Functions of Mud

Rheology of Drilling Fluids

It is the science of deformation and flow of matter.
VISCOSITY is the most commonly used rheological term and it defines
the internal resistance of a substance to flow.
Oil field terms

Marsh Funnel Viscosity measures a relative condition of a

sample.

All viscosity terms are described in terms of the ratio of shear

stress ( ) to shear
J
W rate ( ).

Funnel Viscosity
Apparent Viscosity
Effective Viscosity
Yield point
Low-Shear Viscosity
Low-Shear Rate Viscosity
Gel strength

This description applies to all fluids.

PNGE 310

PNGE 310

Functions of Mud

Functions of Mud
Shear Stress Shear Rate Relationship:

Shear rate for all fluids (drilling muds) is measured using a

viscometer.
It is equal to the dial reading (N) in rpm times 1.703
This constant is based on the geometry of the viscometer.

Surface area = A
F

dv

J 1.703N 

Shear stress is measured using viscometer.

dy

It is equal to the 1.0678 times the dial reading ( )

T
It is expressed in lb/100 sq. ft.

PNGE 310

dv
dy

W 1.0678T 

PNGE 310

Functions of Mud

Functions of Mud
Plastic Viscosity
P p ( p ):

Effective Viscosity
Pe ( e ):

It is important because it increases with:

The viscosity under specific conditions such as shear rate,

temperature, and pressure

Apparent Viscosity
P ( a ):
In general it isa the viscosity measured at 300 rpm in the laboratory

Pa ( AV )

300T 
N

Increase in volume of solids

Decrease in size of solids
Change in the shape of particles

Lower the plastic viscosity lower the pressure losses in the system
and higher the pressure loss at the bit.
Ideally, the plastic viscosity value should be kept below the two
times the mud density value expressed in lbs/gal.

Plastic Viscosity ( p ):

Units: Centipoise (cp)

P p data is used to calculate this parameter

Viscometer

P p ( PV ) T600  T300
PNGE 310

1 poise = 1 dyne-sec/cm2
1 poise = 1 gm/cm-sec
1 poise = 100 cp
1 cp = 0.01 poise

mud

PNGE 310

Functions of Mud

P p d 2 * U

Functions of Mud

Yield Point
W ( o or y or YP):

Low Shear Viscosity and Low-Shear Viscosity Muds:

It measures the attractive forces in a fluid.

It is calculated from the measured Fann Viscometer data at 600 rpm
(T
) and 300 rpm (T 300 ):
600

W y (YP) 2 *T300  T600 T300  P p PV 

Yield point is the second important parameter and it can indicate
several problems such as:
Intrusion of soluble chemicals (e.g. salt, anhydrite or gypsum, and
cement)
Mistreatment of mud with chemicals

PNGE 310

They are more effective in deviated wells.

Thixotropy
It is the property of the mud to form gel when flow is stopped and
then becomes fluid as the flow starts.
The gel strength is measured at end of 10-second and 10-minute
interval.
In some cases a measurement at 30-min is also desirable.
The gel strength measures the static attractive forces while yield
point measured the attractive forces in a fluid system under
dynamic conditions.

PNGE 310

Functions of Mud

Flow Models
Rheological Models:

Effect of P&T on Viscosity:

If data exists, the change in viscosity due to P&T change can be
estimated.
With data corresponding to two different T and P values the
effective viscosity is:

Pe (T2 )

They describe the relationship between shear stress and shear rate.
Many models are available, but the most common ones are:
Newtonian

Shear Stress

Yield Pseudoplastic

Non-Newtonian

T T
E 2 1
T1T2

>Pe (T1)@

Pe ( P2 )

Bingham Plastic

Bingham Plastic
Power Law
Modified Power Law

>D P  P @
>Pe (P1)@ 2 1

Yield Dilatant

Where

Pseudoplastic

The pressure constant () must be determined for each fluid.

The temperature constant () must be determine at each shear rate for each
fluid

Newtonian

n< 1

Dilatant

n>1

PNGE 310

Flow Models

Determination of variables:
Newtonian

W PJ

P 300 T N
N
Bingham Plastic

Bingham Plastic

W P p J W o

for W ! W o

P p T600  T300

Power Law

and W o T
Pp
300

Power Law and Modified Power Law

K > J @n

K > J @n  W p

Modified Power Law

Where

10

Flow Models

Flow Models:
Newtonian

PNGE 310

Shear Rate

n is the Power Law Index

K is the Fluid Consistency Index

PNGE 310

11

T
N
2

log

T
N
1

log 2
N

510 T

N
1.703 N n

PNGE 310

510 T

300

511n

12

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Mud Pump

Conservation of Energy:
Energy balance between points 1 and 2 gives:

