Factors Affecting Cuttings Removal During Rotary Drilling

E, A.
MEMBER

HOPKIN

SHELL
DEVE1OPMENT
HOUSTON,
7EX.

AIME

ABSTRACT
Lalxvwi(tty ILWI.Sctmdw!ed
I,y IjIe m{}ht)r. lt)gejher witIl
acImd field experience in Can~da, huve indicated the InrIgnill~de oj .~(vne ()/ rite facttnx aflecting ahiiily {1/ drilling
mttd to clean the ht)le. A c(wrelali(m Mm olwerwd Iselween
]tinnei
v[sc{).sily
and
particle dip velocity, A reiuti(mship
wm rd.w) (IlwerwI Iwtweett the Binghut)l yield tvdue {If \he
)nl(d and the particle slip velc)city. Lahm-story !efts indic(iled Iillle chftnge in ~lip velocity ~ith jt~nnel vi.w)si!ies
up to cdlnm! 80 .wc/qt (W I(I yield vtflms i)f alxwf 15
IIII1OO w! jI, The dip veloci!y oj !iw p(ir!ickn .)tudied
varied Jr(m 160 J!/t?litt \\itll Iv(iIcr ItI nearly zero J(w
higil Il!14d vi.jctnilie.v. ltzcrea~itlg lile t}rliii demity, rrealing
lhe
drill
pipe
may
Ia}nimr annnltir tmul jhnv (w ro!(ili]zg
of n]utl. Field te.s!.~
alvI)
i))]pr[]ve
/he
carrying
cap(ici[y
indicnm) thaI dttring fmt upper -h(de drilling, \ize rate (Ij
culling ret)lt)v(ii twsl he .si4fjcicnl 70 iiwin!(iin Ihe coti.
cenlswli(w ()! ct41titlgv in the ann1411tvat Ie.w [bun 5 percelll
hy volume loprevenl l)(tlled-t!p t[rillcollttr.~( t)l(/, sitick drill
pipd.

CO,

studkd by a number of investigators. It is clear fronl

their work that mud properties close to [hose of water
will significantly improve drilling rate and bit life, If the
water-type mud will also effectively cltian the holu and
cause no logging or formation impairment problems. the
choice of an appropriate drilling fluid is clearuse waler, Often, however, a water-type drilling fluid is not
capable of effectively cleaning the hole.
lIiFX)KY(-)1:PARIICI,I; Sfirll.lx(;
The forces acting on a particlu that is allowed to settle
through a fluid quickly reach equilibrium, and the par.
ticlc settles at some constanl velocity referred to as the
slip veIocity. The dip velocity of any particle depends
upon a number of factors such as density and viscosity
of the fluid, the volume, specific gravity, shape and roughness of the particle, and upon the shape and area of the
projected face of the particle at right angles to the direc.
tion of relative tluid solid movement, Brown cxpreswd this relationship for sphcrws in Newtonian fluids in
the following cqudtion.

INTRODUCTION
In the Mid-Contintmt area, hole cleaning during ro.
tary drilling normally invclvcs the use of low-density
drillin~ muds with funnel viscosities varying from 26 to
80 scc/qt. However, frequently it is nqxwary to raise
the mud viscos.ty in excess of 200 sec/qt to clean the
hok. In addition, field experience has indicated that during very fast upper-hole drilling, annular mud vclocitim
considerably in excess of the maximum slip velocity of
the crit[ings (normally considered to be 120 to 150 ft/min)
are necessary to prevent balling the bit and drill collars,
In view of these variations in mud properties and circulation rates necessary to clean the wellbore, a study
of factors affecting hole cleaning and the relative magnitude of each was undertaken. The study was also
prompted by the knowledge that a drilling mud with
properties close to those of water would drill at rates
several times that of a viscous mud. The carrying capacity of these near-water muds was not clearly understood,
however, and rlany drillers were reluctant to use them,
DISCUSSION
EIWTXTOF MUI) PROPERTIES
ON l)RII,LING RATE
The effect of mud properties on drilling rate has been
mnnuvcript Iwceiwl In Society or Petroleum EnKinecrs otfke
NOY. 16, 1966. Reviwd manuscript received Mnwh 1s, 1967. Pnver (SPE
1097 I I:HS presented at SPE Thityl Conference O fII.IIIIng
mL~
ROL+
Mech;!mcs held in Aust In, Tex,, Jan. 2fi-26, 1967. (!jCo])yright 196;
Amertcnn 1natitutc or Mlning, Metallurgical, and Petroleum En Klneers,
Inc.
I)iscudon
of this nnd Idl rollowinz terhnirul pnpew is invited. DisOrisinn 1

ruwion
JoIIrm!

