1

PETE 628
Horizontal Drilling
Lesson 16
Drilling Hydraulics
2
Contents
Removal of Drilled Cuttings
Hole Cleaning in Horizontal Wells
Pressure Drop Calculations
The Power-Law and other Fluid Models
The Rotational Viscometer
A detailed Example - Pump Pressure
Pressure Drop in the Drillpipe
Pressure Drop in the Bit Nozzles
Pressure Drop in the Annulus
3
Drilling Hydraulics
Hydrostatics

Bottom Hole Cleaning
Removal of cuttings under bit
Quantity of fluid
Fluid velocity
4
Drilling Hydraulics - contd
Hole Cleaning
Getting the cuttings out of the hole
Slip velocity
Transport efficiency
Pressure drop calculations (when circ.)
Inside the drill string
Through the bit
In the annulus (outside the DCs and the DP)
5
Drilling Hydraulics - contd
Mud pump
Pump pressure
Pump flow rate
Pump horsepower
Swab pressures and possible
kicks (when POH)
Surge pressures and possible
formation breakdown (when GIH)
6
The
well &
fluid
system
7
Fluid Models
Newtonian

Bingham Plastic

Power-Law
8
Newtonian Fluid Model

t =
SHEAR
STRESS
t
psi
SHEAR RATE, , sec
-1
0
.
9
Bingham Plastic Model
SHEAR
STRESS
t
psi
t = t
o
+
p

SHEAR RATE, , sec
-1
0
t
o
= Bingham yield point, lbf/100 sq.ft

p
= plastic viscosity, cp
t
o
.
10
Power Law Model
K = consistency index
n = flow behaviour index
SHEAR
STRESS
t
psi
t = K
n
SHEAR RATE, , sec
-1
0
.
11
Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli
LOG
(PRESSURE)
(psi)
LOG (VELOCITY) (or FLOW RATE)
12
Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli
LOG
(SHEAR
STRESS)
(psi)
Laminar Flow Turbulent
) sec or RPM ( ), RATE SHEAR ( LOG
1
n
1
13
Rotating
Sleeve
Viscometer
14
Rotating Sleeve Viscometer
VISCOMETER
RPM

3
100

300
600
(RPM * 1.703)

SHEAR RATE
sec
-
1


5.11
170.3

511
1022
BOB
SLEEVE
ANNULUS
DRILL
STRING
API RP 13D
15
API RP 13D, June 1995
for Oil-Well Drilling Fluids
API RP 13D recommends using only FOUR of
the six usual viscometer readings:
Use 3, 100, 300, 600 RPM Readings.
The 3 and 100 RPM reading are used for
pressure drop calculations in the annulus,
where shear rates are, generally, not very high.
The 300 and 600 RPM reading are used for
pressure drop calculations inside drillpipe,
where shear rates are, generally, quite high.

16
Example Calculate the pump pressure
in the wellbore shown on the next page,
using the API method.
The relevant rotational viscometer
readings are as follows:
R
3
= 3 (at 3 RPM)
R
100
= 20 (at 100 RPM)

R
300
= 39 (at 300 RPM)
R
600
= 65 (at 600 RPM)

Example: Pressure Drop Calculations
17
P
PUMP
= AP
DP
+ AP
DC

+ AP
BIT NOZZLES

+ AP
DC/ANN
+ AP
DP/ANN

+ AP
HYD
Q = 280 gal/min


= 12.5 lb/gal


Pressure Drop
Calculations
P
PUMP
18
Power-Law Constant (n):

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe
Fluid Consistency Index (K):

Average Bulk Velocity in Pipe (V
p
):

OD = 4.5 in
ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft

737 . 0
39
65
log 32 . 3
R
R
log 32 . 3 n
300
600
p
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
n
737 . 0 n
600
p
cm
sec dyne
017 . 2
022 , 1
65 * 11 . 5
022 , 1
R 11 . 5
K
p
= = =
sec
ft
00 . 8
78 . 3
280 * 408 . 0
D
Q 408 . 0
V
2 2
p
= = =
19
Effective Viscosity in Pipe (
ep
):

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe
Reynolds Number in Pipe (N
Rep
):

OD = 4.5 in
ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft

p
p
n
p
p
1 n
p
p ep
n 4
1 n 3
D
V 96
K 100
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

cP 53
737 . 0 * 4
1 737 . 0 * 3
78 . 3
8 * 96
017 . 2 * 100
737 . 0 1 737 . 0
ep
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
=

