Effect of two-phase gas-liquid flow patterns on cuttings transport efficiency

Effective cuttings transport and accurate drilling hydraulics prediction remain issues of concern during operations horizontal, extended reach multilateral wells. While several studies have adopted a two- or three-layered modelling approach to evaluate efficiency, they neglected the effect gas-liquid fluid flow pattern within annulus on transport. An experimental theoretical study was carried out interplay between two-phase patterns major parameters investigate its influence dynamics in horizontal inclined wellbore. Several mathematical dependent multi-layered models valid for any level wellbore eccentricity were developed different mechanisms bubble, dispersed stratified slug patterns, thereby providing method efficiency perform calculations underbalanced operations. Experimental results show that both flowrate are most influential controllable affect efficiency. Moreover, hole cleaning requirements an eccentric is higher than required concentric single-phase Newtonian non-Newtonian fluids. Inclination angle also found degree highly properties, cutting mechanism prevailing pattern. In annuli, drillpipe rotation can improve flows, but generally much less flow. Overall, good match data. The findings this serve as guide provides tool be applied pressure management evaluation based upon specified conditions.