DRILLING HOLE CLEANING

Jakarta Drilling Society (JDS)

2020
Drilling Hydraulic Work Flow Chart

Pressure Losses Bit Hydraulic Hole Cleaning

• Mud Pump Design • Bit Nozzles Sizes • Hole cleaning

• Drill Pipe Sizes • Pressure Drop at Bit Mechanisms
• Surge and Swab • Cutting bed behavior
Pressure • Importance of
Rotation.
• Mud Rheology
• Operational Practice
• Drill with Water
Agenda

• Basic Fluid Mechanic Engineering

• Pressure Lost Formula
• ECD Management
• Surge and Swab
• Bit Hydraulic and Optimization
• Hole Cleaning
Presentation References
• Mud Specialist, Mr. Huadi
• K&M Technology Group, A Schlumberger company
• Terry Hemphill- Global Advisor Baroid
• Drilling Formula website
• PetroWiki
• Technical Papers
• My Experiences
Hole Cleaning Definition
• Hole cleaning is the ability of a drilling fluid to transport and
suspend drilled cuttings
Inadequate hole cleaning can lead to costly drilling
problems, such as:
• Mechanical pipe sticking
• Premature bit wear
• Slow drilling
• Formation fracturing
• Excessive torque and drag on drill string
• Difficulties in logging and cementing
• Difficulties in casings landing
The most prevalent problem is excessive torque and
drag, which often leads to the inability of reaching the
target in high-angle/extended-reach drilling
Cuttings-bed buildup in directional wells
PetroWiki
Hole Cleaning
Comprehensive Fluids Engineering Approach

Formation
Mud Weight Pipe Eccentricity
Pipe Rotation
Cuttings Size
Hole
Velocity Profile Cleaning Hole Angle

ROP
Section Length
Mud Flow Regime
Rheology Annular
Velocity

Huadi – Mud Speci

Hole Cleaning Factors
Hole Cleaning Key Elements
 Wellbore Architecture
Hydraulics and Hole Cleaning
• Hydraulics
– HHP and pump pressure limitations
– Equivalent Static Density and Equivalent
Circulating Density management.
– Downhole tools specification
– Drillpipe and BHA optimization
– Mud rheology optimization
– Shear thinning
D
i
f
fi
cul
t
y – Temperature invariant rheology
– Friable GELS
I I
I I
I
I I
V
– Mud density optimization
– Invariant mud density, minimum barite sag

0 3
0 6
0 9
0
I
nc
li
nat
i
on Huadi – Mud Specialist
Differences in Vertical vs. Horizontal (ERD) hole cleaning

Vertical Hole- slow settling, easier to clean and transport- Pump

rate is the prime mover of cuttings in vertical sections.

Deviated Transition zones 30-65°-

Prime area for creation of Dunes or Bed development
- packing off

• Horizontal Section- particles have a short distance to settle quickly.

• High Velocity and RPM required to move cuttings off bottom in horizontal and deviated wellbore.
What are Signs of Inadequate Hole Cleaning
• Widely-fluctuating rotating torque
• Tight hole and / or pack-offs
• Increased drag after connections
• Rapid increase in ECD when DP rotation initiated
• Problems maintaining angle when sliding
• Stuck pipe [worst case]
Hole Cleaning Mechanisms
1. Mechanical Removal
2. Dispersion
• Effectively “dissolves” cutting
into the mud
• May facilitate cleaning shallow
large-diameter holes drilled with
water base mud, depending on:
• Surface area of cuttings
• Flowrate
• Pipe Rotation
• Time in hole.
Hole Cleaning Mechanisms
Dispersion:
• Dispersion can be a very effective cleaning tool
a. Sometimes necessary in very large hole (such as 17-1/2” hole)
b. Very common in Alaska and GoM surface hole section.
c. By going to OBM / SBM, big-hole cleaning can be a nightmare
 But in the “old days”, people drilled these sections without
any problems.
 Sometimes “old” technology is more appropriate
Hole Cleaning Mechanisms
Forces Acting on Cuttings
• Downward force due to gravity
• Upward force due to buoyancy
from the drilling fluid
• Force parallel to the direction of
the flow due to viscous drag
caused by the mud flowing
around the particle.

Pumping High Viscosity sweeps in directional well is less effective to assist good hole cleaning.
Pumping Low-Viscosity sweep with or without in tandem with High-Density sweep is
recommended in directional well.
Velocity Components on Cuttings
• Downward slip velocity
(gravity)
• Radial /helical velocity due to
rotation and velocity profile
• Axial velocity parallel to the
flow

Combination of appropriate Flow Rate (Annular Velocity) and Pipe Rotation

respectively to hole size (DP – Annular ratio) and hole inclination is a MUST for effective
hole cleaning.
Settling Mechanisms

1. Free
2. Hindered
3. Boycott settling

Cutting beds will always occur as Boycott Settling can not be avoided, regardless how viscous
the mud……
Good drilling practice is needed to minimize and to mechanically reduce cutting beds.
Drill Cutting Behavior

