Steadyflodrill_ U S E R M A N UA L

V E R S ION 5

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Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

1. GENERAL 3
1.1 Overview 3

2. MAIN ENVIRONMENT 4
2.1 Overview 4

3. CREATING A CASE FILE 6

3.1 Overview 6
3.2 The data model - DEML 6
3.3 New session (.dml) file 7
3.4 Editing an existing session (.dml) file 7
3.5 Converting legacy session files 8
3.6 Library 10
3.6.1 Library editor 12

4. INPUT PARAMETERS 13
4.1 Description 13
4.2 Survey 14
4.3 Wellbore geometry 16
4.4 String 19
4.5 Injection system 21
4.5.1 Annulus gas injection 21
4.6 Mud 22
4.7 Reservoir 27
4.8 Temperature 30

5. EXPERT INPUT PARAMETERS 31

6. MENUS AND TOOLBARS 33

6.1 File 33
6.1.1 New 33
6.1.2 Open 33
6.1.3 Reopen 33
6.1.4 Save 33
6.1.5 Save as 33
6.1.6 Save as template 34
6.1.7 Save library 34
6.1.8 Import 34
6.1.9 Export 34
6.1.10 Exit 35
6.2 Edit 35
6.2.1 Cut 35
6.2.2 Copy 35
6.2.3 Paste 35
6.2.4 Undo 35
6.3 View 35
6.3.1 Well schematic 35
6.3.2 Survey plot 36
6.3.3 Log view 37
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6.3.4 Navigation bar 38

6.3.5 Basic input 38
6.3.6 Expert input 38
6.3.7 Simulation 38
6.4 Results 38
6.4.1 Keep previous results 38
6.4.2 Import results 38
6.4.3 Export results 39
6.4.4 Add page 39
6.4.5 Rename page 39
6.4.6 Remove page 39
6.4.7 Load/save layouts 39
6.5 Tools 40
6.5.1 Take snapshot 40
6.5.2 Report 40
6.5.3 Validate parameters 41
6.5.4 Edit unit settings 42
6.5.5 Options 42
6.6 Help 46
6.6.1 About 46

7. RUNNING A SIMULATION 48
7.1 Calculation 48
7.2 Graphical output 49
7.2.1 Plot properties 50
7.2.2 Print and export 50
7.2.4 Import data 52
7.2.5 Zooming 52

8. WORKING WITH STEADYFLODRILL 53

8.1 Multiple runs – keep results 53
8.2 Well schematic 53
8.3 Add external data 54
8.4 Create presentation graphics 57

9. RHEOLOGY MODELS 58
9.1 Models 58
9.1.1 Bingham plastic model 58
9.1.2 Power law model 58
9.1.3 Robertson-Stiff model 58

10. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS 60

11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 61
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 3

1. GENERAL

1.1 Overview
Underbalanced drilling (UBD) has firmly evolved into a new facet of the oil and gas
industry. Operators are applying this new technology to improve ultimate reservoir
recovery and maximize the economics of production. UBD has been utilized for
specific applications such as limiting lost circulation. A number of developments
took place in the oil industry that caused the present increased interest in
underbalanced drilling.
Underbalanced drilling still has some concerns to be addressed by future
developments in the industry to broaden its applicability. Among those is the
engineering software required for pressure calculations to model well flow and gas
lifting requirement during the design stage. The flow modeling software can be
divided into two categories: steady state (or static) flow modeling and dynamic flow
modeling. The steady state flow modeling is useful for quick sensitivity analyses
and parameters screening exercises. The dynamic flow modeling is required for
simulating the dynamic effects occurring as a result from varying operational
conditions, e.g., drilling and tripping, starting and stopping pumping, drill pipe
connection, and gas injections, BHA deployment and reservoir production.

Designing underbalanced operations ideally require both steady-state and dynamic

tools. Steady-state tools facilitate rapid design, sensitivity studies and dimensioning,
while the dynamic tools are required for checking of the operational feasibility of the
steady-state solutions.
Steadyflodrill is a tool designed for the steady-state design phase. It is very fast
with output tailored for the design phase. It is also very closely related to
Dynaflodrill – a dynamic tool for underbalanced operations. Starting a design
process in Steadyflodrill, continuing in Dynaflodrill to check feasibility and then
finalizing operational preparations in our training tool Ubitts provides the user with a
very complete and efficient work process.
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2. MAIN ENVIRONMENT

2.1 Overview
By default, the Steadyflodrill installation creates a Steadyflodrill entry under
Programs  SPT Group in the Start menu. Steadyflodrill is started either by
selecting this shortcut, by clicking a desktop icon or directly from the program
installation directory using the Windows Explorer.
Regardless of the start-up method, the program will look similar to Figure 2.1 when
starting up. The contents of the parameter display may be different depending on
parameter group and selected window.

Figure 2-1. This is a typical view when starting Steadyflodrill. A summary page
shows the most important parameters to give the user an overview of the case.
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The environment consists of 4 main areas; the menu line and the toolbar at the top
of the window, and in the main Steadyflodrill window there is a navigation bar to the
left and a data entry window to the right.

The menu bar

A standard menu bar with File, Edit, View, Results, Tools and Help entries. File
operations, view selection and simulation control may be done from here.

The toolbar

Frequently used commands like File  New, File  Open, Save, Copy, Cut, Paste
and Undo, are placed in a toolbar for easy access. These commands can also be
accessed by standard Windows keyboard shortcuts (ref. Chapter 10).

