HOLE CLEANING

By
Capt. Janeshwar Prasad
Chief Chemist
IDT-ONGC-Dehradun

Hole cleaning is normally monitored by

Continuous monitoring of standpipe

pressure / pump output ratio.

Cuttings volumes.

Torque and drag will help in detecting

cuttings bed formation.
2

`Volumetric Cutting concentration

= Vol. of cuttings in annulus
Total annular vol.
Transport ratio =Vc / Va
Vc = VELOCITY OF CUTTING =va vs
Va= ANNULAR VELOCITY
Vs =SLIP VELOCITY
3

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

CONTROLABLE VARIABLES
Drilling fluid weight
Drilling fluid flow rate
Drilling fluid rheology
Drilling fluid regime
Rate of penetration
Hole angle
Hole size
4

UNCONTROLABLE VARIABLES
1.

Drill pipe eccentricity

2.

Cutting density

3.

Cutting size

Vs =

Slip velocity =
2 g dc ( c f )

g
dc
c
f

=
=
=
=

1. 12 f
Gravitational constant
Diameter of cutting
Density of cutting
Density of fluid

175 d (21- w) 0.667

(1) Vs = ----------------------w0.333 m0.333
Vs
d
in
w
m

=
=

Slip velocity fpm

average cutting diameter,

=
=

mud weight, ppg, and

annular viscosity, cps

(2) Vr

Va - Vs
8

(3) LC =

100 Vr
----Va

LC =

lifting capacity %

Vr =
and

cutting rising velocity, fpm (Vc) ,

Va

annular velocity, fpm.

MUD
DENSITY

CUTTING
DENSITY

* 100 =

% LIFT

8.33 ppg

21 ppg

* 100 =

40 %

10.5 PPG

21 ppg

* 100 =

50 %

16.0ppg

21 ppg

* 100 =

76 %

10

slight increase in mud weight

Significantly effects cutting slip
velocity improves the transport
ratio .
Change in momentum with
change in mud weight

M 2 = M 1 * ( 2 / 1 )
11

SOME OF THE LIFT COMES FROM :

Friction of the mud passing by the

cutting.

Friction also helps drag cuttings

off the wall and back into flow.

Friction is influenced by mud

weight.
12

Annular velocity is the second most

influential
factor
affecting
hole
cleaning efficiency in a vertical well.

Fluid annular velocity is a key

parameter in cuttings transport. If
an hole cleaning problem exists
cutting transport may be improved
by increasing flow rate to its
maximum value with flow regime
13
and pump limitations.

Annular velocity - Average annular

velocity

Flow profile velocity of flow at

various distances

Flow
profile causes unequal
distribution of forces on cutting
causing the larger cuttings migrate
to the wall and slip down the well
14

Flow profile - depends on flow

regimes
Flow regime=relationship
between pressure and velocity
Turbulent
Laminar
Plug flow

15

FLOW VERSUS PRESSURE

TURBULANT
FLOW
Psi

LAMINAR FLOW

VELOCITY

16

Laminar flow is governed by the

viscous properties of the fluid. The
fluid flows smoothly, with all
molecules moving in the same
direction, but at different speeds.
laminar flow profile is parabolic.

Turbulent flow is more chaotic.

Molecules moving with different
speeds in all directions .
17

The effect of annulus eccentricity on

cuttings transport is rather slight
under
lower
angles
of
hole
inclinations either in laminar or
turbulent flow .

The laminar flow provides better

cuttings transport than turbulent
flow in the range of lower angles of
hole inclination.
18

Apparent viscosity
Plastic viscosity
Yield point
Yield point represents the force
required to initiate the flow or
cause molecules to shear past each
other
Plastic viscosity additional force
required to cause the mud to flow
at a higher rate is represented by
plastic viscosity .

19

Apparent viscosity represents

the total pressure required to
cause a certain flow rate. It is a
combination of both yield point
and plastic viscosity.

Apparent viscosity decreases as

shear rate increases.

20

In laminar flow , higher yield

point / plastic viscosity ( Yp / Pv )
ratios improve cuttings transport .

in turbulent flow, mud rheology

has
little
effect
on
cuttings
transport.

21

Reduction of viscosity as the shear

rate increases is known as the shear
thinning and is desired quality of
mud .

The higher the yield point and lower

the plastic viscosity, the more shear
thinning the mud will be.

