Review of Cuttings Transport in Directional Well Drilling: Systematic Approach

Nazari, Tahmineh; Hareland, Geir; Azar, J.J.

doi:10.2523/132372-ms

Cited by 23 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…(Nazari et al, 2010) discusses the work published on cuttings transport in directional well drilling, and the results are mostly qualitative. The "physics" based model work (non-empirical), on dynamic transient models, such as (Costa et al, 2008), only uses ideal situations, i.e.…”

Section: Model For Cutting Transport Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Closing the Loop on Drilling Fluid Management Control

et al. 2015

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The important task of managing the drilling fluid during drilling operations is traditionally performed by highly qualified mud engineers at the rig site, following the constraints of the drilling fluid program, designed prior to commencing drilling operations. Due to uncertainty in planning data, the fluids specification may in many cases be unsuitable for the actual conditions in the well, requiring manual adjustments. However, ongoing developments in mechanization, robotics and real-time sensor technology for drilling fluids processing on the rig are making possible a revolution in fluids control. Based on such new and developing technology, we here consider the possibility of computer enabled closed loop real-time optimization of the drilling fluids property management on the rig.Automated drilling fluids optimization may be performed within the constraints of the parameter ranges of the drilling fluid program, and with respect to more complex downhole behavior such as hole cleaning efficiency, affected by the combination of multiple fluids properties. Computationally inexpensive local optimization algorithms are sufficient for our purpose, requiring input from fluid compositional models. Such models are briefly reviewed. Standard interfaces are further required in order to apply input from third party models or correlation tables. We consider mixing scenarios where the domain of the optimization problem is constrained by the type and quantity of additives available on the rig site, and where automated sensors and computer controlled mixing technologies currently becoming available are assumed applied.Examples of drilling fluids optimization control functionality are presented. The applied methods and algorithms can take advantage of highly instrumented surface installations, but may also be adapted to a more conventional set-up with limited real-time measurements, at the cost of lower accuracy. Correlations between composition and the various optimization targets may be visualized as an aid in the supervisory decision process. Requirements with regards to modelling and methods of control are discussed, and the status of development of enabling technology is presented, indicating also perceived technology gaps. Finally, results from simulations with a software prototype are reported.The presented methodology complements recent efforts made in the field of drilling fluid mixing automation: while previous focus has often been on robotization of the process and on supervised control, such as maintaining a specified fluid density, the described approach allows for automatic redesign of the fluid composition. It is particularly well-suited for situations where down-hole conditions change rapidly, as they are accounted for in the optimization procedure.

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Section: Model For Cutting Transport Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Closing the Loop on Drilling Fluid Management Control

et al. 2015

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“…Nazari et al (2010) gives an exhaustive overview of the dominant factors influencing the transport of cuttings, including the two mechanisms mentioned above. Unfortunately, according to Ozbayoglu et al (2008) a mechanistic relationship including both rotation and inclination has not yet been published.…”

Section: Fig 8: Force Acting On a Cuttings Particle In Suspensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-Time Evaluation of Hole Cleaning Conditions Using a Transient Cuttings Transport Model

et al. 2013

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During a drilling operation, real-time analysis of surface and downhole measurements can give indications of poor hole cleaning. However, it is not always intuitive to understand how and where the cuttings are settling in the borehole, because the transportation of cuttings and the formation of cuttings beds are largely influenced by the series of actions performed during the operation. Using a transient cuttings transport model, it is possible to get a continuously updated prognosis of the distribution of cuttings in suspension and in beds along the annulus. This information can be of prime importance for taking decisions to deal with and prevent poor hole cleaning conditions.A transient cuttings transport model has been obtained by integrating closure laws for cuttings transport into a transient drilling model that accounts for both fluid transport and drill-string mechanics.This paper presents how this model was used to monitor two different drilling operations in the North Sea: one using conventional drilling and one using MPD (Managed Pressure Drilling). Some unknown parameters within the model (e.g. the size of the cuttings particles) were calibrated in order to obtain a better match with the top side measurements (cuttings flowrate, active pit reduction due to cuttings removal). Using the calibrated model, the prediction of cuttings bed locations were confirmed by actual drilling incidents like pack-offs and overpulls while tripping out of hole.Based on the calibrated transient cuttings transport model, it is thereby possible to evaluate what adjustments of the drilling parameters are necessary to stop and possibly remove the cuttings beds, therefore giving the drilling team the opportunity to take remedial and preventive actions based on quantitative evaluations, rather than solely upon the intuition and experience of the decision makers.

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“…Initial researches consisted of studies on setting velocity of particles for regular and irregular shapes in the fluids (Nazari et al 2010). By reviewing the publications, it is possible to identify four trends or four periods of time in the research methodologies used.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three Phase Flow Characteristics in Inclined Eccentric Annuli

2013

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Gasified (aerated) fluids, having two-phases, are commonly used in drilling operations, especially for achieving underbalanced conditions. While adjusting the flow rates for each phase, common application is to adjust liquid phase for proper cuttings transport, and to adjust gas phase for controlling bottomhole pressure. Unfortunately, each of these phases flow with relatively different local velocities, causing various flow patterns to occur, which leads to fluctuations in hole cleaning performance as well as frictional pressure losses. These flow patterns are influenced by hole inclination, geometry, and presence of cuttings.This study addresses the hydrodynamic behavior of two-phase drilling fluids in inclined section of wellbores with the presence of cuttings as a third phase with inner pipe rotation, considering eccentricity. Extensive experiments were conducted at a cuttings transport flow loop using air-water mixtures under a wide range of flow rates, rate of penetrations (ROPs), pipe rotations and hole inclinations. During the experiments, frictional pressure losses, in-situ flow rates for each phase, ROP, inclination and pipe rotation speed were recorded. The experimental data was also used to investigate the cuttings transport mechanisms. A comprehensive mechanistic model was developed for determining the frictional pressure losses and hole cleaning performance of two-phase drilling fluids based on the experimental observations. It has been concluded that the proposed model is estimating the frictional pressure losses reasonably accurate when compared with the measured values.

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Review of Cuttings Transport in Directional Well Drilling: Systematic Approach

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Towards Closing the Loop on Drilling Fluid Management Control

Towards Closing the Loop on Drilling Fluid Management Control

Real-Time Evaluation of Hole Cleaning Conditions Using a Transient Cuttings Transport Model

Three Phase Flow Characteristics in Inclined Eccentric Annuli

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