Lecture #18 PET ENG 4210

Drilling Hydraulics
Pressure drop Calculation

• Drilling Hydraulics/Mud Flow

Pressure Drop Calculations
Laminar Flow
Turbulent Flow
Transition Flow - Critical Velocity
A detailed Example - Pump Pressure
Pressure Drop in the Drillpipe
Pressure Drop in the Bit Nozzles
Pressure Drop in the Annulus
Wellbore Pressure Profiles

1
 Well fluid system

PUMP

Total Pump Pressure

Pressure loss in surf. equipment
Pressure loss in drill pipe
Pressure loss in drill collars
Pressure drop across the bit nozzles
Pressure loss in the annulus between the drill collars and
the hole wall
Pressure loss in the annulus between the drill pipe and
the hole wall
Hydrostatic pressure difference
4

2
 Total Pump Pressure
PPUMP PSC  PDP  PDC  PB  PDCA PDPA (ΔPHYD)

PUMP

Types of Flow
Laminar Flow

 Flow pattern is linear (no radial flow)

 Velocity at wall is ZERO

 Produces minimal hole erosion

3
 Types of Flow - Laminar
Mud properties strongly affect pressure losses

Is preferred flow type for annulus (in vertical wells)

Laminar flow is sometimes referred to as sheet flow, or

layered flow:

* As the flow velocity increases, the flow type changes from

laminar to turbulent.

Types of Flow

Turbulent Flow

• Flow pattern is random (flow in all directions)

• Tends to produce hole erosion

• Results in higher pressure losses (takes more energy)

• Provides excellent hole cleaning…but…

8

4
 Types of flow
Turbulent flow, cont’d

 Mud properties have little effect on pressure losses

 Is the usual flow type inside the drill pipe and collars

 Thin laminar boundary layer at the wall

Fig. 4-30. Laminar and turbulent flow patterns in a circular pipe: (a) laminar
flow, (b) transition between laminar and turbulent flow and (c) turbulent flow
9

Turbulent Flow - Newtonian Fluid

The onset of turbulence in pipe flow is characterized by
the dimensionless group known as the Reynolds number

_
 vd
N Re 

_
In field units,
928 ρ v d
N Re 
μ
10

5
 Turbulent Flow - Newtonian Fluid

where ρ  fluid density, lbm/gal

_ _
928 ρ v d v  avg. fluid velocity, ft/s
N Re  d  pipe I.D., in
μ
μ  viscosity of fluid, cp.

We often assume that fluid flow is

turbulent if Nre > 2,100
11

Power Law Model

K = consistency index
n = flow behavior index =K n

SHEAR
STRESS

psi

0
SHEAR RATE,  , sec-1
12

6
 Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli

LOG
(PRESSURE)
(psi)

LOG (VELOCITY) (or FLOW RATE)

13

Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli

Laminar Flow Turbulent

LOG

(SHEAR
STRESS)

(psi)
n
1

LOG ( SHEAR RATE ), ( RPM or sec 1 )

14

7
Rotating Sleeve
Viscometer

15

Rotating Sleeve Viscometer

(RPM * 1.703)

VISCOMETER SHEAR RATE

RPM sec -1

3 5.11
ANNULUS
100 170.3
BOB
300 DRILL 511
600 STRING 1022

SLEEVE API RP 13D

16

8
 API RP 13D, June 1995
for Oil-Well Drilling Fluids
• API RP 13D recommends using only FOUR of the six
usual viscometer readings:
• Use 3, 100, 300, 600 RPM Readings.
• The 3 and 100 RPM reading are used for pressure
drop calculations in the annulus, where shear rates
are, generally, not very high.
• The 300 and 600 RPM reading are used for pressure
drop calculations inside drill pipe, where shear rates
are, generally, quite high.
17

Example: Pressure Drop Calculations

• Example Calculate the pump pressure in the
wellbore shown on the next page, using the API
method.

• The relevant rotational viscometer readings are as

follows:
• R3 = 3 (at 3 RPM)
• R100 = 20 (at 100 RPM)
• R300 = 39 (at 300 RPM)
• R600 = 65 (at 600 RPM)
18

9
 Pressure Drop Calculations PPUMP

Q = 280 gal/min
r = 12.5 lb/gal

PPUMP = PDP + PDC

+ PBIT NOZZLES

+ PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN

+ PHYD
19

Pressure Drop Calculations OD = 4.5 in

Power-Law Constant (n): ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft
R   65 
n p  3 . 32 log  600   3 . 32 log    0 . 737
 R 300   39 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R 600 5.11 * 65 dyne sec n

