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Pressure Loss in The Drill String

The document describes the calculations to determine the pressure losses in a drilling circulation system. It explains that the total loss consists of losses in the surface equipment, the drill string, the bit, and the annular space. It provides formulas for calculating the losses in each component and discusses factors such as the equivalent circulating density and drill hydraulics calculations.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
67 views5 pages

Pressure Loss in The Drill String

The document describes the calculations to determine the pressure losses in a drilling circulation system. It explains that the total loss consists of losses in the surface equipment, the drill string, the bit, and the annular space. It provides formulas for calculating the losses in each component and discusses factors such as the equivalent circulating density and drill hydraulics calculations.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CALCULATIONS OF PRESSURE LOSS

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
The circulation system of a drilling well consists of several components or
intervals, each of which is subject to a specific pressure drop. The sum of
the pressure drops of these intervals are equal to the total pressure loss of the system or to
the measured pressure of the vertical tube. The figure is a schematic diagram of the system of
circulation. This figure can be simplified in the manner indicated in the figure, which
illustrate the relative flow area of each interval.

Schematic diagram of a circulation system

The total pressure loss for this system can be mathematically described as:
Total Power = Equipment Surface Power + Column Performance Power + Drill Power + Annular Space Power

Each of these pressure groups can be divided into its components and calculations.
appropriate.

2. SURFACE EQUIPMENT
Surface pressure losses include losses between the tube manometer.
vertical and the drilling pipe. This includes the vertical tube, the kelly hose,
swivel joint and the kelly or the travelling rotary. To calculate the pressure loss in the
superficial connections, use the API pipe formula for pressure loss
in the drilling pipe.

3. DRILLING COLUMN
The pressure loss in the drilling column is equal to the sum of the losses of
pressure in all intervals of the drilling column, including the pipe of
drilling, the packers, the downhole motors, the tools of
MWD/LWD/PWD or any other downhole tool.
3.1. FRICTION FACTOR
The pressure loss in the drilling column is equal to the sum of
the pressure losses in all sections of the drilling column, including the
drilling pipe, the drill bits, the downhole motors, the tools of
MWD/LWD/PWD or any other downhole tool.
If the Reynolds number is less than or equal to 2100:
Yes, it is greater than 2100:

3.2. DRILLING PIPE INTERVALS


The intervals of the drilling column (including the drill holders) are
determined by the pipe's nominal diameter. The length of an interval is the length of the
pipe that has the same inner diameter. The following equation is used to calculate
the pressure loss for each interval of the drill column.

()
Where:
Vp = Speed (feet/min)
D = DI of the pipe (in.)
ρ = Density (lb/gal)
L = Length (feet)

3.3. ENGINES AND BOTTOM TOOLS


If the drilling column contains a downhole motor; an MWD tool,
LWD or PWD; a turbine or a impeller, their pressure losses must be included in
the pressure losses of the system for calculating the hydraulics of the system. The losses of
pressure can significantly affect the available pressure in the drill bit, as well as
derive the flow around the auger. The pressure loss across the tools
MWD and LWD varies considerably depending on the weight of the mud, the properties of
mud, the flow, the design of the tool, the size of the tool, and the speed of
data transmission.
Some manufacturers publish pressure loss data for their tools, but these
pressure losses can be estimated on the low side, because they are generally
determined with water. The loss of pressure through Displacement Motors
Positive (PDM) (Moyno), drivers and turbines is greater than the losses through
the MWD and LWD tools, and it is affected by more variables. With a PDM or
impeller, the additional weight on the drill increases the torque and pressure loss at
through the engine. The pressure drop across a turbine is proportional to the flow rate,
weight of the sludge and the number of turbine drive stages. The pressure loss
it is not possible to determine accurately using through the engines and the turbines
formulas; however, this pressure loss data can also be obtained
from the suppliers.

3.4. BARRENA (FRICTION IN THE NOZZLES)


The pressure loss through the drill bit is calculated using the following equation:

()
( )
In the case of core drill bits or diamond cutters, the Total Flow Area
(TFA) and the appropriate conversion factors are substituted within the equation for
obtain

()
( )

Where:
ρ = Density (lb/gal)
Q = Flow rate (gpm)
Total Flow Area (sq. in.)

ANULAR SPACE
The total pressure loss in the annular space is the sum of all pressure losses from
annular interval. Annular intervals are divided by each change in hydraulic diameter.
Any change in the outer diameter of the drilling column and/or any change in the
interior diameter of the casing pipe, short casing pipe or open well
it would result in a change in the hydraulic diameter. As with the loss equations
drilling column pressure, the friction factor must be determined before
calculate the pressure loss for each annular section.

4.1. FRICTION FACTOR


If the Reynolds number is less than or equal to 2,100:

If the Reynolds number is greater than 2,100:

( )
( )

4.2. ANNULAR INTERVAL


The pressure loss for each interval must be calculated separately and summed for
obtain the total pressure loss of the annular interval. This equation is used to
calculate the pressure losses of the individual intervals.

( )
( )
Where:
D2 = Inner diameter of the well or casing pipe (inches)
DE (outside diameter) of the drilling pipe or the drill collars (inches)

5. EQUIVALENT CIRCULATION DENSITY


The pressure in a formation during circulation is equal to the total pressure losses.
circular flow from the point of interest to the bell nipple, plus the pressure
hydrostatics of the fluid. This force is expressed as the density of the mud that would exert a
equivalent hydrostatic pressure to this pressure. This equivalent weight of the mud is called
Equivalent Circulation Density (ECD).

ECD (lb/gal) = ρ (lb/gal) + Pa (psi) / 0.052 x TVD (feet)

An excessive ECD can cause losses by exceeding the fracture gradient in a well. It is
It is important to optimize the rheological properties to avoid excessive ECD.

6. HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS OF DRILLS


In addition to the loss of pressure in the drill bit, several additional hydraulic calculations are
used to optimize drilling performance. These include calculations of power
hydraulics, the force of impact and the speed of the jet.

6.1. HYDRAULIC POWER


The recommended hydraulic power range (hhp) for most drills is
rocks are from 2.5 to 5.0 Horsepower per Inch
Square (HSI) of the area of the drill bit. A low hydraulic power in the drill bit can
produce low penetration speeds and poor performance of the drill.

Where:
Q = Flow rate (gpm)
Bit pressure loss (psi)

Hydraulic power per square inch of the drill area

Where:
Drill size (in.)

Hydraulic power of the system

Where:
Total pressure losses
of the system (psi)
Flow rate (gpm)

6.2. NOZZLE SPEED


Although more than one nozzle size can be used in a drill, the speed of
The nozzle will be the same for all nozzles. Nozzle speeds of 250 to 450 feet/sec
are recommended for most drills. Throat speeds greater than
450 feet per second can wear out the cutting structure of the drill bit.
( )

Where:
Q = Flow (gpm)
Dn = Nozzle diameter (1/32 inch)

6.3. HYDRAULIC IMPACT FORCE (IF)

( )
Where:
Nozzle speed (feet/second)
Flow (gpm)
ρ = Density (lb/gal)

6.4. IMPACT FORCE/INCH.2

( )
( )

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