Drilling Fluid Circulation

Basic Functions

Drilling Hydraulics
♦ Overcoming formation pressure
♦ Stabilizing the borehole
♦ Cooling and lubricating the bit and drill string
♦ Transport cuttings to the surface

Fundamental Drilling Fluids Drilling Fluids Properties

♦ Gas is highly compressible. Its volume is dependent on pressure and
temperature
There are 3 basic categories of drilling
fluids : ♦ Foam is compressible, mixture of air/gas+water+chemicals

♦ Gas ♦ Liquid is slightly compressible, properties are changing with pressure and
♦ Foam temperature

♦ Liquid

Drilling Fluids Properties Mud Rheology

Properties that determine mud rheologyinclude :

Basic data :

Density ppg kg/dm 3 SG

♦ Density
Funnel Viscosity sec
♦ Plastic Viscosity ♦ Chloride Content
Viscosity (PV-YP) cP -lb/100 ft2
Gel Strength lb/100 ft2 ♦ Yield point ♦ Alkalinity
Solids Content vol% ♦ Gel strength ♦ Calcium content
♦ Acidity (pH) ♦ Solids content
♦ Filtration
 How do you measure the rheological properties ? Shear Rate, Shear Stress

♦ Marsh Funnel
The time required for 1 U.S. quart (or 946 cm3 ) of fluid to drain through a
funnel. v F
A
Example : Water has a funnel viscosity of 26 seconds.
d
♦ Rotating Cylinder Viscosimeter
Measures torque (usually at 600,300,200,100,6 and 3 rpm). Figures on the
dial are degrees of rotation. A conversion factor is required to convert the dial
readings to units of shear stress.
v (m/s)
Shear rate : D=
d (m) = … 1/s

F (lb)
Shear stress : T= = … lb/100ft2
A (100 ft 2 )

Principle of 6-speed
Rotational Viscosimeter Rotating Cylinder
Viscosimeter

Fann Model 35
viscosimeter

6-speed
Rotating Cylinder Rheological Models (1)
Viscosimeter

What the models do :

Mathematical formulae, allows us to calculate the shear stress

at any shear rate we wish

T = f (D)

The parameters of this function depend on the selected fluid mod el :

Fann Model 35 µ for newtonic fluid model

viscosimeter PV, YP for the Bingham plastic fluid model
n, K for the Power Law fluid model
 Rheological Models (2) RheologicalModels(3)

From the shear stress and shear rate the viscosity can be calculated :

♦ Newtonic
♦ Bingham-plastic
µ = T/D ♦ Power Law (pseudoplastic)
♦ Yield-Power Law

This is the dynamic viscosity.

♦ Casson
Viscosity of the water at 20C is 1centiPoise : cP (1 dyn-s/cm2).

Newtonic Flow Curve

Newtonic Model
t Newtonic viscosity = tan a

♦ Relationship : T= µ xD lb/100 ft2

R600 - R300
µ viscosity, P, cP
D shear rate,1/s
511
T shear stress,lb/100ft2
a
D
511 1022 1/s
300 600 rpm

Bingham-Plastic Model Bingham Model Parameters

♦ Relationship : T = PV x D + YP When using a Fann viscometer with R1-B1-F1

rotor-bob-spring combination :
Shear Stress = (Plastic Viscosity)x(Shear Rate)+Yield Point

♦ Yield Point is an initial stress at 0 shear rate, measure of electrical PV = (600rpm reading) - (300rpm reading) [ cP]
attractive forces in the mud under flowing conditions YP = 2(300rpm reading) - (600rpm reading) [lb/100 ft2 ]

♦ Once this yield stress is exceeded, equal increments of shear rate

produce equal increments of shear stress. Note : For field use, a conversion factor is neglected
 Bingham-Plastic Flow Curve Bingham-Plastic Flow Curve

t Plastic viscosity = tan a t Apparent viscosity = tan a (at 300 rpm)

lb/100 ft2 lb/100 ft2 tan ß (at 600 rpm)

R600 - R300
a

511
YP YP

a ß
D D
511 1022 1/s 511 1022 1/s
300 600 rpm 300 600 rpm

Bingham Plastic Model

Power Law Model

♦ Apparent viscosity varies with shear rate for non-Newtonian fluids ♦ Water-based mud systems are typical
♦ Apparent viscosity decreases with increased shear rate (called
shear thinning) ♦ n and K values are used in the model
♦ As shear rates approaches infinity, apparent viscosity reaches a ♦ Drilling fluids behave more plastic than water when subjected
limit (the plastic viscosity). to increasing pressure and temperature
♦ Advantage: easy to use, and represents most drilling fluids
♦ Disadvantage: does not accurately represent drilling fluids at low
shear rates

