PETE 661

Drilling Engineering
Lesson 4
Wellbore Hydraulics,
Pressure Drop Calculations
1

Wellbore Hydraulics

Hydrostatics
Buoyancy
Pipe Tension vs. Depth
Effect of Mud Pressure
Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Pressure Drop Calculations
Bingham Plastic Model
API Power-Law Model
2

Assignments:
READ:

ADE Ch. 4

HW #3:

On the Web. - Axial

Tension
Due 09-20-04
3

Fig. 4-3.
A Complex
Liquid
Column

p 0.052 D p0
p 0.052 D
n

p p 0 0.052 i (D i D i 1 )
i 1

PPUMP = ?

Fig. 4-4. Viewing the Well as a Manometer

(U5

Figure 4.4

p 0.052 D

pa p0 0.052 { 10.5(7,000) 8.5(300) 12.7(1,700)

16.7(1,000) 9.0(10,000) }

p0 0 psig
p a 1,266 psig
6

Buoyancy Force = weight of fluid displaced

(Archimedes, 250 BC)

Figure 4-9. Hydraulic forces acting 7on a

Effective (buoyed) Weight

We = buoyed weight
W = weight in air
Fb = buoyancy force
V = volume of body
f = fluid density
s = body density

We W Fb
W - f V
W
W - f
s

f
We W 1
s

Buoyancy Factor
Valid for a solid body or an open-ended pipe!

Example
For steel,

s 65.5 lbm / gal

(= 490 lbm/ft3 )

( f 15.0 lbm / gal)

immersed in mud,
the buoyancy factor is:

f
1
s

15.0
1
0.771
65.5

A drillstring weighs 100,000 lbs in air.

Buoyed weight = 100,000 * 0.771 = 77,100 lbs
9

Axial Forces in Drillstring

Fb = bit weight
F1 & F1 are pressure forces

10

Simple Example - Empty Wellbore

Drillpipe weight = 19.5 lbf/ft

10,000 ft

0 lbf

OD 2 ID 2
4

DEPTH, ft

OD = 5.000 in
ID = 4.276 in

195,000 lbf

A = 5.265 in2
AXIAL TENSION, lbf

W = 19.5 lbf/ft * 10,000 ft = 195,000 lbf

11

Example - 15 lb/gal Mud in Wellbore

Drillpipe weight = 19.5 lbf/ft

OD = 5.000 in
ID = 4.276 in
A

OD 2 ID2
4

153,900 195,000 lbf

DEPTH, ft

- 41,100

10,000 ft

A = 5.265 in2
AXIAL TENSION, lbf

F=P*A
= 7,800 * 5.265
= 41,100 lbf

Pressure at bottom = 0.052 * 15 * 10,000 = 7,800 psi

W = 195,000 - 41,100 = 153,900 lbf

12

Axial Tension in Drill String

Example
A drill string consists of
10,000 ft of 19.5 #/ft drillpipe and
600 ft of 147 #/ft drill collars
suspended off bottom in 15#/gal mud
(Fb = bit weight = 0).

What is the axial tension in the

drillstring as a function of depth?
13

Example

A1

Pressure at top of collars

= 0.052 (15) 10,000 = 7,800 psi
Pressure at bottom of collars
= 0.052 (15) 10,600 = 8,268 psi
19400

