Annular velocity

Annular velocity is the speed of fluid moving up the annulus and it must be high enough to transport cuttings generated while drilling from the wellbore. However, if the annular velocity is too high, it can create hole wash out and excessive equivalent circulating density. SYSTEM CONSTRAINTS When we get the optimum flow rate which match your optimization objective, you must check the system constrains such as Deliverability of mud pumps is enough, isnt it? The optimum flow rate is within the operating range of down hole tools, isnt it? The maximum annular velocity is exceeded, isnt it? The equivalent circulating density can cause formation fracture, cant it? The flow rate is below the critical flow rate, isnt it?

There are two methods used to optimize drilling hydraulics with downhole tools. 1. The first method is to subtract the expected pressure loss generated by downhole tools from the surface pressure. After you get the reduced surface pressure, you optimize the system with lower pump pressure. 2. The second method is to optimize whole system as if there is no downhole equipment and then you subtract the expected pressure loss by downhole tools from available bit pressure. What are the differences between both methods of optimization with downhole tools? The first method has a draw back because the predicted pressure loss across the tool has more uncertainty than the second method because the flow rate is not determined at the beginning. The second gives a higher flow rate and larger nozzle areas because you optimize the large pressure at the beginning. The higher flow rate has better capability to remove butting in the annulus than the lower flow rate. Whats more, the bigger nozzle areas give more flexibility to configure nozzles. Another advantage is in comparison to the first way is that the flow rate is known therefore you will have good downhole pressure loss prediction.