Power Law Model Power Law Flow Curve

t
♦ Relationship (pseudoplastic fluid) : T = K x Dn lb/100 ft2

Shear Stress = (K Consistency Factor) x (Shear Rate)n

♦ Consistency Factor (K) describes the thickness of the fluid

and somewhat analogous to apparent viscosity 511
(i.e., as K increases, mud becomes thicker)
♦ Flow behavior index (n) indicates the degree of non-Newtonian behavior. D
If n = 1, the fluid is newtonic. 511 1022 1/s
If n > 1, viscosity increases as shear rate increases ( dilatant fluid) 300 600 rpm

If 0 < n < 1, viscosity decreases as shear rate increases (pseudoplastic fluid)

 Power Law Flow Curve
Power Law Model Parameters
log t
lb/100 ft2
n = tan f
♦ To calculate n :

n = 3.32 log (600rpm reading / 300rpm reading) [-]

f
K
♦ To calculate K :

K = (300rpm reading) / 511n [lb-sn/100 ft2] log D

2.7084 3.0095 1/s
300 600 rpm

Power Law Model Yield Power-Law Flow Curve

l Advantage of the model : represents the behavior of drilling fluids at low t

lb/100 ft2
shear rates more accurately

♦ Most drilling fluids are pseudoplastic

♦ The viscosity is decreasing with increasing shear rate : shear thinning is

desirable 511

Y
D
511 1022 1/s
300 600 rpm

Flow Curves of Different Fluids

Drilling Fluid Model Application
shear
Ps.plastic n < 1
stress
Newtonic n = 1
lb/100 ft2
Dilatant n > 1 Best fits :

♦ Bingham Plastic model for oil- based mud systems

♦ Power Law model for water-, synthetic-oil or petrofree

fluid based mud systems

shear rate
511 1022 1/s
300 600 rpm
 Time-Dependent Behavior Gel Strength
♦ Most drilling fluids exhibit time-dependent Gel strength describes the time-dependent flow behavior of a drilling
behavior. fluid.
♦ Shear Stress is dependent on duration of
shear. Why? ♦ Measures the attractive forces in the fluid under static conditions.

♠ Clay plates or fibers are broken into smaller ♦ Increases steadily with time (strong) or only slightly with time
particles at higher rates of shear.
(weak gel).
♠ These small particles aggregate into layer
units as shear rate is decreased again.
♠ Both of these events take a considerable ♦ Strong gels are the result of high clay concentration which may
length of time.
require excessive pressure to break circulation.

♦ May lead to lost circulation (i.e., strong gels are undesirabl e.)

Flow Regimes Flow Regimes

Plug Flow Laminar Flow

♦ Fluid essentially moves as a single, undisturbed solid body or plug ♦ Laminae are concentric cylindrical shells which slide or extend past
one another like sections of a telescope
♦ Movement occurs by a thin layer of fluid “slipping” along a conductor
♦ The velocity at the pipe wall is 0; maximum velocity is at the center
surface
of the pipe
♦ Plug flow generally occurs at very low flow rates

♦ Generally accepted upper limit for plug flow is at Nre= 100

3-D View of Laminar Flow in a Pipe 2-D Velocity Profile of Laminar

(Newtonian Fluid) Flow in a Pipe (Newtonian Fluid)

dv = 0
dr

Velocity
VMAX

r 0 r
Radius
 Laminar vs. Turbulent Flow Regimes

Turbulent Flow
♦ A fluid layer adjacent to the surface of a conductor adheres to
the surface, and each successive fluid layer slides past the
previous with increasing velocity. ♦ Fluid moves as a plug essentially, due to the chaotic, random shearing
This is called laminar (layered) flow. motion
♦ Only near the walls of the pipe does an orderly shear exist (laminar boundary
♦ At higher velocities, the layers lose their order and randomly layer)
crash into each other. This is called turbulent flow.
♦ Velocity gradient is very steep near the walls but essentially flat elsewhere -
formed by eddies

2-D Velocity Profile of Turbulent Flow in a Pipe Flow

(Newtonian Fluid) Regime F D F
Comparison o r
o
i
r L r
m L m
a a
t P
i
t
Velo city i p i
VMAX
o e o
n n
r 0 r
Radiu s

