SPE 64382

Foam Properties Requirements for Proper Hole Cleaning While Drilling Horizontal
Wells in Underbalanced Conditions
A.L.Martins SPE, A.M.F.Lourenço, C.H.M. de Sá, Petrobras S.A.

Copyright 2000, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

other more complex trajectory wells. In this scenario, a lot of
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and experimental and modeling work has been done on
Exhibition held in Brisbane, Australia, 16–18 October 2000.
understanding hydraulics and cuttings transport with
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
incompressible fluids (Sanchez et al.1, Peden et al.2, Martins et
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to al.3 , Campos et al.4, etc.).
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at This article presents an initial effort on experimenting
SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
and modeling flow properties and cuttings transport
for commercial purposes without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is performance of foamed systems in horizontal and inclined
prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300
words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous wells. Lab and pilot scale equipment were used as tools for the
acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435.
evaluation of foam stability, rheology and cuttings bed erosion
capacity. Based on the experiments, comprehensive curve
fitting functions were proposed for explaining the flow and
Abstract cuttings transport behavior observed.
This paper summarizes an extensive experimental program
developed at PETROBRAS R&D Center, as part of the JIP Foam Stability
named “Lightweight Fluid Drilling from Floating Platforms”.
The lab work steps include foaming agent selection Fundamentals. One important aspect for the applicability of a
(considering optimum concentration and salt/oil foaming system is the stability of the foam in downhole
contaminants), rheological characterization of foams, conditions. An important point to be investigated is the
development of a flow loop to test foam carrying capacity in optimization of the system regarding the proper choice of the
high angle wells, definition of test procedure and matrix, foamer agent and its optimum concentration.
besides discussion and analysis of results. Besides, based on The evaluation of foam stability was made by an
results obtained from a numerical simulator, a comprehensive adaptation of ASTM 3519-76 entitled "Standard Test Method
and useful model for predicting hole cleaning while drilling for Foam in Aquous Media". The method is based on the
under-balanced or near balance with foams is proposed. After measurement of the liquid phase drained volume as a function
about 50 bed tests performed in PETROBRAS cuttings of time. Foams were prepared through the stirring at 5200 rpm
transport flow loop, correlations were proposed to predict of 100 ml of the liquid phase during 30 seconds in a Waring
cuttings bed erosion capacity in horizontal wells as functions blendor. The foam is then immediately transferred to a 1000
of foam quality. Based on the experiments and on a ml graduated cylinder and the drained volume is registered at
mechanistic model for cuttings transport, foam rheology and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 20 and 25 minutes. Besides, there is a
stability requirements for drilling vertical, inclined and register of the time when half of total liquid phase volume (50
horizontal wells in underbalanced and near balance conditions ml) is drained. This value is called the half time life (t1/2).
were established.
Effect of Concentration and Type of Foamer. Figure I
Introduction illustrates the variation of half life time with concentration for
Among the several applications of lightweight fluid drilling, the 3 foamers studied, here called foamers A, B and C.
one of the most attractive is the drilling of reservoirs in Results show that, for the 3 foamers tested, it is not
underbalanced or near balance conditions. This technique straight forward that increasing foamer concentration
allows the trespassing of producing zones with minimum enhances stability. In all cases the use of 2% vol/vol foamer
damage. Of course the good knowledge of hydraulics and concentration resulted in a less stable foam than in smaller
cuttings transport mechanics of such complex systems is a concentrations. Regarding the final drained volume curve, the
must for safe and economical drilling. 3 foamer have similar performance, but foamer C showed a
Nowadays, producing reservoirs in an economical way higher half life time than the others.
very often requires the drilling of high angle, horizontal and
2 A.L. MARTINS, A.M.F.LOURENÇO, C.H.M. DE SÁ SPE 64382