Navigation bar

The navigation bar contains:

- Input for specification of the most frequently used input parameters
- Expert input for specification of optional or expert features
- Simulation for calculation and output of results

Data entry window

Displays either input parameters or simulator output depending on the current
selection in the navigation bar.
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3. CREATING A CASE FILE

3.1 Overview
This section describes briefly the data model in Drillbench and how a new case can
be created. All Drillbench applications share the same data model and this section
is therefore similar for all applications.
A new case can either be created by building a new file or by editing an old file. The
data needed for a simulation may be selected from the library or specified in the
input parameter sheets. Details about the input parameter sheets and the library are
presented in more details in section 3.6 and chapter 4.
If you have used older versions of Drillbench, you can open your input files as
normal and you will be notified that your input has been upgraded. Note that this
upgrade is irreversible – files saved from this version cannot be loaded in
older versions of Drillbench.

3.2 The data model - DEML

The data model illustrated in Figure 3-1 handles all internal data transfer between
the user interface and the numerical models and store all the information in XML
files.
The data model is the same for all Drillbench applications, but most applications
only use a subset of the full model. When switching from one application to another,
all available data will be used and the user must add only the data specific to the
application in use.

Figure 3-1 Data model in Drillbench

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Data can be collected from several sources. In many cases the companies have
some standards, guidelines or common practices that will remain unchanged from
case to case. Also vendors of tools and fluids may be the same in many cases.

The total amount of data needed to run a Steadyflodrill session may therefore be
divided in case specific data and more standard data that will remain unchanged or
only slightly modified from case to case. The standard data can be defined in the
library to simplify the case definition phase.
Among the case specific data are well trajectory, geometry, operational conditions
and temperature. Typical library entries are fluids, pipes and tools.

3.3 New session (.dml) file

To create a new session file, select File  New from the menu line. The new file
dialog offers choices of starting with a blank file or with predefined templates.
Templates can be defined either for specific well types (i.e. HPHT, deep-water,
extended reach) or for specific fields. The idea behind the templates is that the input
process should be simplified. All the predefined data is available from the user
interface so it is easy to review the data and verify that it fits the case you want to
simulate.

Figure 3-2. New file dialog

The path to the templates is configured in the options dialog.

3.4 Editing an existing session (.dml) file

Existing input files are opened by choosing File  Open and selecting the file. A
recent used file can also be opened from the File  Reopen list. The edit process
is very similar to what you do when you open a template file. After editing the input
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file, choose File  Save as…from the menu line and give the input file a new
name. The input file can be saved in any directory.

3.5 Converting legacy session files

Since version 4, Drillbench has used a new data file format. Files created with older
versions of Drillbench (3.X) need to be converted for use in Drillbench applications.
There are two tools for converting old files:

 Convert file - converts a single file or database

 Convert folder - converts all files in a folder and (optional) subfolders
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To convert a file:

Open the convert file application (Start  [Program location]  Tools  Legacy 
Convert file)
An application as in Figure 3-3 is opened. By pressing the folder symbol, an
explorer window is opened for selection of files to convert. The corresponding new
file (.dml) is located in the same folder as the original file.

Figure 3-3 Tool for converting session and database files from Drillbench 3.X.

To convert a folder:

Open the convert folder application (Start  [Program location]  Tools  Legacy
 Convert folder)

Figure 3-4 show the convert folder tool. Just select the folder you want to convert
and all old session files including those in subfolders will be scanned and
converted. This can be performed at the root (C:\ or any other location where you
have Drillbench files), but note that if you have many files, this command can take
some time to complete.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 10

Figure 3-4 Tool for conversion of all session files in a folder (including subfolders).

3.6 Library
All data is entered in the parameter input section. For some data that is typically
entered based on data sheets or from handbooks, an optional library function is
included. The default installation of Drillbench contains a library with values for
pipes & tubulars, tools, fluids etc. The user can easily add information to the library
to define new items.
The entries from the library are selected in the parameter input sections for
Wellbore geometry, String and Mud. The library can be accessed by clicking on the
Name field for the item/component. The items/components that can be found and
stored in the library are:
 Riser

 Casing/Liner
 String components
 Bit

 Mud (Drilling fluid)

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Figure 3-5. Library browser and filter dialog for casings

To find a specific item or component in the library, there is a filter option to help you
search for the item or component you need. You can set up several different filters
to make your library search more detailed. Click the Add button to add a line in the
filter dialog or press remove if you want to remove a line. Remember to click Apply
filter – no filtering is performed before this button is clicked.
To select an item from the list of matching components you can double click on the
element. You will then return to the input screen and can continue to specify other
data.
If you do not find a suitable item or component in the library, you can specify all the
properties of the item or component manually in the input parameter window. The
item or component can then be added to the library by right-clicking on the line in
the table and choosing add item to Library.
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3.6.1 Library editor

There is also a standalone library editor that can be opened from the Start menu
(Start  [Program location]  Tools  Library editor).

Figure 3-6 Library editor

In the Library editor all the information that is stored in the library can be reviewed
and it is possible to add or edit library information.
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4. INPUT PARAMETERS
The input parameters have been divided into nine main groups.
Summary A brief summary of the most important input data
Description Information about the present study/case
Survey Describes the well trajectory
Wellbore geometry Defines the casing program for the well
String Configuring and defining the drill string and bit
Injection system Configuring and defining the injection system
Mud Defines the drilling fluid
Reservoir Defines the reservoir properties
Temperature Defines temperatures and temperature model

4.1 Description
Use the Description window to describe the main purpose and key parameters of
the current case. The input is self-explanatory and consists of the most important
parameters needed to identify the case. Use the description field to distinguish
several computations performed for the same case.

Figure 4-1 Description window

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4.2 Survey
The input data for the survey are measured depth, inclination and azimuth. The
simulator calculates the true vertical depth (TVD) by using the minimum curvature
algorithm. The angle is given as deviation from the vertical, which means that an
angle of 90 indicates the horizontal. The angle between two points is the average
angle between the points. The simulator handles horizontal wells, but angles higher
than 100 are not recommended. This window is optional and the well is assumed
vertical if no data is entered
The survey data can be entered manually, copied from a spread-sheet or imported
from an existing survey file. Figure 4-2 show the survey data table and a 2D sketch
of the well trajectory.