Determining Flow Regime Determining Flow Regime

To calculate Nre you need to know the following :

The fluid flow can be either laminar, transitional or turbulent. How do we
determine which one?
♦ Pipe diameter
♦ Calculate Nre and compare to the critical Reynolds no. Nrec ♦ Average fluid velocity
♦ Calculate critical velocity - based on the Nrec number - and ♦ Fluid density
compare to the actual flow velocity ♦ Fluid viscosity

♦ Note : Nrec = 2100 for water and Bingham plastic fluids

Nrec = 3470 - 1370n for pseudoplastic fluids
 Drilling Fluid Circulation
Reynolds Number
♦ Drilling fluid is pumped under pressure through the manifolds,
Pipe Diameter x Average Fluid Velocity x Fluid Density standpipe, kelly hose, swivel, kelly, drillpipe,drill collars and bit
Nre = Calculate the mean or bulk velocity through pipe as follows:
Fluid Viscosity
v = q/A
Typically, this is 1000 ft/min (300 m/min). Is it laminar or turbulent ?
1000 d v MW
Nre =
µ ♦ The pressure required to circulate a fluid in turbulent flow is
approximately 1.8 times the power of flowrate

d pipe inside diameter, mm ♦ Pressure drop across drillstring represents 35% of total pump
pressure
v fluid velocity, m/s
MW fluid density, kg/liter
µ viscosity, cP

Mud Pumps Mud Pumps

l Pump output - duplex pump l Pump output - triplex pump

Qt = 1.5715 x 10-6 nL(D2 - d2/2) liter/min Qt = 2.356 x 10-6 nLD 2 liter/min

Qt theoretical flow rate, l/min Qt theoretical flow rate, l/min

n strokes per minute n strokes per minute
L length of stroke, mm L length of stroke, mm
D liner diameter, mm D liner diameter, mm
d piston rod diameter, mm

Mud Pumps Mud Pumps

♦ Volumetric efficiencies l Volumetric efficiency

♠ Single Acting pumps = 95% - 98%
♠ Double Acting pump = 90%
ηv = Qout/Qt
♦ Efficiency is affected by :
♠ Discharge pressure
♠ Pump operating speed Qout measured output flow, l/min
♠ Suction line design
Qt theoretical flow rate, l/min
♠ Fluid aeration
♠ Mechanical wear
 Mud Pumps Mud Pumps

l Hydraulic power l Engine power required

PQ
Ph =
600
kW Pm = Ph / (η m η v )

PQ
Ph = hp
447.50
ηm mechanical efficiency, 0.85 - 0.90
P pump pressure, bar
Q pump output, flow rate, l/min
ηv volumetric efficiency, best case is 0.98

Hydraulic Design Flow Rate Selection (1)

• Select flow rate • Crucial factor for succesful hole cleaning, especially in deviated holes.
• Calculate annular velocity
• Calculate annular pressure loss • The operating requirements of the extra downhole tools must be considered
• Calculate string pressure losss Min-max flow rate range specified for motors turbines and MWD tools.
• Calculate motor, MWD pressure losses
• Calculate bit pressure loss available • Rough guide : use 2 x AV in holes between 50-60° than in vertical holes.
• Calculate TFA, nozzle sizes and jet velocity
• Calculate SPP • Use 100 fpm ( 30 m/min) annular velocity as a starting point, and adjust it,
if necessary.
• Check HHP, HHP/sq.in
• Calculate surface system pressure loss
• Calculate pump pressure, spm, liner size
• Calculate slip velocity and cuttings transportratio

Flow Rate Selection (2) Motor and MWD Hydraulic Requirements

• Laminar - transitional - turbulent flow considerations :

Mud motor : a) Flow rate range ( gpm, liter/min)
- pressure losses b) Max. operating differential pressure (psi, bar)
- ECD c) Bit Pressure Range (psi, bar)
- hole erosion

MWD : a) Flow rate range ( gpm, liter/min)

b) Bit (back) pressure (psi, bar)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example : 6-3/4” SperryDrill 4/5 lobe, 4.8 stage motor
a) 300 - 600 gpm (1135 - 2270 liter/min)
b) 590 psi (40.7 bar)
c) 200 - 1200 psi (13.8 - 82.7 bar)
 Annular Flow Velocity Annular Flow Velocity

To calculate average annular velocity ... To calculate critical velocity in annulus :

4000 x Q
Vaverage = m/min 3.04 {PV + √ PV2 + 40.05YP (Dh - Dp)2 x MW }
3.14(Dh2 - Dp2) Vc = m/min
(Dh - Dp) x MW

PV plastic viscosity, cP
YP yield point, lb/100 sq.ft
Dh,Dp hole size, pipe diameter, inch
Q flow rate, liter/min MW mud weight, kg/l
Dh diameter of hole, mm
Dp diameter of pipe, mm

Pipe Flow Velocity Flow Regimes

To calculate critical velocity in pipes : To determine if flow is laminar or turbulent ...

