HOLE CLEANING

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR HOLE CLEANING

Excessive over-pull on trips.

High rotary torque.

Stuck pipe.

Hole pack-off.
Formation break down.
Slow rate of penetration.
Lost circulation.

WHAT PARAMETERS ASSIST HOLE CLEANING THAT

IS WITHIN THE RIG CREWS CONTROL
Pumping hole cleaning pills.
Method used to POOH.
Reaming speeds.
Rates of penetration.
Flow rates.
String movement.

NORMAL GAUGE HOLE vs OVERGAUGE HOLE

171/2 hole washed to 24

171/2

BHA will pass through a 10 cuttings

bed with little extra drag.

24
10 cuttings bed

121/4 hole that stays in gauge

121/4
11/2 cuttings bed will cause severe over-pull
problems if not dealt with.

PROBLEMS and HOLE INCLINATION

Although hole cleaning problems can occur in both
near vertical (<30o deviation) and ERD wells.

Generally hole cleaning rarely presents a problem

in near vertical wells.
Hole cleaning problems mostly occur in highly deviated wells.

SUCCESSFUL HOLE CLEANING

Integrate Optimum Mud Properties.
WITH
The Best Drilling Practices.

Understanding the Nature and Causes of the Problem.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Actions.

GENERAL FACTORS AFFECTING HOLE CLEANING

Cuttings Transport

Rheology

Yield Stress

Flow Rate

Hole Geometry

Mud Weight

Cuttings Properties

Rate Of Penetration

Drill String Rotation

RIG SITE MONITORING

Indicators should be examined for trend changes.
They include:

Shape and Size of Cuttings

Volume of Cuttings Returning

Torque and Drag

Erratic Torque

RECOMMENDATIONS
Have procedures in place to monitor solids volume rates
Mud Loggers should regularly monitor the volume rates
of cuttings and cavings
Information should be passed on to rig floor and
company man
Be aware that after freeing pipe the cuttings rate at the
shakers may increase by up to 150%
Most pack-offs occur after a connection. BHAs should
be circulated clear prior to stopping the pumps

VERTICAL and NEAR VERTICAL WELLS

GUIDELINES
Select mud properties to provide optimum hole cleaning

Circulate the well for a sufficient time before stopping pumps

Prior to a Connection

Prior to Tripping
Prior to Logging etc.

 Limit the use of high-viscosity and high weight pills

Reciprocate rather than rotate in vertical holes
Pull through tight spots cautiously and as long as
the pipe is free to go back down
Agree to a maximum overpull in advance
Circulate hole clean if overpulls become excessive

Avoid precautionary back reaming

UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF PROBLEMS
ENCOUNTERED IN TRIPPING

HIGH-ANGLE and EXTENDED REACH WELLS

GUIDELINES
Information given about hole cleaning in near vertical
wells are also relevant in ERD wells

However it is far more difficult to maintain a clean

hole in a deviated well.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CUTTINGS BEDS

65o-90o WELLS
Problems can still occur when BHA
is pulled.
Area where cuttings
beds are relatively
stable.

Even a small cuttings bed can result

in stuck pipe if the appropriate
procedures are not followed.
One of the things to be aware of is
that they all contain a 40o-65o section
of hole.

40o-65o WELLS
It is in the 40o-65o section of hole that the
cuttings bed becomes active.
They may settle and be reasonably static.
BUT?
They may be completely unstable and prone to
avalanching even with the pumps on and high flow rates.

FACTORS RELATING TO HOLE CLEANING IN

DEVIATED WELLS.
FLOW RATE
Mud pumps of adequate size to give minimum selected flow rate for hole size.
MUD RHEOLOGY

Best established on field data and experience. Try and avoid transitional flow regime

TYPICAL FLOW RATES FOR ERD WELLS.

171/2 - 1100 gpm minimum. Some rigs achieve 1250 - 1400 gpm
121/4 - Aim for 1100 gpm. Typically 800 - 1000 gpm but if this is not achievable
then ensure good tripping practices are in place.
81/2 - Aim for 500 gpm

SELECTION OF FLOW REGIME.

Laminar Flow

Both effectively clean

in deviated wells.

