Layer Modeling for Cuttings Transport in Highly Inclined Wellbores

fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractEffective removal of small sand-sized solids is critical for successful drilling and completion operations in sand reservoirs. Recent experience in extended reach drilling also indicates that inefficient transport of smaller cuttings is a main factor for excessive drag and torque. This study was undertaken to determine two critical conditions for efficient transport of small solids. The two conditions are represented by the Critical Re-Suspension Velocity (CRV), the minimum fluid velocity necessary to initiate solids bed erosion, and the Critical Deposition Velocity (CDV), the minimum fluid velocity required to prevent bed formation.Experiments were conducted in a field-scale flow loop (8×4.5 in., 100-ft long) to determine CRV and CDV, for 0.45 mm and 1.4 mm sands in different fluids over a range of bed heights and hole inclinations. The results show that, depending on sand size and fluid properties, CDV is approximately two to three times larger than CRV. Water is more effective than low concentration polymer solutions for bed erosion. However, polymer solutions are more helpful than water in preventing bed formation. This indicates the need for different drilling fluids for cleanout and drilling operations.A mechanistic model was developed to predict CRV for a solids bed. Both experimental and theoretical results indicate the importance of inter-particle forces that are incorporated into the model. The model accounts for drill pipe eccentricity in any direction in an annulus, which is consistent with experimental observations. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental results. Existing CDV correlations developed for larger cuttings were verified by experimental data for sands. The differences are around 25%. Results in this study will be useful not only in drilling and completion through sand reservoirs, but also in extended reach drilling and sand control.

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Determination of Cuttings Lag in Horizontal and Deviated Wells

Garcia-Hernandez

Miska

et al. 2007

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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A literature review, preliminary modeling, preliminary experimental work and recent development of this project are presented in this report. The literature review has been focused on cuttings transport in horizontal and slightly inclined well-bores, solid-liquid flo w patterns (two and three layer models), particle slip velocity and particle tracking. To model the phenomena, correlations developed by Larsen 8 , Iyoho 12 and Chien 18 were used to calculate the particle traveling velocity, and then it was used to associate the particles with their original location using other relationships. Preliminary experimental work has been completed using the Low Pressure Ambient Temperature Flow Loop (L.P.A.T.) and a h igh speed c amera. Due to a recent development the current report includes a suggested modification of the flow loop in order to record the bed height in the inclined condition.

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Layer Modeling for Cuttings Transport in Highly Inclined Wellbores

Cited by 7 publications

References 18 publications

Multiphase Flow Systems and Potential of Machine Learning Approaches in Cutting Transport and Liquid Loading Scenarios

Multiphase Flow Systems and Potential of Machine Learning Approaches in Cutting Transport and Liquid Loading Scenarios

Critical Conditions for Effective Sand-Sized Solids Transport in Horizontal and High-Angle Wells

Determination of Cuttings Lag in Horizontal and Deviated Wells

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