Society of Petroleum Engheers
SPE 35341
Optimizing Cuttings Circulation In Horizontal Well Drilling
A. L. Martins, SPE, Petrobras, and C. H. M. Sa, Petrobras, and A.M.F. Louren90, Federal Fluminense U., and W. Campos,
SPE, Petrobras.
Copyright 1996, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the Inti. Petroleum Conference & Exhibition of
Mexico held in Villahermosa, Mexico, 5-7 March, 1996.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
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Abstract
The action of stopping drilling to circulate the cuttings out of the
well is always a point of controversy among oilfield teams. The
practice of circulating periodically the hole may avoid several
operational problems during the drilling of a horizontal well. On
the other hand, if hydraulic minimum requirements for the cuttings
bed removal are not achieved, circulation can be ineffective, time
consuming and, in some cases, detrimental to wellbore stability.
This paper presents a series of large scale lab experiments which
aimed at the investigation of the erosion of a cuttings bed
deposited on the lower part of a horizontal annular section. A
group of correlations, based on the experimental data, was 1
developed to predict bed height and critical flow rate for bed
removal as functions of several independent variables. The
proposed methodology, coupled with a cuttings transport
numerical simulator, is an useful tool for programming effective
circulation of a cuttings bed.
Introduction
The technique of drilling horizontal wells is used worldwide as an
effective method of oilfield exploitation. In Brazil, some horizontal
wells have been drilled and there is perspective of extensive
utilization of this technique, specially offshore, where most of the
oil is concentrated. This includes the giant deep water fields on
Campos Basin, where unstable clays and unconsolidated sandstone
are found.
The ocurrence of severe problems in the drilling of highly
inclined wells in the cited areas, which culminated with the loss of
two wells at the Campos Basin, has motivated the creation of a
research program on wellbore stability and cuttings removal. This
program, by combining experimental work and theoretical
modeling, intends to provide technical support for the design of
such wells, aiming at obtaining minimum operational
risk.
It is well known that the transport of drilled cuttings require
295
special attention in highly inclined wells, due to the tendency of
deposition of a bed of solids in the lower part of the annulus. The
excessive accumulation of solids in the annulus will create
problems such as abnormal torque and drag, the necessity of
redrilling and in many cases the prison of the drillstring.
Extensive experimental work has been conducted by several
institutions, including the University of Tulsa1,2, Heriot-Watt
U niversity3 and some petroleum companies45 All these studies
aimed at the investigation of the influence of several operational
variables in the cuttings removal during the drilling of a wellbore.
These data, besides qualitative analysis, have generated empirical
correlations (Becker et a1. 6, Peden et aU) or validated theoretical
models (Martins & Santana? , Clark & Bickham8, Campos9,IO).
One major complaint of PETROBRAS field personel is that
none of these studies analyzed the circulation of a cuttings bed.
This is a point of controversy, since excessive circulation time
increases cost and may be ineffective while insufficient circulation
time will cause operational problems.
Other operation highly impacted by the existence of a cuttings
bed is the cementing of horizontal wells. Most of the time, it is
possible to finish the drilling of a well with poor cuttings removal.
Good cementing, however, will require the complete removal of
the solids, so that the slurry can occupy entirely the annular gap.
Silva & Martins ll discuss the problem in more detail.
This paper describes the results of an extensive experimental
program developed at PETROBRAS research center, aiming at the
understanding the phenomena envolved in the erosion of a cuttings
bed deposited at the bottom of a horizontal annular section. The
theme has been studied for pipe flow and newtonian fluids 12,13 , but
literature is very poor in regard to non-newtonian annular flow.
Scaling Methodology
A very important step for conducting a reduced scale experiment
is to ensure the reproduction of the real situation. Scaling down and
scaling up techniques are often neglected and may lead to
erroneous quantification of variables.
The basic too! for tlte physical sL1!lu!ation of processes is tlte
theory of similarity. With this, it is possible to stablish the design
conditions for the reduced model, that will reproduce the same
behavior of the real situation. The first, but not sufficient, condition
for physical simulation, is geometric similarity. Dynamic
similarity is required for the reproduction of non-static phenomena.
The basis of the methodology consists in defining a scale factor
for each of the basic dimensions which characterize the problem,
namely length, mass and time, and use these factors to scale
2 OPTIMIZING CUTTINGS CIRCULATION IN HORIZONTAL WELL DRILLING SPE 35341

