Cuttings Bed Removal in Deviated Wells

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan David Ytrehus ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Birgitte Ruud Kosberg ◽  
Luca Carazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Section ◽  
Critical Angle ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill Pipe ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Deviated Wells

A drilling fluid for drilling deviated wellbores must provide adequate hole cleaning efficiency for all well angles relevant to the operation. For angles near vertical, experience show that hole cleaning is straight forward. In wellbore angles larger than, say, 45 degrees hole cleaning is more difficult. Cuttings beds are formed and at some well angles these beds may avalanche during circulation stops etc. This paper presents results from laboratory tests with injected cuttings using a low viscosity oil based drilling fluid with micronized grained barite as weight material. The fluid is designed for highly deviated wells with low ECD requirements and the cuttings transport performance through relevant wellbore inclinations was investigated. The experiments have been performed under realistic conditions. The flow loop includes a 10 meters long test section with 2” OD freely rotating steel drill string inside a 4” ID wellbore made of steel, representing a cased wellbore. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section. Experiments were performed in three wellbore inclinations: 48, 60 and 90 degrees from vertical. Results show that hole cleaning in absence of drill pipe rotation is significantly improved if the well angle is less than a critical angle. This critical angle appears to be less than 60 degrees from vertical. Further result show that this critical inclination angle is dependent to the drill string rotation rate and the annular flow velocity.

scholarly journals Optimization of Hole Cleaning and Cuttings Removal in High Inclined Till Horizontal Well

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
Karrar Ahmed Mohammed ◽  
Ayad A. Al-Haleem
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Rolling Force ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill Pipe ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Inclination Angles

The goal of this experimental study is to determine the effects of different parameters (Flow rate, cuttings density, cuttings size, and hole inclination degree) on hole cleaning efficiency. Freshwater was used as a drilling fluid in this experiment. The experiments were conducted by using flow loop consist of approximately 14 m (46 ft) long with transparent glass test section of 3m (9.84 ft.) long with 4 inches (101.6 mm) ID, the inner metal drill pipe with 2 inches (50.8 mm) OD settled with eccentric position positive 0.5. The results obtained from this study show that the hole cleanings efficiency become better with high flow rate (21 m3/hr) and it increase as the hole inclination angles increased from 60 to 90 degree due to dominated of the rolling force. The cuttings size has negative influence on cuttings recovered as size increased and that is true for all cuttings specific gravity due to direct effect of the cuttings size and density on the gravity force which work against lifting force. The increasing of hole inclination angle above 60 degree will affect positively on cuttings removal efficiency.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effect of drill string rotation and change in drilling fluid viscosity on hole cleaning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Bright Olawale ◽  
Promise O. Longe ◽  
Samuel Felix Ofesi
Keyword(s):  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
High Viscosity ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Fluid Viscosity ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Cutting Bed ◽  
Viscosity Fluid ◽  
Deviated Wells

AbstractThe most primitive hole challenge is cleaning the hole, which is more severe in deviated wells. This problem was tackled in this research via experimental analysis and graphical evaluations. To hit this aim, rheological parameters were experimentally obtained, and Noah’s model was used to determine cutting bed erosion time at varying heights. A graphical evaluation was done using a case study of deviated wells X and Y from a Niger Delta field. The result shows that low-viscosity fluid, KCL polymer fluid and high-viscosity fluid take 124, 283 and 342 min, respectively, to erode equal height as graphical evaluation shows that hole cleaning will grow complex on deviation. Thus, the deduction from this work in reducing non-productive time (NPT) related to hole cleaning in drilling operation is first, prior to making a trip, pumping low-viscosity fluid at a high flow rate. Secondly, during drilling, increasing drill string rotation in deviated wells can effectively stir the cuttings into the annulus above the low session of the hole.

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.

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.

