Abstract
The properties of the circulation fluid have a fundamental effect on solids transport. The shear stress at the solids bed and liquid interface, for a near horizontal wellbore, plays the key role in transport of the solids. The flow regime, geometric combination of hole/coiled tubing (CT) and eccentricity, also effect the rheological state of the liquid and have a significant impact on the solids transport efficiency. There is a need to differentiate between the superior solids suspension capabilities of the liquid and its hole cleaning efficiency produced when it is in motion. The most important concept is that, the greater the solids carrying capacity a fluid has, the more efficiently the hole can be cleaned. The challenge that presents itself is that once the solids fall and form a bed within the wellbore, how can the solids be re-entrained and transported out of the hole?
In this paper, solids transport studies with several bio-polymers were conducted with a sophisticated flow loop. These studies highlight that these types of fluids bring some advantages and disadvantages. The carrying capacity and suspension properties of these fluids are superior but were hindered by other geometric influences on the velocity profile. Solids entrainment and re-entrainment into the fluid, as would be expected, is difficult to achieve without mechanical assistance. However, excellent efficiency of the fluid can be obtained and this paper presents some of the conditions under which this is practically achieved.