Cross-sectional area of pipe,

19.5 lb / ft 144 in2
2
A1
*

5
.
73
in
490 lb / ft 3
ft 2

600
14

Example contd

A1

Cross-sectional area of collars,

147
2
A2
*144 43.2in
490
A2

Differenti al area A 2 A1
43.2 5.73 37.5 in

15

Example - contd

1. At 10,600 ft. (bottom of drill collars)

Compressive force = p A

3
2

lbf
8,268 2 * 43.2in 2
in

= 357,200 lbf
[ axial tension = - 357,200 lbf ]
16

Example - contd

2. At 10,000 ft+ (top of collars)

FT = W2 - F2 - Fb

Fb = FBIT = 0
3
2

= 147 lbm/ft * 600 ft - 357,200

= 88,200 - 357,200
= -269,000 lbf

17

Example - contd

3. At 10,000 ft - (bottom of drillpipe)

FT = W1+W2+F1-F2-Fb

3
2

= 88,200 + 7800 lbf/in2 * 37.5in2 - 357,200

= 88,200 + 292,500 - 357,200

= + 23,500 lbf
18

Example - contd

4. At Surface
F T = W 1 + W2 + F 1 - F 2 - F b
= 19.5 * 10,000 + 88,200
292,500 - 357,200 - 0

= 218,500 lbf
Alternatively: FT = WAIR * BF
= 283,200 * 0.7710 = 218,345 lbf 19

3
2

Fig. 4-11. Axial tensions as a function of depth for Example

4.9
20

Example - Summary
1. At 10,600 ft

FT = -357,200 lbf [compression]

2. At 10,000 + ft

FT = -269,000 lbf [compression]

3. At 10,000 - ft
4. At Surface

FT = +23,500 lbf [tension]

FT = +218,500 lbf [tension]
21

Axial Load with

FBIT = 68,000 lbf

22

23

For multiple nozzles in parallel

Vn is the same for each nozzle
if the dn varies!

even

This follows since p is the same

across each nozzle.

vn c d

p
8.074 * 10 4

q
& v n 3.117 A
t

8.311 * 10 q
-5

pbit

2
d

C A

2
t

Cd = 0.95
24

Hydraulic Horsepower
of pump putting out 400 gpm at 3,000 psi = ?
Power, in field units:

qp
HHP
1714

400 * 3,000
HHP
1714
Hydraulic Horsepower of Pump = 700 hp
25

What is Hydraulic Impact Force

developed by bit?
If:

CD 0.95
q 400 gal/min
12 lb/gal
p n 1,169 psi
Fj 0.01823 c d q p
26

Impact = rate of change of momentum

q vn
mv m
Fj

v
t
32.17 * 60
t
Fj 0.01823 c d q p
Fj 0.01823 * 0.95 * 400 12 * 1,169 820 lbf
27

Laminar Flow
Rheological Models
Newtonian
Bingham Plastic
Power-Law (ADE & API)

Rotational Viscometer
Laminar Flow in Wellbore
Fluid Flow in Pipes
Fluid Flow in Annuli
28

Laminar Flow of Newtonian Fluids

Experimentally:

F
V

A
L

29

Newtonian Fluid Model

In a Newtonian fluid the shear stress is directly
proportional to the shear rate (in laminar flow):

i.e.,

dyne
1

2
cm
sec

The constant of proportionality, is the viscosity

of the fluid and is independent of shear rate.
30

Newtonian Fluid Model

dyne sec
2
cm

Viscosity may be expressed in poise or centipoise.

dyne - s
g
1 poise 1
1
2
cm
cm s
1 centipoise 0.01 poise
31

Shear Stress vs. Shear Rate for a

Newtonian Fluid

Slope of line
32

Apparent Viscosity

Apparent viscosity = /
is the slope at each shear rate,

1, 2 , 3 .
33

(Plotted
on linear paper)
Typical Drilling Fluid
Vs. Newtonian,
Bingham and Power Law Fluids

34

Rheological Models
1. Newtonian Fluid:

shear stress
absolute viscosity

shear rate

2. Bingham Plastic Fluid:

y p

What if y

y yield point
p plastic viscosity

35

Rotating
Sleeve
Viscometer

36

Rotating
Viscometer

Figure 3.6

Rheometer

We
determine
rheological
properties
of drilling
fluids in
this device

Infinite
parallel
plates

37

Rheometer (Rotational
Viscometer)

sleeve
BOB

fluid

f ( )
Shear Stress = f (Dial Reading)
Shear Rate = f (Sleeve RPM)
Shear Stress = f (Shear Rate)

