Dowell

Introduction to Rheology

Introduction
Rheology
is the science of the
deformation and flow of matter

16/05/2002

Page 2

Rheology
? Rheology as known in the oilfield, deals with
the relationship between flow rate & flow
pressure & their Influence on flow
characteristics of the fluid.
? Two different flow regimes
? Laminar Flow
? Turbulent Flow
? Mathematical Models (most common)
? Newtonian
? Bingham Plastic
? Power Law

16/05/2002

Page 3

Rheology
?

The data aquired from these models provides

valuable information about:

?
?
?
?

16/05/2002

Hole Cleaning Efficiency

Displacement
Hydrostatic Pressures
Surge/Swab Pressures

Page 4

Rheology
? Used as a basis for determination of several important
aspects of Drilling Fluid performance:
? Calculate the system pressure losses
? Calculate surge and swab pressures
? Optimise nozzle hydraulics
? Optimise hole cleaning efficiency
? Calculate ECD's
? Reduce hole erosion
Proper understanding and application of rheological principals
are valuable aids in establishing the most effective properties
for efficient drilling fluid performance

16/05/2002

Page 5

Viscosity of Fluids
V1
F

r
A
V2

Shear Stress = F (Newtons / m2)

A
Shear Rate(dv) = V2 -r V 1 (sec-1)
dr
Viscosity () Shear Stress (Poise or Centipoise)
Shear Rate
16/05/2002

Page 6

Measurement Using A Rotational

Viscometer
Torsion Spring

Inner Cylinder
Bearing Shaft
Rotor
Bob

Cup

16/05/2002

Page 7

Fann VG Viscometers
Most have 6 or 8 rotational speeds.
3, 6, 30, 60, 100, 200, 300 and 600 rpm.
Rotational speed is proportional to shear rate.
Bob deflection is proportional to shear stress
Engineers in the lab and at
the rig site now have
variable speed viscometers
so that they can measure the
direct shear stress related to
the shear rate available at
the rig site using the fluids
in question.

16/05/2002

Page 8

Newtonian Fluids
Newtonian fluids are the simplest of fluids and contain no
particles larger than a molecule.

Examples of Newtonian fluids are water, oils and brines

The shear rate is directly proportional to the shear stress.
A graphical

plot is shown as a straight line and can be

compared to the other flow models shown here

16/05/2002

Page 9

Newtonian Model
Shear Stress

? = .dv
dr
Viscosity () = Constant

Shear Rate

16/05/2002

Fluid flows as soon as force is applied

Shear stress is proportional to shear rate

Viscosity is constant
Page 10

Non-Newtonian Fluids
Non-Newtonian fluids are basically fluids that dont act as
Newtonian fluids.
Most drilling fluids are non-Newtonian.
Non-Newtonian fluids require a finite amount of shear
stress to initiate flow.
A graphical plot shows an inital curve which becomes
linear once flow has been achieved.
Typical Non-Newtonian fluids are paint, cream and drilling
fluids.
Drilling fluids contain enough drill solids to form a structure
between the particles, this can result in a resistance to flow.
This is known as Structural Viscosity. As shear is applied
this resistance is gradually overcome until the fluid begins
to flow. This point is known as the Yield Point of the drilling
fluid.
16/05/2002

Page 11

Bingham Plastic Fluids

Bingham Plastic Fluids are shear rate dependent fluids
whose shear rate/shear stress relationship becomes linear
once the yield point has been reached.

Bingham Plastic Fluids generally show a decrease in

viscosity from the initial value at zero shear rates reaching
some constant at higher shear rates.

16/05/2002

Page 12

Bingham Plastic Model

Shear Stress
PV

YP

? = YP + PV dv
dr

AV

511 sec-1
300 ?

1022 sec-1
600 ?

Shear Rate

AV = Apparent Viscosity
YP = Bingham Yield

= 600 /2

= 300 - PV

PV = Plastic Viscosity = 600 - 300

16/05/2002

Page 13

Newtonian vs. Binghams Models

Bingham Plastic Fluids therefore approach Newtonian
fluids at higher shear rates. This behaviour is known as
Shear Thinning.

The Yield Point is the shear stress required to initiate flow.