Effect of Salt Concentration in the Liquid Phase. Other Fundamentals. The following comments are based on Beyer
important point to be analyzed is the is the ability of a et al5 and are relevant points concerning foam drilling in
surfactant to keep foam stable in the presence of salt, when vertical wells.
brines are the liquid phase. This is a common practice for One of primary advantages of foam is the capacity for
drilling reservoirs. cuttings transport. Its structure does not allow the fall back of
Figure II illustrates the lab test behavior for the 3 solids even under no circulation conditions, in contrast to air,
foaming agents in the presence of salt in the liquid phase. mist or aerated fluids, in which the velocity is the primary
Results indicate that foamer A had a quite stable behavior parameter affecting cuttings lift.
while the others tend to have their half life times dependent on As shown in Figure IV, the cuttings carrying capacity can
the salt concentration. While Foamer B had a curious behavior be correlated to the quality of the foam (gas volume fraction α)
where foam stability increased for salt concentrations bigger or, similarly, to the liquid volume fraction (1-α). The optimum
than 5% wt/vol, the foamer C seemed inadequate to generate region, for cuttings transport, is for α between 94 and 98%.
stable foam in the presence of salt. Larger values of α lead to mist or pure gas drilling. Transition
to unstable foam and aerated fluid occur for α less than 80%.
Effect of Oil Concentration. In this item the applicability of It is very difficult to maintain foam quality in the optimum
the 3 foaming agents drilling in underbalanced conditions is range during drilling operations. The high compressibility of
evaluated. the fluid will allow the optimum values of α to be reached very
Figure III compares the behavior of the half life time for close to the surface. Additionally, the control of injected fluids
the 3 foaming agents in the presence of oil. Results indicate and the evaluation of influx rate from exposed formations
that both foamers B and C can work properly in the presence complicate the achievement of the best foam characteristics.
of 30% of oil while A foamer lost its efficiency in Many foams will become unstable due to temperature and
concentrations higher than 20% vol/vol. hydrocarbons produced in underbalanced operations. Testing
the foams under wellbore conditions is critical to a successful
Comments. Choosing a foamer for drilling operations require operation. For underbalanced operations the volume and
the proper definition of the application for which it will be composition of produced fluids must be accounted for in
designed. From the 3 foamers tested, foamer C proved to be determining the quality of the foam produced.
applicable for the wider range of situations. Foamer B showed Additionally, it needs to be noted that presently there is
some restriction to use in the presence of salt while foamer A lack of data concerning cuttings transport in multi-phase fluids,
showed poor results in the presence of oil. For the flow loop specially in high angle wells. Concerning modeling and
tests descriebd in the following sections, foamer B was used, mechanisms very little is known, with most using rules of
due to the good results and operational facility. Foamer C thumb. This deficiency is being partly met by experiments
requires special foam breaking procedures. conducted by PETROBRAS and presented in the following
items.
Foam Carrying Capacity in Horizontal an High Angle
Wells Petrobras R&D Cuttings Transport Flow Loop
Cuttings transport is a major issue in drilling high angle and
horizontal wells. In these situations, there is tendency of Scaling Methodology. A very important step for conducting a
deposition of a solids bed in the lower part of the annulus. The reduced scale experiment is to ensure the reproduction of the
excessive amount of solids may create problems such as real situation. Scaling down and scaling up techniques are
abnormal torque and drag, the necessity of redrilling and, in often neglected and may lead to erroneous quantification of
many cases, the prison of the drillstring. This has been subject variables.
of study at several institutions including universities, operator The basic tool for the physical simulation of processes is the
and service companies, all based on incompressible fluid flow. theory of similarity. With this, it is possible to establish the
Experimental and theoretical studies with compressible design conditions for the reduced model, that will reproduce
fluids are quite more complex and require a lot more the same behavior of the real situation. The first but not
instrumentation and procedure optimization to obtain reliable sufficient, condition for physical simulation, is geometric
results. The objective of this chapter is to describe the work similarity. Dynamic similarity is required for the reproduction
developed at PETROBRAS R&D CENTER cuttings transport of non-static phenomena.
flow loop, on bed erosion with foam and aerated fluids in
horizontal and inclined wells. Flow Loop Description. The experimental apparatus, consists
Cuttings bed erosion capacity was measured for several of a 12m long test section acrylic pipe where a PVC pipe is
combinations of gas and liquid flow rates at 3 different introduced concentrically or eccentrically. The acrylic pipe,
inclinations. Foamer B (0.5% vol/vol) was the foaming agent representing the wellbore, is 5 in OD X 4 in ID and allows
used in the tests. flow visualization. The internal pipe, representing the drill
string, accounts for different phases of the drilling operation,
depending on its diameter.
 FOAM PROPERTIES REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPER HOLE CLEANING WHILE DRILLING
SPE 64382 HORIZONTAL WELLS IN UNDERBALANCED CONDITIONS 3