616 , 6
53
5 . 12 * 00 . 8 * 78 . 3 * 928
V D 928
N
ep
p
Re
p
= =

=
20
NOTE: N
Re
> 2,100, so

Friction Factor in Pipe (f
p
):
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe
OD = 4.5 in
ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft

So,
b
Re
p
p
N
a
f =
0759 . 0
50
93 . 3 737 . 0 log
50
93 . 3 n log
a
p
=
+
=
+
=
2690 . 0
7
737 . 0 log 75 . 1
7
n log 75 . 1
b
p
=

=
007126 . 0
616 , 6
0759 . 0
N
a
f
2690 . 0 b
Re
p
p
= = =
21
Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL)
p
:

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe
OD = 4.5 in
ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Pipe

:

400 , 11 * 05837 . 0 L
dL
dP
P
dp
dp
dp
= A
|
.
|

\
|
= A
AP
dp
= 665 psi

ft
psi
05837 . 0
78 . 3 * 81 . 25
5 . 12 * 8 * 007126 . 0
D 81 . 25
V f
dL
dP
2
2
p p
dp
= =

=
|
.
|

\
|
22
Power-Law Constant (n):

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars
Fluid Consistency Index (K):

Average Bulk Velocity inside Drill Collars (V
dc
):

OD = 6.5 in
ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft

737 . 0
39
65
log 32 . 3
R
R
log 32 . 3 n
300
600
dc
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
n
737 . 0 n
600
dc
cm
sec dyne
017 . 2
022 , 1
65 * 11 . 5
022 , 1
R 11 . 5
K
p
= = =
sec
ft
28 . 18
5 . 2
280 * 408 . 0
D
Q 408 . 0
V
2 2
dc
= = =
23
Effective Viscosity in Collars(
ec
):

Reynolds Number in Collars (N
Rec
):

OD = 6.5 in
ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars
p
p
n
p
p
1 n
p
p edc
n 4
1 n 3
D
V 96
K 100
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

cP 21 . 38
737 . 0 * 4
1 737 . 0 * 3
5 . 2
28 . 18 * 96
017 . 2 * 100
737 . 0 1 737 . 0
edc
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
=

870 , 13
21 . 38
5 . 12 * 28 . 18 * 5 . 2 * 928 V D 928
N
edc
dc
Re
dc
= =

=
24
OD = 6.5 in
ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars
NOTE: N
Re
> 2,100, so

Friction Factor in DC (f
dc
):
b
Re
dc
dc
N
a
f =
So,
0759 . 0
50
93 . 3 737 . 0 log
50
93 . 3 n log
a
dc
=
+
=
+
=
2690 . 0
7
737 . 0 log 75 . 1
7
n log 75 . 1
b
dc
=

=
005840 . 0
870 , 13
0759 . 0
N
a
f
2690 . 0 b
Re
dc
dc
= = =
25
Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL)
dc
:

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Collars

:

OD = 6.5 in
ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars
ft
psi
3780 . 0
5 . 2 * 81 . 25
5 . 12 * 28 . 18 * 005840 . 0
D 81 . 25
V f
dL
dP
2
dc
2
dc dc
dc
= =

=
|
.
|

\
|
600 * 3780 . 0 L
dL
dP
P
dc
dc
dc
= A
|
.
|

\
|
= A
AP
dc
= 227 psi

26
Pressure Drop across Nozzles
D
N1
= 11 32nds (in)
D
N2
= 11 32nds (in)
D
N3
= 12 32nds (in)
( )
2
2 2 2
2
Nozzles
12 11 11
280 * 5 . 12 * 156
P
+ +
= A
AP
Nozzles
= 1,026 psi

( )
2
2
3 N
2
2 N
2
1 N
2
Nozzles
D D D
Q 156
P
+ +

= A
27
Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE
Annulus
D
HOLE
= 8.5 in
OD
DC
= 6.5 in
L = 600 ft

Q = 280 gal/min


= 12.5 lb/gal


8.5 in

28
Power-Law Constant (n):

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

Average Bulk Velocity in DC/HOLE Annulus (V
a
):

D
HOLE
= 8.5 in
OD
DC
= 6.5 in
L = 600 ft

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus
5413 . 0
3
20
log 657 . 0
R
R
log 657 . 0 n
3
100
dca
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
n
5413 . 0 n
100
dca
cm
sec dyne
336 . 6
2 . 170
20 * 11 . 5
2 . 170
R 11 . 5
K
dca
= = =
sec
ft
808 . 3
5 . 6 5 . 8
280 * 408 . 0
D D
Q 408 . 0
V
2 2 2
1
2
2
dca
=