Mud that has high shear thinning

properties has a flatter flow profile
and is more likely to exhibit plug flow
.
22

SLIP VELOCITY-

INCREASES WITH THE SIZE AND

DENSITY OF THE CUTTING .

ALSO INCREASES AS THE CUTTINGS

BECOME MORE SPHERICAL.

23

DESCRIPTION
Thick mud
Intermediate
mud
Thin mud
Water

PV

YP

INITIAL
GEL

10 MM.
GEL

16
14
8
1

37
21
8
0

13
13
2
0

29
22
3
0

24

Controls both the size and amount

of cuttings generated.
High ROP Production of large and
more cuttings.
Increase in torque with higher ROP
Bit is digging deeper.
Large cuttings.
Torque continues to build
Poor hole cleaning.
25

Pipe
rotation
improves
cutting transport ratio.

the

Pipe eccentricity in the annulus

reduces the cutting transport
ratio.

Flow profile more elongated on

the side with no pipe, and
velocity is very low around pipe
26

It takes time
To circulate cuttings away from
the bit and BHA before making
a connection
To
circulate the hole clean
before tripping out of the hole.
A large number of stuck pipe
incidents can be traced to not
allowing enough circulating
time before connection or trip

27

BOYCOTT SETTLING

28

In a directional well.

There may be substantial cuttings

beds even though the shakers are
clean and torque and drag is
moderate.

The reduction of slip velocity has a

diminishing effect as hole angle
increases , the axial component of
slip velocity decreases

29

Angle of inclination
Mud properties and flow regime
Rate of penetration
Time
Flow rate
Cuttings beds
Pipe rotation and eccentricity
30

0 30 DEG.( VERTICAL )

30 65 DEG. ( TRANSITIONAL )

65 DEG. + ( HORIZONTAL )

DIRECTIONAL WELLS
31

LARGE DIAMETER HOLE

VOL.
CUTT
ING
CON
C.

SMALL DIAMETER HOLE

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
ANGLE OF INCLINATION-DEG.

32

Experience has shown that deviated

holes with hole angles in the 40 to 65
degree range are the most difficult to
clean.

This is due to the tendency of cuttings

to form beds and to slide back down
the hole.
33

Cutting
concentration
increases
dramatically and so cutting bed
formation between 30-45 deg.
Cuttings tend to settle out of the 40 to
550. Section more rapidly than in other
sections, due to a phenomenon known
as boycott settling.
Cutting beds remain constant at higher
angles, > 65 deg. They are more
packed and harder to disturb .
34

Homogeneous suspension is the most

efficient transport mechanism.

Cutting rolling or bed transport is the

least efficient transport mechanism .

Formation of cuttings beds can be

suppressed to a degree by using
good suspension characteristics.
35

Mud weight

cutting concentration increased drastically

between 35 45 deg. At low mud weights.

Cutting bed heights was substantially

reduced with small increase in mud weight,
at any angle.

The sliding and avalanching of cuttings beds

occurred less frequently with heavier muds.
36

Cutting beds are more fluedalized in

heavier mud and are thus more easily
disturbed.

The

minimum

initiate

cutting

velocity
rolling

needed
is

less

to
with

heavier mud.
37

Viscous mud cannot penetrate the cutting beds

as easily as less viscous mud.

The eccentric drill pipe pushes the flow profile

away from the cuttings beds.

Less viscous fluids promote higher

velocities under the eccentric drill pipe.

Hole cleaning in high angle hole sections

improves as the flow behavior index
(n)
Increases and as yield point and plastic viscosity
decrease.

fluid

38

When

annular

fluid

is

laminar,

thin,

turbulent sweeps followed by thick sweeps

may aid hole cleaning by first stirring the
cuttings, then sweeping them out of the
hole .

A change in rheology has less effect when

the pipe is rotating. This is because pipe
rotation adequately disturbs cutting beds .
39

Hydraulic

hole

cleaning

may

be

supplemented by mechanical means.

Wiper

trips

and

drill

string

rotation( when possible ) disturb the

cuttings

bed

and

encourage

transport . top drives are beneficial

by

allowing

pipe

rotation

and

circulation while tripping .

40

Pipe rotation is required more with

high viscosity muds than with low
viscosity muds .The viscosity effect is
pronounced with water base muds
than OBM .

Cutting beds tend to slide more with

oil base muds than with WBM .
41

Rate of penetration :

The rate of penetration influences

the size and amount of cuttings.

