scholarly journals Numerical Simulation of Effective Hole Cleaning by Using an Innovative Elliptical Drillpipe in Horizontal Wellbore

Energies ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
Guoshuai Ju ◽  
Tie Yan ◽  
Xiaofeng Sun
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Swirl Flow ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Drill Cuttings ◽  
Hole Cleaning

In the drilling of horizontal wells, the drill cuttings tend to settle down on the low side of the annulus due to gravity and form a stationary bed, which results in hole cleaning problems. In this paper, a novel type of drillpipe with an elliptical shape was proposed to alleviate inadequate hole cleaning during the drilling of horizontal wells. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) Eulerian-Eulerian approach with the Realizable k-ɛ turbulence model was developed to predict the solid–liquid two-phase flow in the annular space. Numerical examples were given to investigate the influence of different parameters on cuttings’ transport behavior, and the elliptical drillpipe was compared with the circular drillpipe. The annular cuttings concentration, annular pressure drop, and hole cleaning efficiency were evaluated. The numerical results clarify the potential of the elliptical drillpipe to enhance the hole cleaning efficiency without significantly increasing the annular pressure drop. Due to the swirl flow and secondary flow caused by the rotation of the curvature wall, the swaying phenomenon of drill cuttings’ distribution along the rotation direction of drillpipe was observed and enhanced the cuttings transport ability. Using the elliptical drillpipe as a joint-type tool can improve hole cleaning performance. Under the optimum conditions applied in this study, the hole cleaning efficiency increased by nearly 18%.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study of Pressure Losses and Hole Cleaning Efficiency of Water and Polymer solutions in Horizontal Wells

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Karrar Ahmed Mohammed ◽  
Ayad A. Al-Haleem
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Test Section ◽  
Fluid Velocity ◽  
Polymer Concentration ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Pressure Transmitter

The main objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the effect of the CMC polymeric drag reducer on the pressure drop occurred along the annulus of the wellbore in drilling operation and investigate the optimum polymer concentration that give the minimum pressure drop. A flow loop was designed for this purpose consist from 14 m long with transparent test section and differential pressure transmitter that allows to sense and measure the pressure losses along the test section. The results from the experimental work show that increasing in polymer concentration help to reduce the pressure drop in annulus and the optimum polymer concentration with the maximum drag reducing is 0.8 kg/m3. Also increasing in flow rate and corresponding fluid velocity in the gap of the annulus helped to reduce the pressure losses due to fluid flow.

scholarly journals Grid convergence study of a cyclone separator using different mesh structures

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A.F. Oliveira ◽  
G.H. Justi ◽  
G.C. Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Mesh Structure ◽  
Pressure Drops ◽  
Regular Elements ◽  
Grid Convergence ◽  
Grid Convergence Index ◽  
Mesh Structures

In a cyclone design, pressure drop and collection efficiency are two important performance parameters to estimate its implementation viability. The optimum design provides higher efficiencies and lower pressure drops. In this paper, a grid independence study was performed to determine the most appropriate mesh to simulate the two-phase flow in a Stairmand cyclone. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools were used to simulate the flow in an Eulerian-Lagrangian approach. Two different mesh structure, one with wall-refinement and the other with regular elements, and several mesh sizes were tested. The grid convergence index (GCI) method was applied to evaluate the result independence. The CFD model results were compared with empirical correlations from bibliography, showing good agreement. The wall-refined mesh with 287 thousand elements obtained errors of 9.8% for collection efficiency and 14.2% for pressure drop, while the same mesh, with regular elements, obtained errors of 8.7% for collection efficiency and 0.01% for pressure drop.

Viscosity and Density Sweeps in Directional Wells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evren M. Ozbayoglu ◽  
Flavio Rodrigues ◽  
Reza Ettehadi ◽  
Roland May ◽  
Dennis Clapper
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Transport Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Bed Erosion ◽  
Inclination Angles ◽  
Similar Density ◽  
Horizontal Wellbores ◽  
The University

Abstract As explorations advance and drilling techniques become more innovative, complex and challenging trajectories arise. In consequence, cuttings transport has continued to be a subject of interest because, if the drilled cuttings cannot be removed from the wellbore, drilling cannot proceed for long. Therefore, efficient cleaning of highly inclined and horizontal wellbores is still among the most important problems to solve, because these types of wells require specialized fluid formulations and/or specific hole cleaning techniques. There are numerous studies and methods that focus in cuttings transportation in highly inclined and horizontal wells. One of them is the use of viscosity and density sweeps. Sweep pills have been used in the drilling industry as a tool to improve hole cleaning. This report presents the analysis of the performance of different sweeps pills working independently and in tandem in polymeric, oil and synthetic based systems and the comparison between them. The main objective of this project is to provide experimental evidence on which types of fluids perform better under certain conditions by studying the effect of viscosity and density in the bed erosion process in highly inclined and horizontal wells. In order to achieve that, several fluid formulations were tested at different inclination angles (90, 75, 60 degrees) in the Small Indoor Flow Loop property of The University of Tulsa’s Drilling Research Projects. The results of the tests are presented in terms of volume of drilled cuttings removed from the test section and measured differential pressures. All the tests were conducted under atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. Moreover, a 2-Layer model is used for estimating the erosion performance of sweeps for design purposes, and the model estimations are compared with experimental results. From the experiments, it was identified that polymeric, oil and synthetic based muds with similar density and rheological properties eroded and transported the drilled cuttings similarly under similar test conditions. Furthermore, pumping the sweep pills in tandem demonstrated higher cuttings transport efficiency when compared with the sweep pills applied independently.