Figure 4-2 Specification of survey data

Inclination data can also be imported from file (Ref. Figure 4-3) by choosing File 
Import  Survey data or RMSwellplan data.
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Figure 4-3 Menu option for survey data import

The RMSwellplan option opens a File open dialog window and a *.dwf file can be
selected. The survey data import is different as this option opens a file import
application as shown in Figure 4-4.
The import application is very general and can handle different units, different
column order or delimiter. It can also handle a various number of header or footer
lines.

Figure 4-4 Survey Import window

The survey profile can be previewed in 3D, by selecting View  Survey plot.
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Figure 4-5 3D survey plot

4.3 Wellbore geometry

The wellbore geometry section contains the specification of the actual hole. A
typical window appearance is shown in Figure 4-6. The wellbore is divided in two
parts:
 Casing/Liner
 Open hole
A sketch of the casing program can be displayed for simplifying the input. The
sketch will be immediately updated with any changes in casing or open hole
specification.
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Figure 4-6. Specification of wellbore geometry.

In Steadyflodrill it is only required to specify the inner casing – the outer boundary of
the annulus. A complete casing program can of course be defined if the same case
is being used for other applications requiring more details.

The top and bottom position of each pipe (hanger and setting depth) must be
specified in measured depth from RKB. Inner and outer diameter can be typed in
directly or it can be filled out by selecting a casing from the library. The library is
only optional, but provides an easy way of entering correct casing data. The library
functionality is described in more details in Chapter 3.6. Figure 4-7 shows an
example of searching for the desired element. Highlighting an element in the
browser and pressing OK will copy the actual string data to the wellbore geometry
window.
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Figure 4-7. Library browser for Casings (database)

To append lines to the table, use the down arrow key. To add or remove lines within
the table use either Ctrl+Ins or Ctrl+Del.

Figure 4-8 Open hole

You specify the open hole by the length from last casing shoe and by open hole
diameter.
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4.4 String
Figure 4-9 shows the specification of the string data. The specification is performed
from the bit and up. The window is divided in two parts – specification of the string;
and specification of the bit. Also here the casing and string sketch can be displayed
to simplify the data entry process.

Figure 4-9 String configuration

The string specification can either be done by selecting string elements from the
library or by typing directly in the window. The string is specified from the bit and
upwards. The section length and inner and outer diameter are required. The
distance from bottom is calculated and displayed as a reference.
It is possible to create items with custom dimensions by modifying diameters of an
already defined item. To add new items to the library, right click on the component
and press Save.
It is also possible to edit/view the properties of the different components by clicking
in the last column of the chosen component. For Steadyflodrill it is important to
notice that the motor is defined as part of the properties dialog.

Figure 4-10 shows the properties window for the motor. The dimensions and flow
rate interval with corresponding pressure loss can be specified. In the table of flow
rates the minimum and maximum rate is taken as lower and upper motor limitation.
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Figure 4-10 Specification of motor properties

To append lines to the table, use the down arrow key. To add or remove lines within
the table use either Ctrl+Ins or Ctrl+Del.

Bit

The bit is defined separately. Select the bit from the library browser by picking from
the drop down list. It is possible to edit the bit dimensions and properties by
adjusting the values in the properties window. The flow area through the nozzles is
defined either by entering the total flow area (TFA) or by entering the diameter of
each nozzle. To add a newly created bit to the library, click on the Add to library
button.

Figure 4-11 . Bit configuration

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If nozzle diameter is selected and it is necessary with more than four nozzles, this
can easily be added by pressing arrow down at the last line in the table or
alternatively by pressing Ctrl+Ins.

4.5 Injection system

In Figure 4-12 a sample of a gas injection specification is given. The specification is
divided in drill string and annulus injection. There are several options for annulus
gas injection (4.5.1); parasite annulus, parasite string and source point injection.

For drillstring injection it is only necessary to specify the density of the injection gas
and the mole fraction of the available gas components.

A check valve can be specified to control if backflow is allowed or not. The check
valve status is assumed equal both for drillstring and annulus if both injection
options are selected.

Figure 4-12 Specification of gas injection properties

4.5.1 Annulus gas injection

There are three options for annulus gas injection;

 Parasite annulus
 Parasite string
 Source point
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 22

Both the parasite annulus and parasite string options require specification of an
inner diameter (for either annulus or string) and an injection depth. Similar to the
drillstring gas injection, the type of injection gas needs to be specified. It is also
required to specify the temperature for the injection string. Figure 4-12 show the
specification for parasitic annulus and Figure 4-13 the specification for parasitic
string. The sketch of the injection system indicate the layout of the injection system.

Figure 4-13 Parasitic string

Figure 4-14 show the specification of the source point injection. This option only
requires an injection depth and the type of injected gas. Injection line temperature is
not in use in this option.

Figure 4-14 Source point gas injection

4.6 Mud
In Figure 4-15 the specification of mud properties are illustrated. Fluids can either
be selected from the library or a new fluid can be defined by entering relevant data
in the window. A fluid can be selected from the available library fluids by clicking on
the button in the Fluid name field. This will open the select fluid dialog similar to
Figure 4-16.

If a fluid similar to the actual fluid is not found, it has to be created. This is done by
entering data in the relevant input fields for component densities, PVT,
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Thermophysical properties and rheology. The newly created drilling fluid can be
added to the library by right-clicking on the fluid name.

