Hole Cleaning

Objectives

On completion of this module you will be able to:

 Describe the different Flow regimes and their effect on cuttings removal
 Explain the effect of inclination on hole cleaning
 Understand the effect of pipe rotation for hole cleaning
 Describe best practices for hole cleaning
 Understand the impact of mud properties on hole cleaning
 Hole Cleaning Problems

The problems associated with inefficient hole cleaning include:

1. Decreased bit life and slow penetration rate resulting from
regrinding of drill cuttings.
2. Fill-ups near the bottom during trips when the mud pumps
are off.

3. Increase in annular density and, in turn, annular hydrostatic

pressure of mud. The increased hydrostatic pressure of mud
can cause the fracture of an exposed weak formation
resulting in lost circulation.
4. Bridging and Packing leading to pipe sticking.
 Hole Cleaning and Stuck pipe
 As many as 1/3 of Stuck Pipe events in non deviated wells
are hole cleaning related
 In high angle wells, as much as 80% of Stuck Pipe is hole
cleaning related

UNDERSTANDING HOLE CLEANING IS

THE KEY TO PREVENTING STUCK PIPE
RELATEDNPT& $$$
 Plastic Viscosity
 As total solids increase, free liquid decreases
 Less available liquid to move in
 More chance of physical interference as particle move
 PV increases as solids increase
 Think of traffic on the highway
 Road is the Liquid
 Cars are the solids
 What is happening to the cars?
 What happens to hole cleaning efficiency?

Conclusion:
High Plastic Viscosity DOES NOT help hole cleaning
 Yield Point
 It is the force required to start
things moving
 Due to Electro-Chemical
interactions of Particles
 Force to start particles
shearing by each other
 YP is the intercept of the
Rheology Curve
 YP is a STRESS (lb/100ft2)
(like a Pressure)

+ + + +
+ +
+ + +

Platelets of hydrated Gel behave like little magnets

 Repulse Each Other
 Also attract Each Other
Annular velocity & Flow profiles

The AVERAGE upward speed of the mud in the annular space

24.5xQ
AV 
Dh2  Dp2

Velocity depends on where you are in the flow stream

AV= ft/min, Q= gpm, D=in

 LOW
Flow regimes
Almost all the mud flow with the
same velocity
Plug Flow Except wellbore wall , there is no
fluid movement
FLOW RATE

If we pump faster
Center of the wellbore has a higher
Laminar Flow flow velocity.
There is no flow on the wellbore wall

Flow is chaotic
If we pump really fast
Turbulent Flow Flow on the wall of the well bore is not
zero

HIGH
What flow profile cleans the hole
“best”?
 Turbulent!
But!??

 Pressures and rates can be really high

 High YP muds may not be easy to push into turbulence
 Cuttings Behavior in Laminar flow

 Cuttings move fastest in the center of the stream

 Cuttings tend to “slide” towards the wall of the hole

 Then slowly settle…

Laminar Flow and Cuttings Recycling
 As cuttings move to the wall
 Fluid is moving faster on one
side of the cutting relative to
the other
 Bernoulli Lift sucks the
cutting back into the flow
stream

It is obvious that laminar flow

can only be a compromise
rather than a first choice
This compromise must be
optimized
Approaching the best Flow Profile

Since turbulent flow is difficult to achieve:

 Laminar flow with flat flow profile

 Adjust Rheological parameters for a flatter profile

Effect of a high PV on the flow profile

 As cuttings slide towards the wall

 Profile becomes steeper
 The “Best” laminar flow in straight hole

 YP flattens the curve

 PV elongates the curve
 Low n flattens the curve but has side
effects
 LSRYP is important to carry cuttings on
the flat profile

Best Flow Profile: High YP & LSRYP - PV As Low As Possible

Free Settling - Forces acting on a cutting
Let’s consider a cutting in a well

Gravity is acting DOWN on the cutting

Buoyancy is acting UP on the cutting:

• It makes the cutting lighter

The viscous drag around the cutting is acting

UP on it: the cutting has to force its way
through the mud
• It makes the cutting slower

