Experimental study of cuttings transport in directional wells

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drill. Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/12123-PA· OSTI ID:5373207

Tomren, P H; Iyoho, A W; Azar, J J

A large-scale study of cuttings transport in directional wells is discussed in this paper. Previous investigators used unrealistically high fluid velocities and/or short test sections where steady-state conditions had not been established. This study used a 40-ft (12.2-m) test section. Pipe rotation and eccentricity, as well as several types of drilling muds and flow regimes, were studied. Annulus angles varied from 0 to 90/sup 0/, and actual drilled cuttings were used. The major factors affecting cuttings transport are drilling fluid velocity, hole inclination, and fluid rheological properties. Much higher annular velocities are required for effective hole cleaning in directional wells than in vertical wells. An increase in hole angle and/or drilling rate reduces the transport performance of drilling fluids. Hole angles of 40 to 50/sup 0/ are critical because of cuttings buildup and downward sliding of the bed of cuttings. High-viscosity muds were observed to provide better transport than low-viscosity muds.

• Research Organization: Statoil
• OSTI ID: 5373207
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drill. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drill. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 1:1; ISSN SDENE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
CLEANING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CUTTINGS REMOVAL
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILL PIPES
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
DRILLING FLUIDS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW RATE
FLUIDS
INCIDENCE ANGLE
INCLINATION
MOTION
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PIPES
REMOVAL
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RHEOLOGY
ROTATION
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
VELOCITY
VISCOSITY
WELL DRILLING
WELLS