Figure 4-15 . Mud window

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Figure 4-16 Library browser for fluids

Component densities
Below the drilling fluid entry, the fluid component densities are displayed.
Unless the fluid density is calculated based on data from a field mud a component
density model is used. The p, T dependency of each phase will then be treated
separately and a resulting density will be calculated based on the weight fractions of
each phase and the density of the mud at standard conditions.
Base oil density is specified at standard conditions (1 bar,15°C / 14.7 psia and 60
°F).

Solids density is the density of the weight material. A solid density of 4.2 sg is
suggested by default, which corresponds to the density of Barite. In these
calculations, the compressibility of solids are assumed to be negligible, an
assumption that in most cases is fairly correct.
Density refers to the density of the whole mud phase and must be specified at the
correct reference temperature and atmospheric pressure.
The last parameter to be specified is the mud oil water ratio. The ratio is specified
using 'oil%/water%' (e.g.. '80/20').
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Figure 4-17. Component densities

PVT model

There is an option to choose from two different PVT models, Measured PVT model
or a Black oil PVT model.

Figure 4-18. PVT model

The measured PVT model is based on measured fluid and oil density data for
different pressure and temperatures. The measured values can be specified by
clicking on the properties tab in the PVT section.

Pressing the properties button opens a sub-window with two tab-sheets; one for
density of the whole fluid and one for specification only for the sub window.
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Figure 4-19 Specification of PVT data for measured PVT option

For the Black oil PVT model, the mud properties for elevated pressure and
temperature are based on empirical correlations. There are no requirements to the
composition of the base oil.

Fluid type

Fluid type can either be Liquid or Foam.

The foam quality is a required input to Steadyflodrill when the foam model is used
and is defined as the volume ratio between gas and foam – typically in the range
from 0.85 to 0.95 (85-95%). The foam model requires that the foam is stable.

Rheology

Three rheology models can be selected; Robertson-Stiff, Power Law and Bingham.
The rheology curve is specified as a table of shear rate vs. shear stress (Fann
reading). The rheology table is a spreadsheet table and it is possible to use copy
and paste between other programs and Drillbench.

If Robertson-Stiff is chosen as rheology model, where applicable, the table should

contain at least three Fann readings.
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It is also possible to specify rheology as PV-YP (plastic viscosity – yield point).

It is assumed that the rheology data entered is valid at atmospheric pressure and
50 °C (122 F).
Robertson-Stiff is the recommended model for most situations. The rheology
models are described in more detail in Chapter 9.

4.7 Reservoir
The reservoir properties window is presented in Figure 4-20. Geometry, reservoir
fluid, influx rate and cuttings properties must be specified.

Only fractured reservoir is possible in Steadyflodrill and the important parameter is

the reservoir depth.

Figure 4-20 Specification of reservoir properties

There are several predefined fluids specified as reservoir fluid. With the custom
selection the user must add fluid properties by pressing the properties button.

Figure 4-21 Available reservoir fluids

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Figure 4-22 Reservoir fluid specification

Figure 4-22 shows the reservoir fluid specification.

The user must select whether the influx fluid is to be regarded as gas only. This is
done by enable the Is gas checkbox. Only very lean gases should be regarded as
gas only, i.e. gases like the Dry gas or leaner. All other fluids should be treated with
possibility for oily components as well. With condensing influx (i.e. not dry gas), the
reservoir oil will mix with the mud and can significantly alter the mud properties.
This is an irreversible change, in contrast to dissolved reservoir gas, which is
released from the mud when approaching surface conditions. Generally, all fluids
with the exception of very lean gases should be treated as “oil” to capture this
effect.
The density of the influx gas is specified at standard conditions. If any
contamination is present, the amount of contamination is specified as well (on molar
basis). The available impurity gases are: nitrogen N2, carbon dioxide CO2 and
dihydrogen sulphide H2S. The gas density should include the contaminations.

For fluids heavier than very lean gases, both properties for the influx gas and influx
oil must be specified. Oil density, compressibility and Gas oil ratio (GOR) are given
at standard conditions, while oil formation volume factor and oil viscosity are given
at reservoir conditions.
The properties for the predefined fluids are listed in the tables below.
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Table 4-1 Properties for predefined fluids

Oil Oil volume

Reservoir Oil density Gas density GOR Compressibility factor Viscosity
fluid [kg/m³] [kg/m³] [Sm³/Sm³] [1/bar] [-] [cp]

Black oil 839 1.235 106 1.623E-04 1.341 0.536

Volatile Oil 830 1.041 486 3.165E-04 1.787 0.245
Dry Gas - 0.680 - - -
Methane - 0.659 - - -

Oil Oil volume

Reservoir Oil density Gas density GOR Compressibility factor Viscosity
fluid [lbm/ft³] [lbm/ft³] [scf/stb] [1/psia] [-] [cp]

Black oil 52.38 0.0771 595 1.119E-05 1.341 0.536

Volatile Oil 51.82 0.0650 2729 2.182E-05 1.787 0.245
Dry Gas - 0.0425 - - -
Methane - 0.0412 - - -

Note: Reservoir conditions for the predefined fluids are assumed 180 bar (2611 psi)
and 70 °C (158 F). The oil formation volume factor and oil viscosity should be
updated according to the current reservoir conditions.
Since only constant influx rate is available, the only parameter that needs to be
specified is the influx rate.
Finally cuttings data must be specified as part of the reservoir specification. The
density and either max concentration or minimum relative velocity must be
specified.
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4.8 Temperature

Figure 4-23. Temperature input window

Temperature is specified as a table of depth in annulus and drillstring versus

temperature for either drillstring or annulus. Pairs of depth (measured) and
temperatures are entered both in the drill string and in the annulus. The number of
pairs may be different for annulus and drill string. The program will interpolate
between the entered points to get the information needed for the calculations. In
this mode the mud inlet and outlet temperature should also be specified as the first
data points in the tables.

