Experimental Study of Cuttings

Transport in Directional Wells

P.H. Tomren, SPE, Statoil
A.W. Iyoho, * SPE, Dowell Schlumberger
J.J. Azar, SPE, U. of Tulsa

Summary. A large-scale study of cuttings transport in directional wells is discussed in this paper. Previous
investigators used unrealistically high fluid velocities and/or short test sections where steady-state conditions had
not been established. This study used a 40-ft [12.2-m] test section. Pipe rotation and eccentricity, as well as
several types of drilling muds and flow regimes, were studied. Annulus angles varied from 0 to 90°, and actual
drilled cuttings were used.
The major factors affecting cuttings transport are drilling fluid velocity, hole inclination, and fluid rheological
properties. Much higher annular velocities are required for effective hole cleaning in directional wells than in
vertical wells. An increase in hole angle and/or drilling rate reduces the transport performance of drilling fluids.
Hole angles of 40 to 50° are critical because of cuttings buildup and downward sliding of the bed of cuttings.
High-viscosity muds were observed to provide better transport than low-viscosity muds.

Introduction
Since the introduction of rotary drilling, the circulation
of drilling fluid has become an integral part of the drill-
ing operation. Two primary.functions of a circulating
drilling fluid are (1) to remove generated cuttings from
the bottomhole and bit teeth and (2) to lift those cuttings
to the surface through the annular space between the drill-
pipe and the hole wall. The ability of the fluid to lift such
cuttings is generally referred to as the carrying capacity
of the drilling fluid.
This study resulted from the need for accurate and
realistic data to facilitate the optimum design of drilling-
fluid systems for directional drilling. For vertical or near-
vertical drilling, the problem appears to have been ade-
quately contained. In directional well drilling, however,
the inclined (usually eccentric) annulus poses several prob-
lems not encountered in vertical wells.
Previous investigators 1·7 have listed the most relevant
factors affecting the carrying capacity of drilling fluids:
(1) fluid annular velocity; (2) hole inclination; (3) drilling
fluid properties; (4) penetration rate; (5) pipe/hole eccen-
tricity; (6) hole geometry; (7) annular velocity profile;
(8) particle density; settling velocity, size, and geome-
try; (9) drillpipe rotary speed; and (10) pipe/hole diameter
ratio. It is difficult and impractical to investigate the ef-
fects of all these parameters simultaneously. Consequent-
ly, our objective was to develop field-oriented cuttings-
~ransport models that account for the most significant fac-
tors affecting particle and fluid dynamics in directionally
drilled wells.
To achieve this objective, a two-pronged approach was
adopted.
1. Design and construct an apparatus for experimental
investigation of the behavior of actual rock cuttings at
"Now with Willie Iyoho Technology Inc.
Copyright 1986 Society of Petroleum Engineers
SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986
realistic fluid velocities, hole inclination angles, pipe/hole
eccentricities, drillpipe rotary speeds, and other relevant
variables.
2. Apply all theoretical considerations for the develop-
ment of applicable mathematical relations based on de-
tail analyses of relevant principles. These principles should
include the dynamics of irregularly shaped particles in
non-Newtonian fluids; the axial-velocity profile in in-
clined, eccentric annuli; and the tangential velocity pro-
duced by drillpipe rotation and pipe/hole eccentricity. This
paper covers only the first phase of this study with brief
comments on the second phase.
The cuttings transport in vertical wells has been covered
extensively by many investigators. 1-5,8-24 In contrast,
very little has been contributed to the problem of direc-
tional well drilling. Fujii and Sat0 25 conducted labora-
tory experiments at 0,45, and 60° angles from the vertical
with water and carboxymethyl-cellulose-polymer solutions
and a 1.33-in. [34-mm] pipe inside a 2.36-in. [60-mm]
casing. In our opinion, their results are of little practical
significance because of the high, unrealistic velocities used
(up to 10 ft/sec [3 m/s]) and because the short test sec-
tion (10 ft [3 m]) did not establish steady-state conditions.
Movsumov et al. 26 attempted to solve the problem of
drilled-cuttings transport in inclined, eccentric annuli
purely from theoretical considerations. Their mathemat-
ical approach involved extensive trial and error and, there-
fore, is of little practical value, especially because their
analysis was idealized to exclude the important phenom-
enon of bed formation that is discussed later. In the cur-
rent work,6,7 a unique experimental facility was designed
to provide flexibility for a comprehensive investigation
of steady-state cuttings transport. Several angles of incli-
nation, drillpipe rotations, pipe/hole eccentricities, and
mud flow rates were investigated.
43
 To meet the above requirements, a test apparatus
(shown in Figs. 1 through 3) was designed and construct-
ed. It consisted of the following major components: (1) an
i
I
CASE 1
o• Odeg. independent means of circulating the transport fluid and
of injecting the solid particles; (2) a section of annulus
long enough to ensure steady-state solid/liquid flow; (3) an
vp:Vg -v,
I efficient means of separating the two phases before recir-
FOR UNIFORM
culation; (4) a means of rotating the inner pipe; (5) a relia-
DISTRIBUTION
OF CUTTINGS
ble means of controlling and of measuring liquid flow rate,
CD =DRAG COEFFICIENT particle injection rate, and inner-pipe rotary speed; (6) a
up' ~W~~ffl~:'V61~i,E reliable means of estimating the average transport veloc-
CASE 2
ity and annular particle concentration independent of the
fluid type used; (7) a means of varying the angle of incli-
nation of the test section; (8) a means of simulating
pipe/hole eccentricities without affecting the functioning
of the rotary system; (9) a jet-type hopper with a spray
nozzle for efficient mud mixing; and (10) an automatic
relief valve for effective control of pressure surges created
by cuttings buildup and severe slugging. Further details
of the test facility may be found in Refs. 6 and 7.

) ,,, CASE 3
o= 9Odeg.
FVp
Fig. 1-Fluid and particle dynamics in eccentric annuli of
various inclinations.
Test Apparatus
The test apparatus was designed and constructed in ac-
cordance with the following requirements: annular-flow
steady-state conditions must prevail in every test case, and
the apparatus must allow the selection of various drilling
variables (flow rate, drilling rate, well inclination, drill-
pipe rotation, annular geometry configuration, etc.) that
must be representative of average field conditions.
Data-Acquisition System and
Test Procedure
The instrumentation required for the experiments consist-
ed of the following components: (1) a tachometer gener-
ator graduated to record the inner-pipe rotary speed; (2) a
magnetic flowmeter with an automated dump valve to en-
sure a preselected flow rate in the test annulus; (3) two
Doppler-effect transducers for measuring the particle ve-
locities and timers to check the velocity transducers; (4) a
two-channel strip-chart recorder for recording a continu-
ous trace of particle velocities; (5) a sound-powered com-
munication system linking the operators at various
locations; (6) pressure gauges and thermometers mount-
ed on the annulus; and (7) miscellaneous electronic gear
for calibrating the various meters, such as the flowmeter
and recorder.
Before any test, the fluid to be used was mixed well
and the rheological properties were measured carefully,
as discussed in Refs. 6 and 7. By running a mud sample

A-FRAME

SLIDE
SUPPORT

SWING
ARM
FLOW
DIVERTER
C~~hCT1aN
o BASKETS
HOIST

Fig. 2-Schematic side view of experimental facility.

