Computer processing improves hydraulics optimization with new methods
In current practice, pressure drops in the mud circulating system and the settling velocity of cuttings are calculated with simple rheological models and simple equations. Wellsite computers now allow more sophistication in drilling computations. In this paper, experimental results on the settling velocity of spheres in drilling fluids are reported, along with rheograms done over a wide range of shear rates. The flow curves are fitted to polynomials and general methods are developed to predict friction losses and settling velocities as functions of the polynomial coefficients. These methods were incorporated in a software package that can handle any rig configuration system, including riser booster. Graphic displays show the effect of each parameter on the performance of the circulating system.
- Research Organization:
- Sedco Forex
- OSTI ID:
- 5590796
- Journal Information:
- SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drill. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drill. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 2:4; ISSN SDENE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990220 -- Computers
Computerized Models
& Computer Programs-- (1987-1989)
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CUTTINGS REMOVAL
DRILLING
DRILLING FLUIDS
FLOW MODELS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
HYDRAULICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
OPTIMIZATION
REMOVAL
RHEOLOGY
SIMULATION
SOLIDS FLOW
WELL DRILLING
WELLS