During the foam tests an open flow circuit was used to liquid flow rates and different gas flow rates were simulated.
guarantee constant foam qualities. The foam after flowing Foam quality varied from 60 up to 95% and two different
through test section was pumped to the screens to collect inclinations were tested. Table I shows the set of tests.
cuttings, broken and discarded. The general parameters used in the tests were:
A closed flow circuit was used for water + air tests, • Geometry : 4,2 cm OD inner pipe (drillstring) and 10 cm
where water was recycled to the loop after being separated ID outer pipe (bore hole) – simulating 12 1/4 in phase.
from solids at the screens. • Annular Eccentricity: fully eccentric
• Particle Diameter: 6 mm
Foam and Aerated Fluids. Equipament: Helical and
Results. Foam tests require a lot of effort in the optimization
centrifugal pumps are used to bring fluid from the three feed
of foam generation process. Due to the low test pressures, high
tanks into movement at controlled flow rates, while solids are
shear conditions had to be established during foam generation
fed in the test section through an auger. 2.5 and 3in flexible
to avoid non-homogeneous flow. Besides that flow rates had
hoses are used to conduct liquid phase (water + surfactant) to
to be limited to ranges where no slug flow happened.
foam generator and then to test section. The same flexible
The next figures illustrate the experimental results for the
hose was used to pump foam and cuttings to the screen.
horizontal tests performed at 2 different liquid flow rates (20
The foam generator consists on three carbon steel
and 30 l/min) and several gas injection rates. Figure V shows
sections connected, with two gas injection 1.5 in pipes welded.
bed erosion plotted against gas flow rate for the two different
Perforated plates were installed into carbon steel sections and
liquid rates tested. Figure VI shows bed erosion (bed height
entrance of test section to provide better mixture between the
over outer diameter) plotted again mixture flow rate calculated
gas and liquid phases, as well as to avoid foam slugs during
as the sum of liquid and gas flow rates (corrected for test
the tests.
section pressure and temperature). Figure VII shows the same
Instrumentation :The cuttings transport physical simulator
results, now plotted against foam flow rate, read from the
offers level and pressures gauges; coriolis and turbine flow
Coriolis flow meter.
meters; differential pressure transducers; temperature pressure
Results indicate that despite of the slight difference
sensors in test section and air injection stream and
between mixture and foam velocities, the tendencies are similar
densitometers.
and physically based: the increase in total flow rate helps bed
All relevant variables are displayed and recorded through
erosion and the curve for the higher liquid flow rate shows
LabView 5.0 data acquisition system which allows checking
always better hole cleaning efficiency than the curve for the
the reliability of the results during the test.
lower liquid flow rate. At the higher qualities, this effect is less
pronounced due to the big total flow rates value.
Test Procedure. Once the operational parameters : geometry
Figures VIII to X are analogous to the previous 3 ones but
(scale reduction for 12,25 X 5 in ), totally eccentric and
now varying inclination (90, 75 and 45 degrees from vertical).
particle diameter (6 mm) are set, the following procedure is
Results indicate a poorer cleaning performance in the
adopted:
inclined than in the horizontal wells. For the 75 degrees this is
• Start the auger to form a bed of constant height along the
in accordance to Jalukar et al6 . results for incompressible
test section. Fluid flow rate should be minimum and
fluid. The authors state that there is a critical region for hole
constant;
cleaning around 80 degrees.
• Prepare surfactant solution at 0,5% vol/vol in feed tanks;
The results at 45 degrees are very similar to the ones at 75
• Diverge the flow through the foam generator, out of test
degrees. Due to the quite small amount of experiments, it
section, start liquid and gas injection at desired rates;
seems premature to draw conclusions about this inclination.
• Wait for liquid and gas flow rates stabilization;
• Direct the foam to test section; Predicting Bed Eroison in Horizontal Well Foam
• When steady state is reached (no more solids removal), Drilling
deviate the foam flow to pipe flow rheometer, recording Previous work performed at PETROBRAS R&D Center
flow rate and loss friction; cuttings transport flow loop aimed the development of
• Record bed perimeter in ten different points and observe correlations for the prediction of bed erosion by XC polymer
removal flow patterns; fluids (Martins et al3). At this study, dimensionless bed height
• Calculate average values of perimeter and average bed was correlated to six dimensionless numbers representing the
height; important parameters varied in the 400 tests, representing the
• Increase gas flow rate, keeping liquid rate constant to begin following:
new bed erosion in a higher foam quality; • shape factors (internal and external diameters, annular gap
• Repeat the last step, increasing gradually the fluid flow rate and particle diameters)
until complete bed removal. • buoyancy forces
• yield point – particle weight ratio
Test Matrix. A total of 60 tests were performed using 0,5% • viscous effects – particle weight ratio
vol/vol solutions of Kasey Colombia Foaming agent. Two • inertial and viscous forces ratio.
4 A.L. MARTINS, A.M.F.LOURENÇO, C.H.M. DE SÁ SPE 64382