44 SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986

 TABLE 1-SUMMARY OF PARAMETER VALUES AND EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES

Variable or Parameter Range or Value

Annulus length, ft 40
Annulus dimension, in. x in. 5x 1.9
Annulus inclination,
degrees from vertical 0,10,20 ... 90
Liquid flow rate, gal/min 50,75 ... 225
Inner-pipe rotary speed,
rev/min 0, 50, 100
Pipe/hole eccentricity, % +50,0, -50
Particle size, ASTM-size
designation, in. 0.25
Particle density, Ibm/cu ft
Dry density 163.5
Soaked in water for
5 hours 165.5
Average particle injection
rate, Ibm/min 20

Density Critical Amount

Flow Type Fluid (Ibm/gal) (gal/min)
Turbulent flow Water 8.335 5
Low-viscosity bentonite 8.4 50
Laminar flow Carbo pol 8.45 210
High-viscosity bentonite 8.5 252
Intermediate mud, Bentonite
both regimes 8.4 148

in the Fann viscometer before and after a test, we calcu-

lated average power-law parameters and corrected for an-
nular flow as discussed in Ref. 27. The ranges of
parameter values used in the tests are summarized in Ta-
ROTARY r.="..,or.!;;k,;w;---,
ble 1. Average rheological properties of the fluids used DRIVE
are shown in Table 2.
The cuttings used for the study were obtained by drill-
ing Carthage marble blocks as discussed in Refs. 9 and
28. All cuttings were sorted according to ASTM
procedures.
With everything in place, the pump was started and liq-
uid was allowed to fill about half of the cuttings tank. Then
the tank was loaded with cuttings, and the tank cover was
securely bolted. With the 0.2S-in. [O.64-cm] bleedoff,
needle valve open, air was expelled from the cuttings tank
by fluid pumped through the system. The needle valve ~~e~AIR SUPPLY TO RETURN
~.r--IFLOW-CONTROL
VALVE
was closed when liquid freely spurted out of this valve, FLEXIBLE
signaling the expulsion of air from the system. HOSE

When the first significant number of particles arrived JlJ7rrr,., TO SEPARATION

at the top of the column, the basket-exchange stopwatch ~ AND COLLECTION
APPARATUS
was started. Then a swing arm over the flow diverter was
switched manually at one-minute intervals. While one
basket was being filled on one side of the flow diverter,
the other basket was removed, weighed, and replaced with
an empty basket. The state of equilibrium (i.e., the point
at which particle injection and efflux rates were approxi-
mately equal) varied from 3 to IS minutes, depending on
inclination angle, fluid viscosity, flow rate, and pipe/hole
eccentricity. For those tests where a stationary bed was
formed on the low side of the annulus, the bed buildup
rate was recorded. The bed height was also recorded as Fig. 3-Schematic top view of experimental facility.
a fraction of the outer cylinder diameter.
For those tests designed to check the ultrasonic veloci-
ty device, two tubes of colored cuttings were unloaded particle-velocity devices were found to be in good agree-
into the system 2 minutes apart, and the cuttings rise time ment with manually timed values. 6 ,7 For those inclina-
was recorded by observation of the time required for the tion angles and flow rates where slugs of cuttings were
first 10 to 20 or a cluster of colored cuttings to reach the formed-causing the recorded needles to fluctuate wide-
top of the column. At the same time, the two ultrasonic ly because of a difference in the average velocity of slugs
SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986 45
 TABLE 2-RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS STUDIED

Turbulent Flow
Parameters FVG' Apparent Plastic Yield Point; Vs
Fluid n K 600 300 Viscosity" Viscosityt (lbf/100 sq ft) (ft/sec)
Water 1 1 cp 2 1 1 1 0 0.85
Low-viscosity bentonite 0.68 0.00084 Ibf-sec n Isq ft 8 5 4 3 2 0.70
Intermediate-viscosity mud 0.61 0.00436 Ibf-sec n Isq ft 26 17 13 9 8
Laminar Flow
Carbopol 0.64 0.0059 Ibf-sec n Isq ft 42 28 21 14 14 0.45
High-viscosity bentonite 0.61 0.0093 Ibf-sec n Isq ft 55 36 28 19 17 0.35

'FVG is the Fann V·G Model 35 reading at 600 and 300, respectively.
, 'Apparent viscosity is half of FVG 600.
t Plastic viscosity is FVG 600 - FVG 300.
* Yield point is FVG 300 - (FVG 600 - FVG 300).

compared to the rest of the moving particles-a reading
was taken approximately every 10 to 20 seconds and an
average value was calculated. A strip-chart recorder
recorded continuous variations of particle velocity for
easier averaging, then 3 to 5 minutes after steady-state
conditions were established and all the necessary data.
recorded, the liquid pump and the particle-feed system
were switched off simultaneously. Those particles that re-
mained in the annulus after the pump and auger had been
switched off were taken to represent the annulus-equili-
brium-cuttings concentration.
Then the fluid rheological properties were rechecked
with the Fann viscometer, and the readings compared with
those obtained before the test. Average values were used
to calculate power-law-model parameters. In addition, the
critical velocity, Reynolds number, and critical Reynolds
number were calculated before and after each test to es-
tablish the flow regime.
Special precautions had to be followed while running
tests at the 90° angle (horizontal case). A pneumatic con-
trol valve was used to regulate the pressure in the system
by maintaining a backpressure of 5 to 15 psig [34.5 to
103.4 kPa]. This action prevented a vacuum in the cut-
tings tank caused by zero hydrostatic pressure in the
column. Ensuring that the backpressure did not exceed
25 psig [172.4 kPa] was critical because weak sections
of the annulus, particularly the flanges, could not with-
stand much higher pressures, On some occasions, even
the slightest pressure overbalance caused a mild blowout
that resulted in a loss of the flowing mixture.
Tests and Observations
Summary of Tests. Altogether, 242 tests were per-
formed. The various tests run and observations made are
classified and discussed in this section in terms of
(I) angles of inclination, (2) pipe/hole eccentricities, and
(3) fluid flow regimes. This approach should lead to more
comprehensive coverage. Detailed photographs taken dur-
ing the tests are presented in Refs. 6 and 7.
Vertical and Near-Vertical Tests, A total of 53 tests were
performed on all four types of mud in the vertical and
near-vertical range of angles, e~ 10°. Various eccentric-
ities, pipe rotary speeds, and liquid flow rates were used.
Tests at 10° were performed to observe any similarities
or differences with vertical tests under similar flow con-

so. 00
;:
:z ~ RV f'.FLUID \ L. =1. 91 FT/SEe Fluid: Carbopol
w
u X RV ~.FLUID \ L.~2.39 FTiSEe N = 50 PM
= O.
'"~w 40.00 (1\ AV .FLUID \ EL =2.AS FTlSE£:
£

