Parametric study of cutting transport in vertical, deviated, and horizontal wellbore using CFD simulations

We study particle transmission in a deviated wellbore using computational fluid dynamics simulation. The effects of some drilling parameters on particle transport are studied such as particle characteristics, wellbore inclinations, and eccentricities. The particulate flow is simulated by the algebraic slip mixture (ASM) model, and the Herschel-Bulkley model expresses the rheology of the drilling fluid. The influence of fluid velocity shows that it improves the cutting transportation but its effect attenuates in higher velocities. However, a high viscosity and yield stress fluid results in the most favorable wellbore cleaning, and the deviation of wells reduces the transportation of cuttings.

Automated summary

Particle transmission in a deviated wellbore was studied using computational fluid dynamics simulation, investigating the effects of drilling parameters such as particle characteristics, wellbore inclinations, and eccentricities. The study found that high viscosity and yield stress fluid resulted in the most favorable wellbore cleaning, while deviations in wellbore reduced the transportation of cuttings.