DRILLING FLUID HYDRAULICS

&
OPTIMIZATION
By: Titus N. Ofei
Petroleum Engineering Department
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia
2016

DRILLING FLUID RHEOLOGY

&
RHEOLOGICAL MODELS

SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of the lecture, students should be able to:
Describe drilling fluid rheology and the various fluid rheological
models used in drilling operations.
Determine the fluid rheological constants using the measuring
method & regression analysis

FLUID RHEOLOGY
The study of flow and deformation of materials under applied
forces is termed as rheology. Examples: asphalt, lubricant, paints,
plastics etc.

It generally describes the flow or deformation in terms of shear

stress and shear rate.
Rheological properties of drilling fluids are applicable in solving
problems of hole cleaning and hole erosion, suspension of
cuttings, drilling fluid treatment, and hydraulic calculations.

FLUID RHEOLOGY CONTD.

The rheology of drilling fluids is very complex because they
usually exhibit non-Newtonian behaviour.
The are many available rheological models, however, the
commonly used models in the oil and gas industries are:
1. Newtonian model
2. Bingham plastic model
3. Power law model
4. Herschel-Bulkley model

5. Robertson-Stiff model
6. API model
7. Unified model
8. Casson model

FLUID RHEOLOGY CONTD.

Fluid rheological models are intended to provide assistance in
characterizing fluid flow.
No single commonly-used model completely describes rheological
characteristics of drilling fluids over their entire shear rate range.
Knowledge of rheological models combined with practical experience
is necessary to fully understand fluid performance.
A plot of shear stress versus shear rate (rheogram) is often used to
graphically depict a rheological model.

NEWTONIAN MODEL
In Newtonian fluid model, the shear stress is
proportional to the shear rate at constant
temperature and Pressure.

The proportionality term, apparent viscosity, is

constant with increasing shear rate. Eg. Water
and light oil.

(dv/dx)
The stress in the liquid falls to zero immediately
the shearing is stopped.

NEWTONIAN MODEL EQUATION

The rheological equation for a Newtonian model can
be described by a one-parameter rheological model as:

=
Standard approach to determine :

300
(lbf.s/100ft2) OR
300

Oilfield approach to determine :

= 300 (cP)

(dv/dx)

BINGHAM PLASTIC MODEL

The Bingham plastic (BP) model was the first two-parameter
model that gained widespread acceptance in the drilling industry.
The two parameters; plastic viscosity, , and yield point, , are
used to describe this model.
However, it does not accurately represent the behaviour of
drilling fluids at very low shear rates (in the annulus) or at very
high shear rates (at the drillbit).

BINGHAM PLASTIC MODEL EQUATION

A rheogram of the Bingham plastic model on
rectilinear coordinates is a straight line that
intersects the zero shear-rate axis at a shear
stress greater than zero (yield point)

The rheological model is of the form:

= + (lbf/100ft2)

(dv/dx)

BINGHAM PLASTIC MODEL CONSTANTS

2-Data Oilfield Approach
The two data points oilfield approach to determine the
model constants are:

= 600 300
= 300

(cP)

(lbf/100ft2)

BINGHAM PLASTIC MODEL CONSTANTS

2-Data Standard Approach
The two data points oilfield approach to determine the
model constants are:

600 300
600 300

(lbf.s/100ft2)

= 600 600

(lbf/100ft2)

POWER LAW MODEL

The Power law fluid model describes the
flow of pseudoplastic (shear-thinning) or
dilatant (shear-thickening) drilling fluids.

The rheogram is a nonlinear curve on a

Cartesian graph and a straight line when
plotted on a log-log graph.
Such a line has no intercept, so true power
law fluid does not exhibit a yield stress.

Pseudo-plastic
Power Law

Dilatant
Power Law

(dv/dx)

POWER LAW MODEL EQUATION

The Power law fluid model equation is of the form:

=
2-Data Oilfield Approach
The two-data points oilfield approach to determine the model constants are:

600
= .
300
=

300

(eq.cP)

POWER LAW MODEL EQUATION CONTD.

2-Data Standard Approach
The two-data points oilfield approach to determine the model constants are:

600
= .
300

300
300

(lbf.sn/100ft2)

HERSCHEL-BULKLEY MODEL
This fluid is also known as yield power law fluid.
This model is used to describe the flow of pseudo
plastic drilling fluids which require a yield stress

to initiate flow.
A rheogram of shear stress minus yield stress
versus shear rate is a straight line on log-log graph

(dv/dx)

HERSCHEL-BULKLEY MODEL CONTD.

This model is widely used because:
a) It describes the flow behaviour of most drilling
fluids.
b) It includes a yield stress value important for
several hydraulic issues.
c) It includes the Bingham plastic model and
Power law model as special case.