(TAU ), the Shear Stress depends on the

value of (GAMMA), the Shear Rate
38

Rheometer - base case

N (RPM)
3
6
100
200
300
600

sec-1)
5.11
10.22
170
340
511
1022

RPM * 1.703 = sec-1

39

Example
A rotational viscometer containing a Bingham plastic
fluid gives a dial reading of 12 at a rotor speed of 300
RPM and a dial reading of 20 at a rotor speed of 600 RPM
Compute plastic viscosity and yield point

p 600 300

= 20
= 12

20 - 12

p 8 cp

See Appendix A
40

 = 20
= 12

Example

y 300 p

(See Appendix A)

12 - 8
y 4 lbf/100 ft

41

Gel Strength

42

Gel Strength
= shear stress at which fluid movement begins
The yield strength, extrapolated from the
300
and 600 RPM readings is not a good
representation of
the gel strength of the fluid
Gel strength may be measured by turning the
rotor at a low speed and noting the dial
reading at
which the gel structure is broken
(usually at 3 RPM)
43

Gel Strength
The gel strength is the maximum dial reading
when the viscometer is started at 3 rpm.

In field units,

g 1.06

lbf / 100 ft 2

In practice, this is often approximated to

g = max,3

lbf / 100 ft
44

Velocity Profiles
(laminar flow)

Fig. 4-26. Velocity profiles for laminar flow:

(a) pipe flow and (b) annular flow 45

3D View of Laminar Flow in a pipe

- Newtonian Fluid

It looks like concentric rings of fluid

telescoping down the pipe at different velocities
46

Table 4.3 - Summary of Equations for

Rotational Viscometer
Newtonian Model

or

a 300
300
a
N
N

5.066

N
2
r

47

Table 4.3 - Summary of Equations for

Rotational Viscometer
Bingham Plastic Model

p 600 300

y 300 p

oror

300
p
( N 2 N1 )
N 2 N1

or

or

N1
y N1 p
300

g max at 348 rpm

Example 4.22
Compute the frictional pressure loss for a 7 x 5
annulus, 10,000 ft long, using the slot flow
representation in the annulus. The flow rate is 80
gal/min. The viscosity is 15 cp. Assume the flow
pattern is laminar.
6
7

49

Example 4.22
The average velocity in the annulus,

q
80
v

2
2
2
2
2.448(7 5 )
2.448(d 2 d1 )
_

v 1.362 ft/s
_

dp f
v

2
dL
1000 d 2 d1
50

Example 4.22
_

dp f
v

2
dL
1000 d2 d1

p f

(15) (1.362) (10,000)

dp

D
dL
1000 (7 5) 2

p f 51 psi

51.0750
51

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

( varies)
52

Types of flow
Laminar

Turbulent

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
53

Turbulent Flow Newtonian Fluid

N Re

928 v d

where fluid density, lbm/gal

_

v avg. fluid velocity, ft/s

d pipe I.D., in
viscosity of fluid, cp.

We often assume that fluid flow is

turbulent if Nre > 2100
54

Turbulent Flow Newtonian Fluid

Turbulent Flow Bingham Plastic Fluid

In Pipe

_ 1.75

dp f

dL
1800d1.25
0.75

0.25

_ 1.75

0.25

v
p
dp f

1.25
dL
1800d
0.75

In Annulus
_ 1.75

dp f

1.25
dL
1,396 d2 d1
0.75

0.25

_ 1.75

0.25

v
p
dp f

1.25
dL
1,396 d2 d1
0.75

55

API Power Law Model

K = consistency index
n = flow behaviour index

API RP 13D

=Kn

SHEAR
STRESS

psi
0

SHEARRATE,,sec1
56

Rotating Sleeve Viscometer

(RPM * 1.703)
VISCOMETER
RPM

SHEAR RATE

3
100

ANNULUS

5.11
170.3

300
600

DRILL
STRING

511
1022

BOB

sec -1

SLEEVE
57

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)

58

PPUMP

Pressure Drop
Calculations
Q = 280 gal/min

= 12.5 lb/gal
PPUMP = PDP + PDC
+ PBIT NOZZLES
+ PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN
+ PHYD

