When total system pressure loss is less than pumping pressure available.

Additional flow and flow rate (Q, gal/min) pumped. Flowrate. pressure energy increase should be considered to improve bit and bottom hole cleaning (i.e. > jet As a 'rule ofimpact) thumb',and Maintain 50 - 80 GPM per inch bit that diameter and more e.g. velocity, jet increased ROP's (through >of Hsi) would result. i.e. run smaller more optimised nozzles in bits. 6 0 8 6 3 0 2 2 2 1 Bit hydraulics and hole cleaning calculations Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) derived from bit designer software can determine minimal 1 7 5 impact . 1 4 0 IF, 1 7 5 drilled . 7 8 5g Step # 6 Calculate force lbf, at the formation surface. cutter bits. a l Field data, laboratory experimental analysis and practical experience gained through years of drilling threshold velocites and pressure drops recommended for fixed In essence if too big nozzles Q: =6 0 5 1 drilling 1 values, 1 7 detrimental . 4 7 5 8 0 . 4 7 5 will 3 8when have shown penetration rates increase optimised bit/bottom hole cleaning and bit are run in bit that below such threshold this can result in bit and bottom hole cleaning m i n efficiency 8 0 = When 5 0 in = turn drilling to result. can hydraulics are applied. ignored drilling problems result, e.g. poor ROP, fines due to bit- cuttings and ROP effects That can lead to other problems . 2 5 8 9 0 . 2 5 1 6 3 1 beds 1 wellbore l being reground, cuttings beds generated within the This fieldpacking units worksheet therefore e.g. Cuttings of reground fines, tripping problems, off, requirement to backream b etc. overpulls, 2 = : 6 1 illustrates typical bit hydraulic and hole cleaning calculations to be applied in order to optimse and out of hole sections drilled, stuck pipe, hole instability, mud deterioration that ALL result directly from 8 5 . 8 6 0 8 5 . 2 4 5 f b l m w Square Step # 7. Calculate impact force I.F / in per of the Bit Area l Inch a ithumb F =6 . 8 are also bit/bottom drilling operations and nozzle g . bit run. Rules of I practise inadequate bit/bottom hole engineering for every hole cleaning bit selection 2 6 should 8 4 0 0 be considered 6 applicable. 3 included and where n i Optimised jet impact and hydraulic horsepower engineering results when 40% - 60% of the total pump pressure (Pt) is expended (i.e. lost) through the bit. In many instances e.g. extended reach Data Input. wells, high angle wells, these levels be afforded where bit energy compormise is required to Q = Minimum anticpated flow rate,cannot gal/min. Understand maximum rates , e.g. hole wash out if turbulent flow in softer formations, too high clean the hole section atflow rates of penetration achieved. equivalent circulating pressure losses and densities (ECD's), motor, tool capabilities . bit. 8 1 8 1 8 Step # 8. Calculate Percent of Pressure Lost at Bit, % P , expended at the 1 I F Bit = Drilling Bit diameter, inches. bit Understand minimum flow rate, e.g. for MWD tools, hole angle, ROP, transport efficiencies. I i : F = Bit and drilling optimisation should never compromise on Step hole . Therefore bit energy 3 2 3 2 3 2 Note : A complementary fromcan Pbbe calculated 1 quality Optimise bit energy, resulting ensuringparameter that the hole cleanedin for ROP's, flowrates and mud properties 2 j 1 j 2 j 3 = be maintained levels somewhere between minimum and maximum threshold levels where B tshould i required to drill the section (with +/- 10% safety margin applied). Maximum mud weight fora section drilled, 1 4 1 4 1 4 necessary theory and practicality should be integrated to provide the most preferred solution. P mw tlevels, e.g. <Hsi, < ft/sec below that pre-engineered will i j 4 j 5 regrind j 6 : =cuttings, ball i n Too low bit energy b likely 4% P : effective bit bottom hole and drilling efficiencies. lb/gal. and 3 2 3 2 3 2 t = i b bit, reduce j Pm 7 j 8 bit j 9 on a x Centre jets can aid moreare efficient cutter teeth cleaning onless a roller cone and bit, impacting the levels In-gauge Vertical holes the easiest to clean, require flowrate, where energy 1 4 spearpoint of the bit and creating a cross flow stream up, out and across the shell of each cone. P be=most Maximum allowable pumping pressure, psi 0 0 can optimised. max 9. Calculate Step the total resulting system as ato benchmark efficiency 2 of the hydraulics 3 High # angle holes; higher flow rates and mud horsepower weights are HP, nowPth needed maintain transport program. Note: % of Hydraulic Horsepower at the bit is equal to the % pressure loss at the bit. Extended jets ; The Can assure more efficient energy use is expended to the bit/bottom of the hole and efficiencies at ROP's obtained. Here, bit optimisation has often to be compormised to assure that flow j1..j9 Bit hole nozzles sizes , 32nds of 2 an inch. 2 jet are 2 2 or 2 concerns 2 2 thought 2 achieved. 2 rates = and cleaning the number be prevent and mitigate washout j 1 + j 2 profile + j 3 + j 4 + j 5 one + j 6priority + j 7 to + j 8 + j 9 caused with standard bit nozzles. Equations and results In low T ROP regimes e.g. < 30ft/hr. Less flowrate is required to clean the same wellbore. Here, it can F A = : 4 rate C evaluated = Nozzle discharge coefficient 0.95.) be that a 3-5% sacrifice (normally of flow will often result in a tenfold increase in bit energy levels d expended to the bit where a significant increase in ROP mayinches result.2Therefore fine tuning of bit Step # 1; Calculate the Total flow area for each nozzle (TFA, ) energy levels and reduction in flowrate can dramatically improve ROP's as long hole cleaning Additional performance consideration notes efficiencies canfrom be afforded and not compormised indiameter, any way. Hsi is derived key drilling paramters e.g. bit pressure drop at the bit (HHPb) which in turn is a function of flowrate (Q) and nozzles (j1.......j9) used in the bit. What is therefore applicable to one bit, hole size and/or pumping rate may not be applicable to another. 2 Q Jet velocity is perhaps therefore a more measure to apply for large bits (e.g. > 12 w Step # 2. Calculate P m i.e. Pressure Losssuited at Bit, hydraulic psi. Pb = b 1/4") where soft - medium formation strengths and high ROP's exist e.g. > 100ft/hr, 30m/hr. i t : 2 2 H P i t Cd b (T F A ) 2 H s i : = Rules of thumb; 350 - 550 ft/sec water based muds, roller cone bits, 2 B i t 250 - 400 ft/sec water based muds, PDC bits. 250 - 400 ft/sec Oil or synthetic based muds, roller cone bits, 4 200 - 350 ft/sec Oil or synthertic based muds, PDC bits.