• Vertical - near Vertical: 0°- 30°

• Deviated: 30°- 65°
• Horizontal: > 65°
Cuttings Transport in Vertical Hole Section
Gel Strength is a key mud property
• But how does it actually suspend the cutting?
• If gravity is still pulling down and
• If the mud is still a fluid
• If the cutting was “alone” it could NOT be
suspended (unless the mud weight is very
heavy)
• As the cutting falls, it displaces it’s own
volume of fluid upwards.
• And fortunately, the cutting is not alone. The
fluid is crowded with solids.
• In a “crowded solids environment”, a
mechanism called “hindered settling”
occurs.
• For each cutting that drops, another is
forced upwards.
Vertical Wellbore:
Example of Particle Slip in Drilling Fluids
Static

The Smallest cross-section of

cutting will define cutting
Falling or diameter for modeling as it is
Settling more hydro-dynamic

Dynamic
Fundamentals of Cutting Transport
Fundamentals of Cutting Transport
Cuttings Transport in Horizontal Hole Section

• Everything is the same, except flow in now horizontal. Gravity is STILL

pulling downwards
• There is no longer any fluid velocity direction to combat slip velocity
• Cutting falls to bottom within 1-2 stands (maximum)
• In Laminar flow environment, the mud CANNOT carry the cutting out
of the hole.
• Has HUGES implications for sweeps in directional portion of the
hole.
Cuttings Transport in Horizontal Hole Section

Pumps Off Suspension:

• Cutting now have only inches to fall. “Hindered Settling” mechanism fail
quickly as each layers of cuttings touch the bottom
• Cutting cannot be suspended in a high angle wellbore, no matter what
the mud is like.
• Situation is the same whether the pumps have been off for 5 sec, 5
min. or 5 days!
Horizontal Scenario- When Tripping- The Plowing effect of BHA shown
(without performing prior cleanup of cuttings)

Static

Tool joints or BHA generate cuttings pile

Bed Height Development
Horizontal Sections

 As Equilibrium Bed Height (h) grows

The Cross-sectional Fluid Flow area decreases
 ECD increases
Cuttings Transport in Medium Angle Hole Section
• In this case, the fluid velocity is partly acting
against gravity
• The cutting still cannot be carried out of the
hole, but will now travel further than in
horizontal hole.
• Say, 3-4 stands instead of 1-2 stands for
high angle
• So a medium angle well is a more efficient
“conveyor belt” than a high angle hole.
Cuttings Transport in Medium Angle Hole Section
• As for the high angle hole, the cutting cannot
be suspended in medium angle wellbore
• But now we have the risk of avalanche of the
bed.

• The cuttings bed does not automatically

avalanche (just like snow doesn’t automatically
avalanche on a mountainside).
• What triggers the avalanche?
• If the bed-height get’s too thick (too fast
ROP for too long)
• Or disturbed (i.e. a trip in or out)
Hole Cleaning in Deviated Wellbore: The Scenario

Fluid will follow path of least

resistance, the High-side

Drill Pipe

Cuttings will always accumulate on Bottom of the Annulus

in Deviated wellbore- ECD will increase as we are adding
solids to the Fluid Column

Rotation of Drill pipe is necessary to move Cuttings off the low-side

Hole Cleaning in High Angle Hole Section

The
Conveyor
Belt
Concept
 Cutting Transport
• High velocity fluid on top of the hole acts like a conveyor belt transporting cutting out of the hole.
• Cutting will travel so far and then fall off (into low flow zone) due to gravity.
• The length of travelled on the conveyor belt is a function of angle, flowrate, RPM and fluid
Rheology.

Speed of the
conveyor belt is a
function of flowrate
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
• Rotation is the key factor in hole cleaning efficiency for high
angle holes
• Active flow area I at top of hole
• Pipe and cuttings lay along bottom of hole
• Agitation is required to get cutting into the fluid flow
• Required rotary speed is dependent upon hole size, ROP
Effect of DP Rotation on Cleaning
• DP rotation mechanically disturbs cuttings beds
• DP rotation enhances cleaning
• Degree of improvement in cleaning dependent upon
annular velocities, hole angle and rpm speed
• Helical flow model recently presented to industry: axial
flow with tangential shear caused by rotating drill pipe
Effect of DP Rotation on Cleaning
Data ex-Tulsa Univ. Flow Loop
700

Cuttings Remaining [lbm]

600
25 rpm
500
400 75 rpm

300 125 rpm

200 175 rpm

100
0
100 150 200 250 300
Avg. Annular Ve locity [ft/min]

65 degrees deviation, 0.25-in limestone cuttings

Cuttings Removal by DP
Rotation and Annular Velocity
100
% Cuttings Removed
80
0 rpm
60
50 rpm

40 100 rpm
150 rpm
20

0
100 150 200 250 300
Annular Velocity [ft/min]

65 degrees deviation. 0.25-in limestone cuttings

Drill Pipe Eccentricity
• DP eccentricity has significant effect on annular velocity
distribution
• A skewed drill string can have infinite number of eccentricities
at the same time
• Usually an unmeasured factor in high-angle drilling, but of
great importance to cleaning
• While rotating > 25 rpm, rarely equals 1; while sliding, equals
tool joint stand-off
DP Eccentricity in Deviated Wellbores

Negative Eccentricity
e<0

e>0
Positive Eccentricity
“Old School” Flow Visualization in
Concentric and Eccentric Wellbore

Concentric- Eccentric- Eccentric-

Vertical drilling Deviated drilling Deviated sliding

Note: Above techniques qualitatively depict

fluid flow without drill string rotation.
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
• In Laminar Flow Environment
• All flowrate travels along the top of the hole
• Dead zone separates high velocity mud and cuttings

No Rotation With Rotation

Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
• It’s not actually the pipe rotation (nor the tool joints) that clean the hole…
• It’s the fluid “film” rotating around the drill pipe
• The film is call the “viscous coupling”

The pipe movement itself

doesn’t clean the hole

But rather, the viscous

coupling does.