Plastic Viscosity is the shear stress in excess of the yield
point that will induce a unit rate of shear.

16/05/2002

Page 14

PV and YP Calculation
PV = slope of line = tangent
of angle
= x/y = (?600 - ?300)511
1022 - 511

Shear Stress
?600

PV = ?600 - ?300

x
PV

??00

YP

YP = ?300 - z
511 sec-1
300 ?

z = ?600 - ?300 = PV

1022 sec-1
600 ?

YP = ?????? ?PV

Shear Rate

511 is the conversion from lb/100ft2 to centipoises

16/05/2002

Page 15

Power Law Flow Models

Power Law models can also be known as Pseudoplastic
fluids.

They begin to flow as soon as pressure is applied so they

have no yield point.

Pseudoplastic fluids exhibit linearity at higher shear rates.

Suspensions of long chain polymers are typically
pseudoplastic fluids. This is due to entanglement of the
long chain polymers which cause resistance to flow. These
gradually align themselves with the flow and the viscosity
decreases. These fluids are therefore shear thinning.

16/05/2002

Page 16

Power Law Model

Shear Stress

Shear Stress

? = K (dv )n
dr

Log ? = log K + n log dv

dr

K
Shear Rate

Shear Rate

? Fluid characterised by :
? Behaviour Index, n
? Consistency Index, K

(5.11) ( ? 300)
dynes sec n cm-2
n
511
(0.511) ( ? 300)
K=
Pa. sec.
511 n
K = ? 600n lbs/100ft 2
1022
K=

n - 3.32 log ?600

?300

16/05/2002

Page 17

Power Law Flow Models

These types of fluids are highly desirable to support
cuttings and prevent barite settlement in the low shear rate
regimes in the annulus, but also exhibit low viscosities in
the high shear rate areas of the bit.

n is the Flow Behaviour Index and indicates the degree of

shear thinning.
k is the viscosity at a shear rate of 1 sec-1.

Power Law models also cover Newtonian Fluids where n=1

and Dilatant fluids where n>1.
If plotted on a log log paper the graph becomes linear for
pseudoplastic fluids.

16/05/2002

Page 18

Laminar Flow Profile

Laminar flow tends to occur in the low flow regimes in the
annulus so most drilling fluids exhibit laminar flow.

The flow at the wall is zero, while flow increases as distance

from the wall increases to a maximum in the centre of the
flow. Can sometimes be considered as a series of concentric
cylinders forming a parabolic shape.

This flow

pattern indicates an ideal Bingham Plastic Fluid.

The velocity profile for a Power Law model would have a
flatter profile.

16/05/2002

Page 19

Cross-Section View of Laminar

Flow

Sliding motion.
? Velocity at the wall approaches zero, therefore erosion at the
wellbore tends to decrease.
? Velocity is maximum at the center, therefore bypassing fluid
closer to the wellbore wall (channeling) .
? Vmax = 2V where V = Average Particle Velocity
16/05/2002

Page 20

Transition from Laminar to

Turbulent Flow
As flow rates increase the profile becomes more elongated
until breakup occurs and the flow enters a transitional
stage between laminar and turbulent flow.

Most drilling fluids lie between ideal Bingham Plastic and

Power Law models.

Turbulent flow occurs at high flow rates and is

characterised by random movements of the particles.

The velocity profile is flat but the swirling motion can be

used to remove a cuttings bed in highly deviated holes.
16/05/2002

Page 21

Cross-Section View of Turbulent

Flow

? Swirling motion of particles with flat interface

? Average particle velocity is uniform throughout the
pipe
? The swirling motion while being beneficial, can
erode the well bore
16/05/2002

Page 22

Critical Velocity = Transition Point

Re = <2000 laminar flow
Re = 2000 - 3000 transitional
Re = >3000 turbulent

Turbulent Flow

S.P.M.
(S.P.M. is
proportional to
shear stress)

Transition period

Laminar Flow

Critical Velocity
S.P.M.
(S.P.M. is proportional to shear rate)

16/05/2002

Page 23

Typical Flow Curves

Newtonian

Non-Newtonian

Shear Stress

Shear Stress
Transition
Zone

Transition
Zone

Laminar Flow

16/05/2002

Power
Law

Turbulent Flow

Shear Rate

Shear Rate

Page 24

Bingham
Plastic

Reynolds Number
?