2.48 {PV + √ PV2 + 73.57YP Dpi 2 x MW }

Vc = m/min
Dpi x MW Vaverage < Vcritical = Laminar flow

PV plastic viscosity, cP
YP yield point, lb/100 sq.ft Vaverage > Vcritical = Turbulent flow
Dpi pipe internal diameter, inch
MW mud weight, kg/l

Annular Flow Pressure Loss Pipe Flow Pressure Loss

To calculate pressure loss for annular laminar flow ... To calculate pressure loss for pipe laminar flow ...

PV x L x Q YP x L PV x L x Q YP x L
PaL = + bar PpL =
40863(Dh+Dp)(Dh - Dp) 3 1326 (Dh - Dp) 61295 D4 + 1326 D
bar

L length of section, m PV plastic viscosity, cP

Q flow rate, l/min YP yield point, lb/100 sq.ft
Dh diameter of hole, inch L length of section, m
Dp diameter of pipe, inch Q flow rate, l/min
D inside diameter of pipe, inch
Note: Calculate pressure drops for each section of annulus
 Annular Flow Pressure Loss Pipe Flow Pressure Loss

To calculate pressure loss for annular turbulent flow ... To calculate pressure loss for pipe turbulent flow ...

PV 0.2 x L x Q 1.8 x MW0.8 PV 0.2 x L x Q 1.8 x MW0.8

PaT = bar PpT = bar
70696(Dh+Dp) 1.8 (Dh-Dp) 3 90163 D4.8

PV plastic viscosity, cP PV plastic viscosity, cP

L length of section, m L length of section, m
Q flow rate, l/min Q flow rate, l/min
MW mud weight, kg/liter MW mud weight, kg/liter
Dh diameter of hole, inch D inside diameter of pipe, inch
Dp diameter of pipe, inch

Equivalent Circulating Density

To calculate equivalent circulating density ...

Bit Nozzle Selection

Σ Pa
ECD = MW + SG or kg/liter
0.0981 x L • 300 fps (100 m/s) jet velocity (or less in soft formations)

• 48-65% of the pump pressure as bit pressure loss

MW mud weight, SG or kg/liter
• HSI = 2.5 - 7 (as per bit supplier’s recommendation)
Σ Pa total annular pressure loss, bar
L length of annulus, m • Sufficient pressure drop for downhole motor operation

• Adequate back pressure for MWD, or other dh. tools

Bit Hydraulics Bit Hydraulics

♦ To calculate jet velocity ... ♦ To calculate bit pressure drop ...

16.666 Q m/s
Vj = 1.465 Q2 MW
TFA Pb = bar
C 2 TFA2

Q flow rate, liter/min

Q flow rate, liter/min MW mud weight, kg/liter
TFA total flow area, mm2 C orifice coefficient, 0.95 for jet nozzle
TFA total flow area, mm2
 Bit Hydraulics Optimization Bit Hydraulics Optimization Criteria - BHHP

Maximizing Bit Hydraulic Horsepower requires

Hydraulic Optimization is maximizing ... 65% of available pump pressure to drop in the bit

Bit Hydraulic Horsepower

♦ Bit Hydraulic Horsepower l

or Pb x Qj
BHHP = 447.50 hp
♦ Jet Impact Force
Pb pressure loss in the bit, bar
Qj flow rate through the nozzles, l/min

Bit Hydraulics Bit Hydraulics Optimization Criteria - IF

l Bit Hydraulic Horsepower per Square Inch :

Maximizing Jet Impact Force requires 48% of
Pb x Qj available pump pressure to drop in the bit
HSI =1.836 hp/ in2
Db2
♦ Jet Impact Force

Pb pressure loss in the bit, bar IF = 2.24 x Vj x Pb x Qj x MW N

Qj flow rate through the nozzles, l/min

Vj jet velocity, m/s
Db bit size, mm Pb pressure loss in the bit, bar
Qj flow rate through the nozzles, l/min
MW mud weight, kg/liter or SG

