cleaning performance of various oil and water based drilling fluids is the aim. The experiments have been performed under realistic conditions. The flow loop includes a 10 meter long test section with 2″ OD freely rotating drillstring inside a 4″ ID wellbore made of concrete. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section in horizontal position.

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