+ RV .FLUID L.=3.34 FTiSEe

..:
:> I!l RV ~.FLUID \ L.-3.82 FT/SEe
U

~
-
- ---r---.....
I-
30.00
a::

r--
'"
I-
:z
w
u
~
u 20.00 /
/ :/
~
:z
l-
I-
::>
u
...J
10.00 ,,- v--- .-
...-
~ ~ ~V
a::

-
l-
e

~
I-

.00
.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00 so. 00
RNGlE OF INCLINATION fROM VERTICAL IDEe. I

Fig. 4-Variation of cuttings concentration with inclination (laminar flow).

46 SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986

 so. 00
Flu;d: C.rbopol
;::
...
z
u
N = 50 RPM

40.00 E = 0.5
eJ
~
..:>
u

~
l-
30.00
II:

'"
I-
Z
~
~ 20.00
u
~
~
l-
I-
J
u 10.00

~
0
I-

ftVC. NOHINftL fLUID VELCCITY.Vft. 1fT/SEC)

Fig. 5-Varlation of cuttings concentration with fluid velocity (laminar flow).

ditions. It was observed that with 10° tests, cuttings move-
ment and concentrations are only slightly worse than with
vertical tests. The inference is that inadvertent hole devi-
ations up to 10° in straight-hole drilling should not pose
any special hole-cleaning problems. As shown later,
higher hole inclinations present various degrees of cut-
tings buildup and require much higher flow rates than nor-
mally recommended for safe cleaning of vertical holes.
Some of the general transport phenomena reported by
previous investigators were observed. In laminar verti-
cal flow, the particles-following the theoretical velocity
profile-traveled rapidly and smoothly in the central
region of the annulus and sluggishly, even stagnantly, near
the annulus wall. The tendency for the particles to travel
spirally because of inner-pipe rotation was not as
pronounced as reported by Zeidler I and others. 5, II ,25
Our observations agree with the results of Sifferman et
al. 4 In fact, pipe-rotation effects appeared to be minor
especially in turbulent flow. Some of the particles traveled
in clusters, a phenomenon that was more pronounced at
low liquid flow rates. The preferential orientation of par-
ticles reported by Zeidler and others could not be con-
firmed visually. In general, it appeared that particles near
the annulus outer wall traveled edgewise, while those at
the center traveled flatwise. This observation was strict-
ly for laminar flow. In turbulent flow, particle orienta-
tion appeared to be random with most of the particles
traveling flatwise and distributed away from the outer
walls, even at low fluid velocities.
Particle axial movement was noticeably lower in the
reduced area of the eccentric annulus, especially in lami-
nar flow. This observation is in agreement with theoreti-
cal analysis of velocity distribution discussed in Ref. 29
and subsequent papers. At 10° inclination, the particles
were transported mainly at the low side of the annulus
at low flow rates. A more even distribution was observed
as the fluid velocity increased.
Low Angles ofInclination. A total of 19 tests were per-
formed at 20 and 30° for low angles of inclination,
10 < {}:5 30°. The behavior of cuttings in the annulus
SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986
changed gradually as the angle of inclination was increased
beyond 10°, but there were no dramatic occurrences to
warrant special tests. Because of increasing radial slip ve-
locity, more and more particles were forced toward the
low side of the annulus. This eventually caused the for-
mation of a bed of cuttings, especially at low flow rates.
Particle behavior followed two different patterns; each is
supported by the experience of researchers in slurry trans-
port, typically Wasp et al. 30 and Kao. 31 At low liquid
velocities ( < 2 ftlsec [ < 0.61 m/s)), a bed of cuttings was
formed. This bed was generally small « Ys-in.
[ < 3. 18-mm] OD) and unstable, especially in turbulent
flow with rotating inner pipe.
In general, immediately after injection into the flow
stream, the cuttings traveled downward on the low side
of the annulus and eventually re-entered the high-velocity
region at the middle of the annulus. Then the particles
were swept upward, and the process was repeated. This
phenomenon is described as "particle recycling" in this
study and was particularly severe at low liquid velocities.
At higher liquid velocities (>2 ftlsec [>0.61 m/s)), the
particles were unable to form a steady bed but were trans-
ported mostly at the low side of the annulus in clusters
or slugs that occasionally filled the entire annulus. Slugs
formed in both flow regimes and resulted in considera-
ble turbulence inside the annulus, even in what was ini-
tially laminar flow.
At still higher liquid velocities (>3 ft/sec [>0.91
m/s)), neither a steady bed nor severe slugging occurred.
The cuttings were transported smoothly at the low side
of the annulus. This is generally described by slurry pipe-
line designers 30 ,31 as heterogeneous flow, where a radi-
al concentration gradient is very obvious. In turbulent
flow, a wavy motion was observed. The Reynolds num-
ber criterion used in this study to distinguish between lami-
nar and turbulent flow regimes appears to be justified by
such visual observations.
Transition or Critical Angles. A total of 96 tests were
performed in the transition or critical range of angles,
47
 30r-----~----~~----_r------~----_r------~----~------~--_,
LEGEND
ANNULAR FLUID BULK
VELOCITY. Va. FT/SEC
• 3.82
• 2.86
6 1.91

8ASE CONDITIONS
E = +0.5
N = 50 RPM

--CARBOPOL
- - - HIGH-VISCOSITY
BENTONITE
(REFER TO TABLE II
FOR RHEOLOGICAL
PROPERTIES)

O~~~~~~~~--~
o 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 90
ANNULUS INCLINATION FROM VERTICAL. DEGREES

Fig. 6-Effects of viscosity and inclination on cuttings concentration (laminar flow).

