1

PETE 411
Well Drilling
Lesson 14
Jet Bit Nozzle Size Selection
2
14. Jet Bit Nozzle Size Selection
Nozzle Size Selection
for Optimum Bit Hydraulics:
Max. Nozzle Velocity
Max. Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
Max. Jet Impact Force
Graphical Analysis
Surge Pressure due to Pipe Movement
3
Read:
Applied Drilling Engineering, to p.162
Quiz A
Thursday, Oct. 10, 7 - 9 p.m. Rm. 101
Closed Book
1 Equation sheet allowed, 8 1/2x 11 (both sides)
HW #7:
On the Web - due 10-09-02
{ Quiz A_2001 is on the web }
4
Jet Bit Nozzle Size Selection
Proper bottom-hole cleaning
will eliminate excessive regrinding of drilled
solids, and
will result in improved penetration rates

Bottom-hole cleaning efficiency
is achieved through proper selection of bit
nozzle sizes
5
Jet Bit Nozzle Size Selection
- Optimization -
Through nozzle size selection,
optimization may be based on
maximizing one of the following:

Bit Nozzle Velocity
Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
Jet impact force
There is no general agreement on which of
these three parameters should be maximized.
6
Maximum Nozzle Velocity
Nozzle velocity may be maximized consistent with
the following two constraints:

1. The annular fluid velocity needs to be high
enough to lift the drill cuttings out of the hole.
- This requirement sets the minimum
fluid circulation rate.
2. The surface pump pressure must stay within the
maximum allowable pressure rating of the
pump and the surface equipment.
7
Maximum Nozzle Velocity

From Eq. (4.31)


i.e.

so the bit pressure drop should be maximized in
order to obtain the maximum nozzle velocity

4
b
d n
10 * 074 . 8
P
C v

A
=
b n
P v A
8
Maximum Nozzle Velocity
This (maximization) will be achieved when
the surface pressure is maximized and the
frictional pressure loss everywhere is
minimized, i.e., when the flow rate is
minimized.
pressure. surface allowable maximum the and
rate n circulatio minimum the at
satisfied, are above 2 & 1 when maximized is v
n

9
Maximum Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
The hydraulic horsepower at the bit is
maximized when is maximized. q) p (
bit
A
d pump bit
p p p A A = A
where may be called the parasitic pressure
loss in the system (friction).
d
p A
bit d pump
p p p A + A = A
10
Maximum Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
. turbulent is flow the if
cq p p p p p p
75 . 1
dpa dca dc dp s d
= A + A + A + A + A = A
In general, where
m
d
cq p = A 2 m 0 s s
The parasitic pressure loss in the system,
11
Maximum Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
0 ) 1 ( p when 0
1714 1714

pump
1
= + A =
A
=
A
=
+
m
Hbit
m
pump
bit
Hbit
q m c
dq
dP
cq q p
q p
P
d pump bit
p p p A A = A
m
d
cq p = A
12
Maximum Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
when maximum is
1
1
p when ., .
) 1 ( p when ., .
d
pump
Hbit
pump
d
P
p
m
e i
p m e i

A
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A
A + = A
pump d
p
m
p A
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A
1
1
0 ) 1 ( p
pump
= + A
m
q m c
13
Maximum Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
- Examples -
In turbulent flow, m = 1.75
pump bit
pump
pump d
p of % 64 p
p of 36%

% 100 * p
1 75 . 1
1
p
A = A
A =
A
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A
p d
p
1 m
1
p A
+
= A
14
In laminar flow, for Newtonian fluids, m = 1
pump b
pump
pump d
p of % 50 p
p of 50%
% 100 * p
1 1
1
p
A = A
A =
A
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A
Maximum Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
Examples - contd
15
Maximum Bit Hydraulic Horsepower
In general, the hydraulic horsepower is not
optimized at all times

It is usually more convenient to select a
pump liner size that will be suitable for
the entire well

Note that at no time should the flow rate be
allowed to drop below the minimum
required for proper cuttings removal
16
Maximum Jet Impact Force
The jet impact force is given by Eq. 4.37:
) ( c 0.01823
01823 . 0
d d pump
bit d j
p p q
p q c F
A A =
A =