down/up the involved parameters. The length (geometric) scale Relevant Variables For Cuttings Transport
factor is previously defined by the dimensions of the model, which Unlike the solid-liquid transport operations in the mining industry,
is determined based on technical, operational and economic where the goal is to minimize friction losses, the important point
considerations. The geometric scale factor is defined by the ratio in drilling is to 'quantify the solids removal from the annulus at
oflength (diameter) in the reduced model and in the real situation. different locations along the wellbore.
In vertical and low inclination wells, the evaluation of the
cuttings removal is adequately characterized by the ratio between
KL-I..~Lw./"""""""""""""""""""""""" .......................................(1) the solids ascending velocitY and the fluid annular velocity. This
concept is defined as the transport ratio.
In horizontal and highly inclined wells, due to the tendency of
Several different criteria can be used to define mass and time solids to segregate to the lower portion of the annulus, the concept
scale factors, depending on the phenomena to be simulated. In the of transport ratio will not represent well cleaning properly. Several
specific case of cuttings transport in inclinedlhorizontal annuli, it authors 1,2,3 developed research on the theme and considered
is difficult to scale down fluid density and acceleration of gravity. different variables to characterize the problem, such as: solids
These parameters will be equal in the real and in the reduced volumetric concentration, cuttings bed height,critical velocity for
situations .. These conditions restrict the definition of the mass and bed movement, critical velocity for bed suspension, etc. Table 1
time scale factors, as functions ofthe geometric scale factor. shows dimensions and scale factors for the dependent and
independent variables in the problem of bed erosion.
Time: This variables should be experimentally evaluated as functions
of the parameters which influence the problem: geometry (annulus
[g]",..,..[g]w.I"' .....................................................................................(2)
internal/external diameters,eccentricity and inclination), fluid
properties (density and rheological parameters), solid properties
(density and diameter) and drillpipe rotation. The present study is
restricted to horizontal non-rotating flow.
L~~w.1~~/................................................. ,",.".,', ...... ,"', ... ".,.,(3) Experimental Program

Flow Loop Description

The experimental apparatus, consists of a test section 12m long
acrylic pipe where a PVC pipe is introduced concentrically or
1
TmlII '2 .eccentrically. The acrylic pipe, representing the wellbore, is 5 in
KT"~L "', ...... ,.... ,............ ,......... ,...................................................(4)
Tw 1 OD X 4 in ID and allows for flow visualization. The internal pipe,
representing the drill string, accounts for different phases of the
drilling operation, depending on its diameter.
Mass: Helical pumps are used to bring fluid into movement at controlled
flow rates, while solids are fed in the test section through an auger.
Instrumentation includes flow meters, differential pressure
[p]IIUIIIIIW"'[P]wlll/., ...... ,..... " .... ,., ......... ,.................................(5)
transducers, temperature sensors and a densitometer. Results are
collected through a data acquisition system which allows checking
the reliability of the results during the test. Fig. 1 shows a
schematic of the experimental facility.
M"..,,;L~wM":.I ..........................................................................(6)
Test Procedure
Once the operational parameters ( geometry, eccentricity, fluid and
M~ 3 .
KAr......!!!!!!!f!M' ....................................................................................... (7) solid properties) are chosen, the following procedure is adopted:
Mwilli
- Start the auger to form a bed of constant height along
the test section. Fluid flow rate should be minimal and
So, if we define as "A" any relevant physical property, it is constant;
possible to derive the following expression: - Record the perimeter of the outer pipe covered by the
bed in ten different points. Calculate average values
of perimeter and average bed height (derivation of
[A]-I.. "tM"2T"3 ......................................................................................(8) equations is on appendix 1);
- Increase fluid flow rate to begin bed erosion. When
steady state is reached (no more solids removal), record
bed perimeter, transient time and friction loss; observe
A.",.". ("t.3"2~)
~L 2 . (9) removal flow patterns;
WiIIl - Repeat the last step, increasing gradually the fluid flow