(dv/dx)

HERSCHEL-BULKLEY MODEL EQUATION

The model equation is of the form:
= +
3-Data Oilfield Approach
600
= .
300
=

( )

(eq.cP)

= 3 6 (lbf/100ft2)

HERSCHEL-BULKLEY MODEL EQUATION CONTD.

3-Data Standard Approach
600
= .
300

(300 )
300

= 3 6

(lbf.sn/100ft2)

(lbf/100ft2)

SUMMARY OF MODEL RHEOGRAM

Bingham Plastic model

E
D

Herschel-Bulkley model
Pseudoplastic Power Law model

Newtonian model

A
Dilatant Power Law model

B
(dv/dx)

LIMITATIONS OF RHEOLOGICAL MODELS

Newtonian Model: the linear relationship between the shear
stress and shear rate is only valid if the fluid moves in
confined layers or laminar. This phenomenon is true only at
relatively low shear rate.
Bingham Plastic model: this model works well for high shear
rates, however, the model gives a significant error at low
shear rate.

LIMITATIONS OF RHEOLOGICAL MODELS CONTD.

Power Law model: the shortcoming of this model is that it
underestimates the shear stresses at medium and low shear
rate ranges.

Herschel-Bulkley model: for high viscous polymer fluids, the

yield stress value can be overstated, hence it is acceptable to
treat this model as Power Law model.

SUMMARY OF RHEOLOGICAL MODELS

Model

Newtonian

Equation

Bingham Plastic

= +
Power Law
(Ostwald-de Waele)

Herschel-Bulkley
(Yield Power Law)

Parameters
= shear stress, Pa or lbf/100ft2
= apparent viscosity, Pa-s or cP
= shear rate, (1/s)
= yield point (YP), Pa or lbf/100ft2
= plastic viscosity (PV), Pa-s or cP

= consistency index, Pa-sn or eq.cP

= flow behavior index, dimensionless
For n =1, model turns into Newtonian model

= +

o = yield stress, Pa or lbf/100ft2

For = 1, model turns into Bingham Plastic
model. For o = 0, model turns into Power
Law model

SUMMARY OF RHEOLOGICAL CONSTANTS CONTD.

Model

Newtonian

Rheological properties
=

300

p =
Bingham
Plastic

Or = 300 for = 300

300
2 1

N = rotary speed of Fann 35A VG

meter, rpm
= dial reading of Fann 35A VG
meter at rotary speed N

2 1 Or

p = 600 300
1
1 p
300

Remark

Or = 300 p

for 1 = 300 rpm, 2 = 600 rpm

600 and 300 are the dial readings

of the Fann VG meter at rotary
speed of 600 rpm and 300 rpm
respectively

SUMMARY OF RHEOLOGICAL CONSTANTS CONTD.

Model

Rheological properties

=
Power Law

log 2
1

2
1

Or = 3.322

510
1.703

Or =

Remark

600
300

for 1 = 300 rpm, 2 = 600 rpm

510300
511

o = 23 6
Yield Power Law
(HershelBulkley)

= 3.322

= 500

600
300

(300 )
511

For water-based muds containing large

amount of viscous polymers and thus high
600 values, can yield overestimated values
of o . At high shear rates, it is acceptable to
treat Yield Power Law fluids as Power Law
fluids

HOMEWORK
Describe the flow behaviour of the following fluid rheological
models. (Cite appropriate materials: journal & conference papers, text books, online
information etc.)

1. Robertson-Stiff model
2. API model

3. Unified model
4. Casson model

Due date: Thursday 2nd June, 2016 (Submit in class)

SHEAR THINNING FLUIDS

Shear thinning effect is a phenomenon
whereby the apparent viscosity of the fluid
decreases with increasing shear rate.

These fluids are sometimes referred to as

pseudoplastic fluids where n<1.
In the limit of very low and high shear rates
(or stresses), the viscosity is constant.
These two extremes are known as the upper
and lower Newtonian regions.

EXAMPLES OF SHEAR THINNING FLUIDS

SHEAR THICKNENING FLUIDS

Shear thickening effect is a behaviour
whereby the apparent viscosity of the
fluid increases with increasing shear
rate.

These fluids are sometimes referred to

as dilatant fluids where n>1.
In almost all known cases of shear
thickening, there is a region of shear
thinning at lower shear rates.

TIME EFFECTS IN NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS

So far, we have assumed by implication that a given shear rate results
in a corresponding shear stress, whose value does not change so long
as the value of the shear rate is maintained.
This is often not the case!!!
The measured shear stress, and hence viscosity, can either increase
or decrease with time of shearing.
Such changes can be reversible or irreversible

TIME EFFECTS IN NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS CONTD.