30 < (j < 60 0. For test purposes, this range was represented
by 40 and 50° angles. The need for a more detailed study
of this angle range arose from observance of the dramat-
ic changes in particle behavior as more and more parti-
cles were forced toward the low side of the annulus.
"Transition" and "critical" are used herein to charac-
terize these dramatic changes. In general, bed formation
occurred at velocities <2.5 ftlsec [<0.76 m/s] at 40°
and < 3 ftlsec [<0.91 m/s] at 50°. The bed usually was
sliding downward against the flow, resulting in a very high
cuttings concentration. Turbulent flow and pipe rotation
both seemed to destabilize the bed. In addition, pipe ro-
tation was observed to sway the bed circumferentially.
Soon after injection, the cuttings would shoot out axi-
ally like projectiles. They would quickly settle on the low
side of the annulus and form a bed. In laminar flow, very
few particles were transported all the way up the annulus
until the bed had been formed and had reduced the annu-
lus area so that the liquid velocity was high enough to
transport those cuttings not in the bed. In turbulent flow,
the cuttings would shoot out axially as described above,
but a few would travel to the top of the annulus even be-
fore the bed was formed. At higher velocities ( > 3 ftl sec
(>0.91 m/s]), there was no distinct bed, especially in tur-
bulent flow, and the cuttings traveled mostly in slugs.
Although some bed formation did occur, the bed was

50r------.-------.-------.-------r------, 50
LEGEND BASE CONDITIONS: BASE CONDITIONS LEGEND
... ~ CARBOPOL (I) E z +0.5 jNz50RPM E=+O.5;
N= D, 50RPM;
ANNULAR VELOCITY

...oz x---x BENTONITE (II) LAMINAR FLOW

FLUID e,oo esoo AY. ...Z
FLUID. WATER o Vo : 3.82 FT/SEC
JI. Vo ;. 2.86 FT/SEC
cr 40 I 44 ZT 22 o Vo ;. ( 91 FT/SEC
~ II 55 36 28
.... 40
U
a:
0- w
Q.
J" INCLINATION,
H,(DEGREES)
Z
2 30
40
!;i
t:z
~ 80-~~:::n..
~ 20
o
40-~_
U)
(!) (/)
z <.0
Z

~
o 10 ~ 10
...J ..J
;;
~ ~

00~-----+---=::~2==~~~3~~::~------~
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY. Va' FTISEC
0~0===210===ro~==30~--4~0~~30~~ro~~ro~~~~-J~
ANGLE OF INCLINATION. II. DEGREES

Fig. 7-Effects of viscosity and velocity on cuttings con- Fig. 8-Variation of cuttings concentration with inclina-
centration (laminar flow). tion (turbulent flow).

48 SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986

 ~o
50r------,------~------~----~_r----~
BASE CONDITlQNS LEGEND
BASE CONDITIONS
...
Z
E. +0.5
N. O-IOORPM ...
€ .. +0.5
N;: 50 RPM
TURBULENT FLOW
-WATER
- - BENTONITE

~ FLUID: WATER ~40

~ 40 U
a:
~

., ANNULUS
~ INCLINAnON

~
II. (DEGREES)

U 10
90
...J

~
70
50
30
10
2 3 4 5 ANGLE OF INCLINATION." DEGREES
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va' FTISEC
Fig. 10-Effects of viscosity and inclination on cuttings
Fig. 9-Varlation of cuttings concentration with fluid vis- concentration (turbulent flOW).
cosity (turbulent flow).

50r-----~------~------~------_r----~
mostly unstable, was broken in places, and had consider-
LEGEND BASE CONDITIONS
able particle recycling, as described in the previous sec-
...z E = +0.5,N=50RPM
tion. The bed was not of constant thickness but was
alternately built up and eroded. This phenomenon may ~
x--.
o--<l WATER (11
BENTONITE (lIl
TURBULENT FLOW
FLUID 8. 00 8"'0 A.V.
II: 40
1 2 I I
be described as a pseudoequilibrium state caused by the Ie II: 8 5 4
bed-thickness increase that reduces the flow area and ...>
u
causes increased liquid velocity. This in turn erodes the Z
bed and causes an increase in the annular effective flow 230
area, a decrease in the liquid velocity, and repetition of ~
~
the whole cycle. z
~
Angles of 40 and 50° are critical, not just because the ~ 20
cuttings build a bed, but because gravity forces the bed
to slide downward. When the liquid pump was stopped,
.,
U

the entire contents of the annulus dropped like an
avalanche and blocked the lower part of the annulus. This
is a potentially dangerous situation in actual drilling op-
erations and may easily lead to a stuck pipe unless all the
cuttings are circulated out before tripping.
High Angles of Inclination. A total of 74 tests were per-
formed at 60, 70, 80, and 90° for high angles of inclina-
tion, 605 () 5 90°. Bed formation was almost
instantaneous at these high angles of inclination. The bed
did not slide downward, however, even when circulation
was stopped. Rotation of the inner pipe was observed to
sway the bed tangentially, which caused a higher build-
up of cuttings on one side of the annulus. In addition,
inner-pipe rotation continuously shook cuttings out of the
bed into the moving stream above the bed, especially in
turbulent flow. Particles above the bed consisted of two
zones similar to those observed by Newitt et at. 32 and
Gruesbeck et at. 33 The first zone was a narrow layer of
closely grouped particles moving axially just above the
bed. The second zone, just above this narrow layer, con-
sisted of sparsely populated particles traveling smoothly
with very little slugging. In general terms, a pseudo-
equilibrium state existed between the bed and the free par-
ticles after sufficient particles had been deposited to reduce
the flow area enough for transport to occur. Predictably,
the pseudoequilibrium bed height at a particular flow re-
SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986
(!)
INCLINATION .
II. (DEGREES)
z
~
U 10
...J
~ 40
o (VERTICAL)
2 3 4 5
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va ' FTISEC
Fig. 11-Effects of viscosity and velocity on cuttings con-
centration (turbulent flow).
gime was found to increase as fluid flow rate and/or vis-
cosity decreased. We believe that, if the liquid flow rate
had been continuously increased, a point would have been
reached where, for a particular angle, there would have
been practically no bed. Then all the particles would have
been transported in heterogeneous flow or pseudo-
homogeneous flow. This view is supported by the work
of Wasp et at. 30 who discussed the concept of deposi-
tion velocity related to slurry transport. Because such high
velocities (> 5 ft/sec [> 1.5 m/s]) usually are not used
in drilling operations, experiments were not performed
to check this concept.
Effects of Pipe/Hole Eccentricity
Tests were performed with water at 0 (vertical), 40, 50,
and 90° with different pipe/hole eccentricities. It was ob-
49
 SO
~Or------'-------.-------.-------r------~

...
SPECIAL LEGENO BASE CONDiTIONS
x- - K MEDIUM-VISCOSITY ,,= +0.5
...
Z
TEST CONDITIONS
TURBULENT FLOW o
LEGEND
,,= 0 (CONCENTRIC)
Z
ILl
BENTONITE MUD N = 50RPM
ANGLE, H =40· FROM VERTICAL
I&J
()
FLUID: WATER
ANGLE, I' = 90·
o "=-0.5
o E=+0.5
(TURBULENT FLOW FOR
() II: 40 (HORIZONTAL)
II: 40 Va > 3.34 FT/SEC) I&J (NUMBERS NEAR POINTS I, 2,3
REFER TO RPM'S 0, ~O,IOO,
~ (LAMINAR FLOW FOR
Va <
2.39 FT/SEC)
11._
RESPECTIVELY)
I- a - a COMPARATIVE CURVE
REFER TO TABLE n FOR RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES ()
> FOR LOW-VISCOSITY
OF THE VARIOUS FLUIDS. BENTONITE; " = I (FULLY
Z ECCENTRIC)
Q 30 \
Ii X

