Title: SPE 116300
1SPE 116300
Experimental Study and Modeling of Cuttings
Transport using Foamwith Drillpipe Rotation
- Mingqin Duan
- Stefan Miska
- Mengjiao Yu
- Nicholas Takach
- Ramadan Ahmed
Weatherford International
The University of Tulsa
2Statement 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
3Objectives
- 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
4Experimental Investigation
Test Matrix
Foam qualityVgas/Vfoam
5Advanced Cuttings Transport Facility (ACTF)
6Experimental 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
7Experimental Investigation
Pipe Rotation Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.8 quality, 100 psi, 80 ºF
8Experimental Investigation
Pipe Rotation Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.9 quality, 100 psi, 80 ºF
9Experimental Investigation
Foam Quality Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
2 ft/s, 100 psi, 80 ºF
10Experimental Investigation
Temperature Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.8 quality, 3 ft/s, 100 psi
11Experimental Investigation
Pressure Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
0.8 quality, 3 ft/s, 100 ºF
12A 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
13A 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
14A Mechanistic Model
Model Validation
Cuttings Conc. (avg. difference 10.7)
15Concluding 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)
16Concluding Remarks
- For a certain quality foam, increasing
temperature slightly increases Cc while a higher
pressure causes a very slight decrease of Cc
17Recommendations
- 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
18Acknowledgements
- All Member Companies of Tulsa University Drilling
Research Projects (TUDRP) - Weatherford International Ltd. for supplying
chemicals for this study
19End of Presentation
20A Mechanistic Model
Critical Pressure Drop
G Foam quality fO Rotation
function geo Wellbore geometry
21A Mechanistic Model
Pressure Drop with a Bed
Deff
22A Mechanistic Model
Model Validation
Pressure Drop (avg. difference 14.3)
23Experimental Investigation
Foam Quality Effect
CcVcuttings / Vannulus
dP/dL
3 ft/s, 100 psi, 80 ºF