Computer

Computer Modeling
Modeling of
of Wellbore
Wellbore
Cleanup
Cleanup Operations
Operations
Presented at SPE-GCS Northside Group Luncheon Meeting

Gefei Liu
Pegasus Ventures, Inc.
September 10, 2002
 Presentation
Presentation Contents
Contents
u Technical Background

u Mud displacement Software

u Case studies and Field Validation

u Software Demonstration
Benefits
Benefits from
from Cleaning
Cleaning of
of Wellbore:
Wellbore:
u Increased productivity and mud recovery
u Reduced rig time
u Reduced filtration time and expense
u Maintain integrity of the completion fluid
u Fewer mechanical failures of downhole equipment
u Reduce corrosion pitting
Wellbore
Wellbore Clean
Clean up
up Solutions:
Solutions:
u Chemical:
u Solvents
u Wetting agents
u Demulsifies, etc

u Mechanical cleaning:
u Brush tools
u Casing scrapers
u Brush/scraper combo
u Circulating tools
u Downhole Debris Filter
Mechanical
Mechanical Wellbore
Wellbore Cleaning
Cleaning Tools:
Tools:

u Brush tools
u Casing scrapers
u Brush/scraper combo
u Circulating tools
u Downhole debris filter
EZI-CHANGE TM 6
Self Centralizing Casing Brush 2
1
3
10

7 9
4
4

3
5
1 5

3
6 2

4 4
8

TOOL PART INFORMATION

1 - MILD STEEL STABILIZER SLEEVES
5 4 2 - CAPHEAD SCREWS
3 - SPRING WASHERS
10 4 - BRUSH PAD
5 - COIL SRINGS (BOW SPRINGS IN SMALLER TOOLS)
6 - FISHING NECK
7 - CENTRE RING
3
2 8 - API STANDARD THREADS (4 ½”IF & 3 ½” F & 2 3 8 ” REG)
9 - MAIN BODY
10 - STUB ACME THREAD
C EZI-FLOW INTERNATIONAL LTD
Mechanical
Mechanical Wellbore
Wellbore Cleaning
Cleaning Tools:
Tools:

u Brush tools
u Casing scrapers
u Brush/scraper combo
u Circulating tools
u Downhole Debris Filter
Mechanical
Mechanical Wellbore
Wellbore Cleaning
Cleaning Tools:
Tools:

u Brush tools
u Casing scrapers
u Brush/scraper combo
u Circulating tools
u Downhole Debris Filter
Mechanical
Mechanical Wellbore
Wellbore Cleaning
Cleaning Tools:
Tools:

u Brush tools
u Casing scrapers
u Brush/scraper combo
u Circulating tools
u Downhole Debris Filter
Mechanical
Mechanical Wellbore
Wellbore Cleaning
Cleaning Tools:
Tools:

u Brush tools
u Casing scrapers
u Brush/scraper combo
u Circulating tools
u Downhole Debris Filter
Hydraulics
Hydraulics modeling
modeling -- Rheological
Rheological Models
Models
 Flow
Flow Patterns
Patterns
Plug flow:
flow

•Fluid moves as a single, undisturbed solid body

•Occurs at very low flow rates

 Flow
Flow Patterns
Patterns
Laminar flow:
flow

•Laminar layer of the fluid is displayed.

•Each laminar layer moves in parallel direction.

 Flow
Flow Patterns
Patterns
Turbulent flow:
flow

•Small eddies are formed.

•Velocity profile: flat in the middle, steep near the walls

 Flow
Flow Patterns
Patterns
Change of flow type:
0 V
1 2 3 4 5

1. Plug flow
2. Core thickness decreases with increasing V
3. Laminar flow
4. Transition zone
5. Turbulent flow
Concerns
Concerns in
in aa Mud
Mud Displacement
Displacement Job
Job

u Mud displacement dynamics

u Flow rate design
u Tools such as circ. sub and its impact
u ECDs @ TD and weak zones
u Annular pressure profile during displacement
u Pump pressure / HP requirements
u Free-falling / back-filling calculation
Pressures
Pressures during
during aa Displacement
Displacement Job
Job
Pump P = Σ (Hydrostatic) Ann
- Σ (Hydrostatic) Pipe
+ Σ (Frictional) Ann
+ Σ (Frictional) Pipe

BH P = Σ (Hydrostatic) Ann
+ Σ (Frictional) Ann

Pay
Zone
U-Tubing:
U-Tubing: Free-fall
Free-fall –– Pump
Pump Pressure
Pressure
When Pump P < = 0, i.e.

