Basle Hydraulics Theory Hore we some exsunples of ways Use “buddy” will dill a hole very slowly. What do you mean my HST is lousy?! I'm pumping a flow rate of 600 gpm i ‘The problem here is that buddy ran te bit with open nozzles in an effort to keep his standpipe pressure below the maximum level. His flow rate is excellent but his nozzle size is much too large. This renders his HSI as ‘effective as afire hose without a nozzle atthe end. Buddy would be better off reducing his flow rate and decreasing his nozzle size to get a respectable HSI. If he adjusts these values correctly, the HSI will be greatly increased and his standpipe pressure (ie. system pressure) will remain within the acceptable range. “Why the heck is ths bit balling up! I'm running size 8 nozzles. That bit should be blasting the shale ‘off those blades!” ‘The problem buddy is running into here is his flow rate isn't high enough. He used small nozzles to get « good "jet" out of the nozzles but his flow rate is so low itis basically like trying to drill wth a high powered squirt gun. Buddy would be much better off to increase his nozzle size and increase his flow rate to greatly improve his HSI. Again, if he adjusts these parameters correctly, his standpipe pressure (le. system pressure) will remain the same. Below is some basic theory on “hydraulics”. Understanding this theory will help you to better recommend nozzle sizes. It wll also help you to address basic hydraulis issues on rigs (such as bit balling, poor ROP, stuck pipe, etc) “Hydraulics” refers to the mud system on a rig and how itis used in drilling a well. Here are some basic facts about Hyéraulice: 1. Bit HHP = Bit Hydraulic Horsepower. This is a measure of the overall iling/cleaning power of the mud fluid as texts the bit nozzles 2. HSI= Hydraulic Horsepower per square inch (of hole area) = HHP divided by hole area = HHP/in® 3+ TIMPs calculated using the following formula. (Aowrats\Bit PeessureDrop) une ane iP Us Unis ser Bit Pressure Drops clelated by: Fir ressreDrop = Simrate)(Muaright) US Units 1D8SB(rocleTFA)this means that smaller nozzles give you a higher pressure drop if flow rate and mud weight remain. ‘constant, Having said allthis, all you relly need to understand is HSI. We use HSI to measure hydraulic horsepower ‘because it gives you a measure of hydraulic power regardless of the hole siz For example: an HHP of 170.3 ‘is excellent for an 8% hole but poor for a 12% hole. In contrast, an HSI of 25 is excellent regardless of hole size since itis on a “per square Inch of hole” bas ‘As mentioned above and in fact #2, HSI is simply HHP divided by the hole area. ‘The most important thing You should notice about HSI is that i ls a function of both flowrate AND bit pressure drop. ‘tus means that in order to get ood HSI (hydraulic drilling power) you need to have reasonable values of both flowrate AND bit pressure drop (bit pressure drop is essentially tve nozzle size you use.) ‘The above drawing will help explain what happens to mud (or any fluid) when it travels through a nozzle ‘The amount of fluid going into the nozzle always equals the amount of fluid exiting the nozzle (where else ccanit go). Hence, the flowrate-in, always equals the flowrate-out. Only the pressure and velocity change. Pressure is lost as the fluid passes through the nozzle beceuse of the friction of the fluid against the nozzles inner surface andthe restrictive geometry of the nozzle, Hence the Pressure-in is always greater than the Pressure-out. Finally, the velocity also changes as fluid passes through a nozzle. This is because the same amount of flow is going through asmaller area, therefore it must go through it faster forthe flow rate to remain the same. Hence, Velocity-out is always greater than Velocity.in, To summarize: Flow-in = Flow-out Pressurein > (greater than) Prssure-out ‘Velocity-i< (tess than }Velocity-our “This leads us tothe definition of anozzle: A nozzle increases velocity atthe expense of pressure. The change in pressure from in to ous often referred to as the “pressure drop across the nozzle". The smaller the nozzle, the greater the pressure drop. The addition of all the nozzle pressure drops i referred to asthe “pressure drop across the bit” or “bit pressure drop” ‘Take a moment now to read “buddy's” hydraulics issues again at the beginning of this document. See I t makes more sense now and if you understand the theory behind the explanations.Other Common Hydraules Terms and Typial Values: JET VELOCITY = FLOWRATE # (32086)/TFA US Unite TIF — JET IMPACT FORCE ~ is the force thatthe jet of mud from the nozzle exerts on the formation, JIF = JET VELOCITY * MUDWT * FLOWRATE / 1932 US Units ‘You really don’t ned to worry much about JIF since at max HSI, jet impact force is 94% of its max Value, Hence JIF is optimized if your HSI is optimized. (Similarly at max JIF, HSI is 91% of ts max value.) AV ANNULAR VELOCITY - Velocity of fluid between hole wall and O.D. of pipe. Generally ranges from 90 to 150 feetminute. (1.5 ~2.4feedsec ). CRITICAL VELOCITY - The highest velocity that flow will remain laminar (smooth). Normally, calculations are made with turbulent flow (above crit vel) around dril collars and laminar flow around dill Pipe. CUTTINGS SLIP VELOCITY - Velocity cuttings would fall n static (pumps off lui, EQUIVALENT CIRCULATION DENSITY - The apparent mud weight while circulating due to annular pressure losses. ECD is usually 0.1 to 0.5 ppg higher than the mud weight. EST. CHIP VEL - estimated chip velocity and the calculations are only estimates. [AY less slip velocity. Keep in mind this depends on chip size. HYDROSTATIC HEAD - Pressure due to the weight the fluid above the bit. For example, water adds just over 44 psi for every 100 feet of depth. BIT PRESSURE DROP ~ recommend 48 to 65% of available pressure, Note: Getting your bit pressure drop in this range is exactly the same as optimizing HSI. It is just a round-about way of doing it. AVAILABLE PRESSURE: Standpipe pressure less downhole motor, MWD and all other tools pressure drop. ‘SYSTEM PRESSURE LOSS - Pressure los in surface equipment, inside drill string and retum annulus. Lastly, once you learn more about hydraulics you will realize that in some situations there isn’t much _you can do to optimize HSI for your customer (unless he gets a bigger rig). What we want to get away ‘from is running bits with HSI of 1.5 or less. Feel free to call me if you have any questions ~ Greg Despins 361-944-7525