Bit Hydraulics Optimization

Drilling Fluid Circulation

Purposes  Control formation pressures
 Drive motor/turbine
 Cool the bit
Bit  Clean cuttings from the hole bottom
Hydraulics  Clean cuttings from the bit
 Transport cuttings to surface
Bit Hydraulics Optimization
Fluid Pressure PxQ
Fluid Flow Rate PHP=
1714
Fluid Density and Viscosity

Frictional
Pressure
Losses

Nozzle Flow Area (TFA - sq.in.)

Nozzle Pressure Drop (psi)
Nozzle Horsepower (HSI) PxQ
BHP=
Nozzle Impact Force (lbf) 1714
Nozzle Velocity (ft/sec)
Pressure In
Pressure Out

Flow In Flow Out

Pressure Loss Factors
Equipment and Wellbore Geometry
–Flow Area
–Length
–Constrictions
Flow Rate
Mud Properties
–Weight
–Plastic Viscosity
–Yield Point
PStdpipe=PSurf.Eq.+PDrill String+PMWD/Motor+PBit+PAnnulus

Pressure Losses
 Surface Equipment
– Standpipe
– Kelly Hose
– Swivel
– Kelly
 Drill String
– Pipe
– Collars
– BHA
 Motor/Turbine
 Bit Nozzles
 Annulus
Pressure Losses Surface Equipment

Case Stand Pipe Hose Swivel Kelly

Length ID Length ID Length ID Length ID

(Ft.) (In.) (Ft.) (In.) (Ft.) (In.) (Ft.) (In.)

1 40 3.0 45 2.0 4 2.0 40 2.25

2 40 3.5 55 2.5 5 2.5 40 3.00

3 45 4.0 55 3.0 5 2.5 40 3.25

4 45 4.0 55 3.0 6 3.0 40 4.0

Pressure Losses Drill String
Drill Pipe D1 D2

OD Nominal Weight ID (in.)

(in.) (lb/ft) Body Tool Joint
3½ 15.5 2.992 2 1/8 – 2 9/16
5 19.5 4.276 2¾ – 3¾
5 25.6 4.000 3¼ – 3¾
6 5/8 25.2 5.965 4 5/8 - 5
Pressure Losses Drill String

Heavy Weight Drill Pipe

OD Nominal Weight ID (in.)

(in.) (lb/ft) Body Tool Joint
3½ 25.3 2 1/16 2 3/16
4½ 41.0 2¾ 2 7/8
5 49.3 3 3 1/16
Pressure Losses Drill String

Drill Collars
OD Weight ID
(in.) (lb/ft)

OD Weight ID
(in.) (lb/ft) (in.)
4¾ 54.0 1½
4¾ 44.0 2½
8 165.0 1½
8 143.0 3¼
Pressure Losses MWD and
Downhole Drives

 MWD
 PDM
 Turbine
 RSS
Pressure Losses Bit

 Flow Rate
 Mud Weight
 Nozzle TFA

Pressure Drop

HSI
JIF
Pressure Losses Annulus

 Flow Rate
 Mud Weight
 Casing ID
 Drill String OD
 Length
Example of Pressure Losses
Hole Size =8-1/2"
Depth Out = 15,000 feet
Max. Standpipe Pressure = 3000 psi
Flow Rate = 238 GPM
Mud Weight = 14.5 ppg

At Maximum HSI
Surface Equipment Loss = 20 psi
Internal Drill String Loss = 968 psi
MWD/Motor Loss = 0
Bit Pressure Drop = 1890 psi
Annulus Loss = 122 psi
Total Loss = 3000

PStdpipe=PSurf.Eq.+PDrill String+PMWD/Motor+PBit+PAnnulus
Hydraulics Optimization
3000 psi Standpipe Pressure
Standpipe HP
System Loss HP
Bit Nozzle HP
JIF/sq. in.
 Hydraulics
Flow Rate Considerations
• Flow Rate must be high enough to
transport cuttings. Back-reaming, bit
balling, and lack of chips at surface
can indicate cuttings transport or
sloughing problems.

• Flow Rate must be low enough to

avoid hole erosion, equipment wear,
and excessive standpipe pressure.

• High flow rates often require large or

open nozzles.

• Bits with large JSA, high OFV, widely

spaced teeth/inserts, and numerous
jets are helpful.
 Hydraulics
Hydraulic Horsepower (HSI)
• Maximize nozzle HSI when cutting
structure or bottom hole balling is the
limitation.

• Deep holes, high mud weights, water-

based mud and reactive formations,
cuttings packed on teeth indicate static
or dynamic chip hold down problems.

• Maximum HSI obtained when nozzle

pressure drop is 65% of standpipe
pressure.

• Aggressive designs with widely-spaced

blades and teeth are helpful.
 Hydraulics
Jet Impact Force (JIF)
• Maximize JIF in shallow holes
where cuttings return and bit/hole
balling are both potential
limitations.

• Common in shallow holes with high

ROP in reactive formations.

• Obtained when the pressure drop

across the bit is 50% of the total
pump pressure.
 Hydraulics
Additional Guidelines
• 30 to 70 gpm per inch of hole diameter.

• 3 to 7 HSI recommended (not always possible).

• 18% or less flow through centerjet (=18% of TFA).

• Blank nozzles generate crossflow. Blank the nozzle

pointing to the cone with fewest gauge row inserts.
 Hydraulics
Bit Design Considerations

Sum of all
Yellow
area

Junk Slot Area (JSA) Open Face Volume (OFV)

 Hydraulic Program Design
Goal: Determine nozzle sizes and flow rate
to deliver maximum HSI or JIF within
specified operating constraints.

Constraints:
1. Maximum Standpipe Pressure
2. Minimum and Maximum Flow Rate
3. Maximum Pump Horsepower
4. Mud Weight
5. MWD and Motor Considerations
6. Fixed Flow Rate
7. Fixed TFA
Hydraulic Program Calculation Method

Nozzles ?
Flow Rate ?

1. Identify Maximum Standpipe Pressure.

2. Specify HSI or JIF optimization and TFA/GPM constraints.
3. Find GPM giving maximum HSI or JIF based on frictional losses.
4. Derive Nozzles from TFA at optimum GPM.
 Hydraulic Optimization
Field Results

Carboniferous Formation Shale Formation

Oil Base Mud in North Sea Water Base Mud in Colombia
Hydraulic Program Demo
Bit Hydraulics
Optimization

Questions...