=
29
Effective Viscosity in Annulus (
ea
):

Reynolds Number in Annulus (N
Rea
):

D
HOLE
= 8.5 in
OD
DC
= 6.5 in
L = 600 ft

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus
cP 20 . 55
5413 . 0 * 3
1 5413 . 0 * 2
5 . 6 5 . 8
808 . 3 * 144
336 . 6 * 100
5413 . 0 1 5413 . 0
ea
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|

=

( ) ( )
600 , 1
20 . 55
5 . 12 * 808 . 3 * 5 . 6 5 . 8 928 V D D 928
N
ea
a 1 2
Re
a
=

=
a a
n
a
a
1 n
1 2
a
a ea
n 3
1 n 2
D D
V 144
K 100
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

=

30
So,
D
HOLE
= 8.5 in
OD
DC
= 6.5 in
L = 600 ft

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: N
Re
< 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (f
a
):
01500 . 0
600 , 1
24
N
24
f
a
Re
a
= = =
( ) ( ) ft
psi
05266 . 0
5 . 6 5 . 8 81 . 25
5 . 12 * 808 . 3 * 01500 . 0
D D 81 . 25
V f
dL
dP
2
1 2
2
a a
a
=

=
|
.
|

\
|
600 * 05266 . 0 L
dL
dP
P
hole / dc
hole / dc
hole / dc
= A
|
.
|

\
|
= A
AP
dc/hole
= 31.6 psi

31
q = 280 gal/min


= 12.5 lb/gal


Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
D
HOLE
= 8.5 in
OD
DP
= 4.5 in
L = 11,400 ft

32
Power-Law Constant (n):

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

Average Bulk Velocity in Annulus (V
a
):

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
D
HOLE
= 8.5 in
OD
DP
= 4.5 in
L = 11,400 ft

5413 . 0
3
20
log 657 . 0
R
R
log 657 . 0 n
3
100
dpa
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
n
5413 . 0 n
100
dpa
cm
sec dyne
336 . 6
2 . 170
20 * 11 . 5
2 . 170
R 11 . 5
K
dpa
= = =
sec
ft
197 . 2
5 . 4 5 . 8
280 * 408 . 0
D D
Q 408 . 0
V
2 2 2
1
2
2
dpa
=

=
33
Effective Viscosity in Annulus (
ea
):

Reynolds Number in Annulus (N
Rea
):

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
a a
n
a
a
1 n
1 2
a
a ea
n 3
1 n 2
D D
V 144
K 100
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

=

cP 64 . 97
5413 . 0 * 3
1 5413 . 0 * 2
5 . 4 5 . 8
197 . 2 * 144
336 . 6 * 100
5413 . 0 1 5413 . 0
ea
=
|
.
|

\
| +
|
.
|

\
|

=

( ) ( )
044 , 1
64 . 97
5 . 12 * 197 . 2 * 5 . 4 5 . 8 928 V D D 928
N
ea
a 1 2
Re
a
=

=
34
So, psi
Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: N
Re
< 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (f
a
):
02299 . 0
044 , 1
24
N
24
f
a
Re
a
= = =
( ) ( ) ft
psi
01343 . 0
5 . 4 5 . 8 81 . 25
5 . 12 * 197 . 2 * 02299 . 0
D D 81 . 25
V f
dL
dP
2
1 2
2
a a
a
=

=
|
.
|

\
|
400 , 11 * 01343 . 0 L
dL
dP
P
hole / dp
hole / dp
hole / dp
= A
|
.
|

\
|
= A
AP
dp/hole
= 153.2 psi

35
Pressure Drop
Calculations
- SUMMARY -
P
PUMP
= AP
DP
+ AP
DC
+ AP
BIT NOZZLES

+ AP
DC/ANN
+ AP
DP/ANN
+ AP
HYD
P
PUMP
= 665

+ 227

+ 1,026


+ 32

+ 153

+ 0

P
PUMP
= 1,918 + 185 = 2,103 psi


36
P
PUMP
= 1,918 + 185
= 2,103 psi


AP
HYD
= 0


P
PUMP
= AP
DS
+ AP
ANN
+ AP
HYD
AP
DS
= AP
DP
+ AP
DC
+ AP
BIT NOZZLES

= 665

+ 227

+ 1,026 = 1,918 psi


AP
ANN
= AP
DC/ANN
+ AP
DP/ANN


= 32 + 153 = 185

2,103 psi

P
=
0

37
"Friction" Pressures
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
"
F
r
i
c
t
i
o
n
"