Surge & Swab Pressure Surge & Swab Pressure

• Annular Pressure Loss

l Calculation Procedure

– Calculate average pipe speed

PIPE
MOVEMENT – Calculate maximum mud velocity each section
SWAB
– Calculate equivalent circulation rates
– Calculate pressure loss gradients
MUD FLOW SURGE – Multiply pressure loss gradients times section lengths
– Correct pressure losses to tripping mud weight
– Add all section pressures for total surge or swab pressure
 Surge & Swab Pressure Surge & Swab Pressure

l Mud velocity maximum

l Average Pipe Speed vm = (0.45 + (dp2 / (Dh2 - dp2))) (vp)(1.5)

vp = (ft/stand)(60) / (measured time in seconds/stand)
l Example : Calculate the mud velocity when tripping 5 inch (127 mm) drill pipe
from an 8-1/2 inch (215.9 mm) hole at an average pipe speed of 186 fpm (56.7
l Example : Calculate the average pipe speed when 93 ft (28.3
m/min).
m) stands of drill pipe are being pulled at 30 s/stand
vm = (0.45 + (52 / (8.52 - 52))) (186)(1.5)
vp = (93 ft/stand)(60)/30 s/stand)
vm = 273 fpm or 83.2 m/min
vp = 186 ft/min or 56.7 m/min

Surge & Swab Pressure Surge & Swab Pressure

l Find the surge/swab pressure for an equivalent circulating rate of 520 gpm when
l Equivalent circulating rate
tripping 9,000 feet of 5 inch drill pipe from an 8-1/2 inch hole. The mud weight is
The circulating rate which produces the same annular mud velocity as caused 13.0 ppg.
by movement of the drillstring into or out of the borehole

– Find the annular pressure loss gradient for 13.0 ppg mud weight
l Example : Find the equivalent circulating rate for a 273 fpm (83.2 m/min) mud
• Psi/1000 ft = 39
velocity inside an 8-1/2 inch (215.9 mm) hole around 5 inch (127 mm) drill pipe.
– Calculate the annular pressure loss with 9,000 ft of drill pipe in hole
• (39 psi/1000 ft) (9,000 ft) = 351 psi
GPM = 520 gpm – The surge/swab pressure = 351 psi
LPM = 1966 lit/min – The equivalent densities :
13.0 + 0.75 = 13.75 ppg
13.0 - 0.75 = 12.25 ppg

Surge & Swab Pressure Surge & Swab Pressure

l Factors affecting the swab / surge pressures : l Maximum recommended pipe speed :
– Establish maximum permissible surge or swab pressure
– Depth – Select seconds/stand trip speed
– Hole size – Evaluate surge or swab pressure
– Pipe size – Adjust pipe speed for change in pressure required and re-calculate
– Pipe acceleration and velocity – Continue re-calculating until desired pressure loss is realized
– Mud weight – Record seconds/stand as recommended trip speed
– Mud rheology – Create table with trip speed vs. bit depth
– Gel strength
– Mud cake thickness
 Slip Velocity Particle Reynolds Number

What is slip velocity? d Vs MW

N Res =
µ eff

♦It is the rate at which cuttings fall back to the bottom of the hole in
static mud

♦For efficient hole cleaning, the average velocity (or annular velocity) d particle diameter, cm
should be at least twice that of the slip velocity Vs slip velocity, cm/s
MW mud weight, g/cm3
µ eff effective viscosity, P

Slip Velocity Slip Velocity

If NRes < 10 Laminar slip If If NRes > 100 Turbulent slip

53.3 x (Wcuttings - MW) x d2cuttings x Vavg dcuttings x (Wcuttings - MW)

Sv = x 60 fpm Sv = 0.2 x fpm
6.65 x YP x (Dh - Dp) + PV x Vavg MW

Note : for Bingham -plastic fluids Note : for Bingham -plastic fluids

Transport Efficiency
Drilling Hydraulics Basics
for
TE =
Va - Vs
x 100 % Deviated Boreholes
Va
 Why directional drilling hydraulics is more complex?
Issues
Because …
l Mud properties, circulating system
• Downhole motor, turbine and other hydraulically l Flow rate selection
operated tools are being used in deviated wells l Bit nozzle selection
l Hole cleaning, cuttings transport
• Mud pulse telemetry is widely utilised in MWD and LWD l Hole erosion
tools
l ECD
• Cuttings transport is problematic and critical in highly
deviated boreholes