...
.\
II:
Z
I&J
()
z 20
01
0
f~
()

~
UJ
CI
LOW-VISCOSITY Z
BENTONITE
(TURBULENT) _ _--"~ ...:>
~

10
~2,3 1
01 01
()
HIGH-VISCOSITY
BENTONITE ..J 8~ 01
§'~.;
~
(LAMINAR) X

, ~13
8k 2
~~----~------~2------~3-------L------~ 0 -.l
0 I 2 3 4 5
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va ' FTISEC AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY~ Va' FTISEC

Fig. 12-Combined effects of viscosity and flow regime Fig. 14-Effects of inner-pipe rotation and eccentricity on
on cuttings concentration. cuttings concentration (90 0 ).

Effects of Fluid Viscosity

BASE CONDITIONS
N=50RPM
---£=+0.5
FLUID: WATER - 0 - £ = 0 (CONCENTRIC)
--·£:-0.5
...~40
o of liquid viscosity on cuttings behavior depended on the
a:
w
0..
°0 10 20 30 40 50
ANGLE OF INCLINATION
Fig. 13-Effects of eccentricity on cuttings concentration.
served that in vertical holes, cuttings behavior was near-
ly the same for all eccentricities. The only difference was
the noticeable reduction in cuttings velocity in the reduced
annulus area of the eccentric annulus. Because a corre-
sponding increase in cuttings movement occurred in the
enlarged section, the effects appeared to cancel each other.
For the inclined annulus, however, we observed that
cuttings buildup was lowest when the inner pipe was con-
centric with the outer pipe. The rate of bed buildup ap-
peared to be slightly faster with the positive-eccentricity
case (see Fig. 1). This observation agrees with theoreti-
cal developments regarding eccentric annular velocity pro-
files. 29 The axial propagation of the bed also appeared
to be slowest at this eccentricity.
LEGEND
and Flow Regime
To determine the effects of fluid viscosity and flow re-
gime, special tests were run at 0, 40, and 80°. Effects
flow regime. In laminar flow, bed formation in high-
viscosity fluids was slow compared to that in low-viscosity
fluids. A smaller bed eventually was formed in the high-
viscosity fluid. In turbulent flow, however, although a
slightly smaller bed of cuttings did form in the higher-
viscosity fluid, bed formation was equally fast for both
cases. This phenomenon may be related to particle-slip
velocities, which are greater in turbulent flow than in lami-
nar flow. Also, particle slippage is independent of vis-
cosity in turbulent flow. 5,8
As discussed earlier, turbulent flow was characterized
by a distinct, wavy motion of the cuttings clusters on the
low side of the annulus. In laminar flow, this wavy mo-
60 70 80 90 tion was not observed. Of course, these discussions refer
II. DEGREES
to the inclined annulus. In vertical transport, there were
more particles transported near the outer wall in laminar
flow than in turbulent flow. This observation agrees with
the pointed shape of the velocity profile in laminar flow
as compared to that in turbulent flow.
Graphical Correlations
In this paper, correlations for cuttings concentration, aver-
age cuttings velocity, and bed thickness are discussed.
Subsequent papers will cover such topics as the deposi-
tion velocity, moving cuttings concentration, and semi-
empirical transport models developed for directional
wells. 7
Correlations for Total Cuttings Concentration. Figs.
4 through 18 show graphical correlations of the total cut-
tings concentration, C VT , in terms of several relevant
drilling parameters. In these correlations, it is important

50 SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986

 50
50
TEST CONDITIONS LEGEND
.... TURBULENT FLOW o CONCENTRIC. E =0 TEST CONDITIONS LEGEND
Z FLUID: WATER o -VE ECCEN., E =-0.5
1&1
0 ANGLE, e = 50· o +VE ECCEN.,E =0.5 !z
1&1
TURBULENT FLOW
FLUID: WATER
SAME AS FIG 15
Go: 40
1&1 (NUMBERS NEAR POINTS (.) ANGLE, e = 40-
II:, 1,2,3 REFER TO RPM'S a: 40
1&1
I-
0,50,100 RESPECTIVELY) n.
> I-
0
>
z230 (.)

Z
~ 0
i=
30
c2
....0::Z <%
a:
1&1 01 ....z
0 1&1
~ 20 01
(.)
Z
0 0 20
8~
01
en c.
(.)
C!) 02
Z en 1,§§~'
r
C!)

....i= •
2 02 g2
1-01 Z
i=
::> 10
0
~ 02
• ....
::>
(.) 10
af
:: ~~t.2.3
c1
02,3
~

....0<%
02

~ 02
.... 01.2,'--8f,.
00 8§
2 3 4 5
00 2 3 4 5
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va ' FTISEC
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va ' FT/SEC
Fig. 15-Effects of inner-pipe rotation and eccentricity on
cuttings concentration (50°). Fig. 16-Effects of inner-pipe rotation and eccentricity on
cuttings concentration (40°).

to remember that the total cuttings concentration is a good

indicator of drilling-fluid transport efficiency. The low-
er the concentration, the better the transport. With this 50r------.-------r------,-------r------,
in mind, it is obvious from Fig. 4 that all drilling fluids TEST CONDITIONS LEGEND
in all flow regimes perform best at low angles of hole in- ....z TURBULENT FLOW SAME AS FIG. :5

clination. Moreover, Figs. 6 and 10 show that, given two

....
(.)
FLUID' WATER
ANGLE, fJ = O·
II:: 40
different muds in the same flow regime, the higher- ~
viscosity mud gives better transport performance than the I-
>
(.)
lower-viscosity mud. However, Fig. 12 shows that in Z
highly deviated holes a low-viscosity mud in turbulent Q30

flow will perform just as well as a high-viscosity mud in !i

laminar flow. ~....
(.)
Figs. 5, 7,9, and 11 show that the higher the fluid ve- ~ 20
(.)
locity, the more effective the hole cleaning at all hole an- en
gles, all fluid viscosities, and all flow regimes. (See (!)
Z

