A mathematical model and a numerical analysis of the cuttings transport with foam in horizontal wells have been presented earlier. The model has been incorporated into a computer program and used for finding a closed form critical foam velocity (CFV) correlation.

The new CFV correlation can be used to predict minimum foam flow rate required to remove, or prevent the formation of stationary cuttings beds on the low-side of the highly deviated and horizontal wells.

Effects of key drilling parameters (i.e. drilling rate, annular geometry, foam quality, bottomhole pressure and temperature) on the critical foam velocity have also been investigated.

Numerical examples are presented to illustrate how the CFV correlation can be used to determine required gas and liquid flow rates at the downhole conditions

Keywords:
directional drilling, cuttings transport, geometry, health & medicine, horizontal well yibing li, upstream oil & gas, correlation coefficient, drilling fluids and materials, effective cuttings transport, bhp
Subjects:
Wellbore Design, Drilling Operations, Drilling Fluids and Materials, Information Management and Systems, Wellbore integrity, Directional drilling, Cuttings transport
Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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