Flow Loop Investigation of Lubricant Concentration Effect on Mechanical Friction in Drilling Fluids

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan David Ytrehus ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Knud Richard Gyland ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Sneha Sayindla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Test Section ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Steel Tubing ◽  
Steel Sections ◽  
Concrete Elements

A laboratory scale flow loop for drilling applications has been used for evaluating the effect of lubricants on skin friction during drilling and completion with oil based or low solids oil based fluids. The flow loop included a 10 meter long test section with 2″ OD free whirling rotating drill string inside a 4″ ID wellbore made of concrete elements positioned inside a steel tubing. A transparent part of the housing was located in the middle of the test section, separating two steel sections of equal length. The entire test section was mounted on a steel frame which can be tilted from horizontal to 30° inclination. The drilling fluids and additives in these experiments were similar to those used in specific fields in NCS. Friction coefficient was calculated from the measured torque for different flow velocities and rotational velocities and the force perpendicular to the surface caused by the buoyed weight of the string. The main objective of the article has been to quantify the effect on mechanical friction when applying different concentrations of an oil-based lubricant into an ordinary oil based drilling fluid and a low solids oil based drilling fluid used in a North Sea drilling and completion operation.

Comprehensive experimental investigation of hole cleaning performance in horizontal wells including the effects of drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation and cuttings size

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ahmed K. Abbas ◽  
Mortadha T. Alsaba ◽  
Mohammed F. Al Dushaishi
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill Pipe ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Cleaning Performance ◽  
Pipe Rotation

Abstract Extended reach (ERD) wells with a horizontal and highly deviated section are widely applied in the oil and gas industry because they provide higher drainage area than vertical wells; and hence, increase the productivity or injectivity of the well. Among many issues encountered in a complex well trajectory, poor hole cleaning is the most common problem, which occurs mainly in the deviated and horizontal section of oil and gas wells. There are significant parameters that have a serious impact on hole cleaning performance in high-angle and horizontal sections. These include flow rate, rheology and density of the drilling fluid, drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation, and cuttings size. It has been recognized that the action of most of these parameters to transport drilled cuttings is constantly a point of controversy among oilfield engineers. In the present study, extensive experiments were conducted in an advanced purpose-built flow rig to identify the main parameters affecting on circulate the cuttings out of the test section in a horizontal position. The flow-loop simulator has been designed to allow easy variation of operational parameters in terms of flow rate, mud density, drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation, and cuttings size. In addition, the study covers the impacts of laminar, transition, and turbulent flow regimes. The goal of such variation in the operational conditions is to simulate real field situations. The results have shown that drill string rotation and flow rate were the operational parameters with the highest positive influence on the cuttings transports process. In contrast, drill pipe eccentricity has a negative influence on cuttings removal efficiency. The cuttings transportation performance is further improved by pipe rotation at different levels of eccentricity, especially at fully eccentric annuli. It was also shown that larger cuttings appeared to be easier to remove in a horizontal annulus than smaller ones. The experimental results would provide a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between drilling operation parameters and hole cleaning efficiency in ERD operations. This will help the drilling teams to realize what action is better to take for efficient cutting transportation.

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.

scholarly journals OIL-BASED DRILLING FLUID'S CUTTINGS BED REMOVAL PROPERTIES FOR DEVIATED WELLBORES

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jan David Ytrehus ◽  
Bjørnar Lund ◽  
Mohammad Ali Taghipour ◽  
Luca Carazza ◽  
Knud Richard Gyland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Section ◽  
Field Experience ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Viscous Fluids ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Frictional Pressure Drop

Abstract Results from cuttings transport tests in laboratory using different field applied oil-based drilling fluids with similar weight and varying viscosities are presented in this paper. The fluids are designed for highly deviated wells, and the cuttings transport performance at relevant wellbore inclinations was investigated. The experiments have been performed in a flow loop that consists of a 10 meters long test section with 50.4 mm (2″) diameter freely rotating steel drill string inside a 100 mm (≈4″) diameter wellbore made of cement. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section. Experiments were performed at three wellbore inclinations: 48, 60 and 90 degrees from vertical. The applied flow loop dimensions are designed so that the results are scalable to field applications; especially for the 12 ¼” and 8 ½″ sections. The selected setup provides correct shear rate ranges and similar Reynolds numbers to the field application when the same fluids are applied. Results show that hole cleaning abilities of the tested fluids vary significantly with well angle, drill string rotation and flow rate. Results support field experience showing that low viscous fluids are more efficient than viscous fluids at higher flow rates and low drill string rotation. As well as per field experience more viscous fluids are efficient in combination with high drill string rotation rates. The results show the effect of cuttings transport efficiency as function of hydraulic frictional pressure drop, demonstrating methods to achieve more optimal hydraulic design in the tested conditions. The key findings have direct relevance to drilling operations.

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.

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