a~
Ref. 7.)
10
Fig. 13 shows the effects of pipe/hole eccentricities on ~
02
particle concentration. Between 0 and 35° inclinations,
there is very little effect of eccentricity (within ±50%). ~ 02 02
01,2,' 1,,82 01,2,'r. C202 ,IOORPM
The effect is so small that the worst case is the negative- 2 3 4 5
eccentricity case. On the average, the concentric annulus AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va' FTISEC
is best but not by a wide margin, especially at high liquid
flow rates. Between 35 and 55°, there is no consistent Fig. 17-Effects of inner-pipe rotation and eccentricity on
effect of eccentricity, E, as the curves crisscross. At an- cuttings concentration (0°).
gles > 55 ° , however, E = + 50 % gives the worst perform-
ance by a wide margin, especially at low flow rates. proved by reducing fluid flow rate at 40 and 80°. This
Figs. 14 through 18 show the effects of inner-pipe ro- implication is contrary to all physical principles.
tation on cuttings concentration at various eccentricities Figs. 21 through 23 show rather curious effects of vis-
for laminar and turbulent flow. From these graphs, the cosity and flow regime on net cuttings transport veloci-
effects of pipe rotation certainly are minor at best. ty. Note that the y axis is the theoretical transport ratio,
Rr =v plva' a dimensionless number used by previous in-
Cuttings Transport Velocity vestigators. 4 ,23 For vertical flow (Fig. 21), the cuttings
Unlike vertical cuttings transport, the use of an average are transported better in higher-viscosity fluids in a par-
cuttings rise velocity, vp' to evaluate directional-well ticular flow regime. Both laminar and turbulent flow re-
drilling-mud performance would be misleading because gimes appear to provide good transport performance;
of bed formation and the concomitant reduction in effec- water is the worst fluid for transport. Low-viscosity ben-
tive flow area, which lead to high effective fluid and cut- tonite in turbulent flow, on the other hand, appears to per-
tings velocities (see Figs. 19 through 23). In particular, form as well as the two high-viscosity fluids in laminar
Figs. 22 and 23 imply that transport performance is im- flow.
SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986 51
 visual observations during the experiments indicated that,
$O~----~------~-------r-------r------~ at some of the intermediate angles, bed formation started
TEST CONDIT IONS LEGEND
at slightly higher liquid flow rates in laminar flow than
~
Z LAMINAR FLOW SAME AS FIG. 15 EXCEPT in turbulent flow. As postulated by Tomren 6 and Iyoho, 7
1&.1 FLUID: BENTONITE NO VARIATION IN
U ANGLE. H = 0,40' ECCENTRIC this could be caused by the flatter velocity profile in tur-
~ 40 E=+0.5
bulent flow that tends to move the cuttings on the low side
better, thereby restricting bed formation. In each flow re-
gime, the bed is slightly smaller in the higher-viscosity
mud, and the effect of viscosity is more pronounced at
lower liquid rates. The bed is also thickest when the in-
IWG. TREND FOR
ALL RPM'S
ner pipe is displaced toward the low side of the hole (posi-
II :;40·) tive eccentricity), as shown in Fig. 28. This, of course,
~ is caused by reduced liquid velocity in the section of the
annulus where bed formation is developing as a result of
AVG. TREND FOR
gravitational segregation. 29
ALL RPM'S
0-)
If .:
Conclusions
On the basis of the detailed experimental analyses dis-
2,3 ,,2 cussed in previous sections of this work, the following
00 I 2 3 conclusions can be drawn regarding cuttings transport in
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va' FTISEC inclined, eccentric annuli.
1. The customary use of a theoretical transport ra-
Fig. 18-Effects of inner-pipe rotation on cuttings concen- tio,4.23 Rr =v plv a (where vp and Va refer to average
tration (laminar flow). particle and annular velocities, respectively), as a guide
in evaluating drilling-fluid performance should be restrict-
ed to vertical flow. For inclined flow, the transport ratio
in this form would be misleading because of cuttings
For 40 and 80° tests, however, viscosity and flow- segregation, which invariably leads to the formation of
regime effects do not show any consistent trends on Rr a bed of cuttings that produces drastic effects on particle
(Figs. 22 and 23). Consequently, the customary use of and annular velocities.
Rr to characterize directional-well transport performance, 2. The formation of a bed of cuttings was observed even
v
like the use of p' would be misleading. at high liquid rates for angles greater than 40°, signifi-
Figs. 24 through 28 illustrate the effects of fluid veloc- cantly reducing the effective flow area. Predictably, bed
ity, viscosity, hole inclination, and pipe/hole eccentricity thickness increased as liquid flow rate decreased and as
on bed thickness as a fraction of annulus OD, do. The hole inclination from the vertical increased. With the
trends are roughly consistent and indicate a smaller bed reduction in annular cross-sectional area, the few cuttings
at higher fluid velocity. Moreover, the bed thickness in- not in the bed were inevitably transported more rapidly
creases gradually as hole angle is increased, remaining even at low flow rates. Under such circumstances, the
fairly constant above 60°. A comparison of Figs. 24 and v
use of net transport velocity, p' as a measure of trans-
26 shows, as expected, that there is much more scatter port performance would also give a false picture in direc-
in the turbulent flow data. It should be pointed out that tional wells.

5.00

U
.... ~ RV .FLUID ~ L.EI.91 FT/SEC Fluid: Carbopo!
'""-
I- X R~ .FLUID ~ EL=2.39 FT/SEC N = 50 RPM
~ 4.00 ~ R~ .FllJIn ~ FL .:>.88 1FT/SF!: < = 0.5 ~
a:
> + R~ I..FLUID ~ EL. E3. 34 IFT/SEC .4 :::::--
.:
~~
~
!!I RV .!\Jl'!q,~ IFT/SEC
----- !i'
~
--
I-
u
0
....
..J 3.00
...- ---~
...---- - =--
> ~
I-
~
a..
'"a::z 2.00 ~
p ~

'"
I-

~
~
~ -------
l-
I-
~ 1.00
u
cS
>
a::

.00
.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 so. 00 70.00 80.00 so. 00
RNOLE OF INCLINRTION FROM VERTICRLIDEC.l

Fig. 19-Variation of cuttings velocity with inclination (laminar flow).

52 SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986

 5.00

U
.....
U')
....
I- ....
"- 4.00
a:
>
.:
~
I-
Li
0
...J 3.00
..... I!> L._
>
V
---:/
l-
ll<
0
0..
U')
z
a: 2.00 ~
'"
I-
./" I!I o OEG. [VE~ I CAll
~ + 20 OEGS.FRO~ VERT.
~
l-
I-
::J 1.00 / \!)
x SO
40 DEGS.FRO~
DEGS.FR~
VERT.
YERL

~V
Ll
Fluid: Carbopol 6 60 OEGS. FRO~ VERT.
U N = 50 RPM
>
a:
E = 0.5
.00
.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00

AVG. NOHINAL FLUID VELOCITY. VA. [FT/5ECl

Fig. 20-Variation of cuttings velocity with fluid velocity (laminar flOW).