If measured data is not available, it is recommended to calculate the mud

temperature profile by using the dynamic temperature model in Drillbench®
Presmod and copy the result into the tables in Dynaflodrill. A Dynaflodrill input file
can be opened and run in Presmod after adding data for to the temperature
calculations.
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5. EXPERT INPUT PARAMETERS

Specification of wellhead pressure, number of grid cells and selection of sub-
models are available as optional input.

Figure 5-1 Model parameters window (Expert input)

Wellhead pressure

The wellhead pressure represents the reference pressure at surface. This is the
pressure upstream of the choke or any other surface equipment. The wellhead
pressure is entered as a constant value. For reference the wellhead pressure is
displayed on result plots.

Number of grid cells

The number of grid cells is a numerical parameter. The user specifies the number of
grid cells used to create the underlying mathematical model. Increasing the number
of grid cells will increase the accuracy of the simulation, but at the cost of the
computation time. The computation time will at best increase linearly with respect to
the grid cells. To keep the simulation from becoming too time-consuming it is
recommended to set this parameter between 50 and 100. Maximum number of cells
is 2000.

Sub-models – Pressure loss model

The pressure loss submodels can optionally be selected. Select between Beggs
and Brill, Semi-empirical or Mechanistic.
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Sub-models – Gas density model

Hall-Yarborough and Redlich-Kwong can be selected. The Hall-Yarborough

equation of state is the recommended setting.

Friction factor model

The friction factor models shown in Figure 5-2 are available.

Figure 5-2 Friction factor models

For all models except Ed. Technip 1982, steel and open hole roughness must be
specified. Ed. Technip is the recommended setting.
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6. MENUS AND TOOLBARS

Menus and toolbar icons have standard Windows functionality. We assume that
Steadyflodrill users are familiar with Windows operations, and will only describe the
menu and toolbar functions specially designed for Steadyflodrill.

6.1 File
6.1.1 New

Use File  New to create an input file from scratch. This dialog offers choices of
starting with a blank file or with predefined templates. The template path is
configured in the option dialog.

Figure 6-1 New file dialog

6.1.2 Open

Open a file using a standard file selection dialog.

6.1.3 Reopen

Reopen one of the last used files.

6.1.4 Save

Save a file using a standard file selection dialog.

6.1.5 Save as
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Save a file under a new name using a standard file selection dialog.

6.1.6 Save as template

Save the file as a template-file.

6.1.7 Save library

Save all data in the library.

6.1.8 Import

Use File  Import to import either a survey file in some ASCII format or survey data
from the RMSwellplan application. When the survey data file has been selected, the
survey data import dialog appears. Select the appropriate column delimiter, the
units used in the survey file and the number of header/footer lines to be skipped.

Figure 6-2. Survey import

The survey file must be in ASCII format with columns for measured depth,
inclination and azimuth. By default, the program assumes that the first column is
used for Measured depth, the second column for Inclination and the third for
Azimuth. If this is not the case, the column headers can be rearranged by drag and
drop: Click and hold the left mouse button on the column header, drag to the correct
position and release the mouse button.

6.1.9 Export
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 35

Use File  Export to save the survey data in the RMSwellplan (*.dwf) file format.

6.1.10 Exit

Exits the application.

6.2 Edit
Standard windows functionality.

6.2.1 Cut

Standard windows functionality. In complex input tables the Edit option is not
available. A field must be active for edit before this option is active. To select and
cut a range of spreadsheet cells, highlight the cells and press Ctrl+X.

6.2.2 Copy

Standard windows functionality. In complex input tables the Edit option is not
available. A field must be active for edit before this option is active. To select and
copy a range of spreadsheet cells, highlight the cells and press Ctrl+C.

6.2.3 Paste

Standard windows functionality. In complex input tables the Edit option is not
available. A field must be active for edit before this option is active. To select and
paste a range of spreadsheet cells, highlight the cells, or alternatively the starting
cell for the area to paste, and press Ctrl+V.

6.2.4 Undo

Standard windows functionality.

6.3 View
Used to switch between windows, and to hide or show optional sub-windows and
diagrams.

6.3.1 Well schematic

A schematic plot that includes the riser, seabed, casing/liner program, open hole
and the drill string is shown by selecting View  Well schematic. A visual
inspection of the well can reveal errors in the input data. The well schematic has a
view properties window to toggle items and labels to be drawn, which can be
opened from the popup menu item Properties…
The well schematic will provide live feedback on changes done in the well
specification by highlighting the well component currently selected for modification,
and by updating geometry changes as they happen.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 36

Figure 6-3. Well schematic view

6.3.2 Survey plot

To view a three-dimensional representation of the survey, select View  Survey

plot. The default view is in front of the XY-plane. To rotate the view around the well,
move the mouse in the direction of desired rotation while pressing the left mouse
button. To zoom in, move the mouse up while pressing the right mouse button. To
zoom out, move the mouse down while pressing the right mouse button. To move
the figure, move the mouse while pressing the left mouse button and the shift key.
There is a menu line in the survey plot with a File and a View menu. To reset the
view, select View  Reset camera from the plot’s menu line. The plot can be saved
in a variety of formats by selecting File  Save As… from the plot’s menu line.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 37

Figure 6-4. 3D survey plot view

6.3.3 Log view

By default, the log view is located in the lower part of the main window. It displays
errors, warnings and information messages concerning input data and calculations.
Use the check box on the View  Log View menu to display or hide the log
window. Double-clicking an error or warning leads the user to the input page that
caused the problem. Clicking the right mouse button over the log displays a popup
menu offering the following commands:
Copy message
This command copies the message on the current line to the clipboard.
Save messages
This command lets you save the log contents to a text file for later review.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 38

Clear messages
This command empties the log.