Return Line

2
1 v1 P1

 F W
h 
1 2 g Ug

1
Tank

Casing

Where

'P
F

f
Ug

Frictional Pressure loss

'P
p
Ug

Work done by the pump

Hole

PNGE 310

PNGE 310

13

Fluid Circulating System

2
1 v2 P2

h 
2 2 g Ug

14

Fluid Circulating System

Also,
h1= h2
v 1 = v2
P1= P2

Mud Pump

The total frictional loss in the system can be expressed as:

Return Line
2
Casing

And

1
Tank

-F+W=0
W=F

Then

'P
p
Ug

and

'Pp

'P

f
Ug

'Pf

'PSC  'PDP  'PDC  'PBit  'PDC  Hole  'PDP  Hole  'PDP CSG

Hole

'Pf
PNGE 310

15

PNGE 310

16

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Surface Connection Losses

Flow through Jet Bits

Pressure loss through surface connections is given as:

Conservation of Energy can be written for nozzle flow:

E U 0.8 Q 0.8 P 0p.2 

'PSC

psi

P1

2
1 v1 P1
h 

 F W
1 2 g Ug

vo
Surface
Equipment
Type

Stand
Pipe
Length
ft.

Stand
Pipe
ID
in.

Hose
Length
ft.

Hose
ID
in.

Swivel
Length
ft.

Swivel
ID
in.

Kelly
Length
ft.

Kelly
ID
in.

40

45

40

2.25

2.5x10-4

40

3.5

55

2.5

2.5

40

3.25

9.6x10-5

vn

45

55

2.5

40

3.25

5.3x10-5

45

55

40

4.2x10-5

PNGE 310

P2

Assuming
suming
ming
ng

h1~ h2
F = 0 (Negligible friction)
W = 0 (No wo
work don
done)
vn= vo or v2> v1

Fluid Circulating System

Flow through Jet Bits

Flow through Jet Bits

Nozzle flow and pressure drop:

vn

P P
1 2

In

2 'P
bit

vn

2
1 vn P2

2 g Ug

vn

Where

P
1
Ug

18

2 'P
bit

field units with

h ft
ft/sec and
nd ppg
g values:

Then the previous pressure drop equation can be written as:

vn

2
1 vn P2

2 g Ug

The velocity through a nozzle is given as:

Also, the pressure loss across a bit is defined as:

'P
bit

P
1
Ug

PNGE 310

17

Fluid Circulating System

2
1 v2 P2

h 
2 2 g Ug

'P
bit
8.074 x10 4 U

1238 'P
bit

PNGE 310
19

PNGE 310

20

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Flow through Jet Bits

Flow through Jet Bits

The pressure drop
Th
p P
Pbit mu
must be same for all nozzles regardless
of the number of nozzles.
Al
Also, th
the velocity must be same through nozzles.
Then

Since the friction due to flow through jets is neglected, the actual
Si
velocity is always less than predicted.

correction factor called Discharge

Discharg Coefficient is used to
modify the velocity equation as:

vn C
d

vn

'P
bit
8.074 x10 4 U

Additionally,

vn C
d

q
1
A
1

q
2
A
2

q
3
A
`3

the total flow rate, Q through bit is given as:

Q q q q
1 2 3
Q vn A  vn A  vn A
1
2
3

1238 'P
bit

vn A  A  A
2
3
1

Q vn At
PNGE 310

PNGE 310

21

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Flow through Jet Bits

Flow through Jet Bits

Then:

The velocity equation is substituted to the nozzle

Th
nozz equation and
pressure drop across the bit is determined as:

Q
A
t
The

22

q
1
A
1

q
2
A
2

q
3
A
3

q
i
A
i

'P

8.311x10 5 U Q 2
bit
C 2 A2
d t

nozzle velocity in field units ((ft

ft/sec,
ft
ec, gpm
m, sq. in.) is given as:

vn

Q
3.117 A
t

PNGE 310

With Cd=0.95

'P

23

U Q2
bit 10858 A2
t

PNGE 310

24

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Flow through Jet Bits

Pipe Flow

Flow Regimes:

Th bit nozzle diameters are often expressed

The
expre
in 32nds of and
inch and the total area is computed as:

At

Most Common Regimes

Laminar
Turbulent
Transition

S 2 2 2
d  d  d
2 3
2
432 1

Turbulent Criteria
Reynolds Number
Intersection of laminar and turbulent dP versus Q plot

Also, the energy equation in the form of hydraulic

hydraul
horsepower developed by the bit is given as:

HP

dP

'P

Q
bit
1714

bit

Turbulent
Laminar

PNGE 310

PNGE 310

25

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Pipe Flow

Pipe Flow

Laminar Flow in Pipes and Annuli:

Flow in Pipes and Annuli:

26

Assumptions

Drillstring is placed concentrically in the CSG

Drillstring is not rotated
Section of open hole are circular in shape and known diameter
Drilling fluid is incompressible
Flow is isothermal

Newtons Law of Motion is considered

for a shell of fluid at radius r and
fluid is flowing at a constant velocity (thus the sum of forces acting on it
must be zero)