296
SPE 35341 A. L. MARTINS, C. H. M. sA, A.
rate until complete bed removal.
Test Matrix
A total of 55 different tests were performed using solutions of
Xhantam Gum, at different concentrations, to represent the drilling
fluids and particles of sandstone of different diameters.
The following parameters were varied:
- annular diameter ratio: 0.408 and 0.588
- annular eccentricity : 0 (concentric) and 1 (fully
eccentric)
- fluid relative density: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
- Fluid rheology: water, thin, average and thick (dial
readings and rheological parameters are shown on ta ble
2)
- solids diameter: 0.081, 0.117, 0.163 and 0.234 in
Results
The following figures shows bed height measurements as functions
of the independent variables investigated. Fig. 2 illustrates how
the increment of fluid density enhances bed erosion. Fig 3 shows
the influence of fluid rheology . All these data indicate that the
higher is the turbulence the lower will be the bed height.
The influence of rheology is somewhat complex since the
increase of plastic viscosity may help bed removal, but hinders
turbulence achievement. Zamora 14 makes remarks about the
importance of an accurate rheological characterization of the fluid.
Fig. 4 shows the influence of cuttings size on bed erosion. As
expected, larger particles are more difficultly eroded. Fig. 5 shows
the influence of eccentricity on bed height. The poor removal in the
eccentric annulus is explained by the non-simetric velocity
distribution(Chin 15).
Although the physics of bed erosion is not equivalent to the
physics of solids deposition during drilling, the influence of the
operational parameters on bed height is similar to the reports of
previous authors 1,2,3
Dimensionless Groups
The previous charts, however, are not very useful for bed height
prediction since they are plotted as functions of dimensional
variables, being valid at specific situations. Normally generalyzed
charts or correlations are established by using the dimensionless
groups that characterize the problem.
Following table 1, the dependent variable (bed height) depends
on the following nine independent variables: annulus external
diameter, annulus internal diameter, particle diameter, particle
density, fluid density, plastic viscosity, yield point, gravity
acceleration and fluid flow rate (eccentricity is not included in the
analysis). All these variables can be expressed by three basic
dimensions (length, mass and time).
According to the TI theorem, seven independent dimensionless
groups are required to characterize the problem. Dimensionless
groups chosen shall have physical significance (Sa 16).
The first three are shape factors which express ratios between
bed height and external diameter (eq. 10), internal diameter and
annular gap (eq. 11) and particle diameter and annular gap (eq.
12). The next dimensionless group represents the buoyancy forces
297
F. M. LOURENCO, W. CAMPOS. 3
(eq. 13). The last three groups represent the ratios between yield
point effects and particle weight (eq. 14), viscous effects and
particle weight (eq. 15) and inertial and viscous forces (eq. 16).
The last group is the Reynolds Number.
h
II1 -....... ...... (10)
d.
d,
~.- .............................................................................................. (11)
d,-d,
dp
~.-.............................................................................................. (12)
d,-d,
II.(' p,-p' .............................................................................................(13)
p,
'to
lIs .....................................................................................(14)
(p,-p,)grl,
IJ 2
:...L
p,
:n:.r 3 .................................................................................... (15)
(p,-p,)grl,
~. pQ ................................................................................(16)
O.816(d,-d)IJ,
Proposed Correlations
The dimensionless numbers defined above were calculated for the
set of experimental data and used to establish correlations. The
least squares method was used in the search for optimum
coefficients. Eccentricity is not included in the minimization since
only the concentric and the fully eccentric cases were studied. So,
a different correlation will be established for each case. Linear
correlation with the second dimensionless group is proposed, since
only two values of annulus diameter ratio are available.
The first set of correlations was developed for relative bed height
prediction. Figs 6 and 7 show the variation of bed height with the
Reynolds Number for the concentric and fully eccentric data,
respectively. Tests with water are not included. Based on the
observed tendencies, the following shape is proposed for the
correlations:
Where E is a random error with mea.'1 value equal to zero and
constant variance. Table 3 shows the range of variation of each
dimensionless group in the experiments.Table 4 shows the
regression coefficients obtained, along with the statistical
parameters. Table 5 shows the variation of each term of the
product in the correlations. Figs 8 and 9 illustrate the good fitness
of the correlation to experimental data. Analyzing the results of
table 5 we can conclude that IT2 and ITs, in the concentric case, and
TI 2 , in the eccentric case, are less influent, since their terms in the
product are approximately constant.The influence of ITs can be
4 OPTIMIZING CUTTINGS CIRCULATION IN HORIZONTAL WELL DRILLING SPE 35341

