COMBINED EFFECT OF RHEOLOGICAL MODEL AND EQUIVALENT DIAMETER DEFINITIONS ON PRESSURE LOSSES/EQUIVALENT CIRCULATING DENSITY ESTIMATION

COMBINED EFFECT OF RHEOLOGICAL MODEL AND EQUIVALENT DIAMETER DEFINITIONS ON PRESSURE LOSSES/EQUIVALENT CIRCULATING DENSITY ESTIMATION

Abstract:
Pressure losses and equivalent circulating density (ECD) estimation are crucial parameters in drilling operations as they directly impact the efficiency and safety of the process. The accurate prediction of pressure losses and ECD requires a comprehensive understanding of the rheological behavior of drilling fluids and the appropriate definition of the equivalent diameter. This study investigates the combined effect of rheological models and equivalent diameter definitions on pressure losses and ECD estimation.

Different rheological models, such as the Bingham plastic, Herschel-Bulkley, and Power-law models, are commonly used to characterize the flow behavior of drilling fluids. Each model has its own set of parameters that describe the fluid’s viscosity and yield stress properties. The choice of a rheological model significantly affects the accuracy of pressure loss predictions and ECD estimation.

In addition to the rheological model, the equivalent diameter definition plays a crucial role in accurately estimating pressure losses and ECD. The equivalent diameter is a representative measure of the cross-sectional area available for fluid flow through the annular space. Various definitions of equivalent diameter, including hydraulic diameter, arc-based diameter, and area-based diameter, are used in the literature. Each definition considers different geometric aspects of the flow passage, and the choice of the equivalent diameter definition can significantly influence the pressure loss calculations and ECD estimation.

This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate the combined effect of different rheological models and equivalent diameter definitions on pressure losses and ECD estimation. A range of drilling fluid properties, including viscosity, yield stress, and flow rate, are considered. The simulations are performed for different wellbore geometries commonly encountered in drilling operations.

The results of the study provide insights into the optimal combination of rheological models and equivalent diameter definitions for accurate pressure loss predictions and ECD estimation. The findings will contribute to the development of more reliable models and guidelines for drilling operations, leading to improved efficiency and safety in the oil and gas industry.

Keywords: Rheological model, equivalent diameter, pressure losses, equivalent circulating density, drilling fluids, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), wellbore geometry.

COMBINED EFFECT OF RHEOLOGICAL MODEL AND EQUIVALENT DIAMETER DEFINITIONS ON PRESSURE LOSSES/EQUIVALENT CIRCULATING DENSITY ESTIMATION, GET MORE OIL AND GAS/PETROLEUM ENGINEERING PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS

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