AVIOD
TRANSITION
ZONE
If laminar flow is
selected then string
movement must be
used to lift cuttings
from low side.

Turbulent Flow

VISCOUS FLUIDS IN LAMINAR FLOW.

Preferred because:
Higher cleaning capacity is possible (rheology factor).
Viscous fluids give better transport in near-vertical sections.
Viscous fluids have better suspension characteristics when circulation
stops.
Difficult to achieve turbulent flow except in small size holes.

TURBULENT FLOW.
Prevents formation of cuttings beds on low side of highly
deviated wells.
Cuttings can rapidly fall to low side and avalanche when
pumps are turned off.

Should not be used in weak or incompetent

formations.
Must have minimum fluid suspension characteristics and capacity to
clean the hole.

HYDRAULICS.
Conventional hydraulics rely on optimizing hydraulic horsepower at the bit.
60-70% of system pressure
losses to be dissipated at bit.

Annular pressure loss generally

less than 5% of overall system
loss.

Remaining % of pressure losses in

surface lines and drill stem.

HYDRAULICS.

For ERD wells a compromise has to be achieved by selecting

larger bit nozzles.

By reducing the energy spent at the bit, flow rates for cleaning
the annulus are higher .

Consideration must be given to high ECDs which will increase

dramatically in slim holes.

HOLE CLEANING PILLS.

Types of hole cleaning pills that are in common use:
High Viscosity Pill
Low Viscosity Pill
Weighted Pill
Tandem Pill (Combination Pill)

DRILL STRING MOVEMENT.

DRILLPIPE ROTATION AND RECIPROCATION:

Very effective in in improving hole cleaning, particularly at high

speeds

Not advisable when circulating bottoms up with downhole

motors to reduce flow rate to minimise motor wear.
Flow rate alone cannot always remove a cuttings bed.
Reciprocation and Rotation increase erosion of the cuttings beds
in highly deviated wells.

BACK REAMING and HOLE CLEANING

When back reaming the rate should be adjusted so that the same percentage
of cuttings exist in the annular fluid as when drilling.
EXAMPLE:

If ROP = 130 ft/hr and assuming the volume of rock

generated is 100% of the volume of hole drilled.
If 20% of this volume formed as cuttings beds then the back
reaming rate should be no more than 5 times the ROP
originally used to drill the section.
At 130 ft/hr ROP x 5 the maximum back reaming rate is 650
ft/hr.

SURFACE HOLE SECTION

Due to kick-off in the larger hole sections for ERD wells it may be
necessary to:

Limit the maximum hole angle 20o30o

Minimise hole size, drill 22 hole instead of
26.

Drilling a pilot hole and then opening up to full size only marginally
reduces the required flow rate for effective hole cleaning.

USE OF LARGER DRILLPIPE.

Pump pressure is often the limiting factor for achieving desired flow
rates.

It may be necessary to to use larger OD drillpipe to help

reduce the pump pressure for a required flow rate.

Larger OD drillpipe results in higher surface torque so overall

length needs to be optimised.

CIRCULATION PRIOR TO CONNECTIONS OR TRIPPING.

CONNECTION:
Circulated at normal flow rate prior to a connection to clear cuttings from around BHA.
Depending on BHA length and hole angle 5-10 minutes may be necessary.
TRIPPING:
Before tripping out circulate at normal rate until shakers are clean.
Rotate at max rpm and reciprocate.
To achieve clean shakers, as many as three bottoms up may be required.
* This depends on hole size and angle.

WIPER TRIPS.
A wiper trip or pumping out of the hole is often effective in eliminating
hole cleaning problems.
Make regular wiper trips into previous casing when drilling high angle
section.
Important if actual flow rate is below or close to the critical rate.
Maintain pumping rate at original drilling flow rate until tripping depth has
been reached. Then pump at least bottoms up to ensure the hole is clean.
Once inside casing be cautious until hole inclination is below 20o.
Use trend sheets to log all hole cleaning factors.
Prepare trip procedures in advance.
Monitor cuttings returns at the shakers and establish Log vs Trends.