Mud Properties Circulating System

Requirements : Requirements :

• Minimum 2 - preferably triplex - pumps

• Low solids, and particularly low sand content • Properly maintained and charged pulsation dampeners
• Fresh water mud,or low aromatics OBM • Efficient suction filters
• Good rheologyfor low pressure losses, but efficient cuttings
• Ditch magnets
transport
• 3 shakers for 16” or bigger hole sizes when motor drilling is
• Low friction coefficient in high angle/horizontal holes
planned

• Selection of different bit nozzles

Hole Cleaning Cuttings Transport Problems in Deviated Wells

l Hole inclination ranges :

<30° No beds formed, cuttings are suspended and transported
near vertical 0 - 10° >30° Cuttings bed formed, bed slides down and cause pack-off
low 10 - 30°
45 to 55 degrees is the most critical !
intermediate 30 - 60°
Cuttings on the low side could …
high 60° <
• form an unstable cuttings bed
• cuttings bed builds up and slides down as a block,or
• be transported at the bed / mud interface as ripples, or dunes
(saltation) - best induced by low viscosity fluids in turbulence

Problem Indicators
♦ Tendencious deviation from calculated torque and drag values
♦ Cuttings volume decreasing, or lack of cuttings
♦ Higher standpipe pressure after resuming circulation on connections
♦ Low/Hi vis pills return carries volume of cuttings to surface
♦ Cuttings are small and rounded
Hole Cleaning
l 30 to 60 degrees inclination :
– Problems :
• Cuttings bed formation tendency
• Cuttings move as a bed or by saltation at bed/mud interface
• Back sliding and packing off (at circulation stops)
– Strategies :
• Circulate cuttings above the critical inclination range on connections
• Minimize circulation stops
• Frequent short trips with backreaming
• High pump rates
• Frequent low-vis pills in turbulence followed by high vis sweeps
Hole Cleaning
l Source of increased torque and drag in high angle holes :
– Wellbore contact on the HS of the hole
– The wellbore is not clean, drill stem moves in a solid bed
– Drillstring movement across rock fragments and filter cake on the LS
• conventional lubricants offer little relief (use mechanical addi tives)
• best to keep hole clean in the high angle section
• cuttings form in valleys reducing effective hole size
Hole Cleaning
l 0 to 30 degrees inclination :
– Conventional methods clean the well good
– Effective suspension of cuttings and barite by shear stress
– No cuttings bed formation tendency
– Application of slip velocity equations okay
– Add 20 to 30% safety factor in circulation time for deviation from vertical
– Use high viscosity sweeps
– Adjust flow profile
Hole Cleaning
l 60 to 90 degrees inclination :
– Problems :
• Cuttings bed formation
• Insufficient mud velocity to transport cuttings on low side
• Excessive torque and drag
– Strategies :
• Circulate cuttings above the critical inclination range on connections
• Minimize circulation stops, use top drive not kelly
• Pump out on connections
• Frequent short trips with backreaming
• Low viscosity mud in turbulent flow in open hole annulus
• Frequent low vis pills followed by high vis sweeps
Hole Cleaning
l Other considerations
– When pumps shut down cuttings bed will slide in sections of holewith critical
deviation angle sticking pipe
• have a back-up pump (or cementing truck) ready to go on-line in case of
main pump failure
• intermittent reciprocation of drillstring with high flow rates well into
turbulence (backreaming the stand prior to connection)
• watch returns when pumping sweeps to evaluate hole cleaning and keep
close watch on density and solids content of the mud
 Excerpt from 28 Hole Cleaning Rule of Thumbs RT9
Cuttings beds are easy to deposit, difficult to remove.
RT1 RT14
The intermediate inclination range hole is typically the An increase in annular velocity improves hole cleaning,
most difficult to clean. regardless of the flow regime.
RT3 RT16
Boycott settling can accelerate bed formation, particularly The cuttings transport mechanism is largely a function
between 40-50° inclination. of annular velocity.
RT5 RT17
Cuttings accumulate in intervals of decreased annular Laminar flow is preferred if formations are sensitive to
velocity and can unload when circulation stops, if the erosion
inclination is <50°

RT18
Turbulent flow is effective in high-angle, small diameter
intervals in competent formations
RT19
Hole cleaning capacity in laminar flow is improved by
elevated low shear-rate viscosity and gel strength.
RT25
Pipe rotation and reciprocation can improve hole cleaning
RT26
Mud weight increases the buoyant force on the cuttings
and helps hole cleaning.