Hide
This command hides the log window, and has the same effect as unselecting the
log window check box in the View menu.
Show timestamp
This check box toggles the use of timestamps for the lines in the log. This feature
can be used to distinguish messages from various runs and can be helpful when
the content of the log is saved to a file.

6.3.4 Navigation bar

Toggle the navigation bar on/off. Hiding the navigation bar can be useful to make
more room for the main input or simulation window. The state of this selection is
saved between sessions.

6.3.5 Basic input

Switch to an Input window.

6.3.6 Expert input

Switch to an Expert input window.

6.3.7 Simulation

Switch to a Simulation window.

6.4 Results
The Results menu in Steadyflodrill is only used for controlling the display of the
results. New pages for displaying graphics can be opened, renamed or removed.

6.4.1 Keep previous results

You can choose to keep the results from previous simulations and run a new
simulation. The new simulation will be plotted together with the previous
simulation(s). This makes it easier to compare different scenarios or procedures.
Starting a new simulation run with disabled keep previous results will clear out all
previous simulation results.

6.4.2 Import results

Imports previously saved simulation results. The loaded results will be added as the
oldest runs in the simulation result stack. The simulation results can be imported
across other Drillbench application and do not depend on the input file.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 39

Figure 6-5, Import of results from Presmod and Kick

6.4.3 Export results

The simulation results may be saved at any time during a simulation. To save the
results, choose Results  Export results. A save dialog appears asking for a file
name. By default, the result file is given the extension .dbr. Later, the results can
be imported independently of the input file and among all Drillbench application
supporting export and import of results; by choosing Results  Import results. The
loaded results will be added as the oldest runs in the simulation result stack.

6.4.4 Add page

If you want to add more result pages for custom plots or special plot setups, you
can add a page where you can add new plots. Pages can also be added by typing
Ctrl-T.

6.4.5 Rename page

You can rename the custom plots pages to organize your plots. Pages can also be
renamed by double-clicking on the page tab.

6.4.6 Remove page

You can remove a plots page by selecting from the menu or by typing Ctrl-F4.

6.4.7 Load/save layouts

Custom chart layout and properties are stored in the DML file. All open plots and
customizations to plots are automatically restored when DML file is opened. Plot
and layout customizations can also be stored and loaded separately to override the
defaults or customizations in a DML. This function can also be used to create
templates for typical plot configurations used in different types of simulations.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 40

6.5 Tools
Tools and functions like reporting, data validation, screen capture of the graphics
window, editing of unit settings and program options can be found in the tools
menu. Some of these tools are used frequently. These have been given a separate
toolbar icon for easy access.

Figure 6-6. Tool bar.

6.5.1 Take snapshot

The snapshot feature places a snapshot of the active window in the Clipboard,
which can then be pasted into reports or presentations. Combined with customized
plot layouts this is a very useful tool for presentation of simulation results.

6.5.2 Report

The reports are opened by selecting Tools  Report from the menu bar. All reports
use the HTML format. The Input data report comes in two versions, one limited
showing the most important data and one showing all data from the dml-file. The
Current result data report includes most of the result data as columns in one quite
big table. There is also a printable report where the table size have been adjusted
and divided into multiple tables. Use your web browser’s commands to save or
print the report.

Figure 6-7: The Tools menu – Report

The reports use standard HTML style sheets (CSS) to define the visual layout. This
makes it easy to customize the format (fonts, colours etc.). Steadyflodrill provides a
default style sheet (ircss.css) which can be edited or replaced to match the user’s
preferred report style. Figure 6-8 shows the layout of an excerpt from the input
report using the default style sheet. The other reports behave similarly and use the
same layout.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 41

Figure 6-8: Layout of the Input report

The format of the reports makes it easy to export data to other applications like
Microsoft Excel. The reports can be opened by Excel directly, or the tables can be
copied from the reports to an Excel worksheet by standard copy and paste.
However, if you are using Internet Explorer to view the report, an even simpler way
is available. Data can be exported directly to an Excel sheet by right-clicking on a
table and selecting Export to Microsoft Excel. An Excel sheet will be opened,
containing the data from the selected report table.

Figure 6-9: Export of Survey data from a report to Excel

6.5.3 Validate parameters

Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 42

Validation and documentation of input parameters are important to work efficiently.

Drillbench has a parameter validation tool. It can be started by selecting Tools 
Validate parameters from the menu or the associated icon on the toolbar.

6.5.4 Edit unit settings

To edit the unit settings, select Tools  Edit unit setting from the menu bar, or click
on the unit name in the status bar to pop up the unit menu.

Figure 6-10: Unit menu

The unit menu is allows quick change of unit sets and access to the unit edit page.

6.5.5 Options

To open the options tab window, select it from Tools  Options from the menu bar
or click the associated icon on the toolbar.

This is a dialog that controls the Drillbench program settings. This window is divided
into three tab sheets: General, Appearance and Unit definitions, which are
described below.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 43

Figure 6-11. The Drillbench option dialog.

6.5.5.1 General

Library path
Fluids, casings and string components are selected from a library. The location of
the library file is entered in this field. The library selected here is shared among all
Drillbench applications. Use the arrow in the right corner of the field to select from a
list of previous paths.

Template path
Path to Drillbench default template files.

At program startup

Reload last used file resumes the session you were working on when exiting
Steadyflodrill the last time.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 44

Remember last selected page

Start at the page you were on when exiting Steadyflodrill.the last time.

Reports
Option to indicate whether you want to include the default results in all result
reports. Default is to include.

View

Option to control whether the log window should open automatically when new
messages are produced by Drillbench. Default is to automatically open log.