HOLE CLEANING CHARTS

The following worked examples are to determine the
required flow rate to adequately clean the hole in angled
wells.

* Note that the following charts are based on assumed

drilling conditions in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico and
should not be used where drilling conditions differ
significantly.

EXAMPLE DATA
Hole Size = 121/4
Deviation = 60o
Mud Weight = 12.5 ppg
Plastic Viscosity = 30 centipoise (cp)

Yield Point = 25 lb/100 ft2

Anticipated ROP = 66 ft/hr

TO DETERMINE REQUIRED FLOW RATE.

(Gauge Hole)
GET RHEOLOGY FACTOR,(RF)

PV = 30 AND YP = 25

RF = 0.99

GET ANGLE FACTOR,(AF)

DEVIATION = 60o

AF = 1.07

CALCULATE TRANSPORT
INDEX,(TI)

12.5 x 0.99 x 1.07

TI = 1.59

8.33
CHECK IS HOLE WASHED OUT?

GET MUD FLOW RATE

NO
740 gallons/min

TO DETERMINE REQUIRED FLOW RATE.

(Washed Hole)
GET RHEOLOGY FACTOR,(RF)

PV = 30 AND YP = 25

RF = 0.99

GET ANGLE FACTOR,(AF)

DEVIATION = 60o

AF = 1.07

CALCULATE TRANSPORT
INDEX,(TI)

12.5 x 0.99 x 1.07

TI = 1.59

USED TO
DETERMINE
INITIAL FLOW
RATE

8.33
CHECK IS HOLE WASHED OUT ?

GO TO FLOW RATE CORRECTION

FACTOR TABLE

YES to 14
1.24 x 740 =

918 gallons/min

Hole Angle Factor Table

Angle
AF

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

1.51 1.39 1.31 1.24 1.18 1.14 1.10 1.07

65

70-80 80-90

1.05 1.02

Return to gauge hole slide

Return to washed hole slide

Transport Index (TI) ppg

TI = ppg x RF x AF
8.33

FLOW RATE CORRECTION FACTORS FOR

WASHED OUT HOLES (inches).
81/2 in.

121/4 in.

Washout Size

Washout Size

1.12

13

10

1.38

11

171/2 in.
Washout Size

1.1

18

1.03

14

1.24

19

1.09

1.65

15

1.39

20

1.16

12

1.94

16

1.53

21

1.22

13

2.24

17

1.68

22

1.28

14

2.55

18

1.82

23

1.34

Rheology Factor for 171/2 Hole

50

0.80

0.85

0.90

0.95

1.05

Plastic Viscosity (cp)

45
40
1.1

35
30

1.15

25
1.2

20
20

25

30

35

40

Yield Point lbf/100 ft2

45

50

Rheology Factor for 121/4 Hole

45
Plastic Viscosity (cp)

40

0.80

0.85

0.90

0.95

1.05

1.1

1.15

35

0.99

30
25
1.2

1.25

1.3

20
15
15

20

25

30

35

Yield Point lbf/100 ft2

40

45

Rheology Factor for 81/2 Hole

40
Plastic Viscosity (cp)

35

0.95

0.90

0.95

1.05

1.1

30

1.15
1.05

25
20
15

1.1

1.2

10
5

1.25

10

15

20

25

30

Yield Point lbf/100 ft2

35

40

Mud Flow Rate (gpm)

Required Flow Rate for 171/2 Hole

1400
1.2
1300
1.3
1200
1.4
1.5

1100
1000
900
800

1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.0

16

33

49

66

2.1

82 98 115 131

Rate of Penetration ft/hr

Required Flow Rate for 121/4 Hole

1000
Mud Flow Rate (gpm)

1.2

900

1.3
1.4

800

1.5

740

1.59
1.6

700

1.7
1.8
1.9

600

2.0
2.1

16

33

49

66

Rate of Penetration ft/hr

82

98

Mud Flow Rate (gpm)

Required Flow Rate for 81/2 Hole

500
475
1.1
1.2
450
1.3

425
400
375
350

1.4
1.5
1.6

1.7
1.8
1.9
2.0
2.1

325

16

33

49

66

Rate of Penetration ft/hr

82

98