SPE 116300

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SPE 116300
Experimental Study and Modeling of Cuttings
Transport using Foamwith Drillpipe Rotation

• Mingqin Duan
• Stefan Miska
• Mengjiao Yu
• Nicholas Takach
• Ramadan Ahmed

• John Hallman

Weatherford International
The University of Tulsa
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Statement of Problems

• Limited information in foam hydraulics under
  downhole conditions
• Only one study on cuttings transport using foam
  under EPET conditions, but without pipe rotation
• No single predictive tool addressing pipe
  rotation effects during foam drilling

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Objectives

• Experimentally investigate effects of drillpipe
  rotation on cuttings transport with foam under
  EPET conditions
• Develop a mathematical model that can be used by
  the industry to predict hole cleaning and
  pressure losses during foam drilling

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Experimental Investigation
Test Matrix
Foam qualityVgas/Vfoam
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Advanced Cuttings Transport Facility (ACTF)
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Experimental Investigation
Test Flow Chart
Air Compressor 1
CV5
F1
Air Compressor 2
Metering Pump
Injection Tower
F2
Surfactant Pump
Moyno Pump
Static Mixer
Cooler
Heater
Shear Valve
CV3
100-bbl Mud Tankb1
Waste Tank
CV2
V1
DN1
DN2
Breaker Pump
5.76 3.5 in. Annular Section
V3
V2
Separation Tower
4-inch Pipe
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Experimental Investigation
Pipe Rotation Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.8 quality, 100 psi, 80 ºF
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Experimental Investigation
Pipe Rotation Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.9 quality, 100 psi, 80 ºF
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Experimental Investigation
Foam Quality Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
2 ft/s, 100 psi, 80 ºF
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Experimental Investigation
Temperature Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.8 quality, 3 ft/s, 100 psi
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Experimental Investigation
Pressure Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.8 quality, 3 ft/s, 100 ºF
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A Mechanistic Model
Assumptions

• Steady state non-Newtonian compressible flow
• Power-law rheological model for foam
• Eccentric annulus with a cuttings bed
• Drillpipe rotation
• Isothermal laminar flow

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A Mechanistic Model
Modeling Strategy
Experiments
Geometry, Velocity
Guess h
?P
Rheological Parameters
?Pc
Y
Increase h
Output
?Pr -?Pc lt e ?
Y
N
?Pr lt ?Pc ?
Decrease h
N
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A Mechanistic Model
Model Validation
Cuttings Conc. (avg. difference 10.7)
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Concluding Remarks

• Drillpipe rotation significantly decreases Cc (up
  to 40) and pressure losses (up to 50) in a
  horizontal annulus
• Increasing foam quality from 0.6 to 0.7
  considerably reduces Cc (up to 50). A further
  increase from 0.7 to 0.9 does not show
  significant improvement, yet, pressure losses are
  greatly increased (by 100-200)

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Concluding Remarks

• For a certain quality foam, increasing
  temperature slightly increases Cc while a higher
  pressure causes a very slight decrease of Cc

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Recommendations

• Pipe rotation in the range of 80 to 160 RPM is
  highly recommended during foam drilling
• If pipe rotation is not possible, a foam quality
  of 0.9 with a medium to high foam velocity (4 to
  6 ft/s) is recommended to get a better hole
  cleaning . However, be aware of significant
  pressure losses
• Foam quality below 0.7 is not recommended for
  hole cleaning purposes

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Acknowledgements

• All Member Companies of Tulsa University Drilling
  Research Projects (TUDRP)
• Weatherford International Ltd. for supplying
  chemicals for this study

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End of Presentation

• Thank you !
• Questions ?

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A Mechanistic Model
Critical Pressure Drop
G Foam quality fO Rotation
function geo Wellbore geometry
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A Mechanistic Model
Pressure Drop with a Bed
Deff
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A Mechanistic Model
Model Validation
Pressure Drop (avg. difference 14.3)
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Experimental Investigation
Foam Quality Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
3 ft/s, 100 psi, 80 ºF