Input file

Show input read diagnostics

This is an option to enable diagnostic messages when loading an input file. This
should normally not be used. It is only to be used when you have trouble loading an
input file. You may be asked by Drillbench support to turn this option on.

Load plot layout(s)

Custom chart layout and properties are now stored in the DML file. All open plots
and customizations to plots are automatically restored when DML file is opened.
Plot customizations are also preserved when using separate layout files. This option
controls whether Drillbench will load and use the last saved custom result plot
layout.
Load plot style
Drillbench will automatically save to the input file all custom changes to the plots
styles, e.g. line thickness, background colours etc. This option controls whether the
last saved changes are restored.

6.5.5.2 Appearance

Allow the user to modify colour theme, icon style and tab layout in Steadyflodrill
according to personal preference.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 45

Figure 6-12 The Steadyflodrill summary window with different colour settings

6.5.5.3 Unit definitions

The unit settings can be changed by selecting the Unit definitions tab found under
Options in the Tools menu, see Figure 6.11. Each unit is defined separately and
saved in a specified unit file. However, predefined sets of units can be selected
from the drop down menu. By default, SI units, metric (European) units and field
units are available. You can create your own set of units by selecting the preferred
units and save to file with a new name.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 46

6-13 Unit definitions

6.6 Help
To open the Help window in Steadyflodrill you can select it from the tools menu or
you can open it by pressing F1.
The Help window will give you a short description and explanation of all the different
windows in Steadyflodrill.

6.6.1 About

The About option gives you information about Steadyflodrill’s version number and
the expiry date of the current license-
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 47

Figure 6-14. The About window in Steadyflodrill.

Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 48

7. RUNNING A SIMULATION

7.1 Calculation
It is very easy to set up and run a simulation in Steadyflodrill. A set of liquid and gas
injection rates must be specified. It is also required to specify bit depth and rate of
penetration.
Liquid injection rates are specified by entering the minimum and maximum liquid
rate as well as the number of steps (or liquid rates).
The specification of gas injection rates are specified in a similar way. If either
drillstring or annulus injection is given in the specification of injection system, the
selected injection type is displayed in the calculation window. Minimum and
maximum gas rate and number of steps must be defined in addition.

If both annulus and drillstring gas injection are specified in the input, the type of gas
injection can be selected in the calculation window. If drillstring is selected as
injection type, this means that the drillstring injection is varied in steps from
minimum to maximum with a constant annulus injection. If annulus is selected as
injection type the annulus injection varies for a constant drillstring injection.

Figure 7-1 Calculation window in Steadyflodrill

Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 49

7.2 Graphical output

Different plot windows can be used for displaying the results of a calculation. The
available plots that can be opened are displayed in Figure 7-2.
To view a plot, click on the right mouse button in one of the views. A menu will then
appear with several selections for adding plots, possibility to remove one or all plots
and some options for printing, saving, renaming and customization of the plots.

There are several ways to add new plots. If there are currently no plots visible,
select Set in the menu. A new submenu will appear with all the available plots
listed. If you want to add new plots, select add in the menu (when right-clicking). A
new submenu will appear with different options for placement and with available
plots listed. Above the separator line the plots versus simulation time are listed,
below the line the parameters versus depth are listed.

Figure 7-2. Menu showing all plots available during simulation.

You can add as many plots as you want. You can also use the vertical splitter in a
window that has already been split horizontally. The splitted windows can be
resized by dragging the splitters to the wanted position.
You can save the set of simulations in the active plot page by selecting Save layout
to file from the right-click menu. The plot page layout can then later be used in other
simulations by adding a new plot page and select load layout from file from the
right-click menu. In order to save all custom simulation plot pages select Save all
layout(s) to file; select Load all layout(s) from file to load or restore all custom plot
layout pages.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 50

7.2.1 Plot properties

Some plot properties can be modified for a plot by clicking the right mouse button
on the plot and selecting the “Properties” option. The following window appears:

Figure 7-3. The plot properties window.

It is possible to modify plot title, axis settings, horizontal and vertical grid lines, line
style and point style. In case of a plot with multiple curves, these modifications can
be made for all curves.

7.2.2 Print and export

Using a plot’s right click menu, it can be printed directly from the plotting part of the
program, it can be copied to the clipboard or it can be saved as a file for inclusion in
reports or further manipulation in other programs. Saving to file is accomplished by
selecting Export, which opens the dialog shown in Figure 7-4.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 51

Figure 7-4. Exporting results as picture

There are several different file formats used for saving the plots:
 Windows bitmap
 Windows metafile
 VML
 PNG
 PDF
 PCX
 JPEG

These file formats are widely recognized by Windows programs, and the exported
plot picture can be included in word processors, web pages and desktop publishing
programs.
There is also an option to save the simulation plot contents as numerical data. The
formats available are:
 Text
 XML
 HTML table
 Excel
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 52

Figure 7-5. Exporting results as data

7.2.3

7.2.4 Import data

There is an option to import data into the plots. This selection is available when
pressing the right mouse button and choosing Import… A open file dialog box
opens up and you can import the data from a text file into your plot.

7.2.5 Zooming

There is an option to zoom in and out on plots to investigate the results in further
details if preferred. The method to do this is to left-click-and-drag the cursor to the
right to zoom in, and left-click-and-drag to the left to zoom out.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 53

8. WORKING WITH STEADYFLODRILL

The new Steadyflodrill includes tools and features that are very valuable for day to
day engineering as well as operation decision support.
The example plots given below are taken from Drillbench® Presmod, and illustrate
the effect of changing mud system. The same possibilities as shown in these
figures are available in Steadyflodrill.