in writins? [th]t.e
of 13,4mfm m

rol)ies)

mny

he wnt

7%CAIIOIOPII.
Any diwussion

to the otltw. of

thv

offered after Dec. S1,

lwi;. should IIe In the form d ILew DHIIW. NO discussion should L.X.
cd
10 twrcent d the manuscript being discussed.
JUXE

1967

4D. (p. /J,)~

-Jj,,,,,
-

= ~

(1)

where

I,. = slip velocity

D. = diameter of sphere
p, : density of sphc:c
p, = density of liquid
/,, ==friction factor
g = constant.
The friction factor j,, varies as the size, shape. surface
roughness and slip velocity of the bod~. and as the density
and viscosity of the flud varies. WaddelJ found expuri.
mentally that where dynamic similarity exists, j,, was a
function of the particle Reynolds number (iV,,,.) of the
sphere (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 shows that /,, for spheres varies
from over JO for IOWNil. numbers to 0.44 for N,!,. over
600.

.-. -.
ll<efc. wmm.s

xiv+. IIt eml of fmper.

1117

r\

.~.
.- . . ... . . . ... .

..
--.~,

1.

. . . . .... . ..

=-=-.-==----=oo 6w2
~~o

.-..k..m..---...
.,..:......
..pE

:
.

;
.

--,:=:::
. .. . . . . .

. . . . . ..

01
30

. . . ..

. . . . . . . .. .._~

-v

=l. O
.

. .

-------------.-
. .------. . ..-.
e+----+~
..
.

,.3
102
PARTICLE REYNOLDS

10

~lG.

1/,,

1O*

~e?

oe2f
.
LA9 RESULTS
,* = 100

,.8

NO

]AStl11:1.l; .!I:C.

007

Other methods of describing slip velocity relationships

have been developed. lf the particle is settling in laminar
slip (i.e., Nn. of the particle is less than 0.4), Stokes law
for slip velocity is often used and expressed as
v, =

Kg.D:

(p, p,)

,...,$

,,

(2)

where K = %, for a sphere. If the particle is settling in

turbulent slip. f{, for a sphere becomes nearly constant at
a value at approximately 0.44 and Eq. 1 can be used to
calculate the slip velocity.
Gans proved analytically that an isometric body has
no tendency to assume any particular orientation as it
settles in a viscous fluid and therefore has a constant basic
slip velocity regardless of orientation. I-Ieiss and COU1l
showed that the position of orientation of a nonisometric
body has an important effect on the basic slip velocity,
and as the body further deviates from a shape of isometric
proportion. the effect of orientation increases.
Waddel adapted Newtons relationship to determine the
settling velocity of irregular-shaped particles by introducing a shape correction factor, Most of Waddels results
were based onthe use of sphericityas the correction factor,
Sphericity wasoefined by Waddelas #=surfaceara
of a
sphere having the same volume as the particle/surface area
of the particle, This parameter has been introduced into
the friction factor curve (Fig. 1) to show the results of
laboratory tests for the various sizes and shapes of particles. The friction factor increased from approximately
044 for spheres to 9.0 for particles with sphericities of 0.40
(for N,. >600). The diameter D. used to calculate the
particle Reynolds number is the equivalent spherical dim
ameter and is defined as D, = diameter of a sphere having
the same volume as the particle. The differences between
the laboratory rwults and Waddels results at high-particle
Reynolds numbers with spheres are probably due to the
uscof an inadequate wall connection factor. The wall connection factor used was

n)
. . . . . . . . . . . (3)
,.
up,,,,.
/
\
This is similar to the values proposed by Brown which
employed powers of 1.5 and 2.25 for turbulent and laminar flow, respectively. The differences at low-particle
Reynolds numbers with spheres are probably due to the
(,

use of incorrect mud viscosities in calculating particle

Reynolds numbers, since most of the results were obtained with non-Newtonian fluids, A reasonable correla.
tion was noted between the friction factors for particle
sphericitics of less than 1.0 with the results reported by
Brown.
WFfZCT OF VISCOSITY
Slip velocities of various particles were measured in
an 8-ft x 4%-in, diameter vertical column. Cuttings were
injected while circulating fluids up t~ column and the
relative mud velocity and cutting velocity were recorded.
Design of the system and the manner in which results
were obtained were similar to the procedures used by
Hall: except that a top cutting injection point was also
installed. This top injection point was used with clear
fluids, Large cuttings and low mud velocities where the
cuttings had a net settling rate instead of rising rate.
When opaque muds were used, it was necessary that
the cuttings always rise and they were caught on a screen
at the lop. When used in this manner, the column was
first calibrated with particles in clear fluids.
A total of 52 cuttings of different shapes were used
in the test. The properties of each are listed in Table 2.
Majori!y of the cuttings were manufactured from glass
since t:lis material has a density nearly tha[ of normal
cuttings and has been used successfully by others in
similar tests. Three sandstone discs and a number of
shale cavings were also tested. Table 2 tabulates the
sphericity of many of the particles, together with the
basic slip velocity of the particles in water without fluid
circulation. Thirty particles were then tested in 13 drilling muds with viscosities ranging from 26 to 1.000 secl
qt funnel. Up to four different mud velocities were used
with each mud.
In most cases, the slip velocities recorded were averages of three to five tests at each condition, With the
exception of results obtained with the thin, flatparticles,
they were fairly reproducible. Orientation of the thin,
flat particles varied in the tests and reproducible results
were difficult to obtain, Theological properties of the
drilling muds used were measured with a model 34 Farm
VG meter (Table 3). Tables 4a through c tabulate resuits of the slip velocity tests. No effort was made to
measure the effect of mud density on sfip velocity since
this factor can be calculated. A correlation between the

Well-.