The cutting is accelerating until the forces are balanced

It then falls at constant velocity = Free settling at terminal velocity
A particle falling at terminal velocity
Force due to gravity is counterbalanced by
- Buoyant force
- Viscous drag around the particle

STOKESLAW

Vslip  138*
 
 part  mud d part
2


In a perfectly Newtonian Fluid,
In a completely laminar environment,
With perfectly spherical bodies,

With Re < 0.1

Cuttings transport in straight holes

CUTTING MOVES UP VTransport=Vann- Vslip

Circulating Mud Moves Cutting up Vann

Cutting Falls Down Vslip

HOLECLEANING EFFICIENCY=VT/Vann
 Hindered Settling
Here is our Static Cutting in a Mud Column
Mud has Static Gel Strength (lb/100ft2)
Solids will fall at their terminal velocity (
based on MW, Density, Viscosity)
As the cutting falls, it displaces it’s own
volume of fluid upward as it moves
downward
Each cutting that drops, pushes nearby
cuttings up
This dramatically slows the slip velocity in
static mud

This is called “HINDERED SETTLING”

 Transport Ratio
A transport ratio is a measure of the efficiency of cuttings transport.
It is defined as:

Transport Velocity
Transport Ratio  FT 
Annular Velocity
VT Vslip
FT  1 
Va Va
The slower the cuttings are removed, the lower the transport ratio,
and the higher the concentration of cuttings in the annulus: it is an
excellent measure of the carrying capacity of a particular drilling fluid

 If Slip Velocity =0 Transport Ratio=1 (perfect cleaning)

 If VSlip = Va then FT will be zero (no cleaning, no settling)
 If VSlip > Va then FT will be negative (no cleaning, settling)
Cuttings concentration in the annulus
 As a bit drills it generates cuttings
Q s  A b * ROP
Q  0 .7854 d 2 * ROP * 7 .4805 ( gpm )
s h
144 * 60
d h2 * ROP
Qs  ( gpm )
1471

 In the annulus, there is a fraction f of cuttings and (1-f ) of

mud, both of which have an upward velocity

Qs Qmud
VT  and VAnnulus 
fAannulus 1 f Aannulus
Cuttings concentration in the annulus
Qs
VT fAannulus
FT  
VAnnulus Qmud
1 f Aannulus
Q h d 2 * ROP
f  s 
Qs  FQ
t mud d h2 * ROP  1471FQ
t mud

Annular Mud Weight  sf  m (1 f )

Thus we can define the fraction of solids in terms of the rate of

generation of cuttings and of the flow velocity of mud
 Cuttings Concentration

To prevent hole problems, it is generally accepted that the

volume fraction of cuttings (or concentration) in the annulus
should not exceed 7%.
Therefore, the design program for mud carrying capacity should
also include a figure for the drill cuttings concentration in the
annulus.
 Example
Assume we are going to drill a 17-1/2” hole at 150 ft/hr with 9.5 ppg mud.
We can pump at 750 gpm
Assume that we have 20” 94# casing and 5” DP.
Assume a cuttings rise velocity of 30 ft/min and a Section TD of 3,000 ft

 What is the Transport Ratio?

 What is the Return Mud Weight?
 How fast can I drill so that I never have a drill solids concentration
higher than 7%?
 My boss does not want to drill that slow. He wants to drill at 200 ft/hr,
then circulate for a while to reduce the hydrostatic. How Long do you
have to circulate to have an average 7% DS content in the hole. What
would you recommend and why?
 Transport Efficiency and YP
(120 ft/min Annular Velocity)
Transport Ratios Based on Hopkin's Slip Velocities For ranges
normally
95.0 used YP
Changes
85.0 have
marginal
Transport Efficieny (%)

75.0
effect on Hole
Cleaning
65.0
To be
55.0
effective must
be very
45.0
aggressive
35.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Yield
YeildPoint
Point
Mud weight and cuttings transport
Effect of MW on Cuttings Transport