3. Results indicate that the major factors that should be
considered regarding mud-carrying capacity in directional
wells are fluid velocity, hole inclination, and mud rheo-
logical properties.
4. Increasing the hole inclination while keeping other
parameters constant dramatically reduces the carrying ca-
pacity of drilling fluids. An increase in the hole angle leads
to increased total cuttings concentration, C VT, an indi-
cation of reduced mud-carrying capacity.
5. Within a particular flow regime, fluids with higher
viscosity gave better cuttings transport. However, low-
viscosity bentonite in turbulent flow performed as well
as high-viscosity bentonite in laminar flow, especially in
nonvertical annuli. This agrees with the results of Refs.
12, 13, and 15, studies that were restricted to vertical
flow. It conflicts with the views of Lummus* who be-
lieves that fluids in laminar flow always perform better
than those in turbulent flow.
We believe that, in general, both laminar and turbu-
slight effects on transport performance in inclined annu-
li. This conclusion is well-documented by graphs that
show the effects of pipe rotation on C VT at several an-
gles of inclination (Figs. 14 through 18). It also agrees
with the conclusions of Sifferman et al. ,4 whose study
was limited to vertical flow. However, it conflicts with
views expressed by authors who believe that pipe-rotation
effects are minor only in turbulent flow and are signifi-
cant in laminar flow regardless of the hole angle. In the-
ory, this view appears reasonable for vertical flow where
centrifugal forces tend to swirl the cuttings into the high-
velocity middle section of the annulus. In practice, how-
120...----,----,-----.-----r----..,
~ 100 , , __x_

.
)(
lent flow can be used effectively in vertical flow. Some >0 ,/'"
viscosity is always desirable, however, because tap water ....
><l.
'"
I • ...---.--
gave the poorest transport performance in this study. The • 80
I/'"·
'/ I
inclined annulus is an entirely different situation. The flat-
ter turbulent-flow profile provides a better transport front
for the cuttings, most of which tend to gravitate to the
r£
o
iiII: . /
I I •
/
•
low side of the annulus. In laminar flow, velocities near
~
II:
60
I • •
the hole wall are very small because of the more pointed ~ I BASE CONDITIONS
VI
Z I E - + 0.5
nature of the velocity profile. Cuttings-transport perform- ~
N-50RPM

ance in directional wells, therefore, will be worse in lami- j 40

~ /I • 0 DEGREE

~
nar flow than in turbulent flow, provided that both fluids o LEGEND

1
~
have adequate effective viscosity. -WATER
0----0 LOW-VISCOSITY TURBULENT FLOW
Non-Newtonian Power-law fluids generally tend to have BENTONITE

slightly flattened velocity profiles, even in laminar flow. ~ 20 . . - . CARBOPOL

x---x HIGH-VISCOSITY
1 LAMINAR FLOW
Cuttings transport in inclined annuli should be improved BENTONITE

under those circumstances as well. Depending on the ef-

fective viscosity, this may not necessarily hold for verti- 2 3 4
cal annuli. AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY. Va • FTISEC
6. Related to the above conclusions is the effect of drill-
pipe rotation. In this study, pipe rotation produced only
Fig. 21-Combined effects of viSCOSity and flow regime
on theoretical transport ratiO, R I (vertical flOW).
'Private communication with J.L. Lummus, U. of Tulsa, 1981.

SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986 53

 140r----,---~,.--_,_---.,_--__, I.O,.---,---.,_--..,.---_,_--y---y-----,-----,---,
BASE CONDITIONS LEGEND
0.9 E' 0.5 Vo ' FTISEC
N= 50 RPM .3.82
FLUID'. CARBOPOL
..,
120
"
~0.8
.. 3.34
• 2.86
02.39
0 ~ A 1.91
~
~ UO.7
)( «
>0 100 a::
.... !!:
~0.6
>'"
ui
II)
II:: ~0.5
0 80
~ "
u
«
a:: ~O.4
~ o
II::
!?on 60
'"m 0.3
.J
Z «
« z
a::
~ §0.2

...~ 0.1
.J
«
....2
III
40 LEGEND
TURBULENT FLOW
II::
lil% _WATER
~~LOW-VISCOSITY
~
BENTONITE
20
BASE CONDITIONS LAMINAR FLOW
E. + 0.5 - CARBOPOL
N' O __ IOORPM
l - - l HIGH-VISCOSITY
Fig. 24-Variation of bed thickness with inclination (lami-
H ' 40 DEGII£ES BENTONITE nar flow).
D
0 2 4 5

AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va' FTISEC

Fig. 22-Combined effects of viscosity and flow regime
on theoretical transport ratio, R I (9 = 40°).
140~---'----r---1!f-r---'-----r
ever, especially in nonvertical holes, such effects are mini-
mized by the stronger tendency of the cuttings to settle
through the transport fluid and to form a bed.
7. Pipe/hole eccentricity produced some effects on bed
thickness and particle concentration. The lowest values
of concentration at all flow rates, hence the best carrying
capacity, occurred when the pipe was concentric with the
hole. For angles of inclination (from the vertical) less than
35 the negative-eccentricity case (Fig. 1) gave the worst
0
,

transport for all flow rates. For angles of inclination great-

120 er than 55 the positive-eccentricity case gave the worst
0
,

transport. There was a transition zone between 35 and

o
~ 55 where the bed slid downward against the flow and
0
,
)(

o caused severe slugging and poor transport. In this zone,

.....> 100
the effect of eccentricity was not consistent.
.
>'"
II::
8. Angles of inclination between 35 and 55 0 are criti-
cal not just because a bed forms but because the bed slides
o downward against the flow. When the mud circulation was
5 eo
interrupted, the entire annulus content moved down quick-
II::
~
II:: ly. This is potentially dangerous because running back
o
IL the drilling assembly would be impossible without con-
~ 60
siderable redrilling.
«
II::
~ 9. Comparing present results with limited previous
LEGEND work, Thomas' 22 Fig. 14 shows slight effects of eccen-
TURBULENT FLOW
tricity on concentration for vertical flow. The effect is
_WATER
~LOW-VISCSITY
such that E=O (concentric) gives the lowest C VT and
BENTONITE
hence the best transport. This agrees with the results of
BASE CONDITIONS LAMINAR FLOW this study (Fig. 17).
20 E • +0.5 _CARBOPOL Sifferman et al. 4 showed that in vertical flow the most
N • 50 RPM . - - . HIGH'VISCOSITY
H • 80 DEGREES BENTONITE important factors in cuttings transport are fluid velocity
and fluid rheological properties. Results of this study are
in agreement with this conclusion. •
°O~----~------~------~------+-----~5
Finally, observations by Fujii and Sat0 25 regarding cut-
AVERAGE ANNULAR VELOCITY, Va' FT/SEC
tings rotation with pipe rotation in vertical transport were
observed in this study, although observations were not
Fig. 23-Combined effects of viscosity and flow regime as consistent as those described in their study. On the other
on theoretical transport ratio, R I (9 = 80°).
hand, their conclusion that inner-pipe rotation does not