explained by the fact that fluids with meaningful yield points will annulus. Further work is required for a more adequate
not flow through the narrow gap of the eccentric annulus while interpretation of fluid rheology effects.
uniform flow will always occur in the concentric annulus. So, a 4. Additional tests should be performed in order to incorporate the
simpler correlation can be proposed by forcing Kl and c to be zero effects of drill string rotation.
in the concentric case and Kl to zero in the eccentric. Results are
shown in table 6 and figs. 10 and 11. Nomenclature
A second set of correlations was stablished for the situation A = physical property
where the bed is completely removed. The dependent variable is d = diameter, L, m.
now the critical flow rate 1,9,lO or, if expressed in dimensionless g = gravity acceleration, L/T 2, m/s2
form, the critical Reynolds Number. Figs 12 to 19 show the h = bed heigth , L, m.
tendency of critical Reynolds Number with the other K = scale factor
dimensionless groups. Q = flow rate, L3/T, m3/s.
S = perimeter, L, m.
Figs. 16 and 18 show that, as viscosity and yield point goes to E = random error.
zero, the critical flow rate goes to infinity. This is in accord with p= specific gravity, MlL3 , Kglm3
the concept that an ideal fluid cannot remove the cuttings from the ~p= plastic viscosity, MI(L.T), Pa.s.
wellbore. Figs. 17 and 19 show that the critical reynolds number II = dimensionless group.
varies linearly with both the viscous and yield point dimensionless 't" 0= yield point, MI(L.T~, Pa.
numbers in a logarithmic plot. In addition, these dimensionless ~ = wall thickness, L, m.
numbers represent forces acting on the particle, and are compared
to the same parameter, namely the weight of the particle. Therefore Subscripts
it appears logical to combine then linearly into a third e = external
dimensionless number. Figs. 12 to 15 show good correlations of f= fluid
the critical Reynolds number and the other dimensionless i = internal
paramaters on semi~log plots. Therefore, the following format for L =lengh
the critical Reynolds number correlation is suggested: M=mass
0= inicial
p = particle
T = time

