Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.5574/KSOE.2012.26.2.020

An Experimental Study of Cuttings Transport in Directional Slim Hole Drilling  

Han, Sang-Mok (Jeollabuk-do Branch Institute, KOMERI)
Kim, Jeong-Hwan (Jeollabuk-do Branch Institute, KOMERI)
Hwang, Young-Kyu (School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University)
Woo, Nam-Sub (Mineral Resource Research, KIGAM)
Kim, Young-Ju (Mineral Resource Research, KIGAM)
Publication Information
Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology / v.26, no.2, 2012 , pp. 20-25 More about this Journal
Abstract
During drilling, the precipitation velocity of cuttings within an annulus depends on the density and configuration of the cuttings, and on the density, viscosity, and rheological characteristics of the drilling fluid. In directional drilling in particular, it is difficult to adjust and control the cuttings. In contrast to vertical drilling, it is very important to evaluate the flow characteristics of a drilling flow field. However, research on the transfer features of cuttings is inadequate. In this study, in order to identify transfer features of cuttings, an experiment was performed under wide-ranging conditions by constructing a slim hole annulus ($44mm{\times}30mm$) device. In this experiment, the particle volume fraction were influenced by particle size, particle concentration within the flow, pipe rotation, flow volume, and inclination of the annulus. In addition, a mathematical formula for volumetric concentration was deduced and compared to the test results and behavior of cuttings under the other drilling condition was made to be predicted. Therefore, this study can provide meaningful data for vertical and horizontal drilling, and for directional drilling.
Keywords
Directional drilling; Slim hole drilling; Drilling fluid; Cuttings; Solid-liquid two phase flow;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Han, S.M., Kim, Y.J. Woo, N.S. and Hwang, Y.K. (2008). "A Study on the Solid-liquid 2 Phase Helical Flow in an Inclined Annulus", Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, Vol 22, pp 1914-1920.   DOI   ScienceOn
2 Han, S.M., Woo, N.S. and Hwang, Y.K. (2009). "Solid-liquid Mixture Flow Through a Slim Hole Annulus with Rotating Inner Cylinder", Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, Vol 23, pp 569-577, 2009.   DOI   ScienceOn
3 Iyoho, A.W. (1980). "Drilled-Cuttings Transport by Non-New tonian Drilling Fluids Through Inclined Eccentric Ann uli", Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OKUSA.
4 Kelessidis, V.C. and Bandelis, G.E. (2004). "Flow Patterns and Minimum Suspension Velocity for Efficient Cuttings Tran sport in Horizontal and Deviated Wells in Coiled-Tubing Drilling", SPE Drilling & Completion, Vol 19, No 4, pp. 213-227.   DOI
5 Kleinstreuer, C. (2003). "Two-Phase Flow: Theory and Applications", Taylor & Francis Group, New York.
6 Larsen, T.I. (1990). "A Study of Critical Fluid Velocity in Cut tings Transport for Inclined Wellbores", M.S. Thesis, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK-USA.
7 Tomren, P.H. (1979). "The Transport of Drilled Cuttings in an Inclined Eccentric Annulus", M.S. Thesis, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK-USA.
8 Willoughby, D.A. (2005). "Horizontal Directional Drill-ing (HDD): Utility and Pipeline Applications", McGraw-Hill, New York.
9 Woo, N.S., Kim, Y.J., Kwon, J.K., Chung, S.K. and Park, E.S. (2011). "A Study on the Solid-Liquid Rotating Flow for Cuttings Transportation in Inclined Annulus", Procee dings of the 21th International Offshore and Polar Engi neering Conference.
10 Chakrabandhu, K. and Singh, R.K. (2005). "Rheological Properties of Coarse Food Suspensions in Tube Flow at High Temperatures", Journal of Food Engineering, Vol 66, No 1, pp 117-128.   DOI   ScienceOn
11 Duan, M., Miska, S., Yu, M., Takach, N. and Ahmed, R. (2008). "Transport of Small Cuttings in Extended-Reach Drilling", SPE Drilling and Completion, Vol 23, No 3, pp 258-265.   DOI