Kp  n
  2.017
1,022 p 1,022 0.737 cm 2

Average Bulk Velocity in Pipe (Vp):

0 .408 Q 0 . 408 * 280 ft

Vp    8 . 00
D2 3 . 78 2
sec
20

10
 OD = 4.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft
Effective Viscosity in Pipe (mep):
np 1 np
 96Vp   3np  1
ep  100 Kp    
 4n 
 D   p 

0.7371 0.737
 96 * 8   3 * 0.737  1
ep  100* 2.017     53 cP
 3.78   4 * 0.737 

Reynolds Number in Pipe (NRep):

928 D Vp 928 * 3 .78 * 8.00 * 12 .5

NRep    6,616
 ep 53 21

OD = 4.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe
ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft
NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so a
fp  b
Friction Factor in Pipe (fp): NRe p

log np  3.93 log 0.737  3.93

a   0.0759
50 50

1.75  log np 1.75  log 0.737

b   0.2690
7 7

a 0 .0759
So, fp  b
  0. 007126
NRe p 6,616 0.2690
22

11
 OD = 4.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe ID = 3.78 in
Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL)p : L = 11,400 ft

2
 dP  fp Vp  0.007126 * 8 2 * 12 .5 psi
     0.05837
 dL  dp 25 .81D 25 .81 * 3.78 ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Pipe :

 dP 
Pdp    L dp  0.05837 * 11,400
 dL  dp

DPdp = psi 23

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars OD = 6.5 in

ID = 2.5 in
Power-Law Constant (n): L = 600 ft
R   65 
n dc  3 . 32 log  600   3 . 32 log    0 .737
 R 300   39 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R 600 5.11 * 65 dyne sec n
K dc  np
  2.017
1,022 1,022 0.737 cm 2

Average Bulk Velocity inside Drill Collars (Vdc):

0 .408 Q 0 . 408 * 280 ft

Vdc    18 . 28
D2 2 .5 2
sec 24

12
 Pressure Drop In Drill Collars OD = 6.5 in
ID = 2.5 in
Effective Viscosity in Collars (mec): L = 600 ft

np 1 np
 96Vp   3np  1
edc  100 K p    
 4n 
 D   p 

0.7371 0.737
 96 * 18.28   3 * 0.737  1
edc  100 * 2.017     38.21cP
 2.5   4 * 0.737 

Reynolds Number in Collars (NRec):

928 D Vdc  928 * 2.5 * 18 .28 * 12.5

NRe dc    13,870
 edc 38.21 25

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars OD = 6.5 in

ID = 2.5 in
NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so L = 600 ft
a
Friction Factor in DC (fdc): fdc  b
NRe dc

log ndc  3.93 log 0.737  3.93

a   0.0759
50 50

1.75  log ndc 1.75  log 0.737

b   0.2690
7 7

a 0.0759
So, fdc  b
  0.005840
NRe dc 13,870 0.2690 26

13
 OD = 6.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Collars ID = 2.5 in
Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL)dc : L = 600 ft

2
 dP  f V  0.005840 * 18 .28 2 * 12 .5 psi
   dc dc   0.3780
 dL  dc 25 .81Ddc 25 .81 * 2.5 ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Collars :

 dP 
Pdc    L dc  0.3780 * 600
 dL  dc

DPdc = psi 27

Pressure Drop across Nozzles

DN1 = 11 32nds (in)

156 Q2 DN2 = 11 32nds (in)
PNozzles 
D 2
N1
2
 DN2  DN3
2
 2
DN3 = 12 32nds (in)

156 * 12 .5 * 280 2
PNozzles 
11 2
 112  12 2  2

DPNozzles = psi
28

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 Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus

Q = 280 gal/min

r = 12.5 lb/gal 8.5 in

DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDC = 6.5 in
L = 600 ft

29

Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in

in DC/HOLE Annulus ODDC = 6.5 in
L = 600 ft
Power-Law Constant (n):
R   20 
n dca  0 . 657 log  100   0 . 657 log    0 . 5413
 R3   3 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R100 5.11 * 20 dyne sec n
K dca    6.336
170 .2n dca 170 .20.5413 cm 2

Average Bulk Velocity in DC/HOLE Annulus (Va):

0 . 408 Q 0 .408 * 280 ft
Vdca  2 2
 2 2
 3 .808
D 2  D1 8 .5  6 . 5 sec 30

15
 Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in
in DC/HOLE Annulus ODDC = 6.5 in
Effective Viscosity in Annulus (mea): L = 600 ft

na 1 na
 144 Va   2n a  1 
 ea  100 K a    
 D 2  D1   3 n a 

0.5413 1 0.5413
 144 * 3.808   2 * 0.5413  1
 ea  100 * 6.336     55.20 cP
 8 .5  6 .5   3 * 0.5413 