With Rotation
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects
Cutting Transport – Rotation Effects

With Rotation
Cutting Transport – Bladed Drill Pipe
Cuttings Transport in Horizontal Hole Section

The new Hydroclean drill pipe integrates hydromechanical

cleaning features in the tool joint to enhance drilling
performance by improving hole-cleaning and ECD issues
commonly encountered in ERD and horizontal wells.
Hydro Clean Joint
Cutting Transport – Bladed Drill Pipe
Cutting Transport – Bladed Drill Pipe
Cutting Transport – Bladed Drill Pipe
Cutting Transport – Flow Rate Effects
Recommended Pump Rates in ERD Wells
for Good Cleaning – 12.25-in Hole

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Average Annular Velocity (ft/min)

AV Range Consequence(s) Action(s)
Efficient hole cleaning nearly impossible Increase flow rate to at least yellow AV range
•Packoffs, stuck pipe likely

Inefficient hole cleaning Increase flow rate; increase DP size, increase DP rpm
•cuttings bed accumulation speed, decrease bit cutter diameter; pump sweeps
(weighted sweeps for high angle sections, viscous
•watch for packoffs, stuck pipe sweeps for vertical / near-vertical sections); reduce
ROP

Efficient hole cleaning Maintain flow rate; DP rotation speed: 110-130 rpm for
12.25-in holes, 80-100 rpm for 8.5-in holes; periodic
high-density sweeps to check cleaning efficiency

Excessive velocities, high ECD Decrease flow rates to those in green AV range
•Excessive fluid filtrate into wellbore wall •Follow guidelines given in green AV range
•Hole erosion in weak zones
•Destabilization of fractured shales
ROP Optimization in Hydraulic Model

Predicted SPP

Pump Rate (gpm)

Cutting Transport – Flow Rate Effect
Cutting Transport – Insufficient Flow Rate
Cutting Transport – Why is Small Hole So Easy
• Not only are AV’s and cutting load so much better …
• But viscous coupling film now interacts with high velocity fluid
(rather than dead zone fluid)

12-1/4” Hole with

5-1/2” Drill Pipe

8-1/2” Hole with

5-1/2” Drill Pipe
Big Pipe + Small Hole = Easy Hole Cleaning
PHAR Factor
An easy Rule of Thumb to calculate which environment you are in
is the “Pipe-Hole Area Ratio” (P-HAR).
It give you a feel for how “P-HAR” the top of the pipe is from the
top of the hole
Big Hole – PHAR Factor
Big Hole – PHAR Factor
“Big” Small Hole – PHAR Factor
P-HAR vs Hole Size & DP Size
P-HAR vs Hole Size & DP Size
Rules of Thumb
Rules of Thumb

These
parameters
are only for
hole cleaning.
Mud Rheology
“Thick” Mud Rheology
• Viscous Coupling is good, but
• Dead Zone becomes impenetrable, while conveyor belt zone shrinks

Ideal Situation Mud Too Thick

“Thin” Mud Rheology
• Lower ECD, but less effective coupling (harder to turn the conveyor belt on)
• Difficult cleaning “vertical” hole portion

Mud Too Thin

Ideal Situation
Mud Rheology
Mud Rheology
Mud Rheology
Sweep
Hole Cleaning Sweep

• One solution: Always Pump out during BHA tripping out

• It most likely turbulent surrounding BHA length.
 Hole Cleaning Sweep, for your reference
High-viscosity sweeps that provide effective hole-cleaning in vertical wellbores might not be the best option for
high-angle and horizontal wells, because of the flow distribution around eccentric drillpipe. To induce flow, the stress
applied to a fluid must exceed that fluid’s yield stress. In the narrow annular space created by eccentric drillpipe, it is
possible that little or no flow will occur, and that the cuttings bed will remain in place. Pumping a high-viscosity sweep
might exacerbate this problem in a deviated well.