Where E is a random error with mean value equal to zero and
constant variance. The. ranges of variation. of the dimensionless
numbers are shown on table 7, while the calculated coefficients
and the correlation fitnessare presented on table 8. Figs 20 shows
the .plot of the proposed correlation given in eq. (18) for the
concentric and the eccentric cases, and for given values of the
other dimensionless groups. Due to the .fewer number of data
points for the critical flow rate, compared to the number of data
point for the bed height, a different procedure was used to
determine the coefficients.. In .such procedure, a general
correlation has been developed and specialized for the cases of
zero and unity eccentricities. For this reason, only the Kl
coefficient is different fot the two correlations.
Conclusions
I.Correlations were developed for the prediction of bed heights
and critical flow rate during the circulation of a horizontal well, as
functions of the dimensionless numbers which characterize the
problem.
2. These correlations are useful tools for optimization of horizontal
drilling/cementing operations. They should be used together since
there are cases where bedcannnot be completely removed by the
drilling fluid.
3. Results indicate that fluid Yield Point proved to be influential
only in the bed erosion of eccentric annuli. This fact can be
explained by the non-uniform velocity profiles of a Bingham fluid
flowing in eccentric annulus. Depending on the yield point of the
fluid, a stagnant region may be formed at the bottom part of the
Acknowledgments
We thank Raimundo Belfort, Francisco Santos, Paulo Horta, Luiz
Gugu Freire and Denis Barros for the conduction of the
experimental work.We also thank PETROBRAS S.A. for the
permission to publish this paper.
References
1: Jalukar, L.S.:"A Study of Hole Size Effect on Critical and Subcritical
Drilling Fluid Velocities in Cuttings Transport for Inclined Wellbores",
MS Thesis, U. of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK (1993)~ .
2. Larsen, T.I.: "A. Study of Critical Fluid Velocity in Cuttings
Transport", MS Thesis, U. ofTulsa,'Tulsa, OK (1990).
3. Peden,J.M., Ford, J.T. and Oyeneyin, M.B.: "Comprehensive
Experimental Investigation of Drilled Cuttings Transport In Inclined
Wells Including The Effects of Rotation and Eccentricity", paper SPE
20925 presented at Europec 90, The Hague, Netherlands, Oct. 22-24.
4. Rasi, M.:"Hole Cleaning in Large, High Angle Wellbores", paper
IADC/SPE 27464 presented at the 1994 IADC/SPE Drilling
Conference, Dallas, TX, Feb.15-18.
5. Luo, Y., Berns, P., Kellingray, D. and Chamber, B.:"Charts Deteimine
Hole Cleaning Requirements in Deviated Wells", OGJ, Guly, 11,1994)
59.
6. Becker, T.E.:"Correlations for Drill-Cuttings Transport in Directional
Well Drilling", PhD Thesis, U of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK(1987).
7. Martins AL. and Santana,C.C. :"Evaluation of Cuttings Transport in
Horizontal and Near Horizontal Wells - A Dimensionless Approach",
paper SPE 23643 presented at the Second SPE Latin American
Petroleum Engineering Conference, Caracas, Venezuela, Mar. 8-11,
1992.
8. Clark, R.K. and Bickham, K.L.:"A Mechanistic Model for Cuttings
Transport", paper SPE 28306 presented at the SPE 69 Annual

298
SPE 35341 A. L. MARTINS, C. H. M. sA, A. F. M. LOURENCO, W. CAMPOS. 5

Technical C<~nference and Exhibition, New Orleans, LA, Sep. 25-28,

1994. TABLE 1 -SCALE FACTORS FOR THE
9. Campos, W.:"Mechanistic Modeling of Cuttings Transport in VARIABLES ENVOLVED IN THE PROBLEM
Directional wells", PhD Thesis, U. of Tulsa, Tulsa,
OK(1995). DIMENSIONAL ~ODEJAWELL
10. Campos, W., Shirazi, AS., Azar, J.J. and Pilehvari, AA:"Mechanistic ANALYSIS
Modeling of Cuttings Transport in Highly Inclined wells", FED-
vo1.l89, paper presented at the 1994 ASME Fluid Engineering L M T 8 112X 12 114X 5 in
Division Summer Meeting, Lake Tahoe, NV, Jun. 19-23. 5 in
11. Silva, M.G.P. and Martins, A.L.:" Large Scale Physical Simulation of
Vertical and Horizontal Well Cementing", paper presented at the 12 dj 0 0 0.468 0.325
Brazilian Congress of Mechanical Engineering, Brasilia, Brazil, Dec.,
1993 (In Portuguese). dp 1 0 0 0.468 0.325
12. Domn, P., Granica, D and Bamea, D:"Slurry Flow In Horizontal Pipes
- Experimental and Modeling", International Journal ofMultiphase Pr -3 1 0 1
Flow (1987) 13, No.4, 535.
13. Liou, W.L. and Torrest, R.S.:" Suspension Transport and deposition Pp -1 1 0 1 1
in Pipeline Flow of Non-Newtonian Polymer Solutions", Particulate
and Multiphase Processes, Hemisphere (1987) 3,207. g 1 0 -2 1
14. Zamora, M. and Jefferson, D.:"Hole Cleaning and Suspension in
Horizontal Wells", paper presented at the Third Annual North Q 3 0 -1 0.150 0.060
American Conference on Emerging Technologies - Coiled Tubing
and Horizontal Wells, Calgary, Canada, May 15-16, 1995. J.lp -1 -1 0.320 0.185
15. Chin, W.:Borehole Flow Modeling in Horizontal, Deviated and
Vertical Wells, Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, TX(1992). 1:'0 -1 -2 0.468 0.325
16. sa, C.H.M.:"Experimental Evaluation of Wall, Particle Concentration
and Rheology Effects in Annular Axial Solid-Liquid Non- Newtonian h 1 0 0 0.468 0.325
Flow", MS Thesis, U. of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil (1990) (In
Portuguese).

