Bit Hydraulics Optimization

Drilling Fluid Circulation

Purposes
z
z
z

Bit
Hydraulics

z
z
z

2
DP
9/1/2004

Control formation pressures

Drive motor/turbine
Cool the bit
Clean cuttings from the hole bottom
Clean cuttings from the bit
Transport cuttings to surface

Bit Hydraulics Optimization

Fluid Pressure
Fluid Flow Rate
Fluid Density and Viscosity

PxQ
PHP=
1714
Frictional
Pressure
Losses

Nozzle Flow Area (TFA - sq.in.)

Nozzle Pressure Drop (psi)
Nozzle Horsepower (HSI)
Nozzle Impact Force (lbf)
Nozzle Velocity (ft/sec)
3
DP
9/1/2004

PxQ
BHP=
1714

Pressure Loss Factors

Pressure In
Pressure Out

Flow In

Flow Out
z

Equipment and Wellbore Geometry

z
z

Flow Rate
Mud Properties

4
DP
9/1/2004

Flow Area
Length
Constrictions

Weight
Plastic Viscosity
Yield Point

PStdpipe=PSurf.Eq.+PDrill String+PMWD/Motor+PBit+PAnnulus

Pressure Losses
z

Surface Equipment

Drill String

z
z
z

5
DP
9/1/2004

Standpipe
Kelly Hose
Swivel
Kelly
Pipe
Collars
BHA

Motor/Turbine
Bit Nozzles
Annulus

Pressure Losses Surface Equipment

Case

6
DP
9/1/2004

Stand Pipe

Hose

Swivel

Kelly

Length
(Ft.)

ID
(In.)

Length
(Ft.)

ID
(In.)

Length
(Ft.)

ID
(In.)

Length
(Ft.)

ID
(In.)

40

3.0

45

2.0

2.0

40

2.25

40

3.5

55

2.5

2.5

40

3.00

45

4.0

55

3.0

2.5

40

3.25

45

4.0

55

3.0

3.0

40

4.0

Pressure Losses
Drill Pipe

Drill String
D1

D2

OD Nominal Weight
ID (in.)
(in.)
Tool Joint
Body
(lb/ft)
3
15.5
2.992 2 1/8 2 9/16

7
DP
9/1/2004

19.5

4.276

2 3

25.6

4.000

3 3

6 5/8

25.2

5.965

4 5/8 - 5

Pressure Losses
Drill Pipe

D1

Drill String

D2

Heavy Weight Drill Pipe

OD Nominal Weight
ID (in.)
(in.)
Tool Joint
Body
(lb/ft)
3
25.3
2 1/16
2 3/16

8
DP
9/1/2004

41.0

2 7/8

49.3

3 1/16

Pressure Losses
Drill Pipe

D1

Drill String
Heavy Weight Drill Pipe

D2

Drill Collars

9
DP
9/1/2004

OD
(in.)

Weight

OD
(in.)

Weight

ID

(lb/ft)
ID
(in.)

(lb/ft)
54.0

44.0

165.0

143.0

Pressure Losses

10 DP
9/1/2004

MWD

PDM

Turbine

RSS

MWD and
Downhole Drives

Pressure Losses
z
z
z

Bit

Flow Rate
Mud Weight
Nozzle TFA
Pressure Drop
HSI
JIF

11 DP
9/1/2004

Pressure Losses

z
z
z
z
z

12 DP
9/1/2004

Annulus

Flow Rate
Mud Weight
Casing ID
Drill String OD
Length

Example of Pressure Losses

Hole Size =8-1/2"
Depth Out = 15,000 feet
Max. Standpipe Pressure = 3000 psi
Flow Rate = 238 GPM
Mud Weight = 14.5 ppg
At Maximum HSI
Surface Equipment Loss = 20 psi
Internal Drill String Loss = 968 psi
MWD/Motor Loss = 0
Bit Pressure Drop = 1890 psi
Annulus Loss = 122 psi
Total Loss = 3000

PStdpipe=PSurf.Eq.+PDrill String+PMWD/Motor+PBit+PAnnulus
13 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulics Optimization
3000 psi Standpipe Pressure
Standpipe HP
System Loss HP
Bit Nozzle HP
JIF/sq. in.

14 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulic Recommendations
Flow Rate Requirements
z

Flow Rate must be high enough to

transport cuttings. Back-reaming, bit body
balling and lack of chips at surface
indicate cuttings transport or sloughing
problems.

Flow Rate must be low enough to avoid

hole erosion, equipment wear, and
excessive standpipe pressure.

High flow rates often require large or

open nozzles.

Bits with large junk slots, high open face

volume, widely spaced teeth/inserts and
numerous jets are helpful.

15 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulic Recommendations
Maximum Hydraulic Horsepower
z

Maximize nozzle HSI when cutting

structure or bottom hole balling is the
limitation.

Deep holes, high mud weights, waterbased mud and reactive formations,
cuttings packed on teeth indicate static or
dynamic chip hold down problems.

Maximum HSI obtained when nozzle

pressure drop is 65% of standpipe
pressure.

Aggressive designs with widely-spaced

blades and teeth are helpful.

16 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulic Recommendations
Maximum Jet Impact Force
z

Maximize JIF in shallow holes

where cuttings return and bit/hole
balling are both potential
limitations.

Common in shallow holes with high

ROP in reactive formations.

Obtained when the pressure drop

across the bit is 50% of the total
pump pressure.

17 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulic Recommendations
Other Guidelines

18 DP
9/1/2004

30 to 50 gpm per inch of hole

diameter.

3 to 7 HSI recommended (not

always possible).

18% or less flow through centerjet

(=18% of TFA).

Blank nozzles generate crossflow.

Blank the nozzle pointing to the
cone with fewest gauge row inserts.

Hydraulic Program Design

Goal: Determine nozzle sizes and flow rate
to deliver maximum HSI or JIF within
specified operating constraints.
Constraints:
1. Maximum Standpipe Pressure
2. Minimum and Maximum Flow Rate
3. Maximum Pump Horsepower
4. Mud Weight
5. MWD and Motor Considerations
6. Fixed Flow Rate
7. Fixed TFA
19 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulic Program Calculation Method

Nozzles ?
Flow Rate ?

1. Identify Maximum Standpipe Pressure.

2. Specify HSI or JIF optimization and TFA/GPM constraints.
3. Find GPM giving maximum HSI or JIF based on frictional losses.
4. Derive Nozzles from TFA at optimum GPM.

20 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulic Program Cases

Case 1

Case 3

21 DP
9/1/2004

Case 2

Case 4

Case 5

Hydraulic Program Demo

22 DP
9/1/2004

Hydraulic Optimization
Field Results
Carboniferous Formation
Oil Base Mud in North Sea

23 DP
9/1/2004

Shale Formation
Water Base Mud in Columbia