The point at which turbulence occurs is defined by

a Reynolds Number (NRe).
NRE =
D
V
r
n
K

=
=
=
=
=

8n-1

? V2-n D n
[(3n + 1) / 4n] n x K

Pipe I.D. (m)

Average flow velocity (ms-1)
Fluid density (kg/m3)
Power Law index
Consistency index

? If Re < 2000, the flow is Laminar

? If Re between 2000 - 3000 flow is transitional
? If Re > 3000 flow is Turbulent
16/05/2002

Page 25

Gel Strengths
Gels are measured as the maximum deflection of

the dial at 3 RPM after 10 seconds and 10 minutes

respectively.
The units of gel strength are: lb/100ft2
Gels can be described as Flat or Progressive.
This is a measure of the difference between the 2
values:
Gels 3/3:
Low and flat, will not suspend solids
Gels 4/6:
Slightly progressive (fragile). Minimum
for barite suspension in an agitated tank.
Initial gel: 8 minimum required to prevent barite
sag under static conditions
Gels 9/20: Typical water base mud
Gels 15/25: Typical oil base muds
Gels 3/40: Strongly progressive, can lead to severe
problems

16/05/2002

Page 26

Thixotropic Fluids
Shear Stress

Increasing
Shear Rate
Gel Strength

Decreasing
Shear Rate

Yield Point
Shear Rate

? Thixotropy

? Time dependent rheological behaviour of fluids.

? Gel Strength (lbs/100ft2)
? Yield Point (lbs/100 ft2)
16/05/2002

Page 27

PV and YP Related to Mud Chemistry

? Plastic Viscosity (PV) is the portion of the
resistance to flow (viscosity) that is caused by
interparticle friction.
? PV increases as the following increase :

? The size and shape of the solids.

? The solids concentration.
? The viscosity of the liquid phase without any
?

solids.
Note: For OBM, water droplets behave as inert
solids. Low oil water ratio's have high P.V's.

16/05/2002

Page 28

PV and YP Related to Mud Chemistry

? The Yield Point (YP) is due to the attractive
forces between the particles. The YP is
influenced by:

? Cross linking (eg. xc polymer).

? Doubly charged cations causing flocculation
?
?
?
16/05/2002

(eg. Ca2+ and Mg2+).

Polymers with anionic or cationic groups.
Reactive clays and bentonite.
Flocculated systems show high YP's and low
PV's
Page 29

PV and YP Related to Mud Chemistry

? The YP measured using the Bingham model
is generally higher than the true YP

due to the inaccuracy of the Bingham model

at low shear rates.

? The Bingham model is fairly realistic for

flocculated mud or high solids muds.
? The Power Law model gives greater accuracy
at low shear rates.
16/05/2002

Page 30

Effect of Temperature & Pressure

? Temperature reduces
viscosity
? Pressure increases
viscosity
? High temperature

?
?
16/05/2002

Breakdown of polymers
Gelation of solids

Page 31

Variables in Hole Cleaning

? Annular Velocity
? Rate of penetration (ROP)
? Viscosity
? Hole Angle
? Mud Weight

16/05/2002

Page 32

Recommended Values (Yp & PV)

Yield Point
Plastic Viscosity

16/05/2002

36/26

17 1/2

12 1/4

8 1/2

40+

25

20

15

ALAP

ALAP

ALAP

ALAP

Page 33

Recommended Mud Properties

Prior to Cementing
For top hole the ideal viscosity is thick A Marsh Funnel
viscosity of 150 seconds or more is ideal. Make sure the
fluid is pumpable though.
The 17 1/2 hole values are a minimum, most operators now
wish values of 25 - 30 or even 30 - 35 lb/100ft2
Similarly with the 12 1/4 values, here systems are regularly
run with YPs of 25 - 30.
Remember that during the drilling operations , at casing
points it is desirable to reduce the viscosity for the cemenet
job, a recommended figure is 20 lb/100ft2 or less. Be careful
as it may be necessary to raise the YP after completion of
the cement job. This can result in expensive treatments.

16/05/2002

Page 34