 Rheo = Flow

 Logy = To Study
 Rheology is the science of studying flow.
 Rheology is defined as physics of the flow and the deformation of matter.
 Rheology describe the behavior of fluids in motion.
 Rheology relate directly to borehole stability and how effectively the borehole is
cleaned.
 Rheology are not exact sciences, but are based upon mathematical models that
closely describe the rheology of the fluid and do not conform exactly to any of the
models.
 Consequently, different methods are used to calculate rheology.
 Rheology is the study of the deformation of all forms of matter.
 The deformation of a fluid can simply be described by two parallel plates
separated by some distance as shown in Figure.
 An applied force (F), acting over an area (A), causes the layers to slide past one
another.
 There is a resistance, or frictional drag, force that opposes the movement of these
plates. This resistance or drag force is called shear stress ( τ ).

𝐹
𝜏=
𝐴

 The unit of shear stress is of lbf/100 ft2 or as Dynes/cm2.

 The difference in the velocities between two layers of fluid divided by the distance
between the two layers is called the shear rate ( γ ).

𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝛾=
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

 This is expressed in sec-1 (reciprocal seconds).

 Viscosity is the representation of a fluid’s internal resistance to flow, defined as the
ratio of shear stress to shear rate.
 Viscosity is expressed in poise.

𝜏
𝜇=
𝛾

 A poise is a very large number and therefore, viscosity is typically reported in

centipoise (100 centipoise = 1 poise).
 The relationship between shear stress ( τ ) and shear rate ( γ ) defines the flow
behavior of a fluid.
 For some fluids, the relationship is linear. If the shear rate is doubled, then the
shear stress will also double.
 These fluids are called Newtonian fluids. Examples of Newtonian fluids include
water, alcohols, and light oils.
 Very few drilling fluids fall into the Newtonian category.
 Fluids which have flow characteristics such that the shear stress does not increase
in direct proportion to the shear rate are called non-Newtonian fluids.
 Most drilling fluids are of this type.
 Newtonian fluids are those in which the viscosity remains constant for all shear
rates providing temperature and pressure conditions remain constant.
 Non-Newtonian fluids have viscosities that depend on measured shear rates for a
given temperature and pressure condition.
 There are three basic types of flow regimes.
i. Laminar
ii. Turbulent
iii. Transitional
1. Laminar flow
 Laminar flow occurs at low-to-moderate shear rates when layers of fluid move past
each other in an orderly fashion with a minimum of mixing.
 This motion is parallel to the walls of the channel through which the fluid is moving.
 Friction between the fluid and the channel walls is lowest for this type of flow.
 Generally, laminar flow is the preferred annulus flow profile because it results in
less pressure loss and reduces hole erosion.
2. Turbulent flow
 Turbulent flow occurs when the fluid is constantly swirling as it moves through the
flow channel.
 Pressure losses within a circulating system increase as the degree of turbulence
increases.
 Common flow regime in normal drilling operations, but would appear more in pipe
rather than in annuli
3. Transition Flow
 Transitional flow is a flow regime where the fluid motion is neither completely
laminar nor completely turbulent.
 The Transitional Flow Regime fluid is in a transitional state from one flow regime to
the other
 Flow regimes can be determined by Reynolds number.
 Reynolds number takes into consideration the basic factors of pipe flow – pipe
diameter, average fluid velocity, fluid density, and fluid viscosity.
 Reynolds number is defined as;
𝑉. 𝐷. 𝜌
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
where,
V = average fluid velocity
D = pipe diameter
ρ = fluid density
μ = fluid viscosity
Flow Type Reynolds Number

Laminar <= 2000

Transitional Between 2000 – 4000

Turbulent >= 4000