Appendix - Bed Height Calculation

Bed height calculation consists on a simple trigonometric
expression in function of external pipe diameter, wall thickness and
average bed perimeter. The average bed perimeter is defined as:
TABLE 2 - FLUID RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

S"!'.L
n
Sr ........................ .................. .... .. ........ ...... ......CA-I) DIAL THIN AVERAGE THICK
READINGS FLUID FLUID FLUID
Where n is the number of perimeter measurements and Sj is the RANGE MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN
value of each measurement. Then, bed height is calculated by:
6600 9.0 5.5 19.0 14.0 36.0 27.5
4, S 6300 6.0 3.5 12.0 11.0 26.0 22.5
h.-t<I-cos 4.+2')...... .. ........ .. ...... ...... .... .... .. ........ .............(A-2)
6200 5.0 3.0 9.5 8.0 21.0 20.5
SI Metric Conversion Factors
cP x 1.0* E-03= Pa's 6100 3.5 2.0 7.0 6.0 18.0 16.0
in x 2.54* E-02= m
Ibfll00fi2 x 4.788 E-Ol= Pa 66 1.5 1.0 5.0 3.0 15.5 7.5

*Conversion factor is exact 63 1.0 0.5 2.0 2.0 14.0 6.5

1:'0 1.7347 3.8758 14.5074

(lbf/IOOff)

1;!;1!~cP2 3.8917 7.7931 10.8205

299
6 OPTIMIZING CUTTINGS CIRCULATION IN HORIZONTAL WELL DRILLING SPE 35341

TABLE 3- RANGE OF VARIATION OF TABLE 5 - VARIATION OF THE PRODUCT

DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS - BED EROSION TERMS IN THE BED EROSION COMPLETE
DATA CORRELATION
DIMENSIONLES MINIMUM MAXIMUM PRODllCT CONCENTRIC ECCENTRIC
SNUMBER
K IIT2+K2 0.21-0.23 0.026-0.027
ITI 0.1 0.9
IT3a 0.32-0.53 0.14-0.92
IT2 0.724 1.500
IT4b 0.64-1.01 0.99-1.23
n3 0.035 0.149
ITsc 1.02-1.10 1.17-2.10
IT4 0.979 1.61
ITl 0.12-0.28 0.03-0.13
ITs 0.00692 0.337
TI7e 17-80 135-1800
ll6 0.00000235 0.000436

n7 589 18508

TABLE 4 - COEFFICIENTS FOR BED EROSION TABLE 6 - COEFFICIENTS FOR BED EROSION
COMPLETE CORRELATION SIMPLIFIED CORRELATION
CONCENTRIC ECCENTRIC CONCENTRIC ECCENTRIC
KI 0.009665 -0.001869
KI 0.000000 0.000000
K2 0.217669 0.027961
K2 0.232987 0.022199
a 0.330844 0.566790 a 0.345343 0.517770
b -0.913758 0.441813 b -1.039145 0.526806
c -0.019533 -0.150788 c 0.00000 -0.159239
d 0.161718 0.272122 d 0.149170 0.273567
e 0.445284 0.768299 e 0.446883 0.765013
sum of minimum 3.177 1.311 sum of minimum 3.180 1.318
squares squares
radom error 0.044 0.015 random error 0.044 0.014
standard standard deviation
deviation