Applying a weighted sweep program that targets the silt bed that accumulates on the low side of the hole can mitigate
hole-cleaning problems that often occur in ERD wells. As early as 1986, hole-cleaning research indicated that turbulent
flow produced by relatively thin drilling fluid is more effective at silt-bed removal than is flow produced under a
high-viscosity flow profile.[3] Consistent results in silt-bed removal have been achieved with fully-circulated, low-
viscosity, weighted sweeps that exceed the drilling mud weight by 3 to 4 ppg and provide a 200- to 400-ft
column in the annulus.[2] The guidelines for an effective weighted sweep program are:
• The sweep is pumped at regular intervals at the normal circulating rate.
• The pipe-rotation speed is ≥ 60 rev/min once the sweep has reached the bit.
• The sweep is allowed to return to the surface with continuous circulation. [2]

The additional buoyancy that a weighted sweep provides helps to reduce cuttings-settling tendency while the sweep
travels up the annulus. The efficiency of the weighted sweep in dislodging cuttings might cause an increase in ECD,
however, while the annulus becomes loaded. If a PWD tool is used, effects on the ECD can be monitored and the pump
rate reduced as needed to maintain an acceptable ECD without allowing cuttings to settle.
Typical Drilling Fluid Sweeps
• High-density (HD)
• High-viscosity (HV)
• Low-viscosity (LV)
• High-density / high-viscosity (HD + HV)
• Tandem (one type followed by another)
Effective Sweep

• High Angle Hole:  turbulent  sweep

• Low Vis Hi-Dens Pill  Hi-Vis Hi-Dens Pill
• Low Vis Pill  Hi-Vis Hi-Dens Pill

• Low – Medium Angle Hole:  bring cutting to low angle  sweep

• Hi-Vis Hi-Dens Pill  Hi-Vis Hi-Dens Pill
• Hi-Vis Pill  Hi-Vis Hi-Dens Pill
• Hi-Vis Pill  Hi-Vis Pill
Effective Sweep – Mechanical Removal
Super-Sweep
• Super-Sweep Drilling Fluid Additive for Wellbore & Hole Cleaning
Hole Cleaning Monitoring
Hole Cleaning – Drilling Parameters Monitoring

1. ECD.
2. Pick up and Slack Off weight.
3. Off Bottom Torque.
4. Cutting Volume Recovery.
5. Drill Cutting Shape.
6. Hole Cleaning Sweep Result.
 Why monitor Pickup and Slack-off String weights?
Indicates locations of Cuttings bed accumulation in transition zones
30-65°
• Weight increase on pickup (above planned weight) will indicate
Cuttings Beds or Plowing of Beds.
• Weight decrease on slack-off will mean you are pushing cuttings
back to bottom.
Consequences of not monitoring
• Stuck/Lost in Hole tools, Fishing operations
• Lost Rig Time
• Casing not going to bottom
• Pressure up and Frac Formation
When stuck in hole, always use Bumper Jars and Jar downwards and
push to bottom, never Jar upwards as you will pull the Packoff even
tighter.
MUD RHEOLOGY
RHEOLOGY
Science of Deformation and Flow
Viscosity = Shear Stress
Shear Rate

FANN Model 35 VISCOMETER (6 - Speed VG-Meter)

•  600 --  300
•  200 --  100
• 6 --  3

PV (Plastic Viscosity) =  600 --  300

YP (Yield Point) =  300 – PV
LSYP = 2*  3 --  6
Gel strength……..10sec, 10min, 30min
Rotational Viscometer used for Drilling Fluids
The rotational Viscometer (Fann 35 or OFI 8-speed) is
Torsion Spring designed to measure the shear stress at various shear rates.
It also can measure the gel strengths of the drilling fluid.

Can someone explain the mechanics

1. Fluid fills space between rotor and bob.
Inner Cylinder 2. Rotor is rotated at constant speed (shear rate)
3. This induces torque (shear stress) on the bob.
Bearing Shaft
4. The torsion spring acts as restraining force.
Rotor
5. The bob is deflected to some degree dependant on
amount of stress exerted on bob.
Bob
6. The magnitude of the deflection can be determined (dial
readings)
7. Different shear rates are used to determine to obtain
Cup rheological performance of the mud.
VISCOSITY
Drilling fluids viscosity varies with shear rate.
Funnel Viscosity – sec/qt
Plastic Viscosity - cP (one gram/cm-sec)
PV =  600 -  300
Yield Point - lbs / 100ft2
YP =  300 - PV
Low-shear Yield Point (LSYP) - lbs / 100ft2
YP = 2* 3 -  6
Gel Strength ………10sec, 10min, 30min - lbs / 100ft2
Drilling Fluids are Shear-Thinning
Fann 35 Viscosity Profiles
Room Temperature and Ambient Pressure
60

50
Shear Stress (Fann Reading)
40

30
Bingham
20 Modified Power Law
Power Law
10 Newtonian
Data

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Shear Rate (rpm)
Plastic Viscosity (PV)
Plastic Viscosity (PV) is Resistance to flow due to mechanical friction

Plastic Viscosity is affected by:

• Solids concentration
• Size and shape of the solids
• Viscosity of the fluid phase

Mechanical friction
What causes mechanical friction? Solids
Yield Point (YP)

Yield Point is

Resistance to flow due to dispersion or attraction between solids.

YP affected by:
• Type of solids and associated charges
• Concentration of these solids
• Dissolved salts

Electro-chemical attractions
Influence of Yield Point on Cuttings Transport Efficiency
Gel Strength
Gel Strength is
Resistance to flow due to attraction between solids under static (equilibrium) condition -
thixotropy

Gel Strengths decrease the settling rate of cuttings when circulation is interrupted.
Gel structure develops when the mud is static.
Gel strength is a function of time, temperature, concentration and strength of attractive
particles.