95.0%

85.0%

Water
75.0%
Transport Ratio

10ppg
16 ppg
65.0% 20 ppg

55.0%

45.0%

35.0%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Yield Point
Drill Pipe Rotation
 As the rpm increases, the pipe rattles
around the hole
 Mud drags on pipe due to its gels
 Viscous torque
 Produces a velocity vector at a
tangent to the pipe
 Increases Velocity at the wall
 The velocity at the pipe wall is no
longer zero
 Keeps cuttings off the walls

pipeOD
VTang  RPM *  * * eff
12
Drill Pipe Rotation
CENTRIFUGAL
EFFECT ROTATING

TORQUE
NO EFFECT
ROTATION

(VELOCITY
GRADIENT)

 Increases Velocity at the wall

 Keeps cuttings off the walls
(Velocity and mechanically)
 Contributes more as angle
increases
Hole cleaning in low angle wells
(<30 deg)
 Transport Velocity is the key
 To increase Cuttings Removal Efficiency (Transport Ratio)
 Increase Annular Velocity
 Increase Mud Weight
 Increase Mud Properties (YP, Gel Strength)
Straight Hole Cleaning Parameters
‘High’
Cuttings Mud
density Weight
Flow
Influence Cuttings Rate
on cuttings
size
transport LSYP
YP
RPM
‘Low’

PV

‘Low’ Ability to control ‘High’

 Hole cleaning in low angle

 Cuttings will settle in mud

 YP and Gels are important for hole cleaning
 PV tends to steepen the flow profile and reduce hole cleaning
 Keep the PV as low as possible
 The flattest flow profile possible cleans the hole best
Pipe Rotation increases the annular velocity (marginal in vertical wells)
HOLE CLEANING IN DIRECTIONAL
WELLS
 Cleaning inclined wellbores
1

WHAT WORKS HERE

2
MIGHT WORK HERE

WILL NOT WORK

3
HERE

0 30 60 90

Hole Inclination
 Hole Cleaning: Difficulty vs. Angle
Difficult

I II III IV

Easy

0 30 Inclination 60 90
 As angle increases things change…
THE CONCENTRATION OF CUTTINGS AT THE LOW SIDE INCREASES
 Locally overloads the mud system (>5%)
CUTTINGS ARE NO LONGER BEING SUPPORTED BY THE MUD
 Some cuttings are supported by the wellbore itself A
CUTTINGS BED BEGINS TO FORM
 The Stabillity is highly dependant on the angle

WHY??
GRAVITY WORKS AGAINST US
 Cuttings distribution changes
FLOW PROFILE CHANGES
 Carrying capability changes
PIPE IS ECCENTRIC
 Does it “stir” the mud?
 Vertical Wells
Homogeneous Suspension

 Gravity aligned with flow

 Cuttings scattered evenly in the mud
 More at the wall due to flow profile
 As Angle Increases
Heterogeneous Suspension
 Gravity no longer aligned
 Shorter distance to travel
High side  Cuttings are forced to the wall
 By flow profile
 By gravity
 A lot more cuttings on the Low
Side.

Low Side
AS ANGLE INCREASES
 Segregation is obvious
 Mud profile changes
 Cuttings in the top move with
the mud
 Others move slower
 Cuttings on the bottom Slide
down
 Cuttings recycling
 Build up and get back in
the flow stream
 VERY COMPLICATED
MECHANISMS
Gravity forces segregate cuttings

The fluid tracks the wellbore but

gravity still points to the center of
the earth.

Cuttings tend to accumulate

on the “Low Side” of the hole.

As long as the cuttings are in

suspension they behave more or
less as we expect. If they are not
in suspension they are forced to
“ Low Side” of the hole where
they may slide down.
Low Side
The flow profile is non-symmetrical
 AN EQUILIBRIUM IS FORMED
 Tops has fast moving thin mud SOLIDS
10 ft/min

 Bottom has high solids heavy mud

150 ft/min

100 ft/min
100 ft/min
 Solids “ fall out” of the mud
50 ft/min
50 ft/min

 Boundary layer at the mud cuttings

interface 0-3 ft/min DP 0-3 ft/min
FLOW PROPERTIES ARE CRITICAL
We would like to have a FLAT
profile
High YP
Low PV
High LSYP