TABLE lEFFECT OF CLITTINGSCONCENTRATIONOF HOLE CONDITIONS

Concentration
of Cuttings
Annular
Annular
in Annulus
ye::g
N!ud
Penetration
Hole
Percent
Velocity
Rate
Size
Remarks
_
(ft/mhr)*
(ft/rnirr)
(ftlhr)
,(in.)
. ..-. bv Voh.smex*
..
.-.
..
Occasional
mud
rings
4.62
240
350
450
7%
3.98
No hole trouble
140
250
225
7VB
3.30
No hole trouble
180
100
834
{
3.70
No hole trouble
3;:
410
450
7A
5.10
No hole trouble
130
240
300
9
3.90
No hole trouble
190
300
300
5.56
Stuck pipe
200
310
450
5.15
Trip for mud rings
120
230
250
40
Tight hole
5.75
150
100
6.00
Stuck pipe
120
230
325
Trip
for mud rings
4.94
150
260
300
.

All results obtained while drilling upper hole with low viscosity low density drilling muds. Therefore, minimum rising veIocityof ctrtilngs calculated bysubtractfng maximum slip velocity of bit cuttings (110 ft/min from Fig. 1) from annulsr mud
velocity.
Based on volume of cutthgs per minute, rising velocity of cuttings and annular area.
ao8

JOURNAL

OF PETROLEUM

TECHNOLOGY

!J

slip vekrcity of the particle> and the funnel viscosity of the

mud was observed (Figs. 2 and 3). With the exception
of thu results with the 70 sec/qt mud, it can be seen
that ih~ slip velocity was constant up to a funnel viscositf of approximately 90 sec/qt, then decreased to re.
latively low values at mud viscosities in excess of approximately 200 sec/qt. This is more clearly illustrated
by the results in Fig. 3 which were obtained with Particfe S-A, a 0.954-in, OD sphere.
The Bingham yield point of the mud as determined with
trre Farm VG meter appeared to be a more reliable
measure of the effect of viscosity on slip velocity (Figs.
4 and 5). The anomaly observed in Figs. 2 and 3 with
70 sec/qt mud does not appear in Figs, 4 and 5 since

120,

>
~

I
2(J

60
FUNNEL

h,

2-PARTICLE

VISCOSITY

600

200

100

, SECONDS

PER

1000

OUART

SLWVELOCITY VS FUNNEL

VISCOS1!lES FOR

ALI. PARTICLES,

TABLE 2PROPERTIES OF LABORATORYTEST PARTICLES

S;ape
Glass spheres

Particle
Number

S-A
S-B
::;
S.E
S*F

Glass plates
0,26-in. thick

Glass plates
0,165-in.
thick

Glass plates
0.115-in.
thick

C&;p;tes
-,
thick

Sandstone
discs

::
P-A.1
P-A-2
P.A.3
P.A.4
P-A*5
P-A.6
P.B-1
P-B-2
P-B-3
P.B.4
P.B.5
P.B.6
P-B-7
P-B-8
p-c.?,
p.c.z
P-C-3
P.C4
P.C.5
P-C*6
P.(:.7
P-2.8
PC*9
F-C-1O
p.D.l
P-D-2
P.D.3
P-D-4
P-D.5
P-D-6
P-D-7
P-D-8
P-D-9
P.D-10
D-l
D-z
D.3
g

Shale
cavings
roundish
Thin flat

1%
(C-E
(C-F
(C-G
&
(C:J

JuNE.

