Numerical Simulation on Cuttings Transport with Drillpipe Rotation in Extended Reach Well

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to simulate the solid-liquid two-phase flow in the annulus. The results show that the mixture of liquid and solid moves in spiral in horizontal annulus, and the solid phase distributes asymmetrically in the annulus. The distribution of solid volume fraction and the velocity of liquid phase and solid phase in annulus are given. The thickness of cuttings bed of rotating drill pipe is 1/3 of that of non-rotating drill pipe. Main factors which influence the cuttings transport in the annulus are analyzed, and the following results are got: the thickness of cuttings bed changes sensitively when the rotation speed of drill pipe ranges from 80rpm to 120rpm, the rotation of drill pipe disturbs the flow of liquid and solid in annulus, improving the cleaning of annulus.