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

scholarly journals Study on the influence of coconut oil on flow pattern and pressure drop of two-phase swirl flow

RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (56) ◽  
pp. 32644-32655
Author(s):  
Shuli Wang ◽  
Boyang Ding ◽  
Yongchao Rao ◽  
Feng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Flow Pattern ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Swirl Flow ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Oil Drilling ◽  
Surfactant Systems

In view of the widespread existence of swirl flow in surfactant systems in oil drilling, gas gathering, and gathering pipelines, surfactants can affect interfacial tension and thus change the flow pattern.

Flow pattern and pressure drop of gas-liquid two-phase swirl flow in a horizontal pipe

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2528-2542
Author(s):  
Yong-chao Rao ◽  
Bo-yang Ding ◽  
Shu-li Wang ◽  
Zi-wen Wang ◽  
Shi-dong Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Flow Pattern ◽  
Swirl Flow ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Horizontal Pipe

Hole Cleaning Efficiency of Sweeping Pills in Horizontal Wells - Facts or Philosophy?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Czuprat ◽  
Anne Marte Faugstad ◽  
Piotr Byrski ◽  
Kai Schulze
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Cleaning Efficiency ◽  
Hole Cleaning

Hole-Cleaning Performance of Gasified Drilling Fluids in Horizontal Well Sections

SPE Journal ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 912-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.M.. M. Ozbayoglu ◽  
R.E.. E. Osgouei ◽  
A.M.. M. Ozbayoglu ◽  
E.. Yuksel
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Cuttings Transport ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Hole Cleaning ◽  
Gas Phases ◽  
Frictional Pressure Drop

Summary This study aims to investigate the hole-cleaning process during the flow of a drilling fluid consisting of a gas and a liquid phase through a horizontal annulus. Experiments have been conducted using the Middle East Technical University (METU) multiphase flow loop under a wide range of air- and water-flow rates while introducing cuttings into the annulus for different amounts. Data have been collected for steady-state conditions (i.e., liquid, gas, and cuttings injection rates are stabilized). Collected data include flow rates of liquid and gas phases, frictional pressure drop inside the test section, local pressures at different locations in the flow loop, and high-speed digital images for identification of solid, liquid, and gas distribution inside the wellbore. Digital imageprocessing techniques are applied on the recorded images for volumetric phase distribution inside the test section, which are in dynamic condition. The effects of liquid and gas phases are investigated on cuttings-transport behavior under different flow conditions. Observations showed that the major contribution for carrying the cuttings along the wellbore is the liquid phase. However, as the gas-flow rate is increased, the flow area left for the liquid phase dramatically decreases, which leads to an increase in the local velocity of the liquid phase causing the cuttings to be dragged and moved, or a significant erosion on the cuttings bed. Therefore, increase in the flow rate of gas phase causes an improvement in the cuttings transport although the liquid-phase flow rate is kept constant. On the basis of the experimental observations, a mechanistic model that estimates the total cuttings concentration and frictional pressure loss inside the wellbore is introduced for gasified fluids flowing through a horizontal annulus. The model estimations are in good agreement with the measurements obtained from the experiments. By using the model, minimum liquid- and gas-flow rates can be identified for having an acceptable cuttings concentration inside the wellbore as well as a preferably low frictional pressure drop. Thus, the information obtained from this study is applicable to any underbalanced drilling operation conducted with gas/liquid mixtures, for optimization of flow rates for liquid and gas phases to transport the cuttings in the horizontal sections in an effective way with a reasonably low frictional pressure loss.

Numerical Study of Thermofluid Characteristics of a Double Spirally Coiled Tube Heat Exchanger

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abdelmagied
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Curvature Ratio ◽  
Coiled Tube ◽  
Tube Heat Exchanger ◽  
Enhancing Heat Transfer

In this study, the thermofluid characteristics of double spirally coiled tube heat exchanger (DSCTHE) were investigated numerically. A three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was developed using ansys 14.5 software package. To investigate the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of DSCTHE, the Realize k–ε turbulence viscous model had been applied with enhanced wall treatment for simulating the turbulent thermofluid characteristics. The governing equations were solved by a finite volume discretization method. The effect of coil curvature ratio on DSCTHE was investigated with three various curvature ratios of 0.023–0.031 and 0.045 for inner tube side and 0.024–0.032–0.047 for annular side. The effects of addition of Al2O3 nanoparticle on water flows inside inner tube side or annular side with different volume concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% were also presented. The numerical results were carried out for Reynolds number with a range from 3500 to 21,500 for inner tube side and from 5000 to 24,000 for annular side, respectively. The obtained results showed that with increasing coil curvature ratio, a significant effect was discovered on enhancing heat transfer in DSCTHE at the expense of increasing pressure drop. The results also showed that the heat transfer enhancement was increased with increasing Al2O3 nanofluid concentration, and the penalty of pressure drop was approximately negligible.

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