Electro-chemical attractions
Gel Building Properties of Drilling Fluids
Downhole Rheology Temperatures

Conventional

HTHP

XHTHP

Deepwater

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600
Temperature (°F)
Fann 35 (0 psi)
Fann 70/75 (20,000 psi)
40-F
Fann 77, GRACE M7500 (30,000 psi)
Chandler 7600 (40,000 psi)
70-F
Hydraulics-Related Problems and Concerns
Issues / Concerns Problems
• Hole cleaning • Lost Circulation
• Stuck pipe
• Barite sag
• Wellbore collapse
• Ballooning • Hole washout
• Extra thick / thin Mud • Slow penetration rate
• Mud gelation • Poor displacement
• High solids content • Excess torque / drag
• Running out of pump
• Equipment failure
• Well control kick / blowout
Controllable Factors
Drilling Mud Geometry
• Mud Weight Hole size
Pipe / BHA size
• Formulation / chemistry
Bit size ad bit nozzles
• Rheology
• Solids Content
Operations
Flow rate
Rig Equipment Pipe rotation
• Pumps Tripping speed and
acceleration
• Solids control equipment
• Bit / BHA
Hole Geometry
Mud Circulating System
Flow Rate - Velocity Pa Psc

24.5Q
V  fpm 
Pressure loss
A
Pds
Pb
 wL
P   psi 
300d hyd
Hydraulic Horsepower
Pe Pm
%Pressure Loss
%Hyd Horsepower
PQ
HHP  hhp
1714
Rheological Models
API RP13D
90

80 Models:
V iscom eter D ial R eading
70
Bingham Plastic
Power Law
60
Herschel-Bulkley
50    y  k n

40
 2 PV  YP  LSYP 
30 n  3.32 log10  
 PV  YP  LSYP 
 
20
PV  YP  LSYP
10 k
511 n
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
AADE-02-DFWM-HO-13 Viscometer Speed (rpm)
AADE-05-NTCE-27
Surge/Swab Pressures
Pipe movement  Fluid movement
Break Gels
G10m L
Pa 
300d hyd
Velocity Profile
• Acceleration
• Constant Velocity
• Deceleration Surge
Pressure
Velocity

Time
Fluid Density Determination
Calcium
Mineral Internal
From API RP 13D 2006 Chloride Diesel Paraffin
Oil Olefin
19.3 wt %
Pressure Coefficients
a1 (lbm/gal) 9.9952 7.3183 6.9912 6.8358 6.9692
b1 (lbm/gal/psi) 1.77 E-05 5.27 E-05 2.25 E-05 2.23 E-05 3.35 E-05
c1 (lbm/gal/psi2) 6 E-11 -8 E-10 -1 E-10 -2 E-10 -5 E-10
Temperature Coefficients
a2 (lbm/gal/ºF) -2.75 E-03 -3.15 E-03 -3.28 E-03 -3.39 E-03 -3.46 E-03
b2 (lbm/gal/psi/ºF) 3.49 E-08 7.46 E-08 1.17 E-07 1.12 E-07 -1.64 E-08
c2 (lbm/gal/psi2/ºF) -9 E-13 -1 E-12 -3 E-12 -2 E-12 2 E-13
Fitting Statistics for Modeled Data
rbase
Avg. Error % or rbrine = [(a1 + 0.135 b1 P + c 1 P 2
0.237) + (a20.166
+ b2P +0.194
c2P2) T]0.214
r2 coefficient 0.998 0.997 0.998 0.998 0.999
Range of Validity
 Vol base
Maximum Applied Pressure


(psi) base20,300
 Vol brine
20,000
 brine  Vol ds
20,300  
 ds 14,500
24,000
i 
Minimum Temperature (ºF) 77 40 77 56.4 68
Maximum Temperature (ºF) 392 Vol400
total 392 392 302
Rheology Measurements @
Temperature
250

600 rpm
200
Viscometer Dial Reading

150

300 rpm

100
200 rpm

100 rpm
50

6 rpm
3 rpm
0
60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
Temperature (°F)
Cutting Carrying Index – Simple Tool To Determine Hole Cleaning

CCI = (K × AV × MW )÷(400,000) — Equation 1 • If CCI is equal to 0.5 or

Where; less, the hole cleaning is
• AV is annular velocity in ft/min.
• MW is mud weight in ppg. poor and the hole problem
• K is a Power Law Constant. The Power Law constant (K) can be may be seen.
calculated from the equation below:

• If CCI is equal to 1.0 or

greater, it indicates that the
Where; hole cleaning is good.
• PV is plastic viscosity in centipoises.
• YP is yield point in lb/100sqft
• n is flow behavior index. The flow behavior index (n) can be
determined by the following equation:
“New School” Flow Visualization in
Concentric and Eccentric Wellbore
1 50

0.8 40

0 RPM 0 RPM
0.6 30
25 RPM 25 RPM

ate(1/s)
elocity(m/s)

75 RPM 75 RPM
20

alculatedShearR
0.4
125 RPM 125 RPM
alculatedPointV

0.2 10

C
C

0 0
0.000 0.006 0.012 0.046 0.080 0.086 0.092 0.002 0.006 0.010 0.014 0.046 0.078 0.082 0.086 0.090
Distance from DP (m) Distance from DP (m)