The rate of penetration may have

an effect on hole cleaning in the
lower angle and vertical sections
of the well, however .
42

Flow rate is the primary holecleaning parameter and maximum

pump rate, within the constraints of
maximum ECD and the potential for
downhole

losses,

will

provide

optimal maximum pump rate, will

provide optimal hole cleaning.
43

Most influential factor

At lower mud weights , more annular
velocity is required .
Annular velocity =flow rate / cross
sectional area of annulus

44

the influence of pipe rotation

increases as the angle increases

Without pipe rotation , cuttings

beds are almost certain to exist
in high angle wells.

45

Cutting beds do not usually cause

problems while rotating . it is when
the pipe is moved axially that it
may become stuck.

Pipe rotation has significant effect

at high angle wells by tearing up
cutting beds .

46

Pipe eccentricity has significant effect in

high angle wells because of its effect on flow
profile.

At higher angles of inclination, the pipe is

laying on the low side of the hole and the
reduction of velocity greatly hampers the
cutting transport .The effect is more
pronounced with laminar flow than turbulent
flow.
47

has less effect on cutting beds size

than other factors, such as mud
weight , pipe rotation, and flow
rate .Cutting beds become more
packed

and

thicker

as

angle

increases, mud weight and flow rate

decreases.
48

CSF Number of bottoms up to clean hole

Angle

27

17

12

0-30
deg.

2.25

1.75

1.5

1.25

3065deg

2.75

2.5

1.75

1.5

65+

3+

1.75

49

Angle

Depth (ft)

CSF

CSF*
Depth(ft)

0 -30

0 -4000

1.5

6000

30-65

4000-6000

1.75

3500

65+

600012000

12000

Total
Depth

=
6000+3500
+12000 =
21500Ft
50

Maintain adequate flow rates- especially

in directional wells.

A simple rule of thumb for vertical wells :

the annular velocity should be twice the
cutting settling rate .

Another rule of thumb : 1000 gpm for

17.5 inch hole , 750 gpm or more for
12.25 inch hole and 500 gpm or more in
8.5 inch hole
51

Control of ROP

Stop drilling when HOLE condition

dictate, plan wiper trips

Circulate hole clean before pooh.

Use pipe rotation to disturb cutting
beds in deviated wells.

Maintain adequate mud properties.

Proper Yp /Pv ratio is desired .
52

0 30 DEG.( VERTICAL )

30 65 DEG. ( TRANSITIONAL )

65 DEG. + ( HORIZONTAL )

DIRECTIONAL WELLS
53

0 45 DEG.

45 55 DEG.

55 DEG. +

DIRECTIONAL WELLS
54

Highest

possible flow rate should be

applied in all ranges of inclinations , but
particularly in the range of higher angles
(region III: 55-90 degrees).Assuming that
the effect of a slide down of the cuttings
bed takes place also in an actual drilling ,
then above recommendation becomes
critical for the angles of inclination 40-45
degrees.
For the range of lower inclinations the
laminar flow inside an annulus with highest
possible mud yield value should be used.
55

Assuming that the range of mud yield

values within 0-20 lbs/100 sq. ft. is the
range commonly used in the field , then
the mud yield value 20 lbs/100 sq. ft. is
recommended.
The highest possible YP/PV ratio is
recommended for this region. Assuming
that the range of YP/PV ratio within 0-2 is
the range commonly used in the field ,
then the YP/PV ratio = 2 is recommended .
In the range of intermediate inclinations
(region II: 45-55 degrees), either turbulent
or laminar flow may be used .
56

Usually, when a high flow rate is in use, a

larger
amount
of
mud
materials
( bentonite , chemicals ) are necessary to
mix the mud providing laminar flow.
Therefore, turbulent flow is rather
preferable .
For range of higher inclinations (region III :
55-90 degrees ) turbulent flow is definitely
preferable . At same time , YP/PV ratio
still important in this region & should be
maintained as high as possible .
57

Application of high viscosity slugs in

order to clean annulus after drilling is
stopped makes sense only in region I ( 045 degrees ) . These slugs will not help in
region II ( 45-55 degrees) and may even
worsen the cleaning rate in the region III (
55-90 degrees ) .
When annular fluid is laminar, thin,
turbulent sweeps followed by thick
sweeps may aid hole cleaning by first
stirring the cuttings, then sweeping them
out of the hole .
58