Of course, for the present analysis the test matrix was The coefficients shown in Eq.4 are physically consistent:
much more limited and several points were not investigated, the increase of Reynolds number and the decrease of the flow
such as annular geometry, eccentricity, nature of the liquid behavior index enhance bed erosion.
phase, etc. In the foam tests, all the geometric factors were
kept constant and bed erosion was evaluated under different Concluding Remarks
gas and liquid flow rate conditions. Figure XI rearranges data This report summarizes a two year experimental effort for
already shown in figure VII now plotting bed erosion against testing foam regarding stability and cuttings bed erosion
foam quality for both liquid flow rates. capacity. The knowledge accumulated in the several attempts
of generating and breaking foam, in testing it in a reliable way
h and in adapting existing lab and pilot scale equipment and
= a − bα c (1) instrumentation to deal with compressible systems were a
OD difficult and unavoidable step to be overcome.
Where h/OD is the relative bed height, α the foam Due to the challenges described above, in order to
quality and a, b, c regression coefficients. perform 100% of the original matrixes proposed at the
Fig. XII shows the good fitting of Eq I to experimental beginning of the project it was necessary to perform about
data. at liquid flow rates of 20 l/min. Fig. XIII shows the four times more tests than expected. At the end of this step,
adequacy in relation to 30 l/min tests. though, the authors are confident to have made available for
Figure XIV shows the results of Eq.I for effect of liquid the JIP participants a reliable and useful research work in all
flow rate on the erosion capacity. During all gas flow rates, its planned topics.
the test run with 30 l/min showed a better performance than Procedure ASTM 3519-76, with minor adaptations,
the tests with 20 l/min. At the higher gas flow rates, the effect proved to be a simple and useful way to evaluate foam
of liquid flow rate seems to be enhanced. stability of light weight fluid drilling applications. Due to its
Rheological properties of the foam can be predicted by simplicity it becomes a powerful tool not only for designing
according to (Lourenço et al7): operations in the lab, but also to follow foam behavior at the
rigsite during the drilling activities
a2
1− α  Choosing a foamer for drilling operations require the
n = a1   (2) proper definition of the application for which it will be
 α  designed. If the idea is to drill underbalanced, foam should be
stable in the presence of oil. If a brine is required as the liquid
b2 phase, foam should be stable in the presence of salt. From the
1− α 
K = b1   (3) 3 foamers tested, the one produced by Clear Water proved to
 α  be applicable for the wider range of situations. Kasey
Colombia showed some restriction to use in the presence of
Where: a1= 0,8242 salt while Halliburton showed poor results in the presence of
a2 = 0,5164 oil.
b1 = 0,0813 The efficiency of the 3 tested foamers decreased at
b2 =-1,5909 concentrations above 1 to 1.5% in volume. In most cases 0.5%
in volume was enough to achieve good stability.
Other approach is to correlate bed erosion capacity with For the flow loop tests, Kasey Colombia foaming agent
the rheological parameters of the foam, calculated by Eqs 2 was used due to the good results and operational facility. Clear
and 3 (generated by pipe flow rheometer data). The proposed water system requires special foam generating and breaking
correlation has the following shape: procedures.
Results obtained for bed erosion capacity in
h PETROBRAS cuttings transport flow loop indicated that high
= a − b Re c n d (4) qualities foams present excellent performance. Liquid flow
OD rates play also an important role, specially on the lower foam
quality tests.
where: The methodology proposed for the prediction of bed
8 Dh n v 2 − n ρf heights as function of foam qualities and liquid flow rates
Re = (5) expresses properly the phenomena involved in cuttings bed
 (3n − 1) 
n

k 2 removal process and may be of practical use. Besides, the


 n  methodology for predicting carrying capacity as a function of
foam rheology is also available.
Fig. XV shows the good fitting of Eq 4 to experimental
data at liquid flow rates of 20 l/min. Fig. XVI shows the
adequacy in relation to 30 l/min tests.
 FOAM PROPERTIES REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPER HOLE CLEANING WHILE DRILLING
SPE 64382 HORIZONTAL WELLS IN UNDERBALANCED CONDITIONS 5

