Ch.

10 Hydraulics
 DRILLING HYDRAULICS

1. Introduction
2. Flow Patterns and Reynolds Number
3. Rheological Models
4. Frictional Pressure Drop in Pipes and Annuli
5. Frictional Pressure Drop Across a Bit
6. Optimising the Hydraulics of a Circulating
System
 1. Introduction

• Primary Function of Drilling Fluid

– Remove Cuttings
• Optimum Use of Circulating Fluid
• Optimise ROP
• Circulating Pressure Losses :
– Increasing Flow Rate
– Decreasing Flow Area
– Increasing System Length
– Increasing Density and Viscosity of Mud
Circulation System
Optimising HHP at Bit
Value of HHP
2. Flow Patterns and Reynolds
Number
• Laminar Flow
• Turbulent Flow
• Transition :
– Newtonian Fluids
– Non Newtonian Fluids
– Reynolds Number (2100)
 Flow
Patterns
3. Rheological Models

• Newtonian

• Non Newtonian :
– Bingham Plastic
– Power Law
Rheological Models
Newtonian Fluids
Non-Newtonian Fluids
Pseudo-plastic Fluids
Bingham Plastic Fluids
Power Law Fluids
4. Frictional Pressure Drop in Pipes/Annuli
• Laminar Flow :
– Assumptions
– General Equation
– Newtonian Fluids
– Bingham Plastic Fluids
– Power Law Fluids
• Turbulent Flow :
– Newtonian Fluids
– Laminar/Turbulent Transition
– Bingham Plastic Fluids
– Power Law Fluids
Variables Involved in Calculating
Pressure Drop
Model for Frictional
Pressure Loss
Turbulent Flow
Friction Factors
Friction Factors
5. Frictional Pressure Drop Across a
Bit

• Nozzle Sizing
Bit Nozzle
6. Optimising the Hydraulics of a
Circulating System
• Optimisation Criteria
– Hydraulic Horsepower
– Impact Force
• Pressure Losses in the System
– Surface
– Drillstring
– Bit
– Annulus
• Practical Optimisation