1967

Size (in.)
_
.954 OD
.892 OD
.837 OD
,742 OD
.592 OD
.531 OD
.262 OD
.150 OD
.26X 1X 1
.26x 1x.75
.26x1X.50
.26x1X .25
.26x .50x.50
.26x.25x.25
.165X 1X1
.165xlx.75
,165x1X.50
.165x lx.25
.165x.50x.75
,165x.50x.50
.16 X.50x.25
.165x.25X.25
.115X 1X1
.115 X1X.75
,115X1X.50
.l15xlx.25
,115X.75X,75
.115 X.75X.50
.115x .75X.25
.115 X.50X.50
.l15x.50X.25
.l15x.25X.25
.077X 1X1
,077X1X.75
,077 XIX.50
.077x lx.25
.077 X.75X.75
.077 X.75X.50
.077x,75x .25
.077 X.50X.50
.077x.50x.25
.077x.25x.25
.750. D.x.115
.75o.D.X.21O
.750.D.x .30
(approximate)
.1OX.88X.5O
.50x.75x.38
.87x .50x.38
.87x.38x.25
,12x.38x.25
.25x.87x.15
.25x.87x .20
.50x.50x.12
.OX.37X.15
.50X.50X,15

Dansity
(lb/cu ft)
P,

~nlumfj
(c\!n.)
,

Diameter
Sphere
sarnrni:e
(Irs,) D,
-
.954
.892
.837
.742
;:;;

168
158
157
158
158
163
160
154
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
160
160
160

.454 .372
.307
,214
,109
.0785
,0094
.0018
.260
.195
,180
.065
.065
.016
.165
;;;;

.010
.005
.051
.093
.132

.485
.381
.306
.331
.267
.212
.460
.562
.632

157
157
157
157
157
157
157
157
157
157

.398
.288
.205
.104
.021
.156
.172
.081
.046
.035

.913
.820
,732
,584
.342
.668
.690
.537
.445
.406

.041
.062
.041
.020
.010
.115
.086
.057
,029
.065
.043
.022
.029
.014
.007
.077
.058
.038
.019
.043
.029
.015
.019

,262
.150
.796
.719
.628
.498
.498
,314
.681
.619
.539
.442
.491
.442
.336
.266
.604
,548
.478
,380
.494
.434
.348
.380
.300
.236
.528
.480
;:::

Basic Slip
Velocity
Patilcle Sphericity Water
(sqSin.) of Particle (ft/see)
.. , .._!*} -- -.*._
2,63
2.86
1.0
2.52
2,50
2.32
:::
2.20
2,20
1.0
1.73
1.10
1.99
1.0
1.95
,888
1.0
1.34
.216
1.0
1.23
.0705
1.0
1.04
3.000
.664

1.01
1.17
1.=0
.98
.G7
1.20
l:;;;
.765
1,10
.825
2.660
.75
.548

.78
.82
.86
.;2
.E3
.84
.%2
.90
.%9
.94
.Zo
1.07
.%6
2.46
.62
.465

.64
.71
.%8
.65
.~8

.64

.
.66

.66
.Zo
.71
,623
.77
.50
.85
.%0
.49
2.308
.379

.50
.58
.G3
.56
.;6

.
.52

.!54
.60
.55
.G4
.~6
.60
.65
.Z2
.%9

S:::ge

1.76
1.50
1.47
1.29
1.05
1.34
1.63
1.02
.79
.84
809

Mud
No.
M-l
:.:
1::
M-6
M-7
M-8
M-9
flJ-;:

Type
Water
Driscose
Queb.Gel
Driscose
Gel.Gyp
I)riscose
Queb-Gel
Queb-Gel
Gel
C#;b.Gel

M:12
M-13

Gel
Gel

TABLE 3PROPERTIES OF LABORATORYTEST MUDS

Gels
Farm Readings
Apparent
or Stormer
Y,,
V:uc:::y
Mud
Vi~c~ity (ibbO~:O (lb;!OO
(lb/100
Weight
Sq _ft)
300
600
(se@#)
(lb/gal)
(Y)
-q!!;.
.
00
2
26
8.3
32
8.3
2:
:
:;
53
8-4
60
8.3
2:
5:
%
8.4
0
l%
87
8.3
3:
2
8.5
1%
1%
9.6
6:
46
166
8.8
36
1::
8.8
4:
108
x
8.8
::
62
115
420
111
63
112
:::
1000
_
...-
. . . ..- -. ..
.-

[he yield value of this mud was approximately the same

as the yield value of mud with higher funnel viscosities.
The high-yield value of the former was a result of adding gypsum to the mud. Figs. 4 and 5 again show a
marked decrease in slip velocity with increasing yield
value or viscosity. No other consistent viscosity-slip vcIocity relationships were observed.

rarely plan on using such low annular mud velocities

(surface hole and conductor hole), hole enlargement often causes them and is usually the main reason for hlcreasing the mud viscosi[y to clean the hole. Field ob-

These results imply that annular mud velocities in

excess of 120 ftl min will be required to clean the hole
with the low-viscosity muds while annular mud velocities
considerably lower than this could be tolerated where
high-viscosity muds are used. Although drilling programs

a
w

~ 160
+

UJ
.

3
: 160

:
Id

~ 120
a
w
n

~
.
ao
:

w
w
l..
:.

SLIP VELOCITY OF PARTICLE S-A

Q120.
1U
.
. 80
z
G
0
A 40

,,,

HOLE

...

...