Nomenclature
k, n = Power Law Model Parameters
ρf = Fluid Density
Dh = Hidraulics Diameter
ν = Annular Foam Velocity
a, b, c, d = Fitting Parameters

References
1. Sanchez, R.A., Azar, J.J., Bassal, A.A. and
Martins, A.L.: “The Effect of Drillpipe rotation on Hole
Cleaning During Directional Well Drilling”, paper
SPE/IADC37626 presented at the 1997 SPE/IADC
DrillingConference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Mar 4-6.
2. Peden, J. M., Ford, J.T. and Oyeneyin, B.:
“Comprehensive Experimental Investigation of Drilled Cuttings
Transport in Inclined Wells Including the Effectsof Rotation and
Eccentricity”, paper SPE 20925 presented at EUROPEC 90, The
Hague, Netherlands, oct 22-24.
3. Martins, A.L., Sá C.H.M., Lourenço, A.M.F. and Campos, W.:
“Optimizing Cuttings Circulation in Horizontal Well
Drilling”paper SPE 35341 presented at the 1996 Intl. Pet. Conf
of Mexico, Vilahermosa, Mexico, Mar 5-7.
4. Campos, W., Shirazi, A.S., Azar, J.J. and
Pilehvari, A.A.: “Mechanistic Modeling of Cuttings Transport in
Highly Inclined Wells”, FED-vol. 189, paper presented at the
1994 ASME Fluid Engineering Division Summer Meeting, Lake
Tahoe NV, Jun. 19-23.
5. Beyer, A.H., Milhone, R.S and Foote, R.W.:
“Flow Behavior of Foam as a Well Circulating Fluid,” SPE
Paper 3986, presented at the October 1972 SPE AnnualFall
Meeting,San Antonio, TX.
6. .Jalukar, L. S., Azar, J.J., Pilehvari, A. A., Shirazi, S. A. “
Extensive Experimental Investigation of Hole Size Effect on
Cuttings Transport in Direcional Well Drilling” , paper
presented at the ASME Fluids Engineering Division Annual
Summer Meeting, San Diego, California, July 7-12 (1996)
7. Lourenço, A.M.F.; Martins, A.L.; Sa, C.H.M.; Brandão, E.M.;
Shayegi,S.: “Drilling with Foam: Stability and Rheology
Aspects”, paper ETCE/OMAE2000 Joint
ConferenceEnergy for the New Millennium presented at New
Orleans, LA ,Feb14-17.
6 A.L. MARTINS, A.M.F.LOURENÇO, C.H.M. DE SÁ SPE 64382

Table I. Test Matrix- Foam

Gas Flow Range Liquid Flow Rates

Total of Tests Inclinations (degrees) Test Configuration
(L/min) (L/min)
20 90
12 1/4 x5"
75 Reduced Scale
60 60 to 500
30 dp – 6mm
45 eccentric

600

500
Half life time (s)

400

300

200

100

0
0 0 ,5 1 1 ,5 2
F o a m e r (% v /v )

A B C

Figure I. Effect of Foamer Concentration on Half Life Times

1% FOAMER

600

500
Half Life Time (s)

400

300

200

100

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Salt Concentration ( w/v %)
A B C

Figure II. Effect of Salt Concentration on Foamers Efficiency

 FOAM PROPERTIES REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPER HOLE CLEANING WHILE DRILLING
SPE 64382 HORIZONTAL WELLS IN UNDERBALANCED CONDITIONS 7

1% FOAMER

600
half life time ( s )

400

200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Oil concentration ( v / v %)

A B C

Figure III. Effect of Oil Concentration on Foamer Efficiency

D ry fo am Stable fo am W et fo am

1.0
Relative Cu ttin g T ran sp o rt

0.8

Relative V elocity 2
0.6

0.4

Relative V elocity 1
0.2

0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Liq uid V olu m e Fraction

Figure IV. Cuttings Transport with Foam (After Beyer et al5)

8 A.L. MARTINS, A.M.F.LOURENÇO, C.H.M. DE SÁ SPE 64382

1,00

0,80

0,60
h/OD

0,40

0,20

-
0 100 200 300 400
Gas Flow Rate (L/min)
20 L/min Liquid Flow Rate 30 L/min Liquid Flow Rate