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRea):

928 D2  D1  Va 928 8.5  6.5* 3.808 * 12.5

NRea    1,600
ea 55.20 31

Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in

in DC/HOLE Annulus ODDC = 6.5 in
L = 600 ft
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (fa):
24 24
fa    0 .01500
NRe a 1,600

2
 dP  fa Va  0.01500 * 3 .808 2 * 12.5 psi
     0 .05266
 dL a 25.81D2  D1  25 .818.5  6.5  ft

 dP 
Pdc / hole     L dc / hole  0. 05266 * 600
 dL  dc / hole

So, DPdc/hole = psi

32

16
 Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus

q = 280 gal/min

r = 12.5 lb/gal

DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDP = 4.5 in
L = 11,400 ft

33

Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in

in DP/HOLE Annulus ODDP = 4.5 in
Power-Law Constant (n): L = 11,400 ft

R   20 
n dpa  0 .657 log  100   0 . 657 log    0 .5413
 R3   3 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R100 5.11* 20 dyne secn

K dpa  n
  6. 336
170.2 dpa 170.20.5413 cm2
Average Bulk Velocity in Annulus (Va):
0.408Q 0.408 * 280 ft
Vdpa  2 2
 2 2
 2.197
D2  D1 8.5  4.5 sec
34

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 Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
Effective Viscosity in Annulus (mea):
n a 1 na
 144Va   2na  1
 ea  100 K a    
 D2  D1   3na 
0 .5413 1 0 .5413
 144 * 2.197   2 * 0.5413  1
 ea  100 * 6.336      97 .64 cP
 8.5  4.5   3 * 0.5413 

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRea):

928 D2  D1  Va 928 8.5  4.5* 2.197 * 12.5

NRea    1,044
ea 97.64
35

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (fa):
24 24
fa    0 .02299
NRe a 1,044

2
 dP  fa Va  0.02299* 2.1972 * 12.5 psi
     0.01343
 dL a 25.81D2  D1  25.818.5  4.5 ft

 dP 
 Pdp / hole     L dp / hole  0 .01343 * 11,400
 dL  dp / hole

So, DPdp/hole = psi psi 36

18
 Pressure Drop
Calculations - SUMMARY -

PPUMP = PDP + PDC + PBIT NOZZLES

+ PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN + PHYD

PPUMP = + +
+ + + 0

PPUMP = psi
37

Pump

PPUMP = PDS + PANN + PHYD

P
=
PDS = PDP + PDC + PBIT NOZZLES
0
= + + = psi

PANN = PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN

= + =

PHYD = 0

PPUMP = +
= psi 38

19
 Pump

P
BHP = PFRICTION/ANN + PHYD/ANN =
0

BHP = PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN

+ 0.052 * 12.5 * 12,000

= + + 7,800 = psig

BHP = + 7,800

BHP = psig
39

"Friction" Pressures

2,500 DRILLPIPE
"Friction" Pre ssure , psi

2,000

1,500 DRILL
COLLARS
1,000
BIT NOZZLES
500 ANNULUS

0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
40

20
 Hydrostatic Pressures in the Wellbore

9,000
BHP
H ydrostatic Pre ssure, psi

8,000
7,000 DRILLSTRING ANNULUS
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
41

Pressures in the Wellbore

10,000
9,000
CIRCULATING
8,000
Pre ssures, psi

7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000 STATIC
0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
42

21
 Wellbore Pressure Profile

2,000 DRILLSTRING

4,000
Depth, ft

6,000

8,000 ANNULUS

10,000

12,000 (Static)
BIT
14,000
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000
Pressure, psi
43

Pipe Flow - Laminar

In the above example the flow down the
drillpipe was turbulent.
Under conditions of very high viscosity, the
flow may very well be laminar.
NOTE: if NRe < 2,100, then
Friction Factor in Pipe (fp):
2
16  dP  fp Vp 
Then fp  and   
NRe p  dL  dp 25 .81D

44

22
 Annular Flow - Turbulent
In the above example the flow up the annulus was
laminar.
Under conditions of low viscosity and/or high flow
rate, the flow may very well be turbulent.
NOTE: if NRe > 2,100, then Friction Factor in the Annulus:

log na  3.93 1.75  log na

a b
50 7

a  dP  fa Va 
2
Then fa  and   
NbRea  dL a 25.81D2  D1 

45

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