Experimental investigation of multiphase flow behavior in drilling annuli using high speed visualization technique

Alap Ali Zahid, Syed Raza ur Rehman, S. Rushd, Anwarul Hasan*, Mohammad Azizur Rahman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Imaging with high definition video camera is an important technique to visualize the drilling conditions and to study the physics of complex multiphase flow associated with the hole cleaning process. The main advantage of visualizing multiphase flow in a drilling annulus is that the viewer can easily distinguish fluid phases, flow patterns and thicknesses of cutting beds. In this paper the hole cleaning process which involves the transportation of cuttings through a horizontal annulus was studied. The two-phase (solid-liquid) and the three-phase (solid-liquid-gas) flow conditions involved in this kind of annular transportation were experimentally simulated and images were taken using a high definition camera. Analyzing the captured images, a number of important parameters like velocities of different phases, heights of solid beds and sizes of gas bubbles were determined. Two different techniques based on an image analysis software and MATLAB coding were used for the determinations. The results were compared to validate the image analyzing methodology. The visualization technique developed in this paper has a direct application in investigating the critical conditions required for efficient hole cleaning as well as in optimizing the mud program during both planning and operational phases of drilling. Particularly, it would be useful in predicting the cuttings transport performance, estimating solid bed height, gas bubble size, and mean velocities of bubbles/particles.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)635-643
Number of pages9
JournalFrontiers in Energy
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • flow regime
  • hole cleaning
  • horizontal annulus
  • image analysis
  • multiphase flow
  • visualization

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Experimental investigation of multiphase flow behavior in drilling annuli using high speed visualization technique'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this