A gradual decrease of the viscosity under shear stress followed
by a gradual recovery of structure when the stress is removed is
called thixotropy.
The opposite behaviour, involving a gradual increase in viscosity
under stress, followed by recovery is called anti-thixotropy.
Thixotropy occurs in conditions where the fluid is shear
thinning, whereas, anti-thixotropy occurs where the fluid is
shear thickening.

TIME EFFECTS IN NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS CONTD.

In reality, drilling fluids are
thixotropic in nature as they possess
time-dependent properties.

The fluid structure continually

breaks down with time upon
applying shear stress, but upon rest,
the fluid structure is rebuilt.

TEMPERATURE & PRESSURE EFFECTS ON FLUID

RHEOLOGY

Increasing pressure at constant temperature increases the plastic

viscosity and yield strength of the fluid.

When temperature increases at constant pressure, the plastic viscosity

and yield strength decreases
In deepwater environment, temperatures easily reach 40oF (5oC). This
cools the drilling fluid, thus increasing the mud viscosity significantly.
What happens when mud viscosity increases in a well with narrow
drilling margin?

TEMPERATURE & PRESSURE EFFECTS ON FLUID

RHEOLOGY CONTD.

MEASUREMENT OF RHEOLOGICAL CONSTANTS

Various types of instruments can be employed to
measure the rheological constants of fluids. The Fann
35A VG meter is widely used in the industry.

It can measure the rheological constants of all types

of fluid quickly at six speeds. Other advanced
instruments can measure from 12 up to 16 speeds.
The Fann 35A VG meters is operated under low
temperature low pressure (Approx. up to 200oF).
However, others can operate under HTHP.

Fann 35A VG meter

MEASURING METHOD
In the mathematics of fluid rheology as measured using a
standard oilfield viscometer, there are instrument conversion
factors that need to be applied in the calculations.

a) The shear stress, (/100 2 ) is determined by multiplying

the dial reading ( deflection) by 1.066. This correction is
sometimes ignored in doing simple calculations. That is:
= 1.066x
a) The shear rate, ( 1 ) is determined by multiplying the rotor
speed (rpm) by 1.703. That is: = 1.703

EXAMPLE
Rotor Speed
(N)
3
6
100
200
300
600

Dial Reading
()
2
3.3
13
22
30
50

= 1.066 x

= 1.703 x N

2.132
3.5178
13.858
23.452
31.980
53.30

5.109
10.218
170.3
340.6
510.9
1021.8

(lbf/100ft2)

(1/s)

MEASURING METHOD CONTD.

Selection of the best model is of

great importance in achieving
correct results for pressure loss
and hydraulic calculations.

Experimental data
60
50

, lbf/100ft2

To determine which rheological

model best fit the behaviour of
the drilling fluid, we need to plot
the shear stress versus shear rate
data of the drilling fluid and
compare with the other models.

40
30
20
10
0
0

200

400

600
, 1/s

800 1000

SIX DATA POINTS REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Power law model: =
The Power law model can be linearized as follows:

= +
A plot of versus is a straight line with as the
slope and as the intercept.

SIX DATA POINTS REGRESSION ANALYSIS CONTD.

Herschel-Bulkley model: = +
Similarly, the HB model can be linearized as follows:

( ) = +
A plot of ( ) versus is a straight line with
as the slope and as the intercept.

ESTIMATING FOR HERSCHEL-BULKELY MODEL

Versan and Tolga (2005) proposed a method for estimating the yield
stress as follows:

=

Where is the shear stress value corresponding to the geometric
mean of the shear rate , and
=

GRAPHICAL METHOD FOR H-B MODEL

1. Determination of :

a. Using low shear rate data ( < 50 sec-1), determine 0

intercept for plots of:

i. vs (= )
ii. / vs / (= ), then
= . ( + )

GRAPHICAL METHOD FOR H-B MODEL CONTD.

2. Determination of :

a. Extrapolate the essentially linear region of the

rheogram between 500 to 1000 sec-1 to 0 to give

the Bingham yield stress, , then determine:

=

Where, is the shear stress for = 750 sec-1

GRAPHICAL METHOD FOR H-B MODEL CONTD.

3. Determination of :
a. Plot vs to give slope

UNIT CONVERSION

: 1 .
= 478.8
2
100

: 1
= 478.8 .
2
100
(/100 2 ) = 1.066

 NOW, students should be able to:

Describe drilling fluid rheology and the various fluid rheological
models used in drilling operations.
Determine the fluid rheological constants using the measuring
method, nonlinear regression analysis, and graphical method.

END OF PRESENTATION