54 SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986

 1.0 r---r----,--r---r----,--r---r--.....,.---, 1.0

CONDITIONS LEGEND
CONDITIONS LEGEND
LAMINAR FLOW --CARBOPOL 0.9
0.9 E =+0.5 AVERAGE NOMINAL
--HIGH-VISCOSITY
."
0-
". +0.5
N. 50 RPM
BENTONITE ..,
'0 N. 50 RPM
FLUID: WATER
ANNULAR VELOCITY
V • • FT/SEC
~0.8 ~0.8 •
•
3.82
2.86
~
~
Z
Q " 1.91
~
~0.7 00.7
cr
It: It:
~ AVERAGE NOMINAL !:!.
..
ANNULAR VELOCITY,
~0.6 Va ,FT/~EC .. 0.6

.n fI) .n
~0.5 1.91
fa 0.5
Z
'"~ " 0.4
0
1=0.4 ~
o C
1&1 1&1
ID
cl°. 3 ~D.3
cr
Z z
~0.2 3.82 Q
t; 0.2
~ cr
It:
"- "-
0.1 0.1

00 80
80
ANGLE OF INCLINATION. Ii. DEGREES

Fig. 25-Effects of viscosity on bed thickness (laminar Fig. 26-Variation of bed thickness with inclination (tur-
flow). bulent flow).

induce particle rotation and hence produces minor effects K = parameter for power-law model, 7=K~ n
on inclined-flow transport is in complete agreement with Rt theoretical transport ratio, %
. observations of this study. Va == average (nominal) liquid annular velocity,
ftlsec [m/s]
Nomenclature vp average particle velocity outside the bed,
C VT total particle concentration, percent or ft/sec [m/s]
fraction vs average IA-in. [6.35-mm] -cuttings vertical
do outer-pipe (hole or casing) diameter, slip velocity in quiescent fluid,
ft/sec [m/s]
in. [mm]
f eccentricity
n parameter for power-law model, 7=K~ n 8 angle

1.0r--.---,--r--.---,--r--,--.....,.---,

CONDITIONS LEGEND 1.0 r---r----,--r---r----,--r---r--....,.----.

0.9 TURBULENT FLOW --WATER CONDrrlONS LEGEND
-8
"-
"-+0.5
N-50RPM
- - LOW-VISCOSITY
BENTONITE 0.9 FLUID' WATER --,,= +0.5
~
N • 50 RPM - - - " - 0 'CONCENTRIC)
00.8
Z ~E.-O.5
o ~0.8
i3cr 0.7
It
AVERAGE NOMINAL
ANNULAR VELOCrry.
~~0.7
V • • FT/SEC AVERAGE NOMINAL
~0.6 If ANNULAR VELOCITY.
Vo • FT/SEC
.n ~0.6
13
zO.5 1.91 .n
fI)
1.91
'"o
i
~0.4
o
/ ..... --- ~0.5

"
o
~0.4
!II //
cl°. 3
Z
/ 3.82 ~..J 0.3
/
E
~0.2 / '"
Z

"-
/ ~0.2
/
0.1 / '""-
II::
3.82
/ 0.1
/
°0~--~~-~~-~30~-~40~-30~-~60~-ro~-~80~-~80
ANGLE OF INCLINATION. e. DEGREES °0~--d:~~20~~3~0-~4~0~~~~~60~~~ro~~80~~~80
ANGLE OF INCLINATION. e. DEGREES

Fig. 27-Effects of viscosity on bed thickness (turbulent

flow). Fig. 28-Effects of eccentricity on bed thickness.

SPE Drilling Engineering. February 1986 55

Acknowledgments 21. Boulet, D.P.: "A Study of the Applicability of the Zeidler Transport
Model to Hole-Geometry Variation, " MS thesis, U. of Tulsa, Tulsa,
We thank the member companies of the U. of Tulsa drill- OK (1974).
ing research projects, who provided funds for this re- 22. Thomas, R.P.: "Drill Pipe Eccentricity Effect on Drilled Cuttings
search: Amoco Production Co., ARCO, Chevron U.S.A. Behavior," MS thesis, U. of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK (1978).
Inc., Conoco Inc., Dowell, Exxon Corp., Gulf Oil Corp., 23. Sample, K.J. and Bourgoyne, A.T.: "An Experimental Evalua-
tion of Correlations Used for Predicting Cutting Slip Velocity,"
IMP, INTEVEP SA, Mobil Oil Corp., PERTAMINA, paper SPE 6645 presented at the 1977 SPE Annual Technical
Petro Canada Inc., Sandia Natl. Laboratories, Shell Oil Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Oct. 9-12.
Co., and Sohio Petroleum Co. 24. Sample, K.J. and Bourgoyne, A.T.: "Development of Improved
Laboratory and Field Procedures for Determining the Carrying
References Capacity of Drilling Fluids," paper SPE 7497 presented at the 1978
SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Oct.
I. Zeidler, H.U.: "Fluid and Drilled Particle Dynamics Related to 1-3.
Drilling Mud Carrying Capacity," PhD dissertation, U. of Tulsa, 25. Fujii, K. and Sato, M.: "Carrying Capacity of Liquid Flowing
Tulsa, OK (1974). through Annulus of Inclined Pipes," Japanese J. Assoc. Pet. Tech.
2. Hussaini, S.M.: "A Study on the Applicability of Zeidler's (1965) 30, 34-39 (in Japanese).
Transport Model to the Prediction of Actual Drilling Mud Carrying 26. Movsumov. A.A. et al.: "On Well Cleaning During Directional
Capacity," MS thesis, U. of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK (1977). Well Drilling," Izv. Vyssh. Ucheb. Zavedenii. Neft Gaz (1965) 6,
3. Moore, L.P.:. Drilling Practices Manual, Petroleum Publishing 25-27 (in Russian).
Co., Tulsa, OK (1974) Chap. 8. 27. Craft, B.C., Holden, W.R., and Graves, E.E. Jr.: Well Design:
4. Sifferman, T.R. et al.: "Drill-Cuttings Transport in Full-Scale Drilling and Production, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (1962)
Vertical Annuli," J. Pet. Tech. (Nov. 1974) 1295-1302. 55-79.
5. Hopkin, E.A.: "Factors Affecting Cuttings Removal During Rotary 28. Hussaini, S.M. and Azar, J.1.: "Experimental Study of Drilled
Drilling," J. Pet. Tech. (June 1967) 807-14; Trans., AIME, 240. Cuttings Transport Using Common Drilling Muds," Soc. Pet. Eng.
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Capacity," J. Pet. Tech. (July 1975) 893-900; Trans., AIME, 259. ence and Exhibition held in San FranCiSCO, Oct. 5-8.

56 SPE Drilling Engineering, February 1986