. . . . . . . ~i . . . .
,, .:

1
20
FuNIJEL
1:1(L :ll\ir1

60
co
VISCOSITY,

1111. SLIP

YIELO vALUE
V.G. METER

vALUE,

WITH

POUNOS

PER

FANN

80

60

40

20
YB ,YIELD

ME ASUREC

109

FEET2
I

jl 11 I(,N

1000

600

200

MLID
VELOCITY
ft/min

DIAMETER
(INCHES)
10 12 14 16

100

SECONOSPER OUART

l1:l .11( In

(1.954.l\.

NOTE:

$0

&

I;l[).5I.WIIICI.1.
SLIP \1.l.(JlllY
\5 }11.11,
(l,9t54
.1\. 01) SPlll. ill..

40
.

,..

OL-=-=

:,

G
0

..
R J

01)

Vs F(\\l,l.
~1,111.Rl..

11<1 [)s11)

1-011

,.,
,,
~
e

218
120,

E
1-

w
w
u.
~.

.MAXIMUM

80

SLIP

VELOCITY
49

( +--+-W*.
\

40

AvERAGE SLIP VELOCITY*

z
~

136

!2O

;,
w
:0
~

ExCLUDES

S-A

AND

BIT SIZE: Et 314 in.

OP.: 4 112 in.
MUD RATE OF FLOW: 500 G.PM.
ANNULAR VELOCITY FOR GAUGE
HOLE: 218 ft/ITIin

S-C

20
40
60
YB, YIELO VALUE , POUNOS PER 100 FEET2

80

8
Flc. l-1, urr!cl.l SLIPYlm](ln
Vs
.II. I. l>~ltrlcms.
rJ1o

Yll:l.11

YAI.

[1:Fort

$ GAUGE

HOLE

FIG.6TYPICAL
HOI.CK\

I, ARCI:III:XT

IS

SHALL

SIcTIo\S.

servations of viscosity requirements in drilling wells tend

to confirm results obtained in the laboratory in that the
hole cleaning ability of a 35 sec/qt mud differs little from
that of a 90 seclqt mud. However. where significant
hole enlargement occurs (Fig, 6), it generally becomes
necessary to raise the mud viscosity in excess of 100
wc/qt to remove all the cuttings and cavings.
One anomalous feature has been observed in the field
that could not be clearly demonstrated in the laboratory
tests, Water, with a viscosity of 26 sec/qt funnel. is often
used to drill out below the casing shoe. If the wellbore enlarges, water may eventually fail to remove the
cuttings. Field experience has shown that increasing the
mud viscosity to 35 sec/qt wilI often restore the hole
cleaning ability of the mud. Although from Fig. 2 it appears that no change in slip velocity occurs that would
account for the improved cleaning, calculations indicate
that for most normal drilling conditions, this increase in
viscosity is often sufficient to change the annular mud
ffow pattern from turbulent to laminar flow. It is believed that the increased carrying capacity observed in
the field may be related to the parabolic-type velocity pro.
file that exists in Iaminar regions. together with the centrifugal force developed on the cuttings by the rota! ion oi
the drill pipe. This may tend to keep the particles in the
higher velocity central part of the flow parabola.
Similar results were observed by Hail who reported
a significant decrease in cutting rising velocity for the
same mud tlow rate if the flow pattern h-I the column
changed from laminar to turbulent flow. Some evidence
of this phenomena was observed in our laboratory iesls,
but it was not as clear or consistent as the Hall results.
.
TABLE

4aMEASU

Mud Description

Mud Velocity_(f~/see)
Particle

Nu;ber

Glass
spheres
plates
0.26-irr, thick

Glass

Glass

S-F
S.H
P.A.1
P.A.4
P-A.5
P-A-6

plates
0.165-in.
thick

P-B.1
P.B.4
P-B.6
P.B.8

Glass pletes
0.115.in. thick

P.c.l
P.C.4
P-C-8
P-c-lo
P.D-l
P-D-4
P-D-8
P-D-lo
C.A
C.c
C-E

Glass plates
0.077-in, thick
Roundish shale
particles
Thin? flat shale

parbclas

::;

Sandstone discs

::;
D.1
D.2
D-3

RED

2.47
2.35
1.96
1.22
1.02
1.07
1.19
1.14
0.74
0.82
0.88
1.09
0.6?
0.63
0.72
0.82
1.72
0.61
0.56
0.62
1.73
1.51
1.14
1.56
1.22
1.42
.
.