Step # 5. of Rules Calculate thumb bit nozzle to optimising velocity, V ft/sec, bit hydraulics. i.e. the movement of the fluid through F T A s c the bit nozzles at maximum e n

V n : =

Rotary drill bits

V n =1 5

t f

Bit hydraulics and hole cleaning calculations

I F: = V n Qm w

F= I 3 8 4l b f

P h: t = P Q m a x

% Pb = 8% t i P :4 0 p 1 s i m a x = C =0 5 9 . d:

B t: i = 1 5i . 2 n
2

T F A = 1 4 3 . 7 i n )

P h= t 5 1h p

P 3 4p i s i b t=

H Pb = Q P i t: b t i

H P b 1 0h 3 p t = i

Step # 3. Calculate total HHP (Hydraulic Horsepower at the Bit, HHPb, hp.) expended the bit. HSI would be generally applied b for bits generally equal to or less that < 12 1/4" where medium to harder formations, lower of ROP's regimes exist. As it is here where hydraulic or impact energy is Note: Horsepower isand a measure the work done by a moving fluid. p h H s i 25m/hr =1 0 . 6 . required to increase ROP's i.e. < 50ft/hr, 15m/hr to perhaps 80ft/hr, 2 n i Rules of thumb; 4.0 - 8.0 Hsi, water based muds, roller cone bits, 3.0 - 6.0 Hsi, water based muds, PDC bits. 2 Step # 4. Calculate Hydraulic per Squarebased Inch, HHP in of the Bit diameter or 'drilled' area. 3.0 -Horsepower 6.0 Hsi Oil or synthetic muds, b /roller cone bits, 2.0 - 4.0 Hsi Oil or synthertic based muds, PDC bits Note: In many of today's designer wells, e.g. extended reach. Many rigs are limited in the Hsi and flowrate that they can provide. Often therefore, sections have to be drilled at controlled rates so that the hole can be properly cleaned. A very important aspect of many of todays wells are therefore ' Do not drill a hole faster than it can be cleaned'.