17
Maximum Jet Impact Force
But parasitic pressure drop,
2 2
01823 . 0

+
A =
= A
m
d p d j
m
d
q c q p c F
cq p

) ( c 0.01823
d d pump j
p p q F A A =
18
Maximum Jet Impact Force
Upon differentiating, setting the first derivative
to zero, and solving the resulting quadratic
equation, it may be seen that the impact
force is maximized when,
p d
p
2 m
2
p A
+
= A
19
Maximum Jet
Impact Force
- Examples -
p b
p d
p of % 47 p and
p of % 53 p 1.75, m if ,
A = A
A = A = Thus
p b
p d
p of 33% p and
p of % 67 p 1.00 m if ,
A = A
A = A = Also
p d
p
2 m
2
p A
+
= A
20
Nozzle Size Selection

- Graphical Approach -
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22
23
1. Show opt. hydraulic path
2. Plot Ap
d
vs q
3. From Plot, determine
optimum q and Ap
d
4. Calculate
5. Calculate
Total Nozzle Area:
(TFA)

6. Calculate Nozzle Diameter
d pump bit
p p p A A = A
opt b d
opt
opt t
p C
q
A
) (
10 * 311 . 8
) (
2
2
5
A
=

With 3 nozzles:
t 3
A 4
d
tot
N
=
24
Example 4.31
Determine the proper pump operating
conditions and bit nozzle sizes for max.
jet impact force for the next bit run.
Current nozzle sizes: 3 EA 12/32
Mud Density = 9.6 lbm.gal
At 485 gal/min, P
pump
= 2,800 psi
At 247 gal/min, P
pump
= 900 psi
25
Example 4.31 - given data:
Max pump HP (Mech.) = 1,250 hp

Pump Efficiency = 0.91

Max pump pressure = 3,000 psig

Minimum flow rate
to lift cuttings = 225 gal/min
26
Example 4.31 - 1(a), 485 gpm
Calculate pressure drop through bit nozzles:
2 2
2 5
10 * 311 . 8
: ) 34 . 4 .(
t d
b
A c
q
p Eq

= A
psi 906 1,894 - 2,800 loss pressure parasitic

psi 1,894
32
12
4
3 (0.95)
) 485 )( 6 . 9 )( 8.311(10
p
2
2
2
2 -5
b
= =
=
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
t
= A
27
Example 4.31 - 1(b), 247 gpm
psi p
b
491
32
12
4
3 ) 95 . 0 (
) 247 )( 6 . 9 )( 10 ( 311 . 8
2
2
2
2 5
=
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
= A

t
psi 409 491 - 900 loss pressure parasitic = =
Plot these two
points in Fig. 4.36
(q
1
, p
1
) = (485, 906)
(q
2
, p
2
) = (247, 409)
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Example 4.31 - contd
2. For optimum hydraulics:

gal/min 650
000 , 3
) 91 . 0 )( 250 , 1 ( 714 , 1
714 , 1
q
max
max
= = =
P
E P
Hp
1, Interval ) a (
gal/min 225 q
psi 875 , 1

) 000 , 3 (
2 2 . 1
2
2
2
p
min
max d
=
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A P
m
2, Interval (b)
3, Interval (c)
3
2
1
30
Example 4.31
3. From graph, optimum point is at

) (
10 * 311 . 8
) (
2
2
5
opt b d
opt
opt t
p C
q
A
A
=

) 700 , 1 ( * ) 95 . 0 (
) 650 ( * 6 . 9 * 10 * 8.311

2
2 -5
=
( ) in d
opt
N
nds 2
opt
32 14 in 0.47 A = =
psi p psi
gal
q
b
700 , 1 300 , 1 p ,
min
650
d
= A = A =
31
psi p psi
gal
q
b
700 , 1 300 , 1 p ,
min
650
d
= A = A =
32
Example 4.32
It is desired to estimate the proper pump
operating conditions and bit nozzle sizes for
maximum bit horsepower at 1,000-ft
increments for an interval of the well
between surface casing at 4,000 ft and
intermediate casing at 9,000 ft. The well
plan calls for the following conditions:
Well Planning
33
Example 4.32
Pump: 3,423 psi maximum surface pressure
1,600 hp maximum input
0.85 pump efficiency