No “re-drilled” solids
 Boycott settling

Rapid settling of individual particles onto the existing bed once a

critical mass has collected
Particles can slide down the wall of the annulus very rapidly
 Saltation transport

Low Side

Lift and Drag moves the cuttings back into the flow stream
Cuttings can move in the flow but now gravity pushes it back down
Cuttings fall back to bottom almost immediately
 Cuttings bed
 IF A BED IS FLUIDIZED
 Transmits hydrostatic
 Responds to hydraulic forces
 Can be cleaned and moved easily

 IF A BED IS NOT FLUIDIZED

 No hydrostatic contribution
 Responds to mechanical forces
 Very difficult to clean and move (mechanical agitation)
 Cutting beds
 Stable non moving Cuttings Bed

80 Deg

 Dynamic cuttings bed

35 Deg
60+ DEG: region of stable cuttings Beds
>30&<60 degrees
>60 degrees

Cuttings Dune Moving Stationary

Transportation Transport Bed Bed

Rapid settling of individual particles

onto the existing bed
 Hole Cleaning in various angles
Zone 2
 Cuttings beds start forming at
angles above 30°
 Hole angles between 30°- 60°
Increasing annular velocity

Zone 1
Zone 4 are hardest to clean
Zone 3

Zone 1-Efficient hole cleaning

Zone 2 - Good hole cleaning with
moving cuttings beds
Zone 3 - Slow removal of cuttings
Zone 4 -Some hole cleaning,
cuttings bed formed
Zone 5 Zone 5 - No hole cleaning

0 30 60 90
Well inclination (degrees)
OPTION ONE: TURBULENCE RULES

50
5500ffpm
ppmm
Static
S
Sttaattiicc

1150 fpm
15500fppmm
100 fpm
110000fppmm

If you pump hard enough you may clean the hole

 What flow cleans the hole the best ?
TURBULENT

BUT

 Pressures and rates can be really

high
 High YP muds may not be easy to
push into turbulence
 Most wells are in laminar flow
 Turbulence flow may lead to hole
wash out
 Pump capacity may not be sufficient
to provide high enough flow rates
 High flow rate= High ECD= Lost
circulation
 OPTION TWO: ROTATING PIPE

Eventually it acts like a gyroscope.

As RPM Increases pipe rattles
Pipe rotates around the wall in a
around the wellbore counter rotational manner.
 Pipe rotation is critical
 Viscous mud less effective
with eccentricity and no
rotation

 Viscous mud much more

effective with eccentricity
and rotation
 Hole Cleaning: flow parameters
AAvv== 220000 fp
fpm
m
AAnngglele ==9900
 Turbulent Flow cccc==44%
++00.5
%
.5XXCCDD
115500 rp
rpm
 High-velocities and eddies m

can erode beds and

transport cuttings

 Laminar Flow AAnngglele == 5555

 Lower flow rates, rheology RRootatatio
tionn ==
115500 rp
rpmm
and rotation are critical
 The conveyor belt

Rotation creates fluid movement in the bed

Pipe rotation around the wall creates velocity at the cuttings bed
Velocity lifts the cuttings and causes frictional drag

Cuttings are lifted to where mud is moving

Pipe rotation limitation
THE TRICK TO THE PROBLEM

IS TO GET THE CUTTINGS ONTO

THE CONVEYOR BELT!!

Simple??
Recommended maximum DS RPM for PDMs
Curve section
Recommended maximum Drill string RPM for
PDMs in Tangent or Straight Section
Absolute Maximum Drill string RPM for PDMS in
Tangent or Straight Section
 Correct RPM to load conveyor?
 To assist hole cleaning the pipe must rotate to obtain
velocity at the wall
 Dependant on
 Hole Size
 DP Size
 Hole Angle
 Eccentricity
 Sufficient RPM
 To benefit hole cleaning cutting must be in the flow stream
 Dependant on
 Cuttings Geometry
 Low Shear mud rheology
 Rheology in faster flow stream
 Flow Rate
 Pills for hole cleaning

• The use of the right sweeps may improve hole cleaning

• Combined rotation when pumping sweeps
• Monitor carefully sweeps
• Pill volumes depends on hole size (check hydrostatic pressure effect)

17 ½” or 16” 12 ¼” 8 ½”
50+bbl 50-30 bbl 20 bbl
 Pills for hole cleaning
High Viscosity Pills:
A highly viscous pill will be more effective in vertical hole.
At high angles, viscous pills deforms over the bed without disturbing the bed.
Do not use as first option when annular space is restricted.