59

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe

Power-Law Constant (n):
R 600
n 3.32 log
R 300

OD = 4.5 in
ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft

65
0.737
39

3.32 log

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11 R600
n

1,022

5.11 * 65
dyne sec n

2.017
0.737
1,022
cm 2

Average Bulk Velocity in Pipe (V):

0.408Q
V
D2

0.408 * 280
ft

8.00
2
3.78
sec
60

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe

Effective Viscosity in Pipe ( e):

96 V
e 100 K
D

n 1

96 * 8
e 100 * 2.017

3.78

3n 1

0.737 1

4n

OD = 4.5
in
ID = 3.78
in
L = 11,400
ft

3 * 0.737 1

4 * 0.737

0.737

53 cP

Reynolds Number in Pipe (NRe):

NRe

928 D V

928 * 3.78 * 8.00 * 12.5

6,616
53
61

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe

NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so
Friction Factor in Pipe (f):

log n 3.93

50

1.75 log n

So,

a
NRe

NRe

log 0.737 3.93

0.0759
50

1.75 log 0.737

0.2690
7

OD = 4.5
in ID =
3.78 in
L = 11,400
ft

0.0759

0.007126
0.2690
6,616
62

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe

Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL) :
dP

dL

f V
25.81 D

OD = 4.5
in ID =
3.78 in
L = 11,400
ft

0.007126 * 8 2 * 12.5
psi

0.05837
25.81 * 3.78
ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Pipe :

dP
P
L
dL

0.05837 * 11,400

Pdp = 665
psi

63

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars

Power-Law Constant (n):
R 600
n 3.32 log
R 300

65
0.737
39

3.32 log

OD = 6.5
in ID =
2.5 in
L = 600
ft

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

K

5.11R 600
1,022

5.11 * 65
dyne sec n

2.017
0.737
1,022
cm2

Average Bulk Velocity inside Drill Collars (V):

0.408 Q
V
D2

0.408 * 280
ft

18.28
2
2 .5
sec
64

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars

Effective Viscosity in Collars( e):

96 V
e 100 K

n 1

3n 1

4n

96 * 18.28
e 100 * 2.017

2. 5

0.737 1

3 * 0.737 1

4 * 0.737

OD = 6.5
in ID =
2.5 in
L = 600
ft

0.737

38.21 cP

Reynolds Number in Collars (NRe):

NRe

928 D V

928 * 2.5 * 18.28 * 12.5

13,870
38.21
65

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars

NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so
Friction Factor in DC (f):

a
NRe

log n 3.93
a
50

log 0.737 3.93

0.0759
50

1.75 log n

1.75 log 0.737

0.2690
7

So,

a
f
b
NRe

OD = 6.5
in ID =
2.5 in
L = 600
ft

0.0759

0.005840
0.2690
13,870
66

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars

Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL) :
dP

dL

f V
25.81 D

OD = 6.5
in ID =
2.5 in
L = 600
ft

0.005840 * 18.28 2 * 12.5

psi

0.3780
25.81 * 2.5
ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Collars :

dP
P

dL

0.3780 * 600

Pdc = 227
psi

67

Pressure Drop across Nozzles

P

156 Q 2
2

N1

DN2 DN3

DN1 = 11 32nds
2

(in) DN2 = 11
32nds (in) DN3 =
12 32nds (in)

156 * 12.5 * 280 2

11

11 12
2

2 2

PNozzles = 1,026
psi
68

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE
Annulus
Q = gal/min

= lb/gal
DHOLE
in
ODDC
in
L

8.5
in

= 8.5
= 6.5
= 600

69

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus

DHOLE = 8.5
in
ODDC = 6.5
Power-Law Constant (n):
in
L
=
R100
20
0.657 log
n 0.657 log
0.5413
600 ft
R3