Drillstring: 4.5-in., 16.6-lbm/ft drillpipe
(3.826-in. I.D.)
600 ft of 7.5-in.-O.D. x 2.75-in.-
I.D. drill collars
34
Example 4.32
Surface Equipment: Equivalent to 340
ft. of drillpipe

Hole Size: 9.857 in. washed out to 10.05 in.
10.05-in.-I.D. casing

Minimum Annular Velocity: 120 ft/min
35
Mud Program
Mud Plastic Yield
Depth Density Viscosity Point
(ft) (lbm/gal) (cp) (lbf/100 sq ft)
5,000 9.5 15 5
6,000 9.5 15 5
7,000 9.5 15 5
8,000 12.0 25 9
9,000 13.0 30 12
36
Solution
The path of optimum hydraulics is as
follows:
Interval 1
gal/min. 681
423 , 3
) 85 . 0 )( 600 , 1 ( 714 , 1
p
E P 714 , 1
q
max
Hp
max
=
= =
37
Solution
Interval 2
Since measured pump pressure data are not
available and a simplified solution technique
is desired, a theoretical m value of 1.75 is
used. For maximum bit horsepower,
( )
psia 1,245
423 , 3
1 75 . 1
1
1
1
max
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
= A p
m
p
d
38
Solution
Interval 3
For a minimum annular velocity of
120 ft/min opposite the drillpipe,
( )
gal/min 395
60
120
5 . 4 05 . 10 448 . 2
2 2
min
=
|
.
|

\
|
= q
39
Table
The frictional pressure loss in other
sections is computed following a
procedure similar to that outlined above for
the sections of drillpipe. The entire
procedure then can be repeated to
determine the total parasitic losses at
depths of 6,000, 7,000, 8,000 and 9,000 ft.
The results of these computations are
summarized in the following table:
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Table
5,000 38 490 320 20 20 888
6,000 38 601 320 20 25 1,004
7,000 38 713 320 20 29 1,120
8,000 51 1,116 433 28 75* 1,703
9,000 57 1,407 482 27* 111* 2,084

* Laminar flow pattern indicated by
Hedstrom number criteria.
d dpa dca dc dp s
p p p p p p Depth A A A A A A
41
Table
The proper pump operating conditions
and nozzle areas, are as follows:
5,000 600 1,245 2,178 0.380
6,000 570 1,245 2,178 0.361
7,000 533 1,245 2,178 0.338
8,000 420 1,245 2,178 0.299
9,000 395 1,370 2,053 0.302
in.) (sq (psi) (psi) (gal/min) ) ft (
(5)A p (4) p (3) Rate (2)Flow Depth ) l (
t b d
A A
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Table
The first three columns were read directly
from Fig. 4.37. (depth, flow rate and Ap
d
)

Col. 4 (Ap
b
) was obtained by subtracting
shown in Col.3 from the maximum pump
pressure of 3,423 psi.

Col.5 (A
tot
) was obtained using Eq. 4.85
d
p A
43
44
Surge Pressure due to Pipe Movement
When a string of pipe is
being lowered into the
wellbore, drilling fluid is
being displaced and forced
out of the wellbore.
The pressure required to
force the displaced fluid out
of the wellbore is called the
surge pressure.
45
Surge Pressure due to Pipe Movement
An excessively high surge pressure can
result in breakdown of a formation.
When pipe is being withdrawn a similar
reduction is pressure is experienced. This
is called a swab pressure, and may be
high enough to suck fluids into the wellbore,
resulting in a kick.
swab surge
P P , v fixed For
pipe
=
46
Figure 4.40B
- Velocity profile for laminar flow pattern when closed
pipe is being run into hole