Low Viscosity Pills:

The base fluid usually has a low viscosity and may become turbulent at lower
flow rates.

Use of a low viscosity pill alone may not be successful. It will not be able to
carry the cuttings up a vertical section of the hole or suspend the cuttings
when the pumps are stopped. (CAUTION)
 Pills for hole cleaning
Weighted Pill
A weighted pill comprises base fluid with additional weighting material to
create a pill weight 2 to 3 ppg heavier than the mud.

This type of pill will aid hole cleaning by increasing the buoyancy of
cuttings slightly. This type of pill is usually used as part of a tandem pill.

Tandem Pill (also called Combination pill )

This consists of two pills, a low viscosity pill followed by a weighted pill.
Tandem pills can be very effective at stirring up cuttings.

If the hole is full of cuttings and a tandem pill is pumped, there is a chance
the amount of cuttings stirred up can cause a pack-off. (CAUTION)
 Recommended Bottoms up
Hole Size Inclination Circulation

17 ½” to 12 > 30 deg At least 3-4 btm-up circulations at

¼” optimum parameters.

17 ½” to 12 < 30 deg At least 2 btm-up circulations at

¼” optimum parameters.

8 ½” to 6” > 30deg At least 2 btm-up circulations at

optimum parameters.

8 ½” to 6” < 30 deg At least 1.5 btm-up circulations at

optimum parameters

Circulate until shakers are clean this may take several circulations,
do not stop circulating if the well is not clean
 REMEMBER – All cases
 Use highest annular velocity regardless of flow regime
 MW has a direct relationship to hole cleaning at all angles.
 YP has an impact by slowing the rate at which particles settle.
 Cutting need to be in suspension for YP to have an effect.
 LSYP is critical where velocity profiles are poor
 Dispersed muds can help cleaning by dissolving the cuttings, but
may create washouts and create solids control problems.
 The most desirable mud is a clean mud with low PV
 Sweeps band aid poor rigs, poor muds, poor solids control and or
poor practices.
 Monitor the sweeps and what they bring to surface
 Learn to listen to the well and respond as it talks to you
 REMEMBER – 0-30 DEG WELLS
 The best mud system considered for deviated wells should be modified
versions of those proven effective in vertical and near-vertical offsets in
the area.
 Maintain LSYP 0.4 - 0.8 times hole size
 Use the lowest PV you can
 Don’t let PV and or gels build with native solids.
 Do not expect pipe rotation to help as much as in directional wells
 Hole cleaning will be a problem first at doglegs, washouts and casing
seats.
REMEMBER – Between 30 to 60 deg
 Good Hole-Cleaning parameters considered in one interval may be
inadequate in another interval.
 At low annular velocity & high hole angle expect avalanching (especially
30-60 degree).
 Hole-cleaning and well bore instability sometimes respond best to an
increase in the mud weight.
 An increase in annular velocity improves hole cleaning
 Rotate pipe at high RPMs to prevent/remove beds.
 Maintain LSYP at least equal to the hole diameter (in inches)
 The higher the angle, the longer it takes a cutting to get out

Fast pipe rotation coupled with mud weight and proper LSYP values is
the only viable way to clean hole sections at angles between 30 and 60
degrees
 Remember
 The mud and pumps are a
conveyor belt that can hold
about 5-7 % drill solids at
any time and place in a
vertical well.

 As the angle increases the

capacity of the conveyor
decreases. Do not out drill
the conveyor belt

 Remember that you have to

clean all the well, not just the
part you are drilling,

 you can only drill as fast as

you can clean the worst
section of the hole.
 Guidelines on mud properties

Yield Point Mud Weight (ppg)

Fann R6 & R3 > Hole Size (in)

LSYP {(2*R3) - R6} > Hole Size (in)