Annular Point Velocity Annular Shear Rate

When rotating the drill pipe, there is no more symmetry
in annular velocity and shear rate profiles.
Effect of ROP at High Angles
At constant pump rate, DP rpm, etc:

• Increased ROP reduces hole cleaning efficiency

• Cuttings accumulation increases ECD increase

• Increased bed heights when circulation stopped

 Typical Hydraulics Program Output

• Average annular velocity

• Cuttings Transport Efficiencies (%)
• Hole angle
• Cuttings accumulation in annulus (%)
• Predicted ECD
a. Without cuttings (axial flow only)
b. With cuttings
• Schematic of well geometry
Typical DFG DrillAhead Hydraulics

#1
Typical DFG DrillAhead Hydraulics

#2
Typical DFG DrillAhead Hydraulics

#3
Tools to Improve Hole Cleaning
• Increased pump output
• Increased mud density (not practical)
• Changes in fluid rheological properties
• Increased DP rotation
• Increased circulation time without drilling ahead
• Drilling fluid sweeps
• Increased DP size (for ECD and AV)
What did they say about Hole Cleaning
Results of Sweep Study (SPE 77448)
Deviated Wellbores
• Numerical method developed to evaluate sweep
efficiency
• High-density sweeps most efficient type for high angles
• ECD increases dependent upon quantity of cuttings
brought out by sweep
• Up to 3 “bottoms up” intervals needed to remove
sweeps from hole
• Sweep volume important to effectiveness of sweep
Results of Sweep Study (SPE 134514)
Vertical Wellbores

a. Theoretical modelling used

b. Particle sizes up to 0.5-in diameter modelled
c. High-density and high-viscosity/high-density mixed together
gives best performance
d. Moderate- to high-viscosity sweeps have highest particle
settling rates
e. Fast rotation of drill string while pumping viscous sweeps
reduces their effectiveness
Drilling High-Angle Wells
Best Practices
Ensure high enough flow rate to give adequate AV in open hole
• 150-165 ft/min in 8.5-in
• 180 – 200 ft/min in 12.25-in
• 125-140 ft/min in large diameters (expect some cleaning problems)
If flow rate is inadequate, investigate changing DP size
• 5-in to 5.5-in
• 5-in to 5.875-in (special string)
• 5.5-in to 6.625-in
Drilling High-Angle Wells
Best Practices
• Use of sweeps as hole cleaning tools
a. Best hole cleaning tool is flow rate/velocity

b. Sweeps are secondary cleaning tools, not primary tools

c. High-density or high-density/high-viscosity for vertical / near-vertical wells

d. High density for high-angle wells

e. Fiber sweeps to reduce torque & drag in long-reach ERD wells

Drilling High-Angle Wells
Best Practices

• Maintain wellbore stability while drilling

a. Adequate mud weight to control hole collapse pressures

b. Efficient cleaning of an unstable wellbore nearly impossible task – keep

wellbore stable

c. Wellbore stability modeling to determine densities vs. hole angle and

azimuth

d. Drilling long intervals with WBM more difficult than with OBM/SBM – no
capillary threshold pressure to help keep filtrate out of formation
Drilling High-Angle Wells
Best Practices
• Minimize or eliminate sliding
a. Poor cleaning with no DP rotation

b. DP lies against low side of hole

• Drill with rotary steerable assemblies

a. Can rotate while building angle, steering

b. Enhanced hole cleaning

• Avoid ‘overdoing’ backreaming to improve cleaning

ANNULAR VELOCITY VS HOLE CLEANING
Michael Egorenkov
consulting Senior Drilling Engineer (ERD & Abandonments specialist)
 ANNULAR VELOCITY VS HOLE CLEANING
Michael Egorenkov
consulting Senior Drilling Engineer (ERD & Abandonments specialist)

Annular area drives the speed at which the fluid

and suspended drilled material will travel up the
hole at given flow rate.
• Smaller the clearance between drill string
components and borehole – faster the fluid will
flow across this particular interval.
• Generally, it is recommended to keep the
annular fluid velocity (AV) above 150 ft / min (46
m / min).
• Desired AVs could be controlled by changes of
mud circulation rate, drill string component
sizes and wellbore internal diameter.
• This is why underreaming is one of the last
resorts in ERD – elevated flow rates are required
to drill larger open hole. This could be a
problem if the rig has low-rated high pressure
system.
ANNULAR VELOCITY VS HOLE CLEANING
Michael Egorenkov
consulting Senior Drilling Engineer (ERD & Abandonments specialist)

 In most cases, AVs across BHA components are quite high

and cuttings are “flushed away” in seconds.
 Drill pipe normally has smaller OD than BHA components or
it is situated across large ID casing / liner string.
 If annular velocity is insufficient, cuttings accumulation is
likely to form in:
 high angle sections
 at geometry changes such as formation washouts
 immediately above liner tops.
 In addition, accelerated barite sagging is expected in areas
of low annular velocity.
ANNULAR VELOCITY VS HOLE CLEANING
Michael Egorenkov
consulting Senior Drilling Engineer (ERD & Abandonments specialist)