2.77
2!.55
2.04
1.32
1.06
1.Z
1,21
0.6
0.87
1.09
O.K
0.77
0.93
1.G
0.60
0.74
1.75
1.54
1.21
.
1.;
-.
-

2:~_l
10.0

8.0

MuD

]%,

12.0

WE IGHT. fi

;PAI{IICI.I;

, POUNOS

.:1

14.0
PER GALLON

[6.0

S1.ll)\12,01WY
W MIJIS\\I:lCllT,

Williams and Bruce reported the opposite conclusion,

that turbulent flow resulted in better hole clerming. Although their initial cuttings arrived at the surface at approximately the same transit time, the percent recoveryto-time slopes were very poor with the higher viscosity
muds. As Hall demonstrated, however, it is possible that
this performance could have been improved with lower
mud circulation rates. In addition, Williams and Bruce
indicated that rotation of the drill pipe improved the
percent recovery .to-time slopes for he higher viscosity
muds. In most drilling situations, the drill pipe is rotated.
I..IJIOXT OF MU1) DENSITY
The effect of mud density on slip velocity was not
measured in the laboratory. The highest density mud tested was only 8.8 lb/gal. It was felt that this effect could
.

LABORATORY

M~l
Water
Funnel Viscosity, 26
0.403
1.205
2.63
2.32
1.95
1.23
1.04
0.08
1.20
1.10
0.75
0.86
0.90
1.07
0.62
0.65
0.71
0.85
0.50
0.56
0.55
0.65
1.76
1.47
1.05
1.34
1.02
:.::

ors=:

2.03
2.71
2.44
2.03
1,15
0.88
1.03
1.13
1.10
1.76
1.15
:.::
2.03
1.23
0.81
0.78
2.03
0.94
0.64
0.57
1.65
1.46
1.09
1.32
2.03
2.03

CUTTING SLIP VELOCITIES

M-2 Driscose.Water
Funnel Viscosity, 32
0.0 0.201 0.403 1.209
2.59
2.42
2.11
0.84
1.05
1.10
1.26
1.19
0.76
0.90
0.90
110
0.56
0.62
0<77
0.83
0.48
0.59
0.63
0.73
1.77
1.41
1.03
0.91
0.66
0.76
1+30

2.70
2.28
2.12
0.88
0.99
1.05
1.20
1.18
0.72
0.88
0.88
1.06
0.59
0.62
0.76
0.91
0.50
0.59
0.60
0.10
1.67
1.45
1.13
0.89
0.97
1.01
1.30

-..--- .. - .

2.42
2.18
2.08
1.10
0.94
1.10
1,16
1.17
0.68
0.80
0.86
0.96
0.66
0.67
0.76
0.89
1.69
0.66
0.61
0.84
1.62
1.42
1.19
0.83
1.20
0.99
1.29

2.42
2,23
:::
1.21
1.03
1.14
1.13

1.01
0.91
1.16
O.z
0.61
1.04

0.76
0.68
0.95
1.59
1.46
1.21

M-3Queb.Gel
Funnel,

2.03
2.62
2.48
2,21
0.39
0,84
1,18
1.08
1.18
1.55
0.86
0.83
1,00
1.65
0.82
0.62
0,83
2.03
1.63
0.83
0.53
1.55
1.48
0.92
1.73

1.43

53

1.89

1.34

1.35

0,47

0.50

1.30

1.80

1.37
1.37

1.31
1.28

1.37

1.65

1.30

1.67

1.;

1.=

1.86
1.;

811

be calculated with reasonable accuracy from buoyancy

principles, Fig, 7 shows the calculated effect of mud
density on IIWdip velocity of a particle where slip velocity is expressed as a percent of the slip velocity of the
same particle in water. Increasing the mud density to
approximately 15 lb/gal should reduce the slip velocity
of the particle to approximately 50 percent of the slip
velocity in water, However, unless mud weight is required
to contain formation pressures, this procedure is probably an impractical solution to improving carrying capacity.

EFFECT OF DRILL PIPE ROTATION

IJmited laboratory tests indicated that the thin, flat
particles would turn on edge and result in a wide variation in their measured slip velocities. Williams and Bruce
also observed this effeet and proposed that under laminar
mud flow conditions a torque effect was exerted on these
particles that caused them to turn over. Their results
showed that rotation of the drill pipa offset this torque
effect and reoriented the particles to ffatwise fall at rotary speeds as low as 35 rpm.

RATE OF CUTTINGS REMOVAL

During slower hard rock drilling, an annular mud
velocity only slightly greater than the slip velocity of
the largest cuttings is usually suficient to keep the hole
clean. Although a low removal rate of 20 to 30 ft/ min
would require a circulation time of 5 to 6 hours to remove the largest size cuttings from 10,000 ft, field experience indicates that this is sufficient to prevent drilling being impeded. Further, sample logging of the smaller
.

5
K
I&l
~

180

.1.

..

,;

-.

:
g 120
Ill
a

60 ,..

2
L
0
w
b

Mud
Description
Mud
Velocity
(ft/aec)

Particle
Number
Glass
spheres

I .0

1/2

Glass
plates
0.26-in.
thick
Glass
plates

0,165-in.
thick
Glass
plates
0.115. in.
thick
Glass
plates
0.077.
thick

in.