300
SPE 35341 A. L. MARTINS, C. H. M. sA, A. F. M. LOURENCO, W. CAMPOS. 7

TABLE 7- RANGE OF VARIATION OF

DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS - CRITICAL
REYNOLDS NUMBER DATA

DIMENSIONLESS MINIMUM MAXIMUM

NUMBER

II2 0.724 1.500 1 Flui:t Tarks

2 Pump
3 SOIeel'll
II3 0.035 0.149 4 Te.t Seclbn
5 Sdl::l. Injaclicn 3
e Fluid FbwLIne
II4 0.979 1.61
r----~------.r.,
in .. __ J<_J
1 r--.: m
lIs 0 0.337 ...-:s.

II6
II7CRlT
0.00000089
10500
0.00064
169000 Ix]' 4
C:::::::::::::::::::::::::=::::JI-X -'-

Fig. I-Schematic View of the Experimental Facility

TABLE 8 - COEFFICIENTS FOR CRITICAL

REYNOLDS NUMBER COMPLETE
CORRELATION
0,9
CONCENTRIC ECCENTRIC lK
0,8 lK

Kl 3,5065 3.6135 0,7 lK

K2 -0,2499 -0.2499 0,6 lK
... 0,5

K3 0,02644 -0.02644 ~
.s:: 0,4 lK

K4 0.06145 0.06145 0,3

lK dens. 1000 kg/m"3
dens. 1100 kg/m"3
lK

Ks -0.09382 -0.089382 0,2

K6
sum of
0.04868
0.8741
0.04868
0.8741
0,1

0
0 0,001 0,002 0,003

I.
0,004 0,005
minimum 3
Flow Rate, m /s
squares
random error 0.1517 01517
standard
deviation
Fig. 2- Experimental Data for Thin Fluid, d p= 2,97 x 10-3m,
d j = 6xlO-2m, eccentric annulus.

301
8 OPTIMIZING CUTTINGS CIRCULATION IN HORIZONTALWEl,.L DRILLING SPE 35341

0,9
1,0 -r'""'-'--''''''-''''.---.''~'-''.''''''-'''~'''''''''-''''.--'''''''''-",''..."..........."'".,

0,8
x
x
.A x 0,8
0,7 .A
.A ~ 0,6
'"
x
.
0,6
0,5
x
.A
.A x
=0,4
.A II
J:!
.c 0,4
x

0,3
0,2
.A thick fluid
xthin fluid
x .A
.. . 0,2
0,1 a\erage fluid .A
0,0 +---------r-~(__&3'7fINI'f:----;

0 100 1000 10000 100000

0 0,002 0,004 0,006 0,008
Flow rate, m3/s n7 =Reynolds Number
Fig. 6 .. Influence of Reynolds number on bed height ..
Fig.3 .. Experimental data for d p=2.97x 10-3m, d i =6.00 x concentric annulus.
10-2 m, PFI000 kg/m3, eccentric annulus.
1,0 ,""."_.._".."'". ".."..,..........' ' '.,.,,.'' '.' ' "..._'' ' .-.....".' ' ' '""..."'' ' ' .' ._.",,.......
,,".,,!

0,8 0,8
0,7 ~rJ< x x '"
x
x ~ 0,6
0,6
x
x II
.... 0,4
. 0,5

~ 0,4
0,3
x
=0,2
0,2 xdp= 0.00414 m 0,0 +-----...,.,.-----'1l~
0,1 m 100 1000
0
dp= 0.00206
10000
0 0,002 0,004 0,006 0,008 n7 =Reynolds Number
Fig.7 .. Influence of Reynolds number on bed height
2 .. eccentric annulus.
Fig. 4 .. Experimental data for thick fluid, d j =4.20 x 10-
m, Pr=1000 kg/m3, eccentric annulus.