Here is the real-life example: one of our clients wanted to drill 6-⅛” hole section in a well with 3 liners in
place: 11-¼”, 9-⅝” and 7-⅝” (not tied-back due to ECD constraints). Annular velocity inside 11-¾” liner
and above was found to be insufficient to deliver adequate hole cleaning for given flow rates, dropping to
as low as 15 m/min across 13-⅜” casing interval. Drill string and mud rheology optimization allowed us
to install 9-⅝” tie-back and keep actual ECD below perceived fracture gradient.
ANNULAR VELOCITY VS HOLE CLEANING
Michael Egorenkov
consulting Senior Drilling Engineer (ERD & Abandonments specialist)

What can be done if annular velocity is a challenge?

a. Maximize flowrate at all times
b. Maximize drill pipe sizes
c. Allow extra time during hole clean-up cycles if AVs are below 150 ft / m
d. Utilize circulating sub in a BHA to allow high flow rates during clean-up cycles
(BHA bypass)
e. Perform intermediate clean-up cycles on trips in the areas of known significant
geometry changes (liner tops)
f. Consider liner tie-backs (if applicable)
g. Consider the use of cuttings bed agitators / impellers or bladed drill pipe
h. Consider the use of range 2 drill pipe – more connections with higher local AVs
i. Pay extra caution on trips. Backreaming might be required
Guidelines for effective hole cleaning
To obtain effective cuttings transport in highly deviated wells:

1. Fluid type is extremely important in drilling extended reach wells, especially for reactive shale formations. Oil or synthetic
oil based muds should be considered for improved hole stability which will minimize hole enlargement and cuttings load
in the wellbore.

2. Increasing flow rate should be the first option to consider if hole cleaning is inadequate. When designing drilling
hydraulics, maximum flow rate should be considered, which requires an accurate hydraulics program which accommodates
pump capacity and ECD limitations etc..

3. A least favorable fluid rheology exists which requires the maximum MTV for hole cleaning. This should be absolutely
avoided during drilling operations.

4. An increase in low end rheology is very effective in enhancing deviated hole cleaning. To have high enough a low end
rheology should be set as an important strategy when drilling extended reach wells.

5. It should be remembered that it is not necessarily the case that large cuttings are more difficult to clean. When using hole
cleaning models to analyze hole cleaning efficiency, the size of cuttings should be closely monitored.
Guidelines for effective hole cleaning
To obtain effective cuttings transport in highly deviated wells:

6. Pipe rotation is always advantageous to hole cleaning. Its effect could be significant if orbital motion or sweeping action
exists. In large diameter holes, cuttings are mainly transported by rolling mechanism. Pipe orbital motion can significantly
improve hole cleaning. It may reduce the MTV by 90%. Therefore, in large diameter holes, pipe rotation can significantly
enhance hole cleaning and should be used whenever there are any hole cleaning related problems.

7. Rate of penetration has a negative effect on hole cleaning. A good practice is to maintain a constant ROP which is derived
using hole cleaning models. Any instantaneous high rate of penetration should be avoided especially in a troublesome
hole cleaning situation.

8. An increase in mud density is an effective means of improving hole cleaning. This should be considered whenever
operationally feasible.

9. Once a stationary cuttings bed is formed on the low-side annular wall, it is difficult to remove using a highly viscous fluid.
In order to clear the bed, the MTV for cuttings suspension must be achieved for high viscosity fluids. However, with a low
viscosity fluid, cuttings bed removal is far more efficient and is strongly recommended. The best option is to use a low
viscosity fluid in highly turbulent flow regime, followed by a high viscosity fluid in laminar flow regime. The low viscosity
fluid sweeps the cuttings off the wall, which are then carried to surface by the following high viscosity fluid.
Guidelines for effective hole cleaning
To obtain effective cuttings transport in highly deviated wells:

10. Formation of a stationary cuttings bed both in the open and cased holes must be closely monitored. Back reaming at high
rpm is an excellent means of cuttings bed removal.