8.1 Multiple runs – keep results

A very useful feature in Steadyflodrill is the ability to use the interface directly to
compare results from different runs. This is extremely useful for sensitivity analysis.
It can be multiple runs with the same case file only with minor differences, it can be
different case files or it can be imported results from other Drillbench applications.
To perform multiple runs:
Go to Results  Keep previous results. When the Calculate button is pressed all
the old results in the plots are still in place. When a new run is started (either from
the same or from another case) the new data is running on top of the previous run.
The effect of changed parameters is therefore easy to see in the graphics.
Furthermore, plots have a menu property to toggle the visibility of all curves of
previous runs.

8.2 Well schematic

The flow areas of the well schematic can be colored in respect to the values of a
profile plot by selecting Results  <Value of interest>; select None to switch off the
coloring.

Figure 8-1: Selection of the profile to be visualized

The colors for minimum and maximum and the value range to be colored can be
customized in the data properties window.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 54

Figure 8-2: Well schematic showing actual free gas

8.3 Add external data

It is possible to import external data sets and add these in the Steadyflodrill plots.
This way it is very easy to compare simulation results with measured data or with
results from other simulations.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 55

Figure 8-3 Example of result from exporting and importing data

Figure 8-4 Export dialog – select Excel format

Figure 8-3 shows an example of what we can achieve when using the advanced
options in Steadyflodrill. The temperature curve – the red line - has been exported
to an Excel file. The Export dialog is shown in Figure 8-4. Note that to export the
data to Excel the Data tab has to be selected. In Excel the data has been
manipulated by adding “synthetic” noise by using a random number. This is just one
example of another data set – it could just as well have been from a logging tool or
another data source.
To import the data to Steadyflodrill again, the file has been converted to a text file
(copy and paste to Notepad). By selecting Import from the plot menu a standard
Windows file selection box is opened, and an Import dialog as in Figure 8-5 is
opened. The Import tool shows the data-columns, the units as well as headers and
footers. Dragging the column header Temperature (Celsius) to column number 3
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 56

switch the data column from number 2 to 3. Pressing OK will import the curve in the
plot as in Figure 8-3.

Figure 8-5 Data file import

Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 57

8.4 Create presentation graphics

Plots as the one created in Figure 8-3 can easily be manipulated and modified, by
including legend, adding text and comments, changing background or other colors,
fonts etc. There is a large number of options. In the following we have illustrated a
few examples.

Figure 8-6 Reconfigured temperature plot

In Figure 8-6 we have altered the plot from Figure 8-3. A legend has been added,
the line color of the modified temperature data has been changed from green to
blue, and the line thickness has been increased. Some of the fonts have also been
modified.

Figure 8-7 Plot properties menu

Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 58

9. RHEOLOGY MODELS

9.1 Models
There are many rheological models describing the non-linear proportionality
between shear stress and shear rate. Most of the drilling fluids behave like yield-
pseudo plastics, which means that a minimum force must be applied to impart
motion to them. This force is known as yield stress. In the following the three most
actual models will be described.

9.1.1 Bingham plastic model

This is a two-constant model with direct proportionality between shear stress  and
shear rate  , in addition to a yield stress y.

The equation is

   y   p,    y
  0,   y

where p = plastic viscosity. p is the slope of the curve relating  and  .

The weakness of this model is that it does not contain the non-linear relationship
between  and  .

9.1.2 Power law model

This model is the most common choice for oil based muds. It describes fluids
without yield stress by a non-linear flow curve

  K n
where
K = consistency index

n = flow behaviour index; n  1.

If n = 1, the equation becomes identical to the equation of flow of a Newtonian fluid
having the viscosity K.

9.1.3 Robertson-Stiff model

This is a three-constant model that includes Bingham and Power law as special
cases. The fluid is defined by

  A (   C ) B
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 59

where A, B and C are constants. The Robertson-Stiff model may be regarded as a

power law model where the shear rate is replaced by an effective shear rate   C .
This introduces a yield stress equal to

0  AC B
The model simplifies to the Bingham model if B  1, or to the power law model if
C  0.
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 60

10. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

Alt+F open File menu
Alt+E open Edit menu
Alt+V open View menu
Alt+R open Results menu
Alt+T open Tools menu
Alt+H open Help menu

Ctrl+N New file

Ctrl+O Open
Ctrl+S Save
Ctrl+C Copy
Ctrl+X Cut
Ctrl+V Paste
Alt+BkSp Undo

Ctrl+Ins Insert rows in a table

Ctrl+Del Delete rows in a table

F9 Start
F8 Step
Ctrl+F2 Reset
Ctrl+F12 Take snapshot
Ctrl+U Edit unit settings
Drillbench Steadyflodrill User Guide Page 61

11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Drillbench uses the following third-party tools:

 JEDI Visual Component Library (JVCL)

JVCL portions are licensed from Project JEDI, and the source code can be obtained
from http://jvcl.sourceforge.net/
 JEDI CODE LIBRARY (JCL)
JCL portions are licensed from Project JEDI, and the source code can be obtained
from http://homepages.borland.com/jedi/jcl/
 The Visualization ToolKit (VTK)
VTK is copyright © 1993-2004 Ken Martin, Will Schroeder, Bill Lorensen. All rights
reserved. VTK is available from http://www.vtk.org/
 Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (NSIS)
NSIS is copyright (C) 1999-2006 Nullsoft, Inc. and is available from
http://nsis.sourceforge.net/
 TeeChart
TeeChart is copyright © David Berneda 1995-2006. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.steema.com/
 LiquidXML
LiquidXML is copyright ©2006 Liquid Technologies Limited. All rights reserved.
http://www.liquid-technologies.com/
 FLEXlm
FLEXlm is copyright ©2002-2006 Macrovision Corporation. All rights reserved.
http://www.macrovision.com/
 TMS Component Pack
TMS Component Pack is copyright © 2001-2009 by tmssoftware.com. All rights
reserved
www.sptgroup.com

A product by