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

K

5.11R100
170.2

5.11 * 20
dyne sec n

6.336
0.5413
170.2
cm2

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

0.408Q
0.408 * 280
ft
V

3.808
2
2
2
2
8 .5 6 .5
sec
D2 D1
70

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus
Effective Viscosity in Annulus ( e):
144 V

e 100 K
D2 D1

n 1

2n 1

3n

144 * 3.808
e 100 * 6.336

8 .5 6 .5

0.5413 1

2 * 0.5413 1

3 * 0.5413

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

0.5413

55.20 cP

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRe):

NRe

928 D2 D1 V
e

928 8.5 6.5 * 3.808 * 12.5

1,600
55.20
71

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (f):
24
f
NRe

24

0.01500
1,600
2

f V

dP

25.81 D2 D1
dL

dP

dL

So,

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

0.01500 * 3.808 2 * 12.5

psi

0.05266
25.81 8.5 6.5
ft

0.05266 * 600

Pdc/hole = 31.6
psi

72

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
q = gal/min

= lb/gal
DHOLE
ODDP

= 8.5 in
= 4.5 in

L
=
11,400 ft
73

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
Power-Law Constant (n):
R100
n 0.657 log
R3

DHOLE
ODDP

= 8.5 in
= 4.5 in

L
=
11,400 ft

20
0.5413
3

0.657 log

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R100
n

170.2

5.11 * 20
dyne sec n

6.336
0.5413
170.2
cm2

Average Bulk Velocity in Annulus (Va):

0.408 Q
V 2
2
D2 D1

0.408 * 280
ft

2.197
2
2
8 .5 4 .5
sec
74

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
Effective Viscosity in Annulus ( e):
144 V

e 100 K
D2 D1
144 * 2.197
e 100 * 6.336

8 .5 4 .5

n 1

0.5413 1

2n 1

3n

2 * 0.5413 1

3 * 0.5413

0.5413

97.64 cP

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRe):

NRe

928 D2 D1 V
e

928 8.5 4.5 * 2.197 * 12.5

1,044
97.64
75

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (f):
f

24
NRe

24
0.02299
1,044

fV
dP

dL

25.81 D2 D1

0.02299 * 2.197 2 * 12.5

psi

0.01343
25.81 8.5 4.5
ft

dP
P
L
dL

So,

0.01343 * 11,400

psi
Pdp/hole = 153.2
psi
76

Pressure Drop Calcs.

- SUMMARY PPUMP = PDP + PDC + PBIT NOZZLES
+ PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN + PHYD
PPUMP = 665 + 227 + 1,026
+ 32 + 153 + 0

PPUMP = 1,918 + 185 = 2,103 psi

77

PPUMP = PDS + PANN + PHYD

2,103 psi

P
=
0

PDS = PDP + PDC + PBIT NOZZLES

= 665 + 227 + 1,026 = 1,918
psi
PANN = PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN
= 32 + 153 = 185
PHYD = 0

PPUMP = 1,918 + 185

= 2,103 psi
78

"Friction" Pressures

"Friction" Pressure, psi

2,500

DRILLPIPE

2,000
1,500

DRILL COLLARS

1,000

BIT NOZZLES

500

ANNULUS

0
0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

Cumulative Distance from Standpipe, ft

79

25,000

Hydrostatic Pressures in the Wellbore

Hydrostatic Pressure, psi

9,000
8,000

BHP

7,000
6,000
5,000

DRILLSTRING

ANNULUS

4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

Cumulative Distance from Standpipe, ft

80

25,000

Pressures, psi

Pressures in the Wellbore

10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0

CIRCULATING

STATIC

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

Cumulative Distance from Standpipe, ft

81

25,000

Wellbore Pressure Profile

0
2,000

DRILLSTRING

Depth, ft

4,000
6,000

ANNULUS
8,000
10,000

(Static)

12,000

BIT
14,000
0

2,000

4,000

6,000

Pressure, psi

8,000
82

10,000

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 (f):
Then

16
NRe

and

dP

dL

f V
25.81 D
83

84

n = 1.0

_
2

dp
f v

dL 85 25.8 d