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
,


p
s
i
DRILLPIPE

DRILL COLLARS

BIT NOZZLES

ANNULUS

38
Hydrostatic Pressures in the Wellbore
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
H
y
d
r
o
s
t
a
t
i
c

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
,


p
s
i BHP

DRILLSTRING

ANNULUS

39
Pressures in the Wellbore
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
s
,


p
s
i
STATIC

CIRCULATING

40
Wellbore Pressure Profile
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000
Pressure, psi
D
e
p
t
h
,


f
t
DRILLSTRING

41
Pipe Flow - Laminar
In the above example the flow down the
drillpipe was turbulent.

Under conditions of very high viscosity,
the flow may very well be laminar.
NOTE: if N
Re
< 2,100, then

Friction Factor in Pipe (f
p
):
p
Re
p
N
16
f =
D 81 . 25
V f
dL
dP
2
p p
dp

=
|
.
|

\
|
Then and
42
Annular Flow - Turbulent
In the above example the flow up the
annulus was laminar.

Under conditions of low viscosity, the flow
may very well be turbulent.
NOTE: if N
Re
> 2,100, then

Friction Factor in Annulus (f
a
):
( )
1 2
2
a a
ann
D D 81 . 25
V f
dL
dP

=
|
.
|

\
|
where
and
b
Re
a
a
N
a
f =
50
93 . 3 n log
a
a
+
=
7
n log 75 . 1
b
a

=
43
Critical Circulation Rate
Example
The above fluid is flowing in the annulus
between a 4.5 OD string of drill pipe
and an 8.5 in hole.
The fluid density is 12.5 lb/gal.

What is the minimum circulation rate that
will ensure turbulent flow?
(why is this of interest?)
44
Critical Circulation Rate
In the Drillpipe/Hole Annulus:

Q, gal/min V, ft/sec N
re

280 2.197 1,044
300 2.354 1,154
350 2.746 1,446
400 3.138 1,756
450 3.531 2,086
452 3.546 2,099
452.1 3.547 2,100

( )
ea
a 1 2
Re
V D D 928
N
a

=
45
Optimum Bit Hydraulics
Under what conditions do we get the best
hydraulic cleaning at the bit?
maximum hydraulic horsepower?
maximum impact force?

Both these items increase when the circulation
rate increases.
However, when the circulation rate increases, so
does the frictional pressure drop.
46
Optimum Bit Hydraulics - contd
Since the pump pressure has an upper
limit, any increase in flow rate reduces the
pressure drop available at the bit
(for bottom-bole cleaning).

The pressure drop at the bit may be
increased by decreasing the nozzle sizes,

... but what is the optimum nozzle size?
47
Maximum Bit Horsepower
Under LAMINAR flow conditions, AP
FRICTION
= C Q
n
Under TURBULENT flow conditions, AP
FRICTION
= C Q
1.75
In general, AP
FRICTION
= C Q
m
It can be shown that hydraulic horsepower at the bit
is maximized when:
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A
1 m
1
P P
PUMP FRICTION
48
Maximum Jet Impact Force
Similarily, it can be shown that jet impact force
at the bit is maximized when:
For example, if m = 1.75, then 1/(m+1) = 0.3636
2/(m+2) = 0.5333
In this case, hydraulic horsepower is maximized when
about 36% of the pump pressure is used to overcome friction.
Jet impact force is maximized when is about
53% of the pump pressure.
AP
FRICTION
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A
2 m
2
P P
PUMP FRICTION
49
50
d 8 . 25
v f
dL
dp
_
2
f

=
n = 1.0
F
R
I
C
T
I
O
N

F
A
C
T
O
R
,


f

51
or,
25 . 1
25 . 0
75 . 1
_
75 . 0
f
d 1800
v
dL
dp
=
75 . 4
25 . 0 75 . 1 75 . 0
f
d 624 , 8
q
dL
dp
=
*Note that a small change in the pipe diameter results
in large change in the pressure drop! (q = const.)
Under Turbulent Flow Conditions
52
Ap
f
= 11.41 v
1.75

turbulent flow
Ap
f
= 9.11 v
laminar flow
Use max. Ap
f
value