Roundish
shale
panicles

0.71
0.83
Sandstmre
discs

2.62 2.59
2.32 2.45
1,87 2.09
0.55

1.04 1.11
1.19 1,27
1.32 1.29
1.05 1.19
0,80 0.81
0.98 1.11
0.91 1.17
0.98 1>15
0.68 0.81
0.79 1.00
0.83 1.06
0.78 0.98
0.60 0.55
0.70 0.96
1,72 0.93
0.69 0.92
1.77 1.67
1.41 1.52
1.07
0,82 l.fi

0.86 1.09
1,27 1.37

2.54

2.34
2.03
~

1.10 0.65
1.21 1.20
1.21 0.76
1.13 0.91
0.86 0.41
1,21 1.40
1,21 0.55
1.21 0.66
;.~~ 0.28

0.94
-.

0~6
0.79
0.17

0.83
%%
0.58
0.64

0.81
0.44
0.81 0.24

1:10

1.57
1.47
1!39
1.13

812

1.32

1.89

0.81
0.94
0,14
0.48
0.65 0.43
0.62 0.58
0,66

1.20 0.03
0.93 0,02

O.G

0.29
0.02

0.78

0.21

1.11

1,47

0.55 O.G

,
60

,.;

PER HOUR

1
50

REM OVAI.

4.0

vs

3.0

I) RII.IJ NC RATE.

VELOCITIES
M-6
Driacose.Water
Funnel Viscosity,

0.46
0.58

0.92

particles would be possible in a shorter period of time

(approximately 2 hours at 10,000 ft).
However, field experience has also indicated Lhat during fast upper-hole drilling with low-viscosity mud, these
low cutting rising velocities are insufficient to properly
clean the hole. Plgott reported that the maximum allowable concentration of cuttings (excluding normal mud
solids) in the annulus to prevent hole trouble may be
less than 5 percent by volume. Some confirmation of this
.

0.53

0.52

RATE , FEET

, I

FIG. 8RATE OF CUTTINGS

1:08
=

::;

Ge~;yp
Funnel Viscosity, 70

0.0 0.403 0,806

.. 1.209 1.905
2.63
2,42
1.83
0.48
1.16
1.09
1.21
0.95
0.85
0.83
0.95
0.78
0.73
0.66
0.74
0,57
0.62
0.57
0.61
0.48
1.72
1.35
0.80
0.80

PENETRATION

4.0

TABLE 4b--MEASURED LABORATORY

CUTTING SLIP
M-4
Driscose-Water
Funnel Viscosity, 55

1.09

1,33
I.z

87

0.403

0.806
..

1.209
-.

..1.860

2.31
2,10
1.43
0.28
1.12
:.=

2,30
2,08
1.40

2.36
2.12
1.35

2.28
2.20
1.21

2.41
1.86
1,32
-

1.11
:;;

1+21
1.15
1.21
0.21
:::

1.24
1;15

1.52
1.25
0.65
0.79

1,04
0.92
0.99
0.69
0,80
0.80
0.84
0.72
0.69
0.65
0.73
0.65
0.62
0.57
0.63
0.57
1.60
1.29
0.86
0.80

0~8
0.77
0.71
1.06
1.30

0.77
0.87
0.80
1.13
1.32

0:67
0.~6
0.69
0.74
0.55
$g:
0.59
0.40
0.52
0.43
;;;

JOURNAL

0:80
0.80
0.98
1.06
1.10
C&l

1:21
1.04
:;:

1:03
0.94
0.81
0.88
0.87
0.81
1.62
0.81

1:21
1.06
1.05
1.21
1.21
0.54
1.60
~.;;

1.10

0.98

1:21

1,G

1.Z
1.31
1.21
1.31
1.52

0.81
0.95
1.22
1.36

OF PETROLEUM

0.92
1.65
1.01

1.10
:.::

O,G
0.24
o
0.40
o
1.10
0,40
0.73
0.14
0.53
0. 14
1.29

0:77
%
1.67
1.39
1.75
1.56
1,55
:,g
1.41
1,24
1,70

0.24
1.40
0.38

0,07
0.40

1.11
0.53
1.50

TECHNOLOGY

%2s881111111
C500

00

II

Oel

@ul

do

criteria was established by studying drilling conditions cm

several wells during fast upper-hole drilling with water,
Table 1 tabulates this data and indicates that where the
concentration of cuttings in the annulus was less than
5 percent by volume, little hole troubie was experienced,
However, where the concentration of cuttings exceeded
5 percent, considerable hole trouble was experienced in
the form of tight hole due to mud rings or stuck drill
pipe. These data were obtain~d under-conditions where
the average connection time was approximately 3 minutes,
the drilling fluid was water and the formation was a
relatively non-dispersing brittle shale. It is believed that
these bad hole conditions occurred as a result of cuttings
settling around the drill collars or bit when the pump
was stopped, Fig, 8 graphically presents the rate of cuttings removal necessary to maintain a cutting concentration of less than 5 percent by volume as a function of
penetration rate. Where high drilling rates are experienced (4 minutes to drill down a 30-ft single), it can
be seen that cutting removal rates in the order of
200 ft/min may be necessary to effectively clean the hoIe.
Adding this to the maximum slip velocity of the cuttings (in water), this implies that annular mud velocities
in the order of 300 ft/min may be required for the fast
upper-hole drilling.
HOIX ENLARGEMENT
Most problems associated

