Experimental determination of solids friction factors and minimum volumetric requirements in foam and mist drilling and well cleanout operations
In order to accurately predict minimum air and liquid volumetric requirements for foam drilling operations, the frictional losses due to the solid phase and the settling velocities of such solids must be taken into account. To adequately account for pressure drop across the bits, a new equation which takes the compressibility of foam into consideration is required. Thus, the objectives of this study are: 1) to present a semi-empirical model for predicting frictional losses due to the solid phase in solids-foam slurry flow, 2) to develop a theoretical model for predicting pressure drops across bits for foam, and 3) to utilize these models to predict minimum volumetric requirements for foam drilling operations, taking into consideration the settling velocities of drilled particles. A theoretical model for predicting pressure drop across bit nozzles for foam and mist flows is proposed. It accounts for the compressibility of foams but assumes negligible pressure losses due to friction and changes in elevation. A 28.5 ft long, 4-in. x 1.5-in. vertical test annulus designed to ensure stabilized flow was used for the experimental study. Average drilled cutting sizes ranged from 0.025 to 0.11 inch. The effective foam quality ranged from 0.64 to 0.94.
- OSTI ID:
- 6803828
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Experimental determination of solids friction factors and minimum volumetric requirements in foam and mist drilling and well-cleanout operations. Final report
Volumetric requirements for foam and mist drilling operations