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Drilling Parameter Effects on Cuttings Transport in Horizontal Wellbores: A Review

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ICIPEG 2014

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Abstract

Extensive studies on cuttings transport have been conducted by many researchers over the years. In an attempt to better understand the factors influencing cuttings removal in the wellbore, the behaviour of drill-cuttings in the annulus has been simulated and measured under various conditions in the laboratory using mainly water-based and oil-based muds. Furthermore, empirical and semi-empirical correlations as wells as mathematical models have also been developed under specific conditions by other investigators to ease the difficulties and complexities encountered by field engineers during drilling operations. In addition, qualitative hydraulic programmes have also been outlined to provide field guidelines for improved hole cleaning. In recent times, the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in parametric study of cuttings transport has gained popularity due to its ability to handle unlimited number of physical and operational conditions as well as eliminating the need for expensive experimental set-ups. This paper seeks to review the factors or combination of factors affecting cuttings transport as well as the various hydraulic programmes applicable to solving the prevailing field drilling problems in horizontal wellbores.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Seri Iskandar, Malaysia

    T. N. Ofei & S. Irawan

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Seri Iskandar, Malaysia

    W. Pao

Authors
  1. T. N. Ofei
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  2. S. Irawan
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  3. W. Pao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. N. Ofei .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia

    Mariyamni Awang

  2. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia

    Berihun Mamo Negash

  3. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia

    Nur Asyraf Md Akhir

  4. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia

    Luluan Almanna Lubis

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 1 and 2.

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Ofei, T.N., Irawan, S., Pao, W. (2015). Drilling Parameter Effects on Cuttings Transport in Horizontal Wellbores: A Review. In: Awang, M., Negash, B., Md Akhir, N., Lubis, L. (eds) ICIPEG 2014. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-368-2_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-368-2_18

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-287-368-2

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