with inadequate hole cleaning stem from hole enlargement. Based upon currently
available drill pipe, mud pump and hole size combinations
nurmally used, adequate annular mud velocities can bc
achieved if no enlargement occurs. However, hole enlargement is often significant and may easily reduce the
annular mud velocity to less than 50 ft/min (Fig. 6),
Under these conditions, low-viscosity muds cannot be expected to clean the hole. On the other hand, any unncses.
sary emphasis of the carrying capacity of the mud will
probably reduce drilling rates. For this reason the amount
of anticipated hole enlargement is important in planning
the hydraulics and mud program of a proposed well.
A caliper survey obtained on nearby wells, or on wells
that penetrate the same formations, is probably as important in the preparation of a satisfactory drilling program
as suitable bit records or other drilling information.
CONCLUSIONS

I, Maximum slip velocity of normal size bit cuttings,

as measured in the laboratory, WM found to be approximately 100 to 110 ftfmin in low-viscosity, low-density
drilling muds.
2, Slip velocity of bit cuttings and cavings, as measured
in the laboratory, was found to be a function of the
viscosity of Use mud, The yield value of the mud. as
measured with a Farm VG meter, appears to be the most
important component of viscosity affecting the slip velocity,
3. Slip velocity of bit cuttings and cavings, as measured
in the laboratory, was found to be approximately constant up to a funnel viscosity of approximately 90 see/
qt or to a yield value of 15 lb/100 sq ft. Increasing the
funnel viscosity or yield value above these values will
effect a significant reduction in particle slip velocity,
4. The slip velocity of bit cuttings and cavings is reduced by increasing mud density. However, unless the
density is required to contain formation pressures, the use
of high-density muds to clean the hole is normally impractical.
S. Field experhce
indicates that annular mud veloci81s

at.,

ties of 20 to 30 ft/min in excess of the maximum slip

-~elocity will keep the hole clean during slow, hard rock
drilling.
6. Field experience indicates that annular mud velocities of up to 200 ft/ min in excess of the maximum slip
velocity of the cuttings may be required to keep the
hole clean and prevent sticking of the drill string dur.
ing very fast upper-hole drilling.
7, The amount of hole enlargement to be expected in a
proposed well is one of the most important considerations
in preparing a satisfactory drilling mud and hydraulic
program.
REFERENCES
l.vtm Lirrgen, N. H.: Bottom
Governing

Penetration

1962) 187-196.

Rates at

ScavengingA

2, Darley, H. C, H.: 1.)esigning Fost

Tech, (April, 1965) 465-470.

814

Major

De@s, J. Pet. Td
Drilling

Frwmr

(Feb..

Fluids, ]. Pe?.

3. Eckel, John R.: MicrobitSWdiesof the Effect of FluidProp

erties and Hydraulics
1967) 541-546.

on Drilling

Rate, J, Pet, Tech, (April,

4. Brown, G. G, et al.: Unit Operations, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,

New York (1950).
5.\VaddeI, Hakon: The Coeflirient of Resistance os o Fmrclion
of Reynolds Number b %riids rrf (;llthl~
,SII;IIWS.,J,I+tmlilin
inst. (19M) 217, 459. .
l<lti+t, Akofl Nit.. hlIIIII,lII, n-.
f). (h% B.: Sitzht,r Motll-f}liyhik
(As rqmrtrli by Hei~sond (~rmll) 41, 1~~.
7. Heiss, J. k. and COUI1, J.: fle KfTecl of Orienlnlion and
Shape on the Settling Velocity of Non. Isometric Particlwi in
Vkcous Medium, Cavern. Eng. Prog. (1952) 48, N0.3, 133.

8, Ha11, H. N., Thompson, H. and NUSS, F.: The Abilit of

Drilling Mudto Lift Bit Cuttings, Trarm., AlME (1950) 1 89,
35.46.

9.iVillimm C. E. and Brruw G. H.: Carryin~ Copmiiy ~)f

Drilling
10. Pigott,

Pm,,

Muds,

Truns., AIMJi

Ii. J. S.: itfud

API 0941).

JOIJRNAI,

Flow

(1951)

192,

in Drillirrg,

111.120.

f)rill. nnrl Prod.

**

OF

SBI:TSSI)I.UIISS

TEcHNOLOGY