Σ (Hydrostatic) Ann
- Σ (Hydrostatic) Pipe
+ Σ (Frictional) Ann
+ Σ (Frictional) Pipe < = 0

i.e. Heavy fluids inside pipe

Increased flow rate so that
Pay
Zone
Pump P = 0
 U-Tubing:
U-Tubing: Free-fall
Free-fall –– Flow
Flow Rate
Rate
When flow rate > pump rate,

•A gap is developed in upper pipe.

•Well goes on “vacuum”.

•Free-fall starts.

Pay
•Flow rate changes constantly.
Zone
U-Tubing:
U-Tubing: Back
Back fill
fill –– Pump
Pump Pressure
Pressure
During U-tubing, when
Pump P > 0, i.e.

Σ (Hydrostatic) Ann
- Σ (Hydrostatic) Pipe
+ Σ (Frictional) Ann
+ Σ (Frictional) Pipe > 0

i.e. Heavy fluids enters annulus

Pay Decreased flow rate so that
Zone

Pump P = 0
Wellbore
Wellbore Integrity
Integrity during
during Displacement
Displacement
Pressure Profile

Frac gradient

at t = t1

at t = t2

Pay Pore gradient

Zone

Depth
 Hazards
Hazards of
of U-Tubing
U-Tubing
u Loss of control on flow rate

u Difficulty in predicting of dynamic pressure profile

u Flow rate below the desired minimum rate

u Slow down of slurry reduces displace efficiency

u Formation breakdown

u Pipe collapse
 Presentation
Presentation Contents
Contents
u Technical Background

u Mud displacement Software

u Case studies and Field Validation

u Software Demonstration
 Benefits
Benefits of
of Computer
Computer Software
Software
u See the effects of design parameters beforehand
u Identify potential problems
u Optimize pump rates for displacement efficiency
u Predict flow dynamics including “free-fall”
u Predict circulating pressures during the job
u Engineering tool in planning or doing post-
analysis.
u Visualize the mud displacement process.
 Main
Main Features
Features
u Flow dynamics during displacement for 3D wells
u Forward or reverse circulation

Drilling fluid
Spacer

Chemical wash
Scavenger

Brine completion fld

 Main
Main Features
Features –– Con’t
Con’t
u Mud rehology: Bingham plastic or power law
u Flow pattern

uRequired flow rate

for turbulence for
fluids at different
geometry
 Main
Main Features
Features –– Con’t
Con’t
u Circulation sub options
 Main
Main Features
Features –– Con’t
Con’t
u Multiple zones of interest for ECD monitoring
u Oil field, SI and customized units
 Main
Main Features
Features –– Con’t
Con’t
u Automatically export results into MS Word.
 Presentation
Presentation Contents
Contents
u Technical Background

u Mud displacement Software

u Case studies and Field Validation

u Software Demonstration
Case
Case Study:
Study: –– Wellbore
Wellbore Clean
Clean Up
Up

Location: Gulf of Mexico

Fluid in place: 16.0 ppg WBM
Geometry: 9 5/8" casing, 7" liner & 2 5/8" DP
Max. deviation: 49 deg.
Cir. method: Long Way
Displacement system: Three pill System, unbalanced
 Comparison of pump press. prediction and measurement

5000

Wellbore Displacement & Clean Up

4500 Location: Gulf of Mexico
Fluid in place: 16.0 ppg WBM
Geometry: 9 5/8" casing, 7" liner & 2 5/8" DP
4000 Max. Deviation: 49 deg.
Cir. Method: Long Way
Displacement System: Threepill System,
3500 unbalanced
PUMP PRESSURE, psi

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000
Actual
Clean up Model
500

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
VOLUME, bbl
 Conclusions
Conclusions
u An engineering design simulator has been developed to
describe the flow dynamics of mud displacement.

u Optimize pump rates foe maximum displacement

efficiency by design the highest allowable pump rates,
without breaking down the formation.

u Predict ECDs and pressure profiles at any time.

u Forward and reverse flow, free-fall / back-fill, circ. sub.

u Calculates minimum pump rates for turbulence

 Conclusions
Conclusions –– Con’t
Con’t
u Computer model helps engineers to identify
problem and optimize mud displacing
operations.

u Visualize the mud displacing, flow pattern and

resulting pressure profile during the job

uA unique software in the market, it is an

advanced engineering tool as well as a sales
tool.
 Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
We thank the following companies providing the slides to us
for this presentation:

u Baker Hughes INTEQ

u BJ Services
u Deep South Chemical
u Global Completion
u Tetra Technologies
u Well-Flow International
u ……