11. When using hole cleaning models, fluid rheology should be closely examined. Simply using YP and PV may be misleading
and the derivation of fluid rheology and even the rheology model must be considered.
Mud Additives Controlling Rheology
Solid Control Equipment
Hole Cleaning – Drilling Geothermal Well
Drill Non Productive Hole Section
Hole Cleaning – Plan and Execution
RoadMaps- Monitoring Pickup and Slack-off of DrillString
• Monitor throughout well to give accurate
data.
• Slackoff (blue)- lowest weight
• Rotating off Bottom (red color)
• Picking up (Green)-highest weight
• As ROP increases so does ECD and String
weight (pulling against a heavier column)
• Utilize same pickup/slack-off and connection
procedures each time to get accurate data.
• Data will indicate cleanliness of the hole and
Slackoff Rotating off Pickup
likelihood of a Packoff event. Bottom
DrillString Pickups and Slackoffs in Deviated Wells-
What do you need to measure? An Example of Connection Procedures-
Performing a consistent Connection procedure where you do the same thing every time will provide you with a roadmap
to avoiding packoffs (use agreed upon procedures)
• Record Steady State Drilling Parameters (weights, torque, ECD, gpm, rpm)
• Drill stand down using “Drilling Parameters”
• Let the WOB drill off, Circulate & rotate at drilling rates for 2 minutes to clear cuttings from around BHA
• Record Free Rotating Weight (FRW)
• Reduce string rotation to 30 RPM (enough for smooth torque, monitor same)
• Backream first single at drilling flow rate, then stop rotating the string
• Wash Upwards for rest of stand at maximum drilling flow rate
• Stop and lower the string if high overpulls occur (sudden spike in weight)
• Follow the Over Pull Rules (caution, staging up is recommended to 20k)
• Slowly stage up RPM to drilling rate (120 +)
• Ream down the stand- Monitor Torques & SPP while reaming.
• Circulate & rotate for 1 minute, Stop rotation & gradually reduce flow rate to zero
• Record Up & Down Weights with Pumps Off (work out the torque in the pipe)
• MAKE CONNECTION-
• Take survey over connection
• After Connection, pickup out of slips and check to see that the pipe is free (is it sticky?)
• Compare Pick Up Weight (PUW ) with Pickup weight before connection
• Slowly stage up to full drilling parameters- Check that torques & pressures are consistent and Record.
• Graph Actual vs. Planned string weights to give RoadMap
Differences in Vertical vs. Horizontal
-Why Cuttings Beds at 30-65°?

• Typically 30-35° is the Kickoff Point area

• This area represents last point in the deviated
wellbore prior to going Vertical.
• Also represents the area of weakest flow and
highest shear rates in the wellbore

• 60° typically represents end of transition or KOP

Hole Cleaning Considerations
Hole Angle

Vertical / near-vertical wellbores

(angles < 30-35 deg deviation)
Deviated wellbores
(angles > 30-35 deg deviation)
Integration of cleaning efficiency predictions into
hydraulics calculations
Key Parameters in Hole Cleaning
Modeling - Vertical Wells

• Fluid rheological properties

• Pump output
• Hole and pipe geometry
• Mud density
• Particle size and shape
• Rate of penetration (ROP)
Key Parameters in Hole Cleaning
Modeling - Deviated Wells

• Fluid rheological properties • Hole angle

• Pump output • Particle size and shape

• Hole and pipe geometry • Drill pipe rotation

• Mud density • Drill pipe eccentricity

• Rate of penetration (ROP)

Drill in Productive Hole Section
Drill with Partial Losses
Drill with Total Losses

• Drill with Water – High Rate method

• Drill with Aerated Mud
Drill with Water
• Drill 12-1/4” production hole
• Drill with water only if total losses
• Pump tandem sweeps every half joint to half stand drill formation, depend on hole
cleaning parameters.
• 50 bbls Hi-Vis – 50 bbls water – 50 bbls Hi-Vis
• Monitor closely the drilling parameters:
• Off bottom Torque
• Pick up weight and slack off weight
• ECD trend if available
• Flow rate: 800 – 1100 gpm
Drill with Water
• Drill 12-1/4” production hole
• Drill with water only if total losses
• Pump tandem sweeps every half joint to half stand drill formation, depend on hole
cleaning parameters.
• 50 bbls Hi-Vis – 50 bbls water – 50 bbls Hi-Vis
• Check how improve drill cutting to surface
• Always check estimated cutting volume refer to recovered cutting in big bag
• Monitor closely the drilling parameters:
• Off bottom Torque
• Pick up weight and slack off weight
• ECD trend if available
• Flow rate: 800 – 1100 gpm
 16. Drilling blind with Water
GENERAL PROCEDURE:
1. Pump the maximum allowable volume of water through the bit while drilling. The volume
required depends on hole size.
2. Maintain pH of water to above 11 with Lime and KOH. Do not aerate the water due to
corrosion issues
3. Pump (3 to 5 bbl/min water down the annulus) to prevent cuttings from accumulating in
the annulus above the loss zone. This requires a separate pumping system, a low-pressure
system such as a centrifugal pump is sufficient. An accurate means of measuring the
amount of fluid pumped is required.
4. Keep the pipes moving at all time.
5. Follow SMGP’s Stuck Pipe Prevention procedures. Post a copy of the procedures in
English and the native language in the Dog House.
6. Work the pipe every 15’ drilled. Stroke a full 30’ to pass tool joints in the annulus.
Monitor the torque and up drag weight.
 16. Drilling blind with Water
GENERAL PROCEDURE:
7. Monitor the pump pressure, a drop in pressure could indicate a drop in the fluid level.
8. Work the pipe with the pumps running before making connections. Make connections 30’
off bottom when using a Top Drive.
9. Hole conditions may require wiper trips. This should be discussed with the Drilling
operation manager.
10. Run minimum BHA as required (60’ to 90’ of drill collars with HWDP is normally
sufficient). Run high temperature Drilling Jars. Run Monels only when necessary.
11. Directional surveys are only to be taken 90’ off of bottom after a wiper trip. One survey at
the TD of each hole section is usually sufficient. If fill or tight hole has been observed,
taking surveys should be discussed with the Drilling operation manager.
12. If the drill string becomes stuck there is a high probability that differential sticking may be
the problem, refer to the stuck pipe procedure.
General Observations
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
Time Dependent Behavior
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