Cuttings Transport Evaluation in Deviated Wells

Authors

  • Majeed Olasunkanmi Abimbola Oil and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, AIB3X5, St. John’s NL, Canada
  • Godwin Chukwu Petroleum Engineering Department, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Faisal Khan Oil and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, AIB3X5, St. John’s NL, Canada

Abstract

Cuttings transport efficiency is a measure of the extent to which cuttings are carried to the surface from a drilled hole. It quantifies the success achieved in freeing a well of drilled cuttings. It is also related to the carrying capacity of a drilling mud. Cuttings transport efficiency in vertical and deviated wellbores has been reported to depend on the following factors: hole geometry and inclination, average fluid velocity, fluid flow regime, drill pipe rotation, pipe eccentricity, fluid properties and rheology, cuttings size and shape, cuttings concentration, cuttings transport velocity, rate of penetration and multiphase flow effect. In this study, the effects of mud flow rate, rate of penetration, annular clearance, mud and cuttings densities on annular fluid velocity, transport ratio and mean mud density are investigated for highly deviated wells. Equations are developed and used to generate graphs. These equations and graphs could be applied in the field during directional drilling to determine annular fluid velocity, mud flow rate, transport ratio and mean mud density.

Author Biographies

Majeed Olasunkanmi Abimbola, Oil and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, AIB3X5, St. John’s NL, Canada

Process Engineering Department, PhD Candidate

Godwin Chukwu, Petroleum Engineering Department, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria

Petroleum Engineering Department, Head of Department

Faisal Khan, Oil and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, AIB3X5, St. John’s NL, Canada

Process Engineering Department, Head of Department

References

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Published

2014-08-04

Issue

Proceedings of the International Conference on Marine and Freshwater Environments (iMFE 2014) - Our Water, Our Future

Section

Others (OTH)

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