F2

F2

F3

F4

'L

F1

F1
27

F3

'r

'r

PNGE 310

F4

PNGE 310

28

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Pipe Flow

Pipe Flow

Summing forces, expanding and dividing by 2 S r ' r ' L ,

taking limit as ' r goes to 0 and integrating with respect to r
yields:

The forces F1, F2, F3 and F4 are given as:

P1 2Sr'r 

F1
v

F2

F2

r dPf C1

r
2 dL

P2 2Sr'r 

F3 W r 2Sr'L 
F3

F4

'L

'r

F4

W r  'r 2S r  'r 'L 

Where C1 is the constant of integration. This equation ca

can
be combined
combi
bined
bi
bine
ne with the shear rate equation to yield the
proper pressure drop formula for the fluid type in question.

F1

F1  F2  F3  F4

PNGE 310

29

PNGE 310

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Pipe Flow

Pipe Flow

Newtonian Fluids

Reynolds Number

N Re

'PL

Newtonian Fluids

Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe > 2100)

928U v d

Friction factor (f) can be approximated by Blasius Equation given as:

Pv
1500 d 2

f U v2
'L
25.8 d

'PT

Laminar Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe < 2100)

'L

0.0791
N Re0.25

Thus, the Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation is:

'PT

PNGE 310

31

30

U 0.75 v1.75 P 0.25

'L
1800 d 1.25
PNGE 310

32

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Annular Pipe Flow

Annular Pipe Flow

Newtonian Fluids

Reynolds Number

757 U v d 2  d1 

N Re

Newtonian Fluids
Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe > 2100)

'PT

Laminar Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe < 2100)

Pv

'PL

1000 d 2  d1 2

f U v2
'L
21.1d 2  d1 

Friction factor (f) can be approximated by Blasius Equation given as:

'L

0.0791
0.25
N Re

Thus, the Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation is:

U 0.75 v1.75 P 0.25

'PT

PNGE 310

1396 d 2  d1 1.25

33

PNGE 310

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Pipe Flow

Pipe Flow

Bingham
ng
Plastic Fluids

N Re

Reynolds Number

Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe > 2100)

928U v d
P

Pp v
W

 y
1500 d 2 225d

f U v2
'L
25.8 d

'PT

Friction factor (f) can be approximated by Blasius Equation given as:

'PL

'L

0.0791
N Re0.25

Thus, the Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation is:

'PT

PNGE 310

35

34

Bingham
ng
Plastic Fluids

Laminar Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe < 2100)

'L

U 0.75 v1.75 P 0.25

1800 d 1.25
PNGE 310

'L

36

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Annular Pipe Flow

Annular Pipe Flow

Bingham
ng
Plastic Fluids

Reynolds Number

Bingham
ng
Plastic Fluids

757 U v d 2  d1 

N Re

Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe > 2100)

f U v2
'L
21.1d 2  d1 

'PT

Laminar Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe < 2100)

Friction factor (f) can be approximated by Blasius Equation given as:

0.0791
N Re0.25

'PL

Pp v

1000 d  d 2
2
1

Wy

'L
200d 2  d1 

Thus, the Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation is:

'PT

PNGE 310

37

U 0.75 v1.75 P 0.25

1396 d 2  d1 1.25
PNGE 310

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Pipe Flow

Pipe Flow

Power Law Fluids

N Re

Reynolds Number

0.0416d

3 1/ n

'PL

K v n 31/ n

1 n

'PT

f U v2
'L
25.8 d

Please make a note that all pressure loss equations are the same for turbulent
flow

Also, the friction factor (f) can be calculated from the following
followi empirical equation
developed by Dodge and Metzner for smooth pipes only:

0.0416 'L

144000 d

Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe > 2100)

Laminar Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe < 2100)

38

Power Law Fluids

89100 U v 2 n
K

'L

PNGE 310

1
f

39

4.0
0.395
logN Re f 1 n / 2  1.2
0.75
n
n

PNGE 310

40

Fluid Circulating System

Fluid Circulating System

Annular Pipe Flow

Annular Pipe Flow

Power Law Fluids

Reynolds Number

N Re

109000 U v
K

2 n

0.0208d 2  d1 

2 1/ n

K v n 21/ n

'PT

0.0208

144000 d 2  d1 1 n

41

Summary
Equations are given for pressure calculations in pipes for

laminar and turbulent flow conditions

different fluid flow models

Newtonian

NonNon
n-Newtonian:

Bingham Plastic

Power Law

See Table 4.6, page 155, SPE Textbook #2

PNGE 310

Please make a note that all pressure loss equations are the same for turbulent
flow

'L

Fluid Circulating System

f U v2
'L
21.1d 2  d1 

PNGE 310

Turbulent Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe > 2100)

Laminar Pressure Loss Equation: (NRe < 2100)

'PL

Power Law Fluids

43

PNGE 310

42