Figure V. Effect of Gas Flow Rate on Bed Erosion- Horizontal Tests

1 ,00

0 ,80

0 ,60
h/O D

0 ,40

0 ,20

-
0 50 1 00 1 50 2 00 2 50 3 00 3 50 4 00 4 50 5 00 5 50

M ixtu re F o w R ate (L /m in )
2 0 L /m in Liq uid Flow R ate 3 0 L /m in Liq uid Flow R ate

Figure VI. Effect of Mixture Flow Rate on Bed Erosion- Horizontal Tests

0 ,9 0

0 ,8 0

0 ,7 0
0 ,6 0

0 ,5 0

0 ,4 0
0 ,3 0
h /O D

0 ,2 0
0 ,1 0

-
0 ,0 0 5 0 ,0 0 1 0 0 ,0 0 1 5 0 ,0 0 2 0 0 ,0 0 2 5 0 ,0 0 3 0 0 ,0 0
F o a m F lo w R a t e (L /m in )
2 0 L /m in Liq u id Flow R a te 3 0 L /m in Liq u id Flow R a te

Figure VII. Effect of Foam Flow Rate on Bed Erosion- Horizontal Tests
 FOAM PROPERTIES REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPER HOLE CLEANING WHILE DRILLING
SPE 64382 HORIZONTAL WELLS IN UNDERBALANCED CONDITIONS 9

30 L/min Liquid Flow Rate

1,00

0,80

0,60
h/OD

0,4

0,20

-
0 100 200 300 400 500
Gas Flow Rate (L/min)
Horizontal 75 degree inclination 45 degree inclination

Figure VIII. Effect of Gas Flow Rate on Bed Erosion at 3 Different Inclinations

9,00
8,00
7,00
6,00
5,00
h/OD

4,00
3,00
2,00
1,00
-
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550

Mixture Flow Rate (L/min)

horizontal 45 degree inclination 75 degree inclination

Figure IX. Effect of Mixture Flow Rate on Bed Erosion at 3 Different Inclinations

30 L/m in Liquid Flow Rate

0,80

0,70

0,60

0,50
h/O D

0,40

0,30

0,20

0,10

-
0,00 50,00 100,00 150,00 200,00 250,00 300,00
Foa m Flo w R ate (L /m in)
H orizontal 45 degree inclination" 75 degree inc lination

Figure X. Effect of Foam Flow Rate on Bed Erosion at 3 Different Inclinations

10 A.L. MARTINS, A.M.F.LOURENÇO, C.H.M. DE SÁ SPE 64382

0,9

h/OD
0,8

0,7

0,6

0,5

0,4
0,4 0,45 0,5 0,55 0,6 0,65 0,7 0,75
Quality
Liquid Flow Rate 20 l/min Liquid Flow Rate 30 l/min

Fig XI– Effect of Foam Quality on Bed Erosion

0,8
Evaluated h/OD

0,6

0,4
0,4 0,6 0,8
Experimental h/OD

FigureXII. Fitness of Eq 1 to Experimental Data – Liquid Rates = 20 l/min

0,8
Evaluated h/OD

0,6

0,4

0,2
0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8
Experimental h/OD

Figure XIII. Fitness of Eq 1 to Experimental Data – Liquid Rates = 30 l/min

 FOAM PROPERTIES REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPER HOLE CLEANING WHILE DRILLING
SPE 64382 HORIZONTAL WELLS IN UNDERBALANCED CONDITIONS 11

0,80000

0,70000

0,60000

0,50000
C
a-bα
α 0,40000

0,30000

0,20000

0,10000

0,00000
0,600 0,700 0,800 0,900
Quality
20 L/min Liquid Flow Rate 30 L/min Liquid Flow Rate

Figure XIV. Impact of Liquid Flow Rate on Bed Erosion According to Eq 1.

0,8
Evaluated h/OD

0,6

0,4
0,4 0,6 0,8
Exprimental h/OD

Figure XV. Fitness of Eq 4 to Experimental Data – Liquid Rates = 20 l/min

0,8
Evaluated h/OD

0,6

0,4

0,2
0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8

Exprimental h/OD

Figure XVI. Fitness of Eq 4 to Experimental Data – Liquid Rates = 30 l/min