1,0
0,9
0,8 0,8
0,7
0,6 x u
fti 0,6
u

--
CD 0,5 ..."
X "a
~
.c 0,4
x
. c 0,4
0,3 0,2 X
0,2
0,1
eccertric
x concentric x
0,0
X

0,001 0,CXl2 0,003

0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0
0,004 0,005
(h/d.)exp

Fig.5 .. Experimental data for thin fluid, d p=2.06 x 10-3m, Fig. 8 .. Fitness of bed erosion complete correlation
d j =4.20 x 10-2 m, PFIOOO kg/m3. to experimental data .. concentric annulus.

302
 SPE 35341 A. L. MARTINS, C. H. M. sA, A. F. M. LOUREN<;O, W. CAMPOS. 9

1,0 1E+6
0,8
u
~ 0,6 1E+5
..."
l!
-
.c
0,4
0,2
.~
... .....
=:
1E+4 i
0,0
1E+3 -+------+---------1
0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0
a 0,5 1
(h/d.)exp Eccentricity

Fig. 9 - Fitness of bed erosion complete correlation Fig. 12 - Influence of eccentricity on II,crit.
to experimental data - eccentric annulus.
1E+6

1E+5
1,0

0,8
-5
.....
=1E+4 I I
1E+ 3 -1-----+----+------1

0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5

II2=d/(d.-d,)
0,2 x x
x Fig. 13 - Influence of annular gap shape factor
0,0 -F----I----t----t----1f-----l on II,crit.
0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0
(h/d.)exp
1E+6
Fig .10 - Fitness of bed erosion simplified correlation
to experimental data - concentric annulus.
1E+5
1,0 =1E+4 I I

0,8 1E+3 -+----+----+-------1

u
cau 0,6
X a 0,05 0,1 0,15

-:E
'"
-
.c 0,4
n')
v,'-
Fig. 14 - Influence of particle diameter shape
............... 111. ...
..... " .. v. vu
IT erit
~~7

0,0 +---+----+---+--+-----1
0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0
(h/d.)exp

Fig .11 - Fitness of bed erosion simplified correlation

to experimental data - eccentric annulus.

303
10 OPTIMIZING CUTTINGS CIRCULATION IN HORIZONTAL WELL DRILLING SPE 35341

285
1E+6 285
285
185
185
1E+5
'S ... a '5.. 185
t:l8:t4
=1E+4 EB4
484 ~.
2Et4 ...... ,I
~r----r----r----r--~
1E+3+-------r-----~-------+--- QOO QOO QOO QOO QOO
0,8 1,0 1,2 1,4
Ils;Jp2/w~,
II4=(pd-PfVpf

Fig. 15 - Influence of buoyancy factor on II,crit.

200000 Fig. 18 - Influence of viscous factor on II,crit, linear plot.

160000

120000
"5 ...
186
= 80000

40000

18-5

0,0 0,1

o +------+------+-----~----~
0,2
II 5='t J(Ps9d p )
0,3 0,4 =
u
...

184
.-
f'


,.

Fig. 16 - Influence of yield point factor on II,crit, linear plot.
1&3r-----------r---------~
115-5 115-3

1E+6

Fig. 19 - Influence of viscous factor on II,crit, log-log plot.

1E+5

.....~~; f.
1E+4 Experimental Data
200000 T - - Fully Eccentric
150000 ! - - - - Centered
I
1E+3 +-----------~----------~
1E-2 1E-1 1E+O
'~ 100000 ~\
II,='t o/(ppgd p) 50000
0--
r. .-$----=+--.
I I
Fig. 17 - Influence of yield point factor on II,erit , log- o 0,005 0,01
log plot.

Fig.20 - Plot of correlation for II2= 1.1121,

II3=0.0724, II4 = 1.5180.

304